© iStock.com / Nestea06

Key Points

  • Best over gaming chair of 2022: Secretlab Titan Evo Black3
  • Best for lumbar support: Razer Iskur
  • Best No Wheel Design: X Rocker Falcon Pedestal

Whether you’re a casual gamer or someone who spends hours in the game, picking up a dedicated gaming chair is a solid investment.

The best gaming chair will help you solve back pain and restless legs, make gaming much more comfortable for a more immersive experience, and can even double as an office chair. A regular office chair might offer some level of ergonomic support, but gaming chairs take this support to another level with increased comfort, unique designs, and sturdier overall frames. 

If you’re searching for the best chair online, it can be difficult to tell if a chair is really as comfortable as the Amazon reviews make you believe.

Fortunately, our team of experts (and gaming aficionados) spent weeks testing different gaming chairs. Without further ado, here are our choices for the best gaming chair in 2022: 

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 Black3 Gaming Chair - Reclining, Ergonomic & Comfortable Computer Chair with 4D Armrests, Magnetic Head Pillow & 4-Way Lumbar Support - Black - Fabric
$609.00
  • ALL-DAY COMFORT FOR WORK & PLAY - PC chair made of cold-cure foam for ideal posture, comes with magnetic memory foam head pillow that can be adjusted over a wide range and snaps into place on your...
  • ADJUSTABLE GAMER CHAIR THAT ADAPTS TO YOU - Full-Metal 4D Armrests for smooth, precise adjustments in four directions with world’s first replaceable armrest top, full-length backrest with 165°...
  • DURABLE & BREATHABLE FABRIC - Stay cool all day with a more advanced version of our SoftWeave fabric. Softer, more breathable and even more durable
  • BUILT FOR EVERY SIZE - The Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 gaming chair comes in 3 different sizes. Size Regular is recommended for people between 5’7” - 6'2" and under 220lbs
  • AWARD WINNING TRUSTED BRAND - With over 2,000,000 users worldwide, more than 50 "Editor's Choice" awards and trusted by global Esports champions, we strive to provide you with the best seating...
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03/03/2023 10:59 am GMT

When it comes to the Secretlab Titan Evo Black3 2022 gaming chair, you certainly get what you pay for.

The combination of comfort, material, lumbar support, and the promise of the Secretlab brand all help the Titan Evo Black3 2022 stand out. The full-metal 4D armrests are among the most comfortable we’ve ever had an opportunity to go hands-on with, and the 165-degree recline is guaranteed to help you find the right sitting angle for lengthy gaming sessions.

Secretlab’s SoftWeave fabric is best-in-class with a breathable material that stays cool no matter how long you are seated. 

person sitting in a gaming chair
Someone gaming on a computer with a nice black and red gaming chair.

©iStock.com/Nestea06

With regular, large, and extra large options available, gamers of all sizes can find the best fit with the Titan Evo Black3 2022. Its price is the only drawback, as it starts at around $600 and can quickly double in price depending on which customizations (upholstery, color, accessories, etc.) you choose. 

This gaming chair is truly the best overall for a reason—it has everything you could ask for.

Check it out on Amazon here.

Razer Iskur Fabric Gaming Chair: Ergonomic Lumbar Support System - Ultra-Soft, Spill-Resistant Fabric Foam Cushions - 4D Armrests - Engineered to Carry - Foam Head Cushion - Dark Gray
$499.99
  • Ergonomic Lumber Support System: Enjoy total lower back support with a built-in, fully adjustable lumbar curve that closely aligns to your spine—ensuring ideal posture for maximum gaming chair...
  • Multi-Layered Synthetic Leather: Tougher and more durable than standard PU leather, the chair comes wrapped in multi-layered PVC synthetic leather—making it better suited to withstand the wear and...
  • High Density Foam Cushions: The denser, durable cushions have a plush feel and offer better contouring, allowing your weight to apply just enough pressure as they mold to support your unique body...
  • 4D Armrests: Adjust the armrests’ height, angle and move them forwards or backwards for a position tailored to the way you sit
  • Engineered to Carry: Recommended for a height of 5'6" to 6'2" and supports a weight of up to 300lbs through a combination of its body frame, armrests, wheelbase, and angled seat edges that maximize...
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03/03/2023 10:15 am GMT

Finding a great gaming chair with outstanding lumbar support can be challenging—our testing showed many chair manufacturers promise incredible lumbar support but fail to deliver. That is not the case with the Razer Iskur which, in our experience, excels with its lumbar support.

The built-in, fully adjustable lumbar curve ensures your lower back is free from pain, whether you are sitting for five minutes or five hours. Adding to the comfort is a “multilayered synthetic leather” which Razer promises will last longer than standard polyurethane leather. Whether that holds up will take longer-term testing—many months or years, to be exact. But, in our few weeks with the chair, the leather was very comfortable, as were the 4D armrests and super soft cushions that lined the rest of the chair. 

The only downside is that the seat itself has two cushion pieces that jut out from the sides, resting halfway up your thighs, making it feel more narrow than we’d prefer. It was also the most difficult to assemble of all the chairs on this list. 

If comfort means the most to you, then this gaming chair is for you.

Check out the Razer Iskur on Amazon.

X Rocker Falcon Pedestal PC Office Gaming Chair, 32" x 25" x 42", Black/Red
$229.99
  • BUILT IN SPEAKERS & BASE I Features 2 speaker mounted onto the headrest and a backrest mounted subwoofer that creates maximum audio impact and immersion into your favorite games, movies, or music
  • MULTI-PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY I Connects to all your favorite gaming consoles such as PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and audio devices (additional digital audio transmitter may be...
  • WIRELESS I Live free from wires with Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity to all your compatible devices
  • PREMIUM COMFORT I Designed to withstand hours of high-performance gaming with an padded armrests, ergonomic design, and sturdy pedestal swivel base provide maximum support and mobility
  • COMPACT & FOLDABLE I Easy to assemble and folds down for storage when not in play. A perfect compact rocking design for younger players and smaller bedrooms - Chair dimensions 32" x 25" x 42"
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03/03/2023 01:40 pm GMT

Goodbye wheels! The pedestal-based design of the X Rocker Falcon Pedestal offers one major benefit that hooked us right away.

Accidentally rolling around in your gaming chair can be a surprising, unwelcomed distraction while gaming. As we tested the X Rocker, the lack of wheels quickly stood out, and it took less than a minute to find the perfect distance between the chair and monitor. We also appreciated the heavily padded armrests and the Bluetooth-based dual speakers with a 4-inch subwoofer that offers a more immersive audio experience while gaming. 

On the downside, the X Rocker lacked some of the lumbar support of our favorite option, the Secretlab Titan Evo Black3. That’s likely due to the fold-for-storage design, as including additional lumbar support would prevent this product from breaking down into a more compact chair. 

If you love a wheelless chair that’s comfortable with great audio capabilities, then this chair is for you.

Check it out on Amazon here.

Homall Gaming Chair, Office Chair High Back Computer Chair Leather Desk Chair Racing Executive Ergonomic Adjustable Swivel Task Chair with Headrest and Lumbar Support (White)
$109.98
  • Selected Material: High density shaping foam, more comfortable, elasticity resilience and service life. 1.8mm thick steel frame, more sturdy and stable. Pu Leather, skin friendly and wear resisting.
  • Upgraded Configuration: Class 3 gas lift, durable, reliable and supports up to 300lbs. Rubber casters, rolling quietly and tested by 1000 miles rolling.
  • Multi Function: 360 degree swivel and multi direction wheels, load capacity: 300-pound maximum weight capacity. Recline function. Between 90 to 180 degree. Rocking function: chair can rock back and...
  • Dimension: Size of back: 22.5 inch and 30.5 inch. Size of seat: 14.5 inch and 20.5 inch. Seat adjustable height: 17.3 to 21.5 inch.
  • Wide Usage: This gaming chair is suitable for you to play computer games, watch show, do the work and have a rest. It will make your space more modern and elegant.
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03/03/2023 06:55 am GMT

Universally loved as a budget-friendly option, our time with the Homall Gaming Office Chair showed us exactly why it’s such a favorite.

Everything starts with a high-density foam that’s placed over a steel frame that feels durable, if not super thick. For the price, you get a nice amount of headrest and lumbar support with two adjustable pillows to ensure long-term comfort. We did struggle a bit to keep the pillows in place as they tend to move around, but they were comfortable overall.

A 180-degree tilting mechanism is more of a tilt than more premium chairs offer so that’s a major bonus for the Homall. 

The downside is the more plastic wheels, which felt a bit cheap across various surfaces, as did the overall padding. From our testing, it’s clear to see that the Homall has much thinner padding and therefore less comfort than our Secretlab favorite.  

However, if you’re still looking for a solid, sturdy chair that’s budget-friendly and gets the job done, then consider the Homall.

Check it out on Amazon here.

MAVIX - M7 Gaming Chair Black/Black
$777.77
  • Dynamic Variable Lumbar (DVL) Support: Uber soft and incredibly strong, the M-Breeze fabric on the M7 DVL provides next level comfort, breathability, and support where you need it most.
  • Deep Recline Responsive Support Mechanism: One of the most important features on the M7 is the Deep Recline Responsive Support Mechanism. The ability to recline the back independently of the seat...
  • 4-Dimensional Armrests: No one keeps their arms in the same position all day. Mavix is ready to move with you. Easily adjust the armrest height, depth, width, and angle as you move throughout the day.
  • Adjustable Head & Neck Support: Have you ever been uncomfortable after sitting for a few hours without head & neck support? Not with MAVIX. All MAVIX Models come with an adjustable head & neck support...
  • Adjustable Backrest Height: Adjust the M7's backrest height so that you're fully supported, from your lumbar curve to your neck. This ensures you get maximum support where you need it most.
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03/03/2023 08:24 am GMT

When you think of gaming chairs, leather is almost always thought of as the most comfortable option. That’s usually true, until you consider the mesh design of the Mavix M7.

The immediate upside of mesh is that it’s much better for circulating air around your body so you stay cooler for longer. It’s also better for the environment. Another thing we loved with the Mavix is the dynamic variable lumbar support, which was excellent in helping our backs feel good after a long gaming session. Head and neck support were also strong with the adjustable 4D armrests rounding out the comfort. 

The upsides to mesh are pretty compelling for keeping you cooler than leather, but, like all things, the Mavix M7 isn’t perfect. We had some issues with the wheels getting stuck on our test chair but this might have only been our chair. Separately, finding the right position for the headrest took longer than any other chair on this list with lots of experimenting. 

If you want to avoid leather and get yourself a cooling, comfortable chair, then this is a great option.

Check out the Mavix M7 on Amazon.

How To Pick The Best Gaming Chair in 2022: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to picking a good gaming chair, there are four main considerations to evaluate: 

  • Ergonomics for comfort
  • Material
  • Price
  • Size

Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail. 

person sitting in a gaming chair work from home
When choosing the right gaming chair for you, it’s important to consider comfort, materials, size, and your budget!

©iStock.com/ogeday çelik

Ergonomics and Comfort

Comfort is going to be one of your biggest considerations, especially if you plan to sit in this chair for long periods often.

Because of that, padding is a big factor, and some chairs have more padding than others. The amount of foam can play a big role in long-term comfort, and our testing discovered which chairs we believe have the best padding around—namely, the Secretlab Black3, Razer Iskur, and X Rocker Falcon.

The same goes for chairs that focus on lumbar and head and neck support as these ergonomic choices will play a big role in long-term comfort. 

Material

When it comes to gaming chairs, you are deciding between leather, mesh, and fabric.

Leather is the most padded but also gets the warmest. Mesh is the thinnest and least padded but stays the coolest. Fabric can be somewhere in the middle but often has less padding than leather.

As long-time mesh users, we recommend mesh or leather as the two best options. Fabric can be ideal for particular users but, overall, the best and most comfortable gaming chairs are leather. 

Price

You might think that the more you spend, the more comfortable and ergonomic a gaming chair will be. The reality is that sometimes you’re paying for a name and sometimes you’re paying for a lot of extras you don’t want or need.

Gaming chairs can range from $100 to over $1,000, so your budget is a big factor, but also is looking at reviews from real users so you know the price tag of any gaming chair is worth it. 

Size

While not true of every gaming chair, many are available in various sizes (typically regular, large, extra large) to support different body types and weights.

Most gaming chairs can support around 300 pounds and offer a somewhat generic size that is good for height. On the other hand, some manufacturers, like our overall favorite, Secretlab, make chairs in three sizes.

Picking a chair based on your height and weight is one of the best ways to ensure long-term comfort. 

What To Know Before Buying A Gaming Chair in 2022

Among the important things to know are undoubtedly price and material. These remain the two biggest deciding factors, but there is one more factor we haven’t touched so much on: wheels.

Depending on the chair, some are better than others for different types of flooring including wood, tile, and carpet. Our winner of the best overall category, the Secretlab, and another favorite, the Razer, are exceptional for all types of flooring, whereas the Homall is best served on wood or tile. Carpet is really where many gaming chairs can break down, as their “cheaper” wheels won’t move smoothly across a carpeted surface. 

Using A Gaming Chair in 2022: What It’s Like

Over the course of the last few weeks, we’ve had a chance to test these gaming chairs across multiple surfaces and for long time periods.

While each chair was friendliest to wood flooring, tile flooring was not too far behind, and carpet floors were certainly the most difficult to maneuver on. For a carpeted surface, it might be best to get a wheel-free chair.

Testing out each chair’s angle of degree was another big focus, as it’s too easy to stick with the default angle that comes out of the box. Adjusting to a preferred angle immediately added to the comfort level as did adjusting any headrest pillows. What we learned was that each headrest was different in terms of padding and adjustability, the latter of which played a big role in our ranking. 

If you have any back or neck pain, lumbar support was the big X-factor in our test and, in that regard, the Razer was a big winner. Its comfort level was top notch and for anyone with chronic back or neck pain, it’s well worth considering.

Beyond gaming, we also tried each chair while writing or typing throughout the course of the day, which asks for a different angle than gaming. Surprisingly, our ranking stayed the same as we found that while working at a desk, the same pros and cons remained true for each chair. 

Final Thoughts

Selecting a gaming chair is a big and often expensive decision. This chair is something you’re likely to use for hours a day, and potentially every day of the week, so knowing which chair to purchase is worth solid researching.

Between comfort and material, there are a lot of considerations, and that’s why we’ve gone through the paces to help you decide where to best spend your money. 

All you have to do now is assess which features in a gaming chair are most important to you, and find one that meets your criteria. Happy gaming!

Next Up…

Best Gaming Chairs in 2022 FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is a 4D armrest?

A 4D armrest is a fun name for a really important function. These types of armrests can be adjusted vertically depending on height and preference as well as moved in or out depending on how far you like to spread your arms out. They also rotate in or out as well as move forward and backward. 

If you have a good office chair, do you need a gaming chair?

Ultimately, both types of chairs perform the same function and often with similar features, like lumbar support, padded armrests, head and neck support, etc. If you already own a comfortable and ergonomic office chair, then the likely answer is no, you don’t need a new chair.

Do you really need to spend a lot?

No, you don’t need to spend a fortune in order to get a reliable and well-put-together gaming chair. As we cover above, bigger price tags don’t necessarily mean better chairs, but they can mean more padding, more size selections, and better material.

How long will a gaming chair last?

If taken care of properly, a good gaming chair should last for years, regardless of price. If you are constantly adjusting parts like 4D armrests you can expect them to wear out sooner rather than later. Realistically, every chair, no matter how inexpensive, should last at least a few years, if not longer.

Are gaming chair speakers better than a sound bar?

If you want the best audio experience while gaming, a sound bar or additional speakers are better than anything built into a gaming chair. Having these extras in a chair won’t hurt, but when prioritizing features, don’t put gaming chair speakers first.

About the Author

More from History-Computer

  • Tom's Guide (1970) https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-gaming-chairs
  • CNET (1970) https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/best-gaming-chair/
  • IGN (1970) https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-gaming-chairs
  • Amazon (1970) https://www.amazon.com/
  • GameSpot (1970) https://www.gamespot.com/articles/best-gaming-chair-in-2022-top-picks-for-comfort-and-style/1100-6486393/