Why do some gaming chairs feel uncomfortable?

Side bolsters and seat width

Racing seats have raised side wings to hold the driver in through corners. On a gaming chair, those wings on the seat can press on the outer thighs, and the shoulder wings can push your shoulders forward. If the seat is narrow, the effect is worse; you end up sitting on the bolsters rather than between them, or perching forward to avoid them.

Seat width is the number to check. Corsair's TC100 Relaxed lists a 375 mm seat width, describing its bolsters as relaxed. Razer's Enki and Enki X list a 54 cm wide seat base with 110° shoulder arches, and the Iskur V2 X lists a widened seat with reduced edges. Many makers sell XL sizes for broader users; the Anda Seat Novis Max is sold as Large.

Neck and lumbar pillows

Most gaming chairs come with a neck pillow on a strap and a lumbar pillow. Set too low, the neck pillow pushes your head forward when you sit upright; many people find it is only useful when reclined. Loose lumbar pillows slide down or sit too high, and a thick one can push you forward on the seat.

Adjust or remove them. Try the neck pillow only when reclining, and move the lumbar pillow into the hollow of your lower back. Chairs with built-in lumbar arches, such as Razer's Enki and Iskur V2 X, avoid the slipping problem. Our lumbar support guide explains positioning.

Foam and seat shape

Soft, low-density foam feels plush at first but compresses quickly, so after an hour you sink and feel the frame or seat edge. Cold-cure or moulded high-density foam holds its shape better. Anda Seat lists cold-cure foam on the Novis Max, and Razer lists a single-piece cold-cured foam seat on the Iskur V2 X NewGen.

A seat that is too deep for your thighs also causes discomfort, because the front edge presses behind the knees. Gaming chairs rarely have seat depth adjustment, so check the seat depth figure against your thigh length.

Setup problems

Many complaints come from setup rather than design. A gaming chair still needs to be set so your forearms are roughly horizontal at the desk and your feet are flat on the floor or a footrest, as the HSE display screen equipment guidance describes. If the arms are fixed or only move up and down, they may stop you getting close to the desk. Recline locked too far back makes you crane forward to the screen.

1. 1

   Set seat height for your desk, then add a footrest if your feet do not reach the floor.

2. 2

   Lock the back upright or slightly reclined for keyboard use.

3. 3

   Move or remove the neck pillow when sitting upright.

4. 4

   Place the lumbar pillow in the hollow of your lower back.

5. 5

   Lower or adjust the arms so they do not hit the desk.

What makes a good gaming chair

Look for a seat wide enough for you, softer or reduced bolsters, firm foam, adjustable or built-in lumbar, 4D or at least 3D arms and a load rating with headroom. A fabric cover avoids the heat build-up some people notice on PU leather. Our guides list the seat width, arm type, recline and cover for each chair.

See our best gaming chairs →

Frequently asked questions

Are gaming chairs comfortable? Many are, if the size fits and the chair is set up properly. Tight bolsters and soft foam are the usual problems.

Why are gaming chairs bad for some people? Narrow seats, bolsters that press on the thighs and loose pillows suit some bodies poorly. Wider, relaxed designs avoid much of this.

Should I get a gaming chair or an office chair? For mostly typing, an office chair often fits better. See our comparison.

Can I make my gaming chair more comfortable? Reposition or remove the pillows, set seat height and recline properly, and add a footrest if needed.