Don't Buy a Gaming Chair - Office Chair vs. Gaming Chair Round-Up & Review
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Date: 2020-12-29
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Comments and reviews: 10
Paul
After a week of sitting on a kitchen chair working from home, I ordered the softweave pink DVA Secretlab Titan chair, which was the only chair I could find in stock that had a high back and decent adjustments and wasn't 1k+ or have trash reviews. I literally ordered it at 2am while still having back pain from sitting in the kitchen chair 10 hours beforehand and said pain quickly went says with this.
I'm quite thin at 6'1 and 140 pounds and it's been extremely comfortable all day. There is no pressing forward of my shoulders and I like to sit a mix of standard and cross legged and the slightly flared sides actually makes cross legged more comfortable (and doesn't touch me when my feet are down). It feels good when leaning the whole chair back with a very smooth and silent movement, which I do a lot while thinking about the code I'm writing. It doesn't get hot for me at all (probably due to softweave version) and I'm someone who easily can feel overheated when sleeping etc. I know someone who has a DXRacer and the build quality in that is shite in comparison to the Secretlab (or pretty much any product out there). The armrests also are soft feeling and have some give, though they aren't cushions. Secretlab apparently really upgraded the armrests and their adjustments in the latest titan version, the first being very poor quality in that regard.
I haven't sat in the Herman Miller in the video but have had their brand high back mesh and plastic vented back chairs (don't know the exact term) that were a over the Secretlab in MSRP at around 700 and those things were much less comfortable for me with less adjustments and actually bothered my back when sat in all day, 5 days a week.
Overall I'm very satisfied with it and so far I can't say there's anything I'd want improved, aside from an adjustable headrest (which really is fine for me but may not be for a lot of people) but I'm also well below the weight they advertise it for and I don't think I'd be satisfied with their Omega's shape even if I were a little shorter due to the standard gaming chair high ends and smaller size. At the very least if it's all that's available, it probably won't let you down.
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After a week of sitting on a kitchen chair working from home, I ordered the softweave pink DVA Secretlab Titan chair, which was the only chair I could find in stock that had a high back and decent adjustments and wasn't 1k+ or have trash reviews. I literally ordered it at 2am while still having back pain from sitting in the kitchen chair 10 hours beforehand and said pain quickly went says with this.
I'm quite thin at 6'1 and 140 pounds and it's been extremely comfortable all day. There is no pressing forward of my shoulders and I like to sit a mix of standard and cross legged and the slightly flared sides actually makes cross legged more comfortable (and doesn't touch me when my feet are down). It feels good when leaning the whole chair back with a very smooth and silent movement, which I do a lot while thinking about the code I'm writing. It doesn't get hot for me at all (probably due to softweave version) and I'm someone who easily can feel overheated when sleeping etc. I know someone who has a DXRacer and the build quality in that is shite in comparison to the Secretlab (or pretty much any product out there). The armrests also are soft feeling and have some give, though they aren't cushions. Secretlab apparently really upgraded the armrests and their adjustments in the latest titan version, the first being very poor quality in that regard.
I haven't sat in the Herman Miller in the video but have had their brand high back mesh and plastic vented back chairs (don't know the exact term) that were a over the Secretlab in MSRP at around 700 and those things were much less comfortable for me with less adjustments and actually bothered my back when sat in all day, 5 days a week.
Overall I'm very satisfied with it and so far I can't say there's anything I'd want improved, aside from an adjustable headrest (which really is fine for me but may not be for a lot of people) but I'm also well below the weight they advertise it for and I don't think I'd be satisfied with their Omega's shape even if I were a little shorter due to the standard gaming chair high ends and smaller size. At the very least if it's all that's available, it probably won't let you down.
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Mattias
Probably one of the most biased videos I have seen from GN. The conclusion however is spot on. Check your dimensions. I have a gaming chair since 4 years now, it has only slight wear and a mild compression that if anything, has made it more comfortable.
I got it because I had developed a bad case of sciatica as a result of slouching in poor chairs and lack of exercise. It was so bad that I had needles of pain shooting from my ass down to my knee with every step. the chair helped a lot straight out of the box and within a year I cured my condition with daily prescribed exercise(ca 30mins/day)
I tried this model at a friends place and loved it instantly. I then went 'good consumer' and did my research. RESEARCH and TESTING before buying is KEY.
I am 190cm 80kg with fairly wide shoulders and my shoulders are not confined by my chair. My hips are about the same width and feel nice and cradled by the sides of the seat.
The lumbar pillow in particular is great if you position it correctly and dont just leave it at the bottom like most people seem to do.
I know other people of greatly varied constitution, ranging from incredibly heavy set to thin as a twig and they all love this brand as they, at that time, had a size for everyone(not anymore which is why I wont name them).
All said, my chair is a model that cost 320 and I am not completely happy with the arm rests lacking in adjustability.
Bottom line, RESEARCH and TEST before purchase. And no mater what chair you get, if you intend to slouch, it will not help you. If slouching is the goal, get a hospital bed to sit in. They are actually meant to enable your half-laying down.
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Probably one of the most biased videos I have seen from GN. The conclusion however is spot on. Check your dimensions. I have a gaming chair since 4 years now, it has only slight wear and a mild compression that if anything, has made it more comfortable.
I got it because I had developed a bad case of sciatica as a result of slouching in poor chairs and lack of exercise. It was so bad that I had needles of pain shooting from my ass down to my knee with every step. the chair helped a lot straight out of the box and within a year I cured my condition with daily prescribed exercise(ca 30mins/day)
I tried this model at a friends place and loved it instantly. I then went 'good consumer' and did my research. RESEARCH and TESTING before buying is KEY.
I am 190cm 80kg with fairly wide shoulders and my shoulders are not confined by my chair. My hips are about the same width and feel nice and cradled by the sides of the seat.
The lumbar pillow in particular is great if you position it correctly and dont just leave it at the bottom like most people seem to do.
I know other people of greatly varied constitution, ranging from incredibly heavy set to thin as a twig and they all love this brand as they, at that time, had a size for everyone(not anymore which is why I wont name them).
All said, my chair is a model that cost 320 and I am not completely happy with the arm rests lacking in adjustability.
Bottom line, RESEARCH and TEST before purchase. And no mater what chair you get, if you intend to slouch, it will not help you. If slouching is the goal, get a hospital bed to sit in. They are actually meant to enable your half-laying down.
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Ch3zter
Hi, i was wondering if you could give me some input on my specific case. I actually believe most gaming chairs to look uncomfortable as well as just being hideous. However i have been tempted to get a secret lab chair because my long lasting quest to find a proper office chair has not seen any success in the multiple years of searching.
My main requirements are, head support, (comfortable) adjustable armrests and preferably no mesh. The closest chair you reviewed would be the Ergo Chair but the mesh and sliding armrest issue are rather off putting. The reason i was tempted to get a secret lab chair was specially cause it looks different and more innovated (and neutral) from all the other gaming chairs and not like the same chair with a different logo, as you claimed most gaming chairs to be (i believe you for majority off chairs though). I have been able to try one of their chairs before (max 5 minutes) and the only issue i could find was that the armrests where hard, a problem shared with the ergo chair.
Have you (or a trusted partner) ever tried a secret lab chair, and did you really find them to be on the same low level as all other gaming chairs. Do you have any other reasons to believe that this chair won't be different/better than the others and that i still would be better off buying an Ergo chair?
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Hi, i was wondering if you could give me some input on my specific case. I actually believe most gaming chairs to look uncomfortable as well as just being hideous. However i have been tempted to get a secret lab chair because my long lasting quest to find a proper office chair has not seen any success in the multiple years of searching.
My main requirements are, head support, (comfortable) adjustable armrests and preferably no mesh. The closest chair you reviewed would be the Ergo Chair but the mesh and sliding armrest issue are rather off putting. The reason i was tempted to get a secret lab chair was specially cause it looks different and more innovated (and neutral) from all the other gaming chairs and not like the same chair with a different logo, as you claimed most gaming chairs to be (i believe you for majority off chairs though). I have been able to try one of their chairs before (max 5 minutes) and the only issue i could find was that the armrests where hard, a problem shared with the ergo chair.
Have you (or a trusted partner) ever tried a secret lab chair, and did you really find them to be on the same low level as all other gaming chairs. Do you have any other reasons to believe that this chair won't be different/better than the others and that i still would be better off buying an Ergo chair?
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BiG
I agree after trying a bunch of gaming chairs that most of them are not that comfortable, especially over longer periods of time. That mostly goes for the cheaper options, as well as some more expensive rebrands...However, there are some companies that market chairs towards gaming that really just make a comfortable chair. They tend to innovate more often, and have more adjustments than most others. They also seem to be built better overall than most other gaming chairs.
I ve tried the Herman Miller Aeron for a while, and also sat in expensive office chairs (worked for large brokerage firms), and while some are really great for a working environment, I wouldn t be able to also relax in one at home. If you re only going to be doing work, and sitting up at attention most of the time, sure, try a professional office chair. If you re looking to do some work, and relax the rest of the time, I d recommend something like a Secret Labs Omega (specifically in the Softweave fabric, I d avoid the leather). I love my Omega XL at home, it s great to work in, and great to relax in. The foam is very supportive, it s also got all the adjustments you want to make it fit (along with lumber support adjustment). It s also built well enough to last (particularly in a home environment).
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I agree after trying a bunch of gaming chairs that most of them are not that comfortable, especially over longer periods of time. That mostly goes for the cheaper options, as well as some more expensive rebrands...However, there are some companies that market chairs towards gaming that really just make a comfortable chair. They tend to innovate more often, and have more adjustments than most others. They also seem to be built better overall than most other gaming chairs.
I ve tried the Herman Miller Aeron for a while, and also sat in expensive office chairs (worked for large brokerage firms), and while some are really great for a working environment, I wouldn t be able to also relax in one at home. If you re only going to be doing work, and sitting up at attention most of the time, sure, try a professional office chair. If you re looking to do some work, and relax the rest of the time, I d recommend something like a Secret Labs Omega (specifically in the Softweave fabric, I d avoid the leather). I love my Omega XL at home, it s great to work in, and great to relax in. The foam is very supportive, it s also got all the adjustments you want to make it fit (along with lumber support adjustment). It s also built well enough to last (particularly in a home environment).
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Ben
As someone with chronic back problems and prior spinal surgery, I've sat on nothing other than the Herman Miller Aeron chair for the past 8 years or so. Both my office and home chairs I was able to source refurbished from an excellent London supplier for about half the price and they feel as new and still haven't worn out at all after all those years. I use it in a very reclined position, to the point where people look at me and think this is really bad posture, but in fact it allows me to really offload the weight from my spine to the back rest. Sitting upright which many falsely consider to be good posture puts all the pressure on your lower back and the lumbar support really doesn't do much to alleviate that. The only minor issue with this is having to slide the arm rests slightly underneath the desk, which may not always work.
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As someone with chronic back problems and prior spinal surgery, I've sat on nothing other than the Herman Miller Aeron chair for the past 8 years or so. Both my office and home chairs I was able to source refurbished from an excellent London supplier for about half the price and they feel as new and still haven't worn out at all after all those years. I use it in a very reclined position, to the point where people look at me and think this is really bad posture, but in fact it allows me to really offload the weight from my spine to the back rest. Sitting upright which many falsely consider to be good posture puts all the pressure on your lower back and the lumbar support really doesn't do much to alleviate that. The only minor issue with this is having to slide the arm rests slightly underneath the desk, which may not always work.
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MrZemIan
Yeah, gaming chairs are just silly. Flat cushions, wings which disrupt your posture, no adjustable lumbar support but a pillow instead, no adjustable headrest but a pillow instead, hard armrests, height of backrest non adjustable(usually not THAT necessary but still a great to have), tilt usually or perhaps even always just locked/unlocked rather than lockable in any position you'd like...they're just cheap crap made to look cool that's all. Very poor adjustability overall.
In a conference room this may make sense. Looks flashy and you don't really need comfort for days on end. But for a seat you intend to use many hours every day...this isn't good enough.
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Yeah, gaming chairs are just silly. Flat cushions, wings which disrupt your posture, no adjustable lumbar support but a pillow instead, no adjustable headrest but a pillow instead, hard armrests, height of backrest non adjustable(usually not THAT necessary but still a great to have), tilt usually or perhaps even always just locked/unlocked rather than lockable in any position you'd like...they're just cheap crap made to look cool that's all. Very poor adjustability overall.
In a conference room this may make sense. Looks flashy and you don't really need comfort for days on end. But for a seat you intend to use many hours every day...this isn't good enough.
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Maya
I got a second-hand Aeron chair for 450 Euro (office liquidation sale, original price was 1,250 Euro) after spending a few months using a wooden kitchen chair and getting some of the worst back problems.
Having used a variety of office chairs over the years (mostly at employers & clients), I would definitely say that the Aeron is most comfortable. Not because it feels great the moment you sit on it, but for the simple reason that after adjusting it it forces you to sit properly and as a result your back doesn't get destroyed.
I think they call that 'ergonomics' :)
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I got a second-hand Aeron chair for 450 Euro (office liquidation sale, original price was 1,250 Euro) after spending a few months using a wooden kitchen chair and getting some of the worst back problems.
Having used a variety of office chairs over the years (mostly at employers & clients), I would definitely say that the Aeron is most comfortable. Not because it feels great the moment you sit on it, but for the simple reason that after adjusting it it forces you to sit properly and as a result your back doesn't get destroyed.
I think they call that 'ergonomics' :)
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First
I usually respect your guys in depth dive into shit like this, but this isn't something universally quantifiable - I agree that the vertigear rgb chairs are overpriced and not innovative , but everyone's ass is different. I've found the cheap, pleather generic executive style chair you'd get anywhere is the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in. They're 100 bucks. I could sit in it for 12 hours & fall asleep in it.
Again I agree for the most part, but I just figured you'd realize comfort isn't a rigid, universal piece of data. It's not like pc case temps.
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I usually respect your guys in depth dive into shit like this, but this isn't something universally quantifiable - I agree that the vertigear rgb chairs are overpriced and not innovative , but everyone's ass is different. I've found the cheap, pleather generic executive style chair you'd get anywhere is the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in. They're 100 bucks. I could sit in it for 12 hours & fall asleep in it.
Again I agree for the most part, but I just figured you'd realize comfort isn't a rigid, universal piece of data. It's not like pc case temps.
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Brett
Been using a secret labs chair for over a year and I still think it s as comfortable as when I first got it. I game for 18 hours sometimes and it s been fine. However I do find that it doesn t sit me up perfectly straight and comfortable for gaming, but then again I ve never been in a chair that does. And I ve been in several office chairs as well.
EDIT: I also have noticed no issues with my elbows hurting or anything from the rests?? I think the firmness and form is good and works well with sliding my arms around from moving back and forth on the keyboard
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Been using a secret labs chair for over a year and I still think it s as comfortable as when I first got it. I game for 18 hours sometimes and it s been fine. However I do find that it doesn t sit me up perfectly straight and comfortable for gaming, but then again I ve never been in a chair that does. And I ve been in several office chairs as well.
EDIT: I also have noticed no issues with my elbows hurting or anything from the rests?? I think the firmness and form is good and works well with sliding my arms around from moving back and forth on the keyboard
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smietniknautube
What about kids chairs? I have 2 kids (8&10 years old) and I wish to but them nice chairs. I realised that gaming chairs don't have enough adjustment for smaller gamers and for its price it's not worth to buy it.
So I thought that best choice will be office chair due mesh backrest, better lower back support, foldable armrest. I wish to buy something rather narrow, light and inexpensive (as kids are growing), but there's nothing on UK market.
Any advices? What manufacture or where to find it?
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What about kids chairs? I have 2 kids (8&10 years old) and I wish to but them nice chairs. I realised that gaming chairs don't have enough adjustment for smaller gamers and for its price it's not worth to buy it.
So I thought that best choice will be office chair due mesh backrest, better lower back support, foldable armrest. I wish to buy something rather narrow, light and inexpensive (as kids are growing), but there's nothing on UK market.
Any advices? What manufacture or where to find it?
reply
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