AKRacing Core Series EX review: rugged gaming office chair

Core Series EX Features

The AKRacing Core Series EX gives you a fabric cover, a solid build, and decent features. It’s more luxurious than a cheap gaming chair, but not as much as a premium one. Here are the highlights:

Breathable Fabric

All Core Ex models come upholstered in 100% polyester fabric on the front and back. Compared to PU leather, this material is softer, more breathable, and more durable.

By the end of the 5-year warranty period, an AKRacing leather model will show signs of degradation. In comparison, unless stained, a Core EX model will still look like new.

Semi-firm padding

Many gaming chair brands like Secretlab come with ultra-high density foam. In contrast, Core Series EX padding comes with a moderate foam density of 55 kg/m³. Notably, the Core Ex has seventy percent less padding than AKRacing’s flagship Master Series Pro.

This configuration delivers steady, comfortable support. The mid-range density gives a hint of pliability, while the thinness against the steel frame brings consistency.

On the downside, sitting in a Core Ex is less plush than sitting in a Master Series Pro. Instead of being blown away by luxurious comfort, expect to feel pleasantly satisfied.

Adjustable features

The adjustability of the Core Series EX is decent. You get 3D armrests and a deep recline to 180°. You can also rock the chair and adjust rocking tension. But you can’t angle and lock the seat like you can with pro-quality chairs.

In a corporate setting, these features would make Core EX standout chairs. But among savvy esports pros, Core EX chairs do the job with no frills.

Summary of Core Series EX features

• Functionality: 3D adjustable armrests; recline to 180°; tilt tension & rocking.
• Comfort: cold cure foam padding guaranteed to retain shape and density for five years.
• Upholstery: 100% polyester mesh fabric with colored accent stitching.
• Support: steel frame; metal base finished in glossy black; class 4 gas lift; 2.5″ casters.
• Warranty: 5-year warranty on parts, 10-year warranty on the steel frame.

Core Series EX from AKRacing $359

You can also buy the Core Series EX gaming chair from Amazon for $288.71

Core EX Style Options

One of our biggest complaints with the Core Series EX in recent years has been the lack of development. For almost a decade, the collection included the same five chair models.

It’s an attractive set of chairs, with enough variety to suit all tastes. Even so, they’re all older designs, without any signs of development.

Core Series EX from AKRacing $359

You can also buy the Core Series EX gaming chair from Amazon for $288.71

That has finally changed. In mid-2021, AKRacing released a trio of Core Series SE chairs. These have the same features and dimensions as the classic models, with a design twist.

All SE chairs come with fabric upholstery and PU leather color accents. On the black model, the accents are PVC Carbon Fiber leather. As well, all SE editions come with a new extra-large headrest pillow.

Beyond these differences, SE editions are also a bit more expensive. In the AKRacing store, they’re priced $20 higher than classic edition models.

Core EX SE from AKRacing.com $379

The Core EX SE is also available from Amazon for $349.00.

AKRacing Warranty

All AKRacing chairs come with an industry-leading 5+10 warranty. That means five years on parts, plus ten years on the frame.

Over the years, the reliability of this warranty has made AKRAcing synonymous with long-term reliability. Most who buy a Core Series EX can count on a half-decade of full-time sitting support.

Compared with AKRacing’s PU leather chairs, the Core EX fabric upholstery is also a lot more durable. Thus, even after the warranty expires, you can expect your chair to look almost like new.