If you’re a gamer, you know how important a good gaming chair is. Poor posture propagates painful problems. Ergo ergonomically engineered accommodations are essential.
If you’re a gamer of the taller and/or bigger persuasion, however, you’re aware that many gaming chairs are built with the ergonomics of a smaller sitter in mind. Gamers come in all shapes and sizes and luckily, many manufacturers are answering the call of the big and the tall.
Am I Living that Big and Tall Life?
When it comes to gaming chairs, there is no hard and fast rule but general consensus says a “Big and Tall” chair is one that supports a maximum weight of at least 250 lbs, and is designed to accommodate a person up to 6′ tall or more.
That’s a pretty broad description and depending on what part of the world you live in, not at all uncommon. There are no shortage of options for gamers of bigger builds, but which one is the right fit for you requires some consideration.
What to Consider when Shopping
The most important considerations of course is how the chair feels to you, and your wallet.
You may be well under a chair’s maximum weight tolerance but if the padding is of poor quality or isn’t positioned properly for you, you’re not going to be comfortable. Likewise a chair with too tall a back, is just as bad as a chair that’s too short. And none of that matters if the furniture is out of your price range.
Luckily there are options out there to fit almost any stature and budget.
Browse through all our Big and Tall Gaming Chairs
Chair Back
Taller spines require taller chairs. It’s not rocket science.
Gaming or “racing style” chairs are built around what is known as an “S-Curve” which is a feature of the back specifically designed to support your spine. If your chair back is too short it can’t properly support your spine and it’s most vulnerable points.
The back also needs to be wide enough to accommodate your shoulders without forcing you to hunch. A chair like this one from Misuulvb has a back that’s plenty wide and tall enough support longer spines.
Adjustable neck and lumbar pillows are highly desirable features that can make or break a chair’s ergonomics.
We have a huge selection of Gaming Chairs for everyone
Seat
The seat is where chair expectation and reality meet
Where the rubber meets the road. Obviously you want the seat to be wide enough to accommodate you, but many gaming chairs feature high wings on the seat sides that can make them feel tighter. If you have wider set legs and hips, look for a flat style seat like this one from GTRACING for greater comfort.
You also want to make sure the seat is deep enough to accommodate your seated position with at least two inches between the edge of your seat and the back of your calves. The seat should be just high enough to accommodate your legs with your feet flat on the ground and your knees at a 90° angle.
The following is a good frame of reference but your specific seat height is up to you and your legs.
| Your Height | Ideal Seat Height |
| 6’0″ – 6’2” | 19 – 20 inches |
| 6’3″ – 6’5” | 20 – 21 inches |
| 6’6″ – 6’9” | 21 – 22 inches |
| 6’10″ – 7’0” | 22 – 23 inches |
We have a great selection of Gaming Desks as well
Weight Limit
Your chair is the mount you ride into battle
When it comes to a weight limit you’ll want to give yourself some cushion (pun intended). The maximum weight is a measure of the stability of the materials and the quality of the gas lift. It won’t tell you how comfortable the chair will be at that weight.
Big and tall chairs should have a max weigh capacity of at least 250 lbs, but some like this one from KILLABEE support up to 400 lbs or more. For added peace of mind, look for a chair with a class-4 SGS certified gas lift, like this one from VON RACER.
Arm Rests
I like Furgles!
Last but not least you need to make sure your chair keeps your arms comfortable and aligned to minimize strain on your shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Adjustable height should be the minimum requirement here.
A chair with 4D adjustable arm rests like this one from Furgle can help you maintain the perfect arm position effortlessly.
Gaming is one of our specialties
Quality
PU leather don’t stink
There are plenty of options out there and if you spend your money wisely it can go a long way.
Steel frames are the most durable option, and they make for the sturdiest base. Modern PU (polyurethane) leather like the material used in this Zeanus chair is terrific both for its longevity and its overall feel.
If you want to go next level, modern gaming chairs have options ranging from built-in speakers, to footrests, to massaging lumbar pillows. It’s all up to you and your budget.
We have everything a gamer needs at Newegg
