Best gaming chair in 2025: the seats I'd suggest for any PC gamer

It's , so surely the best gaming chair should see us sitting on floating cushions, supported by anti-gravity modules, propping us up in the ergonomically perfect position for our spine, all judged precisely for us by a smart AI. But no, we are still bound to the earth via steel, leatherette, foam, and casters. Damn, I was totally mis-sold the future when I was a kid.

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But still, the best gaming chair can at least approximate the feeling of total support and the sensation of floating on air if you pick the right one, and that's what we're here to help you with. Ergonomics are important, and so is your posture at your desk, too—we only have one body, and it's vital that we treat it right, especially if we're expecting to be seated for long periods of time. For us, ergonomics, comfort, and finally looks should be the order of the day when looking for the perfect place to park your posterior.

The best gaming chair is still one that we've been recommending for a long time now, the Secretlab Titan Evo. And there's good reason for that. It isn't a cheap chair, for sure, but it is more affordable than the best office chairs, and still delivers a great level of comfort and support. And, almost as important, it's incredibly durable, too. Our Titan Evo has been in the office, and well-used for years, and still looks as good today as the day it arrived. To be fair, so does our pick for the best budget chair, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed. It's a very comfortable, supportive, and good-looking chair, especially for its relatively low price. And it's often in the sales, too. Win.

We regularly test a range of different chairs, including the best office chairs, too. And we've put them all through rigorous testing to make sure we can thoroughly recommend all the picks that we have on this page and can honestly stand by each and every one of them. Because, y'know, you need to stand up once in a while, too. But I get it, the best gaming chair is an expensive purchase, and opting for a less expensive office chair might seem appealing, but investing in superior ergonomics is a choice your body will be grateful for as time goes on. So, invest in something that'll last and give your butt and back the comfort and support it deserves.

The quick list

The best gaming chair overall

The Secretlab Titan Evo is the best gaming chair. That's it, recommendation over. Oh alright then, let's get into the reasons why—and there are a lot of them.

We loved Secretlab's previous chairs, and two of them used to rule the top spots in this very guide. Though nowadays we heartily recommend just the one model, the Titan Evo, as it does everything well.

There's a slightly bigger curve to the seat base to keep you in a good sitting position all day long compared to previous models, and while we couldn't quite tell if it was making a big difference, what we can say is this: the Titan Evo is extremely comfortable, even over very long periods of time. There are three models available, S, R, and XL, and while those looking for something extra-large would do well to check out the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL, for the rest of you, the Titan Evo should do very nicely.

Our initial review model came in a coating Secretlab called Neo Hybrid leatherette, which feels airy and cool over the course of a long day, and really looks the part. We have also recently reviewed the Titan Evo NanoGen edition, which is the latest addition to Secretlab's lineup, and features a new approach to the materials it uses. Aiming to match two presumably mutually exclusive goals—namely being supportive and soft.

And it does that mighty well, creating a chair that ends up feeling even more comfortable than the standard Titan Evo. But with Secretlab asking another $200 for the privilege, it's a fair bit extra to pay over the standard model.

The upholstery of both, however, is immaculate, and the overall quality of the fit and finish is pin-sharp perfect. Something as big and as dominating as a gaming chair should look good on all levels, and the Titan Evo certainly ticks the right boxes, no matter which finish you pick.

What's more, the original chair has been in constant use in our office since we first reviewed it in —gosh, has it really been that long? Since then, it's been rolled around, bumped into, and carelessly caressed by many staff members, yet it's still in excellent condition. That Neo Hybrid Leatherette is really holding up great. The chair's not squeaky, either, which is a plus.

The detachable head cushion is magnetic and very supportive. For that matter, so are the armrests, which deliver 4D movement (up, down, forwards, backwards, side-to-side, and rotation) and should fit into most desks—and most arms, for that matter, as these are about as adjustable as they come.

Mechanically, the cavalcade of quality continues. The hydraulics are superbly smooth, as is the recline. You can also adjust the lean tension, which means finding a comfortable seating position is no problem at all. Everything here is customisable, good-looking, well-built and confidence-inspiring.

Prices start at $449/£379, which, if you've been looking at no-name gaming chairs on some of the bigger retailers' sites, might seem like a lot for a throne. Let me say this with absolute confidence: If you're ever going to spend up on a piece of equipment, make it the chair you sit in all day long. Compared to many of its rivals, it's still well-priced, and the Secretlab Titan Evo really is worth the money.

It's the best gaming chair we've ever tested, and believe me, we've tried the top contenders. The Titan Evo? Well, it beats them all.

Read our full Secretlab Titan Evo review.

The best budget gaming chair

The Corsair TC100 Relaxed has entered the gaming chair space as a refined racer-style chair with very few compromises, which makes it our recommendation for the best affordable, budget-friendly chair. We were big fans of the Corsair T3 Rush, but the TC100 pips it to the post in many regards.

It's shorter with an 81 cm backrest, but the TC100 Relaxed is in fact a fair bit broader. It's got a wider backrest, a bit more cushioning in the seat, and gentler bolster angles, hence "relaxed." It's the sort of chair that asks you to settle in and get comfy, although that shortness does mean it's perhaps not best suited to some larger frames.

If you're very tall, you might need to reconsider your options. For the rest, though, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed should fit your frame nicely, and there's always the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL to consider if you need something larger.

Concessions have been made to keep that cost down. You only get 2D armrests, for example, compared to something like the Secretlab Titan Evo's 4D arm-holders. But I suppose the company had to make it affordable somehow, and it was the arm support that bore the brunt.

The construction does reveal the odd price concession, too. Some of the bolts are a bit of a struggle to get into their respective holes, due to some wadded material leftover from the manufacturing process. Otherwise, though, it's still pretty easy to build, at least as far as gaming chairs go.

Where it shines, though, is in places where you'd expect to see budget constraints, but don't. For example, the fabric version we tested feels fantastic on the skin and looks great, too. Material choice is often a revealing part of a chair's construction, as so many manufacturers choose to skimp out on the important bits.

Here, everything feels quality, refined, and more expensive than you'd expect. Really, what most people will be looking for in an affordable but brilliant gaming chair is something that looks the part, feels the part, keeps you in a great seating position for long days, and doesn't break the bank. Job done, we'd say, and then some.

Overall, what you're getting here is a budget chair that doesn't look nor feel like the budget option. It's supremely comfortable, well-made, and looks the part in almost any setup. The TC100 Relaxed beats out every other chair in its price range by a large margin and is absolutely the best affordable gaming chair you can buy right now.

Read our full Corsair TC100 Relaxed review.

The best high-end gaming chair

We love the Herman Miller Embody, and it occupied the top position in our best office chair roundup for a long time. But when it comes to the best high-end gaming chair, we simply have to recommend the slightly more gamer-focused version, the Herman Miller x Logitech G Embody, instead.

Let's get one thing out of the way right out of the gate—it's not cheap. It's not even close to cheap. Nope, if you want one of these, be prepared to spend $1,830/£1,570.

I'll wait for you to pick up your collective jaws from the floor. Welcome back! The good news is, however, that the Embody is a fabulous chair. Our Jacob loves his model very much, and that's a man who has sat in every single good gaming chair you can think of.

If you do decide to treat yourself to one of these, upon delivery, you'll receive a very large box. That's because the Herman Miller turns up fully assembled. For this sort of money, no one expects you to get busy with a screwdriver, and that alone is worth a fair bit of cash.

Once opened, however, you'll find that this chair is surprisingly compact. There's no gigantic headrest, as Herman Miller reckons you shouldn't need one if the back support is done properly, and thankfully, that is very much the case. The sprung-mesh design coated in Sync Fabric is extremely supportive, while still being very comfortable. Support and comfort can co-exist, and thankfully, this isn't one of those chairs that tries to realign your spine against your will.

That fabric coating is remarkably hard-wearing, while still feeling great on the skin, too. The foam-layered seat cushion is designed to be comfy, cool, and posture-enhancing. You might shift around in your seat all day long from the top upwards, but your rear remains in roughly the same place. Herman Miller knows this, and the Embody is ready to deliver comfort and spinal bliss in equal measure—from top to bottom.

You might have to pay a high price, but you also get a 12-year warranty for your money. That covers just about everything about the chair, from the casters to the pneumatics, although perhaps the fabric might not qualify. Still, as we said, it feels tough enough to withstand the test of time, as does everything else about this chair.

In fact, just about the only thing that isn't exceptional about the Embody is the armrest adjustment. You don't get fancy 4D movement here, although they are adjustable to a degree and comfortable in their own right.

The Herman Miller Logitech G Embody is simply fantastic to sit in, looks great, and is built tough. It's the best high-end chair by far. Yes, you'll have to fork out. But what with that excellent warranty, and all the comfort and support on offer here, it's still the one we'd have if we were looking to spend some serious cash.

Read our full Herman Miller Logitech G Embody review.

The best office chair for gaming

The NeueChair has been our best office/task chair recommendation for so long, it's practically part of the furniture (boo, hiss). That's because it's got so much going for it in the support and build quality department; it simply hasn't been bested, even here in .

Let's get one thing straight: this isn't quite what you'd call a gaming chair. It's a tasking chair, designed to make sure that over a long day at the office (or working from home, of course), you leap out of it feeling like you haven't damaged your back.

Of course, it can be reclined, and it's far from what you'd call uncomfortable. But this chair is all about keeping you supported and upright, with a sensation that lets you know it's doing excellent things for your spine. It's got a wide seat base with a good level of comfort, but this chair is all about getting down to business. And that, it does better than anything else on the market.

A good office/task chair should provide supreme support. The NeueChair is unmatched in this regard, and it's still what we'd call comfortable. You only get one set of bones, of course, so you'd do well to look after them in the hours you spend sitting at your desk. Comfort isn't just about sitting in squishy, armchair-like confines, but also about what you take with you when you get out of the chair.

Back pain, sore shoulders, and a numb posterior should not be any of those things. The NeueChair is designed to prevent or reduce them all, and it does an admirable job.

You get smart Controlshift controls located under each armrest that allow you to unlock or lock the recline, and raise and lower the chair for the optimum seating position. The armrests, however, don't have a huge amount of adjustment, so if you're looking for something with as many armrest settings as possible, the Secretlab Titan Evo might be more up your street.

The real kicker on top of that excellent spinal support, however, is the build quality. Its industrial-inspired design isn't just to help it look great in a modern office setting (which it really does), but to ensure that this chair will go the distance. It's remarkably tough and well-made, with a 12-year warranty that should go some way to offsetting concerns about its price.

At $1,169/£774, the NeueChair isn't cheap. But like the Logitech G x Herman Miller Embody above, what you're spending your money on here is something that is designed to stand the test of time, with a warranty to prove it. It's handsome, robust, supportive, and business-like, which makes it the best office chair overall.

Read our full NeueChair review.

The best gaming chair for back support

While some chairs take a rigid approach to supporting your back, if you're looking for something that's supremely comfortable while also looking after your spine, you should really hunt down a ThunderX3 Core. It manages to be not only the best chair for back support but also one of the most plush and good-looking chairs we've tested, too.

That adjustability really is key. We all shift around in our chairs, and while some models try their hardest to push you into the correct shape, the ThunderX3 Core takes a different approach. It's ready for your odd seating positions, choosing instead to employ a variety of mechanisms that allow it to conform itself to your particular seating styles for ultimate support.

The Lumbar 360° tech backrest is designed to move around with you as you shift your weight, meaning that it's always ready to support your lower back when needed. 4D armrests are an increasingly common feature on modern gaming chairs, but they're usually covered in a "soft-touch-esque" kind of material that's less rigid than hard plastic but not what you'd call cushy. Not so here, as the ThunderX3 Core adds proper cushioning into the mix for arm leaners and forearm resters.

All of this adds to the feeling and look of a chair that invites you to sit down. The aesthetic is refreshingly sleek yet comfy-looking, and while it's got stick-out "wings" that won't be for everyone, it doesn't look particularly gamer bling—meaning it's unlikely to look out of place no matter where you put it. Some gamer chairs scream "I have hobbies" to the rest of the world, but this one is much more Scandinavian cool.

Back to back support. The clever Sync6 box underneath has synchronous tilt, which allows you to lean back while still keeping your feet flat on the floor. You can also tilt it forward to lean in, although the armrests will end up staying where they are. Speaking of leaning back, the backrest locks at four different angles, although you can't lean it back all the way like some other chairs. Still, there should be a position there that suits most leaning styles.

Fabric and leatherette versions are available in various colors, all for an MSRP of $399. That's a fair bit cheaper than a lot of other competing chairs, and since the ThunderX3 Core is up there for affordable back support, it gets a big thumbs up from us. A well-looked-after spine doesn't have to come with an overly firm cost, and this chair proves it.

Read our full ThunderX3 Core review.

The best gaming chair for a larger frame

If regular gaming chairs are a bit tight, or you're the sort of person who likes to spread all over a seat, then the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL is the gaming throne for you. Available in L and XL configurations, we were very impressed by our XL model—so much so that it had to go in this guide as the best chair for a larger frame.

First off, this is a good-looking seat. Lots of color options are available, but all of them will have wide shoulders, proper side bolstering and good attention to detail in the fit and finish. It's very USS Enterprise, and despite its large dimensions for sittin,g it's not too dominant in your average gaming setup.

Be warned, however: construction is not an easy task. That's nothing to do with a lack of tools or bad design, but more that this chair is large, wide, and heavy, so we'd highly recommend bringing a friend. Or, if you want one of these because you're covered in muscle, enjoy the free workout.

That being said, once you do have the Kaiser 4 XL together, you'll find plenty of room. The wide seat cushion and flared shoulder sections mean most should fit very well, and even if you're not a giant, you won't feel too swallowed up. It's very nicely judged in its dimensions. Larger than just about everything else, not so large that it looks cartoonish.

There's lots of adjustability here, including a side-mounted lever for backrest adjustment that makes a whole lot of sense. Why some chairs choose to mount the tilt mechanism underneath is beyond us, but here you can lean and use the handle at the same time to find the perfect amount of recline.

The best bit, though, is the pop-out adjustable lumbar cushion. It's very comfortable to lean against, but firm enough to provide proper, robust support, and it's adjustable in a multitude of different ways. Combine that with a magnetic head pillow that can be adjusted easily, yet stays anchored in place once you've found the ideal spot, and this is a chair that's easy to set up just the way you like.

It does have a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, the branding isn't particularly subtle, so you'll find the word "Kaiser" emblazoned all over it in big letters. And second, the rear backing material is a lovely textured plush material that looks great.

Doesn't sound like a drawback? Well, as nice as it looks and feels, it's prone to damage. You'll be fine if you treat it gently, but if you bang the rear of the chair into your furniture, it's likely to rip or leave a mark. And, if we're being picky, the (otherwise huge and very comfortable) armrests do wobble rotationally a little more than we'd like.

Other than that, the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL is a bit of a winner all around. If what you really want is size and comfort combined in a chair, this is the one we reckon you should go for. Big, bold, and brilliant.

Read our full AndaSeat Kaiser 4 XL review.

Also tested

How we test gaming chairs

Let's face it, we spend a lot of time here at PC Gamer sitting on our butts. And that makes us perfect candidates for testing gaming chairs. We will dedicate a significant amount of time to parking our posteriors in a variety of gaming and office chairs when it comes to testing them out, because it's only really by using a chair over an extended period that you get to know where it supports you and where it might be lacking.

So, we'll use each of the gaming chairs we test as our main working seat for the time that we are testing a chair. That way, we can get a feel for what it would be like to actually live with a particular piece of gaming furniture, as we would if we'd purchased it ourselves.

It also means that we can test the longevity of things like the different levers and controls over time, too. We've had issues where some cheaper brands had plastic levers that just wouldn't last.

The subjective sitting experience is the most important factor when we test gaming chairs, but the actual build experience is important, too. We don't want to have a chair that tries to take a bite out of us when we come to install the backrest or has poorly machined screw holes that don't line up.

And value is key to us as well. A chair doesn't have to be cheap, but so long as it feels like it's worth the money you're being expected to pay, then it has value.

For more best gaming chair with footrestinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Ergonomics and advice

I've recently spoken with Secretlab about its approach to ergonomics, and it noted that its latest chair designs all center around research that specifically advocates for increased movement and regular posture changes when you sit. The advice has previously been that there is an ideal posture, but as Dr. Stuart McGill, Professor Emeritus of Waterloo and expert in back pain, notes in the study Secretlab links from its site: The science of stress: How to reduce back pain while sitting (.pdf warning), "this may be the ideal sitting posture, but for no longer than 10minutes!"

"Tissue loads must be migrated from tissue to tissue to minimize the risk of any single tissue accumulating microtrauma," Dr. McGill continues. "This is accomplished by changing posture. Thus, an ergonomic chair is one that facilitates easy posture changes over a variety of joint angles."

Therefore, you need to be looking for a chair that can accommodate a range of movement and a range of different seating positions. For years, I assumed that my favourite sitting posture, with one leg crossed beneath me, was dreadful. And yes, it would be if I stuck to it, but so long as you are changing positions regularly, sitting cross-legged can be an effective posture, too.

The other recommendation is an obvious one, but also one that's tough to bed in. Simply, get out of the chair.

"The recommended break that we have developed," suggests Dr. McGill, "involves standing from the chair and maintaining a relaxed standing posture for 10 to 20 seconds. At this stage, some may also choose to perform neck rolls and arm windmills to relieve neck and shoulder discomfort from their desk work."

One bit of advice for the dudes out there is that if you still carry a wallet, and it resides in your back pocket, you should remove it before you sit down. "Some experiments have even used this as an intentional inducer of back pain," says Dr. McGill.

And finally, if you're trying to avoid back pain from long hours of sitting at your desk, you ought to do some sort of physical exercise in the middle of the day, even if that's just a short walk. Go walk the dog, for example.

How you should sit at a desk

We have spoken with ergonomists in the past about the 'right' way to sit at a desk, and the general guidelines remain largely the same—with the obvious caveat that changing your seating position and getting up from your desk regularly is very much desirable to avoid any long or short term back pain.

• Your knees should be bent at 90 degrees, and your feet flat on the floor.
• Your elbows should be level with your desk and close to your body (meaning that you shouldn't have to extend your arms to reach your mouse and keyboard).
• Your shoulders should be relaxed.
• Your lower back should be supported. If your chair doesn't have built-in lumbar support, a small pillow can do the job.
• Your monitor should be positioned such that you don't have to tilt your head up, with the top monitor bezel level with your eyes.

Best gaming chairs FAQ

Are gaming chairs actually bad?

Between our articles about the effects of sitting down on your body and our experimentation with standing desks, you might think PC Gamer has fallen out of love with the humble chair.

That could not be further from the truth.

As gamers and office workers, we spend a significant chunk of each day sitting on our money makers in front of screens. Given that most of us don't plan to change that anytime soon, it only makes sense to do so in a great chair. So that's what I set out to find.

We wanted to find chairs that maximized comfort, support, and value. We spoke with Melissa Afterman, MS CPE, a Senior Principal Ergonomist with VSI Risk Management & Ergonomics, Inc., who specializes in workstation setups.

"Absolutely, chairs are still okay," she told me. "Yes, we know that sitting too long is bad for you. The reality is that standing too long is just as bad for you, so the answer is movement. Taking breaks, getting up at least every hour and moving, or changing your position from standing to sitting every hour so that you're not standing too long either."

"If you're typing and working at the computer, you really want more upright support so that you can maintain neutral spine posture and let the chair hold you up," she said. "But when you switch to a gaming mode, you may want to recline a little bit to relax your lower back while still having good support in that position. So a locking backrest and/or some tension control is important."

Another feature to look for, though it tends to be found on more expensive models, is a seat pan slider. This enables you to slide the positioning of your butt forwards or backward relative to the backrest.

Are gaming chairs really worth it?

The best gaming chairs will complete your PC setup, not just from an aesthetic point of view, but because you will likely be spending hours sitting in front of your machine, which means they will give you the support needed to keep your spine healthy, too.

Is a gaming chair better than an office chair?

Nope! You can find good or bad examples of both, and believe us there are plenty. That said, some office chairs are great for gaming and vice versa, and there are 'office chairs', like the Herman Miller Embody, that blend the line between both.

Really it's about finding what's right for you, and a lot of the time that's a gaming chair because, let's be honest, you like the look of it. That's a perfectly good reason to make that decision, just make sure you're not sacrificing comfort and ergonomics for style and flair.

A cheap office chair can be a great pick if you want to save cash and be comfy.

Are gaming chairs good for your posture?

The best gaming chairs look out for you and your back. When it comes to chair design, lumbar support is vital. The first thing you should look for in a new gaming chair is whether it has any built-in support to help your body maintain an ideal posture. Some even come with lumbar support pillows that work to some extent. Multi-adjustable armrests, upholstery, and general style are also important; note these features aren't cheap.

That said, a gaming chair can't do everything. The best gaming chairs encourage good posture, but the other half of the equation is on you to stick to it.

We compiled our list of contenders by first researching what separates a high-quality gaming chair from a lousy one. We combed through reviews from publications such as PC Gamer and IGN to get a general idea of what other gamers like most, and we read research articles related to ergonomics and the musculoskeletal risks associated with poor posture while one is seated. We also spoke to Mark Consolla, the vice president of product management at Humanscale, to learn about what makes a chair’s design ideal for supporting the body.

We used the following criteria to decide which chairs to test:

• Comfort: Finding the perfect gaming chair depends on a number of subjective factors, such as whether you primarily play games with a mouse and keyboard or with a controller, how you sit, and your body type. Unfortunately, most gaming chairs sold today have a one-size-fits-all design, though two of our picks are available in multiple sizes. We evaluated each chair’s seat, backrest, armrest, and headrest comfort, and in our testing panel we included paid testers who have above-average heights and weights.

• Adjustability: Proper posture, support, and blood flow while you’re seated are largely dependent on how many components of the chair can adjust to fit your body. When possible, we chose to test chairs that offered adjustable seat height and depth, backrest height, armrest height and width, and lumbar support.

• Recline: Feeling supported while you’re sitting up is important, but a gaming chair should also be comfortable when you want to lie back with a controller. We looked for chairs with lockable recline angles, as well as adjustable tilt tension so that you can rock back easily when you’re seated upright.

• Price: Gaming chairs below $200 tend to be made with cheaper materials, have inferior warranties, and usually allow you to adjust only the chair height and recline angle. If you want a more adjustable chair with a longer warranty, you can expect to pay at least $500. The most comfortable chairs include high-end materials and the most generous scale of adjustments but cost $1,000 and up.

• Warranty: A chair from a less reputable company might be covered for one or two years, but most high-end chairs come with at least a 10-year warranty. We also take into account customer-feedback reports regarding each company’s responsiveness.

• Appearance and materials: Most gaming chairs are modeled to look like race-car seats, but our favorite options offer designs that blend more seamlessly into a standard workspace. We also prioritized models that had breathable materials such as cloth and mesh over vinyl or pleather. In our testing, the more expensive options were also easier to assemble, as they shipped in fewer pieces.

For our first round of testing, we sat in each chair with the above criteria in mind, and we eliminated any that were immediately uncomfortable or had glaring safety issues. We then sat at a desk and worked using a mouse and keyboard for at least two hours, following that with at least one hour of gaming with a controller in a more reclined position. We then scored each chair for its comfort and adjustability using this ergonomic-seating evaluation form from Cornell University.

We then presented the most promising contenders to a panel of eight testers, whom we compensated for their time. We gave the testers 15 to 30 minutes with each chair and asked them to adjust the seat to suit their bodies following the Mayo Clinic’s ergonomic guidelines. They sat in both reclined and upright positions before filling out a survey about their experience with each chair; this feedback from our testers factored heavily into our final pick decisions for this guide. Since then, we’ve sat in each chair for many more hours of work and gaming, and our staff will continue testing the chairs in the coming months to gauge how they hold up over time.

Top pick

With a magnetic memory-foam head pillow, adjustable lumbar support, and 165-degree recline, this chair can keep you comfortable for hours. It comes in three sizes to accommodate a range of body types.

Most of our testers, friends, and family liked the Secretlab Titan Evo right away. I sat comfortably in this chair for hours without getting sore in my lower body or back, and you can easily make many adjustments to it while seated. It’s supportive enough for mouse-and-keyboard gaming, and it reclines farther than our other picks for cozy sessions with a controller. We also loved the extra touches that make this chair feel even fancier, such as its cushy memory-foam pillow and adjustable lumbar support.

It’s comfortable to sit in for hours, and it’s available in three sizes. We evaluated all three sizes of the Titan Evo—small, regular, and XL—and nearly all of our testers found a version suitable for their body type. You can plug your height and weight into Secretlab’s sizing calculator to find the size that may work best, or you can see more detailed measurements—such as the seat width and backrest height—in the company’s comparison chart.

You can adjust the lumbar support’s height and shape to match the curvature of your spine. On either side of the backrest are two knobs: One moves the lumbar support up and down, and the other controls how much it protrudes. Some of our testers found it hard to reach the knobs while seated, but ideally it’s an adjustment that you have to make only when you first set up the chair.

It’s easy to recline. To adjust the Titan Evo’s backrest angle, you just pull a lever on the side and lean back, as you would in the front seat of a car. A tilt-tension knob on the bottom controls how much the chair rocks back.

The magnetic memory-foam pillow offers just the right amount of support. Most head pillows that come with gaming chairs feel cheap, force your neck too far forward, and stay in place with a strap that goes all the way around the headrest. But the Titan Evo’s pillow magnetically snaps on to the backrest, conveniently allowing you to adjust the pillow’s height without worrying about its sliding around. The memory foam is soft and supportive, and it conforms comfortably to the back of the head.

Secretlab’s optional armrest add-on is wonderful. By default, the Titan Evo comes with standard plastic armrests that feel fairly unremarkable. However, the tops of the armrests are magnetic and easily swapped for one of Secretlab’s other covers. The PlushCell armrest top has a soft, velour surface that felt a bit too warm, but the Technogel covers made my arms feel virtually weightless. Several of our other testers also raved about the Technogel armrests, and even though they cost $90 extra, we think the additional comfort is worth the investment.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It isn’t as adjustable as our more expensive picks. The Secretlab Titan Evo is great for the price, but you can’t fine-tune it as much as the Mavix M9 or Herman Miller Aeron. Only the chair height, recline angle, lumbar support, and armrest height are adjustable on the fly. Technically you can change the width of the armrests, but only if you unscrew them from the bottom of the seat.

The cushion is firm, but that could be better for your back in the long run. Many of our testers commented on the firmness of the Titan Evo, which they found less immediately comfortable. But in theory, softer chairs tend to lead to slouching, which can cause back pain and damage to your intervertebral disks. We’ll be keeping an eye on the Secretlab chair to see how the padding holds up after more wear and tear over time.

Budget pick

The Ace Pro is the most affordable chair we recommend, and it has built-in Bluetooth speakers and a footrest. But the one-size-fits-all design is not for everyone, and it makes some major trade-offs for the price.

If you’re looking for a less expensive option, the GTPlayer Ace Pro is your best bet. It’s comfortable enough to sit in for a few hours at a time without getting sore, and the footrest is a nice bonus if you like reclining while you play. But when it comes to an ergonomically supportive chair, you get what you pay for, and the Ace Pro comes with some caveats: It’s the least adjustable chair we recommend, it comes with only a one-year warranty, and certain parts, such as the headrest pillow and footrest mechanism, are noticeably cheap.

It’s the most comfortable chair we tested at this price or lower. Our testers ranked the Ace Pro higher than any other cheap gaming chair we evaluated. The firm backrest has thinner padding in comparison with our other picks, but the seat cushion kept my legs from getting sore longer than some options that cost three times as much. We also liked the padding on the armrests, which offered a comfortable alternative to the hard plastic on many other models.

The built-in Bluetooth speakers sound decent, and they’re easy to pair. If you don’t have dedicated computer speakers, the Ace Pro might sound better than what comes through your monitor or laptop. Two speakers are built into the top of the backrest, and a small receiver box plugs into an auxiliary cable behind the seat. The receiver can recharge via the included USB-C cable, and in our tests it paired easily with my PC and iPhone. Because the speakers are located right behind your ears, they can help make your games feel fun and immersive.

It can recline back to 150 degrees, and it has a footrest. You can lock the Ace Pro at different recline angles using the lever below the seat, and it’s our only pick with a footrest. However, the footrest is a bit of a pain to use: You have to manually pull it out from underneath, and there’s nothing to keep it from sliding too far and popping out of the socket entirely. The footrest feels a little flimsy as a result, but it’s still nice to have the option to prop your feet up. Our 4-foot-10 tester loved the footrest, noting that it’s a “game changer” for shorter people whose feet can’t otherwise reach the floor.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It isn’t especially adjustable, and its one-size-fits-all design may not fit you. The armrests of the Ace Pro are fixed at one height and width, and some of our testers with wider hips disliked the narrow seat, which measures about 19.5 inches wide. You also can’t adjust the seat depth. Additionally, the lumbar and headrest support consists of only two removable pillows that look and feel cheap. Most of our testers couldn’t find a sweet spot with the head pillow, noting that the chair pushed their necks too far forward with it and not far enough without it.

The only available material is faux leather. The Ace Pro doesn’t offer any fabric options, and its polyurethane leather might be an issue if you tend to run hot. We tested the ivory color, and none of our testers were particularly fond of the hue or the overall design. But we’ve yet to find a better-looking option at this price, and it comes in six different colors, including black, gray, and red (and a particularly off-putting shade of brown).

Upgrade pick

The Mavix M9 is the softest and most adjustable gaming chair we tested, and it’s particularly roomy for those who like to sit cross-legged.

Compared with our top pick, the Mavix M9 is cushier and more adjustable, and it has a premium look that can blend with almost any aesthetic. It isn’t as ergonomic as the Herman Miller Aeron, but with a headrest and full recline, this chair is better for those who switch between a mouse-and-keyboard setup and a controller. The seat is especially wide and deep, making it possible for you to sit cross-legged without hitting the armrests. But it’s expensive, and we can’t yet vouch for how durable or supportive it will remain over the years.

The M9 is more adjustable than any of our other picks. You can move the seat depth forward and back, and you can raise the height of the chair and the backrest independently. You can also adjust the angle of the headrest, as well as the armrest height, width, swivel, and depth. The chair can recline to 127 degrees, and it has a tilt-tension knob that allows you to rock freely. However, two of the levers underneath the seat aren’t clearly labeled, so you may have to watch Mavix’s instructional video to learn all of the functions.

It has the smoothest casters of any chair we tested. The M9 has rubberized FS Wheels, which glided like butter across hardwood floors; they were also less resistant on carpet than the wheels of any other chair we tested. They barely made a sound, and in all the times we pushed the chair around during testing, they never got stuck in place. All of our other picks use standard plastic casters, and several of our testers with above-average weights noted that they had difficulty sliding around in those chairs. Plus, the M9’s wheels should be easier on wood flooring than plastic wheels.

It comes with a 12-year warranty. Mavix covers all of the non-moving metal components of the chair frame for 12 years and any other parts and materials for five years. In comparison, Herman Miller covers all parts and repairs for 12 years, and our top pick comes with only a three-year warranty.

For an extra charge, you can get heating, cooling, and massage built into the lumbar support. Mavix sells a $130 attachment for the M9, called the Elemax, that adds a rechargeable heating and cooling pad into the lumbar support of the chair. It also has a massage function that we found weak, but the heating and cooling felt surprisingly nice—and Mavix sometimes offers sales that waive the price of the Elemax unit with the purchase of the chair.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We’re not sure how well the M9 will hold up over time, though we plan to test it. A chair this expensive should be an investment, but at this time we can’t speak to its long-term durability. After one month of testing, the seat cushion developed creases revealing the checkerboard outline of the padding inside, and we’re not sure whether the chair will remain supportive over time. Mavix will replace defective parts under warranty, but not if the damage is deemed normal wear and tear. If you’re hesitant to spend this much money on a chair that isn’t tried-and-true, consider the Herman Miller Aeron or one of the other office chairs our staff has been testing for years.

The white color is a stain magnet and difficult to clean. The M9 is available in four color schemes—white, black, white with black, and black with blue—and the white hue is especially unforgiving. We wiped away dirt stains on the seat using warm water and soap as per Mavix’s instructions, but the white fabric still looked less vibrant than it did out of the box. We also tried removing a stain on a second unit using a gentle stain remover, but we were unsuccessful, and Mavix advises against stronger cleaning solutions.

Best for...

Though it lacks a headrest and full recline, this breathable office chair is truly the most comfortable and supportive option for those who spend most of their day sitting at a desk.

The Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair is worth the investment if you work from home and play games at your desk afterward. It’s less appropriate for lounging with a controller because it lacks a headrest, and you can’t lock the recline angle. But it’s by far the most ergonomic choice for people who spend more than eight hours a day at their desk, and it’s the only chair in this guide that our staff has tested—and loved—for years.

It’s the same as the regular Aeron but with fewer configuration options. This version of the Aeron comes in one color and configuration, whereas the original version offers different options for the frame, back support, tilt, casters, and armrests. The preselected configuration includes every optional upgrade the Aeron offers, namely the most adjustable backrest, armrests, and tilt. We found this configuration extremely comfortable, but if you select the original Aeron chair with more basic accessories, such as stationary arms and the “basic” tilt, you can save a few hundred dollars.

No other chair made us feel as weightless or supported over long stretches of time. Whenever I felt my back or thighs get sore over the duration of my gaming-chair tests, I always switched back to the Aeron for relief. The springy seat suspension made the bottom of my legs feel lighter than on any other chair, and the structured backrest kept me from slouching and straining. The mesh material is also extremely breathable.

You can choose from two sizes and height ranges (but it’s not fully adjustable). You can’t adjust the Aeron Gaming Chair’s backrest height independently or pull the seat base forward or back. But you can control the tilt tension and the forward seat angle, and the armrests can swivel, move up and down, and move forward and back. It’s also available in two sizes and two height ranges. The original Aeron offers an additional small size; you can refer to Herman Miller’s size chart to see if that one could be right for you.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

You can’t lock the recline angle. Unlike with our other picks, you can’t lock the backrest in place when you recline in the Aeron Gaming Chair. However, if you release the tilt tension via the knob under the seat, you can rock back and stay there with little effort. It’s nice to lean all the way back during a meeting or a game’s loading screen, but the chair’s lack of headrest support may cause neck strain if you stay reclined for too long.

The shallow seat can take some time to get used to. When you first sit in the Aeron Gaming Chair, you might notice how much of your thighs hang off the edge of the seat. In an interview, Humanscale’s Mark Consolla told us that such a design can support better blood flow and prevent soreness in your lower body as your weight sinks in the chair over time. This is part of what makes the chair remain so comfortable after many hours of sitting, but you probably won’t be able to cross your legs on the shallow seat.

We tested the Herman Miller Sayl Gaming Chair, a preconfigured gaming version of the Sayl, which is a recommendation in our office-chair guide. It doesn’t have a headrest or a lockable recline, and in comparison with our picks, the backrest is less cushy to lean against for prolonged periods.

The headrest pillow and armrests on the Razer Iskur V2 are less comfortable than those of our top pick, and the chair isn’t as accommodating for as many different heights and weights. It also made my butt and thighs sore more quickly than our picks.

The armrests on the IKEA Styrspel are too wide, and it’s too easy to knock your ankles against the protruding, star-shaped wheelbase. We also disliked the surface material, which looked and felt like the plastic you’d find on a patio chair.

All our panel testers found the wide armrests on the Respawn 110 unusable and said the seat padding was too thin. It also lacks lumbar support and headrest cushioning, and only the height and recline angle are adjustable.

The N-Gen Gaming Chair has no headrest support and no recline, and the backrest is very short. The armrests are also wide, low, and non-adjustable.

The GTRacing Ergo 13 made my butt and thighs sore after about 20 minutes. It offers adjustable lumbar support, but even at the lowest setting, it was too full to allow my shoulders to touch the backrest without strain. The seat cushion also sank when I sat down, and the chair is too low for people of above-average height.

The GTPlayer Gaming Chair is downright dangerous—if the backrest isn’t locked in an upright position, it falls straight to the ground when someone sits down. We tested this chair a dozen times with two adults each weighing less than 130 pounds, and the backrest fell backward every single time.

I couldn’t lean my head against the BestOffice High-Back Gaming Chair without the hard frame of the chair digging into the back of my skull—which was not only uncomfortable when I was sitting normally but also truly painful if I threw my head back too quickly.

Even at their lowest position, the armrests on the Boulies Master Series Computer Chair were too high to get me close enough to my desk, causing major back strain when I used my mouse and keyboard. The seat also made my butt and thighs sore after a couple of hours.

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.

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