Don’t overlook your chair as part of a gaming PC. Here, we explain what to look for in a gaming chair and review the best gaming chairs you can buy in the UK in 2018.
You’ve probably spent time and money buying the right gaming keyboard and gaming mouse for your PC, and maybe even have other accessories that you hope will give you the edge (not to mention the gaming PC itself). Few people put much thought into their chair, though.
Gaming chairs are becoming more and more popular, and we’ve rounded up a selection of the latest and best models on the market in 2018.
In most respects, gaming chairs are no different to a regular desk swivel chair. They have height adjustment, castors for smooth movement across the floor and armrests. However, as with a lot of gaming hardware, gaming chairs are more stylish than your standard office chair and typically take inspiration from the bucket seats in racing cars.
What is and isn’t stylish is down to your personal taste, but what should you look for when buying a gaming chair?
Basic chairs tend to have only height adjustment, but it’s well worth going for a chair that has a reclining back and adjustable armrests, too.
Ergonomics are really important, so you need a chair that supports your spine properly and offers enough adjustment to fit your body, rather than forcing it into a bad posture.
It’s rare to find chairs that follow the ‘one size fits all’ philosophy, so it’s crucial to make sure the seat height adjustment range will suit you. If possible – and it probably isn’t – try to find a shop where you can actually sit in a chair before you buy.
Whether or not a chair is comfortable for you will depend on how well you fit in the chair. We’ve tested the chairs here with tall and short people, and both large and slim builds, but we can’t guarantee that you will find it comfy.
You won’t necessarily get a more ergonomic chair if you spend more, so good ergonomics don’t have to be expensive.
Some chairs come with removable cushions for lumbar (back support) or for a headrest. An ergonomic chair shouldn’t need these, but some people might find they’re needed for the best fit and comfort.
What you will get if you spend more is better quality materials and build. Although the price of some chairs may make you wince, a good-quality chair should last years, if not a decade or more.
At entry level, the cheap foam may feel ok to start with (some manufacturers use recycled foam scraps), but it might lose its structure and therefore its support before long, while high-quality foam will retain its shape and also support heavier users. A chair’s specifications should always state the maximum weight they can handle.
Talking of materials, the most common is PU leather, also known as faux leather or vegan leather. Essentially, it’s plastic with a leather-like texture. It’s not a bad choice: it’s reasonably hard wearing, easy to clean and not expensive. Real leather costs a lot, but should last considerably longer.
Some chairs use a suede-like material (or even real suede leather). This isn’t as easy to clean, but has a softer feel which some people will prefer.
Since gaming chairs have a gas strut for height adjustment, plus other moving parts, it’s feasible that something might fail. Obviously, a longer warranty is better, but always check what the warranty covers.
