Best GTRacing Gaming Chairs 2023: Pro Series Vs Ace S1

Functionality Is The Same

The 2020 version of the Ace chair included 4D armrest and a 5-year warranty extension option. The 2023 edition regresses with 2D arms and hazier 5-year warranty extension terms.

This means that the 2023 version of Pro Series and Ace S1 chairs are functionally the same. Both come equipped with a height-adjustable lumbar pillow, 2D arms, and a 90-160° recline.

The only functional difference is the lumbar pillow delivery style. The Pro Series version attaches to the backrest with straps. In comparison, the strapless memory foam Ace version needs to be manually positioned every time you sit down.

Both should be aimed slightly above your beltline for optimal results. As references, our model’s Pro Series pillow height could go an inch higher. Meanwhile, her Ace S1 example shows the pillow set too low.

That completely misses her lower back curve. A lumbar in that position will curl the user’s hips forward and flatten their lower back curve. Aim it above the beltline for best results. Learn more:

Lumbar Biomechanics: Setting The Right Support Height

Sizing: The Ace Is Smaller

GTRacing rates the Pro Series for sizes 4’9″ to 5’9″; the Ace S1 for sizes 5’3″ to 5’11”. Based on our tests with a 5’8″ (172 cm) 155-pound model, both ratings are exaggerated.

At a glance, the Ace chair’s sharper seat side bolsters provide a tighter squeeze for our model’s thighs. We can also see that the Ace chair’s seat depth leaves less room between the seat edge and the back of her knees.

The problem with an excessive seat depth is that it curls the hips forward. That flattens the lower back curve. As the result, a short user in a seat too deep will suffer from distorted posture.

A closer look at our model’s fit shows an excessive seat depth problematic in both chairs. On paper, the Pro Series seat is deeper. However, its fatter lumbar pillow pushes our model’s spine further away from the backrest.

In comparison, the Pro Series memory foam pillow is more compressive. That sank our user deeper into the chair. As a result, there was almost no space left between the back of her knees and the seat lip.

Sizing Specs: Ace S1 Vs Pro Series

People much shorter or thicker than our 5’8″ 155-pound model will find an impossible fit in an Ace S1. Meanwhile, those shorter than 5’6″ will likely find the Pro Series chair’s seat too deep.

As another height reference, the 5’9″ 190-pound office chair peddler on the right hates gaming chairs. He hates the Pro Series so much he even made a rage video about it. His 5’9″ height shows the upper possible limit for either chair.

Given these observations, we’re revised GTRacing’s size ratings to more realistic ranges:

Bottom line: both chairs will realistically fit a very small percentage of users. If you fit within the ChairsFX recommended size ratings, consider buying either chair. But if you don’t fit, browse other cheap chairs for other sizing options:

Best Cheap Gaming Chairs Under $200

Pros and Cons

The GTRacing Pro Series is one of the OG cheap gaming chairs, on the market for a decade (since 2013). Circa 2023, it remains the prototype for other cheap gaming chairs priced under $200.

Like the Pro Series, most cheap models (including the Ace S1) are easy to use, comfortable, and (potentially) good for your back. The biggest obvious downside is durability.

Like most cheap gaming chairs, the Pro Series and Ace are both guaranteed for one year. Given its denser padding and (seemingly) higher-quality upholstery, the Ace S1 feels like it could last for two.

That’s based on my own experience with a cheap DXRacer gaming chair. Guaranteed for two years, I pushed it hard full-time for 2.5 years before needing a replacement.

Summary of Ace S1 & pro Series Pros and Cons

Biggest Downsides: Excessive Seat Depth & Narrow Width

The Pro Series and Ace S1 chairs are marketed towards short people. Indeed, both have narrow seats designed to fit slim, tiny bottoms. But they also have deep seats designed for tall sizes. This odd combo severely limits the fit to a small range of users.

Deep Seats For Tall LegsNarrow Seats For Slim Butts

Despite being billed as suitable for short people, both the Ace S1 and the Pro Series have excessively deep seats. As a result, our 5’8″ model barely found enough room between the back of her knees and each model’s seat lip.

On paper, the Pro Series seat (22.8″) is deeper than the Ace chair’s (21.5″) by 1.3″. In practice, the Pro Series pillow pushes the users further away from the backrest.

The Ace pillow does the opposite by sinking the user deeper into the seat. As a result, despite being shorter, its seat depth felt too tight for our 5’8″ model.

Meanwhile, the Pro Series seat depth fit her perfectly. However, we can also see that people much shorter than her will also find the seat too deep.

The Pro Series has splayed side bolsters that provide more legroom; the Ace Series has a narrower width with sharper, more restrictive bolsters.

Our 5’8″ model (155 pounds) found the Pro Series seat depth suitable, but the Ace S1 version too tight. Meanwhile, a 5’9″ 190-pound office chair peddler looks to be the max width for the pro Series.

Revised Size Ratings

Given the results of our tests, revised size ratings are necessary. Buyers within our revised ratings are assured of a good fit. Those outside of that range will find otherwise.

Pro Series Vs legit Small Chairs

As a final sizing reference, here’s how the Ace S1 compares with two proven gaming chairs for short people:

Verdict: Pro Series Beats Ace S1

Our model had never used a gaming chair before. That made her perfect to test out ‘starter’ gaming chairs. She found both easy to achieve and maintain neutral postures in.

But she preferred the Pro Series over the Ace S1, giving three reasons:

1. Good seat depth and width for her size.
2. Softer padding than the ‘rock hard’ Ace version.
3. The pillow on straps is less annoying than the strapless Ace version.

These are typical preferences for first-time ergo chair users. Many are standard office chair refugees accustomed to ultra-cheap, super-squishy padding.

Music Footrest Series = Compact Alternative

The pillow on straps is also a lot more convenient for first-timers. Most importantly, the Pro Series has more versatile sizing than the Ace. People 5’6″ to 5’9″ and up to 200 pounds will fit.

Those outside of this range (based on our tests) will not. Shorter sizes should look to the Footrest Music Series (with speakers and footrest). It has a shorter seat depth than the Pro Series that’s suitable for sizes 5’5″ and up.

Pro Series on Amazon $116.98

The GTRacing Footrest Music chair is also available on Amazon for $171.09.

GTPlayer Dragon Series

GTRacing price: $209.99

GTRacing’s (apparent) featured product this year is the GTPlayer Dragon Series Footrest Bluetooth gaming chair. As the gaudy name implies, it’s layered with multiple ‘gamer’ gimmicks.

These include a retractable footrest, built-in Bluetooth speakers, flashy upholstery colors, and fancy embroidery. Stripped of the gimmicks, the Dragon Series resembles the Elecwish chair.

GTPlayer Vs Elecwish Features

The Elecwish footrest gaming chair is one of the OGs in the footrest chair genre. It’s also still one of the most popular cheap models on the market.

Here’s how the two chairs functionally compare:

GTPlayer Vs Elecwish Sizing

Is it worth paying a bit more for the GTPlayer’s luxury extras? Based on our case studies so far, that depends on the sizing. Here are the dimensions and size ratings for both models:

Like other GTRacing chairs, the dimensions of the GTPlayer chair are odd. The seat depth suits very short legs; the narrow width is ultra-slim fit.

To gauge the Elecwish chair’s fit (5’5″ to 5’11” rating), we used a 6’1″, heavyset model. Given his fit, the Elecwish chair’s size rating looks to be spot-on — as it should be!

Elecwish Footrest Gaming Chair Review: Fun Family Ergonomics

GTRacing Chair Sizes REALLY Matter!

A 2021 Taiwanese study sought to prove why gaming chairs are bad for your back. Researchers compared three types of seats by measuring objective joint angles plus subjective comfort reports.

However, they skewed the results by seating the user in a gaming chair too large for his size. This shows us clearly what happens when your gaming chair’s seat is too deep for your legs:

1. A seat too deep pulls the knees forward.
2. Knees pulled forward flattens the lower back curve.
3. A flattened lower back curve rounds the upper spine and neck.

These findings are very relevant to prospective GTRacing chair buyers. Based on our tests, GTRacing chair dimensions suit a smaller range of users than what’s advertised.