How To Choose A Gaming Chair

These specialized chairs are designed for the unique needs and comfort of gamers. Believe it or not, but the gaming chair designers spend weeks to observe how gamers sit and how they move in a chair. After a thorough analysis of what the gamers need out of a chair, the designers go on to create something that meets all those needs.

And despite what some believe, gaming chairs are not only for gamers. Anyone who falls in the below category will benefit greatly from a gaming chair:

• Works from home and spends a lot of time sitting down
• Works in an office and wants to improve their productivity
• Have mobility or back issues and needs additional support when in a seated position 
• Suffers from chronic or acute back pain 
• Wants to be as comfortable as possible when seated 
• Spends a lot of time playing games (quite obviously!)

There are 4 types of gaming chairs in the market:

Racing Simulator Seats 

The racing simulator chairs are the most advanced gaming chairs specially designed for racing games. They are often attached to a "cockpit" or frame on which you can mount your accessories, such as pedals, gear sticks, wheel, etc.

Professional racing drivers or serious gamers who play racing games go for the top-of-the-line racing simulator seats which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

It doesn't mean that casual gamers shouldn't buy these chairs or you must spend a small fortune to buy them. But if you have a tight budget and you're looking for a chair that you can use for other purposes (like in your home office or garage), a racing simulator seat is not recommended.

Console Gaming Chairs 

As the name suggests, these chairs are designed for console gamers. Compared to other kinds of gaming chairs, these are much more versatile and are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

You may have seen the "Rocker" chairs which are the most popular types of console gaming chairs. Rocker chairs come with L-shaped seats that you can place directly on the floor. The backrest of these chairs can generally rock back-and-forth with your movements, which is why they are called rocker chairs. 

Keep in mind that these chairs are not meant to be used at a desk and they are way less ergonomic than PC gaming chairs. You should only buy a console gaming chair if your sole goal is to enjoy your consoles comfortably.  

Console chairs usually include extra features like USB ports and surround sound speakers that can be easily integrated with a console.

PC Gaming Chairs 

When most people think of gaming chairs, they actually think of PC gaming chairs. These chairs are specifically designed to sit behind desks. 

So, if you want a chair that doubles up as an office/work chair, or if you play most of your games on a PC, this is a great option for you.  

A PC gaming chair is made of a 5-star, mobile wheeled base with a pedestal seat that is mounted on top. These chairs come with swiveling function so you can move around your desk freely. They also have a high back to support your neck and high armrests to support your wrists as you use your keyboard and mouse.

If you're looking for a chair that will prevent you from straining your neck and back while looking at your screen, a PC gaming chair is what you want. Also, these chairs are modelled off car seats (for their reclining capabilities), which is why they are also referred to as "Racing gaming chairs".

Bean Bag Chairs

You may not think of a bean bag chair as a "gaming chair" but many gamers prefer them because of how comfortable and soft they are.

These are large sacks generally filled with even foam and upholstered in microfiber or suede. Bean bag chairs are not particularly supportive or ergonomic but if you're looking for a chair that can accommodate a wide range of body positions and postures, they are an excellent option. 

Another reason to choose them is they tend to be cheaper than all other types of gaming chairs mentioned above.

Now that you know what types of gaming chairs are available in the market, let's see what exactly you should consider when buying a chair:

Armrests

Keep in mind that when you are seated in your gaming chair, your arms need both lots of opportunities for support and freedom to move. 

If you'll spend a lot of time on the gaming chair, we recommend choosing a chair with 4-Directional (4D) armrests that are specifically designed to provide support to your wrists, forearms, and elbows as well. 4D armrests also improve your seating ergonomics and relieve the pressure on your shoulders.

Seat 

Go for a chair that comes with cold foam padding. If the chair has cheap padding or your knees can feel the steel frame under the padding, you won't be comfortable for long in that chair.

Cold foam padding provides consistent support to your body and it is far more durable too. It offers the firmest yet softest feeling, even if you stay seated all day long.

Backrest 

There are two factors to look for when testing the backrest of a gaming chair: support and adjustability.

When you're out shopping, position the adjustable pillows along the 2 curves in your spine: above your shoulders and at the lower back. Play around with the recline until you find the sweet spot where your entire body feels optimally supported.

To test the adjustability feature, shift the reclining position in a couple of different ways. For example, angle further back for relaxing or reading, and position upright for work. 

Ask yourself how you feel after adjusting the chair. Do you feel like you can stay in that position for the entire day?  

Interestingly, most of the expensive gaming chairs offer a recline to around 135-degrees, however, the cheap chairs offer 180-degrees deep recline. Why's that? It's because the ideal or recommended angle for using a PC is between 100 degrees - 110 degrees. If you want a chair that supports your back, choose a chair with this range of recline.

Pick a size that fits your body type. Choosing the right sized gaming chair will ensure maximum ergonomic and posture support. Backrest height determines where the neck pillow will fit you.

A right sized chair will also ensure that you can set your feet firmly on the ground. This will help offset your body weight by distributing it evenly throughout the surface of the seat. When trying out the chair, set the height so that your feet can plant firmly on the ground.

Don't think that a bigger chair will mean more comfort; if the chair is too big, you won't get proper support from the cushions.

Both expensive and cheap gaming chairs offer good back support and posture. If you are planning to sit in your gaming chair full time, you may want to invest more. It's because the expensive chairs come with superior features and upholstery. 

The additional features can include extra adjustment options so your body fits like a glove in the chair.

But if you'll only use the chair for a 4-6 hours or less in a day, a cheap gaming chair will do the job nicely enough.