Gaming chairs offer users much more than just a visual enhancement of their surroundings. These ergonomically well-designed chairs boast the typical features of a sports car seat: side bolsters on the left and right for optimum support, headrest, lumbar support (support in the lumbar region) and armrests. But which are the best gaming chairs? In our buying recommendation, we present the best models in detail.
The 7 Best Gaming Chairs 2025 in the review
Backforce One Plus – The Best Gaming Chair
On paper, Backforce has only been around since 2019, which is of course no age for a chair manufacturer. However, the brand did not establish itself from 0 to 100, but is part of the Interstuhl company. It can look back on over 60 years of experience in the construction of ergonomic and high-quality chairs. These 60 years have gone into the construction of the two existing models One and One Plus.
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The result is two beautifully designed, functional and handcrafted models that are made entirely in Germany. At 629 euros, this naturally comes at a price, but every single cent is well spent. Especially as every Backforce chair comes with a 10-year guarantee. If you add that up, you end up paying five euros a month for the One Plus.
The One Plus is equipped with 5D armrests that can be folded away, a lumbar support that can be flexibly adjusted in both depth and height, a molded wood panel in the backrest (the best thing you can do to your back) and seat depth and tilt adjustment. And as far as the exterior is concerned, a gaming chair manufacturer has finally taken care of the back and provided it with a plastic shield and a bright Gamer Plus. The Backforce One Plus is rightly at the top of the gaming chair Olympus.
There’s also a lot more to it, which our test in November 2020 brought to light.
Backforce One – Even the first Backforce beats all others
Backforce is the young gaming brand of the well-known German chair manufacturer Interstuhl, which can draw on over 50 years of experience in chair manufacturing. Unlike most other gaming chairs, the chairs are not manufactured in Asia, but in Germany.
The Backforce One has deservedly made it to second place in our best list, as it offers the most convincing ergonomic features. It is equipped with a synchronized mechanism that is particularly good for the back. In addition, the armrests can not only be adjusted but also folded back so that you can sit comfortably cross-legged on the chair. The Alcantara and imitation leather cover is very comfortable and the chair can be personalized with interchangeable batches and an LED logo.
Gamechanger – Pure individualism with high quality
The Gamechanger is also as young as Backforce, but has already won over many critics and buyers. We understand why: in addition to a perfect ergonomic design and relevant features, the company behind it focuses on a great deal of individuality. Buyers can choose between different materials, colors, sizes and extras. In the end, you have a chair in your shopping cart that is unlike any other in the world. Only the shape of the chair always remains the same. However, this high degree of individuality also drives up the price, so you should look carefully at what you need and what you don’t need.
Apart from that, the chairs come with 4D armrests, a fiberglass-reinforced base and a synchronous mechanism so that the seat moves in perfect coordination with the backrest. The workmanship, materials and above all the customer service are also very admirable in the case of the Gamechanger.
Recaro EXO FX
And we continue with Made in Germany. Recaro is also a German manufacturer and also entered the gaming chair market in 2019. Since then, the company has been riding a wave of success that we can understand only too well. Regardless of the high prices it charges for its chairs, Recaros are made from only the best materials and have a high-quality finish. In addition, the Exo FX and Exo Platinum chairs are made with 5D armrests (an absolute rarity in gaming chairs), a very high backrest, an anti-submarining bar and a frame made entirely of robust aluminum.
Recaro chairs are therefore also suitable for long, tall and heavy people. However, anyone who likes individual extras on their gaming chair will not be happy with the manufacturer. You only have the choice of three different colors. In terms of performance, however, a Recaro chair has nothing to hide.
Our review of the Recaro EXO FX from January 2021 can be found here:
Secretlab Titan Evo
Alongside Backforce, Gamechanger and Recaro, Secretlab is one of the few companies not from Germany to make it onto the list of the best gaming chairs. What would have looked different years ago is now dominated by Made in Germany. However, the Singerpurer company is rightly ahead of names such as noblechairs or Nitro Concepts.
SecretLab has primarily entered the gaming rooms of this world via the e-sports sector. The company has been a reliable manufacturer of gaming chairs for over six years. Organizations such as Team Liquid, Astralis and Invictus rely on its qualities. The two founders come from the scene and gave the go-ahead for the premium class of gaming chairs in 2014. Since then, SecretLabs has been an integral part of a top 5 list.
Although things made in Asia often have a bad reputation, SecretLab doesn’t even come close to fulfilling it. The best workmanship and materials, robustness and useful extras such as 4D armrests and a height-adjustable lumbar support in the Titan models speak for themselves. A well-deserved fifth place, which we don’t expect SecretLab to relinquish any time soon.
ThunderX3 Core
The ThunderX3 Core is an unusual gaming chair. It was first unveiled at Computex 2023 and was later presented again at Gamescom, where it was also possible to try it out for the first time. Priced in the mid-range, the chair aims to score points with an adjustable lumbar support, a footrest and other ergonomic features – which can definitely be considered a unique selling point here.
Its features are atypical for its price range and promise enormous comfort – without any back pain or tension. And indeed: in our practical test, the ThunderX3 Core completely convinced us in this respect. However, you have to give your back a little time to get used to the new chair and the extra movement. Tension may well occur at first if you were not used to exercising your back so much before.
The many ergonomic features, which proved to be really useful in the practical test, are particularly worth emphasizing – and are usually sought in vain in the mid-price range to this extent. Overall, the price-performance ratio here is very strong, making the ThunderX3 Core an excellent gaming chair.
Price-performance tip: Backforce V
Since its launch, the Backforce V has established itself as a strong competitor in the gaming chair segment. Given the quality of previous models, it is hardly surprising that the gaming chair impressed in the test. Particularly impressive are the outstanding seating comfort and the extensive customization options, which can even compete with its higher-priced siblings.
The differences to the Backforce One are manageable. The fact that the base is made of plastic instead of aluminum hardly makes a difference in practice. And the 10-year guarantee gives a reassuring feeling of security in case something should go wrong.
We were pleasantly surprised by the V-shaped backrest. Contrary to our initial fears, the narrower width in the lower section has no negative impact on seating comfort. All this makes the Backforce V one of the best gaming chairs in the range up to 400 euros.
Buying gaming chairs: What you should look out for
A good gaming chair is more than just a visual highlight for your setup – it contributes to your health and comfort. When buying one, you should consider a few key points to ensure long-term satisfaction. Here is a detailed overview of what is important:
Ergonomics: the key to healthy sitting
Ergonomics is the most important criterion when choosing a gaming chair. A healthy sitting posture prevents back pain and promotes concentration. Look out for the following features:
- Adjustable backrest: a flexible backrest that can be tilted backwards to a certain angle allows for relaxation breaks.
- Armrests: Height and laterally adjustable armrests ensure that your arms are ergonomically supported, which prevents tension.
- Lumbar support: Additional padding in the lumbar vertebrae area supports the natural curvature of the spine. Some models even offer an adjustable lumbar support.
- Headrest: A headrest protects your neck and provides additional comfort, especially during longer sessions.
Material and workmanship: durability and comfort
The material not only influences the look, but also the comfort and durability of the chair:
- Imitation leather: looks classy, is easy to clean and water-repellent, but can get uncomfortably warm in high temperatures.
- Fabric cover: Breathable and ideal for gamers who sweat a lot, but more susceptible to stains.
- Hybrid materials: A combination of fabric and artificial leather combines the advantages of both materials.
- Upholstery: High density foam offers a good mix of comfort and durability. Cheap chairs often use inferior foam that wears through quickly.
Load capacity and size
A gaming chair must fit your body to be comfortable. Pay attention to:
- Maximum load capacity: Many chairs can support up to 120-150 kg. Heavier models offer higher load limits.
- Size: Check whether the chair is suitable for your height. Special XL models offer more space for taller gamers, while compact models are more suitable for shorter people.
Adjustment options for maximum customization
The more adjustment options a chair offers, the better you can adapt it to your individual needs:
- Seat height: you should be able to adjust the height of the chair so that your feet are flat on the floor.
- Rocking function: Some models offer a rocking function for a dynamic sitting posture.
- 360° swivel: Standard for gaming chairs, but important for freedom of movement.
Additional features: Luxury for gamers
Some gaming chairs come with extras that can make your gaming experience even more enjoyable:
- Integrated speakers: For an immersive sound experience right at the chair.
- RGB lighting: A visual highlight that perfectly matches your gaming setup.
- Footrest: Practical if you want to relax in between.
Price-performance ratio: Quality instead of quantity
Gaming chairs are available in all price ranges. While inexpensive models from around €100 often offer basic comfort, models from €300 score points with better ergonomics and more durable materials. Think about which features are essential for you and don’t save money in the wrong place – your health should take priority.
Conclusion
A high-quality gaming chair is a worthwhile investment that not only increases your comfort, but also benefits your health. Pay attention to ergonomics, material, load capacity and additional functions to find the perfect chair for your needs. So you can concentrate fully on playing!
