The best gaming chairs for PC and console gaming

A true gaming chair isn’t just an office chair with racing stripes. It’s the ultimate gaming accessory, both supporting and enlivening the gaming experience through physical ergonomic support, and extreme, endurance-promoting comfort.

A gaming chair ranks high amongst desirable gaming accessories. It’s more than just an office chair with go-faster stripes, it’s a thoroughly considered piece of equipment, supporting and improving the gamer’s ability to play their favourite games comfortably, and for longer. Upright and alert, a gamer will be correctly positioned to gaming keyboard and mouse with ease and speed.

As seasoned gamers ourselves, we know the physical toll perching on sub-par seating can take. Nowadays, thanks to the advent of truly phenomenal gaming chairs, aching backs, cramping shoulders and numb legs have been relegated to history. Now we can game for hour upon hours in comfort and, if we may be so bold, style.

Related: The best gaming PCs under £1,000 | The best gaming PCs

Using our real-world expertise, we’ve gathered together the best gaming chairs around, for PC and console gamers alike. There are two types of gaming chair we’ve listed, so if you’d like to know more head down to the bottom of the page for a brief guide to gaming chair types.

Best gaming chair shortlist:

Want your gaming chair to last?

Before we get into our roundup of the best gaming chairs, we recommend considering a chair care product to help your new purchase last long into the future. Fabric chairs, particularly in light colours, are very susceptible to staining - even from general handling. HG Stain Spray (£7.49) is adept at removing deep stains, like coffee and cola. This will keep your new chair looking fresh.

Related: The best gaming speakers for under £100

While stains are less concerning for faux leather and PU upholstery, dirt, grime and liquid spillages are more likely to cause lasting damage. Thankfully, Noblechairs has a special cleaning agent (£11.99) specifically for such situations. You’ll be surprised how dirty a chair can get.

The best gaming chairs 2021

Secretlab Titan Prime 2.0 2020

Verdict: Style, comfort and quality all result in the Titan being the best gaming chair around.

The Secretlab Titan is the best gaming chair we’ve tested. The Prime 2.0 PU leather is robust and subtle, and the stitching details are all finished to the highest standard. Under its stylish skin sits Cold-Cure padding, designed to provide temperature management and ergonomics, and an infinitely adjustable lumbar support. The hardware included is of excellent quality, with tough stainless steel and aluminium, and the head cushion is packed with plush memory foam and cooling gel.

Read the full review here.

Comfort rating: 5/5

Noblechairs HERO Black Edition

Verdict: Precision, innovation and reliability - an excellent chair.

The Noblechairs Hero Black Edition incorporates an all-new hybrid PU-leather material, cooling gel and refined design sensibilities with excellent results. The wide seat remains comfortable through a day of work and a night of gaming, and mechanisms and gaskets used are heavy-duty - so there are no squeaks or mid-game height drops.

Read the full review here.

Comfort rating: 4.5/5

Secretlab Omega 2020

Verdict: High-quality comfort, plus wow-factor upholstery.

Quality of styling, build and upholstering are three things that the Secretlab Omega has in surplus supply. It has 4D armrests and high-quality tilt, recline and height mechanisms. The seat is bucketed and keeps you in a secure and supportive position. As with most racer-style chairs, be aware that those with a larger frame may find it a little snug.

Read the full review here.

Comfort rating: 4/5

Anda Seat T-Pro 2

Verdict: A luxurious gaming chair with a broad seat.

The Anda Seat T-Pro 2 is a heavyweight racer-style gaming chair. The padding has a supportive, comfortable give to it, and the lumbar cushion is out-of-the-world good. All of the seat’s basics are well-delivered, though as we noted in our review, there are some flaws with the armrest mechanisms and smaller points of detail. Still, for gamers needing a wide racer seat, this is a great pick.

Read the full review here.

Comfort rating: 4.5/5

Corsair T3 Rush

Verdict: It looks great and it’s comfortable all year round.

When Corsair isn't putting together some of the best keyboards around, it's putting out some of the most trusted computer components on the market. When not doing these two things, Corsair is putting out some of the best gaming chairs. The T3 Rush is a particular favourite, offering bucketed seats, a high backrest, and ergonomic comfort. Recline, tilt, and adjustable armrests are all up to standard, and the material keeps the player cool all through summer.

Comfort rating: 4/5

ADX ACHAIR19

Verdict: A gaming chair that strips away the hype to provide quality, affordable comfort.

The name should give it away: the ADX ACHAIR19 is a chair. Much of what we associate with a gaming chair is absent: there are no 4D armrests, huge pistons or OTT backrests. Instead, it's a straightforward, reliable PC gaming chair with a broad, supportive back and comfy padding. While the fixed arms are a slight shame, the curved shape means that the chair can tuck in close to a desk.

Comfort rating: 4/5

Brazen Sentinel Elite

Brazen has been doing a lot of good as of late, offering up well-featured gaming chairs for a reasonable price. The chair has all the necessities, such as height, tilt, recline, and arm adjustment, as well as moveable lumbar and neck cushions. The seat width is welcome, and although it's snug, it doesn't trap or limit player movement, and the firm support cushions promise longevity.

Read the full review here.

Comfort rating: 3.5/5

Umi. by Amazon Gaming Chair

Verdict: A boldly styled budget gaming chair with plenty to appeal.

Amazon’s foray into the gaming chairs with the Umi range has been surprisingly fruitful. The Umi gaming chair has sensible ergonomic shaping to provide support where necessary, while the 4D armrests and lumbar and neck cushions add some flexibility to adjust for personal taste. The upholstery is a tough fabric with bold white detailing. The bucketing of the seat is pleasingly wide, too.

Comfort rating: 3.5/5

Brazen Stag

Verdict: A fun and frantic over-the-top option for kids.

The Brazen Stag 2.1 is a hugely fun console gaming accessory. Its in-built audio capability allows for wired and Bluetooth audio to play from the chair, providing a bonkers, arcade-like experience. The speakers are plenty loud enough, and while they're no match for a dedicated gaming headset, they do add frantic energy to competitive shooting, sports and racing games. The seat itself is comfortable, but its small frame and curved style make it best for kids and younger teens. The seat also folds down for storage when not in use.

Read the full review here.

Comfort rating: 3.5/5

X-Rocker Evo Pro

Verdict: This chair is proof that gaming isn't always about being subtle.

For those looking to hang low in front of a TV, the X-Rocker Evo Pro is here. The well-padded curve of this chair is very comfortable, if a little un-ergonomic, and the faux-leather upholstery is of a good standard – it's ideal for collapsing into a long escapist session after a hard day. The in-built 4.1 surround sound speakers, inbuilt vibration and LED lighting are hugely entertaining. This is like bringing the arcade into your front room - whether you’re slaying on DOOM Eternal or getting shelled in Mario Kart 8, it’s a tonne of fun.

Comfort rating: 4/5

How much should I spend on a gaming chair?

There’s no single correct answer here - it depends entirely on how much you have available. No matter your budget, there’s a gaming chair for you. However, with a budget and affordable gaming chairs, there is always a compromise to make, be it on mechanism quality, padding type or base/caster materials.

Related: The best gaming headsets

If you’re looking to buy one of the very best gaming chairs - that is, chairs free from compromise, delivering comfort, ergonomics and style - then you’re going to need to set aside at least £300.

Note that some of what you spend on a gaming chair is going into the styling, so if you have a tight budget and you’re looking to prioritise ergonomics, you may be better spending your cash on a dedicated, ergonomic office chair.

What to look for when buying a new gaming chair:

Ergonomics

A chair that supports muscles and joints in all the right ways is going to mean that sitting at a desk is more comfortable and that when you’re done gaming, there are no aches and pains. The best gaming chairs have adjustable height, tilt and recline, 4D multi-directional armrests and lumbar support.

Upholstery

High-quality faux leathers and fabrics, along with accurate and robust stitching, are going to provide years of use through wear, tear and split resistance. Many manufacturers go further by developing unique material blends and compounds designed to improve both wear and comfort. Such fabrics often promote airflow and moisture-wicking. These features are often the first to go in more budget options.

Padding

Padding is key. It reinforces ergonomics, comfort, temperature and endurance. As with upholstery, the quality of the foam can also determine the lifespan of a product. Firmer padding is the way to go in most cases. Its tight structure supports joints and reduces muscle strain, improving endurance and reducing aches and pains at the end of the day. Many manufacturers develop foam with in-built heat regulation. Known as cold-foam, the material draws temperature away from the body.

Hardware

Wheels, levers, gaskets, bearings, frames, bases… all of these features are easy to overlook, even though they do a lot of the heavy lifting day-to-day. Good quality gaskets, bearings, locks and levers all make positioning quick, easy and reliable - if the hardware isn’t of the highest quality, these are the places gaming chairs can start to squeak, creak and grind. Wheels and bases keep the user upright, balanced and mobile, while the best quality frames help guarantee a long life for a chair.

What is the most comfortable gaming chair?

From our testing, we’ve discovered that the three most comfortable gaming chairs are: the Secretlab Titan, Noblechairs Hero and Anda Seat T-Pro 2.

The Noblechairs Hero is the firmest and broadest seat and carries in-built lumbar support. The Anda Seat T-Pro 2 is the softest of the three, with an auxiliary lumbar cushion that helps reduce backache. The Secretlab Titan sits right in the middle, offering cooling support on a medium-sized seat frame.

The best gaming chairs are not comfortable in the same way that a bean bag or sofa might be, because they need to meet certain ergonomic criteria. Also, a gaming chair that seems comfortable at first may not remain so. Soft padding feels luxurious for about an hour, but it soon gets flat and hot and leaves you with aches and pains due to a lack of bodily support.

A truly comfortable gaming chair is slightly firmer than you’d initially expect, and one that uses some form of heat management - be that breathable fabric of cooling foam. Couple these factors with ergonomic lumbar, arm and shoulder support, and you’ve got a chair that will remain comfortable throughout an entire day of use.

Are gaming chairs bad for your back?

No. So long as you pick a chair with an ergonomic design, adjustable lumbar and armrests, or with an auxiliary lumbar cushion. It’s also just as important to set up your desk properly, with monitors, mice and keyboards all arranged correctly.

You can read about the best gaming desks here, or check out our guide to setting up an ergonomic desk here.

How long do gaming chairs last?

There are lots of variables to consider here, but the short answer is years. This is based on the assumption that you are subjecting the gaming chair to reasonable conditions and usage, keeping the upholstery fresh and clean, and that the model purchased is of a good standard (like those we’ve listed above).

Types of gaming chair: How to choose a gaming chair

PC Style Gaming Chair

Typically, a PC style gaming chair is ergonomic, with either pre-set seat and backrest curvatures or moveable cushions to offer lumbar and neck support. Bucketed seats provide hip support and help maintain a centralised seating position. Shoulder strain is reduced via adjustable armrests, and leg strain via a tilt mechanism. The gaslight allows for accurate height positioning.

Any long-term gamer will know the aches and pains that can arise from poor seating position and posture. Good PC gaming chairs help to improve a user’s posture, keeping them comfortable and alert during play, and free from cramps, aches and joint fatigue post-match.

Even though these chairs are based on the traditional office chair design and therefore appear applicable to only PC gaming, they certainly have their place for console gamers. This is in no small part to the migration of PS4, Switch and Xbox gamers from their sofa to desks, often using PC gaming monitors as affordable and high-performance alternatives to TVs. However, we’d recommend rolling in a PC gaming chair into whatever room the consoles in.

If you’re looking for the best gaming chair for reasons of comfort and ergonomics, you’re going to find it with a PC gaming chair.

The Console Gaming Chair

Console gaming chairs are focused on comfort and entertainment, usually at the expense of more supportive ergonomic features. These chairs, sometimes referred to as ‘rockers’, provide a curved seating position that is much lower and lounging than that of a PC gaming chair. These chairs are designed to be used with TVs, rather than desks – so, PC gamers should certainly avoid them.

Console gamers who do opt for this seating type will have access to some pretty special features – namely, in-built speakers. These speakers kick out quite some noise and inject a sense of arcade-like fun into a game. Local multiplayer games particularly benefit, with team racers and shoot-‘em-ups particularly benefitting from the over-the-top experience.

Often, these chairs can also be folded and packed away, helping to prevent them from taking over living spaces.

What to read next

Best gaming PCs under £1,000

The best budget gaming PCs

The best budget gaming monitors

William Lobley is a Content Writer and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in technology, gaming and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.

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