Overview
- Jump To Details
Cooler Master Caliber X2 Gaming Chair
Best Overall - Jump To Details
Herman Miller X Logitech G Vantum
Most Affordable Herman Miller Chair - Jump To Details
Secretlab Titan EVO 2022
Best Customizable Gaming Chair - Jump To Details
Respawn Spire
Best Minimalist Gaming Chair - Jump To Details
Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair
Best Premium Gaming Chair - Jump To Details
Playseat Puma Active Gaming Seat
Best Couch Saddle - Jump To Details
Razer Fujin Pro
Best Razer Chair - Jump To Details
Anthros Chair
Best for Back Pain - Jump To Details
Cooler Master CMODX Motion 1
Best Chair for Racing and Flight Sims
Whether you play PC games on a monitor or console games on a TV, you need a place to sit. You can use any form of seating, including a sofa, La-Z-Boy, or dining room chair. However, you should invest in a dedicated gaming chair if you want an optimal seating arrangement. They're comfortable, sturdy, and designed with gamers in mind.
There are many gaming chairs to consider, but our independent reviews can help you select a model. We thoroughly test each chair, getting firsthand insight into everything from construction to comfort. Since we started reviewing them in 2013, we've assembled and sat in dozens of gaming chairs, so you can trust that you're receiving expert advice whether you're looking for a plush gaming throne like the Cooler Master Caliber X2 or a sleek Herman Miller chair. With that in mind, below you'll find the top gaming chairs we've tested across a wide range of prices and features, so there's almost certainly one that's right for you.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Cooler Master Caliber X2 Gaming Chair
Best OverallWhy We Picked It
Cooler Master has proven it can make an excellent gaming chair, rivaling our long-standing top picks from Secretlab. The Caliber X2 is Cooler Master's newest and best model, with soft faux leather and solid, dense foam padding. It doesn't have the clever mechanical features found in the Secretlab Titan EVO (like the internal dial-adjustable lumbar support or magnetic head pillow), but its sliding lumbar cushion works just as well, and the chair costs significantly less money.
Who It's For
This is simply a fantastic pick for anyone who wants a sturdy, comfortable chair. It's one of the best values in the gaming chair market, but it has few color choices besides black or black-and-gray. Consider spending more on the Titan EVO if you want great visual options. Otherwise, the Caliber X2 is one of the first chairs you should check out.
Pros
- Rock-solid build with dense foam
- Supple and breathable PU leather
- Comfortable sliding lumbar support
Cons
- Head cushion position is a bit awkward
Herman Miller X Logitech G Vantum
Most Affordable Herman Miller ChairWhy We Picked It
There's no question the Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody is a fantastically comfortable chair, but it's also absurdly expensive. The Herman Miller X Logitech G Vantum is, well, also really pricey, but at $1,000 at launch (now $795), it's much less so. It incorporates adaptive plates that shift to support your lumbar area and upper-back areas, and ends up feeling supremely comfortable because of it. Add a 12-year warranty, and this is a four-digit gaming chair that's worth your time.
Who It's For
This is for gamers and workers who spend most of their time at their desk and can afford to spend a bit more for the best possible support. The Vantum is expensive, but its engineering and overall feel justify that price.
Pros
- Fantastic lumbar and upper-back support
- Strong build with high weight tolerance
- Clever reclining adjustment
- 12-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Learn MoreHerman Miller X Logitech G Vantum ReviewSecretlab Titan EVO 2022
Best Customizable Gaming ChairWhy We Picked It
Secretlab's chairs have consistently ranked among our top picks for years, and the 2022 Titan EVO continues that trend. This is simply an excellent chair, with rock-solid build quality, dense-but-giving foam, and supple faux leather. The Titan EVO represents Secretlab combining its gaming chair lines (Omega and Titan) into a single product with the best features from both, and a variety of size and material options. Most notable is a two-knob internal lumbar support that lets you adjust the chair's height and firmness to hit your lower back just right.
Who It's For
The Titan EVO is a bit pricey at $550 (and up), but you get one of the nicest conventional gaming chairs available if you can afford it. It's also available in three different sizes and your choice of faux leather, fabric, or NAPA leather (that version pushes $1,000). Plus, there are dozens of different designs, including esports teams, DC superheroes, and League of Legends characters.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Comfortable
- Several clever design elements
- Easy assembly
Cons
- Magnetic head pillow can be nudged off
- Faux leather is vulnerable to cats
Learn MoreSecretlab Titan EVO 2022 ReviewRespawn Spire
Best Minimalist Gaming ChairWhy We Picked It
The Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody might have the most advanced ergonomics on this list, but it also has one of the highest prices. The Respawn Spire offers a similar look and feel for much less money. It combines a cooling, faux-leather seat with dense mesh on the back, and adds comfortable reclining and the unique ability to flip your armrests down when you don't want them. We wish it didn't have a big "R" on it, though.
Who It's For
This is for gamers who want a minimalist style and strong ergonomics, but don't want to spend Herman Miller money. It falls somewhere in the middle of the price ranges here and offers a comfortable seat with handy flip-down armrests.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Pleasant reclining motion
- Arms swing down, out of the way
- Faux leather doesn't get hot
- Sturdy mesh fabric
Cons
- Armrests too easily slide forward and back
- Huge "R" branding loses some style points
Learn MoreRespawn Spire ReviewHerman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair
Best Premium Gaming ChairWhy We Picked It
Of course Herman Miller has its own gaming chair, and of course it's the second most expensive one on the list. The Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody is a collaboration between Herman Miller and Logitech, and it tips the price scales at $1,800.
So, what do you get for dropping that kind of cash? An incredibly ergonomic chair with multiple adjustments that go beyond the usual height and tilt tweaks. The chair back conforms to the shape of your spine, going significantly further in fitting your back than the knobs, cushions, and bumpy springy sections on other chairs on this list. This is simply one of the most stylish and comfortable gaming chairs available.
Who It's For
Get this chair if you have deep pockets. But If you don't want to spend as much on a chair as on your gaming laptop, all of the others on this list are much more reasonable.
Pros
- Arrives fully assembled
- Very comfortable
- Many adjustable elements to personalize the feel
- Lengthy 12-year warranty
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Fairly low-key look for such a pricey chair
Playseat Puma Active Gaming Seat
Best Couch SaddleWhy We Picked It
This chair isn't meant for desk use. This is specifically for gaming in front of your TV, with a light design you can easily toss aside if you want to hang out on the couch with friends. It might look a little goofy, but it's quite comfortable to sit on, and can gently rock back if you want to further stretch out while you play. It also has useful pockets for stashing your various gamepads and remotes.
Who It's For
If your couch is just a bit too far away from your TV to comfortably game on, or you just want a more solid seat rather than big, wide cushions, this is the chair for you. It's sturdy enough to support larger body sizes, feels comfortable whether you want to lean back or bend forward, and is small enough to easily tuck away whenever you don't want your living room to reek of "gamer."
Pros
- Lightweight, sturdy build
- Comfortable design lets you sit as you'd like
- Useful pockets
Cons
- Not suitable for long, lazy TV-watching sessions
Learn MorePlayseat Puma Active Gaming Seat ReviewRazer Fujin Pro
Best Razer ChairWhy We Picked It
Razer takes a swing at Herman Miller's gaming chairs with the Fujin Pro, and it largely succeeds. It's sturdy and comfortable, with design elements and support as sophisticated as the Herman Miller Vantum, along with an aluminum alloy frame. It's a great chair on its own, but Razer's 1-year-for-mesh, 5-years-for-everything-else warranty lags far behind Herman Miller's 12-years-for-everything coverage.
Who It's For
This is an excellent pick for anyone looking for an especially comfortable mesh gaming chair that's a bit more solid than the Vantum—and is willing to pay Herman Miller-like prices.
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Sturdy aluminum alloy frame and breathable, dense mesh
- Good selection of adjustments
Cons
- Expensive
- Underwhelming warranty for the price
Learn MoreRazer Fujin Pro ReviewAnthros Chair
Best for Back PainWhy We Picked It
The Anthros competes with the Embody as the most expensive chair on this list, and for similarly ergonomics-obsessed reasons. It's designed to reduce back pain by focusing on improving your posture. It uses pelvic support instead of lumbar support to keep your hips stationary and your upper back properly positioned above them. It's unique, surprisingly comfortable, and can potentially have positive long-term effects.
Who It's For
If you already have good posture, the Anthros Chair might feel stifling compared with Herman Miller's choices. If you suffer from back pain, though, the Anthros might help alleviate it.
Pros
- Promotes good posture and reduces back pain from sitting
- Comfortable and supportive
- Free video consultation before you buy
- 30-day return policy and 12-year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a learning curve
- Fabric upholstery feels a bit rough
Learn MoreAnthros Chair ReviewCooler Master CMODX Motion 1
Best Chair for Racing and Flight SimsWhy We Picked It
The Motion 1 is the most expensive gaming chair on this list, and the most niche. Its features a haptic feedback system that makes the chair rumble and tilt based on what you're playing or watching. It's a powerful, immersive experience, but has clunky aspects that cheaper, non-vibrating chairs lack. It's made for flying and racing sims more than anything else.
Who It's For
If you're a dedicated flight or racing sim fan, the Motion 1 might be a bargain compared with the price of a fully haptic-equipped simulator rig. It's specifically made for that type of enthusiast, serving as a middle ground between a gaming chair and a sim setup.
Pros
- Impressive haptic feedback, especially for supported games
- Works with non-supported games and video
- Solid build quality
Cons
- Expensive
- Focused almost exclusively on racing and flight sims
- Some awkward design and software points, including no gas cylinder height adjustment
Learn MoreCooler Master CMODX Motion 1 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Chairs for 2024
Gaming Chairs vs. Office Chairs
At first glance, gaming chairs don't look all that different from office chairs. They're typically pretty large, with backrests that extend high enough to support your head and generous armrests. There are also less conventional gaming chairs that trade standard foam-and-upholstery construction for more ergonomically complex designs; they typically cost a bit more money.
Whereas most office chairs focus on dark colors and earth tones and have more traditional seat designs, gaming chairs usually come in a variety of colors. Even if the chair is mostly black, it will likely have many eye-catching accents. Some gaming chairs are even branded with superheroes, esports teams, movies, or shows. Their seats resemble racing chairs used in simulators, so you'll see a lot more bucket seats than frumpy armchair designs.
In addition, the best gaming chairs are much more adjustable than office chairs. The models we've tested have the usual options like height and tilt, just like office chairs. However, many go a step further with adjustable armrests you can pivot, slide, and move up and down. Sadly, we've yet to find any with cupholders.
Although office chairs generally offer a full-chair tilt, gaming chairs let you lean back while keeping the seat flat with the pull of a lever. Most gaming chairs we've tested have reclining functions that let you sit back comfortably and stare at your TV as easily as you can lean forward and watch your computer monitor.
These features add up to a sturdier, more comfortable chair you can easily use for a variety of situations. It also adds up to a hefty price tag: Gaming chairs typically run between $300 and $600 (with good ones starting at around $400 and some extreme picks reaching nearly $2,000). They are typically much more expensive than a basic desk chair at an office supply store. Of course, if you're going to spend a lot of time in it, you probably want to invest in a good one. They're like beds that way.
Several gaming chairs avoid the aforementioned design elements and opt for a sleeker look. Herman Miller pioneered this idea in office chairs and offers its spin on gaming chairs.
Does Gaming Chair Size Matter?
The most important thing to consider when shopping for a gaming chair is size. Most manufacturers design chairs with different body types in mind.
Standard gaming chairs usually support a maximum weight between 240 and 300 pounds, depending on the model. Larger, more heavy-duty chairs support maximum weights of 350, 400, and even 450 pounds. The difference in seat dimensions varies by several inches in width and depth, which can lead to an uncomfortable chair if you buy one that's too big or too small.
Fortunately, most manufacturers offer detailed measurements for every aspect of their chairs. Seat depth and width, backrest height and width, armrest height range, and other measurements affect how a chair feels. If you aren't sure about a given model, compare the measurements with your current chair.
What Is the Best Gaming Chair for the Price?
It's best to try furniture before you buy it, but that isn't always the case for gaming chairs. You can sometimes find a limited selection at your nearby Best Buy, Micro Center, or Staples. Besides that, your best bet is to go to video game conventions, such as Evo or PAX, where gaming chair companies often set up booths with chairs to try and offer convention-exclusive discounts. Otherwise, make sure to thoroughly research the chair you want to buy because it's a significant investment.
For more, check out our favorite desktop and laptop PCs for gaming. While you're at it, consider accessories that will help improve your game, including headsets, keyboards, and mice.
