Over the years, there have been more and more companies that have jumped into the gaming chair industry. Companies like Secretlab, Andaseat, DX Racer and even Razer all have various types of gaming chairs that aim to offer something a bit different, but ultimately the core aspect is the same across the board. Gamers want comfort and flexibility to obtain different levels of comfort. Prices, however, have driven upwards in recent years for more of the premium chairs. I recently had a chance to take a look at both a chair from Andaseat and one from Razer, and checking on these retail prices was a bit of a shock. Do these chairs offer the price of admission?
The base comparison comes from the two other chair manufacturers provided. My first ever gaming chair was a DX Racer chair, complete with adjustable armrests and height adjustment, reclining options with a lock and a pillow for the neck. This leather chair, much like many, is prone to abuse by cat attacks that ultimately left that one dead to rights after a few years. It was a solidly comfortable chair that offered what was needed, but way back six years ago, prices hadn’t exploded on the market and it felt like a solid fit for the price. Moving on from there would be the Secretlab Omega, which offered better cushion with the same type of options and a more durable frame. The price was higher, but also felt more justified, but it wasn’t unobtainable at the time.
Looking at the price of similar chairs now from Secretlab, the standard for premium chairs is a lot higher without many gains in innovation. The Andaseat Kaiser 3, which was included as part of ourHoliday Gift Guide, seems like almost a steal for a premium gaming chair at its current MSRP of $399.99. Assembly occurring in under 30 minutes with a well-engineered unboxing process that simplifies assembly is a big positive. Innovation from this chair comes in the way of magnets as the arm rest protectors and the side protectors simply line up rather than having to smash plastic into place. The memory pillow also has a magnet, so strapping a pillow into place isn’t a thing. There is no back pillow included with this nor does it have the same level of comfort as the four year old Secretlab chair, both being comprised of leather upholstery.
Sure, there are special editions chairs on the market and the idea of having different design options is a big plus. The Kaiser 3 has quite a few different colors and Secretlab has its Overwatch chairs, and that helps to justify these price tags more. Before this recent price hike, however, there were still special edition chairs. It almost feels in the line of purchasing bolt-on car parts that while may give some performance increase, a few years ago the pricing was satisfactory enough to warrant the investment. For example, a cold air intake for a car can now cost nearly $150 more than it previously did, and that return isn’t worth it. What is here with the Kaiser 3 from Andaseat is a solid chair that gets the job done, but for a higher price than what it would have been a few years ago and possibly cheaper options that obtain the same thing. At this point, the recently-announced Weibo Gaming Chair from Andaseat offers a unique design, that missing back pillow and anti-stain leather for only $100 more. Well, it’s only $100 less, but is currently on sale.
Then you bring in Razer, who has offered multiple different chairs in recent years, but this one comes across as a hybrid chair between gaming and office use. The focus on perfect posture and durability is the driving force for the Fujin chair, but this may ultimately lack what gamers truly need for long distance comfort. It offers the core aspects with its chair, but uses a mesh design for seating. Assembly is under thirty minutes with a helpful unboxing process and minimal tools, and the metal and plastic portions of the chair are the same except for the arm pads, so no magnets required. The Fujin comes in at $649, and while offering solid comfort, lacks any type of pillows or even neck support. A headrest can be purchased separately for $129, and the Fujin Pro has the neck support, but this is $1,049. There is engineering innovation with the Fujin line, but it’s only available in black and is basically akin to some office chairs I have sat in. The adjustable lumbar support by simply moving the bar on the rear is nice, but the Fujin is getting into upper echelon pricing for something just to sit in.
There’s not anything supremely wrong with either of these chairs other than the prices they’re released at, and that’s just the market today. Sure, you can go to a big box store and grab a chair for $150, but even these were cheaper a few years ago. They would lack the durability and the options, but going from $150 to $500 is a steep decision. For the price of these premium chairs, you are getting size options and more support and durability, but that investment if protected will last much longer than something from a big box store. It’s just a shame that these same types of options were more affordable and justifiable just a few years ago. Special Edition chairs that are released in limited quantities would further justify the price, but all chairs have seemingly crept up to this degree of pricing. It has gotten to the point that a dedicated gaming chair is more of a luxury at this point, and for those looking to build a PC, a chair isn’t necessarily going to be the highest priority on most of the lists.
