Office Chair VS Gaming Chair, Which Is Right For You?
1. Whether you are a hardcore gamer or work long hours, having a comfortable chair is essential to improve performance and protect your back. While you may think of a chair as just a chair, there are actually some key differences between an office chair and a gaming chair that can have a huge impact on your posture when you're sitting at your desk.
2. Do you prefer to sit up straight or recline in a chair? Do you need extra lumbar support? Is the appearance of a chair as important as its practicality? Answering some of these questions will help you decide if an office or gaming chair is right for you.
3. In terms of appearance and function, there seem to be some fairly obvious differences between office chairs and gaming chairs, but is there really that much difference in terms of ergonomics and comfort? A good chair is a good investment, especially as many of us are now working from home, so we've taken a closer look at each area to help you make a well-informed decision before you buy.
4. The most important thing to consider when buying a chair is comfort, especially if you plan to sit for many hours throughout the day. Both office chairs and gaming chairs have ergonomic features, including a recliner back and adjustable height, but you'll find that gaming chairs go a step further in terms of comfort.
5. The backrest of a standard office chair reclines with less range of motion, while a gaming chair allows for a fuller recline, so if you like to lean back a lot, this may be the deciding factor for you. As far as actual seating goes, gaming chairs feature bucket seats, while office chairs feature waterfall seats. The waterfall seat supports the back of the legs and takes pressure off the lumbar spine, while the bucket seat doesn't serve any purpose other than comfort. The bucket seat design was inspired by racing cars, so it seems like gaming chairs have bucket seats purely for aesthetics and to make games feel more immersive.
6. Both office chairs and gaming chairs have fixed headrests, but with gaming chairs, you almost always get an extra headrest for added comfort, which is ideal for leaning back in a reclining position . The pillow can also support the neck when sitting in front of the computer for a long time. In some cases, office chairs may have a headrest that can be adjusted up or down, which is an advantage over a fixed headrest, however, gaming chairs can use extra pillows if you're looking for maximum support.
7. The armrests are usually adjustable on both types of chairs, and they always have casters and swivel features which make both equally easy to move, the only caveat is that gaming chairs will undoubtedly be heavier than standard office chairs.
8. Sitting at a desk all day is not good for our posture, if you suffer from any type of back pain then you will definitely want to consider a chair with good back support. Almost all office chairs, with the exception of some classic leather ones, come standard with fixed lumbar support, usually in the form of a curved backrest, to promote good posture.
9. Gaming chairs, on the other hand, often offer extra lumbar support in the form of a padded lumbar pad. Sometimes these are removable and can be moved up or down to support the back area that needs it most, sometimes they're fixed in place, and sometimes they curve at the edges to shape the base of the spine.
10. Besides maximum comfort being the most important part of your buying decision, you might also want to consider what else you can get from your chair. Office chairs are pretty much exactly what they say they are, but if you want to maximize your experience, gaming chairs will give you a little something extra to take your chair from standard to luxury.
11. For extra comfort with extra cushion support, the gaming chair also offers some great extras like a bluetooth speaker in the headrest, something you only really need if you're using the chair for its intended purpose - gaming, However, you can also use them to listen to music while working. For total immersion, some gaming chairs also have vibrations, and there are even some with massage features if you want to combine gaming with luxury.
12. There are two common office chair designs, namely leather office chairs and mesh office chairs. The main difference between the two is breathability. The mesh chair allows for more airflow and keeps you cooler, which is ideal if you're in a hot office. Leather chairs look great and will be comfortable at first, but be aware that if you use a leather seat a lot, it will wear out quickly and lose its cushioning.
13. The gaming chair is upholstered in faux leather, which not only looks great, but also won't wrinkle like genuine leather, thus prolonging the life of the chair. Gaming chairs also come in a variety of bright colors, so if you want to spice up your home office, gaming chairs are the perfect choice for you. They're larger and heavier than standard office chairs, though, so you'll need to weigh your options based on space as well as your own functional preferences.
14. I think it's obvious that gaming chairs are naturally more expensive than office chairs due to the sheer number of extra features they have to offer. Gaming chairs cost between £150/$200 and £400/$500, depending on specs. By comparison, however, an office chair will only set you back between £50/$80 and £200/$300.
15. Good value for money, so you can certainly expect £50/$70 chairs to offer more from a £150/$180 office chair. So it's important to consider how long you'll be sitting in it, and what you'll be doing. Frequent work and gaming will benefit from a high-end office or gaming chair, while inexpensive office chairs will suffice for occasional short-term work.
16. There are some notable differences between office chairs and gaming chairs, and while it all depends on your comfort, it's clear that gaming chairs offer more ergonomic versatility than office chairs.
17. A gaming chair doesn't have to be purely for gaming, however, for some, when you factor in the cost of a gaming chair, the features can go to waste if you're not using it for its intended purpose. With most of the world working from home these days, it's important to have a comfortable chair that will stand the test of time, so be sure to weigh your needs before buying.
