No gaming chair lasts forever, be it a cheap or an expensive chair, it will wear out and break. But it is fair to say that a premium chair from a reputable manufacturer will outlast a cheap chair. Careful handling as instructed, occasional maintenance, regular inspections, and repair of minor faults, can increase the lifespan of a chair.
My chair after two years of use
Seams and upholstery after 2 years, daily use for about 6 hours
How Long Does A Gaming Chair Last
Very hard to say, as there are many factors besides the price that affect how long a gaming chair will last. If you buy a cheap 100-dollar chair and you use it every day for a couple of hours, it might last a year or two.
However, the more you spend on a chair, the better quality and better material you can expect and thus an essential longer lifespan. Good premium chairs can last 5 to 10 years even with daily use.
So obviously, what influences the lifespan of every gaming chair to a large extent is the degree of usage. If you sit in it for several hours a day, the chair wears out much quicker than if it is used only a couple of hours on the weekends. Where the first signs of wear appear can vary too and depends on the quality of the chair. Often, however, it starts with the wear of the covers, a bit of squeaking, and then it starts to wobble.
Gaming chair parts that wear out and may break
Most of the parts that make up a chair can be ordered online and are very easy to replace:
Caster wheels
The plastic wheels break under load, the stem breaks out from the wheelbase, the roller axle breaks, the bearings wear out and crunch.
Chair base
The base will simply break if the material is under-dimensioned, the weld seams are weak or the workmanship is poor.
Armrests
The padding becomes hard, mechanics of adjustment jams, screw connections too weak or loose, armrest wobble
The gas lift
The chair sinking down or the seat will not lower or raise up anymore, are typical signs that the gas lift mechanics are faulty, the cylinder seals are worn out, or that gas has escaped. Sometimes the gas lift is too weak and not really designed for the maximum load specified in the specs. Always check the maximum load capacity of a gaming chair gas lift, and make sure it has enough margin.
Chair Base Tilt Mechanism
The locking washer wears out, the worn-out plastic liner, and tilt mechanism can no longer be locked or unlocked, seat wobbles.
The following components are actually difficult to replace. Depending on how bad the damage is, buying a new chair is a more sensible choice.
Cover material
Colors fade, fabrics wear out, synthetic leather becomes stiff and brittle, and PU coating flakes off the carrier fabric.
Padding
The padding loses its elasticity, which means that it will not deflect (bounce back) as much after it has been compressed. As a result, you sink in more, the cushioning effect becomes less. High-density foam padding used in more expensive chairs will last longer and the padding stays firm
The metal frame
How strong the frame is depends on the type of steel used, the thickness of the metal, and the quality of the weld seams. If the material thickness is too thin or if the welding work is bad, the frame can bend or break at a weak point.
What To Do If Your Chair Is Broken
If the gaming chair breaks, you have several options. If the chair is still under warranty, then of course the first step before you do anything yourself is to contact the seller. If they have good after-sales support, they might send the spare part or replace the chair.
If the chair has already been delivered with defects, you should send it back and request a replacement. When you buy a new product, the seller is obliged to provide you with a damage-free and fully functional item.
If you have been using your chair for a while and it becomes defective with major damage or if the chair is very old, it is often not worth repairing, and buying a new chair is the better solution.
