What Are Gaming Chairs?
It's not just a piece of furniture, it's your comfort and performance center all rolled into one. As the name suggests, gaming chairs are chairs designed for people who enjoy playing video games. Gaming chairs have been around since the mid-2000s and they've been quickly growing in popularity ever since because of their high quality.
Gaming chairs are a fun alternative to your standard office chair if you happen to be a PC gamer and tend to play at a desk. It is no surprise that in recent years gaming chairs are becoming ever more popular as a modern replacement to conventional options for seating while you game. You can finally dump the couch or bed for a seat that is more comfortable, doesn't take up a lot of space, and is easy to move and store.
If you're looking to buy a new chair but don't know which one is best for your needs, then this article will be perfect for you! We go over everything from how to find a great gaming chair brand that works for you needs and budget, what features to look out for when buying a new chair, and other things that should help you make an informed decision on choosing the right gaming chair.
Why Buy A Gaming Chair?
The Gaming Chair Experience. These days there are plenty of top rated brands as well as cheaper gaming chairs that come in tons of shapes, sizes, and colors. If you are a console gamer and are looking for a gaming floor chair, then an X-Rocker is a good choice. Many of the chairs are equipped with a sound system and vibration effects to get more of the senses involved. If you are an adult gamer, keep in mind that there are models with weight and dimensions specifically for bigger and taller gamers. In some cases if you don't check the dimensions and weight capacity before you order, you may end up disappointed.
Many developers of gaming chairs have carefully researched and taken factors that are important to gamers into consideration like how long you plan to sit in the chair and gaming is usually measured in hours. Some eSports teams have also become endorsers of gaming chairs like DXRacer for obvious reasons.
In particular, PC gaming chairs are growing in demand among gaming enthusiasts and are being used and endorsed at world gaming competitions and exhibitions. These gaming professionals who consider themselves elite athletes, do not leave it to chance choosing the best gaming chair at a competitive level. As a gamer, you can understand how important it is to constantly find that competitive edge when it comes to your keyboard, mouse, and headset. So, why not have your butt covered (pun intended) when it comes to a gaming chair?
Therefore finding a gaming chair that is both comfortable and will adequately support you make for a much better gaming experience. A quality PC game chair will come with good ergonomics, adjustable functions, a high back for more neck & spinal support, and feels sturdy and stable. Not to mention moveable cushions and a backrest that is ergonomically shaped to cradle the contours of your body, supporting proper posture and encouraging good circulation. When you are deep in a gaming session we tend to change seating positions, so its great to find a chair that will allow for fluid movement without feeling pressed for space.
What To Look For When Selecting The Best Gaming Chair
Check out we what feel are the 5 most important things to look for before buying a new gaming chair. Take note of these as you compare the different styles and models to make sure they meet your expectations.
5 Different Types Of Gaming Chairs
Your choice of video gaming chair will probably have a lot to do with where and how you prefer to sit. Whether you're at a desk or need more of a console gaming chair. For the most part, PC gamers normally sit at a desk to play. But with the use of gaming notebooks, leaning back comfortably in a pedestal base, rocker or a fluffy bean bag can be just as pleasurable with a laptop stand.
Likewise, things like age, height, weight, and of course budget will also be deciding factors in your selection. We have compiled a list of cheap gaming chairs for those who want to spend under $200. Speaking of age, read our section on adult gaming chairs for those with such needs.
Which Gaming Chair Will You Choose?
There are a variety of types of cool gaming chairs to choose from including:
1. Racing seat office chair. These are similar to regular office chairs having caster wheels, a handle-toggle for adjusting tilt/height, etc. When looking at the different office type chairs available, these are the best computer chairs for gaming due to their style, colors, and high headrest. Designed specifically for PC gaming at a desk. DXRacer chairs, for example, were inspired by a race car driving seat that reclines, making them more fun than your average office chair.
2. Rocker gaming chair. These are also great chairs for gaming if you prefer to sit closer to the floor. Maybe not the best choice for PC gamers, but they can be very comfortable. Read x rocker reviews here. You can literally rock-like being in a rocking chair (a real gaming chair rocker) while having all the lumbar support for your back muscles. Many of these come with speakers and other great features to enhance your gaming time.
3. Beanbag style gaming chair. If you're looking for a more casual seating while you are in a gaming session, then a bean bag chair may be all you need. They usually don't come with a whole lot of bells and whistles or posture support, but they are fun and relatively comfortable. If you live and play in an area with limited space, bean bags are great being both super lightweight and easy to store. Note: They're not much good for PC gaming and require refilling with stuffing from time time which you can purchase separately.
4. Racing simulator cockpit. This type of gamer-chair is basically a specialized computer chair and monitor stand that comes with a steering wheel and pedal supports. Especially for those who enjoy setting up peripherals Giving you the feeling like your in the cockpit of a plane or race car.
5. Pedestal gaming chair. The chair itself is similar to a recliner, but it rocks and rotates on a pedestal base rather than on wheels or legs. Normally they include fancy options like built-in speakers and Bluetooth capabilities, as well as great lumbar support and armrests.
Gaming Chair Features & Specs
Choosing the gaming throne you will use to conquer the galaxy should include some of the following
Frequently Asked Questions About Gaming Chairs
Q. What type of gaming will you be involved in?
A: This can greatly affect your choice of options whether you will be sitting at a desk, in front of a television or prefer racing or flight simulator games.
Q. Will the electronics be compatible with the gaming system I am using?
Selected chairs will easily connect to a PS4, Xbox One, or Wii U. But in some cases, you may require some sort of optical to RCA adapter.
Q. Does size make a difference?
We could answer this question in 2 ways:
The first involves your size, weight, and age. You'll want to make sure the chair is best suited for your body. If you're over 6 feet tall, clearly a child size chair won't do.
The second involves the size of your room and storage space. Obviously, a small bean bag chair would be easier to store than a racing simulator cockpit.
Therefore, make sure to do all measurements before purchasing.
Q. How comfortable will the seat be?
Again, keep in mind the amount of time you will be in the chair. Especially after a new game release (if you know what I mean).
Comfort can come with a price, but it's well worth it to find a chair that comes with an adjustable backrest and lumbar to provide maximum support for your neck and back while encouraging good circulation.
Q. How can I find the best price without sacrificing quality?
You'll simply need to decide what you want and what you are willing to pay for. Don't worry, you have plenty of options to choose from.
Whether you have very basic needs or want all the thrills and frills, with a little research, there's bound to be a chair that you can make your own.
Q. Will it require major assembling and set-up?
Depending on the type of chair you choose, there will be some set-up time required. You can usually put one together in 20 minutes or so.
There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube with step by step instructions, so there's no need to fear a box of bolts and a small print instruction manual.
Q. How heavy are these chairs?
Typically their weight can range anywhere from 2 pounds to 500 pounds depending on which chair you select.
The average weight, however, is about 50 pounds.
Q. Why are style and materials so important?
To some, style and the materials making up the chair are irrelevant.
But for the most part, you'll want a chair that complements your office or gaming space's colors and decor.
If you tend to sweat a lot, a breathable mesh type fabric may be a better choice over leather. Also,
Remember that most of the time you get what you pay for. If you plan to use the chair extensively than you will need to invest in better quality.
Q. How much do gamer chairs cost?
The average cost for a decent chair will run you around $200 to $400. On the lower end, you're likely to pay under $100.
Q. Where can I buy a gaming chair?
There are a variety of places to purchase a gaming chair.
Purchasing locally can sometimes be a challenge as many department stores will not carry a lot of stock.
Although you can't "try it before you buy it", purchasing online is a great option for those who do not have access to big box stores in their area.
With secure online shopping and free shipping from mega-stores like Amazon, it makes it much easier to have your new chair delivered to your door within days, with little hassle and much convenience.
Finding Your Game Chair
Hopefully by now you are much more informed as to your choices when selecting a new gamer chair. You've learned about the many types that are available, as well as some of the cool technology included with them.
We've also examined some of the questions that someone who is considering purchasing should be aware of. Please feel free to browse around and choose from specific brand reviews we have prepared and located the gaming chair that's best for you!
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