The Complete Guide to Buying a Cheap Gaming Chair

If you spend more than 2 hours a day gaming, then it’s about time that you invest in a gaming chair. Not only are gaming chairs more comfortable, but can also do wonders for your posture. However, with so much variety, it’s easy to get confused on which gaming chair offers the best bang for your buck.

So in this comprehensive guide we’ll discuss everything you should know before buying a gaming chair. That includes, what exactly is a gaming chair, what features to look for when buying one, the different types and much more!

Keeping all of the above information in mind, let us begin!

What are Gaming Chairs?

Despite the name, gaming chairs aren’t just used for gaming. They are simply created with the intent to provide comfort and relaxation to anyone that uses them.

Even though the original plan for these chairs was that they were to be used for gaming, you can find these chairs in a number of different settings these days.

If you pay close attention you’ll see that they are used by office workers to boost their productivity, as well as people who suffer from back complications along with those who have mobility issues.

The original gaming chairs were created as race car simulation seats so the ones that have come after have followed the same pattern with their tall straight backs and thick upholstery.

However, since the dawn of the new era, gaming chairs have evolved and now come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. You can even find a massage gaming chair in the market, so how cool is that?

What to Look for in a Gaming Chair?

Before we get into the different types of gaming chairs available today, we’d like to tell you about some of the features that should be present in a gaming chair.

You need to carefully select the chair that offers the best value for money and that can only happen if you know the features you’re looking for.

• Ergonomics

Ergonomics is widely considered to be the most essential aspect of a gaming chair. It is the first thing gamers look for when choosing a chair for themselves. But what is considered to be an ergonomic chair and even, what is it to begin with?

Ergonomics are simply how the chair is designed and optimized to best fit and support the user sitting on it. An ergonomic assists you in maintaining a good posture which in turn minimizes the tension on your spine and enhances your movement.

Now that you know the basic definition, let’s look at the features that determine whether a gaming chair was ergonomically designed. Some important features to look out for are:

• Adjustability: It should include adjustable arm rests, seat height and back angle to completely fit your body type and to perfectly align with your gaming desk.
  

• Lumbar Support: Top of the line gaming chairs have lumbar supports that fit your spines curve or can be adjusted until it does through the use of a back pillow mostly.

The more expensive gaming chairs have additional features like 4D armrests and breathable mesh materials that make the chair more ergonomic. However, if you’re going for a cheap gaming chair, then you’d have to sacrifice some of these features.

• Material And Build Quality

The build quality and material of a chair directly affects its longevity. So, avoid chairs that have a poor build quality.

The build quality is also closely linked to the price of the chair so you might have to jack up your budget to get a longer lasting gaming chair.

The first thing to look for when assessing the build quality of a chair is the frame. If the frame is made from steel or any other type of metal then it is considered to be of a high quality.

Next you have to look at its base to check its width. Nowadays, white gaming chairs with a wide aluminum base have been gaining popularity all across the world.

Whereas gaming chairs with narrow nylon bases are being slowly discarded due to their lack of stability.

• Recommended Height and Weight

It is an obvious fact that every chair cannot fit all kinds of people. Mostly because everyone has a different body type. So it would be wise to check the recommended height and weight of a gaming chair before you buy it.

Nowadays many gaming chairs constructed vary greatly in terms of their height and the weight they can hold. The “big and tall” have the capacity to support over 500 lbs and are above 6 feet in height.

Thus, asking the recommended height and weight from the seller beforehand is an extremely important step in the process.

Types of Gaming Chairs

• PC Gaming Chairs

We can imagine that the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “gaming chair” is a PC gaming chair or more precisely, chairs that sit behind desks.

In fact, most people still consider these to be the only ones that can be classified as gaming chairs. So for those of you who need a comfy office chair or a chair to play games on your PC, this is the obvious choice.

The typical design of a PC gaming chair consists of a mobile 5 wheeled base designed like a star, and a thick pedestal seat.

Most also have the ability to swivel which allows you to be mobile around your desk. However, the features that make PC gaming chairs so appealing are the high armrests to support your wrists and the high back which offers support to your neck and back.

Almost all of these chairs have an upright design to help you maintain body posture but some can be adjusted and tilted according to the user.

Moreover, the difference between a good PC gaming chair and an excellent one is the amount of adjustability it offers. Which is precisely why GT Omega gaming chairs are gaining so much clout these days.

• Console Gaming Chairs

From the name it’s pretty obvious that these are gaming chairs made for console gamers. And unlike PC gaming chairs, they offer a greater variety in terms of shapes and sizes.

They’re also more versatile than the ones mentioned above. However, the most popular to date is still the “rocker” also known as the “L shaped” gaming chair.

This specific chair does not have a pedestal seat or a 5 wheel base, rather it has a circular base and a rocking chair that’s very close to the floor.

Their defining feature though is the fact that the backrest can rock back and forth as the user moves. Additionally, if you scour the internet you’ll even find a few console gaming chairs with footrests.

These gaming chairs are especially popular among Xbox users. In fact, some of these Xbox gaming chairs are a sight to behold.

• Bean Bag Chairs

Bean bag chairs are probably the least complex of the lot but we have to admit, they are a ton of fun to use.

Bean bag chairs are just large sacks filled with foam or beads covered by a sack made of either microfiber or suede. They may not be as ergonomic as for example a Playstation gaming chair but if it's pure comfort you’re after then these are perfect.

An advantage the bean bag chairs hold over other types of gaming chairs is that they adjust according to your body and accommodate a range of body positions and postures.

Furthermore, they’re much cheaper than the other options on the market. As a matter of fact, some are even large enough to allow you to lay down flat on your belly or back.

Other Factors to Consider When Buying a Gaming Chair

1. Brand Reliability

Now that you understand the type of chair you want and the features you should look for, the next logical step is to decide which brand you’re going to buy from.

Ideally, you should stick with a more reliable brand, or at least the ones that are growing fast in popularity.

That’s because a chair is only as good as its brand. Besides, if you buy from a reputable brand then the chances of your chair having a fault in it are very slim.

Some reliable brands with good reputations are:

• XRocker for console gaming chairs and LED gaming chairs.

• Herman Miller for ergonomic office chairs.

• Maxnomic for PC gaming chairs.

If you’re looking for more leads then LuminaBlog has plenty of company profiles to offer you more insight.

2. Reviews and Ratings

Last but not least, be sure to check the ratings and online shopping website reviews of any chair you decide to buy as they provide you with a lot of information about the faults and features of a particular chair.

It’s also worth checking the 3 and 2 star reviews given by the users to learn more about the faults you can expect from the chair.

Final Thoughts

Due to an increase in Twitch and Youtube streamers who regularly use these gaming chairs, more and more people have become enticed to buy a gaming chair for themselves.

And with the guide we’ve laid out above, buying a good gaming chair has become incredibly easy.

So without wasting anymore time go ahead and buy your very first gaming chair by following the steps we’ve laid out and enjoy the benefits it offers!