Best gaming chairs 2023: The best options for work and play

The best gaming chairs are the cutting-edge in office chair design. Gamers spend a lot of time sitting down, so gaming chairs have ergonomics and posture support built-in to ensure comfort for long periods of time. The list of seats we've collated below proves it's possible to get a bit of both comfort and posture correction. Whether you prefer a chair that's firmer, or one with a little more supportive comfort, a gaming chair is a worthwhile investment, even if they're not the cheapest pieces of kit.

Of course, one of the fun things about the best gaming chairs is that their designs can be a bit more personal and flashy when compared to their often muted office counterparts. That said, we've rounded up some of our top gaming chair picks below. We've tried our best to cater to a wide range of budgets - not everyone has over a grand to splash out on a new chair. 

We're always updating this list with new options. At the moment, we're about to finally get our hands on a Boulies gaming chair since they're all the rage on social media. To hear more about those in the coming month, be sure to bookmark or save this page and check back later for our thoughts. For now though, here are the best gaming chairs on the market in 2023.

The Quick List

The best gaming chair overall

If you're on the market for a new gaming chair then you've likely heard of the iconic Secretlab Titan and Omega models. This new Titan Evo combines the two to create the ultimate gaming chair - which is why it took our top spot straight after trying it out. You can pick it up in three different sizes (small, regular and extra-large) so it caters to more people than before. 

We also found that when testing the new integrated adjustable lumbar support it could be adjusted not only outwards, but also up and down, too, with the help of a magnetic headrest to attach at several heights. This meant that we could have a personalized level of comfort accommodating us, which is something that some other chairs can't always rival.

4D armrests (with swappable magnetic ones coming very soon too), a full-recline mode, quality build materials and a wide range of styles to choose from ensures you'll be able to find one you love whether than be in the smooth leatherette finishes or one of the softweave models (now more durable than the previous-gen chairs). With a warranty lasting up to five years, you can be assured it's a worthy investment.

• Read more: Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

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The Secretlab Omega is still one of our all-time favorite gaming chairs, but expect it to be phased out now to make way for the revamped Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, which will cover the Omega's size category. 

That does mean you might get lucky and get the Omega at a much cheaper price than usual. We've spent a lot of time in these chairs, working by day, then pulling that recline lever to chill out in front of the TV or staying put at our desk for some gaming. Height settings, 4D armrests, and a range of recline and rockback features make this one of the most versatile gaming chairs on the market for work or play.

Unlike the newer chairs, all Omega's come with the excellent memory foam lumbar support cushion which we still enjoy using every day. The plush memory foam headrest still holds up too. However, the newer model - which has topped our list - does come with built in lumbar support. 

You'll also find that Secretlab offers a wide range of colors and designs, including collaborations from the likes of licenses like Batman, Game of Thrones, League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Cyberpunk 2077, and more. These are all amazing premium embroidered designs rather than just printed on too. 

• Read more: Secretlab Omega 2020 review
• Read more: Secretlab Omega SoftWeave 2020 review

The best value gaming chair

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The Corsair TC100 Relaxed seeks to create a blend of supportive, posture-correcting gaming chairs and the plush comfort found in a lot of office chairs. The methodology here is to use a wider seat with softer contact points while staying true to that iconic racer-style build that can support the body for hours on end. In a lot of ways, it bucks the trend of the gaming chair market, offering some excellent comfort and top-of-the-range features at a much lower price than the competition.

Annoyingly, there aren't better personalization options in terms of colour and design. The TC100 Relaxed only comes in either a Plush Leatherette material or a Soft Fabric that feels similar to upholstery found on a couch, and only comes in two colours, grey, and black. The other flaw of note is that the casters feel a bit rigid no matter what surface you're atop. That said, the quality of seat you get here for the price is excellent, and its plush cushioning rivals any console gaming chair geared at pure comfort.

The TC100 is proof that you can absolutely get a top-drawer gaming chair from a well-known brand for less than $300. If you like the look of the Secretlab options on this list, want the same features, but can't afford their lofty prices - don't miss this cracker from Corsair.

The best gaming chair under $150

There's no accounting for taste, but we think that the Homall S-racer looks particularly fetching with its embroidered back design and multi-color aesthetics. It's also adorned with prominent colored stitching all around the edges and lengths of it, which is a noteworthy touch we have enjoyed in more expensive chairs in the past.

The racing-style seat here ensures that you're suitably secure without the feeling of being hemmed in, or pinched in the sides, which would otherwise prove uncomfortable over long periods. 

The Homall S-racer is also forged from a 1.8mm steel frame and high-density foam over synthetic leather, meaning it should last through many play sessions to come. Given that this chair retails for around $100, there isn't much more you can ask from it for the money.

This is a great budget option for those who are on the hunt for the style and design of a gaming chair but don't want to spend the high prices that some companies are asking for. 

The best Razer gaming chair

The Razer Iskur X comes in significantly cheaper than its predecessor and lacks the adjustable lumbar support while keeping the same striking design. With that omission considered, though, we still think that the Razer Iskur X is one of the best gaming chairs you can get for any Razer fan, especially factoring in the level of comfort on offer here for its $399 / £399 asking price. Keep in mind that nowadays this model is frequently on sale for a substantially cheaper rate. 

Aesthetically, there's very little that separates the Razer Iskur X from the flagship model, as this more affordable gaming chair is rocking the same gorgeous visual design and stellar build quality that the brand is known for. Everything is accounted for with the PVC leatherette to the snakeskin backrest, and lean green stitching which adorns every jagged edge here. In our testing, we've found this chair to be incredibly comfortable and still one of the chairs that we find ourselves usually frequently. 

The standard Razer Iskur X model accommodates a decent range of sizes, with a max claimed height and weight of 6ft2 and 299lbs respectively. We've found in our testing that people standing both below and above this quoted rate still felt supported by the chair due to its taller backrest, but if you are someone pushing 6ft3 and up, you may want to turn your attention to the XL model.

• Read more: Razer Iskur X review

The best mesh gaming chair

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When it comes to mesh gaming chairs, it doesn't get much better than the Asus ROG Destrier Ergo Gaming chair. Part of the new wave of "ergo" gaming chairs that put supportive comfort at the very forefront of their design for an admittedly steep price, the Destrier is one of the more affordable options out there. That said, it's still pushing a grand.

While we'd argue that's a little pricey for a mesh chair, there's no disputing that what Asus has done here is make one of the best gaming chairs on the market. The supportive points of this seat cradle you like a babe in a manger, and the headrest is probably the best we've come across on any chair. Moreover, the adjustability on offer here is incredible and ensures that the chair's ergonomic design isn't just one size fits all. If you want the armrests to sit further forward for the position you're currently assuming, they slide outward with a few convenient clicks. If you need the headrest to move with you, it adjusts in the same way. 

That said, this isn't perfect. $899/£899 is a lot to pay for a chair that takes such a minimalist approach to its cushioning. While the frame is a strong aluminium, that makes it very heavy and often unruly - especially during assembly. Luckily, the large caster wheels make it nice and easy to maneuver on a carpet. Weirdly, there's a plastic Acoustic Guard that flanks the headrest. While certainly an interesting design choice, it's entirely pointless and doesn't seem to impact sound at all from what I could tell in testing.

If you have the budget for a premium ergo chair, this is a super option. More importantly, if you're looking for the most breathable mesh gaming chair you can get without compromising on comfort and features - the Asus ROG Destrier Ergo chair is your stop on this list.

The best premium gaming chair

Furniture giant Herman Miller and gaming behemoth Logitech collide in this variant of the Embody chair. And the results are spectacular.

In its blue colorway (black is also available) it sort of channels the spirit of Dead Space's Isaac and his engineer's suit - but inverted with the luminous light blue and industrial-looking finish and structure on the chair's rear. It is a cool look, for sure, and the rest of the chair in black, but accentuated in that blue tone, finishes the aesthetic. This doesn't look outlandishly 'gamery' too and is neat and tidy at any work desk.

The chair doesn't require any construction - a means to ensure quality, surely - and is easy to adjust and knockabout into your desired position with intuitive controls and simple but noticeable changes. And when you do have it in position, then you will be treated to ergonomic brilliance and supreme comfort. The seat is probably the most comfortable one we've ever tested, the back is supportive - there is no headrest but the back still supports the shoulders - and the arms are positioned perfectly.

It has a slightly wider footprint and wheelbase which is something just to be aware of, but is no major factor - in fact, it adds greater stability, weight distribution, and balance. The other 'downside' and elephant in the room is the price tag which puts this chair at the same price point as some pretty competent PCs and laptops. However, Herman Miller has long stood by the fact that your physical health and posture are worth investing in, and premium ergonomics are the means to do so. After testing this chair we might well agree - this really is an advert for gaming chairs being somewhere you should definitely save for and spend on when considering a whole gaming setup.

• Read more: Herman Miller X Logitech Embody review

The best ergo gaming chair

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The latest from the ergonomic furniture builder, the Vantum is the new baby brother of the Embody gaming chair that sits on this list too. The Vantum channels an awful lot of what makes the Embody a success, but offers something slightly different when considering the best gaming chair from the furniture giant.

Design and build - The Vantum is definitely cut from a different aesthetic cloth than it's predecessor and looks totally different. It's a mesh chair with sleek and solid plastic framing that makes for a very solid build, while the wheelbase is solid and the handles are well-placed and easy to use. It comes in three colourways too so there's a bit of choice to be had depending on your setup (white, black, or black and red). The adjustments are user-friendly and cover all your usual bases such as seat height, depth, lumbar support (though this is at its best right in the middle of the seat's back), tilt, and tilt lock. The addition of a headrest (compared to the Embody) is welcome, and can also be rotated to hit that sweet spot. 

The comfort feels different to the Embody, but it still works and offers great level of supportive comfort that'll have your back (literally) for hours and hours. The seat is definitely one of the cosiest on this list, and led to no aching after long periods of time. The back is supportive and cool (because of the mesh and will be a godsend in the summer), the headrest is effective, and the overall upright-posture-promotion that the chair gives you is a great success.

A couple of caveats from our testing are noteworthy though: the arm rests are a bit hard, and on my unit at least were very easy to move around and out of position with the merest of touches; and the price tag is still sizeable - you could get two Secretlab Titan Evos for about the same price (roughly speaking). 

However, if you can spend big, but want to keep it under the four-figure mark, and have had your eyes on something with that Herman Miller, ergonomic-tastic pedigree then the Vantum is a fine alternative and will prove a solid, and supportive, investment.

Read more: Herman Miller X Logitech Vantum gaming chair review

The best low profile gaming chair

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Unlike some of the other best gaming chairs, the Noblechairs Hero keeps things classy and stripped back. This is a solid, low-profile gaming chair that forgoes many of the features of some other models, such as cup holders and footrests, in lieu of a focus on posture. In our testing, we found that this decision was ultimately for the best as the Noblechairs Hero is still one of the best on the market for those after something a little more reserved.

You're looking at around 40 minutes to put the Noblechairs Hero together, which is on par with some of the other best gaming chair models from premium manufacturers. However, if you're new to building units like this, then we would generally recommend setting an hour aside, and having help from a friend or family member if available. We found the instructions to be very clear, coming with its own tools, too. 

The 4D armrests immediately stood out to us, elevating the Noblechairs Hero above the standard office chair, along with adjustability for different heights. The Noblechairs Hero keeps things simple, so don't expect flashy designs or overtly 'gamer' themes here. If you're after something that can pull double duty for both work and play, looking the part in both respects, then this model is an easy recommendation in our eyes.

• Read more: Noblechairs Hero review

While we'd heartily recommend the chairs above, we have to admit their prices are pretty steep. For a look at the cheaper end of the scale, check out our roundup of the latest gaming chair deals. They aren't always models we've tested for ourselves, but we've picked out ones that have strong user-review scores from a larger number of buyers.

If your tastes are so inclined, we've even rounded up a list of the best pink gaming chairs on the market. Alternatively, if you're not looking for a chair that's designed to sit at a desk, you could go with one of the best console gaming chairs.

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Best gaming chairs - Frequently asked questions

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How we test gaming chairs

With what seems like more options than ever on the market from both up and coming as well as established brands, our testing helps to separate the best from the rest.  When we review gaming chairs, we take into account the build quality, as well as the time, spend assembling the units as potential buyers would. Most critically of all, is the value for money proposition, as we wouldn't recommend a gaming chair that we would not buy for ourselves. 

We spend a lot of time testing gaming chairs both at work and in our downtime, too. While first impressions are of course important, a chair that feels comfortable initially may not provide as much support as it did at the start. This is why we take our time with our chair coverage in order to provide an encompassing, accurate, and well-rounded account of what it's like to use the chairs every day. 

You can find out more about how we test gaming chairs in our full hardware policy.

We've also rounded up the best gaming chairs for PS5, PS4, and Xbox. However, if you're looking to refresh your full setup we'd recommend checking out the best gaming PCs and the best gaming monitor models around.