If you’re an avid gamer who enjoys long gaming sessions, a good gaming chair is crucial to ensure you’re comfortable and well supported (especially if, like me, you’re over 30).
Not all gaming chairs however, are the same, so not every chair will meet your specific needs; this is especially true for console gaming chairs versus PC gaming chairs. We list the main similarities and differences between the two so you can decide which one suits you best.
Sure, it may seem pretty obvious: console gaming chairs are for console gamers, and PC gaming chairs are for PC gamers. However, that is not necessarily true. While the platform you play on may play a role in your choice, what matters more is where you play and whether you plan to use your seat for non-gaming purposes. For example, the rise of working from home has led to more people using gaming chairs for both work and play, so you may want one that’s better suited to hybrid use.
So read on to find out how console gaming chairs and PC gaming chairs compare and which one is best for you.
PC gaming chair vs. console gaming chair: price and value
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Let’s start with the pricing. There’s quite a bit of difference between the best console gaming chairs and the best PC gaming chairs, although both offer options from budget to premium.
The best gaming chairs often range from more budget options that cost around $150-$199, such as the Corsair TC100 Relaxing Gaming Chair and the IKEA Markus, to premium options that can range from $800 / £800 to over $1000 / £1000, such as the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody Gaming Chair (which costs a whopping $1,795 / £1,496) and the Razer FujinPro (that’s $1,049 / about £835.64). There are plenty of great mid-range options though, but these come in at around the $500/£500 mark, with our favorite gaming chair, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022costs $519 / £414 / AU$724.
Console gaming chairs are much more affordable, with X Rocker’s range starting at $99.99 / approximately £79.65 and many third-party retailers such as Amazonwith options around $100-$200. Premium options tend to be around $400 / £350, with top picks like the Respawn 900 gaming chair for $399.99 / around £331.40 and the CXR3 gaming chair from X Rocker for $329.99 / approximately £262.86.
PC gaming chairs are more expensive, but they tend to be firmer and offer better lumbar support than console gaming chairs – so a good one is a worthwhile investment that will last for years.
More premium console gaming chairs usually offer a lot of extra bells and whistles (we’ll go into more detail about this below), but if you don’t need them there’s no point in breaking the bank, and those budget and mid-range options from reliable deliveries should offer solid build quality and comfort.
PC Gaming Chair vs Console Gaming Chair: Design and Features
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This is where the differences between PC and console gaming chairs become most apparent.
Console gaming chairs and bean bag chairs are usually lower to the floor, have a rocker or base base, and are designed with ergonomic comfort in mind. They tend to have a more relaxed design than PC gaming chairs, but good quality chairs still provide decent lumbar support. More premium console gaming chairs offer features like built-in speakers, cup holders, LED lighting, and even vibration (if you’re into that). But if you’re a little bigger, maybe difficulty to find one that is the right size for you.
In contrast, premium PC gaming chairs sit higher off the ground and upright, favoring the material’s breathability, sturdy armrests and lumbar support above all else. While some console gaming chairs are quite sleek, PC chairs (honestly) look a bit more mature and less gimmicky, so you can use them as office chairs without having to worry about looking unprofessional. Plus, PC gaming chairs come in different sizes, so you should definitely be able to find one that suits your build.
Both PC and console gaming chairs can come in a variety of designs, but we find that PC chairs have more options. For example, Secretlab offers Arcane, Game of Thrones, World of Warcraftand more skins, so you can get a chair that suits your personality. When it comes to console chairs, we find that X Rockers offers the most (but not much) variety, with a range Super Mario skinned rocking chairs available.
PC gaming chair vs. console gaming chair: performance and usage
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Console gaming chairs are (unsurprisingly) made with console players in mind and are better suited for playing on a TV in a living room or gaming room. Because they are typically so low to the ground, they are not high enough to reach a desk, but can also serve as a comfortable extra chair in common areas.
Good console gaming chairs also ensure that you have head and back support, while chairs with a rocker function help improve circulation during long hours of gaming. As a console player, I can’t tell you how many times I found myself having to reposition myself on the couch or find my neck and back hurting because I was unintentionally leaning forward. However, if you have trouble getting up from low chairs at that age, this may not be the choice for you.
Because they sit higher, PC gaming chairs are best used in an office or gaming desk. Their breathability and lumbar support make them perfect for both work use and gaming. I use my chair as my general office chair and have found that it has helped improve my overall posture. But these chairs aren’t exclusively for PC gaming. If you use your console at a desk they can provide a lot of comfort, but while you could, for example, roll your PC gaming chair in front of your TV in the living room, they are quite heavy and not the most practical for moving from room to room.
PC Gaming Chair vs. Console Gaming Chair: Verdict
There are a few questions you should ask yourself when choosing between a console gaming chair and a PC gaming chair.
First, are you planning on using your chair in front of a TV or at a desk? In the latter case, a PC gaming chair is best; in the former case, a console gaming chair may be the better option.
Do you want to use your chair for both work and relaxation? Then the PC gaming chair is the clear choice. Finally one for the older folks and for those who (like me) have additional needs. Do you have difficulty getting out of a lower chair and need an extra degree of lumbar support? If so, the PC gaming chair is probably the better option.
Which chair is best for you ultimately depends on your needs and how you personally want to use it.
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