We rank our ten favorite gaming and office chairs for ergonomics, comfort, and overall design. It seems like every major gaming event on Twitch now sells some sort of gaming seat. With all the hype on the market, I thought I’d present you with a few value gaming chairs I’ve used in the past couple years with recommendations on some of the newer options you should use going forward.
Offsetting the Effects of Long Sitting Sessions
As someone who sits for long hours of at least 10 hours per day, I need something that not only adjusts in every way imaginable, but that is comfortable and protects my back. I do have an alternate sit-stand desk which helps to offset some of the effects, but I still sit a majority of the time. For this reason, lumbar support, as well as ergonomics, are a priority.
*For consoles be sure to see our post on top console gaming chairs.
Gaming and Ergonomics:
Ergonomics is all about fitting the job to the person doing it. OSHA, one of the more important players in this field, says that ergonomics helps to prevent MSDs or musculoskeletal disorders. The most common examples of MSDs include; carpal tunnel, tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries, epicondylitis (elbow), trigger finger, muscle strains, and lower back injuries.
MSDs can result from any line of work, or play for that matter, where you do a similar task repeatedly. Many gamers are aware of the importance of placing their gaming keyboard or computer monitor at an optimal height. A chair with an adjustable height not only puts your hands and wrists in the right position, it also aligns your eyes to the correct position in correspondence with the monitor.
Chairs with lumbar support, neck rests, arm rests, and back adjustment also allow you to work or game in a way that is not only comfortable, but that also allows you to use proper body posture for whatever task you’re doing. This is important for the long-term health of the problem areas for MSDs.
Most office chairs for gaming are built with ergonomics in mind. That being said not all of them are meant for the body type or shape of each individual gamer. For that reason, I’m including gaming as well as office chairs in my review. If you don’t care about how a particular chair looks, then often you can get something that’s more comfortable and has more features for less in an office chair rather than gaming chair model.
2017’s Ten Good Ergonomic Office Chairs for Gamers
Budget Option – Lorell Executive High-Back Mesh Chair
The Lorell Executive office chair hits the mark for the mid-range consumer looking for an ergonomic option. Here’s a picture of the chair in my office after 2 years of wear. The seat and mesh back are the same as when I purchased it.This is a chair I’ve owned for the last two years and one of several I have in my current office space. For under $150 it’s fairly inexpensive and is loaded with features. Many put it on the level of Herman Miller’s Aeron chair; however, I wouldn’t really go too far with that comparison. Still, it’s one of the best values you’ll get for what you pay.
Adjustment Options:
The Lorell executive office chair adjusts in almost every way you’d want it to. The armrests make it easy to line it up with your keyboard and the seat height adjusts 17 to 21″ from the floor. The seat back is designed to flow with the curvature of the back and can be adjusted from upright to a layback position. This allows you to either force your posture or even relax when you want to. In addition, the seat adjusts from the straight position and forward about 20 to 30 degrees.
Materials
The back is made entirely of mesh so that it breathes well and gives comfort throughout the day. The seat is a durable fabric that is ideal for long days of work. It’s not as comfortable as leather initially, but it’s not as sticky later on in the day.
Final Thoughts:
I’m a big guy at 6’4″ and around 260 pounds. While the weight limit for this particular chair is 250 pounds, I’ve had no issue with it since I bought it. In addition, the mesh, plastic, and seat show very little wear and tear after 2 years. In other words this is a chair that’s ergonomic, inexpensive, and will last you a long time. It’s ideal for average to tall individuals.
The Herman Miller Aeron chair looks great in any office and is one of the better ergonomic options available. Still, a $700 price tag will price many out of the market.Herman Miller Aeron Chair
It’s hard to imagine spending nearly $1,000 on a chair but considering Herman Miller gives their Aeron chair a 12-year warranty it lessens the blow. Clearly you make up some of that in replacement costs later on. The durability comes from the quality mesh found on the seat and the back as well as the graphite frame.
Design:
The Herman Miller Aeron is functional, looks good, and has some of the better ergonomics I’ve come across. Herman Miller purposely allows for adjustment and avoids straight lines. For this reason, every part of it is made to allow for adjustment and the position of your body.
There are a couple of adjustment features that the Aeron has that you simply don’t find on cheaper office chairs. The one I like the most is the PostureFit back support. While chairs like the Lorell come with curvature in the back, that doesn’t always fit every body type. The PostureFit back allows you to adjust how much of a curve you want to use. In addition, the Aeron chair allows you to swivel the arm rests. This comes in handy if you tend to naturally hold your arms out a bit.
Final Thoughts:
Overall it’s still pricey and many similar features can be found on less expensive chairs. On the other hand, the Aeron’s durability, ergonomics, and comfort are unmatched. If you want the best of the best, then should be at or near the top of your list. Ideal for average heights.
The DX Racer is a bit more expensive than other similar budget options but has a better cushion and feel to it.DX Racer
If you’re looking for something a little bit more sporty to fit in your gaming room, the DC Racer OH/DD01 might just fit the bill. It comes in 4 colors including black and blue, black and red, gray and black, and mostly red and black.
It also includes a lot of adjustable features you’ll want if you use it during long gaming sessions. These include adjustable arms, height, backrest, seat flexibility, and a 180 degree angle adjuster.
In terms of comfort it’s built more for long hours and thus doesn’t have all the plush and cushion that you find with other seats. This is a good thing as it won’t wear quickly but may be a bad thing for some who just jump on their gaming rigs for an hour a night.
For Some but not All:
I know a few people who swear by this chair and if you’re 6’0″ or under and weigh less than 225 pounds / 102 kg I’d completely agree. That being said big and tall gamers may wish to go elsewhere as this chair felt a little narrow to me.
Final Thoughts:
All in all you’re paying a little bit of a premium for the design on this chair. Still, it has the look and feel that many are looking for and thus deserves a spot on our list.
This chair won’t last you forever but for the money it’s comfortable and is an upgrade that most can afford right now.BestOffice High Back Executive PU Leather Ergonomic Computer Chair
If you don’t have a huge budget but still want something with a high back and leather feel to it, this chair is one of the better cheap options that you’ll find. It gives you a bit of lumbar support, reclines, and has a thick cushion.
It’s ideal for laying back, relaxing, and still maintaining some level of posture.
It’s very comfortable and durable for what it is. Don’t expect this chair to last as long as the mesh options out there. That being said for under $100 you should get a few years out of it. For a more durable option consider the real leather version of this chair as well. Available in brown, black, and white.
Herman Miller Sayl
Without all the added options the Sayl is about half the price of other upscale Herman Miller options and may be more comfortable depending on your preference.Expensive for an office chair and inexpensive for a Herman Miller. The Sayl has a few less features than the Aeron, but holds its own appeal. If you’re about average height and are able to go with the fixed arms, you can save quite a bit of money.
Comfort:
This chair is comfortable as a work chair. However, it’s not the type of chair you’d just lay down and relax in. It does lay back; however, there’s a limit to the amount of comfort you get with the Sayl’s suspension back.
Ergonomics:
I try not to talk one chair up too much over another, but it’s hard to beat Herman Miller’s ergonomics. If you have back pain, spend the extra money and go with one of the best.
Final Thoughts:
The Sayl is a budget ergonomic office chair that will work for some. Specifically, I’d recommend it for short to average heights and sizes. Those who are tall may want to look elsewhere or try it out before buying.
Inexpensive options like the Merax High Back 6 have the look and feel that gamers want without the high price tag.Merax High Back Options
To the right is one of 14 options that Merax, a relatively new company in the office chair space, has created for gamers. Options range from high-back, mid-back, mesh, leather, and gaming. Sold from $50 to $200 Merax is hitting the budget consumer with options that are both ergonomic and comfortable. While I’ll be reviewing the High Back 6 option below, the other options they have are solid as well.
Merax High Back 6 Ergonomic Pu Leather Office Chair Review:
At around $180 the Merax High Back 6 has a lot of the look and feel of other chairs twice its price. This executive chair has a high back as well as lumbar support for ergonomics. It’s easy to adjust with the height with the gas lift and the back with the tilt mechanism.
That being said this chair isn’t for everyone. With a maximum weight of 225 pounds and a more upright fit, it’s for average builds and heights.
A Good Chair for Big, Tall, and Heavy Gamers
The Hercules chair is perfect for heavy and tall gamers that want heavy cushioning, a wide seating area, and no armrests.Flash Furniture Hercules Review
Not everyone is made the same. That being said most manufacturers on the market cater towards a specific category in order to reach the most popular demographic. This is frustrating for those who find themselves extremely uncomfortable in a typical chair. Enter the Flash Furniture Hercules.
The Hercules is made for heavier body types with a 400-pound weight capacity. Even if you’re slightly over this weight it’s one of the better chairs to get for the price you pay. Over 500 pounds, I’d probably go elsewhere.
The armrests have been removed to avoid the restriction found in other, more narrow, office chairs. In addition, the thick padding is ideal for comfort during long gaming or working sessions. It’s not a cheap padding either. It’s the kind that is comfortable but won’t sink in after a year’s wear.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re in the 250 to 500 pound category or even if you just have a wide frame, the Hercules is a solid chair that brings comfort and avoids some of the issues that bigger individuals have with the chairs above.
The HumanScale Freedom is a pricey option that works with most body types.HumanScale Freedom Chair
If you want a high-end chair but would rather avoid Herman Miller, I like Humanscale’s freedom chair. At around $1,000 it’s even pricier than the Aeron, but it does have some comfort features I really like.
Available in nearly 50 types of textures it fits into any type of room or office environment. In addition, the chair is comfortable and works with a lot of different body types. Specifically, the recline mechanism is self adjusting and automatically reclines based upon your weight.
It comes with and without headset, but if you order it with the headset, it’s nice because it supports your head and neck as you recline.
Final Thoughts:
It’s pricey, but the HumanScale is nice because it allows you to easily move through different postures that you prefer throughout the day.
Ergohuman Ergonomic Office Chair Review
Another chair that I’ve had here in office is the Ergohuman which I was able to find refurbished for about half the price. It’s fully mesh and has eight different ergonomic adjustments so you can move from position to position.
It’s very comfortable and breathes extremely well. I’d recommend it for average to tall gamers under 275 pounds. Here’s a few pictures I took in my office so you can see it up close.
Here’s a side view to show the adjustable arm height up close. 
The Ergohuman makes it easy to adjust anywhere you need it to. This includes tilt tension, tilt lock, back angle, back height, synchro tilt, seat height, seat depth, and arm height. It’s hard to see in this picture but the headrest can be adjusted up and down as well.
Ergonomic Office Gaming Chairs Overall:
Overall, there’s a lot more options for gamers on the market than I could find just a year or two ago when I wrote a similar article. I still like the Lorell Executive Office chair as a budget ergonomic option for those that can’t afford pricier options.
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Nice article but list is not updated from long time. I found latest list of Top 3 Gaming Chairs for 2016 Here. List has some great quality gaming chairs!!!