Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

It’s almost impossible to fault Secretlab’s new offering, an update of the all-popular 2020 series, with its impressive array of features and supreme performance.

The Singapore-based gaming company has really pulled out all the stops with a wide range of sizing, upholstery and colour options so you can really fine tune the chair to your gaming environment. This attention to detail carries over into how the chair arrives at your door, with well thought out packaging and assembly instructions contained in a glossy rip-open envelope that made us feel like we were opening up some kind of secret document. Assembly was a doddle with super clear, step-by-step instructions that took just under 15 minutes to complete.

The “neo hybrid” leatherette finish we tested was supple and supremely comfortable in combination with the cold foam, but where this chair really excels is in the four-way lumbar support system that is actually built into the bottom of the backrest so you can adjust the inner lattice up, down, in and out until you feel the curve of your back is optimally supported.

The chair can go through 165 degrees of tilt, so finding that optimal angle is never an issue. Plus, there is a mechanism so you can lock it in place when you do find it. The magnetic memory foam head pillow simply snaps on to the chair’s backrest and you can slide it up and down to find the right position. In combination with the 4D armrests, the chair gave good support to wrist and elbows, too.

Best: For bigger rooms

Rating: 8/10

This collaboration with the eSports team Fnatic, made from premium PVC leather, came together in 25 minutes thanks to a manual that walks you through the assembly process. The chair comes in the Fnatic colours and is available in XL so it’s definitely one for big, tall gamers and large rooms. It feels good to sit in with a medium to firm feel which cradles your frame well throughout your session.

Ergonomically, the seat base of the chair hugs the lower body effectively, with 4D armrests which provided good elbow and wrist support. Plus, included was an XL lumbar pillow and medium-sized neck pillow made of memory foam and velvet fabric. The tilt ranges from 90 to 160 degrees so you can lock in the desired angle and its build quality is very solid, as you would expect from a chair designed with eSports in mind.

Best: For taller gamers

Rating: 8/10

Made from easy-clean PVC leather, the kaiser has been one of AndaSeats’s most popular models, and it’s easy to see why because it’s a well-padded chair with good ergonomics. The chair comes in size XL only, in a choice of two colours: black or black and maroon. Assembly was straightforward, coming together in just over 20 minutes, thanks to its marked screws and clear instructions.

The design of the chair allows for good weight distribution when you sit in it and the additional memory foam lumbar support is large enough to give good cushioning to the lower back, although we think it might be more useful if you’re 6ft and above.

There’s plenty of customisation available with fully adjustable arm rests and 160 degrees of tilt with five different locking positions. The base feels incredibly solid and even after months worth of in-chair excitement there were no signs of any creaks or groans. One thing that should be noted is that this is a very big chair, so might not be the best choice for smaller rooms.

Best: For long sessions in the saddle

Rating: 8/10

There are 12 different parts to the dark demon chair but don’t let that put you off – the instructions hand hold you through the process, so even if you’re not usually comfortable with a hex key, you’ll be up and gaming in 20 to 30 minutes.

Our gamers liked the bucket-seat style, which immediately seats you in a positive postural position with an adjustable lumbar cushion; raising and lowering on two straps. We had no trouble with the cushion slipping during gaming sessions, which was a problem with some other chairs with similar attachments.

The PVC leather was soft, pliable and easy to clean. When it came to comfort, the combination of high-density foam and then a thin layer of memory foam gave a medium to hard feel that was conducive to long sessions in front of the screen. We also liked the design of the neck pillow which cradled the head nicely, but it isn’t adjustable so won’t suit everyone.

Overall, adjustability was good with 90-160 degrees of lockable recline and 4D hard rubber armrests, so it’s easy to set yourself up right and change things around in-game if you need to. The recliner also shoots back into position with a lot of energy, so you can go from relaxed to ready for anything in no time, which we really liked. The chair comes in a L sizing, with the usual AndaSeat colour options of red or red and black. Much like the kaiser 2, it’s a sizeable chair, so we’d suggest playing close attention to its dimensions before buying to make sure that it’s the right fit for your gaming space.

Best: For withstanding a bashing

Rating: 8/10

Offering bags of build quality and great value, this one is easy to assemble (in around half an hour) and feels like a premium product as soon as you sit in it thanks to some nice stitching on the PVC leather that overlays the cold moulded foam; although the chair is also available in a softer, fabric covering.

GT Omega is known for its racing simulation products, which is why the chair has the classic racing bucket seat design, which felt comfortable and supportive. There’s plenty of adjustability on offer, too, with 85-190 degrees of lockable recline, removable lumbar and neck support cushions (which are firm) and the obligatory 4D arm rests, all underpinned with a firm base that stood up to moments of high tension in game with lots of movement.

It’s a one size fits all chair (although there is an XL version) with six different colourways to choose from so you won’t struggle to find a match for your home environment.

Best: Gaming/office chair hybrid

Rating: 9/10

The TX series of chairs from Noblechairs are the company’s first and only full cloth series, rather than the leather that covers most other models. This upholstery means that it almost has the look of an executive office chair rather than a gaming design, which will suit those looking for a perch to serve a dual purpose for work and play.

We had no issues with assembly, although it was one of the longer ones, but this speaks to the fact that the build quality of the chair is exceptional. You can feel that it will be able to withstand a lot of punishment without succumbing to wear and tear or parts breaking down.

The feel of the chair is definitely on the firm side, but the fabric makes the chair feel like you could sit in it for hours without falling prey to the “squirmies” and the weight distribution of the high-density foam means that you won’t sink too far down into the seat bed itself.

Height adjustable, with good range of motion from 90 to 135 degrees, there’s also a rocker mechanism that will give you 1 degrees of movement, forward and back. With a head and lumbar pillow set and 4D armrests, this is a chair that’s built for both the fun and formal.

Best: For a quick build

Rating: 7/10

If DIY is really not your thing then we can assure you that the S300 came together quicker than any other chair on test, especially as the manufacturer’s suggestion that we incorporate the shipping box into the build, using it as stand for the seat base, meant that we only needed one pair of hands to put it together.

Once built, we were left with a slim, stylish chair with a minimal look that will suit lots of gamers who don’t want the chair to dominate the space. There are plenty of colour schemes to choose from (10 in total) and the ergonomics were pleasing, with a mid-firm feel coming from the cold foam upholstery and a soft, not scratchy feel coming from the fabric covering.

There’s 13 degrees worth of tilt, and despite the chair only coming with 3D armrests – meaning you’re missing the axis rotation that you get with 4D – there’s still plenty of support for arms and wrists.

Best: For Esports players

Rating: 9/10

If you’re looking for a chair with nailed-on Esports ergonomics from a company renowned for supportive office chairs, then the 2021 launch of Herman Miller’s collaboration with Logitech will definitely fit the bill. Right out of the box, we were wowed with the futuristic design and premium feel and while we’re on the subject of boxes, for any one worried about how well they will be able to piece together such a high-end product – there’s no assembly necessary and the chair comes in a huge box, ready to go.

Based on Herman Miller’s existing embody chair, the collaboration has seen more foam added to aid longer sessions in front of the console. In terms of performance over time, we found that the chair almost forces you to be alert and on the ball as the adjustments encourage an active, upright sitting position which is why the chair might particularly appeal to Esports players. This is why there is no neck and head support, however there are adjustments galore elsewhere on the chair and the lumbar support is particularly welcome, allowing you to fine tune the support so that it moulds to the curvature of your spine.

We also loved the breathability of the upholstery, which ensured that we never felt like we were overheating, even when we had been sat for several hours straight.

Best: Recliner

Rating: 8/10

This fabric covered chair was easily assembled in just 15 minutes, thanks to some of the screws being, helpfully, pre-installed. The bucket seat design has nice, deep buffers on the backrest and the seat pad, so you really feel like you’re being encouraged to sit ergonomically and not slouch.

The seat itself is wide, so you can still move your legs to search for the most comfortable position. There’s a separate memory foam lumbar pillow that doesn’t just seem like an afterthought and actually fits the chair really well; similarly, with the neck pillow, if you feel you need one. 

The combination of foam and fabric makes the chair entirely suitable for grinding away for hours and hours and there’s plenty of height adjustment, 4D armrests and a recline that goes from 90 degrees to a flat out 180 if it all gets a bit too much and you just want to take a nap.

Best: For shorter sessions

Rating: 8/10

If you’re the kind of gamer who isn’t going to spend hours and hours trying to finish a campaign mode and instead just want a comfortable place to flop and Fifa, then this bean bag could be the chair you’re after. Made with gamers in mind, the bag comes complete with deep pockets sewn into the sides, which are perfect for controllers and snacks.

There’s even a hook for your headphones to keep them off the floor and out of harm’s way and ensure you don’t waste time scrabbling around before your gaming session. The chair also manages to address the fact that you don’t usually get good ergonomics sitting on a bean bag: thanks to generous filling and venting, that allows the bag to mould to the shape of your body, you won’t have to keep getting up mid-game to re-shape it.

Best: For styling

Rating: 9/10

Usually known for its hardware, Razer has recently made the leap into chairs and with some considerable success. The iskur X features some stunning design touches from the snakeskin stitching on the leather back and seat pad to the black and green colourway that Razer is renowned for.

All our testers, from the youngest to the oldest, thought this was a great looking chair thanks to some sleek sculpting that translates to a spacious seat pad and back rest that will also stop the inevitable slide downwards that you can often get from leather-covered chairs. The snakeskin pattern helps you maintain a good position and also adds to the overall breathability of the chair, even after you’ve been sat in it for a few hours straight.

The 4D armrests mean arms and wrists were well supported when playing with a mouse and keyboard, as well as when we had a Playstation or Xbox controller in hand. Plus, you can also tilt the chair back to 139 degrees for optimum game play. Ease of assembly and good build quality add to the chair’s pros.

Best: For keyboard gamers

Rating: 9/10

With its pre-installed arm rests and screws, the T3 rush was one of the simplest chairs to assemble: it took no more than 20 minutes.

The bucket chair design, covered in a comfortable, breathable fabric, does an excellent job of holding you in place. The build quality is great, so that even if you’re a self-confessed rager who regularly takes out your frustrations on your seat, this chair will surely soak up the punishment.

The adjustable lumbar and neck supports make for good ergonomics, and we liked the slightly firmer feel to the foam. It felt well suited to keyboard gaming, as the seat sets you up in a naturally alert position, although the 180-degree recline is very welcome if you really want to chill.

This is a chair with plenty of great features, with 100mm of adjustable height, 10 degrees of lockable seat tilt and 4D armrests, which are overlaid with a cool carbon fibre pattern that adds to the model’s style points.

Best: All-rounder

Rating: 8/10

Whether you’re a “spiller” or a “chiller”, this chair from new UK outfit Duelhawk has got you covered, or at least has a covering to suit you. Available in both PU leather and fabric, the former will make for easy-cleaning caused by over-excitable gaming, while the latter will provide a comfortable cocoon for a more chilled gaming session.

The moulded foam beneath it all coaxes you into a good ergonomic position and you can further dial-in your lumbar support using the featured knob on the side of the chair to adjust the integrated support, which was one of the best that we tested.

A smooth tilt mechanism and 4D armrests accommodate console and keyboard gamers, and there’s a nice wide backrest, seatbase and a sturdy wheelbase that speaks to the overall quality of the chair.