Are Gaming Chairs Worth It? 10 Things to Consider Before Buying A Gaming Chair
Introduction
If you define yourself as an amateur or professional gamer, you must have heard or even been hyped about gaming chairs. The truth is, gaming chairs are not only beneficial for gamers but also for other people who spend most of their time in front of the screens because of their specific design to support your posture.
However, when taking the price into account, gaming chairs often cost much more than an office chair with a similar function. So the question that we are all wondering about is “Are they worth it?”
Are Gaming Chairs Worth It?
The answer is both yes and no.
The money you spend on gaming chairs is not always worth it if you just consider their function as chairs to sit on. If you are looking for a comfortable chair that can support your spinal alignment and sitting posture, it is not always necessary to purchase an impressive gaming chair.
However, if you consider all the features of a gaming chair, you might change your mind about it especially when you want to improve your game setup. Above all, it’s all about the gaming experience!
If you have already made up your mind of buying a gaming chair, here are the things that you need to consider before making an order.
10 Things To Consider Before Buying a Gaming Chair
1. Types of gaming chairs
Talking about gaming chairs, there is a wide range of types on the market. Depends on which kind of game is your interest, you can narrow down your matching options.
For PC gamers, the most popular type is PC gaming chairs which are equipped with various customized options such as adjustable armrest or special lumbar support.
If you are a console gamer, Rocker or Pedestal chairs are created for you. They are designed to match the average height of the TV screen and often come with space for your controllers.
Another particular type of gaming chair is the racer chair, which stimulates the racing car seat to enhance your oversteering experience.
2. Size of gaming chairs to fit your body size
Height and weight are important determinants when choosing a gaming chair. There are certain kinds of gaming chairs that are more suitable for smaller players such as DXRacer Formula Series.
And there are also some gaming chair products that have larger seats. Therefore, when viewing the product online, do not forget to take a look at the size of the chairs and measure if it fits your body.
3. Material options
Material is one of the key features of a gaming chair’s appearance. Most of the gaming chairs are made of three kinds of material, namely: Leather, Mesh, and Fabric. Each of them have their own pros and cons that you need to consider in advance.
Leather is more appealing and aesthetic, also, the texture is easy to wipe. But, when it comes to durability, leather gaming chair often get complaints since most of them are actually PU ( Polyurethane) instead of genuine leather.
Meanwhile, Mesh chair looks less attractive compare to other materials, but it’s breathability feature which keeps you cool and sweat-free is a plus.
Fabric is more or less the most popular material for gaming chairs because of its durability and comfortability. But, the drawback is once there’s a stain, it’s sometimes hard to clean.
4. Adjustment features
Adjustment features are the factors that make gaming chair more desirable for gamers. Generally, gaming chairs are more advanced than normal office chairs in terms of adjustability.
Most of the gaming chairs include similar adjustment options, such as height, armrest or tilt-recline adjustment. However, the level and flexibility of the adjust vary from chairs to chairs.
For example, for some high-end chairs, they can recline further back or adjust the armrest to multiple directions until you can find your sweet spot.
So, remember to check these functions carefully since it can affect your gameplay.
5. Neck & Lumbar support pillow
Imagine when you spend hours from dusk to dawn sitting in front of the screen, you put so much pressure on your neck and back. If you don’t take good care of it, it might lead to serious consequences such as sore pain or herniated lumbar disc.
Therefore, the neck and lumbar support pillows are significant parts of the gaming chair to consider. Some kinds of gaming chairs are equipped with fixed pillows or built-in pillow which you can also adjust the position.
Some chairs are equipped with separated ones and attached by elasticated straps so it won’t move when you change the sitting position. So, make sure the chair that you want to buy provides these pillows or cushions.
If you have a chance to try on a gaming chair, check these cushions carefully because they are where all the comfort comes from.
6. Base and rollers
The flexibility and moving ability of a gaming chair depends on the base and roller. Some gaming chairs are equipped with five feet base in order to distribute the weight evenly and create balance, and the rollers that glide on the surface to maneuver the chair around your gaming area.
Depend on how active you are during your game, you decide to buy the chair with a sturdy base or not. These features of gaming chairs not only attract gamers but also extensive sitting people.
7. Interactive system
Integrated technology on the gaming chairs is the feature that differentiates gaming chairs with a normal office chair.
Within these special functions, interactive system, such as the sound and vibration system, is the one that attracts most players. Some of the modern sound systems include integrated speaker side and subwoofer back which offer the best surround sound effect like a home-cinema.
The vibration motor works synchronized with the sound system and actives during shots, hits, and explosion. Thanks to these added-value effects, you will immerse in the game flow and feel the game much better. Checking for these features and the adjustment level of the system is also a must before purchasing a gaming chair.
8. Connectivity and ports
Connectivity and ports are also parts of the gaming chair’s integrated technology. There are two types of connectivity systems: wireless and wired.
For a wireless connection, you can find the Bluetooth option or wifi option, which are both acceptably good. Choosing which one is based on your preference. And if you are on a budget, a wired connection is more suitable.
Ports are also a significant concern and the most standard one is headphone port. The other ports which are not always available on every gaming chair are HDMI, VGA or DVI. So consider your using demand when viewing the gaming chair products.
9. Brand and manufacturers
On the market, you can find plentiful gaming chairs companies selling the similar products with the same model.
This can be called private labeling. These chairs possibly came from the same manufacturer and the company bought them in bulk and tailored their labels and logos.
Therefore, make sure that you consider all the options and not only the logo and the brand because there is always an identical one at a cheaper price. The recommendation would be purchasing from a well-known brand such as DXRacer, Secretlab and always check for review from previous users or star ratings before making your decision.
10. Price
Last but not least is the crucial factor while determining to buy a gaming chair: Price.
Ask yourself how much you want to invest in a gaming chair and checking the product in accordance with your budget.
If you are willing to spend a few hundred of dollar, you can easily afford a high-quality gaming chair. But, you can always find a cheaper gaming chair with acceptable function.
It is recommended to spend some time to do a little research to check all the mentioned features and calculate the pros and cons of the products Just remember, quality comes with the price.
Conclusion
To sum up, the gaming chair is a game accessory where all the comfort comes from and it plays an important role in the game setup. Functionally speaking, the gaming chair can be replaced by a normal office chair with a lower price.
However, people still spend lots of money on them every year because they look cool and can improve the gaming experience significantly to another level.
Furthermore, gaming chairs are more beneficial in addressing poor sitting habits. It might take a while for you to fall in love with the gaming chair since it will gradually correct your sitting posture. However, once you get used to it, you can earn the best gaming experience in return. If you are thinking of buying one, this list of factors can come in handy.