Best Hybrid Chairs: Gaming Chair Recline With Office Chair Ergonomics
A hybrid gaming chair combines gaming chair and office chair ergonomic functions. In theory, people dissatisfied with gaming and office chairs may prefer these. But from a historical perspective, the hybrid concept has never reached mainstream appeal. For those who insist on a hybrid, there are six viable models on the market. This article skims the best hybrid gaming office chairs of the year.
Gaming chairs and ergonomic office chairs both support healthy sitting postures. Some prefer full-back, deep recline gaming chair functionality. Others want classic office chair features like seat sliders and sync-tilt.
Hybrid gaming chairs are for those who can’t decide. These combine full back lounging functionality with popular office chair functions. But if you go shopping for one, you won’t find any brands selling chairs as ‘hybrids’.
Even so, this unique ergonomic genre deserves recognition. Including hybrids in ergonomic seating history also yields interesting results. For these reasons, I made up this term to write this article.
Hybrid Gaming Chair Definition
To qualify as ‘ergonomic’, a chair needs an adjustable lumbar and armrests, plus a reclining backrest. Combined, these features support neutral sitting postures. Gaming chairs, office chairs, and hybrids all meet these criteria.
Beyond the core ergonomic features, hybrids provide full-back, deep reclining support. They also have features usually found on high-end office chairs (like seat sliders, synchronous (seat) tilt functions, mesh upholsteries, and headrests).
One reason brands don’t push the hybrid genre is because of low demand. In 2024, there are only six models from reliable brands that qualify. However, half of available models look set to be discontinued soon.
History of HYBRID Ergonomic Chairs
As small-demand niche items, hybrids are not a significant factor in ergonomic seating history. By factoring hybrids in, the historical timeline hit differently:
Lifeform released the world’s first hybrid chair in 2001 — five years before DXRacer’s gaming chair ‘invention’:
- 1994: Herman Miller released the $1000+ Aeron chair for (wealthy) people who spend long periods sitting.
- 2001: Lifeform releases the $1000+ Ultimate Executive Series chairs.
- 2006: DXRacer releases the first gaming chair (a stripped-down Ultimate Executive clone).
- 2022: Herman Miller enters the hybrid market with the Vantum Gaming Chair.
- 2023: the Lifeform 2390 sells for $2400; Respawn hybrids are popular in pro esports.
Considering this timeline, one can argue that DXRacer did not ‘invent’ the full-back gaming chair. Instead, they stripped down the Lifeform chair concept to bring affordable ergonomic seating to the masses.
Available Hybrid Chairs (Ranked Historically)
The following can technically be considered the best hybrid gaming office chairs of 2024. More accurately, these are the only hybrid gaming chairs from established brands available for sale right now:
| Hybrid Model | Details |
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2001: Lifeform Ultimate Executive
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Lifeform Ultimate Executive Chairs
Release date: 2001
Lifeform was founded in 1976 in Calgary, Alberta as a maker of residential furniture. In the 1990s, the company transitioned to making ergonomic office furniture. According to the Wayback Machine(1), they released Lifeform Ultimate Executive chairs in 2001.
Two models qualify as hybrid chairs:
- Ultimate Executive High Back 2390: comes with a built-in headrest.
- Ultimate Executive Mid-Back 2490: comes with an adjustable headrest extension.
Both versions have the same adjustable features. The mid-back version comes with or without a headrest.
Lifeform Chair Key Features
Five years before the first gaming chair, the Lifeform 2390 emerged as the ultimate full back ergonomic seat. The backrest is the star.
You can adjust its angle (independent of the seat), its height, and also the depth of its lumbar support. While sitting, you can rock, lock upright, or tilt forward:
Like gaming chairs, Ultimate Executive editions have padded seats and backrests. LIFE-Foam Memory Foam is temperature and pressure-sensitive material that conforms to your body’s shape.
On the backrest, a contoured block of foam supports the natural curvatures of the spine. The contoured seat evenly distributes body weight; its waterfall lip reduces pressure on the back of the knees.
Summary of Specifications
Ultimate Executive High Back chair prices start at $2,595. Mid-back 2490 chairs start at $2395. Upgrades can spike the prices of both above $3500.
Standard Features
- Armrests: padded, height-adjustable, manually width-adjustable
- Backrest adjustments: adjust the height or angle; depth-adjustable lumbar support included
- Seat: depth-adjustable contoured seat
- Recline functions: rock, recline, sit upright, angle forward
- Synchronous seat tilt: the seat auto-tilts up during reclines. When leaning forward, it tilts down
Optional Upgrades
- Premium leather upholstery: $300 extra
- Cherry wood chair base: $385 extra
- A wider, deeper seat: $229 extra
- Coccyx (rear seat) cut out: $135 extra
- Thermaguard (heat regulation): $80
- 360° armrests: $129
- Custom embroidered logo: $199
Ultimate Executive High Back from Lifeform $2595+
Ultimate Executive Chair Historical Impact
The Lifeform Ultimate Executive High Back chair was released in 2001 to a mild reaction. Five years later, gaming chairs emerged as bastardized Lifeform chairs — to thunderous applause. Pricing seems to be a major reason.
In 2001, ergonomic seating was still a novel concept far from mainstream attention. Then, spending over $1000 on a chair would be extravagant. In contrast, DXRacer’s gaming chairs did a similar job — for under $300.
Even so, Lifeform chairs have survived the gaming chair boom. In 2024, it still stands out as an intriguing hybrid for those who want more from a gaming chair. For example, famous Twitch streamer Sodappopin uses an Ultimate Executive High Back chair.
Future outlook: strong. The benefits of ergonomic seating have reached mainstream awareness. Gaming and ergonomic office chairs are both popular worldwide. Those dissatisfied with both options can look to Lifeform chairs for the Ultimate upgrade.
Respawn 200 Mesh Gaming Chair
Release date: 2016
After the Lifeform Ultimate Executive chairs, DXRacer released the Formula Series chair in 2006. Over the next several years, countless DXRacer gaming chair clones emerged — not Lifeform clones. The next hybrid gaming-office version appeared in 2016.
Then, the Respawn Gaming company launched in North Carolina. One of its first products was the Respawn 200 (aka RSP-200). It stacks office chair features onto a racing-style gaming chair framework. This can be considered the world’s first affordable hybrid gaming chair.
RSP 200 features
The RSP-200 is a full-back gaming chair with two office chair features: mesh upholstery and a depth x height-adjustable lumbar support system. Mesh upholstery covers both the seat and backrest.
To adjust the lumbar support height, reach behind the chair and just manually. To toggle the depth, twist the handles to adjust the support angle.
Beyond these office chair qualities, the Respawn 200 is a typical racing-style PC gaming chair.
- Unique features: breathable mesh backrest; integrated lumbar support.
- Functionality: 2D armrests; recline to 130°; rocking function with lock.
- Support: PU leather padded seat; mesh backrest; headrest support pillow.
- Warranty: two years.
RSP-200 2024 Status
The Respawn 200 chair has been replaced by the Respawn Flexx. It’s no longer sold on respawnproducts.com, but still available on Amazon. That suggests it’s out of production, and only available while supplies last.
Learn more: Best Respawn Gaming Chairs Of 2024.
Cougar Argo Gaming Office Chair
Release date: June 2020
Cougar followed up three years after the Respawn 200 with a more advanced variation. Like the RSP-200, it’s upholstered in full mesh. It differs with a striking orange wheelbase base and different adjustable features.
The Argo goes beyond the Respawn chair with a depth-adjustable sliding seat. However, unlike the RSP-200 chair’s height x depth-adjustable lumbar support, the Argo’s is dynamic. When you recline, it extends; when you sit upright, it retracts.
When you recline, it extends; when you sit upright, it retracts. However, it’s not height-adjustable, and you can’t turn it off. Without a perfect fit for your body type, it will likely jab your spine in the wrong spots.
Summary Of Features
- Backrest: rock, recline, or lock at angles between 105° and 130°.
- Headrest: adjust the angle; adjust up or down; slide out of the way.
- Depth adjustable seat: the 20″ seat can adjust forward or back with a range of 2.4″
- Armrests: 3D adjustable (up/down, forward/back, angled left or right)
- Warranty: 2-year warranty on the aluminum frame and base.
Cougar Argo Outlook
After three years on the market, the Argo chair has only garnered 15 reviews — but none since 2021. Yet, Cougar recently released a second version called the Argo One.
The Argo One has the same features as the original (including the awkward dynamic lumbar), differing only in style.
Bottom line: the gaudy Cougar logos and non-adjustable dynamic lumbar support system are two likely reasons why Argo chairs have gained so little traction.
Cougar Argo on Amazon Price not available
The Argo One is also available on Amazon for Price not available.
DXRAcer Air Modular Chair
Release date: July 2021
Upon its 2021 release, DXRacer hyped the Air the the world’s first modular mesh gaming chair. Besides offering full-mesh upholstery, it could also be extended with modular parts like footrests and laptop holders.
A year after its release, no modular addons appeared in the DXRacer.com Store. Two years after its release, DXRacer dropped an upgraded version with an improved memory foam lumbar support system.
Shortly after the upgraded Air chair’s release in early 2023, DXRacer removed the Air Series from its website. It’s now only available for sale on Amazon, suggesting it’s no longer in production.
DXRacer Air Key Features
Beyond the mesh and modular parts, the Air offers solid adjustable features:
- Functionality: 4D armrests; recline from 90-135°; multifunction tilt-lock.
- Support: height-adjustable lumbar (15 cm range); height-adjustable headrest.
- Upholstery: ultra-breathable mesh; supporting suspension springs.
- Foundation: steel frame; Class 4 gas lift; 3″ (76 mm) PU casters.
- Extras: modular add-ons; leather or fabric slipcovers.
DXRacer Air Outlook
Do gaming chair fans really want full mesh chairs? Based on the failed DXRacer Air experiment, it seems not.
Although no longer available on DXRacer.com, a few leftover models are still available for sale on Amazon:
DXRacer Air on Amazon Price not available
Learn more: Best DXRacer Chairs Available In 2024
Respawn Flexx
Release date: Feb. 2022
The Flexx is a full-mesh gaming-office hybrid. Like other gaming chairs, it provides deep recline, full back support. It resembles an office chair with mesh upholstery, a seat slider, and a sync-tilting seat.
The Flexx also has a beginner-friendly height-adjustable lumbar. Simply slide it up or down until you feel comfortable lower back support.
Flexx Functionality
- Recline: 90-115°; 2-1 seat sync-tilt.
- Lumbar support: height-adjustable.
- Upholstery: mesh seat and backrest with PU leather accents.
- Armrests: 2D
- Warranty: 2 years
- Price: $211.64 on Amazon
Flexx Advice
In my opinion, this is the best hybrid gaming chair on the market. It offers straightforward ergonomic features that provide the support users need.
Gaming chair fans will appreciate the full back recline functions. Office chair lovers will find the mesh upholstery and sync tilt features reassuring. Given its price, it offers good value for money.
Learn more: Flexx vs Other Pro Esports Chairs
Herman Miller Vantum
Release date: Oct. 2022
Like the Flexx chair, the Vantum has a full-back design upholstered in full mesh. Features are similar, except for the Vantum’s gimmicky Posturefit lumbar support. Instead of height-adjustability, you can only adjust its depth.
On the positive side, the Vantum justifies its high price with a 12-year warranty. Yet, versus the $211.64 Flexx chair, the warranty is the biggest difference between chairs.
Vantum Functionality
For such an expensive chair, the documentation is disappointing. Herman Miller hasn’t disclosed the recline range, the sync tilt function, or the seat slider range.
- Lumbar support: depth-adjustable
- Armrests: 3D
- Recline: unspecified
- Sync-tilt: none
- Seat slider: Yes (range not specified)
- Warranty: 12 years
Vantum Advice
Against the sensible Flexx chair, the Vantum’s price is hard to justify. Both have similar functions; the Flexx’s lumbar provides better adjustability.
| Flexx | Vantum | |
| Lumbar support | Height-adjustable | Depth-adjustable |
| Armrests | 2D | 3D |
| Recline | 90-115° | Not specified |
| Sync-tilt | Seat tilts up by 1° during recline | None |
| Seat slider | Yes (1.6″ range) | Yes (range not specified) |
| Warranty | 2 years | 12 years |
| Price | $211.64 on Amazon |
Head-to-head, the Flexx provides better functionality and value for money. On the flip side, buying a Vantum gets you a solid chair from a famous brand name and a 12-year warranty.
Yet, for $1000 or so more, you could buy a Herman Miller Aeron or Embody chair. Both rank among the best office chairs in the world.
Learn more: Vantum vs Other Herman Miller Gaming Chairs
Conclusion
Gaming chairs and ergonomic office chairs both support good posture over long periods. The former lets users kick back and relax with deep recline functionality. The latter offers smaller recline ranges and fancy extras like sync-tilting seats.
Hybrid gaming chairs are for people who want the support of an office chair plus the reclining freedom of a gaming chair. In a similar fashion, bed-motorcycles are for people who prefer driving with deep relaxation.
Like bed-motorbikes, hybrid chairs are odd concepts that cater to a very small market — undecided people who want their chair to do everything.
But after reviewing the options, none of the hybrids listed in this article are hot sellers. In fact, a lack of interest has made DXRacer’s Air, Respawn’s 200 Series, and the Cougar Argo all likely to be discontinued.
Yet, two hybrid models still stand out. The Lifeform Ultimate Executive High Back chair has been on the market since 2001 (22 years). Meanwhile, Respawn’s Flexx Series is one of the most sensible (and affordable) gaming office chairs on the market.
Best Hybrid Gaming Chairs Of 2024
| Hybrid Model | Details |
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2001: Lifeform Ultimate Executive
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Footnotes
- Wayback Machine. ‘Lifeform Ultimate Executive Chairs’. April 11, 2001. Check the archived page, (accessed 15 December, 2023).
