Best gaming chairs 2023: improved comfort for work and play

Whether you’re a PC gaming die-hard, are all-in on consoles, or split your time between the two, you’re probably spending a heck of a lot of time sitting down. So why not treat yourself to one of the best gaming chairs going?

After all, if you’ve invested in other gear, such as getting one of the best gaming headsets or best gaming monitors, why wouldn’t you also spend big on the chair you’re going to spend all your playtime sitting on?

There’s no shortage of fancy thrones that promise perfect posture, no matter your size, but not all of ’em are worth splashing the cash. To weed out the ones that are, we’ve put the biggest names to the test below.

What is the best gaming chair?

We think the Secretlab Titan Evo (check price) is the best gaming chair you can buy. Yes, it’s expensive, but gaming in this chair is like sitting on a cloud and cocooned from the world. It’s available in three upholstery options and comes with an impressive five-year warranty.

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Other gaming chair recommendations

• Best budget gaming chair: BraZen Phantom Elite (check price)
  A relatively inexpensive option, the BraZen Phantom Elite still offers plenty of options. Highly adjustable, it has adjustable armrests, nylon casters, neck and lumbar support cushions, and a mechanism for tilt and height tweaks.
• Best customisable gaming chair: Vertagear SL5800 (check price)
  Few rivals can compete with Vertagear’s premium gaming throne for customisation, thanks to not one but two optional LED lighting kits. It’s comfortable, too, with a fixed lumbar support that adjusts to the shape of your back.
• Best understated gaming chair: Noblechairs Epic Real Leather (check price)
  This gorgeously designed effort doubles up as a professional chair for the office, just in case you sometimes have to do actual work. It’s made from leather with cold foam upholstery, giving you the ideal combo of classiness, durability and breathability.

The best gaming chairs you can buy today:

1. Secretlab Titan Evo

Secretlab is a well-respected name in gaming chair technology, with this flagship product showcasing just how comfortable a piece of nerd-furniture can be. It’s available in three upholstery options: Neo hybrid leatherette, SoftWeave fabric or the eye-wateringly expensive Napa leather.

Whichever one you choose, it feels incredibly comfy thanks to built-in back support, 4D armrests and a comfortable base for your hard-gaming jacksy. The lumbar support can be adjusted up and down as well as outwards, so you’re sure of the right fit for your spine. There’s also an exceptional magnetic head cushion that can be attached at several heights.

An ideal alternative to awkward straps, the head cushion is the highlight of a well-designed chair. Elsewhere, a full-recline mode is ideal when that 8hr gaming session catches up with you but you’re too frazzled to go to bed, while the materials used throughout are durable and robust. There’s no memory foam but Secretlab uses cold-cure foam to ensure it’s moderately firm and provides even weight distribution and pressure relief.

It’s a pricey investment, but the Titan Evo does come with a five-year warranty so it’s sure to last you a long time – no matter how much time you spend getting killed in it.

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2. Vertagear SL5800

• Buy from Vertagear UK or from Vertagear US for €499 / $499.99

Few rivals can compete with Vertagear’s premium gaming throne for customisation, thanks to not one but two optional LED lighting kits. One can add a Fast and Furious-style underglow to the wheels, while the other replaces the headrest cutouts with RGB illumination. You can even customise the logos with your own (for an added fee, of course).

It’s not just a head-turner, though: the SL5800 also has your back in mind, with a fixed lumbar support that adjusts to the shape of your back. If you’re disciplined enough to stick to an upright seating position, it’ll leave you feeling more refreshed after a play session.

Just keep in mind this isn’t a one size fits all chair, and the lack of adjustment might be a negative. But for making an impression on your Twitch stream, nothing else comes close.

• Read more: Vertagear SL5800 review

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3. BraZen Phantom Elite

A relatively inexpensive option, the BraZen Phantom Elite still offers plenty of options. Highly adjustable, it has adjustable armrests, nylon casters, neck and lumbar support cushions, and a mechanism for tilt and height tweaks.

It might not look as smart as some others, and the faux-leather isn’t likely to be the most durable, but it still works well. While the company logo is a bit excessive, a choice of highlight colour options helps here and the quilted foam padding feels great.

Just plan ahead, as assembly is awkward compared to some rivals.

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4. Secretlab Omega 2020

A more affordable option from Secretlab, the Omega offers many of the key features of the Titan Evo. That includes height settings, 4D armrests, and a series of recline and rockback options. It also uses cold-cured foam to provide support, but alongside that are memory-foam lumbar and head pillows. Newer models don’t come with those additions so it’s a nice bonus.

This is a genuinely comfortable experience, even if its adjustability isn’t quite on par with the Titan Evo. It’s possible to upgrade to SoftWeave fabric or Napa leather too, for a price.

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5. Corsair T2 Road Warrior

Designed with long sessions in mind, the Corsair T2 Road Warrior offers a wide seat and tall back ideally suited to those players who want plenty of room. Perforated cushioning means it stays cool for hours, while its textured armrests with 4D movement feel good. The lumbar support is protected by microfibres so it’s nice and durable yet doesn’t look all uncool and clinical.

There’s a subtle gaming aesthetic that doesn’t steal too much focus, while Rollerblade-style wheels ensure you can glide around in style too – but maybe not on a deep-pile carpet.

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6. Noblechairs Epic Real Leather

This gorgeously designed effort doubles up as a professional chair for the office, just in case you sometimes have to do actual work. It’s made from leather with cold foam upholstery, giving you the ideal combo of classiness, durability and breathability.

It keeps its shape over extended periods of time while also spreading the load, so you’ll always feel comfy and supported, while 4D armrests and tilt options plus an adjustable backrest and seat height all ensure the right fit for your body.

This is the ideal chair for those avoiding the typical gamer aesthetic.

Looking for something a little more understated for your home office? Try Stuff’s guide to the best office chairs.

How to buy the best gaming chair

When buying a gaming chair, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that you select a chair that provides comfort, support, and enhances your gaming experience. You’re going to be spending a lot (and we mean a lot) of time in your gaming chair, so it’s important that you pick one that complements your body and gaming habits.

If you’re reading this, then you already understand that you must take your time to research and (if possible) test different options to find the best gaming chair for your needs. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when making a decision:

The most important aspect of a gaming chair is ergonomics and comfort. We’ve only included gaming chairs that are ergonomically designed to support your body’s natural posture. You’ll want a chair that has adjustable features such as lumbar support, headrest, armrests, and height to accommodate different body types and preferences.

A good gaming chair should have multiple adjustment options, with the ability to adjust the height, recline angle, and armrest positions to find the most comfortable setup for your gaming needs. This is really important for maintaining good posture during long gaming sessions.

It goes without saying that you should opt for a chair with thick padding that provides adequate cushioning for your back, neck, and behind.

You may also prefer breathable materials such as mesh or fabric, as these help prevent overheating during extended use. These are more difficult to clean however, with leather and faux leather easier to wipe down.

When choosing a gaming chair, you’ll need to ensure it can accommodate your body size and weight comfortably, so check the weight capacity rating to ensure you’re not putting excessive strain on the chair’s structure.

Finally, this may seem like a basic point but is often overlooked – check that the chair fits in your space before making a purchase. If you need to move the chair around often or have limited space, make sure to get chair with smooth-rolling caster wheels for easy mobility.