Gaming Chair vs Office Chair – Which One To Choose?

Comfortable seating is quite important for working professionals and gamers as they sit for extended periods of time.

So, while purchasing a chair, the most common dilemma faced by them is – whether to go with an office chair or gaming chair.

At first glance, you may think there isn’t much difference between them apart from some additional ergonomic features. But that not entirely true.

In this article, we are going to explore the key differences of both options clearly which helps you make the right choice as per your requirements.

But first let’s understand what defines a gaming chair or office chair.

What Defines an Office Chair?

Office Chairs are quite common and are used in workplaces as well as homes. They usually have a simple design and are heavily padded with lumbar support. Moreover, their height can be adjusted as per need. Compared to gaming chairs, they are significantly cheaper. Even amongst office chairs, there are different categories like the executive chair, conference chair, ergonomic chairs, etc.

What Defines a Gaming Chair?

Gaming Chairs are chairs that are specifically designed for long gaming hours. Although there is no specific definition of such a chair, there are some common features that you can find like a high degree of recline, Bucket seat, etc. Even amongst gaming chairs, there are some different categories.

There are chairs specifically meant for racing games that resemble the seat of a sports car. Other categories include Rocker chairs and Floor Chairs. Rocker chairs move back and forth and have a curved shape and are best suited for multiplayer games. Floor chairs are the least expensive and are suited for casual gamers.

Office Chair Vs Gaming Chair – Comparison Table

Feature	Gaming Chair	Office Chair
Headrest	Fixed and static mostly	Adjustable mostly
Backrest	Winged	Wingless
Armrests	3D or higher	2D and higher
Recline	High degree of reclination	Low to high
Seat Pan	Bucket seat	Flat
Seat Edge	Often raised	Waterfall shape
Lumbar support	Pillows, detachable	Fixed or adjustable
Upholstery	Faux leather	Leather and mesh
Price	$150 – $500	$100 – $300

Gaming Chair Vs Office Chair – Detail Feature Analysis

Below, we shall compare the features and other aspects of both models in depth. Check out the information clearly to know which option chooses your needs better.

1. Design

One of the primary reasons people decide to get gaming chairs instead of an office chair is on how the chair appears. The primary differences are extravagant colour combinations, the stitches, and options for customization which can be adapted to personal workplace setups. Be aware that these features could raise the cost that you pay for the chair. It’s not common to find these options on regular office chairs.

When deciding between a gaming chair and a traditional office chair it’s vital to know what you’re looking for in terms of the style of the chair or the general performance of the chair in the cost you’re willing to pay.

2. Upholstery

Office chairs are mostly available in two upholstery options that include leather and mesh. The major difference between these two is their breathability. Mesh chairs permit greater airflow and help keep your comfortable, and are great when you’re working in a hot workplace. Leather chairs look gorgeous and initially extremely comfortable, however, be aware that genuine leather will be worn down quickly and loose its cushioning when employed for a long period of time.

Gaming chairs are upholstered with faux leather that is not just beautiful but doesn’t show wrinkles like genuine leather, giving the chair a longer lifespan. Gaming chairs are also available with a wide range of vibrant shades, so if are looking to add some flair at your office then a gaming chair can make a statement.

3. Seats Standard Vs Bucket

The most significant difference between bucket seats racing style gaming chairs and a regular office seat is how they affect your body when you’re in the chair. A bucket seat is similar to the seats available in cars which makes you feel as if the chair is embraces you while you sit.

A regular office chair gives you some mobility and won’t keep your in one spot. Deciding on the style that is right for you depends on your personal preferences and how you prefer being seated for long durations of time.

The biggest drawback to the design of the bucket seat in the lack of freedom to move around is the bolsters on the sides. If you’re someone who loves crossing your legs or reclining in various postures during all day long, it could be a problem in the event that you’re not a slimmer or smaller person. However, an office chair can accommodate many sizes for sitting comfortably.

4. Reclination

The capacity of reclined chairs is a different feature found in higher-end chairs than mid-range chairs. In a workplace there is no need to recline. In fact, recline during work can result in injuries to the wrists and shoulders. Reclining is a good option to talk on the phone or having a break from work but it’s not a feature that’s in high demand for all chairs.

Gaming chairs, however they always have an option to recline. Some chairs are built to recline towards 180°, whereas others are limited to 135 or as.

While sitting, research has found that a reclining position at 135 degrees is ideal position for spinal pressure. However, office spaces aren’t designed to accommodate this type of posture. However, reaching towards a desk puts stress on the shoulders, wrists and neck. If you’re using a desk is designed to accommodate this type of position that’s not ergonomically sound.

Gaming chairs are usually employed in a reclined posture because gamers are able to use controllers and don’t have to communicate as often at their desks.

Of course, an upright desk, and not using a chair is much better than reclined chairs. It puts the least pressure on the spine, and has the least compression and most comfortable posture.

5. Lumbar Support

Proper support for the lumbar region is the first significant innovations to the design and ergonomics of chair. The pressure from sitting increases on the discs of the lumbosacral region in the back of your lower. This can lead to poor posture and causes back discomfort. The invention of lower back support has made office chairs suitable to sit for long hours on end.

Lumbar support is fairly identical across office and gaming chairs. At the lower side, gaming chairs do not have support for lumbar or include a fixed lumbar pillow that is in place. The best or high-end gaming chairs come with an adjustable lumbar cushion. Office chairs with high-end ergonomics come with adjustable lumbar support that can be moved upwards and downwards as well as inside and outside.

6. Headrests

As the name implies, headrests provide resting area to your head for relaxing. This feature is helpful when you are you are taking calls or performing other tasks that don’t require any head movements the headrest is the best option for relaxing the muscles. This reduces tension in the shoulders and neck and assists in maintaining proper posture.

Headrests are usually not required for chairs. The low-end task chairs don’t include them at all. But ergonomic chairs can include headrests (adjustable or fixed). They can be adjusted up and down while some of them can be adjusted to tilt in and out.

Gaming chairs, however tend to be flat when it comes to headrests and mostly don’t come with adjustable feature. This is because, in part, it is due to the fact that the headrest is by far the most noticeable part so it is most likely to be seen on the webcam or in the course of a video.

Ergonomic office chairs are surely the winner when compare to gaming chairs in this aspect. The only benefit that gaming chairs could have been that a few models come with adjustable neck pillows. However, this isn’t an essential feature.

7. Height Adjustment

The main fundamental feature of modern-day chair is the feature of adjusting the height. Be it the most basic office task chairs or the highest-end designs (with ergonomics), almost all chairs come with adjustable heights. Actually, altering the height of the chair is one of the most basic adjustments you can do to make it more comfortable for your desk chair.

The height adjustment for a seat is easy. But make sure that the upper edge of your seat is in line with your knees to keep your feet in level with the floor. In the event that your chairs are too tall, you’ll find yourself tempted to slump down, or be seated with your leg bent under your body, both of which could harm your posture. However, when the chair isn’t low enough it’s likely to sit in a position where you are trying to reach high at the desk.

The main distinction between high-end and low-end chairs lies in the type of gas cylinder utilized for controlling the height of the chair. These cylinders are susceptible to failure over the time and the chair may lose its height gradually and require adjustment. It’s the same for the gaming chairs and office chairs.

8. Arm Rests

Adjustable armrests allow you to adjust them to many different sizes: up and down, inward and back by twisting out and in and moving out to facilitate getting out. Chairs with lower prices tend to feature fixed armrests, whereas the high-end and mid-range chairs usually have more adjustable points.

In general gaming chairs generally come with more adjustment options for an affordable price point than office chairs of comparable price.

The positioning of armrests may or may be a point of differentiation in the context of the user’s surroundings and habits of use. For office workers, armrests can block the access of the keyboard drawer or limit the ability of a chair to be able to slide under desks. On the other hand, they might find that correctly adjusted armrests help relieve wrist strain while typing or using the mouse.

9. Back Rests

The curved backrest is another noteworthy feature that distinguishes the gaming chair (looks wise) aside from office chairs. It’s another great idea derived from the design of racing car seats. However, they don’t provide any advantages in terms of ergonomics. However, they offer gamers more of gaming experience, when using racing cars.

Winged backrests will definitely give you the feeling of being in the driver’s seat when you’re pushing yourself over the finish line while playing car games. If you’re looking for an ordinary gaming chair usage, you’ll find the backrest with wings restricts your upper body movement. Users who are larger may find it difficult to move when sitting in a chair with wings, and should opt for models with extra-wide seats to accommodate.

10. Seat Edge

The raised lip of gaming chairs is another design element which is a mirror image of the car seat and serves the same function as the sides that are raised do.

The higher front on car seats helps elevate the legs of the driver slightly to make it easy for them reach for the pedals. This also helps keep the driver in their seat. While sitting in a chair for work, there is no push-button to press.

The most ergonomic position for sitting is knees bent 90 degrees, with feet flat on the ground. In this position such as a seat with an edge that falls down as well as a straight edge used on office chairs is the best choice to reduce pressure on the back of the thighs.

11. Additional Features

The gaming chairs already seem too big and they come with more features than their office-based counterparts which are usually basic.

Latest gaming chairs come with cooling fabrics and/or heating pads. In addition to that, we’ve observed a few gaming chairs that have an integrated massage feature.

To make your chair more attractive A few gaming chairs are equipped with RGB lighting. Also, we shouldn’t forget how some of first gaming chairs were equipped with speakers that were integrated, and are still in use in the present.

12. Manoeuvrability

The lightness that office chair are makes them suitable to move quickly across desks. Gaming chairs are heavy, so employees must be able to move around at work. It’s also important to know that both styles permit 360-degree swivelling, which means you can move around your desk equally enjoyable.

13. Price and Warranty

Most of the Office Chairs are available for less than $ 150 and come with a 6-month warranty. Gaming Chairs on the other hand cost much more and their price starts at around $ 200 and goes to $ 500. They even have warranties for up to 5 years. Some of the cheaper gaming chairs have a 1-year warranty and cost significantly less than $ 500. In terms of value for money, Gaming chairs just edge out its competitor.

Summary – Gaming Chair or Office Chair

If you work from home all day long, then a high-end office chair will be more comfortable than gaming chairs. Because the gaming chair (typically) offers enough comfort for a short period of a time and they don’t provide adequate support and ergonomics that are available with an office chair that is well-designed. A good office chair will provide you with maximum support in all of the most suitable places for sitting for a long time.

The gaming chairs are just as comfortable as it is about aesthetics. It is ideal for sitting for only a few hours at a time.

Whichever chair you choose for your needs, remember that it has to offer the right support for your chair. Everybody is not alike, and it’s difficult to trust reviews when shopping on the internet. If possible, try out the gaming chairs and desk chairs at the local furniture store. This will give you a first-hand experience of what you can expect from in the seat.

If you’re looking online for office chairs or gaming chairs, be sure to review the return policy of the seller. This means you’ll refund your money should you not like the way it feels.

How can I Make Certain that a Specific Chair is Suitable for Me?

It’s a tricky question to solve, and the best way is to visit an offline store and test the product If you’ve got such stores close to your home (and they have the item that you are looking for).

This being said, the most effective thing to do is be sure to carefully examine the dimensions and specifications of the chair. Also, be sure that the seat’s width and the weight of the load particularly won’t cause any issues. Remember that some chairs come in various sizes, for instance, Herman Miller make chairs in medium, small or large sizes. So dependent on your weight or height it is essential that you choose the correct model.

There will always some ambiguities around the subject However, one thing that can assist is to go online and conduct some extensive research and perhaps get feedback from the owners of this chair on forums like of Reddit. There may be a person with a similar physique and height as you, who will be able to provide crucial information on how comfortable and suitable they feel about the chair that you are considering.

Final Takeaway

We hope the information provided in this article has helped you make a wise and informed decision. If you still have any queries, write to us in the comment section below. We shall reply to them as soon as possible. For more such articles, keep visiting our website.