- Gaming chairs prioritize style and look over ergonomic function (designed for efficiency and comfort in the work environment).
- They are not as comfortable as other alternatives in the market.
- The hefty price tag may not offer good value for money.
- They may be stylish but are not suited for long sessions in opposition to office chairs.
As gamers, we all want the flashiest and the most visually appealing gaming gear. We often customize our setups according to our vision. One such item that heightens the aesthetic appeal of our setup is none other than a gaming chair.
Gaming chairs first appeared in the early 2000s targeting professional gamers and streamers. The design of these chairs was sleek and stylish to attract gamers, often mimicking race car seats. As the gaming industry grew the demand for these chairs and other specialized gaming equipment also increased.
As the demand for these chairs increases so does their price point. The price often exceeds several hundred dollars with most costing between 200 to 500 dollars for cheap ones. The more expensive and better gaming chairs cost upwards of 500 dollars. With this price point, one has to wonder: are these gaming chairs worth the investment, or are they just overpriced hype?
The Marketing Strategy
Companies use a simple strategy where they capitalize on a gamer’s psyche. The advertisements highlight the designs, vibrant colors, and collaborations with popular games and esports teams. Popular influencers and professional gamers showcase these chairs frequently in their streams or social media.
This leads to gaming chairs being a must-have item for gamers, with companies like Corsair and Secret Lab being among the top. The Corsair TC 100 is a good option to go for if you have the budget in my opinion (one of the cheaper models).
In addition, companies claim that gaming chairs offer superior ergonomics as opposed to office chairs. They flex features such as adjustable armrests, lumbar support, and reclining capability of the chair. Companies deliver a clear message that being: if you want to game like a pro, you need the right equipment to back you up.
The Ergonomic Argument
One of the main selling points of gaming chairs is their ergonomic design. To gamers good posture and comfort while gaming is a must. They tend to choose the equipment that provides the best comfort as poor seating can lead to back pain and other issues. The main question is: do these chairs provide the ergonomic support they claim?
While many experts claim that gaming chairs fo offer some ergonomic benefits, they are often no better than high-quality office chairs. Gaming chairs mostly fall short on comfort and support despite all claims not to mention they are overpriced.
The racing seat style may be visually appealing but was never meant to be used by gamers sitting at a desk. The design was meant to keep race car drivers in place and considering how gaming can be tiring not being able to move freely may seem highly uncomfortable.
Gaming chairs may work fine in short sessions but in prolonged sessions, they often fail to provide comfort. The Corsair TC500 LUXE is also a good gaming chair if you have the investment needed but comes with a big price tag.
Price vs Value
Gaming chairs are often overpriced making them out of reach for many gamers. High-end models can easily cost upwards of 500 dollars with some being over 1000 dollars too. Considering this price and what I mentioned above gamers can invest in a premium office chair such as the Herman Miller Aeron or Steelcase Leap (that are much cheaper).
When I compared gaming chairs to office chairs the latter won in terms of durability, adjustability, and overall comfort. Taking into account long-term use and functionality, office chairs are better between the two. One cheap gaming chair, however, that I have used and recommend is the Caliber R1.
What I Would Choose
I can say without a doubt that gaming chairs have become a big thing in the gaming world. They are a gaming accessory that every gamer wants to have. But considering the comfort level and price point alongside other factors I would rather have a premium office chair. Although they do not have much style, it would be a better investment considering my long gaming sessions.
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[Wiki Editor]
Ali Rashid Khan is an avid gamer, hardware enthusiast, photographer, and devoted litterateur with a period of experience spanning more than 14 years. Sporting a specialization with regards to the latest tech in flagship phones, gaming laptops, and top-of-the-line PCs, Ali is known for consistently presenting the most detailed objective perspective on all types of gaming products, ranging from the Best Motherboards, CPU Coolers, RAM kits, GPUs, and PSUs amongst numerous other peripherals. When he’s not busy writing, you’ll find Ali meddling with mechanical keyboards, indulging in vehicular racing, or professionally competing worldwide with fellow mind-sport athletes in Scrabble at an international level. Currently speaking, Ali has completed his A-Level GCEs with plans to go into either Allopathic Medicine or Business Studies, or who knows, perhaps a full-time dedicated technological journalist.
Get In Touch: alirashid@tech4gamers.com
