Best Gaming Chair in 2025

Best Gaming Chairs 2025

Black Cooler Master gaming chair in front of a corner desk.

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

A good gaming chair does more than just add personality to your battle station — it provides support for your back, hips, and shoulders (and, well, your entire body). Your body is much harder to replace than your PC, and it's likely you'll be sitting in your gaming chair for hours every day while you work and play — so it's worth taking the time to find the best gaming chair for you.

We've been testing gaming chairs for years, and while there's no one-size-fits-all perfect gaming chair... these are the ones we're still sitting in today.

Quick List

Best Gaming Chairs 2025

Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Best Gaming Chair Overall

black vantum gaming chair on patio with plants

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Gaming Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: 100% post-consumer recycled polyester
Maximum Weight: 350 pounds
Maximum Height: no recommended height range
Backrest Length: 24 inches
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 17 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 20 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Ships almost completely assembled
+
Feels amazing

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
"Active, forward-leaning alignment" is not for everyone
-
Feels cheaper than regular Herman Miller chairs

The majority of gaming chairs take their inspiration from car seats — specifically, bucket-style luxury sport seats, which are primarily designed to hold your body in place inside a fast-moving vehicle. If you’re looking for a gaming chair that’s primarily designed to support your body when it’s not inside a moving vehicle — and is instead parked in front of a PC — it really makes more sense to look at companies that make office chairs.

The Herman Miller x Logitech G Vantum is an original collaboration from luxury office furniture maker Herman Miller and Logitech’s gaming division (Logitech G). It features an “active, forward-leaning alignment,” as well as adjustable lumbar support, passively-adaptive thoracic support, and a suspension backrest for breathability. It originally launched with a price of $995, which is more expensive than the average gaming chair, but not nearly as expensive as Herman Miller's regular line of high-end task chairs.

The Vantum is an excellent gaming chair, especially for PC gamers. It feels sturdy and well-built, despite weighing less than 40 pounds. It borrows its PostureFit lumbar support from the Aeron (which might be the most iconic office chair of all time). It’s perfect for those who are looking for an ergonomic task chair, but it’s not necessarily the best choice if you’re looking for a typical gaming chair: it doesn’t really recline (and it certainly doesn’t recline flat, like many gaming chairs), and it only comes in one size.

The Vantum is currently on sale for 20% off and now comes in a variety of colors, including navy blue, lilac, orange, and turquoise, along with the original black, red, and white.

Read: Herman Miller x Logitech G Vantum Review

Best Budget Gaming Chair

Razer Iskur V2 X

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Budget Gaming Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: Multi-layered Fabric
Maximum Weight: 300 lbs
Maximum Height: 79 inches
Backrest Length: 33.6 inches
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 20.1 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 22 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable pricing
+
Retains high-quality construction of pricier Iskur V2
+
Breathable cloth material for the seat base and seatback

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks the wealth of adjustments from Iskur V2

Not everyone needs a highly-adjustable gaming chair. If you can live with 2D armrests and static lumbar support, Razer's Iskur V2 X is a pretty good deal: it's comfortable and well-built, and it retails for $300 — less than half of its fancier counterpart, the Razer Iskur V2.

The Iskur V2 X has a similar profile to the Iskur V2: reminiscent of a racing-style gaming chair, but sleeker and without the aggressively bucket-style seat. It features fabric upholstery (available in black or gray with contrast stitching and Razer's triple-headed snake logo on the headrest), which isn't necessarily a step down from the Iskur V2's synthetic leather upholstery. Our reviewer found that the fabric of the Iskur V2 X gaming chair was much more breathable than faux leather, which made the Iskur V2 X more comfortable for long gaming sessions — especially in hotter weather. (The fabric is a little harder to clean, but it's worth the trade-off.)

The Iskur V2 X gaming chair is priced lower than the Iskur V2 because it's significantly less adjustable. The Iskur V2 X has 2D arm rests (versus the Iskur V2's 4D arm rests), which are height-adjustable and can be rotated inward/outward. It doesn't have adjustable lumbar support, but it does have a lightly curved backrest, which our reviewer found to be very comfortable. The backrest normally sits at a comfortable angle of between 100 and 110 degrees, but does feature full 152-degree recline — this is a gaming chair you can take a nap in, if you're so inclined.

The Iskur V2 X is pretty basic compared to other gaming chairs on the market, but maybe you don't need (or want) all the highly-detailed adjustments that come in pricier chairs — most people aren't constantly adjusting their arm rests or lumbar support unless they're not the only one sitting in the chair. The Iskur V2 X is an excellent budget option — it's comfortable, sturdy, and it costs less than $300.

Read: Razer Iskur V2 X Review

Best Customizable Gaming Chair

gray secretlab gaming chair in front of white wall

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Customizable Gaming Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: Secretlab SoftWeave Plus Fabric (tested) or Secretlab Neo Hybrid Leatherette
Maximum Weight: 285 pounds
Maximum Height: 6 feet 2 inches
Backrest Length: 33.5 inches
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 21 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 18.5 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Fabric upholstery option seems durable
+
Luxurious neck pillow, armrests
+
Highly adjustable lumbar support, armrests
+
Spacious seat
+
Generous forward and backward recline

Reasons to avoid

-
Seat could be softer
-
Recline lever sometimes jams
-
Neck pillow sometimes falls when reclining

In 2021, Secretlab discontinued two of its gaming chairs — including one of our longtime favorites, the Secretlab Omega — in favor of the multi-size option Secretlab Titan Evo 2022. The Titan Evo 2022 comes in three sizes (small, regular, and XL) to fit gamers ranging in height from 4’11” to 6’9” and weighing up to 395 pounds. The Titan Evo 2022 comes in either leatherette or fabric upholstery, and can be purchased in a range of colors and styles — including special editions from eSports, video games, movies, and TV shows.

The Titan Evo 2022 gaming chair offers a complete range of adjustments, including a backrest that can sit from 85 to 165 degrees and a 4-way knob-adjustable lumbar support system. Its faux-leather topped armrests move up, down, forward, and backward, and also turn diagonally inward and outward. You can also adjust the arm's width relative to the seat, though this adjustment requires a screwdriver.

With an assortment of upholstery types and colors and multiple size options, the Titan Evo 2022 is a great gaming chair for a range of body types. The multitude of adjustments means you can sit in this chair however you want — or even lie completely flat.

Read: Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Review

Best Budget Ergonomic Gaming Chair

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Budget Ergonomic Gaming Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: Mesh and Perforated PU Leather
Maximum Weight: 330 pounds
Maximum Height: 6 feet 3 inches
Backrest Length: 30.7 inches
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 21.3 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 24 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable upholstery
+
Extra wide seat
+
Lumbar support adjusts for height
+
Recline, rock, or tilt

Reasons to avoid

-
Armrests do not lock

Cooler Master’s Hybrid 1 gaming chair is so-named because it blends the bucket-style gaming chair with a task chair: it has a wide, foam seat and racing-style wings, but features a breathable, mesh back with adjustable lumbar support. It also costs around half the price of the Herman Miller x Logitech G Vantum.

The Hybrid 1 isn’t the most attractive gaming chair on the market — the leatherette/mesh combo in particular makes for a somewhat disjointed aesthetic. But it’s highly-adjustable and it feels sturdier than the Vantum, with a wide, dense, foam-filled seat and an aluminum base. It also reclines to 180 degrees — that’s right, completely flat — for those who are looking for a gaming chair they can take a nap in.

The Hybrid 1 offers the extra heft and adjustability of racing-style gaming chairs with the lumbar support and breathability of a task chair. If you’re looking for a gaming chair that will offer ergonomic support for both work and play, the Hybrid 1 is one of the more affordable options on the market.

Read: Cooler Master Hybrid 1 Review

Best Office Task Chair

SteelCase Karman

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Task Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: Mesh
Maximum Weight: 350lbs / 158.76kg
Maximum Height: 44.25 inches / 112.4 cm
Backrest Length: 23.25 inches / 59.06 cm
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 17.38 inches / 44.15 cm
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 20 inches / 50.8 cm

Reasons to buy

+
Comfortable, with weight-activated frame that moves to adjust support as you move
+
Extremely lightweight (29lbs) and ships fully assembled
+
Fits multiple people without need for adjustments

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Doesn’t really recline
-
Limited adjustments and only comes in one size

The Steelcase Karman starts at $846 for an armless version, which is already pricier than most of the chairs on this list, and goes as high as $1,596 with all the bells and whistles. The ready-to-ship version has a more modest range of $1,129 - $1,336, but there's no question that this chair is a splurge. And, like many of the pricier gaming chairs out there, it's not even branded as a gaming chair — it's a task chair, but, at the end of the day, sitting in front of a computer is sitting in front of a computer, whether you're working or gaming. And while the Karman might not come decked out in the colors of your favorite Overwatch 2 heroes, it does make a fantastic gaming (or just sitting) chair for anyone spending hours at a desk.

The Karman is a mostly-mesh gaming chair with a slim, lightweight frame and a unique weight-activated design that moves with your body. It features a "patented hybrid seat," consisting of mesh resting atop a padded cushion, which offers slightly more support than you might find in an all-mesh gaming chair. The Karman's frame is softer and flexible than most mesh chair frames, but it's still prominent enough to be felt under the mesh if you're pressed up against it. The chair has only one adjustment knob — a combination height paddle and "comfort dial" for adjusting the chair's recline, which is also weight-activated and has four steps. It doesn't really recline like racing-style chairs, but rather has a weight-activated tilt similar to what you'll find in the Herman Miller x Logitech G Vantum.

The Karman is a very comfortable gaming chair for task-use and gaming alike, and it comes in several colorways — including a unique dual-tone option — and features Steelcase's proprietary "Intermix" mesh, which feels a bit more fabric-like than the plasticky mesh of other mesh chairs. The only real downside to this chair is its limitations — it only comes in one size. The chair has a weight limit of 350 pounds (158.7kg) and is designed for people who are between 5'2" and 6'4", but it has a somewhat shallow seat depth of 16.3 inches (41.4cm), so people with longer legs may want to stay away.

This gaming chair is also somewhat limited in its adjustability, as it relies primarily on its weight-activated movement design to adjust to each user, and it's not going to be nearly as versatile as a racing-style chair that you can recline 90 degrees and take a nap in. But if you're looking for a gaming chair that's designed for sitting at a desk, in front of a computer, for hours at a time, you can't really go wrong with picking a dedicated task chair as your gaming chair. Yes, the Karman is a splurge, but your back will thank you.

Read: Steelcase Karman Review

Best Gaming Chair Splurge

black gaming chair in front of computer desk

(Image credit: Herman Miller)
Best Gaming Chair Splurge

Specifications

Upholstery: Polyester
Maximum Weight: 300 pounds
Maximum Height: Not Disclosed
Backrest Length: 29 inches
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): Not Disclosed
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 18 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely comfortable and adjustable
+
No assembly required
+
12-year warranty
+
Sleek-but-subtle styling

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Can't rotate armrests

There’s no question that the Herman Miller x Logitech G Embody is a splurge: At $1,495, it’s one of the most expensive gaming chairs we’ve ever tested. And if you’re wondering if it’s really that different from Herman Miller’s high-end task chair with the same name... it’s not. Sitting in the Embody feels like sitting in a “really nice office chair,” because, well, that’s what it is.

Herman Miller has made some gamer-friendly adjustments to really make this into a gaming chair, such as adding cooling foam in the seat to keep you from heating up while playing games (though if seat-heat is really a problem, you may want to go with a mesh chair such as the Asus ROG Destrier). The Embody features Herman Miller’s BackFit spinal support, height- and width-adjustable armrests, seat depth adjustment, and a tilt limiter, but it doesn’t recline the way many racing-style gaming chairs do.

If you’re looking for a gaming chair you can take a nap in, this is probably not the gaming chair for you. But if you’re looking for a gaming chair that will support your back and feel great while you’re gaming (and not napping), the Embody is worth its $1,495 price tag.

Read: Herman Miller x Logitech G Embody Review

Best Looking Gaming Chair

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Looking Gaming Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: Leather
Maximum Weight: 331 pounds
Maximum Height: Not disclosed
Backrest Length: Not disclosed
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 20.7 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 24.4 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Eye-catching design
+
Real leather
+
Easy assembly

Reasons to avoid

-
- No lumbar support
-
Armrests don’t lock
-
Very expensive

A lot of gaming chairs look very similar (if not basically identical), but not Thermaltake’s Argent E700. Designed by Studio F. A. Porsche, the Argent E700 gaming chair features real leather upholstery with contrast stitching and a shiny, curvy ABS shell that comes in nine colors, including the striking ‘ocean blue’ we reviewed. If you’re looking for a statement piece, this is it. Not only is the Argent E700 beautiful, its glossy shell is highly reflective — guaranteed to distract the eye from any extra clutter on your desk.

This gaming chair looks fantastic, but looks aren’t everything. The Argent E700 is definitely less adjustable than many of its competitors (to be fair, gaming chairs often go a little over the top when it comes to adjustments — I don’t necessarily think you need a chair that reclines to a lying-flat position). It reclines, but only locks at four positions: 107, 113, 119, and 126 degrees. It has a headrest that slides vertically, and 4d armrests that don’t lock in position — and so end up moving around and clacking pretty often. It doesn’t have built-in lumbar support, though not many do (many come with pillow, which can be bought separately). This gaming chair also has relatively firm padding, and a seat that, while not overly narrow, has rigid measurements.

The Argent E700’s $1300 retail price is very steep, even for the high end of the gaming chair market. But while gaming chairs like the Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair are zeroed in on ergonomics, the Argent E700 really is mostly about looks — and it looks amazing.

More: Thermaltake Argent E700 Review

Best Mesh Gaming Chair

black gaming chair on patio

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Mesh Gaming Chair

Specifications

Upholstery: High-tension mesh, PU foam
Maximum Weight: 330 pounds
Maximum Height: Not disclosed
Backrest Length: Not disclosed
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 14 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 22.4 inches

Reasons to buy

+
High quality materials used throughout
+
Highly adjustable to dial in comfort
+
Good looks

Reasons to avoid

-
High price
-
Wobbly armrests

The Asus ROG Destrier doesn’t look like the typical racing-style gaming chair, nor does it look like an office or task chair. Featuring a “cyborg-inspired” aesthetic, the Destrier is an aggressively-styled all-black gaming chair with a mesh seat, mesh backrest, and adjustable lumbar support. It also has a headrest and an optional “acoustic panel,” designed to block distracting noise and keep you in the zone while gaming.

The Destrier’s backrest doesn’t lie flat, but it does recline to 135 degrees, with four lockable steps (at 90, 105, 120, and 135). It has 3D armrests that can rotate 360 degrees and are height-adjustable, but they don’t lock in place — our reviewer found it was too easy to dislodge them by leaning against them, resulting in frustrating clacking and movement. This gaming chair also features tilt, tension, and depth adjustments.

The Destrier definitely has a unique look, and it’s not for everyone — but our reviewer loved it. The acoustic panel is a little gimmicky, but this gaming chair’s mesh suspension and lumbar support system are perfect for long, heated gaming sessions.

Read: Asus ROG Destrier Review

Best Gaming Chair for Big and Tall

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Best Gaming Chair for Big and Tall

Specifications

Upholstery: Linen fabric
Maximum Weight: Rocking: 330.7 pounds; Static: 441 pounds
Maximum Height: 6 feet 10.7 inches
Backrest Length: 34.3 inches
Backrest Width (Shoulder Level): 23.8 inches
Seat Width (Point of Contact): 16.5 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Extremely adjustable
+
Recline, rock, or tilt
+
Choice of linen or faux leather
+
Large and extra large sizes

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey
-
Heavy

The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 gaming chair comes in two sizes: large and XL. The large model fits people up to 6’2'' and under 260 pounds, while the XL model can accommodate people up to 6’9” and 395 pounds. We tested the XL version in black leatherette — the gaming chair also comes in maroon, white, pink, teal, orange, and brown leatherette, or in black or gray linen upholstery.

The XL Kaiser 3 has a firm, padded seat that’s 20.8 inches wide and 22.4 inches deep, and features a four-way adjustable internal lumbar support system and a backrest that can lie almost completely flat (165 degrees), as well as 3D magnetic armrests. It’s highly-adjustable (the large version can accommodate people as short as 4’11”) and comes with a magnetic neck pillow made of memory foam covered in a layer of cooling gel.

If you’re looking for something just a little bigger, the AndaSeat T-Pro 2 is another excellent big-and-tall gaming chair that accommodates frames up to 6’10.7” and 441 pounds (up to 330.7 pounds if you want to be able to lean back), but stock fluctuates.

Read: AndaSeat XL Kaiser 3 Review

Other Gaming Chairs We Tested

Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen

Secretlab gave its Titan Evo 2022 a small update with the Titan Evo NanoGen — a premium version of its flagship gaming chair featuring fancy new materials. Specifically, the Evo NanoGen edition features a hybrid leatherette, which the company claims is 14x more durable than regular PU leather, with a "lustrous," UV-resistant finish. The new gaming chair also features Secretlab's new foam composite ("NanoFoam") padding, which is softer and more supportive than the foam in the Titan Evo 2022.

We took a look at the Titan Evo NanoGen in white (it also comes in black), and while the our reviewer felt the leatherette was soft, comfortable, and luxurious-feeling, we can't speak to its durability just yet. Our reviewer did find this gaming chair's seat padding to be too firm for comfortable long-term sitting, however. The Titan Evo NanoGen is still a solid gaming chair — well-built, with all the adjustability off the Titan Evo 2022, but we can't unilaterally say it's a better option than the original gaming chair, especially if you want to customize it. It's also pricier, starting at $799 (versus the original gaming chair's $579).

Read: Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Review

Fractal Refine

Fractal's first foray into the gaming furniture space is with a gaming chair that's an interesting mix of the moto-style gaming chair with a more traditional task chair — though it's not quite either. It comes in mesh and fabric versions and features 4D armrests, adjustable lumbar support, a removable headrest, and a tilt feature rather than a "true" recline. It has a racing-inspired silhouette but without any of the aggressive racing style, and it's surprisingly comfortable — though we did find the mesh to be a little too scratchy — once you make a few adjustments.

The Refine is a pretty solid gaming chair contender considering it's the company's first, but it's not quite as refined as the other mesh task gaming chairs we love (notably, the Steelcase Karman and the Herman Miller Aeron). While it's less than half the price of a premium task gaming chair (unless you get the $899 Alcantara version), at $549 it's still priced at a premium for racing-style gaming chairs, and there's a lot of competition in that space.

Read: Fractal Refine Review

Noblechairs Legend

The Legend is a well-built gaming chair — solidly constructed with premium materials and quality stitching, and it's comfortable out of the box. It's a racing-style gaming chair, but it has a more subdued look, coming in solid, dark colors with simple metallic accents. It looks and feels pretty premium, but it didn't sound premium — the ratchet system for reclining the chair was noisy, and the plastic cover over the gas lift also rattled about whenever we moved across the floor. Our reviewer felt this gaming chair was perfect for someone who was between 5'11" and 6'2" — which was great for him as he landed right in that range, but is pretty limiting overall for a gaming chair.

Read: Noblechairs Legend Review

Frequently Asked Questions

💺 How do I fix wobbly arms on my gaming chair?

Many gaming chairs ship with 4D armrests, which often do not lock in place. So your gaming chair's wobbly armrests may be part of the design. If the arms are wobbling from where they're attached to the chair, however, you should be able to tighten the bolts underneath your chair to make them more stable (you'll also often be able to adjust their width this way).

💺 How do I clean my gaming chair?

It depends on your gaming chair's upholstery:

👉 Fabric: Spot clean with mild detergent and warm water or dedicated upholstery cleaner.

👉 PU: Wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth and use mild soap or leather cleaner for spot cleaning.

👉 Mesh: Vacuum dust and debris and wipe down with mild detergent and warm water.

Some companies also sell dedicated covers for their gaming chairs (such as Secretlab's "Skins"), which you can simply remove and toss in the washer.

💺 Where can I buy a gaming chair?

If you want to try out a gaming chair before you commit, your local Best Buy or Micro Center likely has some floor models that will at least give you an idea of what size and style you're looking for. For purchases, however, your best bet will often be to buy directly from the companies themselves to ensure you get the best warranty.

💺 What is a gaming chair?

The gaming chair category popped up in the mid-2000s when some after-market autoparts manufacturers were trying to get rid of excess stock. That's why many of them look like they belong in cars — bucket seats, winged backs, and relatively stiff construction with firm, dense padding. But the category has evolved since then, and while many gaming chairs still retain the racing look, companies have been doing what they can to improve them for, well, gaming (rather than driving or racing). Many gaming chairs are starting to blur the line between 'gaming' and 'office,' and that's a good thing.

💺 How much is a gaming chair?

Budget-priced gaming chairs start at around $200, though you can certainly find chairs for less than that. Expect to pay around $450 - $650 for a traditional, racing-style gaming chair from a well-known brand like Secretlab or Anda Seat, though prices can vary a lot based on customization (everything from arm rests to casters to color). High-end office-style gaming chairs from brands like Steelcase and Herman Miller are significantly pricier, but are often worth the investment — Herman Miller's warranty is 12 years, while the average gaming chair usually carries a 5 year warranty at most (and, more often, 2 - 3 years).

How We Test Gaming Chairs

For many people, gaming chairs are as much about aesthetic as they are about comfort, adjustability, and longevity. Our gaming chair testing begins with the delivery — we take a look at how big and heavy the box is, and how well-packed the chair is. If the chair comes unassembled, we look for sturdy packing materials, individually-wrapped and padded elements, and easy-to-spot instructions, tools, and hardware. (If the chair comes fully assembled, we mostly just look for easy-to-recycle packaging.)

We then assemble the gaming chair using the (hopefully) included instructions and tools. We track how long it takes to assemble the chair, how easy or difficult it is to assemble alone, and how moveable it is once it's assembled. We also take note of how easy it is to disassemble it, should the need arise.

We then spend as much time as possible sitting in each gaming chair for work, gaming, and everything else. We take note of how adjustable each gaming chair is and how those adjustments affect our personal comfort, and we also try to have friends and family members sit in each chair for a while to determine how well it can be adapted to different body shapes and sizes. All adjustments are not created equal, of course; while many gaming chairs do have the option of reclining 180 degrees (flat), this isn't really a common gaming chair scenario and therefore does not impact the final score significantly (it's more of a fun bonus, if anything).

We consider how well the gaming chair fits into our space, taking note of things like armrest height, wheelbase width, and overall aesthetic. We test the upholstery and materials used for both comfort and cleaning/upkeep, and we take into account other upholstery options that can be ordered.

We don't usually get to spent nearly as much time testing each gaming chair as we'd like, so our testing continues even after we post the review. We try to check in a year or two after the review has posted to update our readers on whether anything has changed.

Shopping Tips for Finding the Best Gaming Chair in 2025

Height and weight specs: Many gaming chairs come in multiple sizes to suit a range of heights and weights, so make sure you check both the lower and higher ends of the scale — especially if there's a chance more than one person might use the chair.

Back support: Gaming chairs without enough backrest height and width to support your shoulders and lumbar region via a dedicated mechanism or pillow may leave you with soreness after a long day.

Seat width: Some gaming chairs provide measurements for the whole seat, which may be smaller than the measurement for the actual sittable area. Make sure the seat’s point of contact is wide enough for your hips — and how you like to sit.

Adjustability: Height adjustment is pretty standard, but you may also want to recline (or tilt forward), move the armrests in multiple directions, or have the ability to rock. Recline may not seem as important for mouse-and-keyboard gamers, but if you plan to use a game controller you may find that you prefer a less active position.

Aesthetic: There are a lot of gaming chairs that look like racecar bucket seats, use faux leather, and come in a variety of colors and themes. Faux leather won't last as long, but real leather is pricier. Mesh or fabric is more breathable, but can be harder to clean. If you want something that looks more subdued, consider non-gamer-oriented office-style gaming chairs.

Overall size: If you're pairing your gaming chair with a specific desk, make sure the chair's height and armrests will fit under the desk, so you can push it in when you're not using it. If you have a smaller space, it's also a good idea to make sure your gaming chair's wheelbase will be able to fit through any narrow passages.

Savings on the Best Gaming Chairs

Whether you're shopping for one of the best gaming chairs on our list above or a similar model, you may find savings by checking out our lists of Razer promo codes, Newegg promo codes or Best Buy promo codes.

TOPICS
Sarah Jacobsson Purewal
Senior Editor, Peripherals

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal is a senior editor at Tom's Hardware covering peripherals, software, and custom builds. You can find more of her work in PCWorld, Macworld, TechHive, CNET, Gizmodo, Tom's Guide, PC Gamer, Men's Health, Men's Fitness, SHAPE, Cosmopolitan, and just about everywhere else.

  • Phaaze88
    I don't know... the first 3 look oddly similar... if only I could see inside all three of them, as that would be what separates them all... maybe.

    They're probably fine if you don't already have back problems.
    Reply
  • ThatMouse
    Faux leather peels and makes the chair unusable, sometimes in as little as a year of use. You see this on headphones as well. It's not fixable either.
    Reply
  • Dantte
    This is laughable... #1, 2, and 3 are all "racing chair" styles, there is virtually no difference between them. If given a grade of A-F (A being the best), even the very best "racing chair" style is at most a C-grade!

    Cost aside, the Logitech (Herman Miller) chair is by far the best "Gaming Chair" you can buy, and if you want to save a few $$$, you can get the actual Herman Miller chair (not logitech), its the same thing without the flashy colors, but is this a "Gaming Chair" still?
    Reply
  • kiniku
    Admin said:
    We rank the best gaming chairs in 2021, including budget seats and big and tall thrones.

    Best Gaming Chairs 2021 : Read more
    Dantte said:
    This is laughable... #1, 2, and 3 are all "racing chair" styles, there is virtually no difference between them. If given a grade of A-F (A being the best), even the very best "racing chair" style is at most a C-grade!

    Cost aside, the Logitech (Herman Miller) chair is by far the best "Gaming Chair" you can buy, and if you want to save a few $$$, you can get the actual Herman Miller chair (not logitech), its the same thing without the flashy colors, but is this a "Gaming Chair" still?
    I see. So you lump them all in one category, give them one average grade, and then promote yours. One manufacturer on the list "Secret Labs" makes superlative chairs. Period. Their products consistently receive positive reviews from numerous professional reviewing sites. It would behoove you to read or try one.
    Reply
  • kiniku
    Secret Lab's Omega is designed for smaller frames and weights. I am tall, 6'0", weight 200lbs. I tried the Omega first, it was far too cramped for me. Their Titan model is designed for larger frames and it's excellent as well.
    Reply
  • Friesiansam
    ThatMouse said:
    Faux leather peels and makes the chair unusable, sometimes in as little as a year of use. You see this on headphones as well. It's not fixable either.
    As well as that, faux leather is horrible in warm or hot weather, especially if it is humid. It gets very sweaty and you'll stick to it if you wear shorts in hot weather. Added to the poor durability, good reasons to avoid it like the plague.
    Reply
  • Friesiansam
    Dantte said:
    Cost aside, the Logitech (Herman Miller) chair is by far the best "Gaming Chair" you can buy, and if you want to save a few $$$, you can get the actual Herman Miller chair (not logitech), its the same thing without the flashy colors, but is this a "Gaming Chair" still?
    Herman Miller (HM) chairs also come with a 12 year warranty and good spare parts availability. HM chairs will still be sound years after a cheaper "gaming" chair has been replaced, probably more than once. BTW, I have an HM Aeron.
    Reply
  • Frank45B
    You should NOT be promoting Secret Lab chairs. People are becoming very ill from the toxic smell. Here are just a few comments. There are many more posted online.

    SecretLabChairs/comments/mkhcgyView: https://www.reddit.com/r/SecretLabChairs/comments/mkhcgy/wtf_is_this_chemical_mess_of_a_smell_honest/

    secretlab/comments/g9vf6kView: https://www.reddit.com/r/secretlab/comments/g9vf6k/secret_lab_titan_softweave_concern_with/

    secretlab/comments/g6owk6View: https://www.reddit.com/r/secretlab/comments/g6owk6/brand_new_titan_softweave_chemical_smell_anyone/
    Reply
  • C.wolf
    IMHO, if you want a great chair then go with one of the better Office chairs made by Steelcase, Hon, Herman Miller, and a few others.
    I did and I'll never look back.
    Reply
  • coloradoblah
    yeah like previous posters have said, the best gaming/task sitting all day chair is the Aeron, easy to find used all over and it will last forever and you will not have back pain or a sweaty rear lol
    Reply