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If you are a serious PC gamer, you probably spend a good amount of time thinking about the perfect gaming setup. Most choose to upgrade their graphics cards, cooling systems, gaming keyboards, or even headsets for the best gaming experience. However, one often overlooked upgrade that deserves priority above most would be a proper gaming chair. Since dedicated gamers spend a lot of time sitting at their desks or on the couch, the ergonomics and physical comfort of a gaming chair could provide a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Why Get a Gaming Chair?
Sure, a gaming chair may seem like a cosmetic add-on to your setup since most do not contribute directly to the video game itself. But the view that a gaming chair is something extraneous and optional is incorrect.
The vast majority of people who play video games do so while sitting down, perhaps for hours at a time. Spending this amount of time in a chair that was not designed with gaming in mind is far from ideal. Designers of dining chairs and stools do not expect people to be seated in those chairs for a long time; designers of office chairs and lounge chairs aren’t thinking about the way people are seated and move while playing video games. You’ll find yourself getting uncomfortable a lot more quickly than you would in a chair designed with gaming in mind.
On top of that, sitting for long periods of time in an uncomfortable chair can have long-term consequences. Improper posture can lead to back pain, headaches, and stiffness. Fortunately, almost every gaming chair on the market is designed to provide good back and lumbar support (your back will thank you). Gaming chairs also allow gamers to rest their arms at a comfortable level without having to tense their shoulders or slouch. They’re usually height-adjustable and help sit you with your screen at eye level. This minimizes any neck strain from constantly looking up or down.
Console vs. Computer Gaming Chairs
Console gaming chairs and computer gaming chairs are different, due to the inherent differences between PC gaming and console gaming. Nearly every PC gamer plays games while seated at a desk. Therefore, computer gaming chairs are designed for somebody sitting up at a desk. However, console games are usually played in front of a television screen, so console gaming chairs are lower to the ground and not designed to accommodate a desk.
Gaming Chair Materials
Gaming chairs can also be made from a variety of different materials. Because gaming chairs are descendants of the executive chair, leather is a popular material for gaming chairs. Leather adds a classy, high-quality feel to your gaming chair, and is also known for responding positively to the shape and temperature of the body. Plus, leather is a very durable material if treated right. Many people, however, have reasons for not wanting real leather. They might be worried about clean-up and the bit of extra care that leather requires. Vegans are also less inclined to use leather. Luckily, many gaming chairs are made from fake leather, which can be quite similar to real leather.
Beyond leather and pleather, mesh is another popular material for gaming chairs. Mesh is a very breathable material and allows for airflow around the body that will keep you cool during long gaming sessions. Many gaming chairs use a combination of mesh and a leather-like material for upholstery.
Can I Use a Gaming Chair for Office Work?
Yes! PC gaming chairs are designed for people who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk and using a computer. While PC gaming is different from most people’s office work, the ergonomic design of a gaming chair is just as helpful to somebody doing office work at home. The chair will provide the same back support, arm support, and comfort whether you’re working or gaming. After all, the design of a gaming chair is based on an earlier type of office chair. It follows that gaming chairs make excellent office chairs as well.
Which Gaming Chair Should I Get?
There are many excellent gaming chairs on the market. OFM’s Racing Style Leather Gaming Chair is an excellent inexpensive option at just over $5/wk1, with a high back and headrest that will provide the support you need to maintain good posture. It uses a mix of leather and mesh and is easy to adjust how you like. The RESPAWN-205 series of gaming chairs comes in around $12/wk1 and features a design focused on airflow and heat control. It also lets you recline and lock the chair at any angle. The AKRacing Pro Gaming Chair is $17/wk1, a top-of-the-line choice that provides a large amount of durability in its frame, padding, and upholstery. For children, the Arozzi Verona Junior Gaming Chair is an excellent option at $12/wk1 so that younger gamers can similarly game and work at a desk with good posture and lumbar support.
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