Can You Use a Gaming Chair as an Office Chair?
Some are lucky enough to have a gaming throne and another separate setup for work purposes.
For many of us, though, we can’t afford that privilege. So, the majority are inclined to combine their gaming and work setup instead.
If you’re like most of us, you probably have just the one chair you use for playing games and working.
This brings one question to mind: Can you use a gaming chair as an office chair? Well, here’s what you need to know.
Gaming Chair vs. Office Chair
To answer this question, we first need to identify the differences between a gaming chair and an office chair.
While both aim to provide musculoskeletal support for the entire body, there are some key distinctions you have to take note of.
Seat Design
An office chair often has a cushion or mesh material for the seat.
This material choice provides ample ventilation to your thighs and legs to prevent excessive sweating.
A gaming chair also has ample cushioning, but instead of mesh, it utilizes a leather cover.
Additionally, the seat features a bucket design wherein each side protrudes a bit higher than the rest.
This makes you feel as if you are sitting in a car or F1 seat.
It also helps keep your body in place since you probably won’t be moving too much while you play.
ALSO READ: How to Sit in a Gaming Chair to Maintain Posture
Front Lip
Since a gaming chair aims to mimic a luxury car seat, the front lip of the seat is also elevated.
As such, the legs are at a 135-degree angle to assist them in reaching the gas and brake pedals.
An office chair uses the opposite design of this, called a waterfront lip.
Here, your legs would be perpendicular to the floor or at a 90-degree angle, reducing the pressure on your thighs, legs, and back.
However, you will also come across some gaming chairs that use a waterfront lip.
It makes them great options for people who often feel numbness or pain in their legs and backs after a few hours of gaming.
Footrest Pullout
This part is not often found in office chairs, probably because there’s no need for it in that setting.
An office chair straightens the body, and your feet would be on the floor, diminishing the need for support.
On the other hand, you can recline some gaming chairs to a full 180-degree angle or at least 135 degrees.
It would be extremely uncomfortable to lie on the chair at this angle with your feet perpendicular to the ground.
Because of this, most gaming chairs come with a footrest pullout.
This gives you the option of having a place to rest your feet on if you’re switching to a different position.
Pillows
One attachment that is often missing in office chairs is pillows.
Of course, you could always buy a throw pillow and place it on your chair, but wouldn’t it be nice to have pillows that are the perfect size and fit?
That’s what the other type of chair offers.
Generally, a gaming chair would have two pillows—one for the neck and another for lumbar support.
These two provide comfort to prevent different kinds of body pains. They also guarantee that your back stays straight while you play.
However, you want to make sure that the pillows on your gaming chair are adjustable, meaning they have straps.
Placing them in the wrong spot will not just be uncomfortable but may also cause musculoskeletal problems.
Backrest
The backrest of an office chair is often made out of mesh to increase ventilation on your entire back.
On the other hand, a gaming chair’s backrest is like an extension of the seat.
Similar to the bucket design, the backrest features protruding sides, which are called wings.
While the bucket seat keeps your lower extremities in place, the winged backrest of a gaming chair does the same for your upper body.
You may want to look for a gaming chair with a wider winged backrest if you have a larger build.
Headrest
Another essential part that you need to take note of is the headrest.
You want your head to be properly supported as you work or play to ensure you have the proper ergonomic position.
One advantage of an office chair when it comes to headrests is that you can adjust them.
Basically, you can choose how high or low the headrest will be to accommodate your height.
On the other hand, most gaming chairs have fixed headrests.
What you can adjust, however, is the neck pillow that comes with it since it often has a stretchable strap.
Recline
If there is ever one area you will love in gaming chairs, it is their reclining mechanism.
Most office chairs will either stay in position or bend to a certain angle when you lean on them.
However, it would most likely return to its original position once there is no pressure urging it to bend.
Gaming chairs don’t bend.
Instead, they have a lever below the seat that you pull upward or push down to allow the entire backrest to recline.
The main difference between gaming chair models is the angle of recline.
Some recline to 135 to 150 degrees, but others recline entirely to 180 degrees, allowing you to completely lay down on your chair as if it’s a makeshift bed.
As you can imagine, it is a tremendous advantage for gaming chairs.
When you get tired sitting up straight, you can simply adjust the backrest and lean on it a bit for a more comfortable position.
Armrests
Finally, we have the armrests.
As with the backrest, an office chair’s armrest is often immovable. It will stay in place even if it is uncomfortable for you.
Contrary to this, a gaming chair usually has adjustable armrests.
As such, you can change the depth, height, or even the angle to accommodate your sitting position.
Because of this quality, gaming chairs can offer better ergonomics for your arms, whether you’re typing or playing.
Can You Use a Gaming Chair as an Office Chair?
Now comes the question that brought us all here in the first place.
Can you use a gaming chair as an office chair?
The simple answer is yes.
Technically, it is still a chair, which means you can sit on it, face your computer, and start working.
In fact, there may be instances when it is actually better to use your gaming chair.
However, this is significantly affected by the type and model of the chair you have.
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What You Should Expect
Ergonomically speaking, we might have a few reservations.
There are some areas where a gaming chair provides better support for your body.
Examples of this are the armrest, backrest, and pillow. After all, more often than not, adjustability equates to better ergonomics.
Still, office chairs take the victory when it comes to the headrest and seat pad.
The adjustable headrest and the 90-degree positioning of your legs are certainly better and more comfortable.
Additionally, keep in mind that gaming chairs are covered with leather material, while an office chair is often made using mesh.
If you plan to use your gaming chair for work purposes, make sure that the room is cold, comfortable, and properly ventilated.
Otherwise, you may end up feeling hot and sweating all the time because the leather material reduces the flow of air that can pass through the chair.
If you can’t guarantee this, it’s better to have an ergonomic chair with mesh to keep your body cool and dry.
What We Suggest
If you already have a gaming chair, try using it for a couple of weeks while working.
Observe whether you will experience body pains or become unproductive at work.
When that happens, it would probably be for the best if you purchase a separate ergonomic chair for working.
Otherwise, you will have to endure your experiences for longer than you should.
On the other hand, if you are still looking around and wondering whether you should buy two separate chairs, here’s what we can say.
To save you some money, see this opportunity as an investment.