If you, like me, have often wondered if there is much of a difference between a budget office chair and a high-end gaming chair, let me tell you, there is! By the nature of the hobby, gaming is something where you can sit for hours, so the need for comfort to concentrate is paramount.
Having been delivered, the chair took me approximately 45 minutes to put together. It was easier than I expected, and this was helped by the very clear instructions. This was also helped because the bolts came in a marked blister pack, which meant finding the right bolt was much simpler to do than in a certain Swedish, flat pack shop.
Once put together, the look of the chair said opulence to me. This is because each segment had some heft and size to it. The base for the wheels, for example, is not light, which means the wheels can traverse through short-haired carpets pretty well. Cheap, light plastic office chairs I’ve used before always get snagged. I believe the weight of the chair is around 20 kg, so as you can see, it’s quite weighty.
The big grey seat and back have excellent and stylish finishing with tight stitching. Being of a large rugby-sized player status, I’ve always found a lot of chairs to be too narrow. However, the Recoil had plenty of space and wrapped my torso nicely, but also gave me space for my hips. A smaller person (like my daughter who tried it) will get a little lost and may find the padding too firm. For me though, it felt perfect.
Here is how the manufacturers describe the chair from their own website.
Recoil Centurion Gaming Chair Black/Grey | Bed Kingdom
“Unparalleled Ergonomics:
- 4D Adjustable Armrests: Find your perfect fit with armrests that adjust in height, slide forward/backwards, and even rotate to match your preferred posture.
- Height Adjustable: Whether you’re towering over the competition or prefer to sit a little lower, the adjustable seat height ensures you’re positioned perfectly for optimal comfort.
- Adjustable Backrest: Lean back and relax during breaks or get fully immersed in the action with the backrest that reclines up to 165 degrees.
Built-in Support:
- Orthopaedic Lumbar Support: Say goodbye to back pain with the ergonomically designed lumbar support cushion that promotes healthy posture and proper spinal alignment.
- Foam Cushion: Experience superior comfort with the high-density foam cushion that moulds to your body shape, providing exceptional pressure relief.
- Head Cushion: The included head cushion offers additional comfort and support for your neck and head, keeping you relaxed even during the most intense battles.
Dimensions:
Width: 78cm
Depth: 70cm
Height: 130cm”
A lot of people crave ergonomic style, but very few really achieve something truly ergonomic. However, this chair does! I’m not going to lie, I let out a loud “ooohhh” as I sunk into the chair for the first time. I felt like Captain Kirk in his command chair! The chair supports and comforts in all the right places; so much so I can truly say it’s the most ergonomic chair I’ve sat in for a while.
With a slightly longer base seat, my legs felt supported. The wrap of the back side supports was just the right angle to cradle my torso. The soft headrest cushion was immediately in the right position at the right softness. I simply melted into the chair from the very first go. It also passed with flying colours the very important “nap test”. I managed to fall asleep in the chair like a baby one afternoon!
However, although not solid hard plastic, the armrests felt too hard. There was some give in them, but they didn’t feel as luxurious as the rest of the chair. They do have great options for height and position adjustment, it’s just I would have liked some detailing and more effort in the arms to match the quality of the main chair.
The only other gripe, and it’s a really small one, is that the lever to adjust the back angle felt like it needed to be pulled a long way to disconnect the mechanism to change the angle. Pulling this lever for what felt like a long way from a seated position, contorted my arm a little further than it really wanted to go.
Overall though, this chair has impressed me. The product feels like it’s a high-end piece of kit, and the finish with the different tones of grey matches the high-end look too. It’s hugely adjustable but most importantly very comfortable. I’d highly recommend you check out this chair if you are looking for a new gaming chair to use.
MANUFACTURER: BedKingdom
PRICE: £179.99