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Home Computing Chair Advice

Gaming Chairs Vs Ergonomic Office Chairs: Comfort vs Focus

March 25, 2023
Reading Time: 18 mins read
  • Written By Anil Ramsey
ChairsFX is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us commissions (as an Amazon associate or from furniture brands). This has no influence on our editorial content. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.

What’s the difference between a full-back gaming chair and a mid-back ergonomic office chair? Both are designed to support healthy neutral postures — using the same trio of adjustable components. In fact, it’s the full-back vs mid-back contrast that yields the biggest usability differences. The former lets you kick back and relax; the latter keeps you upright in desk working positions. Both types have merits. This article explains why settling the gaming chair vs ergonomic office chair debate comes down to subjective preferences.

Difference between gaming chairs and ergonomic office chairs
Secretlab Titan full-back gaming chair vs Herman Miller Embody mid-back ergonomic chair.

Many hype ergonomic office chairs made by top-5 office furniture corporations as god-tier. These masterpieces supposedly provide medical-grade back support that puts gaming chairs to shame.

Mark Zuckerberg in Aeron chair with three worshippers revering him
Office chairs made by top-5 office furniture corporations are widely revered as god-tier.

Based on my tests of the world’s best chairs, this is partially true. However, legit god-tier status belongs to only one model.

The Herman Miller Embody supports the back objectively better than any other ergonomic chair. Other models prioritize lumbar support to encourage neutral sitting postures.

Herman Miller and Steelcase chair back support sitting comparison
Mirra vs Gesture vs Embody back support: only the Embody offers something special.

In contrast, the Embody’s Backfit support system support the upper spine. Getting started is easy: plant your feet, tuck your hips deep into the seat, and sit super-straight. Then, toggle the Backfit so that it cups your upper spine in place.

Demo of proper usage: Herman Miller Embody Backfit system
The Embody’s Backfit system curves the backrest forward to cup the upper spine.

This will ‘hook’ your upper back curve and keep it straight — the effect feels like you’re floating. It also requires noticeably less effort than using standard lumbar-supported ergonomic chairs.

Ubiquitous Lumbar-Powered Neutral Posture Support

After the Embody, all ergonomic chairs use a cookie-cutter lumbar-powered support concept. You can see for yourself how an  adjustable lumbar + adjustable arms + reclining backrest  combo supports good posture:

Ergonomic Criteria For Healthy Sitting

What makes a chair ‘ergonomic’? OSHA, BIFMA, the Human Factors & Ergonomics Handbook, and other leading institutions define it the same way.

Core ergonomic components on a chair
All chairs that qualify as ‘ergonomic’ come with three core adjustable features.

To qualify as ‘ergonomic’, a chair needs three adjustable features. Adjustable lumbar support aligns the spine. Adjustable arms provide extra bracing to hold the spine upright. A reclining backrest helps a seated body move.

Combined, these features support users into dynamic neutral postures. These align the spine as if it was in a healthy standing position.

Neutral posture side sitting view in 4 premium ergonomic chairs
Healthy neutral postures L-R: Steelcase Gesture; Herman Miller Aeron; Secretlab Titan; DXRacer Craft.

A standard neutral posture requires a 25-45° lower back curve. A perfect neutral posture also includes a 0° neck tilt.

Aeron gaming chair ergonomic support
Sitting without ergonomic support causes misalignments that wear down spinal discs.

Sitting in a chair without these features first causes problems in the lower back. Without lumbar support, a seated lower back curve flattens by half. Read the supporting studies:

Ergonomic Seating Definition From BIFMA, OSHA Etc

Gaming (Full-Back) Vs Office (Mid-Back) Chairs

Full-back gaming and mid-back ergonomic office chairs both support healthy upright computing postures. Mid-back chairs have limited reclines that keep users upright. In contrast, full-back chairs add deep recline functionality.

Gaming chair versatility
Deep recline functionality lets gaming chairs support activities BEYOND desk work.

But regardless of the chair, proper usage yields the best results. As a result, deciding on the ‘best’ is subjective — but still extremely important.

2023 seated comfort rating factors
A healthy, disiplined life + flexible ergonomic seating yields happy, healthy sitting experiences.

Studies show that psychological appeal influences comfort. When users find a chair attractive, they’ll feel more inspired to use it properly — and then perceive it as more physically ‘comfortable’.

  1. Gaming & Office Types Both support Neutral Postures: that one provides ‘better’ support than the other is easily disproven.
  2. Proper Usage > Type Of Chair: regardless of model, tuck your hips, plant your feet, and support your lower back for best results.
  3. Psychological Appeal = Significant Comfort Perception Factor: people who perceive a chair as more comfortable will find it physically so.
  4. Overhyped Office Chair Selling Points: mediocre luxury extras that you don’t actually need.
  5. Mid-Back Vs Full-Back Seating Differences: strict cubicle-style support vs a relaxed work-from-home style.

Both Support Standard Neutral Postures

Beyond the Embody, all ergonomic chairs work the same way — using the same 90s-era concept. With planted feet and a supported lumbar curve, users can sit for long periods without muscle strain.

Neutral posture poses in Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Secretlab chairs
Healthy neutral postures: Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Gesture vs Secretlab Titan.

Adjustable lumbar support aligns the lower back. Adjustable arms provide extra bracing to hold the spine upright. A reclining backrest lets you customize support angles (a 100-110° recline works best).

Adjusting to sitting with good posture
Once your muscles adapt to neutral sitting, massive wellness and productivity benefits emerge.

Combined, this trio helps users to maintain neutral sitting postures. These reduce the musculoskeletal stress caused by sitting for long periods without support. Learn more:

Neutral Postures Compared: Gaming Vs Ergonomic Office Chairs

Proper Usage > The Type Of Chair

Many first-time ergonomic chair buyers assume that spending more will buy them ‘better’ back support. In reality, all support neutral postures using the same adjustable lumbar + arms + recline combo. Regardless of the chair, proper usage will yield similar results.

Office chair salesman selling expensive chairs to gullible customers
Peddling pricey chairs onto ergonomic newbies can generate fat sales commissions.

As proof of that, here’s an experienced ergonomic chair user (me) in a $1300 Mirra 2 vs a newbie in a gaming chair. To ensure crisp neutral postures, we’re both sitting the same way.

Neutral postures in pricey office chair vs DXRacer gaming chair
My (experienced user) posture in a $1300 Mirra 2 versus newbie George in a $500 gaming chair looks almost the same.

That means: hips tucked deep into the seat, planted feet, a supported lumbar curve, and armrests used to prop up the torso.

Neutral postures compared in Aeron and Titan ergonomic chairs
Biomechanically-perfect neutral postures in a Herman Miller Aeron ($1700+) vs Secretlab Titan ($560).

Bottom line: excluding the Embody, gaming and ergonomic office chairs work the same way; proper usage trumps the type of chair being used. Learn more:

Neutral Postures Compared: Gaming Vs Ergonomic Office Chairs

Psychological Appeal = Major Comfort Factor

When a chair looks more comfortable, users are liklier to perceive it as more physically comfortable. For example, a comfort study was done using airplane seats with and without headrests.

Aircraft seat study
Comfort (left) vs postural accuracy (right) in aircraft seats with and without headrests.

In seats without a headrest, users would keep their heads balanced at a 0° tilt (good neck posture). Adding a headrest encouraged a rearward head tilt and slouchier posture. Even so, most subjects reported slouched, headrest-supported seats as more comfortable.

Corporate Ergonomic Chair Reverence

Psychological appeal also explains why high-end ergonomic office chairs are so passionately revered. We’ve already shown how most provide cookie-cutter neutral posture support.

Top office furniture manufacturers of 2022
The top six office furniture companies of 2022 (based on 2021 earnings).

Nonetheless, buying a pricey chair from a top-5 office furniture mega-corporation comes with massive expectations.

Worshippers revering the Herman Miller Aeron chair
Mega-corporate chairs enjoy ergonomic demi-god status based on super-strong brand power.

Most assume that paying a premium guarantees medical-grade back support, museum-quality aesthetics, and rock-solid 12-year durability. In reality, the durability is legit; the aesthetic appeal is subjective.

Herman Miller Embody vs other elite ergonomic office chairs
L-R: Herman Miller Embody vs Aeron vs Steelcase Gesture vs Steelcase Leap.

But on the back support front, only the Embody objectively lives up to the ‘medical-grade back support’ hype.

Best Ergo Office Chairs 2023: Hype Vs Value

Overhyped Ergonomic Selling Points

Many hype ergonomic office chairs as medical-grade marvels that put gaming chairs to shame. If talking about Herman Miller’s Embody, it’s true. But the rest all provide the same support features as full-back gaming chairs!

Neutral sitting posture examples in mid-back and full-back ergonomic chairs
Neutral sitting postures: benchmark vs Herman Miller Mirra 2 vs DXRacer Craft.

But wait — there are more overhyped aspects worth your attention!

Exagerrated Mobile Computing Support

Many hype the Steelcase Gesture as the world’s most advanced mobile computing chair. This 2013 design has arms specially designed with 360° rating functionality to support mobile computing!

Steelcase Gesture mobile arm support reality
The Steelcase Gesture’s mobile arm support value is mediocre vs a height- adjustable desk.

But in reality, the industry’s best mobile supporting chair provides toylike support compared to a standing desk. Beyond the Embody, all elite chairs provide similarly mediocre mobile support.

Overblown Synchronous-Tilt Value-For-Money

Beyond overhyped back support and mobile computing support, there are other dubious selling points to consider. The third is synchronous tilt: this tilts the seat up as a user reclines. Many chairs justify high prices by including this feature.

Mirra 2 chair Harmonic tilt feature
Sync-tilt functionality on a $1300 Mirra 2 chair.

But in reality, synchronous tilt is an extraneous feature for two reasons. First, to activate it, you need to disengage from your workstation and lean back.

Stretch break while using a gaming chair
A good stretch on a $20 yoga mat provides a better boost than flopping around in a sync-tilting chair.

Second, if you’re going to disengage from your work, you’ll get a better movement boost by standing up to take a movement break.

Overhyped Selling Points Summary

Look closely and you’ll find a lot of overhyping going on among elite ergonomic office chairs. Summary:

  1. Back support parity: all elite chairs (excluding the Embody) use the same cookie-cutter concepts (adjustable lumbar + arms + recline = neutral support)
  2. Mythical mobile armrest support: none of the elite chairs support long mobile computing sessions. Regardless of the chair, you’ll need a standing desk for proper support.
  3. Extraneous sync-tilt: pricey tilting functions let you work your hips while sitting in disengaged postures. But if disengaged, standing breaks > flopping willy-nilly in a chair.
  4. Strict neutral postures are overkill? in response to rising gaming chair popularity, top office chair brands are abandoning strict posture concepts for more casual ones.

Beyond the back support functions (lumbar, arms, recline), what luxury extras do you really need? Take a good hard look at the facts:

4 Overblown Ergo Office Chair Selling Points: 2023 Update

Strict Mid-Back Vs Relaxed Full-Back

Herman Miller kicked off the ergonomic seating revolution in 1994 with the release of the iconic Aeron chair. Its adjustable lumbar + arms + reclining backrest support formula shook up the industry.

Herman Miller Aeron for productivity
Herman Miller asked its best designers to conceive the ultimate 1990s office chair.

In the years that followed, several mid-back riffs on the same support formula emerged. In fact, from a historical perspective, the biggest innovation since the 1994 Aeron was the 2006 emergence of full-back gaming chairs.

Evolution of ergonomic seating from 1994 to 2023
Since the 90s, most ergonomic chairs have been stylistic riffs of the same neutral posture concepts.

Upon release, 2006-era full-back chairs were derived as gimmicks. That perception changed for good 14 years later, during 2020 Covid lockdowns. Then, gaming chair sales skyrocketed — while office chair sales crashed.

Evolution of Herman Miller desk chairs
L-R: Herman Miller Aeron, Embody, and Vantum ergonomic chairs.

Soon after, office furniture mega-corporations began bending the knee to the full-back ergonomic chair style.

Generational Shift To A Full-Back, Casual Support Style

In late 2022, three of the world’s largest office furniture corporations released full-back gaming chairs. First, Respawn (part of the HNI Corporation) dropped its Respawn Flexx Faze Clan Edition.

Vantum vs Flexx gaming chair comparison
Herman Miller Vantum (left) vs Respawn Flexx gaming chairs.

Soon after, Haworth dropped the Fern x Halo Gaming chair. Within the same timeframe, Herman Miller released the Vantum Gaming Chair as a seating ‘revolution’. Like the others, it has a full-back design that supports relaxed, semi-neutral postures.

New Herman Miller seating concept: Aeron vs Vantum chair
In 2023, many suggest that you don’t need to maintain perfect postures to enjoy healthy sitting.

In a press release, Herman Miller Gaming GM Jon Campbell explained the move away from a strict neutral postures as generational. According to Herman Miller research, ‘Gamers’ (Millennials and younger) demand more versatility:

A strong active posture is critical for gameplay, but having an equally supported, reclined position for moments of relaxation is key.”​Jon Cambell
Herman Miller embraces the full-back gaming chair design
Strict neutral postures are giving way to flexible, full-back, semi-neutral sitting styles.

In a later interview, he doubled down: existing Herman Miller chair owners sitting in neutral postures are doing it wrong!

Herman Miller has been training people to sit with a 90° (knee) posture for quite some time. So now, we’re trying to go back and retrain people. Jon Cambell

Choosing A Gaming Or Office-Style Chair

The evidence shows that gaming and ergonomic office chairs both support healthy neutral postures. In all cases, proper neutral sitting techniques will bring the best out of the chair — regardless of its price.

Staples Hyken vs Herman Miller Aeron
You don’t need to spend more than $250 for no-frills fully-ergonomic back support.

On top of that, frequent breaks + a healthy lifestyle when away from the computer can iron out potential kinks. That means the ‘best’ type is the one that you find most appealing.

  1. The ‘Best’ Chair Type Is Subjective: gaming and ergo office chairs both support healthy neutral postures. Whichever type appeals to you is the best one to choose.
  2. Healthy Lifestyles > Type Of Chair: regardless of chair types, neutral tactics + frequent breaks + healthy lifestyles away from the computer yield the best results.
  3. Pro Gamers Use Ergo Chairs + Fitness Model: some pros gaming chairs; others use mid-back ergo office chairs. Most balance things out with healthy habits when away from the computer.

The ‘Best’ Type of Chair is Subjective

Given recent trends, hard-core office chair fans have three options. First, they can hold onto the strict, cubicle-era sitting styles of yesteryear. Second, they can go with the flow by adopting a slouchier style in a full-back gaming chair.

Haworth Fern Halo edition gaming chair
The latest wave of mega-corporate gaming chairs (like the Fern Halo edition) are widely adored.

But a third option makes the most sense. That is: choose whichever style of seating appeals to you the most.

Old vs new seating styles
Cubicle-style = strict postures; WFH and gaming style = strict + relaxed.

With proper usage, any type of ergonomic seating will suffice. Proper usage means:

  1. Maintain neutral-ish postures while sitting.
  2. Take frequent standing breaks to stretch your legs.
  3. When away from the computer, prioritize exercise, smart nutrition, and sound sleep.

Seated Comfort Factors: Physical Vs Psychological Vs User Habits

Fitness Beats Chairs Ergonomics

The modern esports performance optimization template goes well beyond the chair. Most teams now prioritize healthy lifestyles (and mindsets) when away from the computer to boost performance.

These days, it’s well-known that frequent stretching breaks can relieve built-up gamer stress. Longer exercise breaks help even more. Stacking on clean eating and sound sleep can render imperfect gaming postures irrelevant.

Astralis team pro esports training
Astralis players cultivating physical and mental fitness in their pursuit of excellence.

Even so, frequent stretching breaks can relieve built-up gamer stress. Longer exercise breaks help even more. Stacking on clean eating and sound sleep can render imperfect gaming postures irrelevant.

These concepts are supported by three prominent esports doctors we recently interviewed. Dr. Jordan Tsai works with players from Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, TSM, 100 Thieves, and other top teams.

Evil Geniuses esports player doing neck exercises with Dr. Jordan Tsai
Dr. Jordan Tsai teaching motion exercises at Evil Geniuses headquarters. (Pic: @EvilGeniuses)

He touts fitness as more important than a good chair to maintain health while sitting. “A regular range of motion exercises, strengthening, and stretching are all critical.”

Dr. William Duncan Southeast Physical Therapy
Dr. Duncan (pictured) touts fitness as one of the cornerstones of a productive deskwork routine.

Dr. William Duncan works with both esports and traditional athletes. He adds that gamers should “work on strength & endurance and use a good chair.”

Esports Priorities For Healthy Deskwork

To boost performance at a desk, the doctors we spoke to agreed on these priorities (in order of importance):

  1. Health trinity: regular exercise, good nutrition, sound sleep.
  2. Good posture: try to sit straight in whichever type of chair you use.
  3. Frequent breaks: breaks reset the brain, boost blood flow, and work sedentary muscles.
  4. Good ergonomic chair: choose whichever type aligns with your preferences.

From an esports health perspective, the gaming chair vs ergonomic chair debate is irrelevant. A healthy lifestyle with frequent breaks and regular exercise can override the damage caused by sloppy sitting.

Gaming chair posture therapy
My gaming chair-powered transformation from 2017-2018.

For instance, when I first started using gaming chairs, I had terrible posture. After adapting to neutral postures, I gained enough energy to work out and eat right.

Muscular esports gamers
Healthy lifestyles + gaming chairs power the success of many esports pros.

These days, I don’t see a need to sit with a strict posture. A looser style is more comfortable. When things veer off course, it’s easy to reset. Learn more:

Esports Performance Model: Fitness + Posture Beats Technostress

What Chairs Do The Pros Use?

Many of the world’s top esports teams use full-back gaming chairs; a few use Embody chairs. Most teams also invest heavily to ensure peak player performance. But many players don’t maintain strict neutral postures while competing.

S1mple gaming posture screenshot
S1mple’s gaming posture bends neutral posture perfection to accommodate his playing style.

For example, Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyljev plays CS:GO player for Natus Vincere. His gaming setup walkthrough(1) shows off a less-than-ideal forward neck bend.

Astralis team pro esports training
Astralis players cultivating physical and mental fitness in their pursuit of excellence.

Instead of focusing on perfect posture, he maintains peak performance with similar cookie-cutter strategies that elite teams and streamers use.

Top Streamers: Quasi-Neutral Postures + Fitness

Like esports pros, many of the world’s top streamers also use a semi-neutral posture + fitness performance strategy. Every top-10 streamer is a multi-millionaire with a limitless chair budget.

Gaming chairs and top Twitch streamers photo grid
Gaming chairs used by the top 10 Twitch streamers of 2022.

Even so, there’s no clear consensus chair. Some use full-back gaming chairs; others use mid-back Herman Miller chairs.

Charts showing the gaming chairs used by pro streamers in Q4 2022
Breakdown of gaming chairs used by the top 20 streaming pros of 2022.

Beyond the chair, most top-20 streamers also stay sharp by maintaining active, healthy lifestyles. That include regular exercise, clean eating habits, and plenty of downtime to avoid burnout.

Tfue streamer health habits
Tfue is one of many mega-successful streamers who incorporate movement and fitness into their routines.

These tactics help them maintain their elite status by making sure their streaming performances are on-point.

Gaming Chairs Used By The Top 10 Twitch Streamers

Related: Gaming Chairs Used By the Top 10 Youtube Gamers

Best Ergonomic Chairs Of 2023

Here at ChairsFX, I use a Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 ($560) with a Magnus Pro desk ($799 + accessories). That combo lets me maintain near perfect multi-device computing postures while sitting and standing.

Magnus Pro desk providing multi-device computing support
My setup + habits: healthy neutral postures while sitting, mobile computing, and standing.

Last year, three esports doctors helped me configure my Titan to support 0° neck postures. Method: adopt a good neutral posture with a 100° recline; use the headrest to brace your neck.

How to use a gaming chair headrest
Sloppy vs strict neutral postures in Titan Evo 2022 Series chairs.

Recently, I took a fresh look at the world’s best ergonomic chairs. My objective: see which would legitimately upgrade my Titan sitting experience.

Neutral sitting mechanics
Perfect neutral postures in a $560 Secretlab Titan and $1700 Herman Miller Embody.

Herman Miller’s Embody fit the bill. It provided better back support using an alternative (upper back support) method. That, as a result, delivered an equally perfect neck posture — achieved with less effort than in a Titan.

Significantly, none of the other elite chairs support the neck. Instead, all serve up a cookie-cutter lumbar-supported style. That makes none of them viable upgrade over my Titan — except for one.

Mini review: Embody vs Aeron vs Leap
Embody (unique back support) vs Aeron (unque mesh) vs Steelcase Leap (predictable back support).

Despite serving up a cookie-cutter support style, Herman Miller’s Aeron pops for two reasons. First, it’s extremely easy to use. Second, its 8Z Pellicle Mesh is world-class. That in particular helps to justify its high price.

Herman Miller Embody: Best Back Support

The physical point of an ergonomic chair is to support neutral postures. No chair does this better than the Herman Miller Embody. It’s unique Backfit system is the key to its magic.

Embody Backfit angle adjustment
A proper Backfit adjustment should stick the backrest to your upper spine like glue.

Turn the Backfit dial clockwise to tilt the upper portion of the backrest forward until it cups your upper spine. Then, turn it counterclockwise to toggle the bottom (lumbar) portion forward or back.

Demo of proper usage: Herman Miller Embody Backfit system
The Embody’s Backfit system curves the backrest forward to cup the upper spine.

When configured properly, the result is spectacular. The Backfit curve suspends your upper spine against gravity’s pull. With hips tucked deep into the seat, that helps hold your entire spine up in a clean neutral posture — from the tip of your spine to your neck.

Embody Features

Embody gaming chair specifications

Beyond the world-class back support, the Embody boasts museum-quality good looks and a rich array of adjustable features:

  • Synchro-tilt: seat pan angle 3° to 15°; backrest 94° to 120°
  • Pixelated back support: the backrest has a central spine with flexible ribs. Each rib adjusts when you move for consistent support of your spinal curves.
  • BackFit angle adjustment: lets you angle the backrest to fit the curvature of your spine.
  • Seat adjustments: adjust the seat’s height and depth.
  • Armrests: 2D-adjustable
  • Backrest: adjust recline tension; 3-position tilt-lock; synchro-tilt
  • Sizing specs: 5’4″ to 6’2″; 300-pound weight capacity

Learn more: Detailed Embody Pros and Cons

Embody Classic from Herman Miller $1990-$2275

Gaming Edition: Logitech G Gaming Edition $1695 from Herman Miller

Herman Miller Aeron: Most Luxurious

The Aeron was released in 1994 (29 years ago). The Aeron Remastered upgrade (2017) added fancier mesh and tilting functions. It offers good — but predictable — back support. Reason: many chairs have copied its back support formula over the years.

Herman Miller size B (medium) sitting demo with 177 cm user
The Aeron Size B (medium) is a near-perfect fit for my 5’9″ (177cm) size.

Even so, compared to other chairs, the Aeron makes it very easy to achieve neutral postures. Once the chair is properly adjusted, plant your feet, tuck your hips, and sit down.

However, what truly sets it apart is its world-class 8Z Pellicle Mesh. It has a luxurious, high-tech feel with the perfect tautness — even while shifting positions.

Herman Miller mesh upholstery closeup
The Aeron’s 8Z Pellicle mesh is legit the most advanced (and durable) on the market.

The feel, consistency, and breathability make for a jaw-dropping combo. That makes sitting in this chair feel inspiring. But psychological appeal is subjective. Some might find it worth paying $1700+ for.

Aeron posture control limits
The Aeron forces you to sit upright with a tiny 93-104° recline range.

Others might find the limited recline options a deal-breaker. Why spend so much on a chair that limits your options so severely?

Aeron Features

  • Sync-tilt: seat pan angle from -1° to 16°; backrest 93° to 104°
  • Upholstery: Pellicle 8Z mesh provides eight tension zones.
  • Adjustable lumbar: choose a height or depth-adjustable unit.
  • Seat: adjust the height; tilt up or down; sync-tilt with the backrest.
  • Armrests: 3D adjustable.
  • Warranty: 12 years.

Aeron Remastered from Herman Miller $1785

Learn more: Aeron Vs Other Elite Office Chairs

Secretlab Titan 2022 Series: Best Full-Back

The Titan is the Swiss Army Knife of desk chairs. Like other full-back models, it provides the flexibility to sit as you wish. Like the Herman Miller Embody, it supports the back and neck into textbook perfect neutral postures.

Neutral sitting mechanics
Perfect neutral postures in a $560 Secretlab Titan and $1700 Herman Miller Embody.

I’ve been using a Cookies & Cream Softweave edition for the past 1.5 years. In my experience, it and Herman Miller Embody both support neutral back & neck postures effectively.

Man sitting in a relaxed and strict posture in 2 gaming chairs
Relaxed vs strict neutral sitting postures.

But compared to the Aeron, the Titan does a better job at actively supporting a 0° neck posture. It also goes beyond the super-strict Aeron by letting you sit however you like. From a long-term perspective, that flexibility is invaluable.

Healthy neutral postures in a Titan gaming chair
Healthy neutral sitting in a Titan 2022 Cookies and Cream fabric chair.

For instance, over the past 1.5 years, I’ve learned that sitting postures are fluid. When in peak form, my posture tends to be on-point. But in more trying times (burnout, stress, etc), I tend to get slouchier. My Titan supports me across the spectrum. I really like that.

Psychological Appeal Bonus

Physiological comfort factors include physical (ergonomic), psychological, and environmental. In service of the latter two, the Titan comes in a whopping 50+ styles.

Secretlab gaming chair showroom
The Titan comes in small, medium, and XL sizes with 43 eye-popping styles.

There are enough styles here to delight most sensibilities. Choose conservative office designs, fancy embroidered video game styles, cool fabric pastels, and plenty more. Check out this Furniture Color Psychology Guide for details.

Titan Evo 2022 Features

  • Functionality: 4D armrests; multifunction tilt-lock; recline from 85-165°.
  • New 2022 Series Features: integrated 4-way adjustable lumbar support; magnetic headrest pillow; pebble seat base with waterfall edge.
  • Sizing: small 4’11” to 5’6″; medium 5’7″ to 6’2″; XL 5’11” to 6’9″.
  • Warranty: five years.

Titan 2022 from Secretlab $549-$674

Learn more: Titan Evo 2022 Gaming Chair Review

Conclusion: Comfort Vs Focus

Soon after the first gaming chair dropped in 2006, a hard-core band of ergo office chair evangelists emerged online. They deride gaming chairs as scams — while adoring mega-corporate office chairs with zeal. Subjectively, they’re right!

Angry office chair salesman promoting office chairs over gaming chairs
Ergonomic office chairs are ‘better’ than gaming chairs — depending on who you ask.

Full-back gaming and mid-back office chairs both support good back posture — using the same support methods. However, psychological appeal is also a major comfort factor.

Those who perceive mega-corpo office chairs as medical-grade will find them physically so. If that brings inpriation to maintain neutral postures, everybody wins.

Comfort Vs Focus

At this stage of my life, flexible seating best suits my needs. So my Titan Evo 2022 Series serves my needs just fine — for now. Many world-leading streamers also start off using racing-style gaming chairs. But after hitting the big time, they often switch over to Herman Miller chairs.

Ninja now uses a Herman Miller Embody gaming chair
Mega-streamer Ninja recently upgraded from a gaming chair to a Herman Miller Embody.

For example, Ninja is the most-followed streamer on Twitch. After several years using a Maxnomic gaming chair, he recently upgraded to a Herman Miller Embody. Timthetatman, Tfue, Shroud, and other elite streamers have all done similar. Why did so many use gaming chairs early in their careers? Why do they often switch to ergonomic office chairs later on?

Early in streaming careers, comfortable all-day support helps to maintain the grind. After they hit the big time, time is money. Then, stricter support better ensures high performance over shorter, more focused sessions.

What gaming chair does Tfue use?
Tfue also built his career atop gaming chairs before upgrading to a Herman Miller Embody.

That boils down to a very simple conclusion to the gaming chair vs office chair debate. Since both support neutral postures, choose whichever type you fancy the most. Then, make sure you use it properly.

Difference between gaming chairs and ergonomic office chairs
Herman Miller examples: Vantum full back gaming chair (left); Embody mid-back ergonomic chair.

Choosing a mid-back model will limit your recline and keep you locked in focus mode. Opting for a full-back model will also give you the option to kick back and relax.

Titan and Aeron chair demo: sitting with tucked vs curled forward hips
Tucked vs curled hips in Herman Miller Aeron and Titan 2022 Evo chairs.

Regardless of chair type, make sure to tuck your hips deep into the seat and keep your feet planted. Take frequent movement breaks. Hit the gym to iron out any kinks.

Gaming chair vs ergonomic office chair conclusion
Choose whichever type of ergo chair you can afford that inspires you while computing.

Then, it doesn’t matter what type of ergonomic chair you decide on — as long as you feel inspired enough by it to maintain good posture. Then, everyone wins (you, your spine, the chair maker’s reputation).

Ergo Chair Comfort Factors: Physical Vs Psychological

Footnotes

  1. Youtube, “Set up like S1mple – WITH CFG!” ESL Counter-Strike, March 18, 2022, https://youtu.be/REjATuWa5TY

Secretlab Titan gaming chairs on sale in March 2023

Details: Secretlab March 2023 Sales Guide

Table of Contents

  1. Ergonomic Criteria For Healthy Sitting
  2. Gaming (Full-Back) Vs Office (Mid-Back) Chairs
    1. Both Support Standard Neutral Postures
    2. Proper Usage > The Type Of Chair
    3. Psychological Appeal = Major Comfort Factor
    4. Overhyped Ergonomic Selling Points
    5. Strict Mid-Back Vs Relaxed Full-Back
  3. Choosing A Gaming Or Office-Style Chair
    1. The ‘Best’ Type of Chair is Subjective
    2. Fitness Beats Chairs Ergonomics
    3. What Chairs Do The Pros Use?
  4. Best Ergonomic Chairs Of 2023
    1. Herman Miller Embody: Best Back Support
    2. Herman Miller Aeron: Most Luxurious
    3. Secretlab Titan 2022 Series: Best Full-Back
  5. Conclusion: Comfort Vs Focus

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