We spend a lot of time in front of the computer. We spend eight out of 24 hours at work. That’s a third of our lives. Whether we work or play, this is how we spend most of our day. That’s why we should choose an armchair as carefully as we choose a bed, where we also spend a third of our lives. Of course, we can sit on a stool at the computer, but everyone wants to be comfortable. That is the main purpose of the gaming chairs that have become very popular lately. Whereby the term “gamer” is not quite right: they want to sit comfortably not only when playing games, but also when working. And now the colours of these chairs have become more. Not just brightly coloured, but rather restrained monochrome. Manufacturers of gaming chairs a large number, as well as a range. The price range is also enormous. Today, the editors of gg try to tell our readers how to choose the right chair and what features to look for first.
Criteria for choosing a gaming chair
Perhaps no one will disregard the fact that the average user, when buying a chair, primarily looks at the appearance and the weight it can support. In fact, however, there are many other important features. Some of them are quite obvious and understandable. And some are only known to experienced users who have specifically studied the matter. Yes, looks are important, but what if your favourite beautiful chair falls apart after a few months? Or the upholstery starts to fray and doesn’t look so nice anymore? And it should be understood that if the chair is a “gamer” – it is not guaranteed to be comfortable. And now to the actual topic. The most important criteria you should look for when choosing a chair: Frame and maximum load, dimensions, upholstery material, filling, design and base material, wheel diameter and coating, adjustability, ergonomics. We will focus on all these features and explain in detail what is what and which features are most important.
Frame material and maximum load
The frame of every gamer’s chair is made of tubular steel. But besides the quality of the steel, different properties of the tube, and the manufacturing process. The cheapest models may have a tube diameter of 15 mm. However, the vast majority are made from 17 mm pipes. This is the bulk of the more or less durable gaming chairs on the market. They can generally withstand a load of up to 150 kg. The top models have a frame made of 2 mm thick steel tubes with a diameter of 22 mm. Such models are stronger and can support up to 200 kg. As for the manufacturing process, the frame can be assembled by welding the individual parts together. Or a single piece of tubing is used, which is bent over its entire length to obtain the desired shape. This construction does not require welds and is more reliable and durable.
Anda Seat Kaiser 2 The TitanSteelAD+ armchair is made of steel tube with a diameter of 22 mm and a thickness of 2 mm. During production, the tube is bent over the entire length of the construction so that the frame has no weld seams. The armchair can support a load of up to 200 kg.
The size of the chair is important
It is important to determine the maximum load capacity of the armchair. But it is just as important to find the right size. And the situation is even more complicated. Every chair is ideally suited to a certain height and build. The height and width of the backrest, the width and depth of the seat, the distance between the armrests, their height above the floor, etc. vary from model to model. All these measurements have a direct influence on how comfortable the chair is for the person in question. Manufacturers usually specify all these dimensions in the technical data of their models. But unfortunately they do not store them. In this case, before buying, it is worthwhile to locate the desired model in an offline shop and sit on it to see if it is comfortable. There are no other options. Most manufacturers produce their models in one size. So if the size doesn’t fit, you should look for something else. But there is another approach. All Anda Seat armchairs are available in three sizes, usually labelled M, L and XL. So if you really like a model, you can choose the right size.
Anda Seat T-Pro 2 The backrest is 60.5 cm wide at the shoulders, the distance between the armrests is 73-75.5 cm, the width of the seat base on the inside is 42 cm, the width of the seat base with the sides is 58 cm, Side armrest adjustment – 2.5 cm, wheelbase diameter – 76 cm, backrest length – 87 cm, armrest height adjustment – 9 cm, height from floor to armrest – 63.5-78 cm, seat depth – 54 cm, height from floor to seat base – 49-56 cm. The company claims the chair is suitable for tall people up to 2 m 10 cm tall and can support 200 kg.
What upholstery materials are available
The upholstery of armchairs is becoming more and more interesting and diverse. There are a few basic options that are used in most models. The most common option is imitation leather. But it also comes in different versions. Both in terms of manufacturing technology and the materials used for production. In its properties, it is similar to natural leather, but much cheaper. Cheap versions of artificial leather used in inexpensive models wear out quickly, chafe and can tear at high or low temperatures. Higher quality materials are used in the more expensive models. For example, Anda Seat’s seats are made of DuraXtra AD+ leather, which we designed and manufactured ourselves. This artificial leather is resistant to mechanical damage and dirt stains and remains flexible and durable for a long time. And it is easy to clean.
Now let’s move on to the second option. There are chairs with fabric covers. Here, too, there are different qualities, and the cheap versions tear quickly and can be wiped clean quickly. More expensive chairs actively use linen fabric. It is very durable and very breathable, so you can sit comfortably in this chair for hours even in summer. This fabric looks very aesthetic and feels comfortable. But it also has its disadvantages. Firstly, it is more demanding when it comes to maintenance. And secondly, it will remain stained. If with artificial leather can easily wipe spilled soda, the linen cloth will remain a stain. Now, the most expensive option of upholstery is, of course, genuine leather. It is used in the top of the range models.
Anda Seat is available in a variety of upholstery including faux leather, linen cloth and genuine nappa leather, just like the leather upholstery of luxury cars. One of the most popular models Anda Seat T-Pro 2 is available in a variety of colour options, with both faux leather and linen upholstery.
Armchair filler
The filler used in the armchair determines both comfort of use and durability. In cheaper armchairs, foam and similar materials are usually used as fillers. Although they are very inexpensive, they also have many disadvantages. Above all, this filling is very short-lived, can be easily compressed and quickly “falls through”. More expensive, but much more comfortable and durable – foam with memory effect. Such materials are used in orthopaedic mattresses, pillows and also in ear pads of not cheap headphones. Such a filler easily takes the desired shape and then returns to its original state. This foam is poured in liquid form into a billet of the desired design, where it already takes on the desired shape and texture.
A hard-wearing single-component foam with a density of 60 kg/m³ is used for all Anda Seat armchairs
Construction and material of the base, diameter and wheel coating
The base of the chair can be made of plastic or metal, depending on the class and price. Preferably aluminium. Metal is of course more stable and durable and can withstand higher loads. In some chairs. Anda Seat in particular uses aluminium bases with additional stiffening ribs for more stability. The wheels can also be used in different ways. Inexpensive models are usually a simple wheel made of plastic with a small diameter. They have a number of disadvantages. They are not very durable, they are very noisy and they soil the floor. This is especially unpleasant if the room has an expensive laminate or parquet floor. The more expensive chairs have larger wheels made of higher quality materials and have a rubber coating that prevents marks from being left on the floor. Anda Seat uses polyurethane rubber wheels with a diameter of 60-75 mm, which allow quiet and comfortable movement on various surfaces.
Anda Seat uses rubberised polyurethane wheels with a diameter of 60-75 mm for quiet and comfortable movement on various surfaces.
Adjustability, ergonomics
The comfort of a chair and the prevention of back pain depend not only on the seat upholstery, the cover and the right size. It depends on the correct positioning of the back. That’s why all (or almost all) chairs in this set have two cushions: one under the lower back and one under the neck. They help to keep the spine in the right position. The size and position of these cushions is also very individual and one cannot remotely understand whether they are suitable or not. As for adjusting the seat, everything is simpler and less complicated. Each model has its own angle of backrest recline, and in some cases you can literally lie down horizontally and rest or even take a nap. The rocking mechanism allows you to recline at different angles, depending on the model. The basic models have a simple butterfly mechanism. It is quite rigid and usually allows a maximum angle of 5°. More modern models have a different mechanism where the angle can be up to 30° and the mechanism works more smoothly. The gas lift is responsible for raising the chair. They are available for classes 1 to 4. They differ in wall thickness and the weight they can support. Class 4 is the strongest and can carry 200 kg. Class 3 is up to 150 kg, class 2 up to 10 kg and class 1 up to 80 kg. The armrests also come in different designs and with different adjustment options. These include at least the height and the angle. These adjustments are available in the household chairs. In the more expensive armrests, there is the option of moving them forwards and backwards as well as to the left and right. These armrests are called 4D.
