Sitting is the great leveller. From the mightiest speedrunning streamer to the quick sesh casual, who doesn't enjoy a good sit? More to the point, who doesn't prefer parking their rear on a purpose-built Gaming Chair? Most desktop gamers obsess over frames per second and RGB glow, but in my decades of experience, the real game-changer has been my comfort levels during a marathon playthrough.
A cosy, well-built chair makes all the difference when the hours stack up like a bad game of Tetris. That’s where my top pick, the Secretlab Titan Evo, shines. It is but one option, however, and I’m confident that I’ve found top options to suit any discerning derrière...
TL;DR – Here Are the Best Gaming Chairs:
Across various sites and magazine pages, I've been testing gaming chairs for ages now. I think the best of the bunch should all do one thing brilliantly: let you settle in for hours without your spine cracking the sads or your tailbone telling you to get out more. I can take the rare cue from my learned IGN pals across the Pacific, but I'm also an autonomous connoisseur who looks out for his own can. Also, I come from a proud nation where our flag has a giant backside and a boot on it. If that’s not a nod to national priorities like putting behinds ahead of everything else, I don’t know what is.
What you want in a top-tier chair is customisable lumbar support, height and tilt tweaks, comfy armrests, and a headrest that actually supports your melon. The ergonomics need to work so your focus stays in-game, not on your aching bits. But with the market being chockers full of overpriced or overdesigned options, I’ve narrowed it down to an elite few I’ve actually perched upon and would happily park myself in again. Sturdy frames, good upholstery, and all the creature comforts are a given.
Best Gaming Chair
Best Budget Gaming Chair
Best Ergonomic Gaming Chair
Best Fabric Gaming Chair
Best Gaming Chair with a Footrest
- Price This’ll be the main deal-breaker for most folks. Heading in with a clear budget helps, since chairs can go from under fifty bucks to well over a grand. Cheaper units like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed still bring solid comfort, but you’ll have to go without fancier bits like 4D armrests or adjustable lumbar support. I’d give anything under a hundred a wide berth, especially if it’s making wild promises.
- Design Comfort’s king. Nobody wants to end up with a crook back or a neck full of regrets. Find something that suits your size and shape properly. Most chairs list their dimensions, so aim for a broad, padded seat, a tall backrest, and a decent range of height tweaks. All of that should be sitting on a tough metal frame that won’t buckle under you. If you’re looking at racing-style seats like the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, watch out for the side bolsters – they can dig into your legs if you don’t fit the mould.
- Materials Most chairs come in PU leather, fabric, or mesh. PU leather’s easy to wipe down but can crack over time and gets sticky on hot days. Fabric, like what you’ll find on the E-Win Champion, is cooler to sit on but a bit trickier to clean. Mesh breathes the best, but you’ll lose that plush seat feel in favour of a springy setup. The Razer Fujin Pro gets mesh right, but not every brand pulls it off.
- Ergonomics Once the basics are sorted, extra features can sweeten the deal. Adjustable armrests, a movable headrest, and proper lumbar support go a long way to keeping your body happy. Chairs with tilt and rocking options also help you relax between sessions, or when you’re just watching a cutscene or two.
So, what even is the point of a gaming chair?
Because gaming chairs are really just jazzed-up office chairs, their biggest selling point tends to be how they look. They often cost more than a decent office chair and usually miss out on some of the all-day comfort features you’d want for long work stints.
That said, if you're chasing a certain aesthetic for your setup, the best gaming chairs can absolutely bring the wow factor. Just don’t expect miracles for your spine. If back support is your top priority, it’s worth checking out proper ergonomic office chairs instead.
How much should anybody spend on a a gaming chair?
You can grab a gaming chair for around A$120 or less, but that’s pretty much a shortcut to back pain. At that price point, you’re usually getting a flimsy plastic frame with a thin layer of fabric or fake leather slapped on top.
A good chair starts at around A$300, and that’s about as low as we’d comfortably go. Bumping your budget up to around A$450 opens the door to better materials, more reliable builds, and features worth having. Push higher and you’ll start seeing extras like built-in lumbar support, cooling gel layers, fancier ergonomic tweaks, and even RGB lighting kits if you’re chasing that full spaceship look.
In the end, it all comes down to what you value most; comfort, flashiness, or a solid mix of both.
Should you get a gaming chair or an office chair?
Not a bad question. Both office and gaming chairs have their perks, but it really depends on what you want. If you’re after something that looks the part and can lean way back, a gaming chair is a solid pick. If ergonomics and plenty of adjustments top your list, office chairs are usually the way to go.
That said, there’s plenty of overlap between them. Take the Steelcase Gesture: it’s an office chair but would look right at home on any streamer’s setup. Meanwhile, the Mavix M9 is a gaming chair but has the premium features you’d expect from a top-tier office seat.
Think about what matters most to you, how long you’ll be sitting, and which adjustments you want. From there, you’ll find options in both camps that fit the bill.
What’s the best brand of gaming chair?
Your usual gaming brands like Razer and Corsair are known for making top-notch chairs. Secretlab, Razer, and Corsair regularly deliver comfy, solidly built seats that strike a good balance between comfort and durability at different price points.
Traditional ergonomic brands like Herman-Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth have also started making chairs for gamers. They’re pricey but use the best materials and pack plenty of ergonomic features for top support and comfort.
Be careful with some brands found only on Amazon. The cheapest ones are often a bit rough around the edges. It’s usually better to save up and splash out on a trusted brand that’ll last.