If this is your first time registering, please check your inbox for more information about the benefits of your Forbes account and what you can do next!
If you’re getting a new desk chair, there are a few different types of chairs you could go for. You could get a standard office chair, which will likely offer a sleek black look and a few features aimed at ergonomics. Or, you could go for a gaming chair, which will have a more “gamer-friendly” design and some features of its own, depending on how much you spend.
The names of these types of chairs, however, can be a little misleading. You can, of course, use an office chair for gaming and a gaming chair for office work. That begs the question — what kind of chair is best for your needs?
Answering that is exactly why we’ve put together this guide. Here’s a rundown of the pros and cons of office chairs and gaming chairs, and why you might want one over the other.
Office chairs may not always look fancy, but they’re built for comfort. Because they’re built for people to sit in all day while they work, office chairs often have a number of adjustments to accommodate different body shapes, back pains and heights. Generally speaking, the primary function of an office chair is to be comfortable — with looks coming second. That’s not to say that office chairs don’t look good — just that their design is generally aimed more at an office environment, so it may not be as “cool-looking.”
If an office chair sounds like the right fit for your needs, you can check out some of the best below.
Adjustments: Height, tilt, arm height, arm swing, posture, lumbar height, forward tilt, footrest height
Colors: Graphite / Polished Aluminum, Mineral / Satin Aluminum, Mineral / Polished Aluminum, Graphite / Graphite
Herman Miller is known for its high-end office chairs, and the Herman Miller Aeron regularly makes top lists. That’s for good reason — the chair is highly comfortable, extremely well-built, and offers a range of adjustments to ensure that it will work for all different body types. Sure, the chair is a little expensive — but considering the high-end, cool fabric and huge range of adjustments, for many, it will be well worth the cash.
If you want a mesh-back chair on a budget, then the Alera Elusion is the chair for you. This chair offers also offers a range of adjustments, along with a breathable back and cool fabric, plus it’s a much lower price than some of the other chairs on this list.
The Humanscale Freedom desk chair is easily one of the more popular, and ergonomic, desk chairs out there, thanks to its comfortable material and ergonomic design. The chair comes with a headrest to make for a more comfortable experience, and its overall design ensures that your back stays aligned at all times.
Even Amazon itself offers some great office chairs, especially for those who want to get a decent chair at a low price. This chair may not offer a ton of adjustments, but it does have plenty of padding on both the seat and the back, so it should remain relatively comfortable, even for extended periods of time.
Gaming chairs often trade the understated design of an office chair for bright colors, racing stripes, and an overall cool look. They may not have as many adjustments or as much padding as a high-end office chair, but most gaming chairs should still be relatively comfortable. After all, gamers could end up spending hours at a time in the chair — and the last thing they need during a session is an uncomfortable experience. Generally speaking, gaming chairs are built with design in mind first, and comfort second — but you should still be able to find highly comfortable gaming chairs.
Secretlab is a big name in gaming furniture, and there’s a reason for that. This chair offers a sleek and stylish design, plus there’s plenty of padding to ensure that it remains comfortable for hours on end. The chair is a little pricey, but it also offers a range of features and a comfortable seat, so for many, it will be worth the cash.
If you want a great-looking gaming chair on a budget, then this chair is the way to go. It offers a nice-looking design, a number of cushions and plenty of padding for a comfortable experience, and it even has a pair of Bluetooth speakers built right into it for home audio. Best of all? The chair is well under $200.
The Vertagear SL5000 is a great gaming chair for those who don’t want to shell out too much cash but still want a high-quality chair. The chair comes in a huge range of colors, so there should be something there for everyone, and the majority of customers love it, considering it sits in with an average rating of 4 stars.
Plenty of office chairs have a mesh back for a cooler overall experience, but few gaming chairs follow the same trend. If you like the idea of a mesh gaming chair, this option is for you. It still offers a classy design that should appeal to gamers, plus a number of adjustments to make it more comfortable. The chair is inexpensive too, coming in at under $200.
Born and raised in Canberra, Australia, I lived in France and Minnesota before eventually landing in sunny California. I’ve written for a range of online publications,
Born and raised in Canberra, Australia, I lived in France and Minnesota before eventually landing in sunny California. I’ve written for a range of online publications, including Digital Trends, Business Insider, and TechRadar, and while my expertise lies firmly in tech, I’m always looking for a new writing challenge. When I’m not writing about tech, I can usually be found producing new music, nerding out over the latest Marvel movie, or figuring out how I can make my home smarter. I write for Forbes Finds. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes Finds may receive a small share of that sale.
Post time: Apr-20-2020