The Transformers: Rise of the Beasts film is the 7th in the series. It’s slated for release in 2023. The movie features Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Autobot pals romping around in 1994 NYC. In the buildup, Anda Seat has started rolling out Transformers gaming chairs. The first release included Optimus Prime and Bumblebee gaming chairs. A Megatron edition was recently added. More may be inbound. Here’s a look at the (current) Anda Seat Transformer gaming chair collection.
Anda Seat recently streamlined its gaming chair collection. Its new 2022 Series has premium Kaiser 3 and prosumer Phantom 3 editions. The new Transformers chairs are Phantom 3 editions.
The Kaiser 3 is Anda Seat’s flagship luxury chair. It has a flat seat, integrated 4-way lumbar and strapless magnetic headrest. The latter is a functionally stripped-down version of the same design.
Here’s a summary of key differences:
| Kaiser 3 | Phantom 3 | |
| Lumbar support | Integrated height x depth-adjustable | Traditional memory foam pillow |
| Headrest | Strapless magnetic | Standard pillow with straps. |
| Armrests | 4D | 1D |
| Tilt functionality | Multifunction: rock, lock, or lock at various angles. | Standard: rock or lock at a flat angle. |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | $549 from Anda Seat | $449.99 from Anda Seat |
At present, Transformers edition Phantom 3 chairs are available on pre-order. Chairs are scheduled to ship on July 25. During the pre-order period, they’re available for even less than standard Phantom 3 designs.
Phantom 3 Transformers Editions $399
Anda Seat Transformers Chair Styles
There’s no doubt that the new Transformers chairs are visually stunning. Each comes clad in premium PVC leatherette. Colorful artwork is emblazoned in the material itself (not embroidered).
The art is done in the style of the old Transformers cartoon series (1984-1987). That should tickle the nostalgia of Gen X kids who grew up in the 80s obsessed with Autobots.
But are sharp looks alone enough to justify a $399 price? Let’s breeze through each style before making a value assessment.
Bumblebee Gaming Chair
In the original animated series, Bumblebee was a plucky little yellow VW Beetle. He played the ‘little brother’ role, always trying to impress his mates. His superpowers: he’s small and energy-efficient.
The Bumblebee gaming chair reflects his feisty nature with a brilliant yellow base color. His VW Bug-inspired look adorns the front, with a crimson Autobot sigil on the back side.
Optimus Prime Gaming Chair
Autobot leader Optimus Prime is a sentient, self-configuring modular robotic lifeform. On earth, he blends in as a Freightliner FL86 cab over a semi-truck.
The Optimus Prime gaming chair starts with a black PVC leatherette base. Red and blue wings flank the shoulders, with an action portrait of Optimus on the front side.
Megatron Gaming Chair
The original cartoon Megatron was tailor-made to pump 80s-era toy sales. In the show, his bucket-style helmet gave him a campy look. He was annoying but harmless. At the end of every episode, he’d concede defeat and fly away to regroup.
As a bonus, he transformed into a Walther P38 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. As a kid in the 80s, owning a Megatron toy gave you a cool robot — and a toy gun!
Anda’s Megatron chair pops with bright purple accents against a black PVC base. Megatron in his campiest 1980s form decorates the front, with the Decepticon logo on the back.
Are Transformers Chairs Worth It?
Based on our ranking of gaming chair comfort factors, styling ranks last. While a nice design will thrill your senses, that won’t last forever. Once it wears off, the ergonomic qualities of the chair will matter the most.
On an ergonomic level, a $399 Transformer chair has the same features (standard tilt + 1D arms) as basic $200 gaming chairs. As well, other popular brands like E-Win offer better features for less money.
Here’s how the Phantom 3 Transformers Series compares with two popular E-Win alternatives:
| E-Win Knight Series | E-Win Champion Fabric CPG | Phantom 3 | |
| Lumbar support | Standard lumbar pillow | Standard lumbar pillow | Memory foam pillow |
| Headrest | Standard pillow with straps. | Standard pillow with straps. | Standard pillow with straps. |
| Armrests | 2D | 4D | 1D |
| Tilt functionality | Standard: rock or lock at a flat angle. | Multifunction: rock, lock, or lock at various angles. | Standard: rock or lock at a flat angle. |
| Size rating | 5’3″ to 6’1″; 400-pounds | 5’3″ to 6’1″; 400-pounds | 5’2″ to 5’9″; 200-pounds |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price | $183 |
$295 |
$449.99 from Anda Seat |
Use the code ChairsFX to get 20% off any E-Win chair.
Bottom line: what’s the point in spending $400+ on an ergonomic chair with $200 features? In this case, the styling is the big draw. Hard-core Transformers collectors will find these chairs delightful.
On the flip side, those shopping for good ergonomic value should consider alternatives. While beauty is skin deep, good ergonomics is what gives substance to a chair. From that perspective, you can find better functionality elsewhere — for a lot less money!
