Best Gaming Chair For 2021: Top Chairs For PC And Console Gaming

The good:

• Premium materials are incredibly durable
• Extremely comfortable and adjustable with 4D armrests
• Wide variety of themes to choose from

The bad:

Since 2014, Secretlab has led the way with its ever-growing line of gaming chairs, honing its craft to offer the best combination of price and quality you can find. Secretlab has two main series of chairs, both of which utilize the same design philosophy and are equally great. The Omega Series, which now includes dozens of different designs, is designed for gamers who are 5’11” or shorter. The Titan Series chairs come with lengthier backrests designed for taller gamers, though it’s really a matter of personal preference. The Omega and Titan Series have the classic gaming chair look, with an ample backrest and wide seat cushion with raised edges. The premium metal 4D armrests are highly adjustable, the backrest fully reclines, the caster wheels offer a smooth roll, and it also features a multi-tilt suspension system. Each chair comes with a memory foam head pillow and lumbar support for added comfort.

Omega/Titan Series chairs nail the two most important qualities: comfort and durability. Secretlab chairs are built with a special cold-cure foam that provides a pleasant sitting experience along with maximum durability. They don’t lose their shape, which means you can rest assured you’ll get years of use without deteriorating quality. While it may be a small thing for some, it should be noted that Secretlab chairs are incredibly easy to assemble.

You have a choice of three different fabric options with the Omega and Titan Series. The default is Prime 2.0 PU Leather, a strong material that doesn’t fray. Softweave fabric creates a more cushiony experience for a slight upcharge, and NAPA Leather is available for a premium price. Secretlab is unparalleled when it comes to variety. There are various stock models that are almost always available as well as a bevy of special edition chairs with designs hailing from popular games, pop culture staples, and esports teams.

The good:

• Lumbar support cushion is a cut above the rest
• Stylish design
• Premium feel
• 4D adjustable armrests

The bad:

• Expensive at $500
• Difficult to assemble

Razer’s first foray into the gaming chair market is a dream. The Razer Iskur is a stylish and innovative ergonomic gaming chair that features the best lumbar support we’ve tried. While most gaming chairs have a small, detachable lumbar pillow, the Iskur has an ergonomically designed lumbar support that’s central to the design of the chair. It’s large and contours to the shape of your back, providing support across a larger area. The lumbar support is also unique in that it’s adjustable, so you can position it to the shape of your spine.

The fine-tuned customization extends far beyond just the lumbar support. You can easily tinker with the angle and height of the chair, and its 4D adjustable armrests allow movement in multiple directions so you can find your perfect position. It also comes with a detachable head cushion made of memory foam. The Iskur is made with high-density foam that molds to your body for optimal comfort, and it’s wrapped in synthetic leather that is both soft and durable. As a Razer product, it’s unsurprising that it has a cool design. The jet black color and green stitching give it that iconic Razer look.

Even though the Iskur is a wonderful ergonomic chair, it does have a couple of downsides–both of which are apparent before you ever sit on it for the first time. At $500, it’s the priciest chair on this list. It’s also sort of a pain to assemble, with screws that are tough to secure and heavier parts than you’d expect. You’ll want to assemble it with the help of another person to avoid as much frustration as possible. That said, if you are in need of better lumbar support, the Iskur is as good as it gets.

The good:

• Mesh material offers plenty of support and allows airflow
• Great ergonomics from contoured back and adjustable headrest
• Quick assembly

The bad:

• Doesn’t recline very far back

If you’re looking for an ergonomic gaming chair that doesn’t really look like a chair for “gamers,” Respawn’s Specter model is a wonderful choice. This contoured computer chair is made out of strong but elastic mesh material, which creates far more comfort than you’d expect from looking at it. The ergonomics are what really stand out here, with a curved cushion that eliminates stress on your legs and a three-piece backrest that provides excellent lumbar, neck, and head support. The PU leather headrest is adjustable, too, so it works well no matter your height.

While the Specter doesn’t recline very far back, it does have adjustable tilt tension that can come in handy. You can also move the seat to fit your preferences, lower and raise the armrests, and adjust the height. The Specter probably has one of the quickest and easiest assemblies around, as it takes no more than 15 minutes to get up and running. It’s available in Onyx Black and Graphite Gray.

The good:

• Unique design stands out
• Backrest has a sleek but ergonomic profile
• Cold-foam cushion contours to your shape

The bad:

• Lacks variety when it comes to color options
• Pricey

Though not as well-known as Secretlab, Noblechairs also makes some of the best gaming chairs on the market today. And if you’re not enamored with the “racecar” look of most premium chairs, Noblechairs’ Icon model is an intriguing option. With an understated design and elegant argyle pattern on the backrest, the Icon looks like a cross between a gaming chair and a high-end desk chair. The backrest has a unique shape, with less pronounced wings and a sleeker profile at the top.

Made of premium materials, the Icon is ultra-comfortable and withstands the wear and tear of everyday use. The cold foam cushion used throughout is covered by thick faux leather. The Icon has all of the customization options you’d expect, including reclining up to 135 degrees, adjustable armrests, and neck/lumbar cushions.

Thanks to its unique design, the Icon is built for gamers of all shapes and sizes. It comes in a variety of color schemes, but most of them are primarily black. It’s certainly not a flashy chair, but the Icon is a high-quality pick that lives up to its lofty name.

The good:

• Adjusts to fit your needs
• Stellar ergonomic design
• Rollerblade-style wheels are quite cool

The bad:

As one of the leading PC peripheral manufacturers, Corsair has made its mark on everything from keyboards to headsets. If you’re a Corsair fan and want to complement your gaming setup with a superb PC gaming chair, the Corsair T2 Road Warrior is a super-comfortable and well-designed option. With adjustable neck and lumbar cushions, an ample seat cushion, and an ergonomically designed backrest, the Road Warrior has all of the basic elements you should look for in a chair.

The Road Warrior also has an adjustable height, 170-degree reclining, fully movable armrests, and a lightweight but sturdy frame that makes it easy to move. Unlike most gaming chairs, the Road Warrior has slim wheels that resemble rollerblades. It’s not a feature that is really needed in a gaming chair, but it does make the Road Warrior name make sense. The perforated leather on the backrest can be accented in black, white, blue, yellow, or red.

The good:

• Affordable price
• Comfortable and ergonomically designed
• Nice variety of colors to choose from

The bad:

• Doesn’t hold up as long as other chairs on this list

While the more expensive gaming chairs on this list tend to feature premium materials that withstand the test of time, you can still get a solid gaming chair without breaking the bank. The Homall S-Racer is our favorite sub-$200 gaming chair. As one of the most popular gaming chairs on Amazon, the Homall S-Racer boasts over 30,000 user reviews and holds a 4.4/5 average rating. It has the classic gaming chair look and comes in a myriad of color schemes. The price ranges from $150 to $180 depending on which style you choose, which is roughly half the price of most of the chairs on this list.

The Homall S-Racer features most of the adjustability options you’d expect, including full reclining, rocking, and a movable lumbar cushion. However, the armrests aren’t adjustable. You sacrifice some comfort with the Homall S-Racer, and it likely won’t hold up as well as the premium chairs we’ve mentioned, but it still has a nice ergonomic design and is better than your average desk chair for gaming.

The good:

• Great for console gaming on TVs
• Padded seat promotes comfort
• Built-in speakers and subwoofer
• Easy to store

The bad:

• Ergonomics are lacking for lumbar support
• Floor rockers aren’t great for those prone to sore knees

Though gaming chairs have moved toward being designed for desk use over the past decade, console gamers who play on a TV may want something different. That’s where floor rockers come in. Rocker chairs have been around for decades and could be viewed as the “original” gaming chair, and technological advancements have only made them more impressive. Our pick here is the X Rocker Pro, a fully-featured rocker chair with premium padding and a great look.

The X Rocker Pro has four built-in speakers and a subwoofer to blast in-game music wirelessly and provide a more immersive experience. It also features vibration to accompany the audio. The X Rocker Pro is an easy chair to store if you don’t want it in the center of a room all the time: The armrests and backrest fold to make it compact enough to fit in a closet when not in use.

The good:

• Great for console gaming on TVs
• Lumbar support has a massager for added comfort

The bad:

• Takes up a lot of space
• Plain color scheme

Homall’s gaming recliner is another solid option for those looking for a living room gaming chair. Designed specifically with console gaming on TVs in mind, Homall’s gaming recliner is fairly unique in the space. It looks much like a conventional recliner, though where it separates itself is with the lumbar and neck supports. Similar to a desk gaming chair, Homall’s gaming recliner is focused on comfort for lengthy gaming sessions. And the lumbar cushion doubles as a massager with three different modes of vibration.

The recliner certainly maintains the general aesthetics of conventional gaming chairs with its PU leather and sleek look. But this is also a gaming chair that will work great for lounging and watching TV thanks to its reclining capabilities and retractable footrest. Pockets on each side add a bit of storage space for small accessories, remotes, and other items you want to have close by. The chair comes in black/red, black/blue, and black/white–however, black is the dominant color for all three models.

The good:

• Promotes a feeling of weightlessness that’s calming
• Contours to the shape of your body
• Great for those who need to sit closer to their TV

The bad:

• Not great for small living spaces
• Pricey and can get more expensive with add-ons

Bean bag chairs have long been a gaming staple, especially for kids and teens. Admittedly, the average bean bag chair isn’t the most comfortable option for adults. The Moon Pod, however, is anything but an average bean bag chair. While not technically a “gaming product,” the Moon Pod absolutely works as a high-end living room chair for those who want to sit closer to their TV while gaming (especially for those games where the text is annoyingly small). It also works well for those who are working from home and need to take a break from their office chair. Unlike most bean bag chairs, the Moon Pod’s design is specifically aimed at providing an ergonomic lounging experience. The Moon Pod contours and adapts to your positioning, providing back and lumbar support. The bean bag, which is appropriately shaped like a pod, features high-density beads that are packed to simulate the sensation of weightlessness, and it’s incredibly relaxing to sink into.

At $300, however, the Moon Pod is extremely pricey for a bean bag, and there are add-ons that raise the price even more. The Crescent back pillow, which is helpful for additional back support, tacks on another $129 to the price. For that reason, we recommend just getting the base product first to try it out before snagging any add-ons, though we will say the combination of the Moon Pod and the Crescent feels absolutely incredible. It’s worth mentioning our sister brand CNET currently has a promo code, CNET15, that slashes $15 off the Moon Pod.

The Moon Pod itself is also quite large, taking up approximately four square feet, so you definitely need to have a spot picked out for it or somewhere that you can store it between uses. That said, this is the most comfortable bean bag chair around and checks all of the boxes for a solid living room gaming chair.