If you’re a keen gamer who enjoys lengthy play sessions, a good gaming chair is critical to ensuring you’re comfortable and well-supported (especially if, like me, you’re over 30).
Not all gaming chairs are the same, though, so not every chair will suit your specific needs; this is especially true with console gaming chairs vs PC gaming chairs. We’re breaking down the key similarities and differences between the two to help you decide which is best for you.
Sure, it may seem pretty clear cut: console gaming chairs are for console gamers, and PC gaming chairs are for PC gamers. That’s not necessarily true, though. While the platform you play on may play a factor in your choice, where you play and whether you plan to also use your chair for non-gaming purposes is more important. For example, the rise in working from home has meant more people use gaming chairs for work as well as play, so you may want one better suited to hybrid use.
So, read on to find out how console gaming chairs and PC gaming chairs compare and which is best for you.
PC gaming chair vs console gaming chair: price and value
Let’s start with pricing. There’s a fair bit of disparity between the best console gaming chairs and the best PC gaming chairs – though both offer options from budget to premium.
The best gaming chairs often range from more budget options that retail for around $150-$199, like the Corsair TC100 Relaxed gaming chair and the IKEA Markus, to premium options that can go for $800 / £800 to over $1000 / £1000, like the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody gaming chair (which costs an eye-watering $1,795 / £1,496) and the Razer Fujin Pro (which is $1,049 / roughly £835.64). There are plenty of great mid-range options, however, but these do come in around the $500 / £500 mark, with our favorite overall gaming chair, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, costing $519 / £414 / AU$724.
Console gaming chairs are much more affordable, with X Rocker’s range starting from $99.99 / roughly £79.65 and lots of third-party retailers, like Amazon, offering options around the $100-$200 mark. Premium options tend to max out around $400 / £350, with top picks like the Respawn 900 gaming recliner priced at $399.99 / roughly £331.40 and X Rocker’s CXR3 gaming chair costing $329.99 / roughly £262.86.
PC gaming chairs are pricier but tend to be sturdier and offer better lumbar support than console gaming chairs – so a good one is a worthy investment that should last you years.
More premium console gaming chairs tend to offer a bunch of extra bells and whistles (we go into this more below), but if you don’t need them, there’s no point breaking the bank, and those budget and mid-range options from reliable supplies should offer solid build quality and comfort.
PC gaming chair vs console gaming chair: design and features
This is where the differences between PC and console gaming chairs become most apparent.
Console gaming chairs and bean bags tend to be lower to the floor, have a rocker or pedestal base, and are designed with ergonomic comfort in mind. They tend to have a more relaxed design than PC gaming chairs, but good-quality ones still offer decent lumbar support. More premium console gaming chairs offer features such as built-in speakers, cup holders, LED lights, and even vibration (if you fancy it). But, if you’re slightly bigger, you may have difficulty finding one that’s the right size for you.
By contrast, top-notch PC gaming chairs sit higher off the ground and upright, prioritizing material breathability, sturdy armrests, and lumbar support above all else. While some console gaming chairs are pretty slick, PC chairs (frankly) look a bit more mature and less gimmicky, so you can use them as office chairs without worrying about looking unprofessional. What’s more, PC gaming chairs come in various sizes, so you should be able to find one that suits your build.
Both PC and console gaming chairs can come in different designs, but we find PC chairs have more options. Secretlab, for example, offers Arcane, Game of Thrones, World of Warcraft, and more skins, so you can get a chair that suits your personality. When it comes to console chairs, we find X Rockers offers the most (but not much) variety, with a range of Super Mario skinned rocker chairs available.
PC gaming chair vs console gaming chair: performance and use
Console gaming chairs are (unsurprisingly) created with console players in mind and are better suited to playing on a TV in a living room or gaming den. As they’re typically so low to the ground, they’re not high enough to reach a desk but double up as a comfy extra chair in communal spaces.
Good console gaming chairs also ensure you’ve got head and back support, while those with a rocker feature help to improve circulation during long hours of play. As a console player, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself repositioning on the sofa or finding my neck and back hurts because I’ve been unintentionally leaning forward. If you’re at that age where you struggle to get up from low seats, however, this may not be the choice for you.
Given they sit higher, PC gaming chairs are best used with an office or gaming desk. Their breathability and lumbar support make them perfect for work use as well as gaming – I use my chair as my general office chair and have found it’s helped improve my overall posture. But these chairs aren’t exclusively PC gaming. If you use your console at a desk, they can provide a great deal of comfort, but while you could roll your PC gaming chair in front of your TV in the living room, for example, they’re pretty heavy and not the most practical to move from room to room.
PC gaming chair vs console gaming chair: verdict
There are a few questions to ask yourself when deciding between a console gaming chair and a PC gaming chair.
Firstly, do you plan to use your chair in front of a TV or at a desk? If the latter, a PC gaming chair is best; if the former, a console gaming chair may be the better option.
Next, do you want to use your chair for work as well as play? If so, the PC gaming chair is the clear choice. Finally, one for the older folks and those who (like me) have additional needs. Do you struggle to get out of a lower seat and do you require an additional degree of lumbar support? If so, the PC gaming chair is likely the better option.
Ultimately, which chair is best for you depends on your needs and how you personally plan to use it.