Best Gaming Chair for Fortnite – Budget & Pro Picks

Gaming Chair Buying Guide

If you’re looking to purchase your first bonafide gaming chair or just need to upgrade, you’ve come to the right place. Our guide will tell you what to look for and expect from a chair built for gamers in case you’re making the transition from the classic rolling office chair…

Build Quality

Most gaming chairs share similar design traits, so we’re going to focus on build quality first. In this case, the frame and cushioning are the first things you’ll want to look into. Steel tube frames are popular, but not the only option, and the best chairs will have a separate warrant for their frame. If they offer a lifetime guarantee, you know it’s built like a tank.

Cushioning is a little trickier as 90% of manufacturers use the same basic material known as high-density foam. Thickness matters although comfort is different for everyone, so it’s better to go by soft and firm designations or users reviews. Coverings are usually mesh, faux leather, PU or real leather if it’s within your budget. Each has their own advantages and disadvantages with mesh being your best bet for humid climates or toasty gaming rooms.

If you have hardwood floors, you’ll want smooth non-marring wheels that roll freely. While those are easy to find, getting a chair with great armrests is more difficult for several reasons. We’ll touch on most of those in our adjustments section, but advise you to look at the amount of padding on the armrests considering they can see a lot of action.

The frame and base have a lot to do with how much weight a chair can handle, but the gas lift handles the hard work. A Class-4 lift can handle most human beings with relative ease, but you still need to consider another important factor…

How are you built?

It doesn’t matter if your chair has a titanium frame or is covered in fine Ocelot hair; you have to consider your build along with the build quality of the chair.

Are you tall and built like a young Abraham Lincoln or more like an offensive lineman in the NFL? Size matters and a hip-hugging chair may be great for skinnier folks but cut into the sides of gamers with larger frames. No matter how cool a chair looks, think about your height in relation to the chair’s measurements and consider any health or back issues you have beforehand.

Adjustments

Every chair on our list will tilt although some go considerably farther than others with a range of up to 180 degrees (check top review) with some models in case you want to nap. Tilt control is something to consider as well. Gaming or office chairs allow you to lock angles into position, but the best gaming chairs have an unlimited range and don’t use presets.

360-degree rotation is standard, and not something to be concerned about in this range. That said, if you play VR games, you’ll want the smoothest action possible whether you’re turning in circles or rocking like a maniac.

Another common area of adjustment are the armrests which are where the terms 2D, 3D, and 4D come into play. Whenever a manufacturer mentions this term, they are talking about the directions of the armrests as a chair with 4D motion has armrests that move up & down, left & right, forward & back and inward or outward depending on your needs.

Those are generally only found on high-end models although some mid-rangers have them as well. 3D is much more common across the board with gaming chairs, but 4D may be worth the upgrade if you’re finicky about the rests. When it comes to height, the average is around 3 inches aside from a few exceptions. That specification and others should be listed by all manufacturers or on their website. If not, ask when in doubt as 50-pound chairs aren’t fun to return.

Assembly Required…

Chairs may seem like simple objects, but putting one together can a tall order if you’re not good with tools or short on patience. In our research, the biggest complaint from most consumers was a simple one – poor instructions. One example is when manufacturers include photos, but no text to go along with them. There are also plenty of models with lengthy explanations that are poorly worded and difficult to understand.

As excited as you may be to use your new gaming chair, make sure you have everything you’ll need before you sit down to begin assembly. Set aside at least an hour regardless of how handy you are as well and keep the weight in mind. Leather or King-sized chairs can weigh over 70 pounds, so you may need to call for assistance if you’re gaming room is up a flight of stairs.

Other things to consider

Surprisingly, there aren’t too many gamer-centric features with gaming chairs although a few manufacturers do things differently. What you won’t find are cup holders or full-body massage systems aside from detachable lumbar pillows that vibrate.

Chairs with lighting are few and far between, and you won’t find any uprights will Bluetooth on our list. What you can get is a chair with a retractable footrest or head pillow. Those are relatively common features found on chairs in all classes, but anything too out of left field may have to come in the form of an add-on.

Quality control is another thing to keep in mind at all times. Regardless of price, it’s not uncommon to see issues with quality control whether it’s something missing out of the box or a stitch that pops after a few months of use. A good warranty can alleviate most of those issues, but it also pays to look everything over carefully straight out of the box.