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Don't Buy a "Gaming Chair" - Office Chair vs. Gaming Chair Round-Up & Review - GamersNexus
- Thread starter ApeEscaper
- Start date
I love when people are like "lol just get a used Aeron they're all over Craigslist for $300"
Ive been watching off and on for a while, there are currently 2 in my area, $1100 and $900. There are also two no-name ripoffs for a little under $300.
I have no love for gaming chairs and in the past have just sit-tested every chair I can find in stores locally. Current one is about 15 years old and wearing out and considering a secret labs as at lot of theirs are very low on the "cool gamer culture" design.
Ive been watching off and on for a while, there are currently 2 in my area, $1100 and $900. There are also two no-name ripoffs for a little under $300.
I have no love for gaming chairs and in the past have just sit-tested every chair I can find in stores locally. Current one is about 15 years old and wearing out and considering a secret labs as at lot of theirs are very low on the "cool gamer culture" design.
I just put together my staples Hyken and my initials impressions are it's SUPER comfy
There's the hyken which is popular and what you see recommended. There's also the dexley which is newer. It would be wise to go to a staples and try sitting in them. The hyken seems ideal for people up to 5'10" the dexley if you're bigger.
I used to use a Herman Miller in the office but bought the black leather secret lab chair when work from home happened. I prefer the secret lab chair I can sit in it longer and it's just more comfortable.
used Aeron or Used humanscale freedom? I like the look of the freedom a little more. Also if I occasionally sit with one leg crossed under me on the chair, will that be better with a particular seat type? (aeron mesh with hard frame seems it'd be less comfortable for that). Yes I know its not very ergonomic but that'll take a while to train out of me
The Herman Miller x Logitech chair looks neat but it costs more than every other desk chair I've ever owned combined which says more about the quality of the chairs I owned in the past. I would definitely want to sit in it before I dropped that kind of cash on it though.
I bought a Corsair gaming chair in May and it's been great, head cushion, lumbar support, adjustable arms. Way better than my last 3, though not my favourite, that my ass destroyed long ago.
I had the hyken mesh chair for a few years and loved it and just recently got the dex let one as an upgrade.
Ideally I wanted to pull the trigger and get a humanscale freedom chair with a headrest, but I just couldn't justify the cost right now with the pandemic and stuff.
Steelcase leap here and I love it. Had a secret lab omega and it was good, but does not compare in terms of support.
Yeah, "gaming chairs" have gotten better and are better than your average cheap office chair, but they don't stand up to higher end chairs that have been designed through years of research.
If you can afford it, there is absolutely no reason to buy a "gaming chair" over something from herman miller or steelcase. If you prefer that gamer aesthetic then some back pain is the least of your worries.
Yeah, "gaming chairs" have gotten better and are better than your average cheap office chair, but they don't stand up to higher end chairs that have been designed through years of research.
If you can afford it, there is absolutely no reason to buy a "gaming chair" over something from herman miller or steelcase. If you prefer that gamer aesthetic then some back pain is the least of your worries.
See if there are any shops that specifically sell office equipment in your area. I'm lucky enough that I live close to one that has used high end chairs in stock pretty regularly and they also deliver.
Also might have to do with what kind of comfort you might have been looking for. The herman Miller chair is not designed to make you feel "I'm sinking into the chair" kind of comfortable, it's more about how you'll feel pretty much the same from the first moment you sat on it to a very long sitting session. It also keeps your posture up right so it's one of the only chairs I can sit in all day without having my lower back hurt.
Not saying your opinion is wrong as maybe something about the herman miller chairs are not right for you, but I'm just throwing that out there because I see people saying Herman Miller chairs are not that particularly comfortable the first time they sit in it for a short period of time then change their minds after owning it for awhile.
I can see that, but for me personally I don't have any back or posture issues to really need to pay that much more for a desk chair. Plus it's just not in my budget.
I have one of those older mesh chairs from Office Depot that's lasted since 2014 but the armrests are made with the fake leather materials that's broken off over the past year or so. When I do upgrade it probably won't be more than a few hundred dollars.
When I started working from home about 3-4 years ago I splurged and bought a Secret Lab Titan model. It's still rocking and comfy to this day. No problems with the central cylinder like in most office chairs that go out in about a year and get super wobbly. This thing is a fucking tank and I love it. Mine has orange trim on the sides but otherwise looks like this.
Yes I am sure your posture is excellent sitting on a crate for extended periods of time without proper back support.
The thing about chairs fashioned after racing seats is they actually give the spine too much support, especially to the sides. This makes total sense in race cars, because you know, G forces are pulling you in every direction when you drive a car very fast. It is, however, super bad for sitting at desks at rest for prolonged hours. It can really fuck up your back in the long run. You need to be able to move your back around, and use your back muscles to give support to your spine.
Never go for racing chairs. The thing to look for is mesh backs and for the love of god no side bumps. You may think you want that support, but you actually don't.
Never go for racing chairs. The thing to look for is mesh backs and for the love of god no side bumps. You may think you want that support, but you actually don't.
What the...? the Aeron and Leap are nothing like each other except they look like office chairs at a glance.
They both have very different sitting profiles and fit different people. It's pretty obvious you've never tried both.
The way I like to sit and shift positions throughout my day was uncomfortable on the Aeron due to the hard rim it uses.
With the Leap I can comfortably shift a leg under another on the seat.
I bought a "gaming chair" in April, unknown brand, and it's mostly the same as any other one. Just much much cheaper. I'd love an office chair, but here they go way too expensive, like three times what I paid for the "racing" one. I know they're worth but you know what? I'm perfectly happy with what I have. It's really comfy, much more than I expected. It's just fugly, but eh
I know next to nothing about chairs. In my 20s and 30s I went through a few chairs that I bought from big box stores like staples. They were all pretty trash. They felt flimsy and hard, no matter what I paid for them.
The last time I bought an office chair, I contacted the supplier from work. They gave me a catalogue and I ended up buying the chair that I use at work. I find it very comfortable. Felt like since I didn't know anything about chairs, I could screw up less if I went with the government's supplier.
It looks a bit like those popular steelcase leaps, and I've been using it for about 10 years now and it is still going strong.
It looks like this: https://ergocentric.com/product/geocentric-tall-back/
The last time I bought an office chair, I contacted the supplier from work. They gave me a catalogue and I ended up buying the chair that I use at work. I find it very comfortable. Felt like since I didn't know anything about chairs, I could screw up less if I went with the government's supplier.
It looks a bit like those popular steelcase leaps, and I've been using it for about 10 years now and it is still going strong.
It looks like this: https://ergocentric.com/product/geocentric-tall-back/
If you look around you can usually find quality ergonomic chairs with mesh backs that aren't as expensive as a Herman Miller and aren't branded like Milhouse's dad's bed. Stuff that's made for bulk buying for modern offices and stuff, usually doesn't have a brand name attached but the reviews can point you in the right direction.
I found a basic mesh-backed office chair with great lumbar support on amazon that has lasted me half a decade and hasn't had any sagging or give. No name brand, but really well made and cost like $250.
stuff like this is miles better than highly marketed chairs (gamer or otherwise)
I found a basic mesh-backed office chair with great lumbar support on amazon that has lasted me half a decade and hasn't had any sagging or give. No name brand, but really well made and cost like $250.
stuff like this is miles better than highly marketed chairs (gamer or otherwise)
I really dont mind my gaming chair. As a tall boy it's very hard to find ergonomic chairs that actually fit my frame properly, especially because I prefer a high back, and from what i've experienced, the higher end chairs with actual head rests usually land in between my shoulder blades, or at best on my neck, but never on my actual head.
Plus at home I love being able to tilt the chair almost all the way back so I can put my legs up, when I'm just watching videos. plus, yes, the '4d' armrests are actually useful because I have my keyboard on a tray below the desk top and my mouse on the desk top, so I nede to have them at different levels sometimes.
definitely not the comfiest chair in the world, but has its uses.
Plus at home I love being able to tilt the chair almost all the way back so I can put my legs up, when I'm just watching videos. plus, yes, the '4d' armrests are actually useful because I have my keyboard on a tray below the desk top and my mouse on the desk top, so I nede to have them at different levels sometimes.
definitely not the comfiest chair in the world, but has its uses.
I bought a WorkPro(R) Quantum 9000 Series Mesh back chair off Amazon back in May. Mesh has held up well, and it's been very comfy. Especially over the summer. Even has padded armrests even if they don't time travel.
The Secret Lab Titan was made for tall boys like you and me. I'm 6 foot and it's made for 5'11" on up.
Yeah, if you like putting your leg up from time to time, don't get the Aeron. That rim on the mesh's edge of the seat is not flexible.
I used an Aeron for years at work, but purchased a 2 year old Leap v2 for home. I love it.
Nice. I feel like I wouldnt like... side-grade from my current gaming chair to another gaming chair until this one falls apart. My ideal woiuld be to find a mesh chair that has all the same functionality, because I'm damn sweaty. Its also why I'm hesitant to go for fabric over pleather, even if it's less hot I'll sweat anyway and it's not as easy to clean.
do you know if the human scale freedom should be ok for that? Leap is also on my shortlist
I haven't tried that chair yet, but from looking at it it's probably ok.
Attractive chair though! I like it.
For any chairs, it's best to try to find a shop and test them out. Our bodies are all different.
I bought a Hyken about a year and half ago after so many here recommended it and I still absolutely love it and have had zero issues.
Gaming chairs beat any office chairs. Never had like this amount of back pain relived before . Office chairs give me all sorts of pain though.
I do wonder if it has to do with my height and how big I am (not weight wise but yeah)
(I don't suggest getting a secret lab or whatever though cause it's all the same)
:Tip - Turning the lumbar support upside down may feel better for some
I do wonder if it has to do with my height and how big I am (not weight wise but yeah)
(I don't suggest getting a secret lab or whatever though cause it's all the same)
:Tip - Turning the lumbar support upside down may feel better for some
I'm at the start of year three on a Secretlab Titan, and while the comfort/support has been alright, the thing is falling the hell apart. Both arms are squeaky nightmares, the material of the armrests has started splitting in half around the sides, and the chair has started to lower itself faster than it did at first, needing to rise it back up almost daily. I need to see if it's still covered by any warranty. Definitely regret not going with a cheaper Ikea chair or something, or alternatively going with a more expensive actually-nice office chair.
I've got an Aeron and I'm happy with it, but I wish I could have gotten one with additional bells and whistles like better arm rests and the high end lumbar support.
Isnt the Aeron modular so you can add those parts in whenever?
Is anyone falling for this kind of scam? This is the same bullshit as the headsets advertised as "military technology". Jesus. Military technology is characterized by being robust and not incredibly advanced.
Looks like I'm pulling the trigger and grabbing a Leap tomorrow night.
I started with a faux leather chair that was alright.
Once that start to break down, I gave it to a friend and got a generic mesh chair from Staples. I really liked this chair in spite of the mess material being kind of rough. The lean limiter broke so I had to replace it.
I purchased a pre-owned Leap chair and it was pretty good except for long sessions. I found my tail bone would start to really hurt after an extended session. Other than that, it was great. I really liked all the adjustable stuff but I did miss the mesh.
After using the Leap for years, I decided to go back to mesh by getting a HM Aeron Remastered. I can see why some don't like this chair. It makes you sit a certain way to maintain your posture. If you like to sit with one leg under the other, this is not for you. As for me, I love it. Extended sessions are no longer a problem. The mesh is smooth and seems to get softer over time. The armrests feel *so* good. This is easily the best chair I've ever owned. I'm 5'7" and I have the B size. I work from home permanently now so I'm in this thing A LOT. Work, gaming, whatever, I'm always comfortable. Never had a chair that supports my back when leaning back and forward.
I will never own a "gaming" chair.
Once that start to break down, I gave it to a friend and got a generic mesh chair from Staples. I really liked this chair in spite of the mess material being kind of rough. The lean limiter broke so I had to replace it.
I purchased a pre-owned Leap chair and it was pretty good except for long sessions. I found my tail bone would start to really hurt after an extended session. Other than that, it was great. I really liked all the adjustable stuff but I did miss the mesh.
After using the Leap for years, I decided to go back to mesh by getting a HM Aeron Remastered. I can see why some don't like this chair. It makes you sit a certain way to maintain your posture. If you like to sit with one leg under the other, this is not for you. As for me, I love it. Extended sessions are no longer a problem. The mesh is smooth and seems to get softer over time. The armrests feel *so* good. This is easily the best chair I've ever owned. I'm 5'7" and I have the B size. I work from home permanently now so I'm in this thing A LOT. Work, gaming, whatever, I'm always comfortable. Never had a chair that supports my back when leaning back and forward.
I will never own a "gaming" chair.
Yeah, but I don't wanna spend 125 on lumbar support. Arms are a bit more problematic to replace also I believe after the fact.
I've had a GT Omega Racing chair for 4 years, and I've been working from home in it for the past 9 months. I've had no complaints. It's comfortable for long stretches and I don't suffer from back pain of any kind.
I don't know what the consensus is but from a few anecdotes in this thread and beyond, mileage seems to vary a little more than what GamersNexus gives credit for.
I don't know what the consensus is but from a few anecdotes in this thread and beyond, mileage seems to vary a little more than what GamersNexus gives credit for.
Too small, mesh staples starting to come apart, and not very adjustable. Regret getting it tbh.
Yes, exactly. There's a lot of tier 2 office chairs that are good too, and a bit cheaper. I mentioned Allsteel in my post about my chair, Iove my Relate and it was only $160, an Aeron from the same place would have cost me like $350. Although if I had known I'd be working a whole year from home (and not just one day a week and the occasional holiday/sick day) I might have spent the extra on a Steelcase.
The biggest problems I see with the gaming chairs are typically weird back support, and insufficient or no elbow support (especially the IKEA Markus, I can't see how anyone can insist that is a good chair that knows anything about ergonomics).
You guys using these garbage chairs for hours at a time will quite likely pay the price in ergo damage some day. I had tendonitis in my 20s and still have to be careful with my wrists - when you spend all day at work on a desk / keyboard, and then go home and game too - very dangerous. I guess if all you do is game for an hour or two a day and never computer otherwise, you'll probably be fine. Anyone using PCs for extended hours really needs to look into getting a chair with good ergonomics - that means adjustable arms that can support good ergo for your arms/wrists (up /down/ left / right / forward / backward) and decent back support. Anyone doing more than a couple of hours a day should really invest in a good ergonomic chair.
Thanks guys!
How tall are you btw? I'm only 5'9 and heard it isn't good for taller peeps.