With the dramatic shift to work-from-home arrangements and the unprecedented rise of e-sports, gaming chairs have shot to fame over the past year. From familiar brands like SecretLab and SADES, these peripherals come with a bevy of design features that address discomfort during marathon gaming sessions. But since a gaming chair is no cheap, choosing the right one that matches your needs (and wallet) is important. Here are key features to look for in gaming chairs and our recommended brands and models available to Singaporean customers.

Materials

Gaming chairs are usually made of leather, PU leather, PVC leather, fabric, or mesh, or a combination of these materials.

Leather-made gaming chairs, which usually come from cow hide, are sturdier than their counterparts and more breathable than PVC or PU leather. Don’t confuse genuine leather for PU leather, which is a synthetic made of polyurethane coating and split leather (or the material left from a rawhide after the top grain layer has been removed). PU leather is the closest thing to genuine leather at a more affordable price.

Sometimes called vinyl, PVC leather adopts polyvinyl chloride and has a multi-layer structure that makes it sturdier (although less breathable) than PU leather. Both PVC and PU are not derived from animal skins, so if being vegan is a consideration for you, you may opt for gaming chairs made of such materials.

Meanwhile, fabric gaming chairs are more breathable than leather and their synthetic counterparts and are generally softer. But unlike leather-made gaming chairs, fabric models are prone to stains as they easily absorb water and other liquid.

Another type of material used in gaming chairs is mesh, which undeniably leads the pack when it comes to breathability, thanks to its thick threads and large holes. The downside, however, is that mesh gaming chairs are hard to clean unlike their leather counterparts.

Types of Gaming Chairs in Singapore

The next thing to consider is what type of gaming chair suits you (because yes, as if having a plethora of brands and models isn’t enough). Generally, there are four types of gaming chairs: PC gaming, console gaming, racing simulator, and bean bag.

PC gaming chairs are likely the first thing to come to mind when you think of gaming chairs: they have a five-star wheeled base, a pedestal seat, and swivels for moving around. They also have a default upright sitting position with a high back for neck support.

Console gaming chairs, as the name implies, are for console gamers. Some of these chairs replace the wheels or pedestal seats with ground-level, L-shaped seats. They are also built with technology features such as charging ports and speakers.

For pro gamers, racing simulator seats are the way to go. These gaming chairs are usually attached to a cockpit where you can mount your gear sticks, pedals, wheels, and other accessories. And yes, racing simulator seats are quite expensive.

Lastly, bean bags make a good case because they are soft, comfy, and can suit any positions. They may not be as ergonomic as a PC gaming chair, but bean bags attract streamers who want a laidback posture when playing.

Recommended Gaming Chairs in Singapore

Secretlab Titan 2020 Series

Features and specs:

-Memory foam padding

-Aluminum frame and wheel base

-Adjustable backrest

-PU caster wheels

-Weighs 130kg

Price: S$549

Buy it here.

Vertagear PL4500

Features and specs:

-Steel frame

-Lumbar and neck support

-Adjustable backseat, seat height, tilt, and armrest

-Penta RS1 Casters

Price: S$559.99

Buy it here.

UMD Gaming Chair

Features and specs:

-Suits 130kg

-180-degree reclinable

-3D armrest

-High-grade nylon leg

Price: Up to S$199

Buy it here.

APOL Sphinx

Features and specs:

-Suits 120kg

-PU leather

-4D adjustable armrest

-With memory foam head pillow and lumbar pillow

-Class 4 hydraulics

Price: S$398

Buy it here.

SADES Pegasus

Features and specs:

-Suits 160kg

-PU leather

-Adjustable height and tilt angle

-4D armrest

-Detachable headrest

Price: S$699

Buy it here.