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Before we get down to the noteworthy factors to consider, we should do a brief run-down of what gaming chairs are and the types of gaming chairs available. Gaming chair are specialized chairs with expert customization primarily intended for gaming and entertainment use. The core attributes of these breathtaking engineering marvels are luxurious comfort, awesome sound system, and impressive aesthetics.
It is hard to not drool at a well-designed and immensely equipped gaming chair. Gaming chairs are not exactly exclusive for gaming or entertainment purposes only. You can also use them for relaxation to great effect. Furthermore, individuals in all age groups can use gaming chairs. However, certain chairs are designed from the ground-up to be best adapted for individuals in certain age groups.
Types of Gaming Chairs
The major types of gaming chairs heavily influence your gaming experience. Nonetheless, what type you choose rarely has anything to do with quality concerns. Rather, it depends a great deal on select factors such as preferred gaming titles, position of your viewing screen (TV or desktop monitor), usage needs, etc.
Racing Chairs
If you are a big fan of racing titles and you do not have a racing chair, then you are missing out on an immersive, exhilarating experience. Racing chairs almost feel like simulators with their specialized steering and pedals that make gaming feel as though you were teleported to the gaming universe. You can practically hear the gushing sound encapsulate your senses and use the built-in custom steering and pedals as you would with a standard car. The basic price tag for this chair type is around $400, though this varies. However, you are all in for the utmost experience, you can drop more greens for extra features.
Gaming Rockers
Gaming rockers take comfort to another level. The emphasis in on relaxation, as you can lay back, unwind, and enjoy every millisecond of your favorite game. Thanks to this approach, gaming rockers are actually more adept than any other type of gaming chair for entertainment and general relaxation purposes. The L-shape allows you to maintain a close proximity to the screen while you stay close to the ground in an enjoyable fashion to watch your favorite TV show or to muse over the idyllic notes of pleasant music tracks.
Pedestal Gaming Chairs
Pedestal gaming chairs are more into the gaming experience and are appropriate when your TV or desktop monitor has a bit of height. As opposed to the gaming rocker, it stays off the ground and provides swivel features. You can afford to cross your legs better and take advantage of multiple features like an improved, immersive sound system. It is the closest of the gaming chair types to a traditional chair, so you’ll get right into the feel of it without much ado. Furthermore, it is a good fit for really tall people, say six feet and above.
PC Gaming Chairs
While not strictly intended for the gamer, these chairs can be durable, made of high-quality materials, and extremely comfortable for long term use. While they are not usually equipped with all the bells and whistles like built-in speakers or steering wheels, many gamers prefer to go this route as all they already have a decent sound system and are only going for comfort.
Comfort
Whether your a PC, Xbox One, or PS4 gamer, the most important factor to consider across the board is your comfort. It tops the list of reasons why you would rather not game on your couch. Investing in a high-quality chair would make you easily game for long sessions without having to deal with body aches or other health issues.
The foremost component when choosing a gaming chair for your ultimate comfort is the kind of game you would spend most of your time on. A racing game would certainly require a racing chair. A pedestal gaming chair would be ideal for a fast-paced FPS title. While the rocker gaming chair would be suitable for titles (often strategy games) that are slow-paced, yet require a great deal of attention.
Another component to pay mind to is the headrest. This is especially important if you would also use the chair for entertainment purposes or for slow action gaming. Aside these two components, you should also pay heed to the design of the seat and back. The perfect gaming chair for you should fit your body shape and be neither too soft nor too firm; it should be just about right and good enough for all night gaming.
Ergonomics
This is an extension of the first factor—comfort. To put it simply, the ergonomics of gaming chairs refers to how much control a user has to fine-tune the chair for optimum personalized comfort. Gamers are humans after all with different body stature. Therefore, while two or more gamers can purchase the same gaming chair, each gamer would have to personalize the chair to suit themselves.
That is the whole point of ergonomics, and the rule of thumb is; “More control is better.” Usually, the more expensive gaming chairs offer more adjustment features for extra personalization than gaming chairs at the other end of the stick. Regardless, the following main adjustment features should come standard in a high-performance gaming chair:
- Armrest Height Control; to regulate the height of the armrest
- Backrest Lock; to lock the backrest firmly—a nice addition to tension control
- Height Control; to regulate height of the chair—standard on virtually all office chairs
- Seat Pan Slider; to enable you move the seat of the gaming chair, in relation to the backrest, either forward or backward
- Tension Control; to enable you either increase or reduce the amount of pressure you have to apply to the backrest to lean back
Price
Making a decision solely based on price is not a route we recommend. However, we do understand that cost is an important factor that guides most of our daily purchases. With that said, the recommended route to take as regards price is to first run up a checklist on what you want in a gaming chair. Then, after finding a gaming chair that fits your needs, you can then consider your budget. Furthermore, you should be flexible when considering you cost. Going slightly over your budget to get a chair that is more durable and comfortable, certainly beats purchasing a much cheaper model where quality is often sacrificed. In addition to the features, the brand name, design, and materials used influence the price tag of a gaming chair.
Audio
If what you want in a gaming chair goes beyond just comfort and enters the realm of having an immersive experience, then this factor should rank high on your list. A gaming experience that incorporates the deep sounds of weapons blasting in full surround from a gaming chair clearly beats the experience that incorporates sounds coming from your PC, TV, or separate speakers. Going forward, you shouldn’t be fazed by the availability of speakers in a gaming chair. You have to be more thorough. Our advice is that you choose a gaming chair equipped with subwoofers. The better sound quality will give you the ultimate gaming experience.
Vibration
Still talking about an immersive experience, sound is not the only factor that contributes. Vibration does too. When vibration complements sounds right, you would not want to press the pause button. Vibrations move the realism meter up a notch, and your overall gaming experience will be through the roof.
Control Panel
An easily accessible control panel with vital controls that you can use without leaving the comfort of your seat might not readily pop up as a high-ranking factor to consider. However, it is very important. Changing settings regardless of complexity should be seamless. Furthermore, you should ensure that the control panel has a jack for your headphones or gaming headset, which would be handy when you have to join in multi-player games.
Material
The two common materials used for designing quality gaming chairs are mesh and leather. We get that aesthetics might make you drift towards one or the other. However, aesthetics shouldn’t be the number 1 reason why you should go with either material. Your body physiology should. Gamers react differently to long gaming sessions. Some get sweaty; others get old or maintain basal body temperature. If you are in the first group, you should get a mesh gaming chair—mesh is highly breathable. If you are in the second group, then leather would be a great fit—leather retains heat.
Style
This may not be a make-or-break feature for some, but we like to think that looks do matter for everyone. So, yea, you might not be looking to make a statement with a gaming chair, but it shouldn’t look like a broken record either. As regards style, we urge you to go to town with what you want from a gaming chair. Yea, that’s right, what style is best for you is whatever tickles your fancy.
1. X Rocker 51396 Pro Series Pedestal 2.1 Review
If there’s one thing to appreciate about the X Rocker 51396 Pro Series, it is the fact that it is a looker. There’s no doubt that it’ll fit right the style of most gamers with its awesome padding system and leather feel. Its fully featured control panel is located at the side of the chair. The control panel includes an input and out jack, as well as separate controls for volume and bass.
The X Rocker 51396 takes ergonomics to a new level. Sitting on the chair for long gaming sessions will not leave you with debilitating back pain. Building on that, it features exquisite gunstock arms that offer you better flexibility during gaming. It also has swivel capabilities.
Armed with exciting speakers and a top-performing subwoofer, the X Rocker 51396 offers one of the most immersive gaming experience you can get out of a gaming chair. The speakers handle the sound, while the subwoofer in addition to handling sound offers amazing vibrations. Together, you wouldn’t want to get up as it would practically mean you leaving your exciting gaming world for ours.
- Exquisite design with leather
- Fully featured control panel
- High-end ergonomics with terrific gunstock arms
- High-quality audio
- Impressive ability to connect with multiple chairs
- Built-in radio wireless receiver and wireless transmitter
- Ability to connect with multiple chairs
2. X Rocker 51259 Pro H3 4.1 Review
The X Rocker 51259 offers full back support and comfortable cushion for necessary comfort. Its innovation design offers it a base with terrific spin and tilt capabilities. Even better, when it is not in use, you can fold it up and store it anywhere in your house without having to worry about space.
The X Rocker 51259 is wholly audio-centric and is equipped with four speakers and a subwoofer. The thrilling sound offered by this high-quality system is out of this world. It doesn’t just offer an immersive gaming experience, it offers an exhilarating experience whether you want to listen to music or watch a movie.
- High-end ergonomics
- Outstanding audio
- Built-in radio wireless transmitter
- Built-in radio wireless transmitter for increased connectivity with an annoying clutter of wires
- Top notch volume controller