A gaming chair is the piece of desk kit you sit in for hours, and the right one depends more on your height and weight than on the badge. Makers publish recommended user ranges, lumbar systems, armrest adjustments and recline angles, and the HSE sets out what any desk chair should do. This guide works through the figures from Secretlab, Corsair, Razer, AndaSeat and SIHOO, the UK fire label rules and the gaming versus office chair question, then lists five chairs worth shortlisting.
Pick a gaming chair by the maker's recommended height and weight range first, then check it meets the HSE's basics: adjustable seat height, support for the small of the back, and feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. Lumbar support comes as a separate pillow or built into the backrest. AndaSeat says its linen gives more airflow, while its PVC wipes clean. Any new upholstered chair should carry a permanent fire safety label.
Key Takeaways
- Secretlab sizes the Titan Evo by height and weight, from Small for users up to 169cm to XL for users 181 to 205cm tall and 80 to 180kg.
- The HSE's checklist asks for seat height and seat back adjustment, support for the small of the back and feet flat on the floor, with a footrest if not.
- Corsair's TC100 RELAXED and T3 RUSH use lumbar pillows, while Razer, Secretlab and AndaSeat build adjustable lumbar support into the backrest.
- Corsair lists 120kg and 188cm limits on the TC100 RELAXED, T3 RUSH and TC500 LUXE, Razer recommends the Iskur V2 for 160 to 200cm and under 136kg, and armrests run from 2D to 5D.
- GOV.UK says the display label rule ended on 30 October 2025, while the permanent fire safety label on upholstered furniture is still required.
The Maker's Height and Weight Range Comes First
Gaming chairs come in sizes, and the maker's recommended range is the first filter. Secretlab's sizing guide splits the Titan Evo three ways: Small for users up to 169cm and under 90kg, Regular for 170 to 189cm and under 100kg, and XL for 181 to 205cm and 80 to 180kg. Secretlab suggests the Small, paired with a footrest, for anyone between sizes who struggles to keep their feet flat on the floor, and the XL for anyone over 130kg, even below 181cm, for its heavy-duty hydraulic mechanism.
Other makers publish fewer sizes. Corsair's spec pages give the TC100 RELAXED, T3 RUSH and TC500 LUXE a maximum weight of 120kg and a maximum user height of 188cm. Razer recommends the Iskur V2 for users 160 to 200cm tall and under 136kg. AndaSeat lists the Kaiser 4 in L, for 150 to 180cm and under 120kg, and in XL, for 181 to 210cm and 80 to 180kg. Secretlab sells the Titan Evo through its own UK website, so it sits outside the table below.
The HSE's Checklist Sets Out What a Desk Chair Needs
The Health and Safety Executive's display screen equipment (DSE) guidance is written for workplaces, but it works as a checklist for any chair at a desk. Its workstation checklist asks whether the chair is stable and has working seat height adjustment, seat back height and tilt adjustment, and castors or glides. It asks whether the small of the back is supported by the backrest, and whether the feet are flat on the floor without too much pressure from the seat on the backs of the legs. If not, the HSE says a footrest may be needed.
The HSE's good posture page adds detail: a seat height that equally supports the front and back of the thighs, good lower back support from the seat back or a cushion, and a gap of 2 to 3cm between the front of the seat and the back of the knee. The same page puts the top of the screen level with the eyes and the keyboard just below elbow height, which the laptop stand guide and monitor guide cover.
Lumbar Pillows and Built-In Lumbar Support Adjust Differently
Lower back support comes in two forms. A lumbar pillow is a separate cushion that sits against the backrest, while built-in lumbar support sits inside the backrest and adjusts in place. Corsair's TC100 RELAXED comes with an adjustable lumbar pillow, and the T3 RUSH with a memory foam lumbar pillow wrapped in microfibre. Corsair's TC500 LUXE switches to built-in, four-way adjustable lumbar support with side knobs.
Built-in systems differ in how far they move. Secretlab describes the Titan Evo's 4-way L-ADAPT lumbar system as moving up and down or in and out. Razer's Iskur V2 page lists 60mm of lumbar height adjustment and 40mm of protrusion, set with knobs on each side, and says the lumbar also shifts to follow your posture. AndaSeat gives the Kaiser 4 a pop-out lumbar with four levels, at 3, 10, 17 or 24 degrees, plus 76mm of vertical and 30mm of depth adjustment.
A pillow still fits the HSE's advice, since its posture page allows a cushion for extra back support. It simply has to sit in the small of the back.
Armrests, Recline and Seat Height Vary by Model
Makers count armrest adjustments with a D number. Corsair's TC100 RELAXED has 2D armrests that move up and down and in and out, and its T3 RUSH has 4D armrests that also slide forward and back and swivel. Corsair's TC500 LUXE page contradicts itself, listing 4D in its comparison table and 5D in its tech specs. AndaSeat's Kaiser 4 has 5D armrests that also fold up, which helps with the HSE's warning that the arms of chairs can stop the user getting close enough to the desk.
Recline varies as much. Corsair lists 90 to 160 degrees for the TC100 RELAXED, Secretlab 165 degrees for the Titan Evo, Razer up to 152 degrees for the Iskur V2 and AndaSeat 90 to 135 degrees, plus 15 degrees of rocking, for the Kaiser 4. Seat heights differ too: Corsair gives the TC100 RELAXED 45 to 55cm and Razer gives the Iskur V2 43.5 to 53.5cm. Corsair lists a Class 4 gas lift on all three of its chairs and AndaSeat an SGS-certified Class 4 lift, while Razer's page names no class.
PU Leather, Fabric and Mesh Need Different Care
Covers fall into three groups: synthetic leather (sold as PU, PVC or EPU leatherette), woven fabric and mesh. Each maker frames the trade-off in its own words. AndaSeat says the Kaiser 4's premium PVC is straightforward to wipe clean, while its linen gives more airflow but needs more care around spills. Corsair says the TC100 RELAXED's fabric includes perforated sections for breathability. Secretlab claims its NEO Hybrid Leatherette is 12 times more durable than regular PU leather. SIHOO describes the M57 as full breathable mesh.
Cleaning advice is similar from brand to brand. Razer says spills on its EPU leather wipe off with a damp cloth, and suggests a warm damp cloth with a little detergent for more stubborn stains. Secretlab advises dusting with a dry cloth or a vacuum, blotting spills straight away with water or a mild soap and water solution, and avoiding harsh cleaning solvents, which it says could do more damage over time. Secretlab also recommends a cleaner made for the seat's material, so check the maker's care page before using anything stronger.
UK Fire Safety Rules Cover Upholstered Chairs
Upholstered furniture for the home falls under the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, which GOV.UK describes as setting flammability requirements for domestic upholstered furniture. The rules changed on 30 October 2025. GOV.UK's guidance on the 2025 amendment says manufacturers no longer have to fix a display label to new products, but that the change does not affect the permanent label, which carries all the relevant compliance information. Businesses may keep selling stock that still has a display label, provided the label accurately reflects compliance.
The permanent label is the one to look for. Under Schedule 7 of the regulations it carries the words CARELESSNESS CAUSES FIRE, and the full version adds the name and postcode of the manufacturer or importer, the date of manufacture and a description of the filling and cover materials. The rules are enforced: a GOV.UK recall notice for a Vittanly gaming chair sold via Amazon and AliExpress says its cover fabric and foam failed the flammability requirements, and advises owners to stop using it immediately.
Gaming Chairs and a Mesh Office Chair Worth Shortlisting
A gaming chair and an office chair can both meet the HSE's checklist. Corsair calls its TC100 RELAXED and T3 RUSH racing-inspired, with deep recline and lumbar pillows, while SIHOO describes its M57 office chair as full breathable mesh with recline up to 126 degrees.
Corsair's TC100 RELAXED is the budget pick, with a 54cm-wide seat, a lumbar pillow, 2D armrests and a 120kg limit. Corsair's T3 RUSH steps up to 4D armrests and a 48 to 58cm seat height. AndaSeat's Kaiser 4 in size L suits users 150 to 180cm tall who want built-in pop-out lumbar and folding 5D armrests. Razer's Iskur V2 is the premium choice for users 160 to 200cm tall, with adaptive lumbar support, 4D armrests and a three-year limited warranty. SIHOO's M57 is the mesh option, with a 150kg maximum load, 3D armrests and lumbar support that moves 4.8cm up and down and 3cm forward and back. The HSE's leaflet says a footrest may help, particularly for smaller users. The gaming mouse, keyboard and headset guides cover the rest of the desk.
| Product | Best for | Key specs | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Corsair TC100 RELAXED Gaming Chair, Fabric, Black Budget | A first gaming chair with a wide 54cm seat | 120kg and 188cm max, lumbar pillow, 2D arms, Class 4 lift | Check price → |
 | Corsair T3 RUSH Fabric Gaming Chair (2023), Grey/Charcoal Mid-range | 4D armrests on a soft fabric racing-style chair | 120kg max, 4D arms, lumbar pillow, 48-58cm seat height | Check price → |
 | AndaSeat Kaiser 4 Gaming Chair, Size L, Purple Built-in lumbar | Users 150 to 180cm who want built-in lumbar support | 150-180cm, under 120kg, 4-level pop-out lumbar, 5D arms | Check price → |
 | Razer Iskur V2 Gaming Chair, Fabric Premium | Adaptive lumbar support for users 160 to 200cm | Under 136kg, adjustable lumbar, 4D arms, 152 degree recline | Check price → |
 | SIHOO M57 Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair, Black Mesh | A breathable mesh chair for gaming and home working | 150kg max load, full mesh, 3D arms, 126 degree recline | Check price → |