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Sturmer's avatar
Sturmer

I don't trust these so-called 'gaming' chairs made from eco-leather. They are often ugly, bulky, and have questionable ergonomics. Any scientific studies I've seen on them were sponsored by companies like Secretlab, which compromises their objectivity. I prefer ergonomic office chairs from brands like Steelcase.

I've reviewed several gaming chairs in the past, but I couldn't sit in any of them for long periods. However, a simple 160 EUR IKEA HATTEFJÄLL can support me comfortably for up to 12 hours straight.

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra
Sturmer

My partner swears by my old office chair which looks similar to this, for me it was uncomfortable. Really comes down to what design is comfortable for your body shape in the end.

Damien Mason's avatar
Damien Mason

Yes, gaming chairs are tech. And yes, they used to sit around £350. Some still do, like noblechairs, but Secretlab has added a premium because it has so much recognition that it can. The lofty price you see here has the collab tax added on, as they need to pay Square Enixa cut of the profits.

I, personally, believe there's merit in paying as much as you can for a chair if you sit for most of your life. I work from home, so it's far more important than a console. I currently use a Mavix M9 in white, which exists somewhere between an office and a gaming chair. $999, but holds up great years later and the single most comfortable thing I've sat on.

While the racing bucket design is controversial, it usually comes down to personal preference. There are plenty out there, such as DX Racer, GT Omega, AK Racing, X Rocker, Corsair, and more that feature bulkier designs with subpar materials and aren't comfortable for certain body types and postures. The most common complaint is that the wings that lift up on the sides of the seat are too narrow or steep.

Secretlab strikes a wonderful balance, which is why it gets away with such high prices. It's the only one that's found the secret sauce. If you're sure you like them and find them comfortable (particularly for long-term sitting rather than just sitting on it for five minutes to test it out), then you know it's a good investment for you.

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra
Damien Mason

I wish there were stores where you can actually try these products and then pick the brand which suits you. I tried to go to places selling office chairs but you either couldn't try the products or they were uncomfortable.

So I have to go by the experience I had trying Secret Labs at my friend's as I was sitting in it all day.

I only WFH one day, but still spend a lot of time sitting when at home.

Damien Mason's avatar
Damien Mason
Lanah Tyra

Yeah, this is one of those situations where it's not easy to return for a refund if you're not happy and a physical store would solve the issue. If you sat in that Secretlab chair all day, you have a fantastic case that it's a good fit for you. And you know you sit enough for it to be a good investment.

Further advice: Secretlab does two main versions, the 2020 and the modern. There's every possibility you sat in the 2020 model at your friends. This FF one will only come in the modern design. There isn't a huge difference between the two, with the new one being more nipped and tucked to make it higher quality. It features a magnetic cushion hold rather than the strap, which has proven divisive but not a big deal. I only say so you're aware but the fundamentals are largely the same.

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra
Damien Mason

Yes it was definitely the older model as they bought it just before covid. Can always put a strap on the pillow myself if it doesn't hold with the magnet :D

MURRRAAAAY's avatar
MURRRAAAAY

Honestly I had a gaming chair and it was good and lasted me a few years but I recently got an ergonomic chair from Amazon which was like 200 or less I think and it was better, I’d really recommend that if your sitting a lot, so I saved a lot of cash doing that which I then put towards a standing desk so I can sit and stand and it’s a far better way to work for comfort and health!

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra
MURRRAAAAY

Standing desks are sadly not an option for me, walking around is good but standing in one spot is killing me. Even at concerts where there aren't seats I need to skip one band and go sit down somewhere :(

Did you try the chair before you bought it or just went by the reviews? Or are these returnable if you order it and don't like it?

MURRRAAAAY's avatar
MURRRAAAAY
Lanah Tyra

Yeah but the standing desk is electric so like after sitting for a while I can just press it to stand then I stand for like 10 mins to loosen off it’s really handy,, so it accommodates sitting and standing 😎

Yeah I just read reviews and watched YouTube videos on it and then went for it and yeah it was from Amazon so you can return anything upto 30 days.

K
klobbersaurus68

I agree with MURRRAAAAY, go and sit in as many as you can. I've got several different Herman Miller chairs I can use at work ranging from $800 to $2,000 and I don't like any of them no matter how many settings I change. Lots of my coworkers LOVE the chairs enough they've bought their own. You'll find people online recommending them over any other brand no matter what. You can find them used for a few hundred.

I've got a Secret Lab Omega chair that I have used at home since early 2019 and I can sit in it all day without any discomfort. Only issue is a tear in one of the armrests, and no other issues. We also got my wife one in 2021 that she really likes as well, she's got a hip issue and it doesn't put any extra pressure to cause discomfort. Ours are their 'basic' cloth ones with no extra branding or anything on them. Knowing what I know now, I'd pay $500 for another one.

Good luck!

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra
klobbersaurus68

There are not many stores these days where you can try stuff :(

Usually I struggle with office chair designs, and the few I found comfortable turn out to be over £1000 so Secret Labs is still cheaper 😂

Scrbzy's avatar
Scrbzy

I bought a DXRACER back in 2015 and still have it to this day, I swear by it, it's the best chair I ever bought. I got it when they were around £200 and actually shipped to the UK, I believe they no longer do that.

Unfortunately, the leather on it is falling off now so it will need replacing soon. I did look into a Secretlabs one and whilst they're really really nice, they're so darn expensive. I also have to pay £100 for shipping as I don't like on the mainland.

Having said that, investing in your back is never a bad investment, think about how often you'll sit in it.

Lanah Tyra's avatar
Lanah Tyra
Scrbzy

Durability is definitely important, I don't mind paying more for something which will last.

Scrbzy's avatar
Scrbzy
Lanah Tyra

For what it's worth, I have friends with secretlabs chairs and they all rave about them. Some of them look amazing too!!

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