The best gaming chairs 2022

Game models differ from office chairs primarily in ergonomics. Almost all of them are necessarily equipped with a headrest, and also have a so-called lumbar cushion. Game sessions are usually shorter than work sessions, but there is often simply no time and opportunity to swing or get up to warm up. So, maximum back support and the closest anatomical shape are mandatory attributes of almost any specialized gaming chair.

Such models are in demand not only among professional gamers, but also among amateurs for whom PC games are just a hobby and they want to get the most out of them and keep their back healthy.

We studied the opinions of buyers, the characteristics of the goods offered and correlated affordable prices with them. From the results obtained, we came up with the following ranking of the best gaming chairs for today.

Editor’s Choice

DXRacer Formula OH/FD99

This gaming chair can already be classified as premium. It is completed with lumbar and neck supports (in the form of pillows). The model can be fully customized, and the anatomical shape will allow your back to easily cope with the difficulties of everyday gamers. The neck section is equipped with two ventilation holes, however, many buyers note that the back still sweats, especially in hot weather. There are no complaints about the assembly – nothing plays, does not creak, everything works as it should work.

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Top 17 rating according to KP

1. Woodville Kano

The gaming chair is equipped with a swing mechanism and two pillows – for the lumbar and cervical. Pillows will help you reduce the load on your back, and on the back of this model you can lean back 180 degrees. At the same time, the angle of inclination of the backrest can be adjusted using the latch in the chair. 

The armrests can be adjusted in angles and height, which allows them to be adjusted to any inclination of the chair. The icing on the cake is the footstool.

If you choose furniture and appliances by color, then Woodville Kano is a good choice, as it comes in three colors: black with white, black with blue and black with red. The upholstery is made of eco-leather.

The main advantage of the chosen model is that the upholstery on the seat and back is made of mesh fabric, thanks to which your skin will breathe, and in hot weather you will not stick to it. Do you have pets? This gaming chair will be completely safe, because your pet will have it “out of the claws”. 

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2. ThunderX3 EC3

The ThunderX3 EC3 gaming chair has several color options, a stylish and rather aggressive minimalist design. It can be attributed to the middle price segment, while it boasts a function that is typical for more expensive models – you can adjust the rigidity of the rocking mechanism. This is especially important when you spend a lot of time sitting, without the opportunity to tear yourself away from the monitor. It is also worth noting that you can recline 180 degrees on it – almost lie down, which will allow you to relax and unwind even during the most intense skating rink.

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3. Defender Pilot

This gaming chair has several important advantages. The main ones are upholstered soft armrests and a deep seat, thanks to which maximum comfort is achieved. Another nice bonus is the presence of a footrest and two pillows for the cervical and lumbar. 

The chair is equipped with a swing mechanism, and the backrest can recline 135 degrees. The frame material is made of metal, which means that the chair will last you not a year or two. The upholstery material is completely made of eco-leather, while there is no breathable mesh on top. Such material is dependent on weather conditions, in hot weather you will sweat, in cold weather you will freeze. But on the other hand, you can easily get rid of dirt or spilled soda with just a wave of a rag.

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4. Everprof Lotus S11

This model has a swing mechanism and the ability to fix its rigidity. Comes with head and lumbar cushions that are easy to adjust and detach. The chair has a very attractive design, but there is only one color option – red and black with white trim. Rubberized soft and high-quality wheels do not make noise and do not scratch the parquet.

But be careful, if you are overweight, then this model may not suit you due to the presence of narrow lateral supports. This chair handles spilled drinks with easy cleaning, because it’s made of leatherette. However, along with this, due to the material chosen, you may encounter a number of problems. In the heat, such material will stick to the body. If you have pets, they will make a scratching post out of it. In addition, over time, leatherette begins to crumble at all. 

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5. ASUS ROG Chariot Core Gaming Chair

Premium gaming chair from giant Asus. ROG is their brand line, which features the company’s best and most expensive products. The design of the branded line of premium products is, as always, on top. The color palette, the angles of the cuts and the shape of the parts – it looks chic. You can adjust anything on this chair, and for increased comfort it is equipped with a lumbar pillow with a memory effect. Its swing mechanism is specific – only the back is movable. If you are not going to save money, then this is a great option from a reputable top brand.

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6. ZONE 51 Gravity

Model with an orthopedic design, which has a positive effect on the health of the back for a long stay at the computer. It has a swing mechanism, and the backrest can recline up to 180 degrees.

The chair does not creak even after several years of operation. The back of the chair is wide, the material and seams are of high quality. The upholstery has eco-leather inserts, not leatherette. The advantage of eco-leather is easy cleaning, but at the same time this material is much stronger than leatherette, and does not crumble after a long time of use. 

The frame material is made of durable metal. Also available in a wide variety of designs – as many as five colors.

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7. Everprof Forsage gaming

Well made budget chair. But for the build quality and low price, I had to pay with functionality. In this model, there are practically no adjustments, only the landing height. There is no separate headrest, its role is played by an elongated back, but there are holes for ventilation. The design is not bad, considering the price, but compared to more expensive competitors, the chair looks frankly cheap.

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8. ThunderX3 TC3

This model has a swing mechanism. The back of the chair can recline all 180 degrees, but the model does not have the ability to fix the position of the back.

The chair has back support and a seat. Usually, the presence of supports can be the main drawback of the chair, because due to the small width, there are many restrictions on the physique to its owner. But in this case, they are designed in such a way that they do not restrict the freedom of movement for the legs and pinch the body.

The material of the cross is made of soft and durable nylon. It is resistant to high temperatures, while being less prone to mechanical damage and corrosion.

The main feature of the chair is a large selection of colors: there are multi-color models, and there are also plain ones.

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9. DXRacer Drifting OH/DJ133

This gaming chair from the high price segment is made of eco-leather and looks solid. Looking at it, one can imagine that the big boss from American films sits in it. With all this, it provides for the configuration of some nodes, thanks to which you can customize it for yourself. Strangely, the claimed maximum weight it can support is 113 kg, while the gold standard of the market is 120 kg. Perhaps this is due to the regional weight measures of the manufacturing country. The lack of an adjustable headrest also raises questions. The tight style may not appeal to every gamer, and fit adjustment is limited.

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10. Chairman GAME 16 

The upholstery of the chair is made of textile and eco-leather, thanks to which the chair has a presentable appearance that will last for long-term use. The model has upholstered soft armrests, which will provide comfort to your elbows. The rubberized wheels will allow you to move quietly on the chair and will not spoil the floor. 

The chair has eight color options: the most famous are white-orange and black-blue. The cross, however, is made of plastic. For this reason, with inaccurate use or a load of the seat more than the allowable 120 kg, it will crack, and may even break. It is worth paying attention to the frame of the chair, for which not the most reliable materials made of plastic and plywood were used.

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11. AKRACING PREMIUM

Gaming chair from the high price segment. The appearance of the model on the “C grade”. If you are not told about the gaming purpose of the chair, then you are unlikely to guess what is in front of you. Given its cost, there is not enough adjustment for the angle of inclination of the armrests and the headrest, which is fixed in the chair. The ergonomics of the chair also raises questions. It is stated that it can withstand up to 150 kg, while the seat is quite narrow, and the sides are rigid. The minimum seating height is 50 cm, which immediately makes the chair not the most obvious choice for short gamers.

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12. COUGAR Rampart

This model uses a thick rubber coating as a material for the armrests, which is much stronger and softer than plastic armrests. If you are obese, then you are the main contender for the purchase. And all because this chair has the ability to adjust the armrests not only in height and angles, but also in the width between them. 

The upholstery of the chair is made of textile and leatherette. Textiles will be an excellent heat fighter for you. However, leatherette inserts may crack after a while. The wheels of the chair are rubberized, so that when moving along the floor, the structure will not scratch it and make noise. The chair is available in two versions: completely black and black with orange.

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13. AeroCool AERO 2 Alpha

The main feature of this gaming chair is the ability to withstand heavy weights up to 150 kg. The base of the chair is made of hard plastic. However, the depressing factor is the presence of props. This means that the chair must be checked for convenience when buying, since with a dense physique it may not suit you because of this. Supports are not a reason to refuse a purchase with an obese physique, because the seat of the chair is quite wide, and the backrest differs in width and height. Buyer with high growth and medium build, this chair will fit.

The upholstery of the chair is made primarily of textiles with eco-leather inserts. Of course, it is difficult to wash stains from fabric. But at the same time, you will avoid a lot of troubles that can arise when using leatherette and only eco-leather.

The chair has a nice sporty design. Available in several colors: full black chair, black and red, and black and blue. There are additional options, but they periodically appear on sale as part of limited series.

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14. Bureaucrat Knight N1 Fabric

This is a soft one-color armchair, made in various color palettes (pink, black, gray, beige). The upholstery is completely made of textile, which makes the chair unique in its kind, as it is rare to use a fully textile material. The back of the chair can recline up to 150 degrees and be fixed in a different position that is comfortable for the buyer. 

When ordering this model, you should make sure in advance whether the chair is right for you, since the neck pillow is attached only to the upper part of the high back and serves as a limitation for people of short stature. The chair is quite wide, can withstand weight up to 150 kg and is suitable for a buyer with a heavy build, even despite the presence of props.

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15. Zombie DRIVER

The chair has a swing mechanism, and the back can recline, but only with the seat. The model has a nice design and many color options. However, it should be noted that the chair is upholstered in leatherette, because of which it can quickly be demolished and come into an unpresentable look.

If you are looking for a chair for your child or you are small in stature and physique, then this chair is just for you. For people with tall stature, broad shoulders, or a large physique, the chair will simply be small. 

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16. A4Tech X7 GG-1100

Inexpensive chair made of textiles and eco-leather with a wide range of functions that only expensive gaming chairs have. There is a synchronous swing mechanism, and the ability to fix the swing stiffness, as well as the backrest in any convenient position. There are two soft and dense pillows – lumbar and cervical. 

The frame is made of durable metal. But the cross, however, was saved, it is made of plastic, which requires careful operation. The model does not shine with a color variety, there is only one color option – black and blue. Overall, a relatively robust design with easy assembly. However, not all functions work as well as we would like.

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Leaders of the Past

1. ThunderX3 YC3

Functional chair at the junction of the middle and high price segments. It differs from its competitors by its well-thought-out anatomical shape and a cunning ventilation system. The gaming chair comes with a branded lumbar pillow. The model is available in several colors. It is worth noting that despite the flexible configuration, due to its features, it may not be suitable. Another important feature of this chair is the maximum weight, which is 150 kg. That’s 30kg above the market average and could be a great entry for the massive gamer.

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2. DXRacer Special Edition OH/RE21/NAVI

A premium gaming chair, it’s a great choice for the professional gamer, but for the average gamer, it might be overkill. The set includes lumbar and neck pillows, their height is adjustable. The fine adjustment of the chair and high-quality padding from special foam will allow you to feel maximum comfort during your gaming session. The casters allow the gaming chair to move gently, smoothly and quietly. It is rather not a piece of furniture, but a specialized sports equipment. Its only drawback is the high cost and complexity of setup and operation.

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How to choose a gaming chair

What should be the first thing to check before placing an order with the selected chair?

Individual adjustment

The first thing you should pay attention to is the possibility of individual adjustment. This is all the more important if you order a chair without ever testing the model live. Adjustment of chair handles in height, width and angles; reclining backrest with fixation and adjustable pillows – ideally, all this should be present.

Side support problem

Another important point is the lateral support. They are carved on the sides of the wall on the seat and back. They are often made in gaming chairs for orthopedic purposes. However, more often than not, supports can, on the contrary, interfere with your comfort, restricting the movement of your legs or not coming up on your back. Lateral supports are not something that can be adjusted. In the absence of lateral supports, you are more likely to find a suitable chair. If available, you should carefully check how wide the seat of the chair and the back are, whether they will press due to an ill-conceived design and check with your feelings. 

Back height and seat width

From the problem of lateral supports, another one follows – the height of the back and the width of the seat, which, even without lateral supports, can become an enemy to your comfort. So, landing in a chair should be free. You should pay attention to how optimal for you the width of the seat of the selected chair and the distance of the armrests from each other. The height of the backrest and headrest attachment must match your height.

Upholstery materials

Usually, leatherette, eco-leather, textiles and mesh fabric are used as upholstery material for gaming chairs. Let’s take a look at what features they have.

In case of leatherette and eco-leather the main advantages will be a presentable appearance of the chair and easy cleaning, because it is impossible to plant a stain on such an armchair. However, with this choice, you run the risk of encountering many disadvantages. This material gets very hot in the sun. Your skin in such a chair will not breathe, which is why you will constantly stick to it, and in hot weather you will also sweat. If you have animals in your house, then you may have the additional problem of turning a beautiful chair into a scratching post.

In addition, leatherette noticeably loses to eco-leather. Leatherette is not durable and begins to deteriorate after a year of use, which cannot be said about eco-leather. It can be safely used for more than 5 years, while the appearance and quality will remain unchanged.

Textile saves us from the troubles of a leather chair, but at the same time delivers new ones. A textile chair is difficult to clean and easy to stain. In addition, it will not be as soft as when choosing the same skin.

Another option is mesh fabric. Mesh fabric is considered the most successful choice and even has a second name – “breathable fabric”. It easily passes moisture, thanks to which it retains comfort in hot and, conversely, cool weather. At the same time, stains do not remain on such fabric. However, this material has a very unfortunate drawback – difficult cleaning. The fact is that dirt gets stuck in the mesh of the fabric. For this reason, they cannot simply be brushed off; a vacuum cleaner is needed.

Design reliability

You should pay attention to what the cross (lower part of the chair) and the frame are made of. The crosspiece for gaming chairs is usually made of metal, nylon, plastic and aluminum. 

Plastic – the most unfortunate option when choosing a chair. Despite the very light weight and its cheapness, such material is very fragile and breaks easily even under not particularly strong loads.

Aluminum the crosspiece has a presentable appearance, is able to withstand a lot of weight, while remaining no less light. But less reliable than the same steel and deteriorate quickly.

Crosspiece from steel can withstand heavy loads and last a long time. However, it is very heavy and if handled carelessly, scratches will remain on the surface, which will affect the appearance.

Nylon the crosspiece withstands less loads than steel. But it is no less durable, it also serves for a long time, while it is much lighter than a metal cross.

If we talk about the frame, then gaming chairs usually use either metal or plywood. 

Metal construction – the best solution. It is reliable, withstands heavy loads and lasts a long time. Over time, of course, it is subject to mechanical breakdowns. However, it is the most durable material of all possible. 

You can’t say that about plywood. The only advantage of such a frame is its cheapness. It can be quite durable, but under heavy loads and after some time it will begin to creak. Add to this the lack of resistance to moisture, due to which the chair can quickly become unusable and break. 

Popular questions and answers

The KP answers frequently asked questions from readers Gennady Naumov, Sales Consultant, Officemag: