If you spend hours gaming, good posture is vital: these chairs offer the support you need to stay fit and focused
Some gamers only value a powerful PC: a high-end graphics card, a fast internet connection and a big monitor are their touchstones. Yet you can’t be a true king of gaming without the right throne.
Of course, the joke in the gaming community is that a dedicated computer chair makes you a wannabe hacker, but don’t listen. A specialist seat can help you maintain a good posture, keep you comfortable and reduce strain and tension during long gaming sessions. That may not sound important, especially to younger gamers, but the last thing you want is an injury that affects your ability to work, rest and kick ass in PUBG or League of Legends.
But what should you look for? Here’s everything you need to know before making a purchase and, below, our top picks of 2019.
How to choose the best gaming chair for you
There are a few key elements that differentiate a gaming chair from a regular office chair. The most obvious is the aesthetics: most gaming chairs are designed to look cool, as if they’ve been plucked out of a race car or an oversized PC rig. They come in a variety of eye-catching colours so, if you’ve had your heart set on a bright orange chair, you may be in luck. Of course, there are more professional-looking designs, too. Aesthetics are subjective so pick whatever captures your heart.
Gaming chairs also come in a range of materials, from fabric to real and synthetic leather. Make the right choice: if you’re gaming in a hot room, a fabric chair might get uncomfortable. That’s not the case with a mesh-styled gaming chair or one that uses premium materials.
Chair size is another important consideration. Gaming chairs provide neck support, often with dedicated neck and lumbar pillows, so they’re comfortable to sit in for long periods. To get the benefit, though, you need a chair that’s the right size for your body. Pay close attention to the dimensions and check the height adjustment options.
For the snuggest fit, you may want to choose a car-seat style design, which will typically include thigh support side bolsters, along with waist and shoulder pads that resemble a racing seat.
E-Win Flash XL: Perfect for tall individuals
Being tall has its benefits: you can see over people’s heads and might be mistaken as ‘The Mountain’ from Game of Thrones. However, when it comes to gaming chairs your options are somewhat limited – not every chair will accommodate your tall frame and if you’ve been hitting the gym your body won’t fit in some of these bespoke narrow chairs. Alas, E-Win Europe’s Flash XL caters for such individuals.
The chair is supremely comfortable with cold moulding foam, has all the right adjustments and is wide, tall, large and strong enough, too. It has 4D armrests, a rocking mechanism (but with no angle lock), comes with lumbar and neck pillows and comes with a 5-year warranty. If you’re tall or well-built, the Flash XL is an excellent choice.
Key specs – Height adjustability: 12cm; Width of seat base (inner): 38-42cm; Length of backrest: 85cm; Width of backrest (total and inner): 57cm and 34cm; Backrest adjustability: 85-155°; Seat depth: 54cm; 4D armrest: Yes, lockable; Rocking mechanism:Yes up to 11° with no angle lock; Pillows: Yes, lumbar and neck; Maximum weight (user):150kg; Warranty: 5 years
Note: This is a review post from Expertreviews.