— called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors
Chairs that are sold as “ergonomic chairs” are designed to suit a range of people; however, there is no guarantee that they will suit any one person in particular. For example, a chair could be too high and the arm rests too far apart for a short, slim person. In addition, chairs may not suit every task or arrangement at the workstation. A chair becomes ergonomic only when it specifically suits a worker’s size (body dimensions), their particular workstation, and the tasks that must be performed there. These factors must all be considered when deciding which chair to use.
Gaming chairs are specially designed, ergonomic chairs meant for long (but comfortable) hours playing video games.
Ergonomically designed gaming chairs typically have a wide range of comfort-maximizing features, including reclining, lumbar support, adjustable seat height, adjustable arms, and footrests. Ergonomically designed office chairs have mostly the same features – reclining, lumbar support, adjustable seat height, and adjustable arms – though there are a few more available, including adjustable back height and waterfall seats that allow your legs to hang comfortably.
In 2006, DXRacer released the world’s first gaming chair. According to DXRacer company lore, it was “inspiration and curiosity” that brought a groundbreaking idea to life. This became the blueprint for all gaming chairs to follow:
The high backrest with curved edges supported the shoulders. Removable neck and lumbar cushions kept the spine aligned. Caster wheels attached to a 5-pointed base with adjustable height.
Adjustable armrests and backrest recline let users change position without standing up. Finally, thick padding and faux leather tied the whole thing together.
The result was very well received. These new chairs allowed users to sit better, work harder, and game longer. The modern gaming chair had arrived.
Over the next two years since the DXRacer launch, the esports industry hummed along. Annual prize revenues jumped from $4.6 million in 2006 to $6.4 million in 2008. But the player ergonomics were still very basic.
Also in 2008, AKRacing launched as the second big gaming chair company in the industry. Like DXRacer, this Taiwanese outfit made luxury car seats in a crumbling auto market.
Seeing the success of DXRacer and the growth of the esports market, it was a no-brainer. They started making their own versions of DXRacer’s blueprint. They also jumped into esports promotion. Over the years, AKRacing has sponsored the World Cyber Games and partnered with major teams like Ninjas in Pyjamas and Team Dignitas.
In response to AKRacing’s challenge, DXRacer stepped up their game.
At the 2009 World Cyber Games in Chengdu, China, they provided chairs to all players.
That began an active run of DXRacer partnerships. They went on to sponsor many other major tournaments and teams.
As the esports scene heated up, DXRacer and AKRacing remained the only two gaming brands on the market. But several cheap DXRacer knockoffs started flooding Chinese websites.
These looked like DXRacer gaming chairs, but only on the outside. Inside, they used cheap plywood stuffed with surplus foam. It was the same build as a cheap office chair, but with flashy DXRacer-inspired styling.
For most people, DXRacer’s concept was too new and too expensive (around $300 per chair). Those who tried cheap knockoffs were disappointed. As a result, gaming chairs remained a niche product only of interest to hard-core gamers.
That kept gaming chairs out of reach of the masses – until Homall showed up in 2012.
In 2012, Chinese furniture company Homall launched a gaming chair division. Their mission was to reverse-engineer the best features of DXRacer chairs to sell cheap but solid products.
Instead of cheap plywood, they used a cheap steel frame. In place of cheap foam, they used high-density foam blocks. The result was a hit, bringing the concept of gaming chairs to the masses.
As Homall chairs began selling like hotcakes, another aspiring Chinese brand watched from the sidelines. A year after Homall’s launch, a Chinese furniture manufacturer called GTRacing joined the fray.
After two years of R&D, they released the GTRacing Classic in 2013. That model copied Homall’s low-cost formula and improved on it.
The result was a chair with better features and a slightly higher price. Today, the GTRacing Classic is also one of Amazon’s all-time best-selling gaming chairs.
2014 was a massive year for both esports and gaming chairs. In esports, a Dota 2 tournament prize pool equaled that of a PGA tour. Also that year, more people tuned in to watch esports finals than the NBA finals.
The gaming chair scene also took a huge leap forward with the launch of Maxnomic and Secretlab. Both companies introduced high-quality chairs optimized for pro esports players. New features introduced by both brands:
In the early days, Maxnomic aggressively pursued high-profile partnerships. By 2018, Secretlab started to pull ahead.
In 2016, a group of German designers came together to launch Noblechairs. Unsatisfied with what the gaming chair market had to offer, they released their own. Noblechairs offered upmarket seats with subtle styling.
Like Secretlab and Maxnomic, Noblechairs made high-quality, pro-caliber chairs. But they banked on a demand for sophisticated designs that never materialized. As a fallback, Noblechairs plunged into esports, offering custom designs for partners.
Today, Noblechairs partners include top German teams like SK Gaming and Mousesports.
In Singapore, a pair of Starcraft players saw a quality gap in the gaming chair industry. In 2014, Alaric Choo and Ian Alexander Ang decided to form a startup and do something about it. By 2017, the company was generating $15 million in chair sales.
In 2019, Secretlab ascended to a higher level. First, the company secured a round of venture capital from Heliconia Capital Management. Next, they released 2020 Series chair upgrades. These offered big improvements over previous models.
After that, the company focused on high-profile partnerships and new chair designs. Circa 2022, Secretlab partners with most of the world’s elite teams. These include 100 Thieves, Team Liquid, Cloud9, G2, OG, and many others.
Beyond esports, Secretlab has also penetrated into mainstream entertainment markets. Via an HBO partnership, Secretlab offers three Game of Thrones gaming chairs. A Warner Bros. deal resulted in a Batman, Joker, and Harley Quinn chair.
In 2022, no gaming chair brand enjoys such a massive level of exposure. This has resulted in benefits for all gaming chair brands as demand has surged industry-wide.
In 2019, market research experts predicted a 5% annual growth rate for the gaming chair industry. Google trends in 2018-2019 show a low level of interest in gaming chairs throughout most of the year. Then, during the end-of-year holiday season, interest spikes.
The trends suggested that gaming chairs remained a niche item mainly for gamers. Moving into 2020, the continuation of that trend seemed logical. After the Xmas sales peak, gaming chair interest would hibernate again until the next sales season.
But then, a pandemic hit, a work-from-home trend became necessary. As a result, consumer demand for gaming chairs skyrocketed.
The global switch to working from home brought mainstream attention to the gaming chair industry. In late February, chair sales spiked and never let up. By early spring, many top brands were out of stock and struggling to keep up with demand.
Throughout the year, demands for chairs remained high. Some brands (DXRacer Noblechairs, Opseat) struggled, going long periods without restocking. Others (like Secretlab, GTRacing, and Akracing) thrived. Those brands able to keep up with demand have enjoyed three times more sales than expected throughout the year. As a result, 2020 also saw many big brands expanding their global operations.
As gaming chair sales spiked in the pandemic era, office sale sales plummeted. Herman Miller and Steelcase were reporting sharp losses. Mid-year, Herman Miller released its own line of gaming chairs. Shortly after, Ikea announced that they would be making gaming chairs as well.
Three significant events highlighted 2021 in the gaming chair industry. First, a massive surge in shipping and materials costs saw price hikes industry-wide. Many brands raised prices by 10%. High-end brands like Secretlab and Herman Miller jacked prices by over 20%!
The second big shift was an ergonomic one. The Handbook of Human Factors And Ergonomics documents the latest standards in workplace design. Its 2012 edition listed back support as the primary concern for healthy deskwork.
Its 2021 update shifts priorities. To better serve the coming tech age, multi-device computing is the new ergonomic priority. In 2021, the gaming chair industry responded with a flurry of innovations. Highlights:
The typical design of gaming chairs looks way cooler than it feels. The padding on the chairs tends to be minimal, and they sit on a metallic design. It’s not easy to avoid them with your legs, and when you don’t, you’re going to be incredibly uncomfortable. Since the middle area is not the widest in the world, not having to deal with the side bolsters is almost impossible for most people.
As noted in the previous point, not everyone can reliably avoid the side bolsters. The midsection of the gaming chair not being very wide is a real problem, as that means it is more conducive to slimmer people.
Gaming chairs are not built to be very adjustable. You can make slight changes as you attempt to make your playtime that much more comfortable, but you are going to run into limitations every step of the way. Many of these chairs offer a basic tilt mechanism, which doesn’t take advantage of quality of life features, such as a forward seat tilt and a multiple-position tilt lock.
An adjustable backrest is also a feature that tends to be left out of the gaming chair arena. Even with its slender design, a greater degree of adjustability would have made sense for several different body types.
Armrests also reinforce this point. Many gaming chairs feature armrests that cannot be adjusted. In the ones that do, the adjustment tends to be vertical only.
Here is one of the biggest offenses that gaming chairs commit. There is often very poor or no lumbar support at all. The best they do is offer a bound cushion that is supposed to help you achieve a better sitting position. Straps often affix the pad to the chair, and you can move it up and down.
While no one can say the pillow does not help, it’s not enough to make up for proper lumbar support that pays attention to the natural spine curvature, which helps to prevent chronic pains and other negative medical developments. As an even more unfortunate icing on the cake, the pillow that is included to help make things more comfortable often does not remain in its place since the straps are not always the most reliable.
Research has and continues to uncover the downsides of falling into a sedentary lifestyle. Though most of these studies reveal information about working conditions, gamers often find themselves dealing with the same kinds of challenges. One of the biggest gaming chair problems in this regard is the limitation imposed on your range of movement as you use one.
While office furniture has progressively leaned towards designs that encourage movement and standing, gaming chairs continue to encourage lounging around and remaining seated for long periods.
When you think of the office chair vs gaming chair debate, an ergonomic chair is often seen as a piece of furniture that is relegated to the office. However, there’s a reason why ergonomic chair gaming is becoming such a large trend in the modern world. Why do you think that is?
With the progressive design of office furniture, it’s no secret that these chairs are way more conducive to longer sitting periods than gaming chairs are. Additionally, they encourage the kind of movement that the body needs, which makes gaming sessions healthier and more comfortable. Top benefits of ergonomic gaming chairs:
-Comfort
-Promotes good posture
-Flexible and adjustable
-Boosts productivity
-Broad selection for a variety of purposes
Autonomous tops our list because it offers you extensive features and customization that lets you have the best time of your life playing games. Having this sort of gaming furniture is the dream of any gamer as it gives you complete control.
ErgoChair Pro
ErgoChair Pro is the flagship product of Autonomous. The uniqueness of this chair is its high-quality build and unique design. Since this chair has a durable mesh back, gamers who usually get stuffy while gaming for extended hours would love it. All in all, its wide range of customization provides you with the best gaming experience.
Pros of ErgoChair Pro
Cons of ErgoChair Pro
Vertagear is another high-end gaming chair brand that has collaborated with Autonomous to produce high-end gaming computer chairs. Their chair is specifically designed for gaming sessions; thus, they have a highly durable construction. There are two flagship products that this brand offers, namely SL4000 and SL5000.
Vertagear SL4000
Vertagear SL4000 gaming chair is a fully adjustable gaming chair that is backed by a durable build. Since this chair has durable padding, it gives a comfortable gaming experience overall.
Pros of Vertagear SL4000
Cons of Vertagear SL4000
Vertagear SL5000
Vertagear SL5000 gaming chair is a special addition that is padded with premium-quality foam, which offers greater comfort than the older version. Being a luxury gaming chair, this gaming chair offers a high-end gaming experience.
Pros of Vertagear SL5000
Cons of Vertagear SL5000
Secretlab is one of the toughest and the oldest contenders in the gaming chair manufacturers’ lineage. The brand is known for producing high-end gaming chairs, and they never fail to impress you with their top-notch comfort.
Secretlab Titan
Secretlab Titan is the flagship product for the Secretlab lineage. Having a racing seat style, this gaming chair has the best outlook. In addition, it offers the support that you would need for extended gaming sessions.
Pros of Secretlab Titan
Cons of Secretlab Titan
Noblechairs is one of the gaming chairs brands that construct gaming chairs extensively. Having high-quality leather gaming chairs, these gaming chairs are the best ones for those who love to have leather gaming chairs.
Noblechairs Epic Real Leather
Noblechairs Epic Real Leather Gaming Chair is the flagship product of the brand. This high-back gaming chair has a high-end PU leather covering padded with premium quality foam that conforms with your body while you play. Overall, the chair is designed to offer a nice gaming experience.
Pros of Noblechairs Epic Real Leather
Cons of Noblechairs Epic Real Leather
Anda Seat is the ideal brand for people who are looking for a durable chair that offers them the support that they desire. Since the brand also comes with affordable gaming chair variants, you may think of going for this one.
Anda Seat T-Pro 2
Anda Seat T-Pro 2 is the flagship product of this brand, so if you wish to get Anda Seat, you may consider this gaming chair. The T-Pro series is made using a soft fabric material that is durable and comfortable, so you can rest assured of having a comfortable experience overall.
Pros of Anda Seat T-Pro 2
Cons of Anda Seat T-Pro 2
Razer is a primary gaming chair brand and has made many gaming chairs over the years. This best gaming chair company has made several high-end firms and durable gaming chairs for you, so picking anyone would be worthwhile.
Pros of Razer Iskur
Cons of Razer Iskur
Corsair is among the most lauded gaming chair brands. These chairs are easy to assemble and have a high-end design, mostly that makes them suitable for all-sized people.
Corsair T2 Road Warrior
The T2 Road Warrior is the flagship product of this gaming chair company. The chair is made using a premium quality microfiber fabric. Since the company has stuck with high-end materials only, this chair might be expensive for some users.
Pros of Corsair T2 Road Warrior
Cons of Corsair T2 Road Warrior
The AKRacing gaming chair brand extensively constructs gaming chairs of premium quality. The company produces several mid-range gaming chairs as well so that everyone can afford them.
AKRacing Core Series EX
The Core Series EX Gaming Chair is the flagship product in this line. You can think of going for this racing car-like seated chair if you want to have a comfortable experience at affordable rates. Overall, this gaming chair provides a wholesome gaming experience.
Pros of AKRacing Core Series EX
Cons of AKRacing Core Series EX
Respawn is one of those good gaming chair brands whose chairs can be used for gaming sessions too. Although the company mainly designs office chairs, their high back chairs can be considered for gaming sessions too.
Respawn Specter
The Respawn Specter is a mesh gaming chair that you might not have seen earlier. This best gaming chair has a unique design that makes it look different from other chairs. Overall, this chair is comfortable for gaming sessions.
Pros of Respawn Specter
Cons of Respawn Specter
Edge is the last gaming chair brand on our list. The company intricately designs it’s chairs to offer you the best experience, but the negative part is that their chairs are pretty pricey.
Edge GX1
Edge GX1 is the flagship brand of this company because it offers the most ergonomic design that you might think of. This chair is different from other gaming chairs because it doesn’t have the typical racing style design like most gaming chairs these days. Nevertheless, the chair offers you a great gaming experience.
Pros of Edge GX1
Cons of Edge GX1
Karnox Legend Bluish Gray Edition
PU leather or breathable LIVORNO fabric makes this gaming chair ideal for novices or professionals alike. The Karnox Legend gaming chair provides comfort and durability using LIVORNO fabric and 2.0 PU leather, 4-D padded armrests, 4-class piston, 3.0-inch PU casters, head pillow, and lumbar cushion.
There is lumbar support on one side of the PU leather gaming chair, a padded headrest, and a wide seat on the Karnox LEGEND. The two-tone fiber sand and dyeing process of Karnox LIVORNO Fabric makes it highly breathable.
A smooth, glossy, plump surface characterizes Karnox 2.0 PU leather. It is also easy to clean since it is water-resistant. Chairs with aluminum wheelbases provide a strong and stable base. They slide easily on caster wheels.
Leather Gaming Chair by Karnox
With PU leather as well as a high-density foam contoured to your body, the Karnox Legend Leather 4D armrest gaming chair offers a tilt mechanism and the beauty of rich leather. Karnox, 2.0 PU leather, has a smooth, lustrous, plump surface. Around the bag’s sides are PU leather strips in blue and black.
One of the best affordable gaming chairs features a wide seat and sides, lumbar support, and a padded headrest. Using this ergonomic, race car-inspired chair, you can play intense online games for hours in comfort and endurance. The best gaming chair brands use a Karnox base and castors for exceptional movements. A lifetime warranty covers the steel frame.
Slate Gray Gaming Chair by Karnox
These Karnox Livorno Fabric gaming chairs feature high-density foam backed with PU leather to provide users with the ultimate comfort and style. Breathable materials reduce heat buildup. The Karnox LIVORNO Fabric has an elegant texture and a soft touch. It is handcrafted from two-toned fiber sand and has a long fiber dyeing process.
This gray fabric gaming chair has a wide seat, a tall back, and side-mounted lumbar support. Gaming sessions will be more comfortable and long-lasting with this chair. Karnox furniture can easily roll over any floor surface thanks to its five-star base and high-quality castors. Steel frames are covered under a lifetime warranty. Gamers who prefer the plump glossiness of rich hide will love the dark gray version’s back and side panels made of PU leather.
Suede Gaming Chair by Karnox
The Karnox PU Leather and suede-feel fabric combination provide you with a more luxurious gaming experience. Extreme comfort and durability are essential for serious gaming. Additional headrests and lumbar pillows include a wide seat and an upright backrest on the black leather gaming chair.
Combined with premium suede fabric, the PU leather gives the pouch a soft and luxurious look while maintaining maximum breathability. Polyurethane is coated on the 2.5″ casters to reduce floor damage. They move smoothly and provide stability.
King Series OH/KS06/NB
The chair was designed with taller people in mind, and the manufacturer recommends that users be between 5’9″ and 6’2″. Even so, the adjustable-height makes the chair a good choice for shorter people, although some people might find that it is still too high at its shortest height. Additionally, the well-padded armrests can be adjusted so you can adjust the positioning and height to suit your needs. Although 275 lbs is the maximum weight recommended, it has a capacity of 300 lbs.
Tank Series OH/TS29/NE
The extra high backrest of this chair provides excellent neck and back support. Built for those who are taller than 6’1″ or 6’6″, DXRacer recommends it for people who are between those heights.
Formula Series OH/FD101/N
It can support 200 lbs of weight, but the manufacturer recommends weighing no more than 180 lbs. The manufacturer offers a lifetime warranty on this part of the chair as a gesture of good faith. Mesh and polyurethane materials are strong and breathable throughout the frame, while foam padding adds comfort. The breathable seat material is an excellent choice that eliminates the sweat issue commonly found in chairs.
Racing Series OH/RV131/NR
Based on the DXRacer Formula Series, the chair has a taller and wider backrest to accommodate heavier users. A maximum weight of 220 lbs is recommended. A height limit of 6’3″ will accommodate people as tall as 5’8″ to 6’2″. Its width is 27 inches, allowing small to medium build users to fit comfortably in it.
Titan (2020)
This is also one of the popular gaming chair brands. The Secretlabs Titan from other gaming chairs has a distinguishable wider seat pan and a taller backrest. It’s because the Secretlabs Titan has been designed to allow the larger-than-average person to use it comfortably. Although your dimensions may vary, approximately 6ft6in and 130KG can be supported.
Omega
In the Omega, prominent backrest wings provide additional support for the shoulders and back – ideal for long periods of computer work. Additionally, it contains a single layer of cold-cure foam encircling the steel frame, providing a solid feel while still molding your body. PU leather covers this, making it one of the softer gaming chairs we have touched. The 1.5mm thickness makes it durable as well.
Titan Evo 2022 Series
A combination of OMEGA and Titan from Secretlab. Together for the first time. The Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 offers a new level of performance and support through a combination of proprietary technologies and design innovations.
Titan Elite Series
Secretlab Elite Series has two gaming chairs – the Titan Napa and Omega Napa – only available from the brand. Because they are marketed under two different names for luxury, both chairs have the same features. In addition, both of the models feature unique colors and stitching and are quite expensive.
eSports Gaming Chair GT002
This is one of the famous gaming chair brands in gaming and streaming category. Despite its high quality, this high-end gaming chair looks at home in the office as well as gaming setups. Moreover, it is affordable without compromising comfort. Even though you may spend hours, even eating and drinking in it, it is often overlooked that a gaming chair is easy to clean.
GT890M Sakura Pink Gaming Chair
Whenever we hear someone mention a pink chair, we immediately think of this. This racing-style seat from GT Racing makes the mind go to a cute baby pink rather than the shocking pink of some pink seats out there. This gets even sweeter when you consider the price, which we believe is good.
Gaming Chair with Footrest
With a high-density foam and leather covering, it offers heavy-duty support when you need it, and its massage feature rejuvenates you when you feel worn out, allowing you to play your best. Its three-dimensional armrests, flip-out footrests, reclining capability, and near-horizontal position make it a versatile chair that you can use for work, play, and even sleeping.
Music Series GT890M-WHITE
The GT890M Music Series features built-in audio for complete immersive sound. In addition to being relatively lightweight, it has been designed to fit smaller frames. This chair makes a good gift for friends and family as it is a great introductory chair. When it comes to budget-conscious buyers, the GT890M is the perfect addition to a bedroom setup.
Standard office chairs force users into static sitting positions. Over full-time sitting hours, that leads to poor posture, joint strain, lethargy, and discomfort. In stark contrast, gaming chairs are “ergonomic”.
That means they come with adjustable components that meet modern ergonomic standards. Those emphasize two essential qualities. First, the presence of adjustable parts that support a healthy sitting posture. Second, features that promote movement while sitting.
gaming chairs support good posture with a high backrest and adjustable pillows. The backrest absorbs the weight of the upper body so the muscles don’t have to. The pillows keep the spine in a healthy alignment ideal for long periods of upright sitting. All the user needs to do is adjust the chair to their needs and lean into the backrest. Then, they can expect several benefits that improve wellness and computing productivity.
Source: merriam-webster _ basic-concept _ ccohs.ca _ wayfair _ chairsfx _ autonomous.ai _ ofxoffice _ autonomous.ai _ chairsfx
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