The amount spent on a gaming chair depends on its quality.
Budget gaming chairs may not last long, but they function well for about $150.
Paying a bit more, $250 to $350, usually offers the best compromise between function and frugality, while spending $400 gets you the highest quality, name-brand gaming chairs.
Gaming chairs come in varying levels of quality, but you can find great options for most budgets.
In this article, we explain what to expect and look for depending on how much you’re able to spend.
Why You Should Avoid the Cheapest Gaming Chairs?
You can find gaming chairs under $100, but the quality here is more miss than hit.
These are made up of online, unknown brands, and they usually mimic the popular racing style of gaming chairs.
You might find some sofa recliners or floor rockers, but they usually follow the same basic design at the same price point.
The problem with chairs under $100 is that they focus on visual appeal and rely on that to make the sale.
They know that you are looking for a cheap option, know that you’re shopping online, and bank on the likelihood you’ll trust the appearance.
On the inside, these chairs aren’t made very well. The lower quality is evident from the start with cheaper PU leather or foam that’s too thin to provide much support.
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Here is a video to help you better understand the difference between cheap and expensive gaming chairs:
So, quality control isn’t at the forefront, and these chairs tend to suffer mass manufacturing issues such as poor stitching.
They may not match the color shown online. It just gets worse when you take a closer look at the makeup and performance of the chair.
Most of these low-end options use plywood or plastic framing that is more likely to bow or break and make more noise when you move.
You usually get basic armrests, and you may find some with recline or height adjustments. Even if this fits in your budget, it’s not a great investment.
These chairs usually last a maximum of 2 to 3 years, and the poor construction can make them unbearable.
You’re better off getting a regular office chair or saving up a bit more to hit the first budget tier.
What to Spend on a Budget Gaming Chair
We’ll define the budget range from $100 to $250.
At this level, you’ll find a decent variety of options for features and design without skimping on quality.
These aren’t top brands, and they aren’t going to blow any of the competition out of the water, but they get you into a comfortable chair without breaking the bank.
This is where you find mimicries of popular brands with features such as:
- 3D armrests
- Footrests
- Bluetooth speakers
- Massage motors
The SITMOD Gaming Chair is defiantly an option to consider on a budget:
You also have an expanded variety of upholstery, including higher quality PU leather, fabric, and mesh.
While the features are not necessarily worth the price alone, ensuring you have greater adjustment options and higher quality materials is a great place to start.
What to Spend on a Mid-Tier Gaming Chair
The middle tier of the gaming chair budgets usually nestles in at $250 to $400, with a greater concentration around $350.
These chairs may not be the best of the best, but some are similar enough.
At this level you end up with better build quality, utilizing:
- Heavy-duty aluminum frames
- Stainless steel frames
- Higher-quality foam padding (seats, pillows, headrest, lumbar)
A great option to consider for a mid-tier gaming chair is the DXRacer OH/RAA106 Racing Series:
- UNIVERSAL USE: Unique style is suitable for all environments and occasions including homes, offices, gaming, and more to ensure a comfortable experience
- COMFORTABLE MOLDING FOAM: Ergonomic and high backrest filled with high quality mold shaping foam and elastic leather cover design allows your head, back, and hips to be supported correctly and well protected
Most will tell you these gaming chairs are the best value because they balance price, comfort, and performance.
While these aren’t the brands that popular streamers partner with, they offer similar levels of quality without paying extra for the name.
What to Spend on a Popular Gaming Chair
If the name is important to you, expect to pay $400 to $500.
Brands like Secretlab and DXRacer have spent years cultivating their reputation, and you should expect to pay a bit extra for that.
This isn’t to say that chairs at this level are not worth the price they have a reputation to uphold.
Expect a level of quality that is built to last, as well as a more responsive customer service team and warranty department.
It’s easier to check into the reputation of popular gaming chairs because they put the time and effort into proving you can trust them.
Here is one of the best DXRacer gaming chairs, the DXRacer Master Module Gaming Chair:
- Most Comfortable: DXRacer office reclining Chair is equipped with 4D integrated lumbar support, adjustable memory form headrest and 4D armrest. Get exceptional comfort from experiencing ergonomics neck, back and shoulder support.
- Quality Material: The cushion, backrest and seat of DXRacer Master Series gaming chair are filled with high-density cold-cure foam. The thick steel frame makes it more stable.
From partnerships to online reviews, you should have a lot of input on which chair to decide.
Expect chairs at this range to meet or exceed your needs.
This is also a good price range for customizing certain features (such as color) and finding a better mix of adjustment options.
If you’re looking for larger gaming chairs with a higher weight rating, many of the reputable options sit in this range.
What to Spend on an Ergonomic Gaming Chair
Contrary to what you might believe, the racing style for gaming chairs is not the only design.
While these chairs can have ergonomic features, they usually have nothing on the ergonomic desk chairs the gaming community is starting to embrace.
Professional gamers specifically have noticed the value of ergonomic chairs for gaming, and they consider it a worthwhile investment to spend $1,000 to $2,000 on an ergonomic desk chair.
These usually offer features best suited to encourage and facilitate proper posture.
For example, the Embody Gaming Chair from Herman Miller uses BackFit technology to adjust to your neutral shape and PostureFit to support your spine starting from your sacrum and lumbar.
- RHYTHM fabric is tight, smooth soft to the touch, and prevents heat buildup
- INNOVATIVE ERGONOMIC DESIGN - More than 20 physicians and PhDs in the fields of biomechanics, vision, physical therapy, and ergonomics contributed their expertise to help guide the development of this chair. As a result, Embody has set a new benchmark for pressure distribution, natural alignment, and support for healthy movement in ergonomic seating.
Most consider these chairs well worth the investment, especially those that spend 8 hours or more in one.
When you consider that you spend more time in the chair than in your car, the price tag doesn’t seem so large.
Details that Factor into Gaming Chair Price
The price of gaming chairs relies on a lot, resulting in a lot of variety in prices.
You can have no-name brands with high-quality products charging a mid-tier price or value options from some of the most popular names in gaming chairs.
The point is that these prices reflect several details. The ones listed below seem to have the greatest weight when determining price.
Brand:
Some brands will always cost more than others.
This is directly related to the company’s focus on marketing and ensuring its name is the first that comes to mind when you think of gaming chairs.
Brands like Secretlab have spent years cultivating partnerships with eSports organizations and reaching out to content creators.
On top of this, they work hard to ensure a high level of quality and pleasant experiences with the company.
While it’s often worth it, you should expect to pay more for a popular brand than an unbranded version of the same chair.
Service and Warranty:
Adding to the previous section, most companies with stellar customer service teams and a lenient warranty department need to recoup the cost somewhere.
Keeping employees happy and covering a plethora of mistakes adds up, and the costs are usually split amongst consumers.
While you aren’t expected to bear the full weight of these benefits, you’ll see a slightly larger price tag.
Materials and Build Quality:
High-quality materials come at high-quality prices, and that transfers over to you when you purchase the gaming chair.
If you want something that will continue to look good for years to come, expect to pay more for it.
These higher-quality chairs are usually:
- Sturdier
- More durable
- Bound to last longer
Another detail that impacts price in this area is the sourcing of materials and labor.
Expect to pay more for ethical working conditions, and be mindful of how questionable labor sources can play a part in the cheapest gaming chair options.
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Size:
Larger chairs are likely to cost more. They use up more materials, and in certain cases take more time and effort to design properly.
Larger chairs are also better equipped to handle anyone with a larger frame or more weight.
These chairs can be taller or wider, but the extra comes at a price.
Additional Features:
At any budget level, features that add to the basic sitting function of the chair will cost more.
Most of these features come with others, and not every upgrade is worth the base purchase.
Pay attention to the basic needs you have to ensure the chair meets these, then look into the quality of these additional features.
Ergonomics:
Ergonomics usually refers to the adjustable and supportive features of your gaming chair.
- Higher quality neck and lumbar support
- 3D or 4D armrests
- Thicker, denser padding
Ergonomic details should support the natural, neutral position of your spine when sitting.
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While many gaming chairs offer adjustments and lumbar support, you may get more bang for your buck by looking for a company that specializes in ergonomic designs.
Final Thoughts
You should expect to spend about $250 on a decent quality gaming chair, with the full range extending from $100 to $500.
High-quality top-tier brands, as well as ergonomics, can cost upwards of $1,000.
The good news is that regardless of your budget, you can usually find a good option.
Focus on what you need to know and discover how to learn the rest.
Last update on 2022-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
