Picking up the best gaming chair is all about looking for a seat that brings the best ergonomic design and the most robust build quality together with a heavy emphasis on comfort and personalization. Just consider the amount of time you’ll be parked on your behind in it; surely it makes sense to opt for a chair built to support you first and then think about how good it looks.

While some of the best gaming chairs may come with a higher price tag, remember, like any piece of quality furniture, it’s worth the investment. Our bodies require proper care, and the Secretlab Titan Evo stands out as the best gaming chair today, blending the best features from Secretlab’s previous models and a decent warranty should something go wrong.For an affordable recommendation, the best budget gaming chair is the Corsair TC100 Relaxed, as it’s a supremely comfortable chair with a subtle and premium feeling aesthetic for less than you might expect.

In our pursuit of the best, we’ve rigorously tested a ton of gaming and office chairs from respected brands to guarantee each recommendation in this guide has met our stringent standards. 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.

Senior Hardware Editor

The quick list

The best chair overall

TheSecretlab Titanis the benchmark by which we judge all other gaming chairs. To earn that role it ticked all the boxes you could ask of gaming furniture: it’s comfy, supportive, and importantly looks great too.

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Best affordable chair

The thick cushion, broad design, and refined styling make this a good gaming chair, but the fact Corsair has managed to get the price down without compromising on comfort is what makes the TC100 Relaxed a great gaming chair.

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The best luxury chair

The Herman Miller Embody oozes premium- you’d expect nothing less at this price. With superb comfort and a warranty spanning over a decade, it’s absolutely the chair of choice if you’re willing to invest in ergonomics.

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The best office chair

A brilliant option if you’re after something more traditional-looking, the NeueChair’s mesh design keeps you cool for long periods and offers elite build quality.

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The best for back support

The ThunderX3 came outta nowhere to deliver excellent lumbar support in an affordable package. We love it.

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The best for larger frames

Coming in two sizes – L and XL – the Kaiser 3 is the best gaming chair for anyone who finds most chairs too tight or too flimsy. It’s big, it’s solid, it’s comfortable – it’s genuinely amazing.

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Updated July 19 2024 to refresh the review copy for the ThunderX3 Core and the Andaseat Kaiser 3 XL. Our recommendations remain the same.

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 the previous versions of the Titan Evo, but there you could pick between small, regular and extra large models. No such confusion here, as the Titan Evo now comes in one size that really does fit most. Those looking for something extra-large would do well to check out the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL, but for the rest of you, the Titan Evo should do very nicely.

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. Our review model came in a new coating Secretlab calls Neo Hybrid leathette, which feels airy and cool over the course of a long day, and really looks the part.

The upholstery 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.

The detachable head cushion is magnetic, and very supportive. For that matter, so are the arm rests, which deliver 4D movement (that’ll be up, down, forwards, backwards, side-to-side, and rotation) and should fit into most desks. Most arms too, 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 its 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.

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The best affordable gaming chair

The Corsair TC100 Relaxed has entered the gaming chair space with 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 81cm 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 its 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 3 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, its 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 chairs 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 an affordable 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 $1,595/$1,195.

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 that 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 reckon 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, like 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 arm rest adjustment. You don’t get fancy 4D movement here, although they are adjustable to a degree, and comfortable in their own right.

When it comes down to brass tacks, certain purchases are more like investments. And investing in an expensive, but truly brilliant chair is a smart move. You’ll spend so much of your time here, it really does make sense to spend a lot now, and feel the benefits over the years to come.

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, its practically part of the furniture (boo, hiss). That’s because its got so much going for it in the support and build quality department, it simply hasn’t been bested, even here in 2024.

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 its 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 its 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 its 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 $729, 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 not only be 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 still 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 its 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.

To top it all off, the ThunderX3 Core also comes with a multipurpose cushion. You can place it under your feet to raise them—or simply to have something cushy to rub your socks against—or you can separate it into two cushions that can work as armrests, or something to put your controller or laptop on in your lap.

Fabric and leatherette versions are available in various colors, and all for an MSRP of $399. That’s a fair bit cheaper than a lot of other competing chairs, but it does come with a caveat: this chair is currently quite difficult to find in the US. Our stateside friends may well be better off going for the Secretlab Titan Evo for a gaming chair, or the NeueChair if you’re looking for something more office-focussed, as both of those models offer superb back support as well.

Or there’s the Logitech G x Herman Miller Embody, which is good at just about everything—if you’re prepared to put down some serious cash. Still, if you can get hold of one, the ThunderX3 Core is still the best chair for back support. 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 you’re on the larger side, it can be difficult to find comfortable chairs. A lot of models have fairly aggressive sculpting that can be very supportive for some, but really dig in for others, or simply not reach high enough to provide proper back support. The Andaseat Kaiser 3 XL, however, has you covered, as its been designed to provide plenty of room and comfort for larger people. It’s also a brilliant chair all round, making it the best chair for larger frames by far.

The XL model is for people between 5’11” and 6’9″, but its not just height that it accommodates for. The seat base itself is just shy of 21 inches wide, and it supports weights up to 395 lbs, meaning that most should find a good level of comfort here. There’s also the slightly smaller and cheaper large model, if all that extra seat isn’t needed for your particular frame.

The Kaiser XL comes in a choice of finishes—PVC leather, linen fabric and anti-stain PU leather. Our PVC leather review model looked great in black with orange stitching, although the linen model is likely to be better for ventilation purposes.

All that chair real estate means little if you can’t adjust it to find the right position for you, but here the Kaiser 3 XL has no issues. The 4D armrests are highly adjustable, and the magnetic neck pillow provides plenty of support. It’s made of a hybrid of memory foam and cooling gel as well, making it a very comfy and easy to adjust thanks to those powerful magnets. Slap it in place, move it up and down to your exact neck height, or remove it entirely if you prefer.

There’s no lumbar support pillow, but that’s because the chair has an adjustable lumbar cushion built in. You can adjust it to your hearts content with two knobs located either side of the backrest, but they’re in awkward positions, it must be said. The lumbar support itself is far from awkward though, you’ll just find yourself either bending into odd positions to adjust it, or jumping in and out of the chair to test your latest setting.

Our best chair overall, the Secretlab Titan Evo, should also fit most frames and is easier to adjust, but it isn’t quite as large as the Kaiser 3 XL. While the adjustment here can be a bit of a pain, once you’ve found the right position you should be all set, and that’s a small price to pay for all the chair on offer.

Other than that little hiccup, there’s very little not to like about this big, comfortable and supportive chair. It doesn’t come with a footrest, but that big seat base should support your legs well enough that one isn’t strictly necessary.

It’s big, it’s very adjustable, well-made, and at $500, well priced, too. If most seats are too small, the Andaseat Kaiser 3 Xl is the best seat for larger frames we’ve tried, and should do you proud for years to come.

Read our full Andaseat Kaiser 3 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.

Best gaming chairs FAQ