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The Best 5 Gaming Chairs of 2024

We created the best gaming chair testing for brands like Andaseat, SecretLabs, Razer, Dowinx, and others to find the right seat for elevating your gaming experience
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Best Gaming Chair Review (We tested some of the best gaming chairs available to help you choose a suitable match for your adjustability and...)
We tested some of the best gaming chairs available to help you choose a suitable match for your adjustability and comfort needs.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The Best Gaming Chairs for 2024


Seeking the best perch to improve your gaming experience? We have tested hundreds of chairs at Gearlab over the years, and in this update, we've honed in and bought the top 10 gaming chairs for extensive testing. If you want to take your game-playing comfort and performance to the next level, a well-designed gaming chair is a smart investment. Having a comfortable and supportive place to sit can make a critical difference for both quick rounds of first-person shooters or multiple-hour campaigns. Below is the culmination of multiple testers with different body types, sitting in these seats for hours on end to provide results for the masses. We highlight certain considerations for different heights and weights, so read on to find which seat is right for you.

The world of gaming is accompanied by an increasingly more complex and growing number of products to choose from. Luckily, we've tested them all. Take a look at the best gaming mouse pads or check out our gaming mouse review. Need to chat with your fellow raiders? Read about gaming headsets to help out your squad. Our reviews provide expert advice so you can select the best match for your gaming needs and general setup.

Editor's Note: Our gaming chair review was updated on October 30, 2024, to offer alternative chair options worth considering for each award subcategory and to share more detailed charts in our Comfort metric.

Top 10 Gaming Chairs - Test Results

Displaying 1 - 10 (scroll right)
 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
A Great Runner Up
Editors' Choice Award
Best Gaming Chair for Most People
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
   Best Buy Award
Best on A Tight Budget
  
Price $649 List
$599.99 at Amazon
$500 List
$499.00 at Amazon
$659 List
$659.00 at Amazon
$300 List
$249.99 at Amazon
$900 List
$899.99 at Amazon
$300 List
$249.99 at Amazon
$230 List
$129.99 at Amazon
$190 List
$89.99 at Amazon
$240 List
$99.99 at Amazon
$160 List
$82.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Innovative lumbar support, soft bolsters, comfy neck pillow, 4D armrests can go highSustained comfort, highly adjustable armrests, secure magnetic neck pillow, supportive bolsters, nice variety of color optionsSuper comfortable, 4D armrests, replaceable armrest toppersSupple faux leather, padded footrest, nicely supportive 4D armrests, lumbar massager insertBreathable mesh fabric, 360° arm rests can go highSupportive seat straps, handy pull strap on foot restLeg rest, built-in speakers, budget-friendlyBack massager, footrestColorful accent options, 3.5 inches of seat height adjustment, Lumbar support slides decently wellEasy to set up, low price
Cons Expensive, limited neck pillow adjustability, internal lumbar not for everyoneLumbar support difficult to get just right, lacks footrest, plastic inserts might annoyLimited tension adjustment, lumbar is difficult to get just rightCan tip over when sitting on front edge, power cord for massager is only four feet long, assembly is quite involved and takes a whileExpensive, lacks support when leaning backToo much foam in base arms, no strap to hold lumbar in placeNot ideal for taller gamers, no 'tilt', questionable durabilityNo armrest adjustments, no tilt, noisy vibrating lumbarVery limited adjustability, included tool is poor qualityLimited adjustability, not comfortable
Bottom Line A premium gaming chair with an innovative lumbar support system boasting excellent adjustability and comfort plus a quick and easy setupLaunch lengthy campaigns in regal comfort from this royally adjustable and cozy throneThis model is an all-around great gaming chair, for its comfort, high level of adjustability, and top qualityGood overall adjustability in a reasonably priced gaming chair featuring high-quality faux leather along with a padded footrest and a small vibrating motor in the lumbar pillowAn expensive gaming chair with features that do not justify its high price tagLimited adjustability in a gaming chair with a large lumbar support not everyone will likeA budget-conscious option that is better than most office chairs in the price range, but not as nice as the most premium gaming chairsA lumbar massager and footrest make this chair bearable to sit in for longer periods of time, and is a great budget option, but far from the bestA basic chair at a basic priceA low-priced chair with corresponding low performance
Rating Categories Razer Iskur V2 AndaSeat Kaiser 3 SecretLabs Titan Evo Dowinx Retro Series... Asus ROG Destrier AutoFull C3 GTRacing Music Series GTPlayer GT800A Foo... Homall S-Racer Gami... BestOffice High-Bac...
Comfort (55%)
8.2
7.7
7.8
6.8
5.9
6.3
5.4
5.2
5.3
4.1
Adjustability (35%)
9.0
8.9
8.1
7.8
8.5
5.1
5.2
3.8
3.6
3.6
Setup (10%)
9.0
8.8
9.2
5.8
7.0
4.2
5.4
5.2
5.2
6.8
Specs Razer Iskur V2 AndaSeat Kaiser 3 SecretLabs Titan Evo Dowinx Retro Series... Asus ROG Destrier AutoFull C3 GTRacing Music Series GTPlayer GT800A Foo... Homall S-Racer Gami... BestOffice High-Bac...
Comfortable Hours 8.0 hours 8.0 hours 8.0 hours 6.0 hours 5.0 hours 6.0 hours 5.0 hours 5.0 hours 5.5 hours 3.5 hours
Manufacturer Weight Limit 300 lbs 396 lbs 219 lbs 350 lbs 330 lbs 350 lbs 330 lbs 250 lbs 300 lbs 250 lbs
Measured Points of Adjustment 8 8 8 8 6 5 5 3 3 2
Adjustable Lumbar Support Internal: Up/Down and Backward/Forward Internal: Up/Down and Backward/Forward Internal: Up/Down and Backward/Forward Foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Up/Down and Backward/Forward Large Memory foam pillow Memory foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Measured Recline Angle 152º 165º 165º 180º 135º 160º 155º 135º 170º 90º
Adjustable Armrest 4D 4D 4D 4D 3D with 360º rotation 2D: Swivel, Up/Down 2D: Swivel, Up/Down None None None
Manufacturer Height Limit 5'3"-6'6" 4'11"-6'8" 5'7-6'2" 5'3"-6'1" 5'4"-6'1" 5'4"-6'6" 6'2" 6'3" Not Mentioned Not Mentioned
Recline Lever Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Foot Rest No No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No
Tension Knob Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes
Tilt Lock Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No
Fabric Type Premium EPU-Grade Leather
Plush and Spill-resistant Fabric (tested)
Linen Fabric (tested), PVC Leather, or Anti-stain PU Leather Fabric (tested), Hybrid Leatherette, NAPA Leather, or Exotic PU Leather Mesh Faux Leather PU Leather PU Leather PU Leather PU Leather


Best Gaming Chair for Most People


AndaSeat Kaiser 3


82
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 7.7
  • Adjustability 8.9
  • Setup 8.8
Adjustable Armrest: 4 Way | Adjustable Lumbar: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent long-term comfort
4D armrests can go high for mobile gaming
Replaceable armrest toppers w/ color options
Strong magnetic pillow stays secure
Comfy bolsters
REASONS TO AVOID
Plastic inserts might dig into shoulders
Tricky to fine-tune lumbar support
No footrest

With a thick, cushiony seat and bolsters that feel like a hug, the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 gaming chair provides superb comfort. The addition of a strong magnetic neck pillow that stays in place allows us to sit for long periods of time without pressure spots. The internal lumbar support might be a little tricky to dial in, especially while seated, but it can be adjusted for curvature and height. Other nice features of the Kaiser 3 include a quality recline and adjustable armrests. Reclining from 90° to 165° with a tilt lock holding the chair in five different positions, smoothly rocking and relaxing into a variety of angles had everyone on the team delighted to micro-adjust to their specific needs. Though not as cushy as some might like, the armrests provide ample support and can be raised and partially rotated for resting elbows during mobile gaming. Held in place magnetically, the armrest toppers come in a variety of colors (like the chairs themselves) and could be easily swapped out if wear and tear persists. Overall, we thought its solid construction and thoughtful design make for a relaxed gaming session that will support you for several hours of play.

Although the seat is wide, allowing for a variety of seat positions, we thought the lumbar support could be improved. It takes some time to dial in the sweet spot, although some testers noted it had an odd shape, resulting in an outlier design compared to other positive attributes. Also, if you are on the smaller side, this seat may not lower far enough to comfortably place your feet flush with the ground. Another fully adjustable, high-comfort option is the Iskur V2 by Razer. Its unique lumbar system is a game changer for a lot of people, and it also proves a powerfully comfortable seat for any gaming command center, though it is priced quite a bit higher.

Read more: AndaSeat Kaiser 3 review

We critically assessed every factor when it came to comfortability.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

A Great Runner Up


Razer Iskur V2


86
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 8.2
  • Adjustability 9.0
  • Setup 9.0
Adjustable Armrest: 4 Way | Adjustable Lumbar: Yes
REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable lumbar support can swivel
Supportive yet unrestrictive bolsters
Firm 4D armrests
Heavenly neck pillow
REASONS TO AVOID
Priced a bit high
Neck pillow not optimally adjustable
Lumbar might be too much for shorter gamers

The Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair is a phenomenal upgrade with improvements driven by feedback from ergonomic experts and professional gamers who rightfully found faults with aspects of its predecessor. Players desiring long-term comfort and support with a lot of options for adjusting to individual preferences will find more than enough to love here. Maintaining a racing seat design while swapping out bar-supported bolsters for a far more preferable foam, the back curves around in a cradling embrace. Serious thought went into adding a swivel capability to the lumbar support, which follows your body as you turn and can be adjusted up/down and in/out, more so than other built-in systems. The 4D armrests also swivel and can go high for mobile gaming support, and the neck pillow offers a luxurious cushiness. To finish it all off, Iskur V2 truly knocks it out of the park for ease of setup, only taking us 10 minutes to install ourselves.

All these admirable attributes come at a cost, and though we think the price point is mostly justified, the Iskur V2 might be just out of reach for some. The seat height offers a good range of adjustability, about five inches, and shorter gamers around 5-foot 3-inches can rest their feet on the floor at its lowest setting, but might find discomfort with the lumbar support even when dialed back to its lowest setting. More reasonably priced and featuring a less prominent internal lumbar support and a magnetic neck pillow that is easier to move as you wish, the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 is another terrific option. Our tests revealed both chairs deliver superior comfort with impressive support and comprehensive adjustability. Still, minus our slightly nitpicky considerations, we believe the Iskur V2 is one of the best gaming chairs on the market.

Read more: Razer Iskur V2 review

Huge improvements to an innovative lumbar system plus other comfort and adjustability upgrades along with a painless assembly process make this an excellent choice for immersive gaming.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Best Bang for the Buck


Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S


71
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 6.8
  • Adjustability 7.8
  • Setup 5.8
Adjustable Armrest: 4 Way | Adjustable Lumbar with massager: Raise & Lower
REASONS TO BUY
Faux leather is soft to the touch
Footrest nice for longer sessions
4D armrests not too soft or hard
Buzz massager in lumbar pillow
REASONS TO AVOID
Prone to tipping when leaning forward
Massager power cord is quite short
Lot of screws to remove and put back in

The Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S is a comfortable and adjustable gaming chair at a reasonable price for gamers seeking a budget-friendly option without sacrificing too much in features and comfort. The faux leather is actually quite supple and soft to the touch, nicer than a lot of similar coverings. The armrests have some cushion but remain firm for a perfect middle ground of support, and though the up/down range is average, they do swivel and can be adjusted forward/back and in/out to allow for a good fit. The decently padded footrest is a nice touch, but it would be nice if it extended out a little farther (a common limitation with this feature), though it is easy enough to pull out for those longer kick-back sessions. The Dowinx is made for those laid-back cat naps between gaming sessions as the seat reclines to about 165° and all the way to 180° with the tilt unlocked.

We found the seat of the Dowinx Retro Series offers a good width and a pleasing squish. At around the 6-hour mark, though, our testers started to notice some discomfort with the underlying seat construction, and the lack of breathability makes for a hotter seat during sweaty summer months. The seat includes strapped-in back and neck pillows and a massager fitting into the lumbar support in such a way that you can feel the vibration but not the motor casing. It is a tad gimmicky and a bit noisy with a surprisingly short (approximately 4' long) cord, which fortunately comes with a quick release. The neck pillow sags slightly, so taller folks may need to readjust it each time they sit down or lean forward. There is no tilt limiter, and the tension on the lock is quite tight, making it harder to move back. Despite the subtle disadvantages, the Dowinx Retro Series gaming chair offers solid value for its price, combining comfort, a good range of adjustability, and high-quality faux leather for a pleasurable and affordable gaming chair. An even less expensive option is the GT800A Footrest from GTPlayer. It offers a similar degree of comfort and also features a lumbar massager to help keep you comfortable and on track during gameplay.

Read more: Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S review

A comfortable and adjustable gaming chair at a reasonable price, the Dowinx Retro Series boasts faux leather that is actually quite supple and soft to the touch
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Best on A Tight Budget


GTPlayer GT800A Footrest


47
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort 5.2
  • Adjustability 3.8
  • Setup 5.2
Adjustable Armrest: None | Adjustable Lumbar: Raise & Lower
REASONS TO BUY
Very affordable
Back massager
Footrest
REASONS TO AVOID
No armrest adjustments
Weak tilting tension

For a fraction of the price of most serious gaming chairs, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest offers comfort and adjustability to gamers operating on the tightest budget. This model provides the base features of a good gaming chair, including adjustable lumbar and neck pillows that are strapped around the chair, giving you the freedom to shift up and down along the straps of the system. A footrest gives an added perk for leisure and support for your legs. Although this chair isn't designed to tilt like the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, it does have an aggressive recline angle for quick cat naps between gaming sessions.

Along with the previously mentioned features, the lumbar of the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest includes a massaging feature, which is no replacement for a masseuse and generates some unwanted noise but is functional. We found the armrest design interesting during testing, as it moves at two pivot points, which auto-adjusts with the chair's reclining but lacks any other adjustments. Our larger and heavier testers felt the tensioning knob was too weak to provide adequate tension, and the entire team rated the chair to a maximum of 5 hours before needing a serious break from being seated. These critiques aside, we recommend this model as a replacement for an office chair for gaming or gamers with tight funds. A budget-friendly option offering a comparable degree of comfort and a step up in adjustability, not to mention built-in headrest speakers and adjustable armrests, is GTRacing's Music Series.

Read more: GTPlayer GT800A Footrest review

The deep recline is comfortable for quick naps, although the tension may be a bit weak for larger-bodied people.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

A Great Office and Gaming Option


Modway Articulate Ergonomic


Adjustable Armrest: Up/Down | Adjustable Lumbar: Raise & Lower Backrest
REASONS TO BUY
Affordable
Good comfort
Breathable
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited adjustability
No headrest

The Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh isn't as highly regarded as the top gaming chairs, but it catches our eye as it costs hundreds of dollars less than those models and was well received by our test team for its respectable adjustability and good all-around comfort. Additionally, its mesh design will keep you cool when your gaming rig is running hot, or you are cooking your processor to crank through large spreadsheets or rendering a final cut.

It also does not recline as much as the premium gaming chairs we tested, and it lacks the same level of adjustability and features, like a more robust lumbar or aggressive bucket racing seat design. Overall, the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh is a good option for those who want a chair that is comfortable enough for gaming but will primarily be used for work. If you are exclusively hunting for a gaming chair but you're still on a budget, take a look at either the GT800A Footrest or the Music Series by GTPlayer for nice entry-level options with decent comfort ratings and varied feature sets that won't break the bank.

Read more: Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh review

The Modway chair may not recline as much as other gaming chairs we tested, but it still provides moderate adjustability for a chair in this price range.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
86
Razer Iskur V2
A Great Runner Up
$649
Editors' Choice Award
82
AndaSeat Kaiser 3
Best Gaming Chair for Most People
$500
Editors' Choice Award
80
SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022
$659
71
Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S
Best Bang for the Buck
$300
Best Buy Award
69
Asus ROG Destrier
$900
57
AutoFull C3
$300
53
GTRacing Music Series
$230
47
GTPlayer GT800A Footrest
Best on A Tight Budget
$190
Best Buy Award
47
Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair
$240
42
BestOffice High-Back Ergonomic
$160

We broke out the measuring tools to log the range of adjustments these seats offer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

How We Test Gaming Chairs


Our test team has employed a systematic approach to testing and devoted hundreds of hours to evaluating our carefully narrowed product selection. We sought the input of our in-house GearLab test team members, who spend many hours a day sitting at their desks researching and analyzing varied products. Their collective input provided a wide range of opinions about comfort and adjustability due largely to their different body shapes and heights, ranging from a 5-foot 3-inch tester weighing in at closer to 120 lbs to individuals weighing around 200 pounds at a height of over 6 feet.

We divided the scoring of each gaming chair into three key metrics:
  • Comfort (55% of total score weighting)
  • Adjustability (35% weighting)
  • Setup (10% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab


For this review, we brought in lead tester Austin Palmer. Austin has a rich background in research and objective review, having honed that expertise while earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. He now spends the typical work week sitting at a desk for his job at GearLab, so he has more than a few opinions on everyday office chairs. Moreover, he is a serious lifelong PC gamer who spends even more time sitting in a gaming chair during his free time and has also tested office chairs for seven years, so he came to the task ready to extract the facts and explore the subtle nuances in design or performance that might appear along the way. Review editor James Maiz has spent many years extracting and distilling qualitative and quantitative insights by parsing perceptions and preferences, combing through sprawling datasets, and supporting investigations and analyses by higher education researchers, pre-trial legal consultants, and market/product testers. He holds an advanced writing degree from San Francisco State University and trawled our extensive feedback on gaming chairs to help surface and illuminate the good, the bad, and the cushy.

Our test team intensely scrutinized every aspect of each chair.
Our test team intensely scrutinized every aspect of each chair.

Analysis and Test Results


We spent countless hours collectively sitting, reclining, measuring, and evaluating our gaming chair selection so that we could bring you the most unbiased and objective data available. With our testing results, you can choose the best model for elevating your gaming experience.


What's the Best Value?


The quality and comfort of gaming chairs are somewhat correlated to cost, with a couple of opportunities to purchase bargain options on tighter budgets and still get a good balance of comfort and adjustability. The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 rides at the bottom of the high-priced product tier. It could be a good investment for gamers who are going to be putting in long hours and need a quality chair to match.

If the cost is too steep for your wallet, the Dowinx Retro scores admirably in our tests, which provides a great balance between price and performance. For under $200, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest is a great option for those who need to save even more money. Although we recommend these budget picks, do understand that they come with drawbacks in reduced adjustability where we weren't able to sit for full-length days compared to higher priced products in the selection.

There is one outlier in our results that we want to note. The Asus ROG, although priced high, didn't show a complementary appraisal from our test team. It has great features with a wide range of adjustability, but underperformed in our comfortability metric, making us look to other chairs in this category, all while saving a few hundred bucks.

Comfort


The comfort test metric holds the greatest weighting in our testing, as it is the most important aspect of a gaming chair. We specifically enlisted judges from our in-house GearLab team to evaluate the comfort levels of each chair's three submetrics: seat, backrest, and armrest comfort. Our test team also assessed the comfort of sitting in each chair for an extended period to produce an average maximum amount of time one could sit in each chair with reasonable comfort. Our panel consisted of individuals of various weights and heights who had the opportunity to test each chair side by side over a long period of time.

gaming chair - many factors play into a chair's comfort, including the armrests.
Many factors play into a chair's comfort, including the armrests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Below, we've charted each chair's comfort, averaged from our panel of testers, taking the seat, backrest, and armrest into consideration. The Razer Iskur V2 came out on top, with all three components showing some of the highest scores in the test.

Comfort Breakdown
ProductSeat ComfortBack ComfortArmrest Comfort
Razer Iskur V28.08.07.5
SecretLabs Titan Evo 20226.38.07.5
AndaSeat Kaiser 37.07.07.5
AutoFull C38.07.05.5
Asus ROG Destrier7.05.57.5
Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S5.57.07.0
GTRacing Music Series663.5
GTPlayer GT800A Footrest5.06.04.5
Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair5.56.03.0
BestOffice High-Back Ergonomic4.06.03.0

The Razer Iskur V2's lumbar support stands apart from other models for its noticeable lumbar panel. Instead of a pillow that changes position over time or fixed supports that cannot be adjusted, the Iskur V2 offers complete lower back support through a panel that matches a natural lumbar curve, which adjusts to some really serious extremes. It will also follow you as you turn, a unique design that provides support when moving around.

If you need extreme lumbar support, the Razer Iskur delivers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 scored well for back comfort, especially for the upper back, as the lumbar support takes some trial and error to get just right, while the AutoFull C3 also ranked well, although some of our testers reported feeling warmer over time. Also, wider-shouldered gamers who like to lean back and relax might find the C3's bolsters a little cramped but not to an uncomfortable degree. Another chair with excellent backrest comfort to consider is the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022, which is made of materials that seem to do a better job of dissipating heat. That, combined with the strong magnetic neck pillow that comes with it, makes it a great option for extended gaming sessions.

The Titan Evo's adjustable magnetic pillow enhances the comfort of this model and is a nice touch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

We also measured the amount of time each chair was comfortable to sit in for one session. This was averaged among our panel of five testers.


Concerning more serious gaming sessions, with campaigns lasting more than five hours and multiplayer cooperatives, you'll find long-term comfort from the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022, the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, and the Razer Iskur V2. Our team's final assessments rated these chairs to 8 hours of use with adequate comfort, while they rated the runner-ups, the AutoFull C3 and Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S, to 6 hours.

gaming chair - after thorough testing, we concluded the dowinx offers exceptional...
After thorough testing, we concluded the Dowinx offers exceptional value for gamers on a budget.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Behind our duration comfort leaders, our team rated the Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair to a maximum of 5.5 hours of adequate comfort before needing to spend some time moving around, with the Asus ROG Destrier, GTPlayer GT800A Footrest, and GTRacing Music Series clocking in around 5 hours. These may be good options for fast rounds of first-person shooters and shorter campaigns or even for less serious gamers who might use these chairs for office work but don't expect to spend more than half a day gaming in comfort.

When giving each chair a comfort score, we took into consideration the comfort of each chair's components (back, seat, armrest) as well as the maximum average hours our testers felt they could sit comfortably in each chair. We've charted the overall comfort of each chair below.


Regarding overall comfort, the Razer Iskur V2 rose to the top as one of the most comfortable options we tested, with SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022 not far behind and just a smidge ahead of the AndaSeat Kaiser 3.

While most higher-priced contenders outshined the majority of options we tested, our team still felt two other models, the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S and the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest, offer serious gamers a high level of comfort at more approachable prices. They feature adjustable lumbar and neck pillows plus a comfortable footrest when you want one. Our test team rated the seat on the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S as the significantly more comfortable of the two overall, with the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest offering a firm seat cushion with less give. A massage feature of the GTPlayer GT800A might seem a bit gimmicky, but it is functional.

Too much tilt resistance can hamper your style and comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Lastly, if a supportive reclined is your gaming position, then the Razer Iskur V2 has your back. It has good backrest tension and can be locked into a wide range of positions, so you'll be sure to get the most comfortable reclined position possible. The large lumbar support continues functioning, even in the most extreme reclined positions.

gaming chair - the lumbar pillow on this model offers excellent lower back support...
The lumbar pillow on this model offers excellent lower back support in deep recline positions.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Adjustability


For our adjustability metric, we assessed the extent to which each chair is adjustable and evaluated the ease of making those adjustments. We specifically examined the diverse options available in five submetrics and scored the ability to modify the armrests, seat height, and backrest of each chair, including features like lumbar support and tensioning knobs, but also evaluated whether we could achieve a good gaming position with each model.


The Razer Iskur V2 led the group for its greater seat height range, with some of our testers finding the Asus ROG Destrier a tad too low for their gaming setups. On the other hand, both can boast a great tension knob, which offers positive engagement for a wide range of reclining positions, though one of our testers mentioned the height adjustment could get in the way when adjusting the Destrier a long way but liked that the knob slides in and out, making it easier to adjust than some chairs while not sitting.

gaming chair - there's a wide variety of adjustment options for gaming chairs. pay...
There's a wide variety of adjustment options for gaming chairs. Pay close attention to the features you prefer when assessing which chair is best for you.
Credit: Austin Palmer

The Titan could have earned a better score if not for its rather weak reclining tension knob, while our testers found the Dowinx Retro Series to be too tight, with one tester needing to get the chair reclined past a certain point in order to get enough leverage to freely bounce around with the tension. On the other hand, our smaller, lighter tester had a little trouble pushing back.

Highly adjustable 4D armrests and replaceable tops allow you to further tailer the chair to your own needs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

If you have a large positive ape index, lanky arms, or bony elbows, you may value adjustable armrests that accommodate your preferred gaming position. It's nice to be able to widen or narrow your armrest positions, as well as raise and lower them. The Kaiser 3 and Titan both come with swappable magnetic armrest toppers, which allow for a variety of colors or styles and if damaged, an easier exchange without having to replace the whole chair. The Asus ROG has a wide range allowance compared to others, allowing it to go the extra distance for those outside of the averages. It has almost six inches of vertical movement, that's great for mobile gaming or possibly for taller gamers.

The top models all offer armrest adjustments for pivoting, height, and width and feature comfortable cushioning with a small range of densities. Although the rest of the group offers fairly comfortable armrests, they do lack adjustability. The GTPlayer GT800A Footrest incorporates a novel design that pivots and adjusts with the backrest as it reclines. While interesting and comfortable, it limits it to being unadjustable in any other way.

gaming chair - while they are relatively comfortable, the gt800a's armrests lack...
While they are relatively comfortable, the GT800A's armrests lack the robust adjustability of more premium models.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Tension knobs were another specific component of each gaming chair that our team evaluated, and the Razer Iskur V2 again earned a top score for the submetric. Although we found the location of the tension knob to be a little difficult to reach and adjust while seated, this is a rather common issue.

Our team was pleasantly surprised by the AndaSeat Kaiser 3's highly adjustable tension knob, and though the plastic is a bit sharp, the ability to get great tension for just about any weight earned it a high score. Neither the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022 nor BestOffice High-Back Ergonomic have an impressive tension nob, and both are a little cumbersome to reach. The Titan Evo offered weak resistance, while the BestOffice offered too much resistance, even on the lowest setting. Unfortunately, the GTRacing Music Series, AutoFull C3, and GTPlayer GT800A Footrest completely miss the mark by the lack of a tension knob that had us wanting better support for our backs.


However, it's worth reiterating that GTRacing Music Series reclines to about 150°, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest to about 135°, and the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S to an impressive nearly horizontal position and a full 180° with the tilt unlocked. While these models aren't ideal for PC gaming when using a keyboard and mouse, they are good options for those dedicated to console gaming.

gaming chair - adjustment levers on this model, and many others, are located a...
Adjustment levers on this model, and many others, are located a little far from the reach of the average sized person.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Setup


Our final test metric setup focused on the effort required to go from a boxed-up chair to game-ready. Whether the setup task is painstaking or a breeze may make a difference in purchasing decisions. However, considering it only needs to be done once, we didn't attribute too heavy weighting to each model's overall score. Within this metric, some products stood out for their ease of assembly and short time to get from unboxing to comfortable gaming.


Our test team member responsible for the assembly of each chair put together the top performing model, the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022, in under 10 minutes, the Razer Iskur at about the 10-minute mark, and the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 in just over 12.5 minutes. Also impressive was the BestOffice Gaming Cheap Desk Task Executive with a 15-minute assembly time.

Overall, most models were reasonably easy to assemble, and even the most mechanically un-inclined person can assemble any chair in our test lineup with either the included tools or basic tools and instructions in under an hour.

While not overly complex, assembly can be lightning fast in under 10 minutes or more involved process requiring upwards of an hour to complete.
Credit: Austin Palmer

Conclusion


Gaming chairs may seem unremarkable or even unnecessary to some. Still, an ergonomic gaming chair can significantly impact your gaming performance and contribute to whether you have a good gaming session or one filled with discomfort, backaches, and disappointing performance. Therefore, they can be a great investment and are worth careful consideration. Our intensive side-by-side analysis of the top gaming chairs on the market is designed to equip you with the information to select the ideal chair that aligns with your sitting requirements, budget, and gaming preferences.

Austin Palmer, Benjamin Hickok, Graham Faulknor, and James Maiz