About 67% of U.S. citizens consider themselves gamers, and 43% of those prefer gaming with consoles. If you’re an avid console gamer, you know how important it is to find an excellent console gaming chair.
And when gaming on a console, you’re not sitting in front of a desk, you’re sitting on a sofa or in a console gaming chair in front of a really big screen.
Seven considerations when looking for the best gaming chair for console players
While you’re gaming, you’re a lot more active than if you were watching TV, yet you don’t require as much of the same ergonomics as when you’re working at a computer all day. Finding a gaming chair requires a specific set of characteristics, and it’s also important to think through your personal needs.
1. Height and Weight Capacity
Any gaming chair for adults should have a supportive height and weight capacity. You don’t want a chair that makes you feel crowded, and you also don’t want one that doesn’t fit your back.
As you’re searching for a chair, consider where the headrest will fall as you’re sitting in it. You want to make sure the headrest is either directly in line with the back of your head or slightly below. If it’s too high, it could push your head forward slightly and end up causing neck pain.
Finding the right chair for your weight will also ensure it lasts long. If your chair is made of lightweight materials that can’t withstand specific weights, you’ll end up having to replace it after minimal use.
2. Adjustability for Comfort
In addition to height and weight capacity, search for console chairs that are customizable and adjustable. Since everyone’s different, it’s important to use a chair that accommodates you.
Some adjustment features include:
- Chair tilt
- Headrest height
- Armrest height
- Chair height from the bottom of the floor
You may find that you don’t necessarily care about some of these features, but others might be a deal-breaker. The features that make a comfy gaming chair will depend on your needs and requirements.
3. Ergonomic Support
Though you may not be in your gaming chair as much as you might be in an office chair, you still need long-term support. Even if you’re sitting in your gaming chair for as little as an hour at a time, you need to focus on ergonomics to help improve your comfort.
Ergonomics affects your health and safety, and it can also affect your concentration. If you don’t have the right chair, you simply won’t play your best game.
An ergonomic gaming chair should have excellent support around the neck and lower back. When you’re sitting in it, you should be upright. The chair shouldn’t be forcing you to curve forward or slouch while you’re playing.
If the chair has armrests, they should allow your forearms to lay at a 90-degree angle. When your arms are resting, you shouldn’t be raising your shoulders or causing arm strain.
4. Budget and Value
Your budget will also be one of the top considerations for what to look for in a gaming chair. You may not have the budget you need for a high-end chair, but skimping out could cost you in the long run.
At the very least, go for a chair that offers the right support at the right price. It may not have everything you want like adjustability, but it should be ergonomic at the very least.
If you do have room to squeeze your budget, keep in mind that cheaper isn’t better. If you try to opt for a cheaper chair, it could wear down quickly and force you to replace it after limited use.
5. Materials and Longevity
Materials and longevity are related to budget and value. Generally, more expensive chairs use better materials, so they tend to last longer.
As you’re looking for a chair, consider the base and seat materials. For the seat, most gaming chairs will come in real or faux leather or fabric.
If you opt for a leather seat, you’ll have less temperature control. Especially if you game for long periods, the leather can get sticky and uncomfortable. On the other hand, faux leather is usually made of plastic and much easier to clean than fabric.
Fabric chairs tend to be more comfortable, but they wear down quicker over time. Most gamers may be eating or drinking while they’re playing, and a fabric chair is highly prone to stains.
6. Armrests and Cupholders
Armrests and cupholders are a few gaming chair features that many consider as extra features. However, armrests may be essential when it comes to ergonomics.
Choosing a chair with armrests depends on where you usually game. If you are looking for a chair that sits on the floor so you’re looking up at your monitor, you might not need armrests at all. Armrests are more comfortable if you’re seated upright and looking at your monitor head-on.
Cupholders are an excellent add-on feature for most gamers. While they aren’t necessary, they help you stay hydrated without breaking your concentration. Chairs that include cupholders tend to be slightly more pricey, but they’re worth it if your gaming space doesn’t have much room.
7. Console Gaming Chair Aesthetics
The aesthetics of your chair might not be important for everyone. Yet, choosing a chair that looks great can make your entire gaming experience more enjoyable.
You may want a flashy chair that stands out or a more neutral chair that blends into the rest of your space. No matter your preference, there’s a gaming chair that can meet your needs.
Many gaming chairs even have unique shapes that look great and can make you feel more immersed in a game. Depending on your budget, you can even find custom chairs that suit all of your preferences.
Make the Best Choice When Buying a Gaming Chair
Further selection criteria could be whether you want other built-in features, e.g. built-in sound systems or vibration motors that vibrate in the chair and provide more realistic immersion into virtual worlds. Especially if you play a racing game with VR glasses then that can make a very special difference.
Before purchasing a console gaming chair, there is a lot to think about. So you shouldn’t buy a chair in haste but plan everything well so that you don’t regret your purchase after a few weeks.
Think about your gaming space and how a chair will fit. Do you play on your TV or a monitor? Do you tend to sit on the floor or do you like to be level with the screen? Answering some of these questions can help guide your choices.
We’ve reviewed some of the best gaming chair brands to help make the research easier for you.
