Buying Guide
The Best Leather Gaming Chairs
Five chairs compared, from the GTPLAYER footrest to the GTRACING, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
PU and faux leather wipe clean and look sharp. Every pick is leather-style upholstery, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for max recline, armrests and lumbar support; where a maker leaves out max recline, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Pillow Lumbar Support
GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Footrest
A pillow lumbar support.
Best for: Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support.
Our take Check price for GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)
Pad Lumbar Support
Huracan Gaming Chair with Footrest
A pad lumbar support.
Best for: Buyers who want a pad lumbar support.
Our take Check price for Huracan Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)
Flip-up Armrests
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Flip-Up Arms
Flip-up armrests.
Best for: Buyers who want flip-up armrests.
Our take Check price for N-GEN Gaming Chair with Flip-Up Arms (opens in a new tab)
Linkage Armrests
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest
Linkage armrests.
Best for: Buyers who want linkage armrests.
Our take Check price for N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
GTRACING Gaming Chair
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D armrests.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for GTRACING Gaming Chair (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A pillow lumbar support. | Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support. | Check price for GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab) |
| A pad lumbar support. | Buyers who want a pad lumbar support. | Check price for Huracan Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab) |
| Flip-up armrests. | Buyers who want flip-up armrests. | Check price for N-GEN Gaming Chair with Flip-Up Arms (opens in a new tab) |
| Linkage armrests. | Buyers who want linkage armrests. | Check price for N-GEN Gaming Chair with Footrest (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D armrests. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for GTRACING Gaming Chair (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Pillow Lumbar Support1 of 5
GTPLAYER Gaming Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
GTPLAYER's footrest chair adds 3D armrests to the usual PU leather racing shape.
Best for
- Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
Headrest and lumbar pillows come in the box. A thick padded seat cushion resists collapsing, and GTPLAYER offers replacement or refund within 30 days. It suits work, study and gaming.
Its 3D armrests move in several directions to suit the arm and wrist. It shares 3D armrests with the GTRACING; the N-GEN goes with linkage armrests. A pillow lumbar support is unique to it among these picks, while the N-GEN uses a cushion lumbar support.
The GTPLAYER footrest's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. Buyers who need a confirmed recline angle should compare it with the GTRACING, which reclines to 155°.
Key dimensions & specs
- Armrests: 3D
- Lumbar support: Pillow
- Footrest: Yes
- Upholstery: PU leather
Pros
- 3D armrests
- Headrest pillow and a lumbar pillow
- Footrest
- Pillow lumbar support, the only one here
Pad Lumbar Support2 of 5
Huracan Gaming Chair with Footrest on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Huracan's chair pairs a memory-foam seat with PU leather and a lumbar pad.
Best for
- Buyers who want a pad lumbar support.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
A footrest is included. A lumbar pad and padded headrest follow the body's curve, and the memory foam seat sits under PU leather. A footrest slides out for breaks.
The backrest reclines for rest breaks, and the metal frame swivels 360 degrees. A retractable footrest supports your legs. The seat uses memory foam under PU leather, and a retractable footrest lets you stretch out.
You get a pad lumbar support here, which sets it apart from the N-GEN and its a cushion lumbar support. The maker doesn't give its recline angle; if that figure matters, the GTRACING reclines to 155°.
Key dimensions & specs
- Lumbar support: Pad
- Footrest: Yes
- Upholstery: PU leather, memory foam
Pros
- Memory-foam seat
- Lumbar pad
- Footrest
- Pad lumbar support, the only one here
Flip-up Armrests3 of 5
N-GEN Gaming Chair with Flip-Up Arms on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
N-GEN's flip-up chair folds its armrests out of the way to fit under a desk.
Best for
- Buyers who want flip-up armrests.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the GTPLAYER footrest, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It keeps the PU leather racing style at a low price. Its S-curved backrest and U-shaped seat aim for support over long sessions, and the arms flip up. Tilt tension and a 360-degree swivel round out the adjustments.
Flip-up armrests is unique to it among these picks, while the GTRACING uses 3D armrests. The N-GEN flip-up's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. Its price falls between the Huracan and the N-GEN, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed recline angle should compare it with the GTRACING, which reclines to 155°.
Key dimensions & specs
- Armrests: Flip-up
- Upholstery: PU leather
Pros
- Flip-up armrests
- PU leather upholstery
- Price under $80 at the time of writing
Cons
- Costs more than the GTPLAYER footrest at the time of writing
Linkage Armrests4 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
- Buyers who want linkage armrests.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the GTPLAYER footrest was cheaper at our last price check.
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 is the only pick here with linkage armrests; the GTPLAYER footrest has 3D armrests instead.
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 priced above the N-GEN flip-up and below the GTRACING at the time of writing.
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
- Cushion lumbar support, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the GTPLAYER footrest at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 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 want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the GTPLAYER footrest 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. It shares 3D armrests with the GTPLAYER footrest; the N-GEN goes with linkage armrests.
It makes the most sense for buyers who want the most complete package, since it offers the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D armrests. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the N-GEN.
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 highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D armrests
Cons
- Costs more than the GTPLAYER footrest at the time of writing
How We Chose These Leather Gaming Chairs
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 recline angle, armrests, lumbar support and footrest from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the GTPLAYER footrest to the GTRACING, state upholstery.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The GTPLAYER footrest, the Huracan and the N-GEN flip-up give no recline angle; the Huracan gives no armrests.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the GTPLAYER footrest ($50 to $100) to the GTRACING ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Leather Gaming Chair
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much recline angle you need
Here recline angle runs from 135° on the N-GEN to 155° on the GTRACING. The GTRACING is the pick for recline angle. No figure for the GTPLAYER footrest, the Huracan and the N-GEN flip-up.
Lumbar support
The GTPLAYER footrest lists pillow; the Huracan lists Pad; the N-GEN lists cushion. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
The GTPLAYER footrest's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. The N-GEN flip-up's arms flip up, so it can roll closer under a desk with a low front edge. Leave room behind the desk: the N-GEN's footrest needs clear floor space when extended and reclined.
Features beyond the spec table
The N-GEN flip-up: PU leather upholstery. The N-GEN: linkage armrests that move with the backrest. The GTRACING: a 155 degree recline.
How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the GTPLAYER footrest, the Huracan, the N-GEN flip-up and the N-GEN; $100 to $150 buys the GTRACING at our last check.
Upholstery changes heat and wear
PU leather wipes clean but traps heat. Fabric and mesh breathe better. Check the product page rather than the photos.
How to Choose a Leather Gaming Chair
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a pillow lumbar support | GTPLAYER footrest | A pillow lumbar support |
| Buyers who want a pad lumbar support | Huracan | A pad lumbar support |
| Buyers who want flip-up armrests | N-GEN flip-up | Flip-up armrests |
| Buyers who want linkage armrests | N-GEN | Linkage armrests |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | GTRACING | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 3D armrests |
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 | Max recline | Armrests | Lumbar support | Footrest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTPLAYER footrest | Not listed | 3D | Pillow | Yes |
| Huracan | Not listed | Not listed | Pad | Yes |
| N-GEN flip-up | Not listed | Flip-up | Not listed | Not listed |
| N-GEN | 135° | Linkage | Cushion | Retractable |
| GTRACING | 155° | 3D | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The GTPLAYER footrest was the lowest-priced pick and the GTRACING the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Chairs |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | GTPLAYER footrest, Huracan, N-GEN flip-up, N-GEN |
| About $100 to $150 | GTRACING |
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 GTPLAYER footrest, the Huracan and the N-GEN flip-up don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the N-GEN flip-up the Flip-up Armrests?
It earns the label for flip-up armrests. It suits anyone who wants flip-up armrests.
Do the GTPLAYER footrest and the N-GEN flip-up differ on armrests?
The GTPLAYER footrest and the GTRACING use 3D; the N-GEN flip-up uses flip-up; the N-GEN uses linkage. The maker of the Huracan doesn't say.
What should I check before buying the GTPLAYER footrest?
The GTPLAYER footrest's lumbar support is a strap-on pillow, so position it by hand rather than with a dial. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Pillow Lumbar Support pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the GTPLAYER footrest and the Huracan apart?
The GTPLAYER footrest: 3D armrests. The Huracan: a memory-foam seat. The N-GEN flip-up: flip-up armrests.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the GTPLAYER footrest, chosen for a pillow lumbar support. Look at the Huracan for a pad lumbar support, the N-GEN flip-up for flip-up armrests and the N-GEN for linkage armrests if those matter more to you.
Keep leather out of direct sun to prevent cracking.