Admittedly even the best gaming chairs can, on occasion, look a bit over-the-top in their designs. Still, even these wannabe-racer designs often provide better back support than your average dining room chair or camping chair. If you've spent hours, and thousands of dollars, picking every part of an extreme gaming PC build, you should be giving your choice of gaming chair just as much consideration.

The best gaming chair, for you and your back, will come down to several factors. If you aren't into the aesthetics of today's tall-backed gaming chairs and prefer something more traditional (often with even better ergonomics), we have recommendations for the best office chairs, too. With office and gaming chairs, different models accommodate different heights and weights, so make sure to check your fit. Look at the width and depth of the seat, too. Some chairs claim that you should be able to sit cross-legged, but that depends on your size and the length of your legs.

When it comes to chair design, lumbar support is vital. The first thing you should look in a new gaming chair should see if it has any have built-in support, which helps your body maintain ideal posture. Some even come with lumbar support pillows that work just as well. Multi-adjustable arm-rests, upholstery, and general style are also important, just note these features aren't cheap.

The way you sit when gaming is probably the last thing you think about when raiding for ten hours. If you decided to invest a ton of money into getting all the best components for your gaming PC for maximum performance, why not do the same for yourself?

Best gaming chairs

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The Omega is one of the most well-made chairs we've tested. From the casters to the base, the lift mechanism, armrests, and seat back, Secretlab used some of the best materials available. The Omega has also recently been upgraded with Secretlab's 2020 series of improvements. That includes premium metal in the armrest mechanism, making it silky smooth to adjust and even more durable, and the addition of the company's ridiculously durable PU Leather 2.0.

The chair features a high-quality, cold-cured foam to provide support. It feels a little bit firm at first, but in our testing became more comfortable after more extended gaming periods. What makes the Omega stick out from the crowd is the included velour memory foam lumbar and head pillows.

These are so comfortable that we could smoothly fully recline the chair and take a nap if we wanted to. Though that's not a great look in the office... If you're looking to treat your body with a chair that will genuinely last, the Secretlab Omega is worth every penny.

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2. Noblechairs Epic Black Edition The best gaming chair for all-round comfort Seat type: Racing seat | Recline: 135 degrees | Weight capacity: 264 lbs | Weight: 62 lbs | Available colors: Black $418.98 View at Amazon $423.80 View at Amazon 488 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Excellent materials and build quality Sturdy and comfortable Impressive understated styling

Putting together any piece of deconstructed furniture is no laughing matter, but at least with the Noblechairs Epic Black Edition it's as easy a process as it can be. And once all the parts are combined into chair-like structure, all that fiddling and grunting from the last 30 minutes fades away into comfortable bliss.

That's because the Noblechairs Epic Black Edition brings its excellent material choice to the fore. Besides the wrap of vinyl/PU leather hybrid, there's markedly more metal to the Epic Black Edition compared to many gaming chairs available—even most 1337 fare on this list. The backrest lever and some of the adjustable arm rest buttons are now metal to keep them in tip-top shape for longer.

While a little on the pricier side, this is clearly a gaming chair built to last—think of it as an investment in your prolonged comfort. You shouldn't grow tired of the black colourway thankfully, either. The same which can't be said for some of the more outlandish designs out there. Once you're working from home in five years, think back to when you thought that fire-emblazoned gaming chair was 'legit'.

Read our full Noblechairs Epic Black Edition review.

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It's not the cheapest gaming chair you can find, but if you're looking to correct your computer neck, the SL5000 is the chair for you. The dual cushions can be adjusted to support both your lumbar and cervical spines simultaneously so you can settle back into this chair with ease. The backrest is entirely independent and adjustable, which also lessens the strain on your neck and back. The 4D customizable armrest allows for a wide variety in terms of width and height adjustments to better support your wrists and arms.

The quality of the chair's materials can't be denied, either. The entire exterior is made of PVC leather that's stain and water-resistant, with extra thick foam padding. The base of the chair is made of aluminum alloy. Plus, the SL5000 stands out, as it strays from standard gaming chair colors of red and black or black on black. The royal purple is eye-catching and vibrant, and the color even lines the inside of the wheels - this thing is a beauty.

It's wildly easy to put together, too. The only qualm we have is that the seat cushion leaves a little to be desired when compared to the extra cushy backrest. Otherwise, it's a beautiful, comfortable chair that is well worth the cash.

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4. Noblechairs Hero The best gaming chair for back support Seat type: Office chair | Recline: 90-135 degrees | Weight capacity: 330 lbs | Weight: 61.7 lbs | Available colors: Black, Black and Red / Blue / Platinum / Gold No price information Check Amazon 105 Amazon customer reviews ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Great for lumbar support Ideal for larger frames Has a firm seat and back-rest...

When buying a gaming chair, it's easy to forget your health. After all, most are advertised as luxurious, cushioned thrones that soothe your every ache as you smash the crap out of enemies in Apex Legends. But that simply isn't true, and for some it's important to pick a chair that takes back-support seriously. With some of the team having used it on a daily basis for almost a year, we can thoroughly recommend the Noblechairs Hero, in uPVC leather. While not the most exciting of chairs, or the sportiest, it definitely takes care of your back.

The Hero is easy to assemble, with the exception of the bit where you attach the back to the seat, so make sure you have a buddy for that. It's firm and supportive, and extremely sturdy. As a word of warning: it is very firm, so if you prefer a softer chair that isn't as good for your lumbar, this maybe isn't for you.

Aside from that it has a decent recline, can withstand frames of up to 330 lbs, and it has fully adjustable wrist-rests. It's heavy, but glides pretty easily on the supplied casters. It'll look just fine in both an office or gaming setup, so you're getting a chair that can do both. Not bad, if you can afford it.

Best gaming keyboard | Best VR headset | Best mechanical keyboard| Best wireless gaming mouse | Best wireless gaming keyboard

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Whether you're a kid or just shorter than the average human, Arozzi has got you covered. The Verona Junior's racing-style chair is made just for individuals under 5-feet, 2-inches tall, which means you can count on this chair molding to the proportions of your body—and you can finally touch the floor with your feet without having to reach upward for your keyboard. Win, win.

It's possible to curl up into a larger chair, but sitting for long periods of time with your body contorted into such a position can put stress on your joints, especially your back. That's not healthy in the long run. A smaller chair allows shorter individuals to get proper support to their lower back, which helps maintain a neutral spine posture. The included lower back pillow actually sits right at your lower back, so the chair helps to hold you up—no fatigued back muscles from trying to maintain a dancer-like posture for eight hours a day.

The shallower seat back allows you to sit all the way back in the chair, which means added support for the hips and other joints that may have become achy with age if you're a short adult. The Verona Junior also reclines to an impressive 165 degrees, so you can nap fearlessly.

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6. Corsair T3 Rush The best gaming chair with style Seat type: Racing seat | Recline: 180 degrees | Weight capacity: 264.5 lbs | Weight: 49.60 lbs | Available colors: Charcoal, Gray/Charcoal, Gray/White $299.99 View at Amazon Breathable soft fabric 4D armrests Memory Foam Lumbar Pillow 180-degree recline

Corsair's latest addition to its lineup of premium gaming chairs, the T3 Rush, has gotten a much-needed facelift. The T3 Rush is an insanely comfy chair thanks to its memory foam lumbar pillow but, more importantly, uses a breathable soft fabric in place of faux-leather. The benefit of this is that it retains less heat, keeping you fresh and comfy instead of sweating in your squeaky pleather.

The Rush also reclines to a ridiculous 180 degrees in case you wanted to lie back and take a comfy cat nap before you take on another marathon streaming session of Apex Legends or CS: Go.

The only major downside for the T3 Rush mostly fits for smaller framed users. If you require a little larger seat, the T3 will be an uncomfortably tight fit. Other than that, the T3 Rush is an impressive looking gaming chair that doesn't need a loud color to make a statement.

Best office chairs

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1. NeueChair The best chair for offices Seat type: Task chair | Recline: 85-130 degrees | Weight capacity: 240 lbs | Weight: 64 lbs | Available colors: Silver, Obsidian No price information Check Amazon Ridiculously sturdy and well made Comfortable and supportive Highly adjustable

If you're the sort of person who prioritizes functionality over flash, the NeueChair is an excellent option. Which isn't to say it's not stylish—quite the opposite, the NeueChair comes in a sleek, muted obsidian or flashy chrome/silver, both with bold, sweet curved supports on the back and an attractive black mesh. But, more importantly, the NeueChair is built to last, with a heavy, sturdy industrial construction. Even the weight of the chair in the packaging indicates that this is a solid piece of carefully constructed industrial art: it's heavy and substantial.

Assembling it is a breeze, as it comes in two discrete pieces, and is simply a matter of inserting the casters and pushing them together. Almost every aspect of the seat is adjustable, from the armrests (which you can move in three dimensions to perfectly suit your elbows and forearms) to the adjustable lumbar support system that lets you change the height and depth of the backrest. It's one of the best office chairs I've ever had the pleasure to sit in and, if you can afford the admittedly steep price tag, well worth the investment.

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The Steelcase Leap is one of the most iconic modern chairs with a price to match its performance, but we prefer the newer Steelcase Gesture for a number of reasons. Foremost of which is, holy smokes, it feels good. If your eyes are still watering at the cost, know this: much as we enjoyed the other chairs singled out here, none of them came close to the comfort of the Gesture.

Imagine your butt and back being perfectly cupped by the giant ever-loving hand of the deity of your choice. That's what the Gesture is like. Or, as it became known amongst us testing it: 'the dream chair.' Anyone that spends a significant amount of time in a chair should seriously consider splurging on this one. The steep price buys you a lifetime warranty and your butt the most comfortable embrace it’ll ever experience.

3. Herman Miller Embody The best gaming chair when money is no object Seat type: Task chair | Material: Multi-layer fabric | Seat height: 16-20.5 in | Weight capacity: 300 lbs | Weight: 51 lbs Low Stock $1,495 View at Amazon $1,695 View at Amazon Low Stock $1,695 View at Amazon Stimulates blood and oxygen flow Unrivaled back support

If money really is no object, Herman Miller has the exorbitant Embody. It's the most obviously high-end looking of the chairs we've tried. Viewed from behind its dramatically-shaped backrest has a biomechanical look that seems like it came straight from a sci-fi cockpit. According to its maker, "Embody is so advanced that it actually lowers your heart rate and reduces stress by stimulating blood and oxygen flow while you sit."

We can't confirm that, but what the Embody's flexible matrix design definitely does offer is superb support in the lower back area. The higher part functions like a more sophisticated version of the OM5, automatically adjusting to your posture and sitting position. The puckered fabric used for the seat material also stays pleasantly cool during extended gaming sessions. The Embody is clearly an excellent chair, especially if you have lower back problems, but the sky high price tag means you might end up spending more on your chair than your actual gaming PC.

4. Office Master OM5 The best gaming chair with a self-adjusting mechanism Seat type: Task chair | Material: Polyflex back, fabric seat | Seat height: 14.7-25 in | Weight capacity: 300 lbs | Weight: 64 lbs $510.90 View at Amazon $510.90 View at Amazon Automatic adjustments Highly customizable colors

On the face of it, the Office Master OM5 sounds like the snake oil of seating. The marketing materials describe it as "a self weighing chair that intuitively responds to a wide range of body weights and sizes without the need for manual tension." Essentially: don't worry about all those levers and knobs on the other chairs, this one will magically work out what your butt and back need, no problemo. Our skepticism didn't last long, though, because when it comes to the OM5, sitting is believing.

There are a couple of manual adjustments possible, but all of the magic happens around your back and hip. As you lean back and apply pressure, the seat pan shifts forwards while the backrest reclines in response, articulating smoothly thanks to wheels on runners that function much like the ones in desk draw sliders. It takes a little getting used to, but transitioning from upright work mode to relaxing whilst playing or watching swiftly becomes a cinch. If you want comfort and can't be bothered with levers and adjustments, the OM5 is one of our favorites. It gives you high-end quality and comfort at a mid range price.

Office Star's range of chairs don't look noteworthy at first glance, but the customer reviews are consistently good. We like the ProGrid Back Managers Chair a lot because it offers the kind of tweakability usually only found on much more expensive models.

Using its daunting array of levers, you can adjust the height and tilt of the chair, plus slide the seat pan forwards or backwards. The backrest can also be shifted up or down, and the armrests raised or lowered and slid back and forth until you find the perfect position. It may take a while, but once tune it to your liking the chair becomes incredibly comfortable. With so much customization, the ProGrid is a strong choice, and very hard to beat at this price.

How we test gaming chairs

Between recent articles about the effects of sitting down on your body, and our experimentation with standing desks , you might think PC Gamer has fallen out of love with the humble chair. Dear reader, that could not be further from the truth. As gamers and office workers, our writers spend a significant chunk of each day sitting on their money makers in front of screens. Given that most of us don't plan to change that anytime soon, it only makes sense to do so in a great chair. So that's what I set out to find.

We wanted to find chairs that maximized comfort, support, and value. We spoke with Melissa Afterman, MS CPE , a Senior Principal Ergonomist with VSI Risk Management & Ergonomics , Inc. who specializes in workstation setups.

"Absolutely chairs are still okay," she told me. "Yes, we know that sitting too long is bad for you. The reality is that standing too long is just as bad for you, and so the answer is movement. Taking breaks, getting up at least every hour and moving, or changing your position from standing to sitting every hour so that you're not standing too long either."

"If you're typing and working at the computer, you really want more upright support so that you can maintain neutral spine posture and let the chair hold you up," she said. "But when you switch to gaming mode, you may want to recline a little bit to relax your lower back, while still having good support in that position. So a locking backrest and/or some sort of tension control is important."

Another feature to look for, though it tends to be found on more expensive models, is a seat pan slider. This enables you to slide the positioning of your butt forwards or backward relative to the backrest.