Whether or not you are refreshing your house office or seeking to improve your gaming setup, the chair you place within the centre goes to make or break your area. Choosing a gaming chair vs an office chair is a big decision, and one you shouldn't take lightly. Working from home or spending long gaming sessions means you'll be sitting a lot, and choosing the right chair not only feels better but can also prevent long-term back and neck issues.
It can be difficult to determine whether even the best gaming chair on the market ensures proper posture. After all, office chairs are designed for long hours at a desk. However, there are a few key differences you should consider before choosing your ideal seat.
Gaming chair vs office chair: what's the difference?
It's usually easy to spot the difference between a gaming chair and an office chair. Gaming chairs often have bright colors and larger frames that stand out, while office chairs tend to blend in more easily. But if you're wondering what exactly sets them apart, there are several key points to note.
A gaming chair is typically designed in the racer style, featuring a tall winged back, bucket seat, and raised seat edges. You'll often find lumbar and head support cushions included, with armrests that can be adjusted in at least three directions. Gaming chairs also offer a wider recline range and additional features like rocking and tilt locks.
An office chair takes a more subtle approach. It generally has a flat cushion with a wingless back, and built-in lumbar support. The armrests usually only move up and down, and the recline options are more limited, with restricted tilt mechanisms.
It's important to note that this comparison focuses on traditional PC chairs, rather than the floor-based rockers used with consoles like the PS5 and Xbox.
Gaming Chair
- Excessive winged again
- Bucket seat
- Raised seat edges
- Adjustable lumbar support
- 3D armrests
- Up to 180° recline
- Colorful design
Office Chair
- Shorter back
- Flat seat
- Wingless design
- Fixed, built-in lumbar support
- 1D armrests
- Up to approx. 110° recline
- Subtle design
Comfort
Gaming chairs are built for extended use, often using materials like memory foam, with padding from the seat up to the armrests. On the other hand, office chairs typically use thinner materials to cut costs unless they’re high-end models, which may require users to take more frequent breaks.
Gaming chairs also tend to be larger, like the AndaSeat Fnatic Edition, accommodating various body types more comfortably. However, it’s still crucial to pick a chair that matches your dimensions for optimal ergonomics.
While cheaper office chairs may lack in comfort, they often feature cooler materials like mesh, which improve airflow. Budget gaming chairs commonly use faux leather, which can heat up and wear out faster unless you opt for premium models like the SecretLab Titan Evo 2022.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is a critical factor in the gaming chair vs. office chair debate. It refers to how well you can adjust the chair to suit your posture and activity.
Gaming chairs are designed with personalization in mind—removable, height-adjustable lumbar and headrest pillows are common. For example, the Andaseat T-Pro Series 2 offers excellent lumbar support. A 2013 study found that lower lumbar cushions improve posture and comfort, making this a valuable investment.
To get the same level of support in an office chair, you’ll usually have to pay more. However, the material quality and structural support will often be superior as well.
Sitting at a slight recline will help maintain a healthy posture. While an office chair’s limited recline functionality is useful even on cheaper models, gaming chairs offer much more freedom, often with recline locks up to 180°. Although this isn’t ideal for desk work, more recline options mean it’s easier to find your preferred position.
One of the key ergonomic advantages of a gaming chair is the armrest adjustability. While features like winged racing backs and raised seat edges are mostly for aesthetics, armrest mobility can significantly enhance comfort. Even budget gaming chairs usually have armrests that move up, down, forward, and backward. Mid-range options also allow you to adjust the swivel and rotation.
Office chairs typically only offer vertical armrest adjustment. This can be limiting if your body size doesn’t match the chair’s default width, resulting in poor typing support. Office chairs with advanced adjustability are usually more expensive than gaming chairs.
However, office chairs have a unique ergonomic edge. Flat or waterfall seat designs promote healthier posture compared to the raised lip design often found on gaming chairs. Originally inspired by racing car seats, these bucket-style designs lower the back of the seat and raise the front, making it harder to maintain the recommended 90° knee angle.
Waterfall seats (a lowered lip at the front of the cushion) typically seen in office chairs support the thigh muscles along the full length of the seat. They also provide a comfortable posture for proper leg alignment. While fewer gaming chairs are designed with the raised lip style, it’s still something to watch out for.
Aesthetics
One of the biggest considerations in the gaming chair vs office chair debate is whether the design of gaming chairs actually suits modern home environments. As more people work from home, preferences are broadening — and not everyone wants a flashy, oversized gaming chair in their living room.
Although the look of a typical gaming chair won’t appeal to everyone, if you're streaming, the tall headrest and branded cushions are often standard. In fact, some gaming chairs, like pink models, can be very affordable. However, for a home office setting, you might prefer something more subtle and professional — and in that case, an office chair offers a wider aesthetic appeal.
Workplace chairs are often very refined, with easy black, grey, or white coloration designs and a minimal construction that prioritizes function over form. They fit well in a wide range of environments and can even blend into an RGB gaming setup.
Value
There’s an important distinction between price and value when comparing gaming chairs vs office chairs. It's true, office chairs are generally cheaper than entry-level gaming seats. Typically, gaming chairs start around $100, while you can find an office chair for just $40 – $50.
However, entry-level gaming chairs often offer better value for money. Memory foam cushions, adjustable support, larger frames, and sturdier builds are common in the $100-$150 range. That means you're getting more for a slightly higher price.
That said, once prices move past $250, the competition becomes more balanced. Premium office chairs can offer higher quality experiences, but you'll have to pay more for them.
Should You Buy a Gaming Chair or an Office Chair?
You should consider where you’ll place your chair, how long you’ll sit in it, your budget, and the aesthetic you want before choosing between a gaming or office chair.
Gaming chairs offer better ergonomic support for long sessions, featuring higher backs, more adjustments, and lumbar cushions in lower price ranges. However, if budget is not an issue, premium office chairs provide better overall comfort for a higher cost.
Cheaper office chairs at the same price as gaming chairs often don’t provide the same level of long-term comfort.
However, if you're putting the chair in a professional space or smaller area, the bold aesthetics and size of a gaming chair might not be suitable. Office chairs feature a more neutral design that easily blends with most environments.
If you're buying for a gaming setup, you’ll find better value with a gaming chair. But if you're furnishing a home office and dislike the flashy style of gaming models, investing in a premium office chair is worth it—or opt for a gaming chair with a muted design, like the Noblechairs Hero.
You will discover the lowest prices on some of our favorite gaming and office chairs below, perfect if you're looking for great discounts while building your setup.
Today's Best Gaming Chair Deals
- Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
- Secretlab OMEGA 2020 Series Gaming Chair
- Respawn RSP-110 Gaming Chair - Pink
- Brazen Puma Gaming Chair
- Corsair T3 Rush
- Anda Seat T-Pro 2
- Razer Iskur X
- Corsair T2 Road Warrior
Today's Best Office Chair Deals
- Furmax Office Mesh Chair with Armrest
- AmazonBasics Classic Puresoft PU-Padded Mid-Back Office Chair
- AmazonBasics Classic Office Chair
- Space Seating Professional AirGrid
- Hon Exposure
- Herman Miller Aeron
If you're refreshing your entire space, check out the best gaming desks on the market right now. Or, for a complete Twitch setup, explore the best Razer streaming gear available and find the best capture card for your needs.