The best gaming chair is going to offer you a lot of things, but most especially is comfort and style.
Whether you're just sitting at home and just want a comfortable experience or you're at you're streaming from your gaming station and you want the best possible aesthetic, there is a gaming chair for you that will complement the best gaming keyboard and best gaming mouse on the market to make you look your best.
That said, looks aren't everything, and gamers more than anyone else, know the value of the best gaming chairs where comfort is concerned, and a lot of the best-looking gaming chairs fall flat on that front. Some though offer incredible features like footrests, super-supportive seat cushions, and advanced ergonomics in addition to the typical racecar-bucket-seat design.
Many of the best gaming brands like Razer, DXRacer, Titan, and more built some fantastic chairs, while newcomers like Mavix surprise us with features we didn't even know we wanted. And when paired with the best gaming desks, you've got the makings of a proper gaming battle station if there ever was one.
Whatever your budget, there is a fantastic gaming chair out there for you. And with inflation on the rise, budgets are more important than ever -- so we've built a separate guide to the best cheap gaming chairs. That said, read on for all the best deals: We've pulled together some of the best chairs we've tested to help you sort the wheat from the chaff.
Our picks for the best gaming chair of 2022
The best gaming chair 2022
The Mavix M9 absolutely doesn't come cheap, but if you are going to buy a premium gaming chair, there's no excuse to not go with one of the most comfortable that you'll ever find. In addition to the incredible ergonomics and Cool Gel M-Foam seat cushion that actually delivers on the "cool" part, the premium wheels will give your hardwood floors a break over years of metal and plastic casters.
What's more, the dynamic lumbar support gives your back a break, no matter what position you're in. Throw in several adjustable parts like the back height and headrest angle and you're bound to find the perfect position for maximum comfort. While not every part of the chair has the same premium feel, the M9 invests where it counts. And on comfort alone, we think it is well worth the price.
Check out our full review: Mavix M9
One of the more affordable gaming chairs out there, the Corsair T3 Rush is ideal for budget-conscious gamers who can afford to shell out a bit more if it meant better quality and better comfort. Unlike its biggest rivals, it lacks that over-the-top gaming aesthetic. In fact, it almost looks like any computer chair out there, albeit the more premium, bucket seat kind.
But, what this gaming chair lacks in gaming aesthetic hoopla, it makes up for in comfort. It comes with a padded neck cushion, memory foam lumbar support and breathable soft fabric exterior, which makes it incredibly supportive of your neck and back. It also has a highly adjustable backrest that you can recline all the way for quick naps. And, its heavy-duty 65mm dual wheel casters should keep you movable when necessary.
The SecretLab Titan is almost always a top five best gaming chair contender no matter which list you look at, and it's not hard to see why. Its racing seat-style design isn't as ostentatious as many others in its class, opting for a more elegant bucket seat look that allows it to fit just as well in an office.
The SecretLab Titan has an advanced base that allows for tilt of the seat pan as well as the back. You get a soft memory foam neck pillow, as well as built-in lumbar support that’s adjustable so you don't need another distracting foam add-on to keep your posture in check. And, while the price may initially look high – we find that when it comes to gaming chairs you’ll have to spend a little more to get more, you are definitely getting your money's worth with this one.
Check out our full review: Secretlab Titan
The noblechairs Epic Real Leather is a real contender for the best gaming chair crown. From the cross-thatched embroidery, aluminium base and genuine real leather worthy of its name to the ample adjustments options, this is the chair to get if you’re looking for a gaming throne that simply doesn’t compromise. You can customize your position however you want thanks to its 4D armrests, a backrest that adjusts from 90 to 135 degrees and 48 to 58 cm height adjustments.
Don’t let its impressive adjustability fool you, either. It’s surprisingly quick and easy to set up. And once you're done the Epic Real Leather is a dream to sit on. Just do us a favor, and read the instructions while you’re setting it up. Synthetic leather is also an option if you want to save some money.
We think fabric chairs without too many aggressive-looking cut-outs are great for folk who want a gaming chair that fits into a normal room well. Not all of us have entire rooms dedicated to gaming, after all. A fabric weave will generally feel less hot and sweaty than PU leather but is also less easy to wipe down. Eat dinner while playing most nights? The fabric might not be the best choice unless your spill rate is pretty low.
The Anda Seat T-Pro 2's ultra-sturdy base and general construction are ready to accommodate the larger gamers. We don't think it's the right choice for shorter folk — although the wide seat base makes it easy to play with legs crossed. We like this chair a lot, although an even higher-end one with built-in lumbar support would make even better use of the relatively stylish design, with no need for lower back support pillows.
Read the full review: Anda Seat T-Pro 2
If you’re looking to sit back and play games all day in comfort, you’ll want to take a look at the Autonomous ErgoChair 2. This is a gaming chair that doesn’t look like a gaming chair. In fact, it looks more like a luxurious executive’s chair than anything else, thanks to its very modern and stylish aesthetic. That’s because it is marketed as an office chair.
Still, the ErgoChair 2 has will appeal to anyone, including gamers who use RGB as a personality trait. It’s not all style, either, as it’ll also let you adjust basically every part of the chair – its height, armrest, headrest, backrest and seat tilt – so it’ll fit you no matter how your body is built. That’s on top of its mesh back, which is also far more breathable than a leather one. You’re guaranteed to be comfortable while gaming.
Incorporating that sleek, Mad Men-level sophistication with that SciFi gaming look, the SecretLab Omega 2020 is a stunning option if you’re seeking a more elegant bucket-seat look. That’s especially if you opt for the PU leather or high-end Napa leather models. But, the SecretLab Omega doesn’t just rely on looks alone; one of the best gaming chairs on the market, this one comes with a head pillow and a lumbar pillow – both memory foam – and offers even better support than its predecessor.
That’s not to mention the improvements over the 2018 model, like the metal support on the armrests, that makes the SecretLab Omega 2020 feel so much more robust. So expect, after a grueling gaming session, to just go straight to napping for a couple of hours without moving an inch – without having to worry about the chair falling apart on you.
Razer is no stranger to gaming peripherals, but this is the first time it’s entered the gaming chair market and we must say, it’s certainly a solid first effort. The Razer Iskur is a high-quality gaming throne that rounds out your Razer-filled setup quite nicely. It’s made of premium construction and quality materials, and while we found it to be on the firm end thanks to its high-density foam, it’s just as comfortable as the best of them. That’s especially thanks to its built-in fully-sculpted lumbar support.
Even if you’re not fully invested in Razer, it’s still an appealing proposition, delivering comfort and build you won’t find in cheaper gaming chairs. Is it pricey? It might be out of reach for many. And, it’s not ideal for anyone over 130Kg. However, if you can afford it, you will love that you bought it.
Read the full review: Razer Iskur
Corsair is known for making popular and high-end PC components and gaming peripherals, and now it’s making a mark in PC gaming chairs. This has resulted in one of the best gaming chairs we’ve ever sat in.
With the Corsair T2 Road Warrior, you’ll be able to game in both comfort and style. That’s because it’s covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather with neck and lumbar pillows wrapped in microfiber. If you want to add a splash of color to it, it comes with two-layer custom color accents. It also comes with 4D armrests that you can raise or lower, slide left or right, move forward or backward and swivel to your most comfortable position. Plus, with its rollerblade-style wheels, you can move it around on any surface without having to worry about scratching up your floor.
Noblechairs is well known for crafting some of the best gaming chairs out there – and the Noblechairs Icon makes it clear why. While it’s more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather, it’s still extremely comfortable and one of the best PC gaming chairs out there.
Part of its appeal is its classy aesthetics and luxurious finish, giving it an elevated look and you an equally elevated experience. The Icon is Noblechairs's least aggressive design, which may appeal if it will double as a day-to-day home office chair. More of your comfort, it comes with 4D armrests that you can adjust horizontally, laterally and vertically, as well as tilt at different angles. it’s also made of breathable, deformation-resistant cold foam upholstery, which means it’ll give you the right amount of support you need for long hours of gaming and last you for years to come.
We have reviewed a bunch of Andaseat gaming chairs, but the Fnatic Edition is our current fave. It’s worth considering, whether you like esports team Fnatic or you have no idea who they are.
This is a real throne of a gaming chair, with a large seat, plush memory foam padding and an ultra-soft lumbar support pillow covered with synthetic velvet. It also boasts a 160-degree recline so you can go from gaming to taking a quick nap without ever getting out of it. It's about as plush as they come, but doesn't cost a devastating amount because it uses PVC synthetic leather across its surfaces. Big on comfort and great for larger gamers, this is another excellent gaming chair if you need lots of space. Unfortunately, it’s probably not the right choice for short folk.
Read our full review: Andaseat Fnatic Edition
How to choose the best gaming chair for you?
How to choose the best gaming chair for you?
Congratulations! You’ve just set up your new, shiny gaming PC, and you want to take it out for a proper spin around the Steam games catalogue.
Not so fast. Before you dive into a work day’s worth of gaming or a proper all-nighter, you need to make sure that your chair is up to the task of keeping things comfortable and pain-free in your body. Luckily, most gaming chairs are designed with that in mind.
Still, some offer more comfort or come with better features than others. Entry-level and mid-range models tend to have memory foam lower back and neck pillows rather than built-in support mechanisms. However, most of the biggest names now also offer slick chairs with adjustable lumbar support for added comfort. Depending on your needs, you might either be able to save some money or need to splurge for the proper support you need.
If you're set on a more elegant look, don’t worry. Not all gaming chairs have that gamer aesthetic in heaps. Others come with a more somber look in case you need that for your daily work video conferencing calls. Be sure to check the adjustability of its height, arms, and back as well, since some are more flexible and versatile than others.
Luckily, all of our recommendations below are comfy enough for all-day use, should last for years, and most have great recline features. It’s just a matter of narrowing the list down, and finally picking the most ideal one for you. Dig into our mini reviews to see which is right for you as you plough through long sessions with the best Steam games, PC games, and even the best cheap PC games.
What's the best brand for gaming chairs?
There's no one ultimate gaming chair brand. Instead, there are a few excellent manufacturers out there that you can trust for delivering excellent gaming chairs. That should give you several options to choose from when looking for the best gaming chair for you.
These brands include Mavix, SecretLab, noblechairs and AndaSeat. You should also consider non-gaming chair brands like Herman Miller and Autonomous. Of course, top gaming peripheral companies like Razer, Corsair and Cougar have impressive gaming chairs as well.
How we test gaming chairs
When it comes to making sure a gaming chair is up to snuff, we test every aspect and feature. After all, it needs to fit a gamer’s needs, from comfortable for long gaming sessions to fitting the right look. And, while aesthetics are subjective, it is one of the first things we take a look at. Whether it leans into a gamer aesthetic or is subdued enough for the office is important for many.
We also consider the materials used. Some use more premium ones such as breathable fabric. And, though that might seem minor, it can make a difference in how comfortable a gaming chair is. Along the same lines, we look at how durable a chair is. After all, some of them can get pricey so you want whatever you end up with to last you at least a few years.
General comfort takes a little longer to test. While first impressions are important, a gaming chair needs to be just as comfortable to sit in after four hours as it is after the first. We take Ergonomics into account as well since it’s a key part of a chair’s comfort.
Along with comfort, we consider a chair’s adjustability. We look at how far back the seat goes, what all is adjustable from armrests to lumbar pillows, and how easy it is to make adjustments. Last but not least, we consider any additional features that might set a gaming chair apart.
Once we’ve looked at every factor, we take a holistic look at the chair we’re testing along with its price to see if it’s worth the investment and who might benefit from using that particular gaming chair.
