Gaming depends on many factors. Starting with the response time of mice, keyboards and gamepads, the frequency of the monitor in combination with the performance of the PC, and finally the chair. If you don’t sit comfortably, you concentrate less and perform less. But which chair is the right one is not so easy to say. If you take a quick look at the market, you’ll be inundated with gaming chairs. Many chairs are often made from the same frame and sometimes even from the same manufacturer, and only the appearance has been changed by the supplier. The price range also extends from under €100 to well over €1000 that you could spend. That’s where a “gamechanger” might be needed. The German-based company Gamechanger has made it its business to produce chairs by hand and “Made in Germany”, leaving as much freedom as possible for the user. Here, we take a look at the Cobra Sport Edition. What makes this gamechanger so special and is it really worth the money?
Packing and assembly
Before we take a closer look at the chair and review the workmanship, we need to unpack and assemble the chair. The package is significantly larger compared to other manufacturers and therefore you need a bit more clearance. The package should be laid down to unpack, otherwise it is very difficult to get the individual parts alone out of the over 100 cm high box. The assembly is explained very well in a manual, but is anything but simple. Many parts, such as the armrests are already pre-assembled, but the unique connection of the backrest with the seat makes the assembly very difficult.
This is because it is not mounted on the seat as in other chairs, but screwed to the base of the chair. Also, the weight of the chair is not exactly light and so it is also recommended to have an additional, guiding hand when placing the seat and the backrest on the gas spring. So if you have a 3rd or even 4th hand available, you should ask them for assistance when setting up. Now the gaming chair is assembled and we can take a look at it in peace. But before that, let’s take a look at the technical data.
Technical data
| Frame design | Metal |
| Cover material | Breathable synthetic leather |
| seat | Width: 50cm Depth: 47cm + 5cm adjustment range |
| Backrest | Width: 50 cm Height: 80 – 88 cm |
| 4D armrests | Surface: 22 cm x 10 cm Padding: 3 cm Height adjustment: 10 cm |
| Ergonomics | Backrest: height adjustable, inclinable, pre-shaped. Seat: height adjustable, depth adjustable |
| Maximum load | 125 kg (XL even up to 200 kg) |
| Price | € 699.00 * |
Design and workmanship
The design of the Gamechanger in the Cobra Sport Edition was revised together with COBRA. Cobra is known for, among other things, the racing seats in race cars such as Porsche and other companies, and so the gaming chair was given a sporty look. First of all, as far as the colors are concerned, you can choose between black, white, red and blue. This does not change the color of the faux leather, but only adapts the design elements. These include the mesh cover, the stitching and the ring on the wheels.
By the way, just the mesh cover is also one of the design differences from the standard model. The shape of the backrest is again emphasized by the seams. Namely, the side panels are slightly curved forward to provide lateral support as well. Otherwise, the gaming chair is kept quite simple, because, for example, even the armrests do not offer any special design elements.
As far as the workmanship is concerned, there is only one point that could be criticized. The metal base has a few quirks here and there. Especially in the area where the gas pressure spring is inserted. However, this is a minor point, as it is only noticeable when you look for flaws and this does not affect use. Speaking of usage! Now let’s take a look at whether the gaming chair is really a “gamechanger”.
Seating comfort and ergonomics
Before we sit down comfortably, let’s take a look at the detailed user manual. It explains step-by-step how to adjust your Gamechanger to achieve the ergonomically-perfect seating position. By the way, a video tutorial is also offered via a QR code, which is a nice feature if you don’t want to turn the pages yourself. The first thing is to adjust the seat height appropriately, which is done via a lever on the right underneath the seat. That’s not a gamechanger yet, but the next step is to adjust the height of the backrest. To do this, the backrest simply has to be relieved and then moved to the right height. Such an adjustment is definitely something special already, because it allows the pre-shaped backrest to adapt to your back.
The backrest pressure can now be continuously adjusted via an extendable crank. In addition, the backrest can be locked in five different positions, which is implemented via a lever on the left side of the seat. An additional adjustment option is offered by the second lever on the right side. This can be used to adjust the seat depth by pressing the lever down and simultaneously moving the hips forwards or backwards. This way, you can sit well and comfortably on the entire seat surface of the chair despite long thighs, and the same applies to relatively short ones. After this step, we at least have the right sitting position and can now take care of the armrests.
The next step is to adjust the height of the 4D armrests by setting them as an extension of the table edge. Furthermore, they can be adjusted in depth and swiveled in five positions. If the armrests are too close to the seat, a quick release mechanism can be used to loosen the armrests and pull them a bit further out. Thus, the 4D armrests again offer significantly more adjustment options than the normal gaming chair.
Those who have also integrated the lumbar support can adjust it to the desired height via a rotary knob. In addition, there is also the option of padding the 4D armrests extra in the order, and padding the seat with 2 cm high Visco foam is also possible. In the instruction manual there are also some additional care instructions, so that the Gamechanger remains in best quality for a long time.
Now that the chair is ergonomically adjusted to fit, we can test it extensively. The Gamechanger Cobra Sport Edition offer a very comfortable seat and that even without the optional upholstery. The backrest, which can be adjusted almost at will, is very well shaped to support the upper body without constricting it. Depending on the shape of the day, you can also recline deep into the chair thanks to the variably adjustable contact pressure, even if you can’t bend the backrest back 180° to the seat. The forearms rest comfortably on the armrests, which, unlike other gaming chairs, do not offer a hard resting surface. Even during long gaming sessions you sit very comfortably and due to the breathable artificial leather, only the opponents start to sweat. For us, the chair is a true gamechanger that also deserves the name.
Conclusion
Let’s sum it all up now. The Gamechanger Cobra Sport Edition offers extremely many adjustment options, so that everyone who buys this chair can sit ergonomically perfect. No matter if you are very tall or very short, Gamechanger offers the right chair. Of course, the seating feeling is still very subjective, but it was very good in our test model. Long work or gaming sessions are definitely not a torture here.
Qualitatively, as described, there are actually no shortcomings that can be complained about. The assembly itself is not so easy, however, only a minor evil, as this only causes problems in the first 10 minutes. The bigger problem is the price of € 699.00 * in the standard version. Even though the price is very high, we still find it justified. The good quality and the individual adjustment options unfortunately have their price, but afterwards you don’t need to worry about a seat anymore.
Gamechanger Cobra Sport Edition
Seating comfort
Stability & Workmanship
Design
Value for money
95/100
The Gamechanger offers individual adjustability at all points and thus ensures ergonomic sitting for everyone. It is very comfortable and offers good quality, but also has its price.
