Everyone needs a decent chair at their desk, of course. Ergonomic and back-friendly chairs are good. But comfortable executive chairs are also popular. And for gamers who spend hours on end playing games, special gaming chairs are ideal. But of course you don’t have different chairs that you want to change all the time. So how about using just one gaming chair? That is what we would like to try to clarify in this article.
What characterises a gaming chair?
The purpose of a gaming chair is to ensure that gamers do not suffer postural damage even during long games. In this respect, it is a good and sophisticated ergonomic chair in which you can also sit very comfortably at your desk for other purposes.
Typically, however, gaming chairs are also sporty in design and come in bold, eye-catching colours. They also come with a lumbar cushion (in addition to the existing lumbar support) and a head cushion. Of course, it also has the same adjustment options as a normal office chair. You can vary the seat height and also lock and release armrests or the rocker mechanism, just as you like.
Thanks to these comfortable ergonomic features, the gaming chair can also be used in the home office without any problems. However, you will have to dig a little deeper into your pocket to buy one.
What criteria distinguish gaming chairs from one another?
You have a wide choice of good gaming chairs, but it is a question of taste and price which type of gaming chair you ultimately choose.
Material
It starts with the material. For example, you can choose between a wooden and a steel construction. Then there is the material used for the upholstery and cover. You can choose polyurethane covers, fabric covers or even genuine leather covers and various upholstery materials. It is important that the workmanship is clean so that nothing sticks out or is not properly finished.
Comfort/additional features
The more adjustment options and accessories the chair offers, the better. In this area, the differences are, for example, additional cushions for the head and lumbar vertebrae or adjustable armrests, tilting and rocking functions.
Ergonomics
You should definitely test the ergonomics of the chair by trying it out. Ideally, the chair should fit your height and figure well and allow you to sit comfortably. Some chairs may seem too hard or too soft, so you should try out what you can sit on most comfortably for a longer period of time.
Appearance
All chairs differ in appearance, design and colour. It all depends on which style you like best and which colours look best in your office.
Price
The big differences in price between the various models come, of course, from the material and the features. Which chair you end up with depends on your budget and your wishes. Naturally, leather features are more expensive than simpler materials.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a gaming chair in the office?
Once you have chosen a great ergonomic chair in your favourite design, there is nothing to stop you from working on it. But what does it look like in practice? What are the advantages and what disadvantages do you have to expect?
The advantages include the following points:
Very good and ergonomic seating comfort.
With a bucket seat for a stable sitting position.
Protects shoulder and neck muscles.
Many comfortable adjustment options.
Helpful additional accessories (cushion).
Sporty and elaborate design – looks more stylish than a normal office chair.
Enhances the gaming experience (for example, when playing driving games).
When using real leather chairs: very durable, robust, you don’t sweat as quickly.
Some gaming chairs are also ideal for typing.
Unfortunately, there are also a few disadvantages:
High purchase costs because of the elaborate and stable design and high quality.
The bucket seat is stable but not ergonomic, so it restricts your freedom of movement.
The really good gaming chairs are often only available in genuine leather or PU leather, which is problematic in case of stains. Moreover, cleaning and caring for genuine leather chairs is time-consuming. And: genuine leather is not waterproof!
Some gaming chairs are not suitable for desks because you cannot get close enough to the desk due to the armrest.
With some models, it is not possible to adjust the headrest or armrest optimally.
Conclusion: Which chair is suitable for you?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. It always depends on what you want to use the chair for. Are you only at the PC when you play games, or do you have to work mainly at your desk? If so, you don’t need a chair with large armrests that won’t allow you to get close enough to your desk. However, you can benefit from the ergonomics and comfortable features.
You should “test sit” the chairs and look for sturdy workmanship and robust materials. This is also easy on the wallet. However, it also depends on which design you prefer. The more elaborate models naturally cost a little more. Alternatively, you can buy an ergonomic desk chair – or a gaming chair for gaming in front of the TV. But of course that’s out of the question for office work.