The best gaming chairs

If you don't know what you're looking for, the prospect of getting one of the best gaming chairs can be a little daunting. Many look very similar, for a start, so why is the pricing so different? And can they double up as a decent office chair?

Well in our list, we've either used the gaming chairs for long periods of time to really get to the bottom of their unique selling point. When we haven't been able to get hand on, we've looked at several reviews from sister tech sites, or gone straight to customer reviews. In all picks, we evaluate the build, materials, comfort, look and price. There's nothing here that I personally wouldn't use as a regular gaming chair. 

If you do spend a lot of time at a desk, it's definitely worth checking out the best office chair for back pain, which exclusively looks at the top ergonomic seats out there. Want to double-down on the ergonomic office life? Our list of the best standing desks will help you out there. 

The best gaming chairs available now

The Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 is our new pick for the best gaming chair you can buy right now. Secretlab is a well known and respected company when it comes to gaming chairs, and its latest model once again comes with the build quality and comfort we've come to expect.

While this isn't a gaming chair for small rooms – it's one of the biggest you can buy right now, it's also incredibly comfortable, and no matter if you're playing games or working long hours, the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 is a joy to sit in.

Setting this chair up can be tricky, but it comes with clear instructions for assembling, and there's plenty of adjustment options to make sure the chair suits your needs. As with other Secret Lab chairs, you can also choose styles, colors and branding when you buy it, to give the chair a more personal look. Find out more with our Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 review.

This Vertagear SL5800 has memory foam, patent-pending features and is one of the most comfortable chairs I've sat in, but it's around $100 cheaper than the Secret Lab offering (number one, above).

Its pillow headrest is detachable, and you'll get the added air ways in the neck of the back with the Vertagear. You'll also have the option of buying LED lights (for $299!!), if that's your thing. If you like a more stylish, subdued aesthetic, this is on the lesser garish side of gaming chairs, especially the carbon black option. 

The SL5800 does not have adjustable lumbar support, like the Secret Labs chair. Don't get us wrong, there is still quality lumbar support here, and after around a month of using this chair, I was happy with the support I got from it. But if you wish to be able to move the position of the lumbar support in your chair, head on up the list. 

OK, I know what you're thinking. The Herman Miller's Sayl chair at number three on the list of best gaming chairs? What's going on. Well, as a design tech site, we take a slightly different angle in judging the best gaming chairs, and so although this doesn't have a classic gaming chair look, it's certainly is a great gaming chair, and we think you should consider it's unique aesthetic. 

The Sayl is an iconic design piece, which was inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It's been given a gaming makeover by Herman Miller, which ostensibly means it's available in a range of fun colours (we like the Ocean Deep and striking red). But this is also a great chair if you plan to spend hours on it gaming, as we found when we reviewed the standard version. The mesh back moulds to your shape, and is also supremely breathable. It also comes with a 12-year guarantee, so although it's not cheap, it's an investment that should last a lifetime. Read more in our Herman Miller Sayl review.

If you're looking for the best budget gaming chair, then the Corsair T3 Rush is a fantastic choice, proving that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a comfortable seat to game on.

In fact, at first glance, you may struggle to tell it apart from more expensive gaming chairs. It's not quite as large and plush as more premium models, but it's still incredibly comfortable, and comes with a breathable soft fabric exterior, which keeps you from getting sweaty and clammy, and also features memory foam lumbar support as well.

The SecretLab Omega 2020 is a gaming chair that is as comfortable as it is good looking. Like all of the best gaming chairs, it comes with memory foam head and lumbar pillows, and these lead to an extremely comfortable experience when sitting (and gaming) in this chair.

It also has metal supports in the arm rests, and while that might not sound like much to shout about, it means that not only does the SecretLab Omega 2020 feel comfortable, but it also means it's robust as well. If you're looking for a long-term investment in a gaming chair, that will allow you to game in comfort for years to come, then this is definitely worth considering.

The Razer Iskur is the first gaming chair made by Razer, which is a company that's renowned for its gaming products, so it may come as little surprise to learn that it's knocked it out the park on its first attempt.

This is a seriously premium gaming chair that comes with top-notch build quality, so you know it's going to last, it's comfortable, and it's stylish as well. It's highly likely that you already own other Razer products if you're serious about gaming, and the Razer Iskur fits right in. It's very expensive, however, so this is a gaming chair that's best suited to people who have large budgets. If you do splash out on this seat, however, you'll find it's definitely money well spent.

The IKEA Markus chair is an iconic office chair from the Swedish retailer, and it's a popular choice with many people for a number of reasons. For a start, it's very affordable, costing a fraction of the price some of the other chairs cost in this list.

It's also impressively comfortable, with a sturdy seat and long back with integrated headrest. Its back is made of a mesh material, which allows air through, and this breathable fabric helps avoid sweaty gaming sessions when you're sat down for long periods of time. It also comes with a 10-year guarantee, and it can be easily adjusted. However, this isn't strictly a gaming chair, so it lacks the gaming aesthetics that others boast, along with removable lumbar pillows. Still, if you'd rather spend your money on games and hardware, then this is a brilliant choice for the price.

If you're looking for sheer luxury in a gaming chair, then the Noblechairs Epic Real Leather is going to be the best gaming chair for you, hands down. Every part of this chair feels like it's been made with the utmost care and attention, from the cross-thatched embroidery to the real leather finish. If you don't want leather for ethical reasons (or you want to save a bit of money), then there is also a model with synthetic leather.

If you try out this gaming chair, you'll likely find any other chair a disappointment. It really is a stunning achievement. It also has an impressive amount of customisation options that will allow you to set it up to best suit your body type and posture. However, all this luxury does come at a price.

Noblechairs makes some great gaming chairs, and the Icon is perhaps its most popular product. Combining the high-end materials and premium construction found in its other products, the Icon is a surprisingly affordable gaming chair. It's a great choice if you want a bit of luxury without spending a small fortune.

It doesn't skimp on style and build quality, then, but it also offers excellent levels of comfort thanks to its customisation options and removable lumbar pillow. It's also got quite a restrained look for a gaming chair, which means it won't look out of place in an office or studio either.