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I’m in the belief that gaming chairs are the most important part of one’s gaming setup, and that you don’t want to settle for anything less than the best options. Why? Because you’re going to be sitting in it for hours on end. Two, maybe three at the least. More if you tend to play for longer sessions, and more than half your day if you also work from home even only partially.
You want a good gaming chair so that you’re not only comfortable, but so you can stay supported in the crucial areas where you can end up with temporary soreness or pain (or worse) after extended periods of play over time. This is why chairs with at least some ergonomic features are used by many companies. And why I myself, as well as many others, have moved away from the traditional gaming chair. It’s better for your health, and overall, more comfortable when you’re playing.
With all of that in mind, we’ve rounded up a list of the best gaming chairs you can buy right now. Both functionally, and style-wise.
Mavix M9
- Price: $999
- Where To Buy: Target
We’ve spent a few months with the Mavix M9 since our review of the chair this Summer, and it’s one of the best gaming chairs on the planet hands down. It comes with a higher price than most standard gaming chairs out there but that price is worth it for what you get. What we like most about it adjustable lumbar and the cooling seat.
The seat offers a wide base so there’s tons of room. Plus it uses a memory foam type material that conforms to you so it’s extra comfy even if you’re sitting in it all day. Where it really set itself apart for us was the supportive back, and optional FS 360 armrests that swivel and move in just about every direction. While these don’t come with the chair normally, they’re a great add-on.
The Mavix M9 also offers a great recline, plus recline tension, adjustable seat depth, and more. It’s been one of our favorite gaming chairs to date and that’s because it’s more like an ergonomic chair.
Razer Iskur
- Price: $499.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon
Razer is well-known for its place in the gaming industry and its Iskur chair is the sweet spot we think for those that want a racing-style gaming chair. The biggest reason is because the Iskur offers the adjustable lumbar support that’s built-in instead of using lumbar pillows like most chairs in this design.
And we found that to be more comfortable than similar products like the DX Racer models which use the pillow instead. This chair also features the 4D armrests so you get lots of adjustment for the most comfortable placement of your arms while typing or playing games. And the high-density foam seat cushion is definitely a plus.
It also comes in two different colorways in leather, and one colorway in fabric if you want something more breathable.
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
- Price: $589
- Where To Buy: Amazon
This might look like just another racing-style gaming chair but it’s certainly more than meets the eye. And one of the best gaming chairs you buy right now. First things first, though it doesn’t look it, the Titan Evo 2022 has adjustable lumbar support. And we’re all for adjustable lumbar support both when working and when playing games. Especially during longer play sessions.
You might start playing while sitting one way and then want to switch things up later on. This is where the adjustable lumbar support on the Titan Evo 2022 can come in handy. It uses what Secretlab calls its L-Adapt system that uses a “lattice of living hinges” that go up and down and in and out. Each directional set can be adjust with the corresponding knob on the left and right sides. There’s also adjustable height, recline and tilt tension, and 4D armrests.
Which by the way, are magnetic so you can swap the tops out for a different look. It also comes with a magnetic head pillow that’s easily adjustable too.
Respawn Flexx
- Price: $284.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon
For a more affordable option, the Respawn Flexx has to be one of our favorite gaming chairs and potentially the best option in this price range. What we like about it are the mesh seat and back for great breathability. But that’s not all there is to love. It also has some ergonomic features to bridge that gap between racing-style gaming chair and ergonomic office chair. In fact, design-wise it looks more like an ergonomic chair than a gaming chair.
It comes with an adjustable headrest, adjustable seat depth, seat recline and tilt tension, and a recline lock for when you want to lean back and relax. The one downside is that it doesn’t offer 4D armrests. But at this price there’s going to be some concessions.
Still, if you’re looking for a good gaming chair that doesn’t cost over $500, you can’t really go wrong here.
Herman Miller Vantum
- Price: $795
- Where To Buy: Herman Miller
Moving on up is definitely another one of the best gaming chairs you can buy. The all-new Herman Miller Vantum. The Vantum was designed from the ground up by Herman Miller in partnership with Logitech and made specifically for gaming. But it still keeps a lot of the DNA that makes a Herman Miller chair a Herman Miller chair. Which is the world-class ergonomics.
The Vantum has a high mesh back with adjustable thoracic support, an adjustable headrest, and Herman Miller’s tested Posturefit spinal support system. You can also adjust the seat depth so your legs are at a more ergonomic angle, and the armrests can be adjusted by height, width, and depth.
It also doesn’t hurt that it comes with a 12-year warranty. So if any of the parts fail, Herman Miller takes care of it. It also comes in three colorways. Sure, it’s pricey like the Mavix M9. But if you play long hours and play often, and work from home, think of this as an investment in your back, neck, head, muscles, and joints.
Respawn Spire
- Price: From $422.58
- Where To Buy: Amazon
We’re currently using the Respawn Spire and so far we love a lot about it. First and foremost, the breathable mesh back with the honeycomb support forms to your back and moves as you move. While it doesn’t come with adjustable lumbar support in the same way that most of these other chairs do, it still does adjust to an extent and we’ve found it pretty comfortable. Even after 9 hours of work and multiple hours of game time.
It also has an adjustable headrest, synchro tilt recline with a locking system, and one of our favorite parts, the cooling gel-infused seat to keep your butt cool. The arms also flip backwards to move completely out of the way. Which is great if you want a little extra room to sit cross legged. Additionally the arms can go up and down as well as forward and backward.
Herman Miller Embody Gaming Edition
- Price: $1,845
- Where To Buy: Herman Miller
If you’re going to go all out for a gaming chair that you can probably keep for life, the Herman Miller Embody Gaming Edition is likely that chair. We get it, the price is a huge hang-up and probably will be for many people. But don’t immediately dismiss it because there’s A LOT to love about this chair. Potentially more than any other.
This version of the Embody is a lot like the original, but Herman Miller worked with Logitech G to enhance it with gaming-specific features. Like the seat which now has an extra layer of foam for more comfort over longer periods of sitting.
The armrests are also unique as they move down further than most other chairs. So they move almost entirely out of the way. They can also tilt in and out. Though not like most other arms. Where most chairs the armrest tops and can slide in and out, the arms on the Embody Gaming Edition actually tilt in and out at the base of the arm. Providing a slightly wider range for the adjustable width.
Of course, there’s also adjust seat depth, and the unique back conforms to your spine as you move.
Herman Miller Embody Gaming Edition
Autonomous ErgoChair
- Price: From $432.41
- Where To Buy: Amazon
The ErgoChair isn’t really a gaming chair but we used it for both gaming and work for the better part of a year and half. Day in and day out for about 8-12 hours a day between work and gaming. It offers a lot of really nice ergonomic features for the price and is quite comfortable to sit in for longer periods of time.
You can adjust the seat depth, height, recline and tilt tension, arm width and height, and the arms can even swivel. You also have an adjustable headrest and lumbar support. Quite honestly, one of the best chairs you can buy for gaming in this price range.