 This Product Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best on A Tight Budget | |||
| Price | $250 List $249.99 at Amazon | $300 List $249.99 at Amazon | $170 List $169.99 at Amazon | $190 List $89.90 at Amazon | $160 List $74.68 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A versatile gaming chair with great value, function, and form for those who don't want to spend an arm and a leg to have their arms and legs decently supported | Large lumbar support that some will like and others will not in a gaming chair lacking in the adjustability department | This model ticks most of the boxes without breaking the bank | A great chair on a tight budget, but even a lumbar massager and footrest may leaving you wanting more | A low-priced chair with corresponding low performance |
| Rating Categories | Dowinx Retro Series... | AutoFull C3 | GTRacing Music Series | GTPlayer GT800A Foo... | BestOffice High-Bac... |
| Comfort (55%) | |||||
| Adjustability (35%) | |||||
| Setup (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Dowinx Retro Series... | AutoFull C3 | GTRacing Music Series | GTPlayer GT800A Foo... | BestOffice High-Bac... |
| Comfortable Hours | 6.0 hours | 6.0 hours | 5.0 hours | 5.0 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Adjustable Lumbar Support | Foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Large Memory foam pillow | Memory foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Foam pillow Raise/Lower |
Foam pillow Raise/Lower |
| Adjustable Armrest | 4D | 2D: Swivel, Up/Down | 2D: Swivel, Up/Down | None | None |
| Measured Recline Angle | 180º | 160º | 155º | 135º | 90º |
| Manufacturer Weight Limit | 350 lbs | 350 lbs | 330 lbs | 250 lbs | 250 lbs |
| Measured Points of Adjustment | 8 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Manufacturer Height Limit | 5'3"-6'1" | 5'4"-6'6" | 6'2" | 6'3" | Not Mentioned |
| Recline Lever | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Foot Rest | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tension Knob | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Tilt Lock | No | No | No | No | No |
| Fabric Type | PU Leather | Faux Leather | PU Leather | PU Leather | PU Leather |
The budget-friendly Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S offers unique perks like a plush footrest for reclining support and a vibrating lumbar insert to ease fatigue, though its noisy motor may bother some and requires a USB extender. It's faux leather mimics real leather's texture better than most synthetics but lacks breathability, impacting comfort in long, warm sessions. Still, these extras impressed us for the price.
Comfort, a key factor in our reviews, heavily influences the overall score, with our team testing seat, back, and limb support, plus seated duration. The Dowinx Retro earned above-average comfort scores with moderately positive tester feedback.
Testing the Dowinx Retro seat, we liked its initial squish, width, and soft feel, but pressure spots emerged after hours. One tester said, “It got lumpy and warm after four hours due to the pad sitting on a hard metal base.”
Tester feedback varied on the comfortability of the back, with one tester liking the lumbar support and the fact that he could move the pillow and have it stay, and others disliking the lumbar cushion's size, finding it overly prominent. One tester deducted some points because the lumbar pillow made his lower back feel tired and worn out rather quickly. He could also feel the bar behind his shoulders the longer he sat, though he scored the neck pillow more favorably, as it prevented his head from hitting the frame.
The Dowinx Retro's lumbar pillow includes a removable buzzing massager, a nice touch with vibrations felt without motor bulk, though it's gimmicky and noisy. Its 4-foot USB cable is short—swap it for a cordless version, extend it, or remove it altogether.
The sturdy padded footrest is a nice relief after standing all day. Not extending out far enough is a common issue with footrests, and this is the case here as well, but a little extra support while reclining is always good. Depending on individual height, it might be more accurately described as a calf rest.
The armrests are quite firm but not too hard and provide good support throughout the day, with the potential for pressure spots to become noticeable after about eight hours. They have some cushioning but not a whole lot.
Our second major test metric evaluates all-around adjustability. We determine whether the seat height, backrests, armrests, and reclining positions can be fine-tuned sufficiently to achieve a comfortable and ergonomic sitting experience. We also note the versatility of the lumbar support and other features like neck pillows.
The Downix Retro's seat does not go very high and only has about two-and-a-half inches of vertical movement. One tester had to lower his desk a couple of inches in order to feel like his arms rested just about right so he could use his mouse ergonomically. The lowness of the seat can present issues for taller gamers not being able to sit with their legs at right angles, and the seat depth feels a bit long without the lumbar pillow there. But we could sit cross-legged without interference, as the bolsters don't extend to the edge of the seat, and there's pretty much free reign to spread out.
As mentioned above, the large lumbar pillow pushes out a bit too much, but its strap system can be adjusted up and down. The pillow is so big that you don't really need to move it, but it's not problematic to move it, even while seated. We had to finagle it a bit if we brought the pad up too high, though.
The neck pillow is a little plump and slightly aggressive but does keep heads from hitting the frame bar. Though it can sag, our taller gamers found it necessary to readjust it any time they got up or leaned forward.
Being able to swivel the armrests and move them forward/back, in/out, and up/down is beneficial for various bodies and gaming styles. There's about three inches of up/down range, roughly two inches of forward/back, and an inch of in/out with a lock slot about halfway that takes a little work to get in. The adjustment button is hidden below the armrest and is easy to miss. Overall, though, there are plenty of ways to dial in your own happy place.
The Dowinx Retro reclines to 180° when unlocked, but its upright tension knob stays too tight for easy leaning—requiring foot pressure to hold position or reclining further for free bounce. Smaller gamers may struggle to push back, though turning resistance is average.
In our final assessment of the Downix Retro, we evaluated what it took to put the chair together and how long it took to set it up after unboxing. We gave it a below average score, based on moderate difficulty and a rather involved and lengthy assembly process.
The Dowinx Retro assembly suggests two people and takes nearly an hour; our solo tester finished in 40 minutes, saying, “It's a slog with tons of screws.” The cheap Allen wrenches slip and wear out, while attaching the two-part armrests and backrest—hindered by fabric or plastic blocking holes—is tricky and tedious, making it averagely difficult but overly time-consuming.
If you are looking for a great value in a decently comfortable gaming chair that can accommodate a variety of gaming styles, then the Dowinx Retro fits the bill. However, if you frequently engage in long campaigns, are fussier with lumbar support, or don't want to spend up to an hour assembling your new chair, you may want to continue your quest for a more suitable option.
