When you think of gaming chairs, you think embedded speakers, cup rests, maybe a footstool, maybe an attached monitor or even an attached toilet (as if). The thing is, gaming chairs are preferable because of their enhanced comfort, allowing you to play games for longer periods without having to worry about getting a numb rear end, dead legs or back ache. So-called professional gamers, eSports competitors and the likes require them. Maximising comfort whilst honing their skills as Call of Duty fanboys create arse cheek craters like some souvenir of their lengthy play session.
Well new on the gaming chair scene is BraZen, a company that specialises in gaming chair and chair accessories that promise to be “by design, best in class”. They also promise competitive prices and good quality. I had to put their promises to the test, Brazen kindly provided a BraZen Shadow Pro PC Gaming Chair to review and I was blown away.
Firstly, the chair came in a large box containing three big parts (the seat, the back rest and the wheel base) and handful of smaller parts such as the screws, wheels, a provided Allen key and the tilting mechanism. It was really easy to put together, clocking me at around ten minutes. There were no fiddly parts or confusing instructions. Once I had put it together, i could see how well made this chair was. The blue and black leather (also comes in red or white) with stitching around the trims. It felt premium in quality. Hard padding mixes with soft cushioning to give maximum comfort without feeling like you’re sitting on a solid slab of concrete.
The BraZen Shadow Pro PC Gaming Chair is quite tall too. I stand at six feet two inches tall and sitting on this thing meant my head was touching just below the very peak of the headrest. Two cushions came provided too for the head and back for extra support although they are a little bit unsightly. The BraZen Shadow Pro PC Gaming Chair is shaped like a racing car seat. Two holes cut out of the back which adds to the aesthetic. It’s a sweet looking chair, heavy too, but you won’t want to carry this thing around. The lever on the right hand side of the chair is small and discreet yet easy to use. The back of the chair tilts back and forth to fit however you prefer, even all the way to laying horizontal, not as if you’ll ever need it like that. The lever itself is satisfyingly stiff, the backrest doesn’t move until you’ve moved the lever all the way so no worries about tripping it accidentally.
My only complaint was the arm rests. Each one rotates left and right which is a really great feature to alter to anyone’s preferred play position however there was no way to lock them into place. It was a put-off when engrossed in a competitive match, the last thing I needed was to be fighting with the positions of my arms.
To look at, the BraZen Shadow Pro PC Gaming Chair’s sporty characteristics are hard to miss. It stands in such a way which makes you step back in awe at its fine craftsmanship and construction. It stands proud in our office in front of our consoles. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of in-built speakers or a drinks holder but it doesn’t need them. It’s designed for comfort ultimately but it looks good in the process of its delivery. I must admit, the huge BraZen logos on the cushions were too over the top but thankfully these accessories are purely optional.
BraZen deliver on their promises. A finely crafted chair which looks good and feels great. Fantastic value for money with this thing retailing at £139.99. They are an up and coming company with an impressive selection of chairs on offer. A true one to watch. Check out their range HERE.
Manufacturer: BraZen
Release Date: 2017
Colours Available: Red, Blue, White
RRP: £139.99