These Are the Best Gaming Chairs, According to Reddit Users

herman miller aeron in graphite
The Best Gaming Chairs According to RedditPopular Mechanics; Courtesy of Herman Miller


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."

Really, any chair can hold you up while you play on a computer or console. But gaming chairs are built specifically with the considerations of gamers in mind—some better than others. Models can be too stiff, not supporting the weight or tilt as you lean in closer to a PC or television screen when things get dicey. Others don’t feel solid or are just too cheap or wobbly when assembled, and chip after a few months of use.

If you’re in the market, the diehard gamers on Reddit have suggestions for your next gaming chair. According to several who frequent subreddits like /r/buildapc, /r/PCGaming, and /r/gamingchairs, there’s not shortage of cushy places to sit. The best gaming chairs offer plenty of back support, are ergonomic, have adjustable components, and sport a comfortable seat. Here are the best of the best gaming chairs, according to Reddit.

The Best Gaming Chairs, According to Reddit

What to Consider

While gaming chairs may look similar to computer chairs, they differ in size and comfort level. Compared to computer chairs, those designed for gaming have higher backrests in order to better support the shoulders and upper back. Similar to higher-end computer chairs, gaming chairs have tilt features, allowing you to shift forward and back and have the chair move with you.

Gaming chairs also are highly customizable, with multiple adjustable pieces that can support the lumbar, arms, neck, shoulders, and back during play. A great gaming chair should correct your posture and push your back straight in order to keep your spine aligned.

How We Evaluated

To find the best gaming chairs according to Redditors, we scoured the website and found discussion boards dedicated to gaming and video games. After we consulted some of the top posts of all time under subreddits like /r/GamingChairAdvice, /r/buildapc, /r/Twitch, as well as what various commentators have to say, these four gaming chairs rose to the top as the best, according to Reddit users.

Looking for more gaming recommendations? Check out our picks for the best Nintendo Switch cases, the best consoles, and the best gifts for gamers.

Herman Miller Aeron

<p>Aeron Chair</p><p>dwr.com</p><p>$1096.50</p><p><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=74968X1596630&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dwr.com%2Foffice-chairs%2Faeron-chair%2F100090456.html&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popularmechanics.com%2Ftechnology%2Fvideo-games%2Fa42042101%2Fbest-gaming-chair-reddit%2F" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><span class="copyright">dwr.com</span>

Surprisingly, many Redditors are not fully sold on dedicated gaming chairs. They believe that they’re purely marketing fluff and that the best chairs for gaming are whichever are most adjustable and ergonomic. And so the most frequently recommended chair is actually this ergonomic office chair, the Aeron by Herman Miller.

The Aeron debuted in 1994 and is the gold standard of lumbar support. It’s Reddit’s Best Overall pick due to two individual pads located on the back of the chair, which support your lumbar and stabilize the sacrum, adjusting to fit the natural curve of the spine and helping support your back during all-day work. These chairs are built to last, and each part can be replaced in case of damage, making its steep price a worthy investment.

According to Reddit user Amos_FKA_Timmy: “The used Aeron I have is hands down the best chair I’ve ever owned. It’s not a big comfy recliner, but I can use it day in and day out and it doesn’t contribute to making my back issues worse.”

User deadlyrepost also recommends the Aeron, saying: “They’re not magic or anything, but they’re adjustable enough for most people, and that’s actually quite difficult because most people have very different shapes, and they’re really good at being sat on for a very long time across years, without causing you issues.”

Steelcase Leap v2

<p>Steelcase Leap v2 Chair</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$599.00</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PPVCCST?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10060.a.42042101%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><span class="copyright">amazon.com</span>

Another frequent nomination for a solid gaming chair is the Steelcase Leap v2. It is an office chair, but many Redditors say the Steelcase Leap v2 as a solid alternative to Herman Miller’s Aeron, and one that can provide more of a satisfying tilt when you lean forward to better stare at a screen.

The chair has gotten nods from users over at /r/OfficeChairs, /r/PCGaming, /r/Twitch, and /r/buildapc. Redditors claim the chair is great on the back, with a contoured backrest that keeps the spine in a natural S-shape while you sit. You can also change the firmness level of the back. Plus the arms are adjustable in a range of directions.

“My Leap v2 is used for office work (10 hours a day, 5 days a week) and gaming (a lot, a lot of gaming), and it’s really perfect—zero back pain after 10-15 hour sessions,” Reddit user scrubling says. “I prefer to lean my back against the backrest while I type and game, and whatever tension and backrest locking they have on the Leap v2 is leaps and bounds more comfortable than the Aeron (for me, this may not be the case for you).”

Secretlab Titan

<p>TITAN 2020 Gaming Chair</p><p>secretlab.co</p><p>$434.00</p><p><a href="https://secretlab.co/collections/titan-series" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><span class="copyright">secretlab.co</span>

TITAN 2020 Gaming Chair

secretlab.co

$434.00

Shop Now

secretlab.co

The Titan is a dedicated gaming chair, loved within the gaming community for its lumbar support. It comes with plenty of upholstery variants and colors for customizable style, adjustable lumbar support and armrests, and tilt adjustability.

Redditors vouch for the Titan 2020’s proper lumbar support that straightens the back without causing additional pain. It also has a memory-foam head pillow with cooling gel, which snaps to the chair and cradles the base of your head in a neutral position. A 5-year warranty provides some insurance in the case of future damage. However, some users comment on how loud the chair squeaks, as well as its leather material chipping and crackling off after a few years.

DXRacer Formula

<p>Formula Gaming Chair</p><p>amazon.com</p><p>$460.22</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL2YJ95S?tag=syn-yahoo-20&ascsubtag=%5Bartid%7C10060.a.42042101%5Bsrc%7Cyahoo-us" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shop Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shop Now</a></p><span class="copyright">amazon.com</span>

This chair (another built specifically for gaming) is ergonomic and offers a wide range of reclining angles, from 90 to 135 degrees. It also has a rocking function that provides 15 degrees of tilt and armrests that adjust up and down, forward and back, and in and out.

Redditors say it’s an affordable alternative to ergonomic office chairs like the Aeron and Leap v2, with many attesting to the DXRacer Formula’s comfort and solid lumbar support.

“No back pain, the headrests are godsent, and you can even recline the chair so that it’s parallel to the ground,” says user EpiCommentary.

You Might Also Like