Vertagear, a company that specializes in gaming chairs, offers numerous products that are divided into the S, P and Trigger lines. The most affordable gaming chair among all these models is the Vertagear PL1000, which is currently offered € 11.49 (€ 11.49 / l)* [review time: 260 €, MSRP: $330] in six colors and a special pink edition.
For this price, Vertagear advertises the PL1000 as having common features like a rocker mechanism or the use of 2D armrests, among others. There’s also talk of a steel frame construction, extra-durable PUC faux leather upholstery, and extra-easy assembly. Whether this is enough for the PL1000 to stand out in the highly competitive gaming chair market, and how the chair performs in practice, we will clarify in the following test.
Technical details
| Cover: | Artificial leather (PUC) |
| Customization options: | Armrests: 2D Backrest: 80 – 140 ° Gas spring: class 4, 85 mm |
| Frame construction: | Steel |
| Design: | Weight: up to 150 kg, 110 kg recommended. Height: up to 188 cm recommended |
| Variants: | Main color: Black. Accent colors: black, blue, green, purple, red, white Special Edition: Pink & White |
| Price: | € 11.49 (€ 11.49 / l)* |
Scope of delivery & Construction
As is common with gaming chairs, the Vertagear PL1000 comes in a large cardboard box printed in black. Inside are the individual parts of the chair as well as the accessories. In addition to the seat with armrests, backrest, rocking mechanism, gas pressure spring and the castors, Vertagear also includes four screws, an Allen key with plastic handle and a colorfully illustrated manual. This explains how to assemble the chair.
This is very easy. As with most other gaming chairs, the rocker mechanism is screwed to the seat and then connected to the gas cartridge, which in turn is connected to the base along with the casters. The last thing to do is to put the backrest on and screw it tight – then the Vertagear PL1000 can be used.
The construction of the PL1000 is similar to many other models, but in direct comparison Vertagear has come up with a few special features. The Allen key with handle makes screwing on more convenient, for example. In addition, you also have to screw in fewer screws in general with the chair, because the two armrests are already attached ex works. Attaching the backrest is also easier than usual, because Vertagear uses a different mounting system. The mounting arms are not on the outside of the backrest, but on the inside. The backrest can therefore first be placed on the seat surface and holds itself in position. The mounting arms of the seat slide into metal reinforced pockets in the backrest.
This solution eliminates the hassle of holding the backrest in place while screwing it on – making this solution easier, faster, and therefore, bottom line better than most other chairs. However, it can still take a few minutes to attach the backrest, because you do have to move it back and forth a bit in order to hit the internally installed threads with the mounting screws.
Overall, most users should be able to assemble the PL1000 for the first time in about half an hour. You don’t need any help: The gaming chair can simply be assembled on your own. Since Vertagear also relies on snap rings and washers as fasteners, repeated disassembly and reassembly is certainly no problem.
Design & Workmanship
The design of the Vertagear PL1000 is largely determined by the cover. This consists of black imitation leather in almost all offered color variants; only in the special edition is the imitation leather white or pink. The selected accent color therefore has no influence on the cover itself. Instead, it influences the coloring of the decorative stitching and embroidery, as well as the base rollers. In the latter case, this is done by a plastic ring inside the casters.
Apart from the aforementioned, clearly visible stitching and the color accents of the plastic casters, the PL1000 is kept quite plain. The basic construction of the seat and backrest corresponds to that of many other gaming chairs, with smooth support surfaces and laterally protruding extensions. The chair does not have any openings for straps, but that is not necessary due to the integrated lumbar support.
Another striking feature of the PL1000 are the two armrests, which are not flat but asymmetrically curved. In addition, the metal base is not open at the bottom, as is the case with many other chairs. Of course, this is not visible during operation, but it gives the chair a much higher quality appearance during assembly.
With regards to build quality, the PL1000 does well. The seams are clean and the chair looks and feels good. We were only disturbed by a label with the Vertagear logo that was sewn onto the seat – this could have been placed a bit more discreetly.
Furthermore, there are ubiquitous workmanship features in this price range, such as slightly wobbly armrests, not perfectly even weld seams, and a few small nicks on the handle of the included Allen wrench. However, this is not to be expected for the price, especially since these points do not make a difference in use. In addition, a small plastic part is even included for the welded seams on the base, which covers said seams. In return, however, there is no extension sleeve on the gas pressure spring. Which of these is better or necessary is simply a matter of taste.
Practicality & Ergonomics
In addition to high stability and good build quality, ergonomics in particular are important, and here Vertagear advertises the PL1000 with standard features like a rocker mechanism and 2D armrests. As an extra, there is also a neck cushion, whereby the lordosis is not supported by a cushion but by the curved backrest.
In practice, this combination works well: The rather hard padding supports the body both at the buttocks and the back, whereby the body parts only rest on the back. The lateral extensions of the gaming chair, on the other hand, only serve as decoration.
The neck pillow, which is attached via a strap, is also comfortable. In addition, the height adjustment of the armrests as well as the gas pressure spring is wide enough to cover all common demands. The bottom line is that you can sit comfortably in the PL1000 for a long time.
This is only limited if you leave the size range recommended by Vertagear: From about 1.90 meters, the chair is still comfortable in principle, but here the height of the backrest slowly becomes a problem. Since the neck cushion sits quite high up on the backrest for (very) tall people, it can happen that it slips off. However, this should not be a problem in the size range recommended by Vertagear.
We didn’t mind it, but some might also miss a larger lateral adjustment range for the armrests. These can only be moved inwards or outwards by just under two centimeters each via the screw connection on the seat surface. A further adjustment of the support surface is not possible.
The PL1000 is completely unproblematic in terms of stability. The rocker mechanism allows the backrest to be tilted far back, which puts the user in an almost reclined position. Even at maximum tilt, the chair is stable, so you don’t have to worry about tipping over backwards with the gaming chair. In addition, it also makes quite a solid impression in other respects.
Conclusion
Vertagear offers the PL1000 gaming chair for € 11.49 (€ 11.49 / l)* [review time: €260, MSRP: $330], and promises typical features for it with a rocker mechanism, height adjustment and adjustable armrests. The chair doesn’t have too many special features. Instead, it comes with minor improvements here and there.
This applies in particular to assembly, which is very quick thanks to the preassembled armrests and the revised backrest holder. Apart from that, the PL1000 primarily focuses on a good implementation of the advertised – and that succeeds in our eyes. The build quality is good for a gaming chair, and in addition, the chair is comfortable, stable, and also looks good. However, there is only limited evidence of the “2D armrests”: First and foremost, these have a height adjustment that should be wide enough for usual demands.
The price of the PL1000 can be problematic, because the chair would be a bit more expensive than many competitors for the MSRP of $330. At the time of testing, however, the gaming chair was already available for 260 Euros in this country. As long as it stays in this price range, it’s certainly not a price breaker, but it’s definitely a solid choice.
Vertagear PL1000
Comfort
Stability & Workmanship
Design
Value for money
85/100
Gaming chair with good implementation and focus on quick assembly.
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