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Deciding on a gaming chair versus an ergonomic chair is not easy. Ergonomic chairs tend to feature contoured, understated designs, high levels of adjustability and shallow recline ranges, while gaming chairs offer full-height bucket seats with loud aesthetics and deep recline functionality.

• Ergonomic chairs are optimised for productivity.
• Gaming chairs are optimised for comfort.

But there are plenty of exceptions to this rule. I went down the rabbit hole to figure out the truth and share it with you.

(Related: 10 Best Ergonomic Office Chairs Tested).

What Makes A Gaming Chair Better?

Above: A typical gaming chair. Note the racing car style bucket, bright colours (how could you miss?) and a high back with a fixed headrest.

You&#;ll spot a gaming chair from a mile away. Inspired by racing car seat designs, it will always look like something a uni student removed from their Toyota Supra:

• Bucket Seat Design. Inspired by racing car seats, this aesthetic looks cool (to some) but offers zero ergonomic benefits.
• Winged Backrest. Another purely aesthetic feature, and is not ergonomically beneficial. You won&#;t be pulling multiple Gs through corners.
• High Backrest. Gaming chairs with low to medium-height backrests are rare. Most have tall backrests that allow you to lean back into them.
• Lumbar and Neck Support Cushions. Gaming chairs will always have at least one, if not both. They provide extra support for your lower back and neck whilst gaming. Allegedly.
• Fixed Headrest. Most gaming chairs will have a fixed headrest that can&#;t be adjusted.
• Loud Colours. Gaming chairs are designed to be visually striking. You&#;ll see a lot of black and intense colours, such as reds, blues, and greens.
• High Level Of Recline. Gaming chairs have a higher level of recline than regular office chairs, with some going back to 180 degrees to create something that resembles a bed.

Most Popular Gaming Chairs In Australia:

• Secretlab Titan Evo. The only gaming chair that doesn&#;t look like it belongs to a 15-year-old teenager, the Titan comes in three sizes and offers a surprising amount of ergonomic support.
• Herman Miller Vantum. The company&#;s first attempt at creating a gaming chair, it promises to offer the best ergonomics in this category.

What Makes An Ergonomic Chair Better?

Above: Budget office chairs have poor ergonomics. Here, the waterfall front edge and height-adjustable armrests are a welcome sight. But the non-adjustable lumbar support and a centre-tilt mechanism are a minus.

A good ergonomic office chair adapts to your biomechanics to put your body in an optimal position.

While the official definition of &#;ergonomic chair&#; is blurry (even OSHA, BIFMA and the Human Factors & Ergonomics Handbook disagree), I believe it needs to satisfy the following minimum criteria:

• Minimal Aesthetics. The pursuit of function over form. The chair is designed to blend into the environment, rather than draw attention to itself. That said, some high-end ergonomic chairs, like the Herman Miller Cosm, are an exception to this rule.
• Adjustable Seat Depth. This is one of the most important aspects of an ergonomic chair, and one that is often overlooked. A good ergonomic chair will have a seat pan that can be moved forward or backward to allow your thighs to be parallel to the ground, which reduces pressure on your knees.
• Mesh Or Fabric Construction. Most ergonomic chairs are built from taut mesh weave on the seat pan and backrest. Some, like the legendary Steelcase Leap, feature fabric construction &#; but they are increasingly rare.
• Adjustable Lumbar Support And Adjustable Armrests. These ergonomic features help prevent lower back issues by encouraging you to sit with a neutral spine, not slouching and keeping your shoulders relaxed (how to adjust your lumbar support).

Did You Know?

The perfect ergonomic posture encourages a 0-degree neck tilt. In other words, your eyes look directly ahead. In contrast, gaming chairs encourage a slightly tilted neck.

Most Popular Ergonomic Chairs In Australia:

• Ergotune Supreme. The winner of my &#;Best Ergonomic Chair In Australia&#; award, the Ergotune Supreme offers outstanding ergonomic features for the price.
• Sihoo M57. An ergonomic office chair that provides adjustability without blowing the budget, the Sihoo is the quiet achiever in this group.
• Steelcase Leap. People who own Leap ergonomic chairs are like people who own classic Jaguars. They&#;re a different bunch who nod to one another and appreciate subtleties that other people don&#;t.
• Herman Miller Cosm. The most beautiful ergonomic office chair on the market today, the Cosm offers a multitude of ergonomic adjustments and a stunning design.
• Herman Miller Aeron. One of the most iconic ergonomic office chairs, the Aeron &#; now in its Remastered form &#; is as striking as it is durable.

(Related: Best Shops To Buy An Office Chair In Sydney and Melbourne).

Gaming Chairs vs Ergonomic Chairs: What&#;s The Difference?

Gaming chairs tend to be cheaper, louder and softer.

Gaming ChairOffice ChairAesthetic / DesignFlashyUnderstatedComfort LevelHighMildErgonomic FeaturesHighExtremePriceUnder $$100-$

Let&#;s take a closer look at each of the factors.

1. Aesthetic / Design.

Gaming chairs tend to be more flashy and attention-grabbing (imagine a head-turning Ferrari), while ergonomic chairs are designed to blend in with the rest of the room.

2. Comfort Levels.

Gaming chairs are designed for comfort, with plush moulded foam and thick layers of silky PU leather (how to choose the best leather office chair).

The backrests recline to as low as 180°, so you can finally take that break between games. You can relax and enjoy a nap without having to move an inch.

3. Ergonomics / Adjustability.

Ergonomic chairs are typically more adjustable than gaming chairs. That said, gaming chairs aren&#;t far behind, with some examples offering solid ergonomic chops.

In fact, at the lower end of the gaming chair vs ergonomic chair spectrum, the former outperforms the latter in ergonomic capability. Even the cheapest gaming chairs include

• Lumbar support pillows
• Highly adjustable armrests, and
• Decent amount of backrest adjustment.

4. Price.

Gamers are not known for their large incomes (sorry, guys &#; you know it&#;s true), so manufacturers keep prices reasonably low, with most gaming chairs priced at less than $1,000.

Expert Tip.

A typical gaming chair costs between $500 &#; $800, while ergonomic chair prices can be as low as $300 and as high as $3,000.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Anji Fengge Furniture.

(Related: 5 Most Expensive Office Chairs).

Gaming Chair vs Ergonomic Chair: Which Is Best?

The gaming chair vs ergonomic chair debate is endless. But I&#;m not here to fuel the debate &#; I&#;m here to give you the best option.

You may not be surprised, then, when I say that:

• Gaming chairs are best for gamers. Designed for lounging and relaxing for long hours, they&#;ll help you escape the realities of your life and promote full immersion into your game.
• Ergonomic chairs are best for WFH professionals. Instead of cossetting you to sleep, they&#;ll keep you upright, supported and focused, improving your productivity along the way.

Of late, it&#;s been interesting to see that the lines between the two types of chairs have begun to blur.

Steven

Gaming Chairs vs. Office Chairs: Which to Choose?

Choosing between a gaming chair and an office chair heavily depends on your needs, preferences, and use case. Here&#;s my breakdown in six categories to help you decide:

#1 &#; Comfort

Both gaming chairs and office chairs have their own unique comfort features. Gaming chairs are more plush and can sometimes recline more, catering to relaxation and lengthy gaming sessions.

Office chairs, while they may seem less &#;luxurious,&#; offer targeted support for maintaining a healthy posture during work. To decide between the two depends on how you intend to use the chair.

A gaming chair is the better choice if ultimate comfort is your priority. But if you want a chair that supports good posture and reduces the risk of back pain during work, choose an office chair.

#2 &#; Design and style

Office Chairs &#; Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Below, I&#;ll break down the design and style differences between gaming and office chairs. While there are a lot of subtle differences in build, I&#;ll highlight four distinct options.

• High back vs. standard back: Gaming chairs often feature a high-back design, which provides full support to the back and neck. On the other hand, office chairs come in standard back and high-back designs.
• Sporting vs. basic designs: Gaming chairs are more visually striking, with bold colours and aggressive lines. However, office chairs have a more understated and professional design.

&#; Tip: Gaming chairs also often include features like bucket seats and side bolsters for a more immersive gaming experience. Their design mimic most arcade and racing games.

• Lower back support: Most gaming chairs have basic lumbar support, while office chairs often feature better built-in adjustable lumbar support.
• Recline features: Gaming chairs have an extensive recline and swivel function for easy movement and a tilt mechanism to rock back and forth. Practically all office chairs feature a swivel function and the better ones feature an often more advanced tilt mechanism with options to adjust the tension and lock the chair in a reclined position.

Looking at these four distinct design styles, it&#;s evident that gaming chairs seek to provide a more immersive experience for gamers, while office chairs prioritise ergonomics and support for a healthy posture during prolonged work sessions.

#3 &#; Ergonomics and adjustability

Gaming and office chairs offer a range of adjustability features, but they prioritise different aspects. Gaming chairs prioritise comfort and an immersive gaming experience, while office chairs focus on ergonomic support for long work hours.

&#; Pro tip: If relaxed laid back comfort with a controller is your priority, a gaming chair is the better choice. But if you want better lumbar support for keyboard and mouse use, get an office chair.

Gaming chairs feature adjustable components like armrests, headrests, lumbar support, and reclining features. But while they are adjustable and comfortable, they don&#;t always offer the best ergonomics for long periods of sitting, especially if you&#;re not gaming.

Office chairs have adjustable seat height, backrest tilt, seat depth, and armrest width. Many mid to high-end options include more adjustable lumbar support and a synchro-tilt mechanism to promote good posture and reduce discomfort from prolonged sitting.

#4 &#; Durability

Photo by ELLA DON on Unsplash

Gaming chairs from reputable brands have generous warranties, which gives an idea of their durability. Still, their longevity depends on how they&#;re used. For part-time gamers and students who sit for a few hours daily, the chair may last longer than its warranty length.

&#; Pro tip: The most durable type of gaming chair upholstery is synthetic nylon fabric. Even after several years, the material won&#;t stretch or degrade.

Quality office chairs have high-quality materials that are more resistant to wear, tear, and damage. If a chair&#;s material seems cheap, chances are that it won&#;t last long. Still, like gaming chairs, proper maintenance, cleaning, and care can extend its lifespan.

Between the two, if durability is your primary concern, I recommend high-end office chairs. Even then, choose a reputable brand such as ErgoTune or Herman Miller that offers a generous warranty (5&#;10 years) and ensure proper chair care.

#5&#; Special features

Goth gaming and office chairs have unique features. Gaming chairs focus more on the gaming experience with features like built-in speakers and RGB lighting, while office chairs prioritise ergonomic design and adjustability.

Here are some unique features of a gaming chair:

• Gaming chairs are highly adaptable and recline to support you in various positions.
• They have a supportive foam and either fabric or leather (faux or genuine) upholstery.
• They have thickly padded armrests and extra pillows for the headrest and lumbar region.

Some high-end gaming chairs offer heating and cooling options, massage functionality, vibration via haptic feedback, built-in speakers, and even RGB lighting.

&#; Example: The Secretlab Titan Evo has 4D armrests, adjustable lumbar support, a magnetically attached head pillow, and memory foam padding throughout.

For office chairs, you can expect the following:

• Seat height adjustment, seat depth adjustment, back height adjustment, a recline lock, and lumbar adjustment.
• Some office chairs are faux, PU, or real leather, while others are made of mesh for superior breathability.

&#; Example: The Herman Miller Aeron chair allows you to choose the size, type of back support, tilt, adjustable arms or not, and your chair&#;s caster.

While the choice between the two often comes down to personal preference and specific needs, it&#;s clear gaming chairs offer more special features than office chairs.

#6 &#; Price

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Both gaming and office chairs range from affordable to expensive, depending on the specific model and features.

Gaming chairs are priced based on gaming-specific features like built-in speakers, haptic feedback, and aesthetic elements like racing-style designs and RGB lighting. They can be quite affordable for basic models, but the price can increase significantly for high-end models with more features and higher-quality materials.

&#; Expert note: Cheaper gaming chairs are often more supportive and comfortable than cheaper office or task chairs.

Office chair pricing depends on ergonomic features and the quality of their construction. Basic office chairs are affordable but aren&#;t suitable for prolonged use. I recommend mid to high-end options with adjustable features and high-quality materials.

Gaming Chairs vs. Office Chairs: Who Wins?

The decision between gaming chairs and office chairs is subjective. But based on the discussions above, here&#;s my overall summary:

Gaming Chairs vs. Office Chairs: Summary Chart

To reiterate, choose a gaming chair if you want a more comfortable seating option and prioritise unique features. Otherwise, get an office chair for ergonomics, longevity, and good support.

Are you interested in learning more about RGB Gaming Chair? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!