If you’re shopping for a new chair, you may notice that gaming chairs and office chairs are the two main types available today.At first glance, you might think that these two different types of chairs boil down to simple aesthetics, but ergonomics and functionality also need to be considered.We’re here to help you understand the difference between a gaming chair and an office chair, so you can spend wisely and avoid back and neck pain.
It’s easy to tell if a chair is designed for gaming or office work.Gaming chairs often feature oversized winged backs, bucket seats, bolsters and large logos in bright colors.Office chairs, on the other hand, tend to be softer and simpler, with flat seat cushions, mesh or padded backs, and some form of built-in lumbar support.
Most gaming chairs are inspired by racing bucket seats, which often feature oversized frames to support helmets from the back and side bolsters to keep racers in place as they turn hard.
While you won’t experience extreme gravity on high-speed travel, this type of design helps support gamers sitting for extended periods of time.The long backrest ensures that your entire back is supported at all times.Meanwhile, the side bolsters help support your legs and back, so you can sit up straight for long periods of time without straining.Unfortunately, those tall wings on the seat also make it difficult to sit with your legs crossed.
Office chair designs vary, but in most cases, they have mesh backs and flat seat cushions.They also provide support for hours on end, but the flat seat and back are not nearly as supportive as gaming chair designs.That said, the flat and waterfall seats found on most office chairs also help better support your thigh muscles.
Lumbar support on an office chair is also generally more efficient and adjustable than moving around a support pillow or the internal mechanism in some gaming chairs.The only thing missing from most office chairs is a headrest, as it’s often seen as a premium feature.
Ergonomics are as important as the look of the chair, if not more.Without good ergonomics, you’re in for a world of back pain, stiff neck, worn wrists, and worse.Adjustability is the name of the game here, so here’s how gaming and office chairs fare in this department.
Most gaming chairs come with support pillows for the head and lower back, attached to the frame by stretchable straps.In addition to that, the gaming chair offers seat height adjustment, adjustable armrests, reclining locks and the unique ability to recline 180 degrees – so you can rest between pairing sessions.
Office chairs are generally easier to adjust, with the ability to adjust seat depth, seat height adjustment, reclining tension and locking, adjustable armrests, and built-in lumbar support that slides up and down.Sadly, you can fully back this seat back like you would a gaming chair.
Gaming chairs are already a bit over the top, so it seems natural that they have more functionality than their office cousins.
Today, you’ll find gaming chairs with heating pads and/or cooling fabrics.Plus, we’ve even seen some gaming chairs with built-in massage functions.If you’d rather have a vibrating seat associated with the game you’re playing, Arcadeo has haptic feedback.
To be aesthetically cooler, some equipped gaming chairs feature RGB lighting.Of course, we can’t forget that some of the earliest gaming chairs had integrated speakers, and some of them continue to this day.
Gaming chairs and office chairs have very low starting prices, but these extremely affordable options aren’t worth buying.Instead, spend a little more and find better value.
Most premium office chairs start at a higher price, and one of our favorites for the lowest cost is the Goodtone Office Chair at around $60-$300. And the chair of a lot of well-known brand is in Goodtone Furniture replenish stock. You can trust Goodtone’s products as much as possible.