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How GamesRadar+ tests all the latest in gamer-centric furniture
Here at GamesRadar, we get our hands on many of the best gaming chairs and best gaming desks from all manner of manufacturers. However, not every chair or desk is created equally, and that’s why we have a series of considerations that are made when faced with potential contenders for our buying guide lists or tallying up review scores. You can find more on GamesRadar’s review ethos in our Hardware Policy.
We receive many gaming chairs in our line of work from all different companies designing the latest in ergonomic / office seating. Whether it’s Secretlab, AndaSeat, Razer, Brazen, or any other company, every chair that passes through our office or home setups is tested in much the same fashion, with major considerations made. These are:
Arguably the most important element to reviewing a gaming chair is how comfortable it is both upon initial inspection and then over time. We will generally work in the chair for entire days on end to assess whether or not we are experiencing the same level of support and overall comfort in long periods that we did at the start. This is true for both mesh/fabric chairs and models made of (or initiating) leather.
Build quality is a very important factor when testing and reviewing gaming chairs, too, if the seat isn’t constructed out of quality materials then it’s unlikely to last for all too long. Given that many gaming chairs are significantly more expensive than standard office alternatives, you’re going to want to ensure that the model is rugged and tough enough to ensure longevity.
Assembly time is something that we take into account when reviewing any gaming chair, as this gives the prospective buyer an idea of how long it takes in real-world testing. We consider things such as the quality of the instructions, whether they are clear or not, as well as how easy the actual pieces slot together. If a gaming chair is marketed on its ability to go together in a matter of minutes, then we will test this theory, with our testing revealing the true validity of this claim. The same can be said for whether it is better to have another person with you for certain parts of the assembly process, such as attaching the backrest to guided glide rails, etc.
Lastly, there’s the value for money which is one of the most important factors in reviewing any gaming chair. We’ve had our hands on both cheap gaming chairs and flagship models from major manufacturers, but the all-important price tag comes into the fold in our verdict. For example, we ask ourselves during the review process if we would pay the asking price for a model based on everything we’ve experienced in building and using it. We wouldn’t want to just push the most expensive items on our readers unless we genuinely believed in their value ourselves. 
We look for three distinct attributes when it comes to what makes a great gaming desk that we believe is worth our readers’ time and money. These are:
The assembly process is one of the more important factors when we review any desk and this is important because it lets our readers know just how long models take to go together. Whether you’re a seasoned flat-pack expert, or a first-time builder hoping for a smooth experience, we take into consideration both how long it takes us to build the desk (both with the tools included and any others that we may have had to provide ourselves) as well as what to expect for you, too.
Of course, the build quality of a gaming desk makes all the difference in separately the passible from the exceptional. After all, if you’ve struggled for some time to get all the pieces into place with unhelpful instructions and screws that aren’t quite fitting, then you’re not going to have the best first impression. We look for things such as how easily certain bolts and pieces go together, as well as how sturdy the desk is when all is said and done. The weight limit is also something that we take into account, too, as most people are going to want to have their monitors, consoles, peripherals, and even computers up top with them. No one wants to chance their pricey gear on a tabletop that doesn’t inspire confidence.
Lastly, there’s the all-important price tag that’s afforded by all manner of gaming desks. We’ll generally look for feature sets that you wouldn’t find on a typical office model, such as RGB lighting, cable management solutions, and USB power passthrough – for instance. It’s then our job to take a look at the desk as a whole for how much space is afforded, how secure our gear feels on top, and whether or not any added bells and whistles are worth the extra expense.
I’m responsible for most of the PC gaming coverage across GamesRadar on everything from the latest graphics card launches (as well as RTX 30 series restocks), to the fastest NVMe SSDs, and more key components to building and maintaining a stellar rig. When I’m not obsessing over CUDA cores and clock speeds, you can find me building and testing gaming chairs, too. Before landing here, I previously worked with the BBC, and have also written for the likes of Expert Reviews, The Rory Peck Trust, Tech Spark, and No Clean Singing.
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How we test gaming chairs and desks at GamesRadar+ – Gamesradar
