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The ideal gaming chair provides complete comfort and adjustability, positioning you perfectly for hours of gameplay.
To find the perfect chair, we've tested over 30 models in 6 years, evaluating comfort and adjustability across quick shooters and long campaigns, using a diverse team to address varying heights and weights.
The chair that works well across the board is the AndaSeat Kaiser 3. It has a great adjustability that allows each gamer to find their perfect fit. For those on a budget, the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S manages to be more affordable without making too many sacrifices in comfort.
Editor's Note: On March 15, 2025, we updated our award winners with new variations and restructured the sections for clarity, adding more first-person insights from our testing team.
Breathable mesh fabric, 360° arm rests can go high
Supportive seat straps, handy pull strap on foot rest
Leg rest, built-in speakers, budget-friendly
Back massager, footrest
Colorful accent options, 3.5 inches of seat height adjustment, Lumbar support slides decently well
Easy to set up, low price
Cons
Expensive, limited neck pillow adjustability, internal lumbar not for everyone
Lumbar support difficult to get just right, lacks footrest, plastic inserts might annoy
Limited tension adjustment, lumbar is difficult to get just right
Can tip over when sitting on front edge, power cord for massager is only four feet long, assembly is quite involved and takes a while
Expensive, lacks support when leaning back
Too much foam in base arms, no strap to hold lumbar in place
Not ideal for taller gamers, no 'tilt', questionable durability
No armrest adjustments, no tilt, noisy vibrating lumbar
Very limited adjustability, included tool is poor quality
Limited adjustability, not comfortable
Bottom Line
A premium gaming chair with an innovative lumbar support system boasting excellent adjustability and comfort plus a quick and easy setup
Launch lengthy campaigns in regal comfort from this royally adjustable and cozy throne
This model is an all-around great gaming chair, for its comfort, high level of adjustability, and top quality
Good overall adjustability in a reasonably priced gaming chair featuring high-quality faux leather along with a padded footrest and a small vibrating motor in the lumbar pillow
An expensive gaming chair with features that do not justify its high price tag
Limited adjustability in a gaming chair with a large lumbar support not everyone will like
A budget-conscious option that is better than most office chairs in the price range, but not as nice as the most premium gaming chairs
A lumbar massager and footrest make this chair bearable to sit in for longer periods of time, and is a great budget option, but far from the best
A basic chair at a basic price
A low-priced chair with corresponding low performance
The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 gaming chair delivers superb comfort with a thick, cushioned seat and supportive bolsters, surpassing pricier rivals like the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022. Our lead tester loved the magnetic neck pillow, saying, “It allows me to sit for long periods without pressure spots.” The internal lumbar adjusts for height and curvature (though tricky while seated), and the chair reclines from 90° to 165° with five lockable positions and smooth rocking, delighting our team with its micro-adjustability.
The Kaiser 3's adjustable armrests support mobile gaming with raisable, rotatable design and swappable magnetic toppers in various colors, matching the chair's solid build. Though less cushy than some prefer, they hold up well, and a tester notes. Consider the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 Pro if you want even more arm rest adjustability. However, it costs another $100 to get an incremental amount of adjustment.
SPECIFICATIONS
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Internal: Up/Down and Backward/Forward
Comfortable Hours
8.0 hours
Adjustable Armrest
4D
Measured Recline Angle
165º
Manufacturer Weight Limit
396 lbs
The AndaSeat Kaiser 3's wide seat allows varied positions, but its lumbar support needs work—taking time to adjust and feeling oddly shaped to some testers, unlike its other strong features. Smaller users may find it doesn't lower enough for flat-footed comfort and to get your legs at the recommended 90 degrees.
For a fully adjustable alternative, the Iskur V2 offers a standout lumbar system and exceptional comfort, though at a higher price. Still, the AndaSeat strikes an impressive cost-comfort balance, with one tester saying, “It's the best value for long gaming sessions I've tried.”
The Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair is a significant upgrade over the V1, refined with input from ergonomic experts and pro gamers who pointed out flaws in the original design. It's ideal for players seeking long-term comfort and extensive customization, offering plenty of adjustments to suit individual preferences. Our reviewer praised it, saying, “The new version has a Goldilocks level of cushion for me; it's just right,” highlighting its perfect balance of support and comfort.
The backrest cradles you in a racing seat style, replacing stiff bolsters with comfy foam. It's lumbar support swivels with your turns, adjusting up/down and in/out beyond most systems, while 4D armrests swivel and rise for mobile gaming. Tester Austin Palmer says, “The neck pillow's cushiness is luxurious.” Setup takes just 10 minutes, making the Iskur V2 a standout.
SPECIFICATIONS
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Internal: Up/Down and Backward/Forward
Comfortable Hours
8.0 hours
Adjustable Armrest
4D
Measured Recline Angle
152º
Manufacturer Weight Limit
300 lbs
All these admirable attributes come at a cost, and though we think the price point is mostly justified, the Iskur V2 might be out of reach for some; it is more than double the cost of our favorite budget buy, the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S. Razer offers a more affordable version of this chair, the Razer Iskur V2 X, which looks similar to the Iskur V2 but comes with fewer adjustable features. The armrests on the V2 X are limited to two adjustments (up/down and inward/outward) instead of the four-way adjustments found on the V2. Additionally, the lumbar support is fixed with no customization options, so if the built-in curve doesn't suit your back, there's no way to tweak it for comfort.
The seat height adjusts about five inches, allowing shorter gamers around 5'3" to rest their feet flat at its lowest setting, though some may still find the lumbar support uncomfortable even when fully lowered. The AndaSeat Kaiser 3, more affordable, offers a subtler internal lumbar support and a flexible magnetic neck pillow, making it a strong alternative. Our tests show both chairs provide excellent comfort, support, and adjustability. Despite minor critiques, we rank the Iskur V2 among the top gaming chairs available.
Huge improvements to an innovative lumbar system plus other comfort and adjustability upgrades along with a painless assembly process make this an excellent choice for immersive gaming.
The Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S offers comfort and adjustability at a budget-friendly price, ideal for gamers not wanting to compromise much on features. It's supple faux leather impressed a reviewer who said, “It feels nicer to me than many similar coverings.” The cushioned yet firm armrests adjust up/down, swivel, and move forward/back and in/out for solid support. A decently padded footrest enhances relaxation, though it could extend further, and pulls out easily for long sessions. It's perfect for naps between gaming with a recline from 165° to a flat 180° when unlocked.
SPECIFICATIONS
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Comfortable Hours
6.0 hours
Adjustable Armrest
4D
Measured Recline Angle
180º
Manufacturer Weight Limit
350 lbs
The Dowinx Retro Series seat is wide and cushy, but one tester noted, “After 6 hours, I felt pressure spots due to its underlying structure.” Breathability lacks, causing heat in summer, and the strapped-in back and neck pillows sag slightly—taller users may need frequent adjustments. The lumbar massager vibrates well without motor bulk, though it's noisy with a short 4' cord (quick-release included).
Reclining is stiff with no tilt limiter and tight tension, yet its faux leather, adjustability, and comfort offer solid value. For a cheaper alternative, the GT800A Footrest provides similar comfort and a lumbar massager.
For about $50 less, the Dowinx LS-6658 has a similar design yet uses a softer and more breathable fabric. However, its armrests adjust in only two ways, and the lumbar support is more squishy, lacking the massage function found on the 6689S.
The Dowinx Retro Series offers a cozy, customizable gaming chair at an affordable price, featuring smooth, pliable faux leather that feels surprisingly gentle.
The GTPlayer GT800A Footrest, a budget-friendly gaming chair, delivers solid comfort and adjustability with movable lumbar and neck pillows strapped to the chair. Its footrest boosts leg support and leisure. A tester said, “It's satisfactorily comfortable for up to 5 hours of gaming.” Unlike the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, it lacks tilt but offers a steep recline for naps between sessions.
SPECIFICATIONS
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Foam pillow
Raise/Lower
Comfortable Hours
5.0 hours
Adjustable Armrest
None
Measured Recline Angle
135º
Manufacturer Weight Limit
250 lbs
The GTPlayer GT800A Footrest lumbar includes a noisy but functional massager, no match for a real masseuse. Its armrests pivot at two points, adjusting with recline but lacking further customization. Larger testers found the tension knob too weak, and all agreed 5 hours was the comfort limit, one saying, “It's decent up to that point.” Still, it's a solid office chair replacement or budget gaming option. Try GTRacing's Music Series for more comfort and adjustability, including headrest speakers and better armrests.
The Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh doesn't rival top gaming chairs but impresses with its low cost, decent adjustability, and solid comfort, as noted by our test team. Its mesh keeps you cool during intense gaming or heavy computing. The standout is its price, though our reviewer says, “The backrest and seat are fine but not remarkable.”
The Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh offers less recline and adjustability than premium gaming chairs, missing robust lumbar or bucket seat features. It suits those needing a comfy chair mainly for work with some gaming. For budget gaming options, check the GT800A Footrest or Music Series for solid comfort and features. If you want a versatile multitasking chair, the Modway stands out.
The Modway chair may not recline as much as other gaming chairs we tested, but it still provides moderate adjustability for a chair in this price range.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Compare Products
We broke out the measuring tools to log the range of adjustments these seats offer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Tested
Our GearLab test team systematically evaluated our curated product list, spending hundreds of hours testing. We tapped our in-house experts, who sit for hours daily analyzing products, offering diverse comfort and adjustability feedback based on their varied builds—from a 5'3", 120-lb tester to 6'+, 200-lb individuals.
We divided the scoring of each gaming chair into three key metrics:
Comfort (55% of total score weighting)
Adjustability (35% weighting)
Setup (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
For this review, we brought in lead tester Austin Palmer. Austin has a rich research and objective review background, having honed that expertise while earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. He now spends the typical work week sitting at a desk for his job at GearLab, so he has more than a few opinions on everyday office chairs. Moreover, he is a serious lifelong PC gamer who spends even more time sitting in a gaming chair during his free time and has also tested office chairs for seven years, so he came to the task ready to extract the facts and explore the subtle nuances in design or performance that might appear along the way. Review editor James Maiz has spent many years extracting and distilling qualitative and quantitative insights by parsing perceptions and preferences, combing through sprawling datasets, and supporting investigations and analyses by higher education researchers, pre-trial legal consultants, and market/product testers. He holds an advanced writing degree from San Francisco State University and trawled our extensive feedback on gaming chairs to help surface and illuminate the good, the bad, and the cushy.
Our test team intensely scrutinized every aspect of each chair.
Analysis and Test Results
We spent countless hours collectively sitting, reclining, measuring, and evaluating our gaming chair selection so that we could bring you the most unbiased and objective data available. You can choose the best model for elevating your gaming experience with our testing results.
What's the Best Value?
The quality and comfort of gaming chairs are somewhat correlated to cost, with a couple of opportunities to purchase bargain options on tighter budgets and still get a good balance of comfort and adjustability. The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 rides at the bottom of the high-priced product tier. It could be a good investment for gamers who put in long hours and need a quality chair to match.
If the cost is too steep for your wallet, the Dowinx Retro scores admirably in our tests, which provides a great balance between price and performance. For under $200, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest is a great option for those who need to save even more money. Although we recommend these budget picks, we understand that they come with drawbacks in reduced adjustability, where we couldn't sit for full-length days compared to higher priced products in the selection.
We want to note one outlier in our results. Although priced high, the Asus ROGdidn't show a complementary appraisal from our test team. It has great features with a wide range of adjustability, but underperformed in our comfortability metric, making us look to other chairs in this category, all while saving a few hundred bucks.
Comfort
The comfort metric, the top priority in our gaming chair tests, was evaluated by our GearLab team across three submetrics: seat, backrest, and armrest comfort. They also measured the average maximum comfortable sitting time per chair. Our diverse panel, varying in height and weight, tested each chair side by side over extended periods.
Many factors play into a chair's comfort, including the armrests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Below, we've charted each chair's comfort, averaged from our panel of testers, taking the seat, backrest, and armrest into consideration. The Razer Iskur V2 came out on top, with all three components showing some of the highest scores in the test.
Comfort Breakdown
Product
Seat Comfort
Back Comfort
Armrest Comfort
Razer Iskur V2
8.0
8.0
7.5
SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022
6.3
8.0
7.5
AndaSeat Kaiser 3
7.0
7.0
7.5
AutoFull C3
8.0
7.0
5.5
Asus ROG Destrier
7.0
5.5
7.5
Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S
5.5
7.0
7.0
GTRacing Music Series
6
6
3.5
GTPlayer GT800A Footrest
5.0
6.0
4.5
Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair
5.5
6.0
3.0
BestOffice High-Back Ergonomic
4.0
6.0
3.0
The Razer Iskur V2's lumbar support stands apart from other models for its noticeable lumbar panel. Instead of a pillow that changes position over time or fixed supports that cannot be adjusted, the Iskur V2 offers complete lower back support through a panel that matches a natural lumbar curve, which adjusts to some really serious extremes. It will also follow you as you turn, a unique design that provides support when moving around.
If you need extreme lumbar support, the Razer Iskur delivers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The AndaSeat Kaiser 3 scored well for back comfort, especially for the upper back, as the lumbar support takes some trial and error to get just right, while the AutoFull C3 also ranked well, although some of our testers reported feeling warmer over time. Also, wider-shouldered gamers who like to lean back and relax might find the C3's bolsters a little cramped but not to an uncomfortable degree. Another chair with excellent backrest comfort to consider is the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022, which is made of materials that seem to do a better job of dissipating heat. That, combined with the strong magnetic neck pillow that comes with it, makes it a great option for extended gaming sessions.
The Titan Evo's adjustable magnetic pillow enhances the comfort of this model and is a nice touch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We also measured the amount of time each chair was comfortable to sit in for one session. This was averaged among our panel of five testers.
Concerning more serious gaming sessions, with campaigns lasting more than five hours and multiplayer cooperatives, you'll find long-term comfort from the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022, the AndaSeat Kaiser 3, and the Razer Iskur V2. Our team's final assessments rated these chairs to 8 hours of use with adequate comfort, while they rated the runner-ups, the AutoFull C3 and Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S, to 6 hours.
Following extensive evaluation, we determined that the Dowinx delivers outstanding value for budget-conscious gamers.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Behind our duration comfort leaders, our team rated the Homall S-Racer Gaming Chair to a maximum of 5.5 hours of adequate comfort before needing to spend some time moving around, with the Asus ROG Destrier, GTPlayer GT800A Footrest, and GTRacing Music Series clocking in around 5 hours. These may be good options for fast rounds of first-person shooters and shorter campaigns or even for less serious gamers who might use these chairs for office work but don't expect to spend more than half a day gaming in comfort.
When giving each chair a comfort score, we took into consideration the comfort of each chair's components (back, seat, armrest) as well as the maximum average hours our testers felt they could sit comfortably in each chair. We've charted the overall comfort of each chair below.
Regarding overall comfort, the Razer Iskur V2 rose to the top as one of the most comfortable options we tested, with SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022 not far behind and just a smidge ahead of the AndaSeat Kaiser 3.
While most higher-priced contenders outshined the majority of options we tested, our team still felt two other models, the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S and the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest, offer serious gamers a high level of comfort at more approachable prices. They feature adjustable lumbar and neck pillows plus a comfortable footrest when you want one. Our test team rated the seat on the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S as the significantly more comfortable of the two overall, with the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest offering a firm seat cushion with less give. A massage feature of the GTPlayer GT800A might seem a bit gimmicky, but it is functional.
Too much tilt resistance can hamper your style and comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Lastly, if a supportive reclined is your gaming position, then the Razer Iskur V2 has your back. It has good backrest tension and can be locked into a wide range of positions, so you'll be sure to get the most comfortable reclined position possible. The large lumbar support continues functioning, even in the most extreme reclined positions.
The lumbar pillow on this model offers excellent lower back support in deep recline positions.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Adjustability
For our adjustability metric, we assessed the extent to which each chair is adjustable and evaluated the ease of making those adjustments. We specifically examined the diverse options available in five submetrics and scored the ability to modify the armrests, seat height, and backrest of each chair, including features like lumbar support and tensioning knobs, but also evaluated whether we could achieve a good gaming position with each model.
The Razer Iskur V2 led the group for its greater seat height range, with some of our testers finding the Asus ROG Destrier a tad too low for their gaming setups. On the other hand, both can boast a great tension knob, which offers positive engagement for a wide range of reclining positions, though one of our testers mentioned the height adjustment could get in the way when adjusting the Destrier a long way but liked that the knob slides in and out, making it easier to adjust than some chairs while not sitting.
There's a wide variety of adjustment options for gaming chairs. Pay close attention to the features you prefer when assessing which chair is best for you.
Credit: Austin Palmer
The Titan could have earned a better score if not for its rather weak reclining tension knob, while our testers found the Dowinx Retro Series to be too tight, with one tester needing to get the chair reclined past a certain point to get enough leverage to freely bounce around with the tension. On the other hand, our smaller, lighter tester had a little trouble pushing back.
Highly adjustable 4D armrests and replaceable tops allow you to further tailer the chair to your own needs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
If you have a large positive ape index, lanky arms, or bony elbows, you may value adjustable armrests that accommodate your preferred gaming position. It's nice to be able to widen or narrow your armrest positions, as well as raise and lower them. The Kaiser 3 and Titan both come with swappable magnetic armrest toppers, which allow for a variety of colors or styles and if damaged, an easier exchange without having to replace the whole chair. The Asus ROG has a wide range allowance compared to others, allowing it to go the extra distance for those outside of the averages. It has almost six inches of vertical movement, that's great for mobile gaming or possibly for taller gamers.
The top models all offer armrest adjustments for pivoting, height, and width and feature comfortable cushioning with a small range of densities. Although the rest of the group offers fairly comfortable armrests, they do lack adjustability. The GTPlayer GT800A Footrest incorporates a novel design that pivots and adjusts with the backrest as it reclines. While interesting and comfortable, it limits it to being unadjustable in any other way.
While they are relatively comfortable, the GT800A's armrests lack the robust adjustability of more premium models.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Tension knobs were another specific component of each gaming chair that our team evaluated, and the Razer Iskur V2 again earned a top score for the submetric. Although we found the location of the tension knob to be a little difficult to reach and adjust while seated, this is a rather common issue.
Our team was pleasantly surprised by the AndaSeat Kaiser 3's highly adjustable tension knob, and though the plastic is a bit sharp, the ability to get great tension for just about any weight earned it a high score. Neither the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022 nor BestOffice High-Back Ergonomic have an impressive tension nob, and both are a little cumbersome to reach. The Titan Evo offered weak resistance, while the BestOffice offered too much resistance, even on the lowest setting. Unfortunately, the GTRacing Music Series, AutoFull C3, and GTPlayer GT800A Footrest completely miss the mark by the lack of a tension knob that had us wanting better support for our backs.
However, it's worth reiterating that GTRacing Music Series reclines to about 150°, the GTPlayer GT800A Footrest to about 135°, and the Dowinx Retro Series LS-6689S to an impressive nearly horizontal position and a full 180° with the tilt unlocked. While these models aren't ideal for PC gaming when using a keyboard and mouse, they are good options for those dedicated to console gaming.
Adjustment levers on this model, and many others, are located a little far from the reach of the average sized person.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Setup
Our final test metric setup focused on the effort required to go from a boxed-up chair to game-ready. Whether the setup task is painstaking or a breeze may make a difference in purchasing decisions. However, considering it only needs to be done once, we didn't attribute too heavy weighting to each model's overall score. Within this metric, some products stood out for their ease of assembly and short time to get from unboxing to comfortable gaming.
Our test team member responsible for the assembly of each chair put together the top performing model, the SecretLabs Titan Evo 2022, in under 10 minutes, the Razer Iskur at about the 10-minute mark, and the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 in just over 12.5 minutes. Also impressive was the BestOffice Gaming Cheap Desk Task Executive with a 15-minute assembly time.
It's not rocket surgery! Well, usually it's not. Some chairs can be assembled in under 15 minutes, while others might require upwards of 40 minutes to an hour.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Overall, most models were reasonably easy to assemble, and even the most mechanically un-inclined person can assemble any chair in our test lineup with either the included tools or basic tools and instructions in under an hour.
While not overly complex, assembly can be lightning fast in under 10 minutes or more involved process requiring upwards of an hour to complete.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Conclusion
Gaming chairs may seem unremarkable or even unnecessary to some. Still, an ergonomic gaming chair can significantly impact your gaming performance and contribute to whether you have a good gaming session or one filled with discomfort, backaches, and disappointing performance. Therefore, they can be a great investment and are worth careful consideration. Our intensive side-by-side analysis of the top gaming chairs on the market is designed to equip you with the information to select the ideal chair that aligns with your sitting requirements, budget, and gaming preferences.
The gaming world is accompanied by an increasingly more complex and growing number of products to choose from. If you're looking to fine-tune your setup, take a look at a responsive gaming mouse and mouse pad to go with it. Need to chat with your fellow raiders? Read about gaming headsets to help out your squad. Our reviews provide expert advice so you can select the best match for your gaming needs and general setup.
—Austin Palmer, Benjamin Hickok, Graham Faulknor, and James Maiz