gaming is a sedentary activity. Even the most exciting virtual experience ultimately takes place in a chair or on a couch. This presents problems of its own because, as office ergonomics experts will constantly tell you, humans aren’t built to sit for hours at a time. One possible solution is a gaming chair. Besides offering an allegedly improved seating position, these chairs often bundle cupholders, speakers and other features designed to enhance your enjoyment. But do they really work, are they just a waste of money? The types of chairs available vary depending on the price. The most basic chairs, which usually sell for between $50 and $75, are long, curved single-piece designs that sit right on the floor. Some models bundle a 2.1 sound system of questionable quality. Cheap chairs like this are better than sitting on the floor, but they sell based on price more than quality. They don’t work at all for PC gaming, of course, and are also a terrible choice if you’ve wall-mounted your TV more than three feet off the floor.

The difference in height between your seating position and your television will cause neck strain 5 Dangerous Gaming Injuries And How To Avoid ThemBargain chairs can be an okay choice if you’re broke, or if you have living room furniture that is normally positioned too far away from your television for comfortable gaming and you need a portable solution, but otherwise you shouldn’t waste your hard-earned dough. If you step up from the budget models and spend over $100, but not more than $200, you’ll be able to grab a mid-range chair like an X-Rocker Pro or Commander Gaming Chair. Most of these models sit up from the floor like an office chair, though they are still much lower on average. This is a big ergonomic improvement because it means you won’t be looking up at your television, a situation that can cause neck strain after an hour or so. However, the position is still too low for use with a desktop gaming PC. These chairs almost always have arm rests, which can reduce shoulder and arm pain for some people, and usually offer decent audio quality.

There will usually be a sizable subwoofer in the chair, which can hit you in the chest with bass when you fire a gun or blow up an enemy tank. This creates a more engaging experience that only the best home theaters can beat.  Better padding, faux-leather and armrests further improve long-term comfort. An X-Rocker Pro is twice the price of the company’s inexpensive floor-mounted rocker chairs, but I’d argue it’s far more than twice as good. This kind of chair is the best choice for most gamers. Spending more than $200 is going to put you into a world of options that are more specialized than less expensive models. Playseat, for example, will sell you a wide variety of chairs designed to create an immersive experience in racing games. Or you can buy a Hotseat, a “surround sound simulation chassis” designed for use with flight simulators 3 Best Free Flight Simulators To Pretend You Know How To FlySpecialized chairs are very expensive, and they don’t work outside of their niche, but they work very well with the games their built to enhance.

There are also a few high-end general-purpose chairs, like the Repose E1000 Gaming Chair, which retails for $449. Models like this tend to receive great reviews for long-term comfort, but they’re also bulky and difficult to move. table and chair rental clearwater flVirtually all chairs that sell above $200 will only make sense for people who have a dedicated gaming cave. ikea rocking chair instructionsThey’re good, but they only work for people with living space to spare.hanging egg chair wiki The real rival to the gaming chair is the office chairwooden beach chair with footrest

What To Look For In The Perfect Office ChairThough arguably less comfortable, an office chair often provides better lumbar support and may provide superior neck support. chair caning supplies austin txBetter models also include adjustable armrests and adjustable lumbar. stackable chairs for sale brisbaneAn office chair can be used in an office as well as the living room, which means you end up killing two birds with one stone. gaming chair for sale winnipegPersonally, I use an office chair for both tasks. chair covers for rent edmontonMy experience has not convinced me that a game-specific chair is worth buying when I already have a comfortable office chair in my home. cheap chair cover rentals rochester ny

If you read reviews of gaming chairs online you’ll find many negative ones, and that’s not without reason. Many gaming chairs are poorly built and don’t hold up as well as their more mundane competition. But that doesn’t mean my solution will work for you. If your office is not on the same floor as your home theater, using one chair for both your office and gaming is out of the question. The same is true if a family member might want to use the office while you game, or if your chair is too wide to move through a doorway without dis-assembly. If you do decide to go with a gaming chair I highly recommend buying a mid-range version with a stand rather than a chair that sits on the floor. Sitting low looks cool, but is also a great way to end up with a literal pain in your neck.The  Insider Picks  team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase. Spending long hours in front of a computer can leave you fatigued, your back hurting, and your body sweating, if you are sitting in the wrong chair.

Do yourself a favor and check out these five durable and comfortable options and choose one of our best desk chair picks to replace whatever is currently at your desk. Best for your budget This AmazonBasics office chair compared favorably to many more expensive, ergonomic chairs in Top Ten Best Pro's testing. It has an easy seat height adjustment and simple modern style, along with a comfortable padded seat and mesh back for breathability. This chair has a maximum weight capacity of 225 pounds and rolls on double wheel casters for smoothness and durability; it also allows easy tilting for that long stretch, but keeps you firmly upright and comfortable, if that's what you prefer. Pros: Low cost for a good quality chair, great back support and encourages good posture, breathability Cons: Assembly required, armrests are not adjustable AmazonBasics Mid-Back Mesh Chair, $54.99, available at Amazon. Best for comfort under $200 For modern style and surprising comfort, the Euro Style Flat Bungie Mid Back chair is hard to beat, according to the review and rating at A Great Office.

Crafted of high-quality materials to last for years, this chair is available in many color options. Designed for comfort with maximum adjustability, the seat can also easily be moved to your perfect height. The chair rolls smoothly on heavy-duty caster wheels that won't mar wood floors, and it swivels and tilts as well. It supports up to 450 pounds comfortably. Pros: Extremely comfortable and supports backs well, well-made and durable, natural ventilation means less sweating Cons: Arms are too high for some desks, bands have a strong odor at first Eurø Style Flat Bungie Mid Back, $180.99, available at Wayfair. Best for gamers and long days at the office Originally designed for the long-term commitment of gamers, Gamer Pros touts the DXRacer Formula Series chairs as perfect for gamers or professionals, because they are ultra-comfortable. Advertised as bucket seat office chairs/gaming chairs/ergonomic computer chairs, they fit all of those bills nicely. These chairs feature high backs, adjustable armrests and even lumbar pillows to soothe your head and neck after long periods in the chair.

There is a 360-degree swivel and its rolls smoothly on dual caster wheels. Plus, you can't beat its coolness factor. Pros: High back and support for neck and head, lifetime frame warranty, lumbar cushions Cons: Not as comfortable for large or tall people, seat is shorter than other chairs reviewed DXRacer Formula Series, $349, available at Amazon. Best for eco-friendliness and a unique design Herman Miller calls this its "life unframed" chair. Sophisticated and totally modern, with good ergonomics that promise comfort and seated freedom, it is pricey, but CNN Money calls it savvy spending. It incorporates open meshing on the back for breathability and great back support, and a padded seat for comfort, even while sitting all day. An eco-friendly option, it uses fewer materials and packaging is half the size of standard office chair cartons. The SAYL rolls smoothly on its casters and will stand up to years of almost constant use. It's available in a range of colors.

strongComfortable seating positions and adjustability, ideal for people who sit all day, sleek, modern look strongWebbing sometimes grabs buttons, can be squeaky after some time, no adjustable armrests, pricey SAYL Chair by Herman Miller, $499, available at Amazon. If money is no object, the Steelcase Leap Chair is an option for your short list. This chair is one of the best-selling chairs in the US, for a number of reasons: It is comfortable for long stretches, with ample support in both the seat and back. It even includes what Steelcase calls LiveBack, which shapes to your spine and supports your movements; according to a Tech Report review, it is comfortable and corrects your posture. Arms and height are adjustable for the right fit and it rolls and pivots smoothly. This is a durable chair, and it has been weight-tested to 300 pounds without loss of performance. Pros: High quality and supportive, easy to clean and easy to use, sturdy and easily adjustable