As gamers, we spend a lot of time in our seats, and the destruction that constant sitting can do to our bodies is no joke. Sitting for long periods of time with bad posture can lead to back problems later in life and inhibits blood flow, putting you at risk of blood clots.
That is why there has been such a huge demand for ergonomic and stylish gaming chairs, as gamers want to be able to comfortably and safely stay seated while grinding out long hours on the computer.
The first push for specialization in computer-focused seating came with the introduction of ergonomic office chairs from the late-‘90s and early-2000s.
Those simple and bland designs have since been elevated by gamers, creating superbly stylish designs that integrate the latest in ergonomic technology, promoting positive seating habits.
The first thing that you will want to think about is your own personal comfort. There are a multitude of builds on gaming chairs, so finding the one that is right for you should not be a problem. These chairs all have a variety of factors that will be broken down for you.
One of the most important aspects of a positive gaming posture is having a place to comfortably rest your arms. All quality gaming chairs should have adjustable armrests, though some have more adjustability than others.
1D arms only have the ability to adjust height. 2D arms adjust height and location of rests front to back. 3D is height as well as rests front to back and side to side. 4D adds the ability to swivel the rests inwards and outwards.
Not every gamer needs all four dimensions of adjustment, though, and deciding to go with 3D armrests will save you some money if you do not need your rests to swivel.
There are many gaming chairs under $100 for people who want a good gaming chair but don’t have a large budget.
Another aspect to consider is the material that the article is made from.
Most chairs will use either faux or manufactured leather materials, while others use cloth or mesh. While the manufactured leathers are sleek, stylish, and easy to clean, there are some gamers who may need something more breathable like fabric.
Without the ability to walk into a storefront and try out every material yourself, it is sometimes hard for gamers to know which material works the best for their body type.
That is why I find it easy to imagine gaming seats the way that I do car seats. Both are designed with similar principles – especially in the last 10 years, or so – and usually use similar materials as well.
PU Leather and PVC Leather are types of plastic-based manufactured leathers that are common in new cars and give a more rigid feel for, typically, a higher price. Fabric chaiGrs will probably start out a bit more forgiving and comfortable, for cheaper, but might not last as long.
The most important thing that a gaming chair does is support your spine.
Humans are beings that have fragile spines which need to be taken care of, and gaming chair companies design their chairs with this in mind. Many chairs will have adjustable pillows, both for lumbar and neck support.
Typically these pillows are placed with straps, though sometimes Velcro has been known to be used, and, in newer high-end chairs, magnets have begun being introduced.
Higher end chairs tend to go for mesh, because the elastic netting provides excellent support, wonderful comfort, and the porous nature of the material cools like no other.
For lumbar support, these chairs will usually have a classically adjustable press from the back through the netting, rather than the standard pillow. Sleek, comfortable, and cooling, the downside of mesh is that the elastic will stretch out if the quality is low, so do not skimp on mesh-backed chairs.
Another key thing to keep in mind is that, typically, the lower quality/worse chairs will be the ones offering the flashier colors.
This does not mean that all chairs with interesting and cool aesthetics are the worst ones of the bunch, but, rather, that it is important to not judge a gaming chair by the picture on the website.
Great gaming chairs come in all patterns and designs, so the one to fit your style and unique ergonomic needs is out there.