The gaming industry is growing year on year and now office workers are looking at the prospect of purchasing a gaming chair rather than the traditional office chair. In addition to office-based employees looking for a high-quality chair to use for up to 8 hours a day, gamers are on the lookout for a chair that can support their back whilst looking aesthetically pleasing.
In this guide, we outline the key differences between office and gaming chairs and what option you should look further into when choosing your next ergonomic chair.
Contents:
- What are office chairs?
- What are gaming chairs?
- Office chairs vs gaming chairs: Comfort and ergonomics
- Office chairs vs gaming chairs: Design and upholstery
- Office chairs vs gaming chairs: Price
- Office chairs vs gaming chairs: The verdict
- Where can you get new office chairs?
What are office chairs?
Office chairs are designed to support your back and encourage good posture. Spending hours on end at your office desk can potentially lead to health and muscle problems further down the line and having an ergonomic office chair can help reduce this risk.
Typically the go-to for employees in an office or home office, office chairs have developed over the years to help support the body from aches and pains.
Key office chair features:
- Choice of material
- Swivel and non-swivel
- High back or low back
What are gaming chairs?
A gaming chair is a type of chair designed for the comfort of those who play video games. They differ from most standard office chairs as they have a high backrest designed to support the upper back and shoulders – ergonomically designed.
They are starting to be used by office workers, but they can sometimes be inappropriate for the workplace.
Key gaming chair features:
- Fully customisable
- Bucket seat design
- Tend to be high back
Office chairs vs gaming chairs: Comfort and ergonomics
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a chair is comfort, especially if you sit in it for up to 8 hours a day. Office chairs and gaming chairs both have ergonomic features, including back recliners and adjustable height which is a key point to factor in.
Both types of chairs are designed for people to be comfortable for long periods of time, but this can vary from chair to chair. Some office chairs like a High Back Executive Chair feature things like weight tension control. This means the chair is fully adjustable to suit the user’s individual body weight and ensures that the chair provides the ultimate level of comfort that is required when you’re sitting at a desk for hours on end.
Gaming chairs are equally as comfortable – the bucket and wingback design provides an emphasis on comfort for long periods of time. Most PC gaming chairs also come with a cushioned headrest which provides extra comfort.
Office chairs vs gaming chairs: Design and upholstery
Both office and gaming chairs are commonly upholstered using leather or mesh material. The major difference between the two materials is breathability. Mesh chairs allow for more airflow and keep people cool during hot periods – all the better if your office or home office doesn’t have air conditioning! If you do purchase a mesh office or gaming chair, you should expect to replace it up to every 6 years.
Let’s face it, leather chairs look and do a great job. Firstly, they are available in a range of colours and styles (ideal if you’re looking to keep in line with your office colours), leather is also much easier to clean or repair which if in an office, is fairly likely to happen. Leather has long been considered one of the best materials money can buy thanks to its functionality and comfort – gaming and office chairs are available in leather and faux leather.
In our expert opinion, we’d recommend office chairs are the better option when choosing a chair that lasts long and looks good.
Office chairs vs gaming chairs: Price
Office chairs can vary in price but you should expect to pay between £75 and £200. The price can differ due to the features it may have such as upholstery.
On the more expensive hand, gaming chairs can range from £150 to £500 depending on the specifications. For some office workers and gamers, this may be out of their budget.
Office chairs vs gaming chairs: The verdict
There are some differences when it comes to office chairs and gaming chairs, and while it totally depends on what comfort feels like for you, we’d recommend choosing an office chair over a gaming chair.
For the amount of time and price being paid for a chair that may be used for gaming or in the office, an ergonomic office chair would be your best bet.
Where can you get new office chairs?
At Think Office Furniture we supply businesses across the UK with the highest-quality office chairs.
From ergonomic high-back chairs to folding mesh task chairs, we have a wide range of brand-new office furniture that meets your requirements.If you would like to find out more information on how our office chairs can go that extra mile, then please do get in touch and we will be more than happy to help.