Up For Debate - What Do You Look For In A Gaming Chair?

Written by Jon Sutton on Mon, May 2, 2016 12:00 PM

When it comes to console gaming your choice for where to sit is fairly standard. Usually on the nearest available couch. PC gaming is a little different though. I think most of us are probably using some form of mouse and keyboard, necessitating a desk. As we all know, sitting at a desk for hours on end is backbreaking work, unless you can get your hands on the perfect gaming chair that is.

Considering just how much time you’re going to spend with your derrière tucked into said chair, it seems like a fairly obvious decision to apportion a good chunk of your gaming funds towards it. But where to begin? Gaming chairs vary in price from a £5 milking stool all the way up to £38,000 simulation racing seats, and there's a heck of lot to take in when making your decision.

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to a good gaming chair is ergonomics. I mean, if it’s not comfortable, what’s the point? It needs to be the sort of chair you can sit in for days if need be, without a hint discomfort or a dead leg in sight, or customised to suit your whims. Crank it back for gamepad play or support your back for those long CSGO sessions.

Then there’s also build quality. Is it going to fall apart within six months or is it built to last? Unfortunately if you want to the two to go hand in hand, it invariably comes with escalating costs.

Considering these chairs are going to be having pride of place in your home, it’s also mightily important they look good. If your gaming chair looks like something dragged in from the dump, or a prop from the SyFy channel, then the people you’re living with might not take too kindly to it.

Functionality is also necessary to take into account. Are you going to use it racing games or flight sims? Is there anywhere to hold your can of beer? Does it have a fridge installed in the base? All vital questions for any aspiring gaming chair purchaser.

Oh, and one last thing - the small matter of price. Is it even worth spending hundreds of pounds on a chair, or are there some perfectly adequate cheaper alternatives.

What then, do you you look for in a gaming chair? Is there one thing about all else that you prioritise? And what chair do you have? Let us know!

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17:15 May-03-2016

  1. I should be able to sit on it.

  2. ...


That's all ;)

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15:37 May-03-2016

Gaming Chair? You belong Royal Family bro ?
.
.
Well,
I prefer hard plastic , wood chair 'cus it reminds me to have a break in a while. :P Lol

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12:00 May-03-2016

It's important that my chair helps me pull of those sick 720 no scopes with the deagle in CS GO. If the enemies call me a hacker, that means the chair is good quality.

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11:17 May-03-2016

Itchiness which keeps me on edge

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08:43 May-03-2016

My chair is my bed. P-E-R-F-E-C...Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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08:45 May-03-2016

nice

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05:27 May-03-2016

I play really long in a day so something comfort and that does not destroy my butt :D

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05:09 May-03-2016

I've been using an office chair for 8 years and recently the top layer is peeling off. and I'm pretty sure there is an ass implant on the chair as well. but honestly there is no point spending so much money on a gaming chair. Any office chair works just fine.

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01:23 May-03-2016

As long as I can sit, and play comfortably - that's all that matters.

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22:39 May-02-2016

I'm using some black highback office chair from like 1998 I think XD It's comfortable, very strong/heavy, and it has every adjustment you can imagine. I wont pay money for something else until it breaks.

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22:32 May-02-2016

I don't buy "gaming" chairs. A normal chair is good enough for me.

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20:57 May-02-2016

I use a wicker arm chair that I bought for like INR 500 (approx. $10) and one of those springy square sofa cushions for back support. 3+ years and no problems.

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20:54 May-02-2016

as long as my ass fits in it i am good to go man

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17:50 May-02-2016

Nothing. Not gonna spend $600 on a "gaming" chair.

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21:04 May-02-2016

Good choice.I don't feel it's a big deal.What I use to sit when I play games doesn't matter,as long as I can sit on it comfortably.I sit on my bed and it works,why would I spend money on a expensive chair

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17:49 May-02-2016

Got an office chair. It spins, it's got the back rest, armrests... what more can one need xD

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18:11 May-02-2016

LOL, if it spins it is worth it

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18:51 May-02-2016

Spinning on a chair is always fun. weeeee

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23:03 May-02-2016

i really agree, however ive recently moved home and my space is a bit smaller here so im now looking for a office style chair with arm rests you can raise and lower and a back that can lean so i can tuck myself in more rather than sit (currently to low with my arms up at almost shoulder height

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23:05 May-02-2016

on the 15th ill be buying myself a AK racing seat Team Dignitas edition to match all my corsair RGB stuff, early Bithday prezzie to myself :). black and yellow setup FTW

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17:26 May-02-2016

I priced gaming chairs and they were way too expensive. I went with an Amazon Basics office chair and it's worked out well. I did take the wheels off to keep it anchored. Not the perfect solution, but it's easy on my bad back and it's affordable. I can game, surf and yes, masturbate in comfort, although not all at the same time.

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17:13 May-02-2016

i look for one thing: that it's not the iron throne. as long as it doesn't kill me i'm fine with it.

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16:38 May-02-2016

Sofa

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19:59 May-02-2016

same here

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15:30 May-02-2016

I want the chair that CSGO players use, the one that helps you find the enemy at the opposite side of the wall, and gives you 100% accuracy.


joking aside, I just want a basic chair that will treat my back and bum nicely, Gaming chairs are too pricey, and when I tried 1 in a store, it didn't really feel any different, to me at least...

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15:00 May-02-2016

I've been using an outdoor chair with a built in storage compartment for all my movies and games.

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Core i5-7300HQ 4-Core 2.5GHz GeForce GTX 1050 16GB
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