Don't Buy a "Gaming Chair" - Office Chair vs. Gaming Chair Round-Up & Review - GamersNexus

[Mupod]

I don't particularly like sitting in an Aeron (had one at work) but I will say that a) they last goddamn forever and b) maintain their resale value. I had to sell some office furniture a while back and I had to make sure there wasn't an Aeron in the picture or I'd get barraged by people asking about the damn chair.

But yeah, just don't assume it's the perfect chair for you without trying one. We mainly had them for directors at the company and a few of them surreptitiously swapped them out for much cheaper Costco chairs since they preferred them (as did I, managed to get one for home).

 

[o Tesseract]

Got the video in queue so I haven't watched it yet, but I know there are a lot of trash out there.

That said I bought this chair and I have no regrets. Lumbar/head rest in memory foam, great material, thick seat for my ass, "4D" arm rests and a 5 year warranty.

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Secret Lab is definitely "better" among these racer styled chairs, but I sold mine and got a used Aeron and holy shit it's not even close.

 

[Defuser]

Lol @ people repping secret lab chairs, they are also selling rebranded chairs. Plenty of people in the SEA are complaining secret lab chairs PU leather are peeling, they are not meant for humid conditions.

 

[cubicle47b]

I appreciate that Gamers Nexus made this video. I do wish they'd interviewed an ergonomics specialist and tried out a larger variety of office chairs.

edit: A couple more thoughts.

I never liked the Aeron. We had them in a conference room at a place I worked at 20 years ago and I couldn't stand them. They obviously weren't adjusted to fit us (and may have even been the wrong size for me) so it's not really fair for me to judge them based on my experience. The mesh bothered me, though.

One thing that gets largely ignored when talking about office chairs is how long they last and what kind of warranty they have. I owned a bunch of office chairs from Office Max/Depot over the years and all of them became uncomfortable and fell apart after 2-3 years or so. Herman Miller and Steelcase both have 12 year warranties. I've had an Embody for close to 5 years, since I started working from home, and aside from wear on the fabric it feels brand new.

 

[Deleted member 12323]

Nothing beats a good mesh office chair

 

[GamerJM]

How are older wooden chairs? That's what I use and it's pretty uncomfortable, but I feel like I'd feel the same way about all chairs because I usually just lay in bed.

 

[RockmanBN]

Herman Miller Aeron on Craigslist... about $300ish bucks depending upon your market. It'll last you forever (I've had two in my home office for a decade already). Loads of mods if you want them. If anything broke, parts are easy and cheap to get on ebay or amazon.

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See one for 300 in a city near me. Would a Size C be fine for some who's 5'7?

 

[Herman The Tosser]

I have been using big ass executive chairs for years and they're without equal. Nice big back that goes up beyond your head, and the softest fucking cushioning possible. Like sitting on a cloud.

 

[El_TigroX]

Tried the Embody for 30 days and the "pixel" support was tough for my back. Also, the seat made my hips kind of fucked.

swapped for a Steelcass Leap and I have never been happier.My back feels better and my hips have never felt better, and my tailbone is in great shape.

i don't think Embody was a bad chair, just not right for me.

 

[badboy78660]

I highly recommend at least trying the Aeron before just blindly purchasing it. I bought one locally, and it's not particularly comfortable to me. I got mine from a refurb furniture store. My point: everyone's idea of "comfort" can vary.

 

[the_bromo_tachi]

Best purchase of this year was the Aeron chair. Had really bad back pain when I started working from home and was using a regular ikea chair. I had trouble sleeping because of the back pain. When I switched to the Aeron chair, it was gone. If you're suffering from back pain, definitely upgrade your chair.

 

[Rizific]

yep, unfortunately i learned the hard way. but i always find it funny how when threads on chairs pop up, theres always the "bUt mY sEcReT lAbS iS GrEaT!" group always shows up like the chair is somehow different. when a chair comes with pillows as their solution for lumbar and neck "support", that should be a dead giveaway to avoid at all costs. like as if the bucket racing seat design wasnt sign enough. classic case of form over function.

 

[big_z]

I've been checking government and local liquidators for an Aeron or steelcase but I've only seen two pop up for $500 and they looked disgusting. I'm fine if used but not if they look like they're from a landfill.
Might just settle for a staples hyken since that seems to be recommend and similar to what the GN office favourite is.

Lol @ people repping secret lab chairs, they are also selling rebranded chairs. Plenty of people in the SEA are complaining secret lab chairs PU leather are peeling, they are not meant for humid conditions.

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A lot of people repping secret lab recently because they did a big push sending free chairs to "influencers". Giant bomb got a bunch and that caused people here to take interest but I think when Ben let slip he would never buy one himself is pretty telling.

In the gamer nexus video he mentions "premium" priced gamer chairs that are actually just the same garbage but didn't give a name. Secretlab is shown on screen around this point so you can put two and two together.

 

[Mupod]

I highly recommend at least trying the Aeron before just blindly purchasing it. I bought one locally, and it's not particularly comfortable to me. I got mine from a refurb furniture store. My point: everyone's idea of "comfort" can vary.

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As I said, people are thirsty as fuck for that chair especially right now, so you could probably sell it for close to what you paid for it. Otherwise you're 'cursed' with that chair for easily 10+ years, lol. But even as someone who didn't particularly like the chair it's not like it was unbearable or anything...I'd probably just put up with it for the durability.

 

[romey]

The one I'm currently sitting on is not even a year old and it's already sinking. These things are junk.

 

[John Omaha]

are literal copies of each other, you sound as convinced as people repping their gaming chairs. Throw them in a pile with every other chromatic, mesh back chair.

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You're really aggressive for someone who hasn't done their research. Steelcase's flagship chairs don't even have mesh backs.

 

[Arkeband]

I got a "S-racer" gaming chair this Christmas, haven't actually been able to use it yet but it didn't seem terrible (although those pillows for 'lumbar support' are likely going to get tossed).

The video in the OP doesn't do a very good job of explaining why they stuck besides them having a high profit margin (in some cases) and them all being the same chair, and he even says one of their employees swears by them.

A 30 minute video could have bothered to get into some basic ergonomics.

 

[Deleted member 56752]

i got a homall for like 100 last year. it is fine. I don't game for long periods of time and I always get up and stretch. it isn't perfect, but it does ok. You pretty much have to get a garbage chair unless you're willing to pay upwards of 300

 

[Fat4all]

i need to find a chair that will support my fat lumbering ass

 

[TheRulingRing]

The most important point is at the end of the video.

It doesn't matter what chair you have or what amount of money you've spent on it if you don't actively pay attention to fixing your posture until it becomes second nature.

If you're that concerned about your posture you'd be better served seeing a proper physiotherapist instead of spending 500 on a bloody chair lol

 

[badboy78660]

As I said, people are thirsty as fuck for that chair especially right now, so you could probably sell it for close to what you paid for it. Otherwise you're 'cursed' with that chair for easily 10+ years, lol. But even as someone who didn't particularly like the chair it's not like it was unbearable or anything...I'd probably just put up with it for the durability.

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Lol I hear ya. I mostly fell for the hype. I sat around in it for a little while at the furniture store, and just left with it because I was in a desperate need for a chair for my home office (this was when covid was starting and many were getting the chance to work from home). It's definitely not awful or anything, and I can tell the construction is solid, it's just that I find myself having to reseat myself in the chair multiple times during a work session, because I simply can't sit still in the chair for hours at a time. I may just end up giving it to my parents lol. I'm definitely glad I didn't but it new though (I think I paid $300-400-ish for it (which is still a lot though).

 

[Carnby]

Not to derail but this thread reminds me of when I tried to buy a mechanical keyboard at Best Buy.

"I'm looking for mechanical keyboard."

"For gaming?"

"No, I'll be using it for work."

"We only sell gaming mechanical keyboards."

"But I can use it for work."

"No. You can't."

 

[romey]

Nothing beats a good mesh office chair

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They tend to be much lower than gaming chairs, right? I remember getting a meshed one from my uncle years back and it was rather tiny with no lift. I'm only 5'8, and it made me feel much taller.

 

[wallmeat]

I broke down a few months ago and bought a Steelcase Leap and haven't looked back. Best chair I've ever used. It's probably the best purchase I've made all year.

 

[Azerare]

Have had a gaming chair for a few years now and in retrospect there were way better options elsewhere for sure. Those nice and ergonomic chairs are definitely my next purchase on my radar.

 

[Deleted member 29691]

I know they are awful, gaudy, and overpriced, but I would still rock one of those D.Va branded pink gaming chairs.

 

[shadowhaxor]

Nice to see the ErgoChair 2 was rated nicely. I've been preaching about this chair ever since I sat my ass in one. I will NEVER go back to a gaming chair again. Though I still want a Herman Mill Aeron, even just to compare the two.

 

[Chanser]

Herman Miller make gaming versions of their existing chairs.

Gaming Furniture: Chairs, Desks & Accessories – Herman Miller Store

Choose from ergonomic gaming chairs, desks, and accessories to make long gaming sessions more comfortable. Shop the best gaming furniture at Herman Miller.

store.hermanmiller.com

 

[shadowhaxor]

Herman Miller make gaming versions of their existing chairs.

Gaming Furniture: Chairs, Desks & Accessories – Herman Miller Store

Choose from ergonomic gaming chairs, desks, and accessories to make long gaming sessions more comfortable. Shop the best gaming furniture at Herman Miller.

store.hermanmiller.com

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Yeah, for $1500...... way too pricey for my blood.

 

[RockmanBN]

Herman Miller make gaming versions of their existing chairs.

Gaming Furniture: Chairs, Desks & Accessories – Herman Miller Store

Choose from ergonomic gaming chairs, desks, and accessories to make long gaming sessions more comfortable. Shop the best gaming furniture at Herman Miller.

store.hermanmiller.com

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Holy hell $1500

 

[Chanser]

You do get 12 year warranty.

 

[Dennis8K]

Herman Miller make gaming versions of their existing chairs.

Gaming Furniture: Chairs, Desks & Accessories – Herman Miller Store

Choose from ergonomic gaming chairs, desks, and accessories to make long gaming sessions more comfortable. Shop the best gaming furniture at Herman Miller.

store.hermanmiller.com

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Yes, that is what I want in my $1500 chair.

A Logitech logo.

 

[Gangrel]

I have a staples carder with disintegrating arm rests. Still under warranty and have been waiting for 3 months now for the replacements to be sent in.(covid delays) The metal actually cut my elbow today so I got fed up, duck taped it and ordered a secret labs chair today since I didn't want to spend over a grand on the herman miller embody and the autonomous chair didn't have a good enough warranty to justify the price imo.

 

[filkry]

+1 for Aeron. I tried a Steelcase Leap first and that did not work for my body, aggravated rather than helped my sciataca. I was able to find both chairs used from resellers on Craiglists - in fact, I almost sold the Leap back to the reseller I bought it from.

 

[Dreamwriter]

I highly recommend at least trying the Aeron before just blindly purchasing it. I bought one locally, and it's not particularly comfortable to me. I got mine from a refurb furniture store. My point: everyone's idea of "comfort" can vary.

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That's mentioned in the video actually. They said Aerons don't feel particularly comfortable when you first try them out. You have to get used to them, figure out how to adjust them to fit you (especially since they have dozens of adjustable points). Just trying one out for a few minutes before purchasing isn't really the right tactic here.

 

[Milennia]

Herman Miller make gaming versions of their existing chairs.

Gaming Furniture: Chairs, Desks & Accessories – Herman Miller Store

Choose from ergonomic gaming chairs, desks, and accessories to make long gaming sessions more comfortable. Shop the best gaming furniture at Herman Miller.

store.hermanmiller.com

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This is literally just a blue tinted embody

 

[My Blue Heaven]

those empty cable spools from construction sites are $0 under the right circumstances and can serve your gaming butt parking needs

 

[Dreamwriter]

Herman Miller make gaming versions of their existing chairs.

Gaming Furniture: Chairs, Desks & Accessories – Herman Miller Store

Choose from ergonomic gaming chairs, desks, and accessories to make long gaming sessions more comfortable. Shop the best gaming furniture at Herman Miller.

store.hermanmiller.com

Click to shrink...

This is literally just a blue tinted embody

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I looked into what the difference was between Logitech's Herman Miller chair and a normal one, other than the colors. As far as I can tell, the difference is one of posture - the Logitech version is designed for sitting more upright, while the normal version of the chair is designed for leaning back a little into the chair. It has some extra padding allowing for that upright posture. The theory is while playing tournament games people aren't sitting in the relaxed position recommended for regular office seating.

 

[Azerare]

We have the aeron chairs in my work office. Never got the perfect fit because we do shifts so someone is always messing up adjustments i've made. May look into trying to get a refurb or used version for home. I definitely need to work on my posture and those chairs can definitely be good for it.

 

[Vilam]

Avoid Aeron chairs at all costs. Uncomfortable garbage.

 

[ngower]

currently saving towards an Aeron or Embody and hoping to find a small showroom where I can get them. I live close to Boston but I really don't wanna go into the city right now if I don't have to (pandemic/public transit reasons).

 

[LifeLike]

When I had to start working from home last March because you all know why, my back was completely destroyed after 2 months because of my cheap 100 dollars 10 year old chair. Did some serious research on new chairs and quickly heard about the Herman Miller chairs. It's no joke guys I know they run very expensive (2000$ brand new) but they're highly comfortable. I mean 8 hours straight work, sitting down without any discomfort.

I didn't know it but the herman miller aeron fully loaded chair was the next best thing I could gift myself. No regrets even if it's a 2012 model bought on kijiji for 700$. I still think it was one hell of a deal.

 

[microdot]

I always thought gaming chairs looked so childish. Loving my Aeron. One of the best investments I've ever made. I would also look at embody & mirra.

 

[ZeroX]

can anyone recommend a good office chair that also has a Batman logo on it

 

[Deleted member 76797]

I don't really get the hype for Aerons. I was hyped when we got them at my job because Ive seen people praising them so much but they're pretty basic office chairs. At home I have some huge executive office chair I got at Costco years ago but the cushions are shot now. I need something that is comfortable to recline in but yea these gamer chairs are junk.

 

[BobLoblaw]

This is the one I recently bought. The MyoChair. I'm a PC gamer, though. I love this fucking thing. It's not perfect, but I ain't paying more than like $250 on a goddamn chair.

 

[Arc]

Gamer chairs are tacky as hell. Why would anyone want something that looks like they do...

 

[BenedictBlakbrn]

I use an Aeron fully loaded at work, for home I bought a SteelCase Leap 2. Both cost the same used ($300-500) depending on options. The Aeron is dated and the Leap 2 is just more comfortable with better lumbar support, however the Aeron Remastered is amazing and would be my chair of choice but at over $1000 used is out of my price range. Then there's the Herman Miller Embody which is an amazing chair ergonomically but I found its cushioning is lacking and for the top price you have to shell out for one, it's only marginally better than the others.

 

[Bubble Metropolis]

I bought a GTRacing chair for around $120 on sale last year. I kinda hate it, especially the armrests which I have re-tighten constantly, but at least this video shows that I got a 'deal' on it. Immediately threw the bullshit 'cushions' in the closet the day it arrived, tough.

 

[Deleted member 12867]

Love my Secret Lab chair 🤷🏻‍♂️