For many computer users, a gaming chair is the most important part of their ergonomic workstation. The chair on its own will give your workspace a huge upgrade. Adding accessories can enhance the experience. This article looks at the best accessories to enhance your gaming chair-powered battle station.
Best gaming chair accessories
The following accessories can complement the features of your gaming chair. A floor pad can protect your feet and the floor. Thick armrest pads or a footrest can enhance your chair’s ergonomic qualities. If you have an older gaming chair, a slipcover can extend the life of your chair.
Ergonomic footrests
Gaming chairs support good posture and movement while sitting. The more money you pay gets you more adjustability, plus a slick seat-angle tilt-lock. Beyond gaming chairs, high-end task chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron come with a fancy synchro-tilt functionality. As you lean back, the seat tilts up.
In comparison to these (expensive) features, a simple footrest can add powerful posture support and dynamic sitting enhancements.
A big problem with fancy chair tilt features is that typing requires a static position. As a result, fancy chair movement functionality only works when you are sitting passively — not while typing.
In contrast, a footrest adds dynamic properties and several other benefits:
- Sit taller at a desk: for people under 5’9″, most desks are set too high. As a result, short users need to raise their seat to align forearms with the desk surface. That leaves feet dangling off the ground, removing a key pillar of support. Adding a footrest fixes this problem.
- Enhanced neutral sitting: neutral sitting places the least amount of stress on the back, hips, and legs. Using a footrest removes power absorption by the seat, sending it into the lower back instead. That curls through the hips and sends more pressure into your lumbar area. With proper lumbar support, that makes it very easy to sit up straight.
- Dynamic movement while sitting: instead of using chair movement features, you can easily use a footrest to greater effect. While sitting in an upright position, work out your calves and ankles. This keeps circulation robust, resulting in an energizing effect while sitting.
Learn more about footrest posture and wellness benefits in our detailed ergonomic footrest feature article. Below are two footrests recommended in that article:
Mind Reader Footrest
Amazon price: $23.49
I use this product while working on ChairsFX. It’s a hard plastic footrest with a pebbled, height-adjustable surface.
The feet balance atop the pebbled surface, with freedom to tilt the ankles forward or back. Unit specs:
- Length x width: 4.4″ (L) x 18.4″ (W)
- Height: 1 inch (lowest); 4.7″ (middle); 6″ (highest setting)
The Mind Reader footrest is very easy to use. It comes pre-assembled. Simply pull it out of the box, set the height to your preference, then start using it. Run your feet along the pebbled surface for quick stimulation. To get the blood flowing, rock the surface forward and back. That makes it easy to work your ankles and calves while sitting.
My only complaint with this device is the synthetic feel of the plastic surface. Over long periods of sitting, it gets warm and clammy, especially when using with bare feet. The solution: wear socks while using this product.
Mind Reader Footrest on Amazon $23.49
Everlasting Comfort Footrest
Amazon price: $34.95
If the plastic cover of the Mind Reader seems off-putting, this model replaces it with a singular slab of memory foam. Over the top is a removable, machine-washable velour cover.
This unit lacks the tilting platform and pebbled surface of the Mind Reader footrest. However, its soft velour cover absorbs heat, while the memory foam underneath molds to the nuances of your feet. Specs:
- Length x width: 4.75″ (L) x 17″ (W)
- Height: 9.5 inches
Choosing between this model and the Mind Reader depends on your priorities. The Mind Reader has better movement features, plus a height-adjustable surface. On the other hand, the Everlasting Comfort footrest is softer and more comfortable to the touch.
Everlasting Comfort Footrest on Amazon $34.95
Learn more about footrest health and wellness benefits in this feature article.
Armrest pads
A human arm weighs around 6% of total body weight. That means the average 170-pound person’s arms weigh 10 pounds each. Without armrest support, it’s left to your spine to hold your arms up against gravity.
Expensive chairs like the Secretlab Titan have soft padded arms. Cheap gaming chairs have hard plastic armrests. If you sit for many hours each day in a cheaper chair, your arms may start to get sore.
Aloudy Armrest pads
Price: $17.99
Aloudy Armrest Pads contain 100% memory foam padding. This contours to your elbow to relieve pressure points. Finished in soft polyester velvet, these snug armrest pad covers are ultra-comfortable.
Aloudy armrest pads are easy to remove and machine washable. Pad size 9.5” x 4.5” x 1.5”; fits chair arms from 6″ to 11″.
Milliard Amrrest Pads
Price: $16.99
Turn hard armrests into soft, plush, luxurious ones. These popular armrest pads measure 9″ x 4.25″ x 1.50″. They’re easy to slip on, easy to remove, and will fit most gaming chair armrests.
The thick memory foam padding cradles the arms and forearms. Two armrest pads come in a pack with zippered, easy-to-remove machine washable covers.
Floor mats
Adding a floor mat to your workstation has a few benefits. First, chair mats protect hard floors. Over carpets, they make it easier to move your chair around. They also prevent static buildup, while keeping your feet warm.
Another benefit is the framing aspect. Framing is a feature of the human brain that adds context to objects. For instance, laying a floor mat under your gaming chair can mark out your “zone of productivity”.
AKRacing Floor Mat
One of the top-rated (and cheapest) floor mats available come from AKRacing. AKRacing floor mats come in blue, red or black colors. The top layer is made of thick, easy-cleaning polyester.
The bottom has a grippy rubber coating to keep the mat in place. The AKRacing Mat has a diameter of 39″. That should fit around the base of all gaming chair sizes, with extra room on the sides.
AKRacing Floor Mat from AKRacing.com for $39.99
Cooler Master FM510 floor mat
The Cooler Master FM510 floor mat has a striking design. On the top is deep purple artwork depicting the Cooler Master Mystery Gamer. The surface is splash-proof — if you spill a drink, it won’t seep in.
On the bottom is a rubber underside that grips well on both hard floors and carpets. Around the edges is reinforced anti-fray stitching. Machine wash in cold water and hang dry.
Cooler Master Mat on Amazon Price not available
Other floor mats
Buying a gaming chair floor mat isn’t necessary, but a nice luxury. With a good mat under your gaming chair, you’re covered. You never have to worry about scratching the floor, spilling a drink, or resting your feet on a cold floor.
Other floor mat options include a liquid-encased model that produces dazzling visual effects. The rest are standard mats with plain or artistic covers and rubber undersides that grip well over hard floors or carpets. All
Slipcovers
My first gaming chair was a DXRacer Formula Series. It came with a 2-year warranty. After 2.5 years, the leather started peeling. So I got rid of the chair.
Had I known about gaming chair slipcovers, I could have gotten a few more years out of my chair. Slipcovers are also a great way to protect your gaming chair from pets or young children.
Deisy Dee Gaming Chair Slipcovers
Price: $19.99
Deisy Dee Slipcovers fit most gamingchairs with adjustable armrests. Made from 85% polyester, 15% Spandex fabric, they are easy to put on so that they maintain a snug fit.
Note that the cover material is very thin. As protection against heat buildup, it doesn’t help much. The main appeal of these slipcovers is protection and aesthetics.
Deisy Dee Slipcovers on Amazon on Amazon $19.99
LJNGG Gaming Chair Slipcovers
Price: $28.59
LJNGG Slipcovers are a good alternative to Deisy Dee covers. Made from spandex, LJNGG covers are slip-proof, dustproof, and machine-washable.
Dimensions should fit most gaming chairs:
- Backrest height: fits 31.50″ to 34.65″
- Backrest width: 22.05″ to 25.20″
- Seat width: 20.08″ to 23.62″
- Seat depth: 15.75″-20.47″
Standalone gaming chair foot stools
These products can serve as a footrest or even an extra seat for guests. Browse the best standalone gaming chair footrests below.
AKRacing Footstool
AKRacing price: $129
This AKRacing footstool features high-density cold foam padding and quality PU leather upholstery. The first key feature is the adjustable height. The second is a lockable wheel setting, which ensures that the footstool stays in place.
Buy this stool from AKRacing for $129
You can also buy the AKRacing footstool on Amazon for $129.99.
Neochairs Marvel-themed footstools
Price: $79.98
Neochairs is an American company with an exclusive license to make Marvel-themed gaming furniture. On ChairsFX, Neochairs Marvel editions rank among the best gaming chairs with footrests. Neochairs also makes an affordable line of big and tall gaming chairs. Complementing those chairs are a range of Marvel-themed gaming stools. Choose a design featuring Captain America, Black Panther, Iron Man, or Spiderman.
All models come with 360° swivel and a height adjustment range of 16.5″ to 19.5″. The stool top is 22″ wide x 19″ deep. With a maximum weight capacity of 330 pounds, they can also serve as a temporary seat for big and tall sizes.
Ergonomic office accessories
With your gaming chair maxed out, the final frontier to supreme ergonomics is your desk space. Complete your setup with these best-selling ergonomic add-ons.
Gimars Soft Gel Ergonomic Mouse Pad
Price: $21.76
If you spend long hours gaming or working at a desk, your arms and wrists may start feeling funny. Even when you have the best chair and desk, you may still have to add a few touches to make everything perfect.
The Gimars Soft Gel Memory Foam wrist support kit comes with a large mouse pad and 17″ keyboard wrist pad. Combined, these pieces improve hand and wrist posture. This helps you to avoid joint and wrist problems. Release pressure in your elbows and shoulders to long periods of hard-core computing.
Perixx Wireless Ergonomic Split Keyboard
Price: Price not available
If you want to get serious about ergonomics, the Perixx Periboard-612 split keyboard will take some getting used to.
That’s because of the split-key 3-D design, which breaks from keyboard tradition. This encourages straight posture, rather than bending wrists to the side while typing. Then, the integrated Palm rest supports the wrists in a comfortable position.
This model is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.
Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse
Price: $29.99
The Logitech M570 is one of the top-selling ergonomic mouse devices on Amazon. Its sculpted shape supports the hand. The trackball cursor lets you control the mouse without needing to move your arm.
What’s more, easy to reach back and forward buttons make navigation a breeze. One battery lasts for 18 months. Plug a tiny wireless receiver into your laptop or PC, turn on the mouse and let the fun begin.
This is great for your mousing hand because it never has to move. It’s also perfect for small desk spaces. Since you don’t have to move the mouse around, you don’t need much space.
Computing desk options
After a chair, the most important part of a computer workstation is the desk. Here are three popular desk options to consider:
Sit-stand height-adjustable desks
If prepared to pay more than $250 for a desk, a sit-stand height-adjustable model offers the best value. These have several advantages. First, for people under 6’0″ the standard desk height of 30″ is too high. That places extra pressure on the neck and shoulders.
Second, the best models are motorized. At the push of a button, you can switch from sitting to standing or vice versa. Sitting for too long is bad for your health. Standing for too long is also unhealthy. But the squat movement that powers a shift from sitting to standing is beneficial. That motion boosts circulation and works core muscles.
Our top-rated sit-stand desk is the Motion Series model from MotionGrey. This desk stands out with a setting low enough to accommodate 5-year-old kids. Other models have smaller adjustment ranges but interesting features like LED lighting.
Learn more about the health benefits of sit-stand desks, and browse the best models:
Best sit-stand height-adjustable desks
Buy a Motion Series desk from MotionGrey for $359.27 (available for delivery to Canada or the U.S.).
Gaming desks
Gaming desks offer minimalist, gamer-friendly designs, and extras. For instance, our top-rated gaming desk is the Arozzi Arena. Its extras include height adjustability (4-inch range) and a massive tabletop.
The surface area measures 63″ wide by 31″ deep. The Arena desk comes bundled with a water-resistant mousepad that covers the entire desktop. There are six different color options, all able to support up to 176 pounds. On Amazon, the Arena desk sells for $331.66.
Other top-rated models stand out for different reasons. For example, the Eureka Gaming Desk adds a layer of scratch-resistant tempered glass over the tabletop. Underneath the glass is a spectacular RGB lighting array with hundreds of lighting effects (including 15 music effects).
Check out our favorite gaming desks in this review:
Classic minimalist desks
If on a budget, a basic desk with a large work surface is a good alternative. Amazon has several options for under $150. For instance, the Coleshome 47″ Simple Style Desk is a solid minimalist desk suitable for both gamers and office workers.
The Coleshome desk has an open-concept design and a clean look. The 47″ model is wide enough for a laptop, peripherals, and monitor. This desk has a metal frame and track-style legs for extra stability. The surface has a scratch-resistant laminate finish. That protects it from daily wear and tear, keeping it looking like new.
This desk is now on sale:
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- Current Price: $86.99
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Conclusion
When shopping for gaming chair accessories, we suggest that you avoid buying everything at once. Start with a gaming chair. Add armrest pads if comfort is a priority. After that, focus on using your chair the right way. Once used to sitting with a healthy posture, it’s likely that the chair on its own will do everything you need.
If you’re adamant about supercharging your workspace, the following accessories are the most useful:
- Armrest pads: gaming chair armrests provide essential support that you will use 98% of the time. Armrest pads add a luxurious quality that everyone will appreciate.
- Foot rest: modern ergonomic concepts promote movement while sitting. Footrests make it easy to work your feet, heels, and knees while sitting.
- Footstool: a gaming chair footstool adds many new dimensions to your workstation. For one thing, it’s plush and luxurious enough to serve as a guest chair. For another, it gives your gaming chair the same functionality as a La-Z-Boy recliner.
To browse more accessories beyond the gaming chair (monitors, TV stands, etc), check out our dedicated Accessories section:
