I Need Help Selecting a New Gaming Chair

dezi on 11/04/2021 - 13:04
Last edited 11/04/2021 - 13:44 by 1 other user

I am not sure where else to put this but here because I need it for my gaming setup.

So I need a Gaming / studying chair and I have been doing a lot of research but not sure what to get. I have $200 Officeworks gift card I wanna use, but not required.

I have a Budget of like $600-$700 would like something that is -

  • Looks very good/cool
  • Is comfortable and not bad for you back for long time seating
  • Can sacrifice little comfort
  • Also needs the durability

The top picks I got so far:

1) Secretlab Titan
2) ONEX EV12 Evolution Gaming Chair (Can't find any reviews on this so IDK)

Yeah, so please let me know because I am so lost.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Gaming Chair Gaming Chair Office Chair

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 11/04/2021 - 13:24
    +11

    I work from home so a very small bit of advice when buying a chair that satisfies this particular requirement

    • Is comfortable and not bad for you back for long time seating

    These requirements make zero sense when buying a chair.

    • looks very good/cool (a chair that's made to look good for a gamer is just over-compensating for it's lack of ergonomics and comfort)

    • can sacrafise little comfortabilty (this contradicts one of your requirements)

    Buy a chair that offers adjustability. All human bodies are built differently and there is no single chair that's going to perfectly accommodate your weight, height, body shape etc, so the more adjustments the chair has the more likely it's going to be nicer to sit in, and the less back pain will result.

    Here is an illustration showing all the adjustment types on a Ergohuman chair

    And a PDF showing the adjustment types on a Buro metro II chair

    Don't buy "Gaming chairs". 90% of the price tag of a gaming chair is goes towards their huge marketing effort and making a nice website but almost no actual innovation goes into designing a gaming chair. There may be some exceptions to the rule but it's often easier to just buy an office chair as they're usually the ones made with comfort first in mind, as opposed to trying to balance the "Gamer" look and comfort.

    • dezi on 11/04/2021 - 13:58

      I would love a ergo chair but most "great" ergo chairs people said were like over 1k and some looked kind of boring so yea. But Joker0701 posted a chair which is the ergo human v2 and it looks really nice, same with the Ikea Jarvfjallet.

      • neo on 11/04/2021 - 23:13
        +1

        I have the Jarvfjallet and really rate it. I use it without the arms which forces you to setup your table to the right height for your arms. Very comfy chair for the price.

      • Intoxicoligist on 12/04/2021 - 15:38

        I've been through this recently. The "Gamer" style racer chairs are probably my least favourite style of chair (overpriced and underdelivered). For ~350 you can get a damn good office chair from Officeworks, rated for 12 hours of sitting a day, with a 15 year warranty and a 160kg weight rating.
        https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/profession…

        I actually got my partner this chair a few months ago and its been very comfortable for her.

        A slightly more expensive than your budget option but more ergo option would be the Haworth Zody (~750 without arms)
        https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/haworth-zo…

        • dezi on 12/04/2021 - 17:14

          Haworth Zody or the Ergohuman Plus Elite V2 Mesh

    • dezi on 11/04/2021 - 15:44

      What are the top 3 Eugo chairs you would recommend getting been up to 700$ max tho

  • Unorthodox on 11/04/2021 - 13:25
    +1

    Have the Secretlab Titan softweave and got it for about $670 during COVID-19 last year.

    Meets my needs and no real complaints, definitely better than the Buro Metro I had previously although the cushioning on the Titan isn't as great (you can tell where they've cheaped out).

    I'd avoid the Officeworks one as the fake leather type material will end up cracking and peeling… Also don't think it'll be that comfortable during the warmer months.

    As a note, I don't game and do not sit on it for extended periods outside of work and maybe watching a movie.
    I'll always try to get up and move around (Bluetooth headphones).

    • joker0701 on 11/04/2021 - 13:39
      +3

      The non fabric secret lab chairs peel just as easily as the officeworks fake leather types. You pay an exorbedent price for the 'secret labs' brand without any genuine support.

      • Unorthodox on 11/04/2021 - 14:39
        +1

        Yep that's why I stated the softweave version was the one I bought with no issues.

        The fake leather stuff for Secretlab also peels and cracks - very easy to find reviews and second hand ones on gumtree in terrible condition.

      • jimbobaus on 11/04/2021 - 16:09

        Had my non fabric chair for 4 years. Hasn’t peeled yet.
        No support? Only chair that offers a man of my “build” support in all the chairs I have found.

        • joker0701 on 11/04/2021 - 16:14

          Theres literally hundreds of people posting reviews of secret labs peeling, secret labs delete all negative reviews on their site and facebook.

          You have obviously not tried a decent ergo chair then, they will out-perform secret labs every day of the week. Secret labs have virtually no adjustment compared to the ergo-human which is an entry level ergo chair for the same sort of money. https://www.ergohuman.net/images/marketing/Ergohuman-Manual-…

        • joker0701 on 11/04/2021 - 17:31

          Youre more than welcome to downvote, but there is literally videos everywhere showing how unsupportive a gaming chair is compared to a proper ergo chair.

          • jimbobaus on 12/04/2021 - 00:55
            +2

            @joker0701: I am certain there are videos showing the exact opposite if i looked hard enough.

            The fact remains i have used many chairs including HM and others, the fact remains they offer no where near the kind of support a guy of my size needs. Secretlab however does, so much so that i have bought an additional one for work and my partner has also switched to one.

            The Titan XL is a superior chair for people of a larger frame no doubt about it.
            You seem to be set on hating on SL based on your comments across this forum

            I have seen many negative comments (vastly outweighed by positive ones) on Secret labs socials.. and guess what they have not been deleted so you accusation to the contrary is without merit.

            Its obvious you do not like the product that's fine but spouting falsehoods is not the solution.

            and i repeat… my "Leather" Secretlab is over 4 years old, used every single day and has not peeled yet

            • joker0701 on 12/04/2021 - 08:29

              @jimbobaus: I got a titan napa as a gift, it was a good chair. But after trying proper ergo chairs it doesnt compare.

              If youre sitting in the SL chair for a few hours its fine, but anything longer i tend to get a sore back - for a chair of its price it has virtually no adjustments which is ridiculous.

              Youre paying so much extra for the name and 'gaming' in the title.

              I understand ergo chairs can be limiting due to being built for specific heights etc. However if youre under 150kg and 6ft4 typically most mid range ergo chairs can be adjusted to suit.

            • Intoxicoligist on 12/04/2021 - 15:43

              @jimbobaus: I'm curious. I'm 160kg and 180cm's and have used Zody's, Aeron's and a bunch of cheaper options including a Officeworks PU special (the higher weight rated one at the time). The best I've used ergo wise had to be the Aeron, but the mesh seat edge wasn't ideal (common complaint). I haven't had problems with any but the cheap officeworks one feeling unsupportive though.

              One question, with the Titan XL do you find it heats up if you spend all day in it? Heat is one of the reasons I'm strongly considering a mesh option when I upgrade.

              • jimbobaus on 12/04/2021 - 23:11
                +1

                @Intoxicoligist: I have both the soft weave and the “leather”

                I find the soft weave is the coolest by far but I would not say the “leather” gets that hot. I reckon the leather seats in my car get hotter from me sitting in them for long periods.

                The soft weave however is the best option if heat is a concern and I find it super comfy.

  • akyeeeahdude on 11/04/2021 - 13:33
    +1

    Scrimmie is on the money with the response to his point below:

    •I work from home so a very small bit of advice when buying a chair that satisfies this particular requirement

    Is comfortable and not bad for you back for long time seating

    Secret Lab chairs look awesome and are pretty comfortable but are way too firm for all day work use. If you're gaming for a few hours at time, then they're fine but if you're sitting at your desk for 8-10 hours a day for work, then I'd strongly recommend you think about other options. I bought a Secret Lab Omega Softweave and when I started working from home, I found that after about 4 hours work, it started to feel very firm and by the end of it, my butt/the back of my upper legs was quite numb.

    I switched to a HP Citadel and found it much better. The only downfall is that the Secret Lab softweave fabric is much cooler to sit on than PU or PVC leather. BTW the HP Citadel chair is PVC leather, not PU leather. PVC leather doesn't peel like PU inevitably does. Online Computer often has great prices on the HP Citadel chair (with free delivery) or if you want to get it locally, get Officeworks to price beat it.

    https://www.onlinecomputer.com.au/120502

    If money is no object, then get something like a Herman Miller. The Aeron is amazing but most people don't have $1600 to spend on an office chair.

  • joker0701 on 11/04/2021 - 13:35
    +2

    If youre spending 6-700 id deffinately go a ergo chair over a 'gaming chair' your back will thank you in the long run!

    Im in a similar position and i think im going to go the ergo human v2 - https://www.templeandwebster.com.au/Ergohuman-V2-Plus-Deluxe…

    Id love to go a used herman aeon or embody but cant find any.

    Secret labs etc look 'cool' but are no where near as good for your body as an actual ergonomic chair.

    • dezi on 11/04/2021 - 13:57

      Daym the ergo human v2 looks really good, i might consider getting it

      • jiberz on 11/04/2021 - 17:24
        +1

        I have had this chair for a few years now. It is good and in my opinion a lot better than a gaming chair. I have two complaints being the neck rest is further back than it looks and you have to sit and you have to sit back in the chair for it provide neck support. Secondly for tilt adjust it has a number of set positions and I feel the perfect tilt is between the upright and the first one back so it can never be in the perfect spot. In terms of durability, it is 4 years old and has had zero issues.

        • dezi on 11/04/2021 - 18:00

          appreciate it, i am highly considering it.

  • Godric on 11/04/2021 - 13:39
    +2

    "looks very good/cool"

    lol

    • dezi on 11/04/2021 - 13:53
      +1

      mate come on need to look good on that setup you know :D

      • joker0701 on 11/04/2021 - 13:58
        +3

        A proper ergo chair is alot more appealing than a 'gaming chair' - impress yourself with quality, not your mates with a chair they dont sit on.

      • SydStrand on 11/04/2021 - 14:19

        Unless you're a Twitch streamer, don't know why looks should have any bearing. No one will see you on it. Not even you will see you on it when you're using the thing.

  • Miami Mall Alien on 11/04/2021 - 13:46
    +2

    I can vouch for the Ikea Markus and the Ikea Jarvfjallet (they also come in leather variants but the fabric material is way more comfortable and less sweaty, especially in summer). I've been using them for years and they've held up quite well and they're one of the few truly high-back chairs I could find in any price range that gave me complete upper back, neck and head support (and I'm around 1.88m). Out of the two, the Jarvfjallet is more adjustable as you can adjust the headrest height, lumbar support, seat height and recline, whereas the Markus only has adjustable seat height/recline.

    About as good as you're going to find unless you want to spend $2,000 on a Herman Miller Aeron.

    • scrimshaw on 11/04/2021 - 15:05

      Many of the sub $300 IKEA chairs do not have much adjustment - you're limited to just seat height and back rest angle. But at least, you can sit on one in IKEA and try it out before you buy and they have a good return policy.

      • Miami Mall Alien on 11/04/2021 - 19:14
        +2

        As I mentioned, the Jarvfjallet has adjustable headrest height, lumbar support, seat height and recline; pretty much one of the few chairs you can find in that price range that does and that's actually comfortable with decent build quality.

  • Kail on 11/04/2021 - 15:12
    +1

    I would suggest going to a few places with affordable chairs and trying them all out.
    Once you find the most comfortable one, check online to see where you can get it cheapest.
    I would never buy a long term use office chair without sitting on it first.

  • garetz on 11/04/2021 - 15:40
    +3

    There is no such thing as gaming chairs, its just some gimmick some companies came up with to get gullible people to buy chairs.

    however ergonomic chairs is a different story, maybe get one of those.

  • balloontree on 12/04/2021 - 09:32
    +1

    Don't get secret lab, too hard, not comfy at all

  • AdamFury on 12/04/2021 - 09:53
    +2

    I bought a used Herman Miller Aeron for $700 on Gumtree. Fantastic chair.

  • muckingfuppet on 12/04/2021 - 09:54
    +2

    Owned a dx racer. Peeled within 4 years, and I ended up giving it away. Gave me back problems, because the "lumbar cushion" isn't great and its just as bad without. Got a cheaper mesh ikea chair, and my back loves it. Would strongly not recommend a gaming chair.

  • Existenz on 12/04/2021 - 18:20

    Have a look at either a used Herman Miller Sayl or a brand new Zapf-T chair from Innerspace. https://www.innerspace.net.au/products/ZAPFT-BK-BY-INNERSPAC…

    The Zapf-t is a bit of a hidden gem I found! I have both chairs and they're both incredibly comfortable for WFH and gaming.

  • dezi on 13/04/2021 - 12:11

    Thanks everyone for the help i managed to get the Ergohuman Plus Elite V2 Mesh instead of a "gaming" chair.

    https://www.templeandwebster.com.au/keyword.php?ust=&command…

    • joker0701 on 13/04/2021 - 12:54

      Great decision - let us know what you think!

    • Existenz on 13/04/2021 - 15:13

      I hope you like it, we had these at my previous work and I hated them… constant back pain!

      • dezi on 13/04/2021 - 15:20

        wait you hated the ergohuman plus Elite v2 mesh?

  • dimitryp on 05/05/2021 - 15:15

    late to the party here, but my vote is for SecretLab. Have a 2020 Omega and its excellent

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