Gaming is serious business for a lot of people. The problem is finding a decent gaming chair when you’re a big guy can be a pain in the backside—quite literally! If you’re on the large side, you can’t settle for a standard office chair with standard height. Thankfully, we’re here to help with that as we take you through what to look for in a good gaming chair and show you some of the best gaming chairs for big guys in 2018.
What to look for in a good gaming chair
A decent gaming chair has an ergonomic design and certainly doesn’t come cheap and, for that reason, it’s a good idea to do some research before you go and buy one. While there are various different types of gaming chair available, including PC gaming chairs and racer gaming chairs to consider, they all share similar features. The following are just some of the features you may want to bear in mind while shopping for theses ergonomic chairs designed specifically for gaming:
- Material: The material in which your game chair is made will make a big difference as to how long it will last. If you’re a hardcore gamer, the chances are that your chair will be used a lot. And, for that reason, you should look for a material that’s durable and can take a lot of wear and tear. Gaming chairs made of real leather tend to last the longest. You should also check that the padding is made of good materials also and will stay intact even after long periods of use.
- Size: When you’re a big guy, this is probably the first thing you should look for to save yourself the trouble later on. While a lot of gaming chairs these days are designed to fit the bigger person, many are not, unfortunately. The average seems to be a weight allowance of around 200 pounds and up to around 6 feet in height. So, if you do fall outside these parameters you may be a little less spoilt for choice. However, there are still plenty of quality gaming chairs out there designed with the bigger guy in mind, as we demonstrate later in the article. But, just to be safe, make sure you read the specs, dimensions, and size guidelines before you make any purchase. The last thing you want to do is buy a chair that’s too small for you. This will not only be uncomfortable but will be bad for your back, too.
- Durability: As well as ensuring that the material is durable and long-lasting, you want to know that the frame supporting the chair is decent too. It needs to strong enough to withstand your weight and provide adequate support also. Gaming chairs need to be solid as they accommodate such a high level of activity.
- Comfort: If you’re a serious gamer and plan on spending a lot of time in your chair, this is probably one the most important features for you. The more comfortable you are when playing, the better you’ll perform, and the right gaming chair will help you do that. So, to find the most comfortable gaming chair look for one that has high-quality padding, particularly in areas where pressure points are located. This will help you feel more relaxed whatever position you’re sat in. Some top-quality gaming chairs also have heating pads and inbuilt massage beads that work your muscles and relax your back and pressure points as you play.
- Added extras: This is where it gets personal. Different people expect different things from their gaming chair, and there are a lot of different options available when it comes to the added extras of a gaming chair. Some popular features that people look for include cup holders, built-in speakers, side pockets, wireless receiver/transmitter, massage/heat pads, and vibration motors to name just a few. To avoid being disappointed later in down the line, take a few moments to consider what you want from your next gaming chair before making your purchase.
- System compatibility: It may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised at the number of people who go out and buy what they feel is the best gaming chair ever only to find out that it’s not compatible with their game system. While most gaming chairs these days are compatible with a wide variety of devices, just be aware that not all of them are. Make sure you check this out before you buy yours.
5 Best Gaming Chairs for Big Guys 2018
As mentioned earlier, most standard chairs are only suitable for those weighing less than 200 pounds and under 6 feet in height. So, for any of you guys that fall outside of these parameters, it’s not always easy to find a decent gaming chair. However, to help you in that mission, we’ve put together some of the best gaming chairs for big guys in 2018:
DXRacer King Series Big and Tall Chair
Available in five different colors, this gaming chair on offer from DXRacer has been designed especially with the bigger guy in mind. With a higher backrest than many others out there, this gaming chair is extremely comfortable. It provides great lumbar support in the form of removable pillows and is suitable for anyone up to 6’2” tall. The weight allowance is higher than average too and will happily support weights of up to 300 pounds. Another great feature of the DXRacer King Series Big and Tall chair is that it’s fitted with a secure 5-point base with an integrated gas spring. This not only ensures extra stability, but it also allows the user to adjust the height as required. You can swivel around 360 degrees while in play for maximum effect as the 3-inch caster wheels allow easy maneuverability. Alternatively, you can simply sit back and relax and appreciate the chair’s reclining capabilities. Assembly is pretty easy and can be done in around 20 minutes. Overall rating: 9/10. Price range: High.
Pros:
- Provides great lumbar support
- Has 360-degree swivel functionality
- Made of fade-resistant PU leather
- Recliner can be adjusted from 90 to 135 degrees
Cons:
- The maximum height of 6’2 is a little low
- It’s one of the more expensive gaming chairs out there
Furmax Gaming Chair High Back
If you’re looking for a gaming chair that looks good, feels good, and won’t cost you a fortune, look no further than this quality gaming chair on offer from Furmax. Available in two different color options and made from a top quality PU leather, this chair will provide hours of comfortable seating for any gamer weighing up to 310 pounds. The pull-out and flip over footrest are ideal for providing your legs extra support when relaxing or gaming. Assembly of this chair is a little trickier than some of the others available out there and may take the best part of an hour before you’re ready to really enjoy all it has to offer. There’s ample padding, it feels secure when in place and the overall quality is pretty good. At around a third of the price of some the DXRacer chairs, the price can’t be grumbled at either. Overall rating: 8.5/10. Price range: Low.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- The backrest can be angled between 90–180 degrees
- Increased weight limit of 310 pounds
- Good sized footrest
Cons:
- Assembly of these chairs is time-consuming
- It has quite a firm seat and a cushion may be required
Kinsal Ergonomic High-back Large Size Gaming Chair
Get a chair from a US name you can trust with this ergonomic gaming chair on offer from Kinsal. Not only will it add a touch of sophistication to your game room, but this chair will also provide you with one of the most comfortable seats you’ll have ever sat in. Both its frame and base are made of highly durable steel, meaning that there are no concerns over stability. While the seat itself is covered using a top quality PU leather providing you with hours of enjoyable lounging. The armrests on the Kinsal Ergonomic High-back Gaming Chair are fully adjustable providing you with even more comfort and there's also a lumbar cushion and headrest included with it. The weight capacity of this gaming chair is a modest 280 pounds and you can lean right back and lock it to an angle that best suits you. Overall rating: 8/10. Price range: Low
Pros:
- Frame made of strong, durable steel
- Chair material consists of top quality PU leather
- Great value for money
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- The reclining function can be temperamental and not lock into place
- The seating area is a little more restricted than some others
OPSEAT Master Series 2018 PC Gaming Chair
Available in a range of 11 fantastic colors, this chair is a great buy for the larger guy for many reasons. One of those reasons is the fact that its heavy-duty base and solid steel frame will support up to 300 pounds in weight. The plush seat is made from top quality leather and fitted with a cold molded foam interior and you also get an easily removable headrest pillow and lumbar support included in the package. Unlike many other gaming chairs out there the OPSEAT Master Series 2018 PC Gaming Chair offers users advanced customization options by way of an adjustable head height, a 180-degree recliner, and 4D armrests to name just a few. You’ll see straight off the bat that this chair oozes quality, but should you have any issues after purchasing, it does come with a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty to give you that added peace of mind. Overall rating: 9.5/10 Price range: Mid.
Pros:
- Weight allowance up to 300 pounds
- Advanced customization options
- Full reclining back
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty included
Cons:
- Chair seat is a little on the narrow side
- Wheels could be a little more sturdy
DXRacer OH/SJ08 Sentinel Series Racing ERGO Seat
Another excellent product on offer from DXRacer is this Sentinel Series Gaming Chair. Its patented race car seat design is very slick and comes in five different color combinations. Suitable for gamers weighing up to 350 pounds and up to 6’6” in height, this chair is by far one of the best around for big guys. The 5-point gas spring base of the chair is made from highly durable black aluminum while the seat material is tough wearing PU leather. One thing about this gaming chair that makes it really stand out is its extra high backrest. This provides great additional support for both the spine and neck. For extra shoulder and wrist comfort the chair even has specially designed armrests that are extremely soft and fully adjustable. Assembly can be done single-handedly in under 30 minutes. Overall rating: 9.5/10 Price range: High
Pros:
- Extra high backrest provides great additional support
- The seat is made of breathable PU leather ensuring longevity
- Free lumbar support cushion and headrest pillow included
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- It’s one of the more expensive gaming chairs available
- Cushions are a little on the firm side
When it comes to choosing an overall winner from these five gaming chairs, it’s a tough call as they’re all really good in their own way. However, the one that just creeps ahead and outshines all the others is the OPSEAT Master Series 2018 PC Gaming Chair. Not only does it look fantastic, feel amazingly comfortable, and hold up to the durability test, it’s also a pretty amazing price too. With a weight allowance of 300 pounds, it’s better than many of the other models out there and is an ideal solution for big guys who want to add a new gaming chair to their existing setup. And for those reasons and more we feel that it deserves the title of the best gaming chair for big guys 2018.
