Best gaming chairs 2024: get more comfort and features when gaming

Picking out one of the best gaming chairs is a great thing to do. Not only will you be blessed with greater comfort on longer sessions, you'll also be less likely to injure yourself, thanks to the range of support and adjustment on offer.

In this list, we've collated the best options for all sorts of gamers. From kids to those with a larger frame; whether you're on a tight budget or are looking for the ultimate premium model, we've got you covered.

Many gaming chairs in this guide have been extensively tested by the T3 team, to ensure you're buying the very best chairs on the market. You can find out more about how we test our gaming chairs at the bottom of this guide.

We've also made sure to test products from a range of different manufacturers. That ensures you can be confident that any claims are being made relative to other models on offer, giving you a complete overview of the options available.

Sam Cross

I've been testing the best gaming chairs since starting at T3, giving me a wealth of insight into the best possible options. As T3's resident sitting-down expert, I'm well-placed to guide you through the differences between models and highlight exactly what is worth your hard-earned cash.

T3's Top Picks

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Best overall

This gaming chair from SecretLab follows up the SecretLab Titan SoftWeave gaming chair that was so well reviewed. As such, the Titan Evo had a tough act to follow, but as we detail in our full SecretLab Titan Evo review, which was conducted by T3's gaming chair expert Robert Jones, somehow SecretLab has made the best gaming chair on the market even better. That's high praise from a reviewer who has spent going on half a decade reviewing the finest gaming chairs.

When we built and then tested the Secretlab Titan Evo we discovered it has done this by rolling both its Titan and Omega gaming chair ranges together to produce just one design, the Titan EVO. This combines design elements from both (even if it does lean toward the Titan more) as well as features. During our review process, we discovered it also evolves the gaming chair product in a few small but neat ways.

These include magnetic armrest top plates and a magnetic head pillow (the latter meaning there are no garish pillow straps in sight), as well as a really clever internal lumbar support system. The lumbar support system is controlled by two knobs located on the backrest, and allow a flexible internal membrane to move up and down as well as in and out. This means that no matter the size or shape of the user, they can customise the lumbar support to their needs.

The seat base has also been redesigned in collaboration with ergonomic experts, and its super neat as not only does it naturally guide its sitter to sit in the middle, but the user can also lounge out if desired over its wings as they've been made to be soft and malleable. It's literally the best of both worlds.

Naturally, all the quality that was already on offer on SecretLab gaming chairs is also in residence, such as 4D armrests, quality hydraulics and tilt functionality, as well as a really fine selection of upholstery finishes. When testing the Evo we were impressed with the new faux leather upholstery especially.

The result is that the SecretLab Titan Evo builds upon the packages offered by the Titan and the Omega, offering gamers a similar but better experience across the board. After testing the Evo we say that the caveats to an instant purchase include its price, which has gone up a bit from last year's models, as too its design, which only comes in one flavour, so if you don't like it then that's that. You can though buy the chair in three different sizes, so even the smallest or largest gamers will be catered for.

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Best premium

As we discovered during testing and then wrote about in our Noblechairs Epic Series Real Leather review, the Epic series gaming chair from Noblechairs is all about combining luxurious leather, best-in-class quality and a classic style reminiscent of high-end racing car seats. As a result it's an easy pick for one of the best gaming chairs and we'd recommend adding it to your shortlist if you've got a healthy budget.

We found during our testing that this leather-clad beauty is easy to set up and has a high-density cold foam upholstery for maximum comfort – and it's robust too, so it should last you a long time after you've bought it. Be warned, it's one of the bigger chairs in our list, though, so it won’t do for tight spaces.

Design-wise it leans towards the racing-car-inspired gaming chair range, with the black and white version tested by T3 looking particularly classy. Naturally, different upholstery designs and colours are available, though, so you can customise the chair to your tastes.

Want to compare two top chairs in T3's best gaming chairs buying guide? Then be sure to check out our SecretLab Titan SoftWeave vs Noblechairs Epic Series Real Leather comparison feature. We've also got a dedicated feature comparing this premium-priced chair against a top budget offering, too, so if you're unsure whether you need to spend big, check out our Epic Series Real Leather Chair from Noblechairs vs GTPlayer Gaming Chair comparison feature, too.

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Best budget

A British brand that says it champions product quality over its marketing budget sounds hype-tastic but, as we discovered in our BraZen Phantom Elite gaming chair review, this chair truly does offer affordable comfort and snug support.

And, as we discovered in our testing of the BraZen Phantom Elite, it manages to do this in a relatively subdued palette of predominantly black with a pop of colour in one of six options to line the trim.

Gaming chairs like to shout loud and proud with logos on such furniture pieces, and BraZen is no different, with the company crest embroidered across the chair, neck and lumbar support cushions.

Our reviewer discovered that for such a low price the Phantom offers plenty of room, too, and its smooth PU leather is wrapped around a sturdy steel frame, bolstered with quilted foam padding, making for a firm but comfortable seat for marathon gaming sessions that won't have you cramping up after a few hours.

Because it's so comfortable there's no qualms about using the Phantom as an office chair. Kitted out with a Class 4 gas lift, adjustable armrests, nylon casters, neck and lumbar support cushions, and a butterfly mechanism that allows for height and tilt adjustments, however you want to sit be it stock straight or reclining all the way back, then you'll have no issues. 

If you're looking for something that can transition from work to play to a quick snooze and doesn't cost much, BraZen's Phantom is a great choice.

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Best fabric

As we state in our full Secretlab Titan Evo SoftWeave Plus review, this is the "best fabric-covered gaming chair in the world", so if you're looking for a fabric-upholstered seat for gaming then look no further.

Secretlab pioneered the new trend of fabric-covered gaming chairs with its original SoftWeave fabric, but the new SoftWeave Plus fabric is 3.5x more robust while retaining the luscious feel and look of the original.

When T3 tested this new chair material it was delivered in the firm's new Soda Purple colourway and, simply put, it was a triumph. Vibrant, punchy, and borderline luminescent even in the flattest of light, it was an upholstery that sparked joy every time our reviewer saw it. Well worth considering.

The SoftWeave Plus chair is based on the Titan EVO design that is featured higher up in this guide, so if you fancy that design but with fabric upholstery, this is the chair to choose. The best fabric-covered gaming chair on the market.

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Best for kids

Interestingly this product started off as an April Fools' Day prank by Secretlab, but due to demand for it, the maker went ahead and made it a reality.

The Secretlab Titan XXS is a 1:2 half-size Secretlab Titan (the chair that tops T3's best gaming chair buying guide), and it is designed for children primarily, although pets and even - as T3's full Secretlab Titan XXS review shows - Totoros can sit in it.

As it is for children it has a recommended maximum weight of 70kg (154lbs) and a maximum height of 160cm (5’2”), so if your child falls under those figures then you're golden.

When we tested the Secretlab Titan XXS we found out that what's so impressive about the XXS, which stands for "Extra Extra Small", is that it really is just a miniaturised Titan, with the same build quality and upholstery options available to shoppers.

As we discovered when building it and using it, you lose a few features of the full-size Titan chair, including a magnetic head pillow (the XXS comes only with a strap-on variety), and the armrests aren't quite as manoeuvrable, but overall it is the same very high quality, premium gaming chair product.

The price shows its premium nature and heritage, and no doubt it will put off a lot of parents from buying (it costs more than some high-end adult gaming chairs after all!), but if you want the best gaming chair for children and money isn't a problem, then the Secretlab Titan XXS is it.

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Best for bright finishes

The Boulies Master Series is a remarkable gaming chair which offers premium comfort and style at a more modest price point than some of the competition. But don't let the affordability of this chair fool you – it will stand up against much of the competition with ease.

In our Boulies Master Series review, we loved the range of colours on offer, and we're blown away by the quality of the PU leather used. Adjustability is more than enough for most people, with 4D armrests, adjustable lumbar support, a removable head pillow and a near-horizontal recliner.

There's slightly more to put together, but it's still an easy one-person build. Everything is assembled using the included tools, too, so you can get it built right out of the box.

Overall, the Boulies Master Series is a solid option. It's fantastically comfortable, and the build quality is as good as much more expensive options, without the price tag.

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Best for soft seats

The good folks at AndaSeat know a thing or two about making a comfortable chair. Their models have peppered this buying guide for years, but this model feels like they've finally nailed the formula.

In our AndaSeat Kaiser 3 review, we praised the chair for its brilliant range of adjustment, which in turn led to a massively comfortable experience. 4D armrests and a 4-way lumbar support system makes for a chair that is fully customisable to your body.

It's also incredibly easy to put together, with clear instructions that will leave you in no doubt as to what you're doing. And, the range of finish options are fantastic. Step outside of the usual blacks and greys, and you'll find a range of pastel pinks, blues and browns that are really pleasing to look at.

If you want a viable alternative to the Secretlab Titan Evo, or just want a chair with a really soft seat, the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 is the one for you.

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Best for hardcore gamers

Razer only recently jumped into the gaming chair market, but its first effort, the Razer Iskur, shows just how well the firm understands gamers, as well as just how on lock it is when creating gaming hardware.

Our first discovery when testing out the Iskur for ourselves is that this gaming chair just oozes luxe, with the most stylish backrest we've ever seen (those lines are gorgeous) and fine, quality stitching throughout its smooth and welcoming upholstery. In terms of colourways, the Iskur is available in this mixture of black faux leather and luminous Razer green stitching, as well as black with black stitching, which is aptly called the Black Edition. T3 has also reviewed the Razer Iskur Black Edition, so for our findings and more pictures of that specific variant taken by T3, head on over to our Razer Iskur Black Edition review.

While testing, we discovered that cushioning is firm and the sculpt on the seat means the Iskur delivers very much a racing seat fit, with the gamer firmly held in place on all sides. So if you are a larger gamer or one who prefers a looser fit, then that is something to consider. The max body weight of the chair is 130kg.

As one would want on a premium gaming chair, the Iskur comes with 4D armrests, which allow for a wide-variety of configurations on test, and there is also excellent lumbar support and neck support (there is an included neck cushion), too. We enjoyed the Iskur's recline angle of 139 degrees and found its assembly easy.

As you can see from the price, this isn't a cheap gaming chair, but for gamers with a large budget and/or who already use Razer's gaming products, this feels like an excellent way to extend any gaming setup. Make sure you check our Razer discount codes to help bring the price down. To see how this chair compares to our number one gaming chair choice, be sure to check out our Secretlab Titan vs Razer Iskur comparison feature.

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Best office hybrid

If you're looking for a one chair solution that is equally at home in virtual meetings and virtual worlds, look no further. As we found when testing this chair for our official Noblechairs Hero ST TX review, the soft anthracite fabric upholstery makes for a pleasant experience, which can be dressed up or down depending on your situation.

We were impressed by the robustness of the Noblechairs Hero ST TX, which features a steel frame and an aluminium base for the perfect balance of lightness and durability. The included pillows were soft and comfortable, too.

All of that makes for a premium seated experience. Your body is always supported and longer sessions don't leave you feeling fatigued. It's a great, premium gaming chair that is well worth the money.

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Best for peanuts

If you're shopping for the best gaming chair under £100 then the GTPlayer Gaming Chair is our top choice.

Firstly, it is very, very affordable. Some of the other chairs in this guide cost 3 or 4 times as much, something that really highlights is value. That value does not mean janky or poor build quality, though. You get a stylish design finished with smooth bonded leather, added seat and headrest pillows, smooth-rolling casters and excellent manoeuvrability.

The seat itself can swivel a full 360 degrees, while the seat can recline and rock between 90~150 degrees, too, meaning if you want a quick nap between gaming sessions then you can.

The GTPlayer Gaming Chair is available in 5 stylish colourways, too, including White, Blue, Green, Grey and Red. Setup is straightforward as well and each chair comes with a 30-day return guarantee. Yes, you don't get any fancy features like hidden adjustable lumbar support, magnetic head pillows, 4D armrests and heating, but at this price you just can't complain.

Overall, a really strong ultra budget gaming chair package. You can spend a little more, too, to get a model with a footrest if you wish, which can be nice if you're got very long legs. Compare this chair to a more premium model in our SecretLab Titan SoftWeave vs GTPlayer Gaming Chair comparison feature.

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How we test gaming chairs

How we test gaming chairs

T3 reviews a lot of gaming chairs – as well as other products we test – and, as we want to deliver the most authoritative best gaming chair buying guide on the market we have a rigorous three-stage testing process for each seat.

We also have a dedicated gaming chair testing facility where many of our gaming chairs are built, used and evaluated. We take testing gaming chairs very seriously.

The first stage is chair setup, and this involves us charting exactly how easy it is to assemble a gaming chair when it is delivered. We're looking out for ease of assembly as well as things like how clear the instructions are and if there are any tools included in the box.

Once the chair is assembled we then evaluate its build quality and the calibre of its upholstery. Stitch quality is also analysed, as that is where many lesser gaming chairs fall down, as well as any included extras such as neck and back cushions. How adjustable the chair is is also tested at this point.

The final stage then involves actually sitting in and using the gaming chair to play games, work and stream content from Netflix and YouTube. A variety of games are played, with a specific focus on FPS and RPG, and overall long-term comfort is discovered.

After those four stages are complete, we then compare the chair to the rest of the market and judge it on its value for money in our eyes. Only then do we bestow a score on the gaming chair, with 5 stars the maximum score any seat can attain.