Buying Guide
The Best Chairs for Esports
We weighed five chairs on weight capacity and recline angle; the GTRACING has the deepest recline angle, and the N-GEN costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Esports chairs need armrests that hold your forearms level with the desk. Every pick has 3D, 4D or linkage arms, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these chairs on weight capacity, max recline and armrests using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these chairs ourselves, and where a maker leaves out weight capacity, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting 90 to 135 degree recline for the least money.
Our take Check price for N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)
Massage Pillow Lumbar Support
Yaheetech Gaming Chair with Footrest
A massage pillow lumbar support.
Best for: Buyers who want a massage pillow lumbar support.
Our take Check price for Yaheetech Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)
Deepest Recline Angle
GTRACING Gaming Chair
The deepest recline angle here (155°).
Best for: Buyers who put recline angle first.
Our take Check price for GTRACING Gaming Chair (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest (Pink White)
A pink and white finish.
Best for: Buyers who want pink and white finish.
Our take Check price for N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest (Pink White) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Marsail Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 2D headrest.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Marsail Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
N-GEN's chair pairs linkage armrests, which move with the backrest, with a retractable footrest.
Best for
- Getting 90 to 135 degree recline for the least money.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when recline angle of 135°, behind the GTRACING (155° is a problem.
Why we like it
The back reclines from 90 to 135 degrees and a lumbar cushion is included. Neck and lumbar cushions support the spine, and the footrest pulls out for leg support. It matches the Yaheetech and the N-GEN pink-white on recline angle (135°).
It shares linkage armrests with the Yaheetech and N-GEN pink-white; the Marsail goes with 3D armrests. It shares PU leather upholstery with the GTRACING and N-GEN pink-white; the Marsail goes with mesh upholstery. It also offers a 90 to 135 degree recline.
Leave room behind the desk: the N-GEN's footrest needs clear floor space when extended and reclined. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Yaheetech was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed weight capacity should compare it with the Marsail, which is rated for 330 lbs.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max recline: 135°
- Armrests: Linkage
- Lumbar support: Cushion
- Footrest: Retractable
- Upholstery: PU leather
Pros
- 90 to 135 degree recline
- Linkage armrests that move with the backrest
- Retractable footrest
- Recline angle of 135°, ahead of the Marsail
Cons
- Recline angle of 135°, behind the GTRACING (155°)
Massage Pillow Lumbar Support2 of 5
Yaheetech Gaming Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Yaheetech's chair offers a 19 to 22.6 inch seat height, linkage armrests and a massage lumbar pillow.
Best for
- Buyers who want a massage pillow lumbar support.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the N-GEN was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
A footrest is included. It reclines from 90 to 135 degrees with a 19 to 22.6 inch seat height, and linkage armrests move with the backrest. The footrest slides away under the seat when you sit upright to work.
Thick foam cushioning and a winged backrest keep it supportive over long sessions. It matches the N-GEN and the N-GEN pink-white on recline angle (135°). It shares linkage armrests with the N-GEN and N-GEN pink-white; the Marsail goes with 3D armrests.
The Yaheetech's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. Its price falls between the N-GEN and the GTRACING, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed weight capacity should compare it with the Marsail, which is rated for 330 lbs.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max recline: 135°
- Seat height: 19 to 22.6 in
- Armrests: Linkage
- Lumbar support: Massage pillow
- Footrest: Yes
Pros
- 19 to 22.6 inch seat height
- Massage lumbar pillow
- Linkage armrests and a footrest
- Recline angle of 135°, ahead of the Marsail
Cons
- Costs more than the N-GEN at the time of writing
Deepest Recline Angle3 of 5
GTRACING Gaming Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GTRACING's chair pairs 3D armrests with a 155 degree recline and a 300 lb weight capacity.
Best for
- Buyers who put recline angle first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the N-GEN cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It uses PU leather upholstery. It reclines from 90 to 155 degrees, and its PU leather is described as breathable. The 3D armrests adjust in several directions.
Its lumbar cushion and headrest detach, and silent casters roll quietly. The 3D armrests adjust for different desk heights. Nothing else here matches its 155° recline angle; the N-GEN comes closest at 135°.
Like the Marsail, it has 3D armrests, while the N-GEN pink-white uses linkage armrests. It was priced above the Yaheetech and below the N-GEN pink-white at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs
- Max recline: 155°
- Armrests: 3D
- Upholstery: PU leather
Pros
- Reclines to 155°
- 3D armrests
- 300 lb weight capacity
- The deepest recline angle here (155°)
Cons
- Costs more than the N-GEN at the time of writing
Also Consider4 of 5
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest (Pink White) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the N-GEN pink-white brings to the table is a pink and white finish, plus a 90 to 135 degree recline.
Best for
- Buyers who want pink and white finish.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the N-GEN, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also reclines to 135°. A neck cushion and lumbar pillow support posture, and the retractable footrest extends for leg support. The backrest reclines for breaks.
The pink and white finish suits a themed setup, and the backrest reclines for breaks. Its high-density foam and PU leather are easy to clean, and a screw kit and setup guide come in the box. On recline angle it ties with the N-GEN and the Yaheetech at 135°.
Like the N-GEN and Yaheetech, it has linkage armrests, while the GTRACING uses 3D armrests. Like the N-GEN and GTRACING, it has PU leather upholstery, while the Marsail uses mesh upholstery. Leave room behind the desk: the N-GEN pink-white's footrest needs clear floor space when extended and reclined.
It was priced above the GTRACING and below the Marsail at the time of writing. There is no published weight capacity figure, whereas the Marsail is rated for 330 lbs.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max recline: 135°
- Armrests: Linkage
- Footrest: Retractable
- Upholstery: PU leather
Pros
- Pink and white finish
- 90 to 135 degree recline
- Retractable footrest
- Recline angle of 135°, ahead of the Marsail
Cons
- Costs more than the N-GEN at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Marsail Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Marsail's mesh chair has 3D armrests and a 2D headrest.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass on it if recline stops at 120 rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has a 330 lb capacity and reclines to 120 degrees. Its lumbar support moves 1.18 inches forward and back and 2.16 inches up and down, and the arms flip up. The 3.14-inch foam seat supports 330 lbs.
On recline angle it trails the group at 120°, while the GTRACING reclines to 155°. Like the GTRACING, it has 3D armrests, while the Yaheetech uses linkage armrests. It is the only pick here with mesh upholstery; the GTRACING has PU leather upholstery instead.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the N-GEN pink-white the nearest cheaper option. Recline angle is its weakest area, and the GTRACING covers it better at 155°.
Key dimensions & specs
- Weight capacity: 330 lbs
- Max recline: 120°
- Armrests: 3D
- Upholstery: Mesh
Pros
- Mesh upholstery
- 2D headrest
- 3D armrests
- 330 lb weight capacity
Cons
- Recline stops at 120°
- Recline angle trails the GTRACING (155°)
- Costs more than the N-GEN at the time of writing
How We Chose These Chairs for Esports
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five chairs on weight capacity, recline angle, armrests and lumbar support from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the N-GEN to the Marsail, state recline angle and armrests.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The N-GEN, the Yaheetech and the N-GEN pink-white give no weight capacity; the GTRACING, the N-GEN pink-white and the Marsail give no lumbar support.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the N-GEN ($50 to $100) to the Marsail ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Chair for Esports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Recline angle across these picks
Here recline angle runs from 120° on the Marsail to 155° on the GTRACING. The N-GEN comes second for less money.
How much weight capacity you need
Here weight capacity runs from 300 lbs on the GTRACING to 330 lbs on the Marsail. The Marsail is the pick for weight capacity. No figure for the N-GEN, the Yaheetech and the N-GEN pink-white.
Lumbar support
The N-GEN lists cushion; the Yaheetech lists massage pillow.
Upholstery
The N-GEN, the GTRACING and the N-GEN pink-white list PU leather; the Marsail lists mesh.
Fit and compatibility
Leave room behind the desk: the N-GEN's footrest needs clear floor space when extended and reclined. The Yaheetech's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial.
Know what kind of lumbar support you get
Most budget gaming chairs use a strap-on pillow. Built-in or adjustable lumbar sits in the backrest and does not slide around.
How to Choose a Chair for Esports
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 90 to 135 degree recline for the least money | N-GEN | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want a massage pillow lumbar support | Yaheetech | A massage pillow lumbar support |
| Buyers who put recline angle first | GTRACING | The deepest recline angle here (155°) |
| Buyers who want pink and white finish | N-GEN pink-white | A pink and white finish |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Marsail | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 2D headrest |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The GTRACING leads on recline angle at 155°, ahead of the N-GEN at 135°. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Chair | Weight capacity | Max recline | Armrests | Lumbar support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N-GEN | Not listed | 135° | Linkage | Cushion |
| Yaheetech | Not listed | 135° | Linkage | Massage pillow |
| GTRACING | 300 lbs | 155° | 3D | Not listed |
| N-GEN pink-white | Not listed | 135° | Linkage | Not listed |
| Marsail | 330 lbs | 120° | 3D | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The N-GEN was the lowest-priced pick and the Marsail the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | N-GEN, Yaheetech |
| About $100 to $150 | GTRACING, N-GEN pink-white, Marsail |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GTRACING ahead of the N-GEN on recline angle?
The GTRACING leads at 155°, with the N-GEN at 135°. The Marsail is at the other end of this group with 120°.
How does the GTRACING compare with the Marsail on weight capacity?
The Marsail leads at 330 lbs, with the GTRACING at 300 lbs. The N-GEN, the Yaheetech and the N-GEN pink-white don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What does the Marsail add over the N-GEN?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the N-GEN still leads on recline angle (135°). The N-GEN was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
Why is the GTRACING our Deepest Recline Angle pick?
It earns the label for the deepest recline angle here (155°). It suits anyone who put recline angle first.
Do the N-GEN and the GTRACING differ on armrests?
The N-GEN, the Yaheetech and the N-GEN pink-white use linkage; the GTRACING and the Marsail use 3D.
Will the N-GEN pink-white work with my setup?
Leave room behind the desk: the N-GEN pink-white's footrest needs clear floor space when extended and reclined. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the N-GEN, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Yaheetech for a massage pillow lumbar support, the GTRACING for the deepest recline angle here (155°) and the N-GEN pink-white for a pink and white finish if those matter more to you.
Match armrest height to desk height.