Best Gaming Chairs of 2016 Gadget Review - Your lifestyle gadget site
Are you looking for the best gaming chair for 2016 to complement your gaming rig or entertainment setup? If you love gaming, you know that a great screen and powerful gaming machine is only part of the story. You also need to be focused and comfortable – which is where the right chair comes in. If you’ve been using the same old desk chair for your gaming sessions, we’ve got several of the top gaming chairs around: Yes these chairs are specifically designed with the needs of gamers in mind, and the results are impressive. Check out our top picks!
| Price | $350.00 | $500 - 850.00 | $190.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSRacer Formula Series DOH/FH08/NO Newedge Edition | Vertagear Racing Series S-Line SL4000 | Rocker 51396 Pro Series | |
| Adjustable Back |  | | |
| Adjustable Arms | | | |
| Casters | | |  |
| Amazon Rating |  | |  |
Best Gaming Chairs DSRacer Formula Series DOH/FH08/NO Newedge Edition (Editor’s Choice)
This DSRacer is affordable, professional, and comfy.
Price: $350 | Features: Adjustable lumbar pillar and head/neck pillow
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Professional-level construction perfect for long-term gaming.
If the name “DXRacer” rings a bell, then you’re probably a fan of certain e-sport competitions. That’s right, this game chair creator is a frequent sponsor of e-sport teams including compLexity, Dignitas, and Fnatic, and you may have seen some of the gear at work in serious tournaments. Suffice to say, they know what they’re doing, and if you prefer a gaming chair designed from the top down for truly serious gamers, this is what you’ve been waiting for.
So, what makes this one of the best gaming chairs we’ve come across? Well, those holes in the back aren’t just for show, they’re also very handy for cooling your neck down, especially if you aim a fan back there. There’s also a lumbar and neck pillow section that you can adjust for maximum comfort, and an angle adjuster for switching between tasks or games. The material is a surprisingly good wicking pleather that’s easy to clean and will help keep you cool.
Best Gaming Chairs Vertagear Racing Series S-Line SL4000
This Vertagear has style and substance.
Price: $500 – $850 | Features: Tilt with adjustable resistance and lock
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Comfort and style combined in one package.
Vertagear makes great gaming chairs, end of story. This hefty SL4000 version comes with lots of serious high-density foam padding for maximum comfortable, a large neck/headrest pillow, and a sleek design that’s available in all sorts of color patterns. The arms can be adjusted in four different directions to find the perfect spot, and the tilting feature comes with adjustable resistance so you can choose how much you “rock” when playing. There’s a ton of comfort here for long gaming sessions.
So, why isn’t this model our top pick? Well, it may be one of the best gaming chairs of 2016, but a couple things do hold it back from the top spot. For one thing, the price is pretty high and this model can sometimes be difficult to find, especially if you have a certain color in mind. Also, while that PVC leather looks very cool, it’s hard to tell how durable it is in the long term. The wrong type of pleather can easily crack and fade over time, especially when sitting beside a hot gaming tower.
Best Gaming Chairs X Rocker 51396 Pro Series
The X-Rocker is great for a more TV-friendly, immersive experience.
Price: $190.00 | Features: Dual speaker/subwoofer built in
WHY IT’S A TOP PICK: Built-in speakers and receivers for true immersion.
Don’t worry, console players, we didn’t forget about you! Actually, it doesn’t really matter where you play, the X Rocker is a very impressive, floor-based gaming chair.
I am particularly fond of those handy gunstock armrests, since so many floor-style gaming chairs don’t have arms for long-term gaming. However, the real highlight here are the two speakers and subwoofer, which are designed to connect either via a wireless transmitter or with RCA cables. Sit down, turn it on, and you get instant surround sound without the need for surround sound speakers! Okay, maybe it isn’t quite that good, but it’s still impressive. Also, note that despite the name this isn’t a true rocker that just sits on the ground. It has a swivel base that you can use to adjust tilt and swivel depth, which is another big plus. Add in the relatively affordable price tag, and this chair is a real winner for any game-focused entertainment room.
Key Indicators of a Top Gaming Chair
Comfort: Hands down, you need to look for comfort in a gaming chair. It doesn’t matter how many fancy features the chair has, or how many different directions you can adjust it – if it’s uncomfortable, it won’t be a good gaming chair. You want a chair that you can easily sit in for a couple hours or more without need to get up or constantly change positions. Of course, there’s only so much you can tell about how comfortable a chair is without sitting in it yourself. That’s why it’s very helpful to read reviews and the experiences others have had, no matter what chair you ultimately decide on.
Adjustability: It’s important to know when adjustability matters and when it doesn’t. Arm adjustability, for example, is very important on gaming chairs, simply because of how we sit. Comfortable arms that can easily be adjusted in a variety of directions are a big plus! The natural height, tilt and angle adjustments are also welcome: Note that many of our top picks included the ability to adjust lumbar support and neck pillows, which is excellent for lengthy gaming sessions. However, adjustments can only do so much. If a chair has too much depth – or not enough depth – then it probably won’t be ideal for you no matter how much you try to adjust it. If you are too tall for a chair, there’s only so much you can do about it. Know what you can change, and what sort of chair works best for you.
Durable Materials: We like to see stainless steel support, dense foam, and custom-made fabrics that are designed for long-term use. Nothing is worse than seeing a chair start to fall apart after just a few seasons of gaming.
Most Important Gaming Chair Features
Fabric
- Look for supple materials that have some give, but not too much. The most common fabrics are usually various types of PVC leather, but there are many different grades of quality here, so don’t assume it’s all the same.
Pillows
- We’re not talking about giant cushions here, but rather firm support pillows that you can adjust or remove if necessary. These are important features to consider if available.
Flexible Back
- The adjustability of the chair back is important when it comes to overall positioning and comfort. Also look for options that increase the resistance of the back if it includes the ability to tilt under pressure.
Rollers
- Whether you need rollers or not, it’s important to know if the chair includes them. Remember, the wrong type of rollers can damage hardwood floors or carpet without adequate protection.
Extra Features
- Take a look at any interesting extra features. Often, these features can change your gameplay experience in important ways, improving immersion or give you a comfort features you never knew you needed.
Which Gaming Chair is Right for You?
If you already spend a lot of time gaming, you probably know what kind of chair fits your body the best – that’s a great place to start. For console gamers and those who prefer to play on the best gaming TV screens, the X Rocker is easily the best bet…and it includes a lot of great immersive features too. If you have the money and have found a model that you really like, the Vertagear is an excellent choice. If you want pro-gamer accessories and a great mainstream chair, then go for the DSRacer model instead. Remember, the best gaming chair is one that fits your own setup and favorite gaming habits.
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