AndaSeat Frontier XL Review: Gaming Chair For Tall Guys

Many tall desk workers suffer from back pain and chronic fatigue. Slumping 40 hours a week in a chair too small may be one reason why. The AndaSeat Frontier XL is a new solution. Built for tall sizes 5’7″ to 6’7″, you could call it a ‘gaming chair’ — but ‘gaming office chair’ is more accurate. It’s built like a gaming chair, but supports healthy deskwork like an ergonomic office chair. This Frontier XL review presents an easy upgrade path for tall desk workers. Improve posture and focus — while supercharging your energy levels — for under $400.

The point of any ergonomic chair is to support healthy posture while sitting at a desk. For that to happen, it’s important to choose the right size for your body type. The AndaSeat Frontier XL is designed to fit ‘tall’ guys. Consider these global size averages:

• Average male height: in the U.S. and UK, the average male is 5’10” tall.
• Average male weight: North America 177 lbs; Asia 126.9 lbs; global average 136 lbs.
• ‘Tall’ Definition: men 6’1″ and women 5’7″ are taller than global averages.
• ‘Big’ Definition: a body mass index (BMI) over 25 is overweight; over 30 is obese.

Anda Seat rates the Frontier XL for sizes 5’7″ to 6’7″, with a 330-pound weight capacity. We tested it with a 6’2″ user — AndaSeat’s height rating is accurate.

Its width suitability depends on body mass index (BMI). Broadly, people with a normal or overweight BMI should fit in a Frontier XL— those with an obese BMI will not.

Related: Ergonomic Challenges For Big, Tall And Big & Tall Users

Frontier XL Gaming Chair Review

The AndaSeat Frontier XL is an executive-styled ‘gaming’ chair. After a week of testing with a 6’2″ model, it performed more like an ‘office’ chair. It has a few tweaks that may resonate with office chair users more than video game players.

1. Chair sizing: for slim people of average to tall height.
2. Lumbar pillow usage: a small adjustment can make a massive difference.
3. Recline angles: see how the Phantom 3 supports good posture through various ranges.
4. Gaming office chair definition: why it qualifies as both a gaming and ergo office chair.
5. Likes and dislikes: final impressions after one week of testing.

Frontier XL Dimensions: For Tall, Slim Sizes

This section rates the fit of a 6’2″ user in the Frontier XL’s seat and against its backrest:

Frontier XL Seat Dimensions

The Frontier XL chair’s seat pan measures  16.9″ (inner width) x 21.26″ (depth) . As outlined in our Gaming Chair Sizing Guide, the depth of the seat is the most crucial fitting factor. Simply, a seat that’s too deep will pull your knees forward and distort good posture.

A seat not deep enough is less problematic. With that in mind, the Frontier XL’s 21.2″ seat depth is good: deep enough to support guys taller than 6’0″, yet shallow enough to fit sizes as short as 5’7″.

The Frontier XL’s seat width is what limits it from being a truly big and tall gaming chair. Side bolsters are in place to keep legs positioned forward (the best position to ensure good posture).

That leaves a usable seat width of just 16.95″. That amount of space is suitable for slim and husky sizes — but not obese ones.

Frontier Backrest Dimensions

The Frontier XL’s backrest measures 21.65″ (W) x 33.8″ (H). Two things are apparent as our 6’2″ model sits in the chair. First, the 33.8″ backrest height is suitable for taller guys than our model.

Second, the headrest on straps isn’t adjustable enough to fit our model when he sits upright. But this isn’t a flaw — it’s an office chair neck support concept outlined in the headrest usage section.

Frontier XL Vs Kaiser 3 XL

AndaSeat’s Kaiser 3 XL is its only truly big and tall gaming chair. It comes with an extra-wide seat and support for up to 396 pounds. Here’s how it compares with the Frontier XL:

Spec	Frontier XL	Kaiser 3
Seat	16.9″ (inner W) x 21.26″ (D)	21.8″ (W) x 21″ (D)
Backrest	21.65″ (W) x 33.8″ (H)	22.2″ (W) x 32.6″ (H)
Seat Height	19.2-23.2″	17.5-20″
Size rating	5’8″ to 6’8″; 330 pounds	5’11” to 6’10”, 396 pounds
Price	$399.99 from AndaSeat	$499.99 from AndaSeat

Given all of the facts, the Frontier XL is suitable for tall guys of moderate thickness. Slim and husky sizes should fit, while obese ones will likely find too tight a squeeze.

How To Use The Lumbar Pillow

The Frontier XL comes with an extra-large lumbar pillow that is softer than it looks. Wrapped in PVC leather, it looks like a stiff, solid block.

In fact, the leather cover is deceptively soft, while the padding inside is a good level of squishiness. Because it’s so large, it seems simple to use: just check it behind you and lean back. Our model raved about its comfort.

However, I’ve got an AndaSeat Phantom 3 with a similar pillow. In my experience, setting the pillow too low may curl your hips forward and distort your posture. That can lead to lower back tightness.

If that happens, raise your pillow a few inches higher than the seat. Instead of curling your hips forward, a slightly higher position will pressure your lower back curve instead.

Learn more: AndaSeat Phantom 3 Lumbar Pillow Best Practices

Frontier XL Headrest: For Reclined Positions

The Frontier XL headrest works the way ergonomic office chair headrests do. Most are not depth-adjustable — they’re only meant to support the neck while reclining.

When users set a deep enough recline (around 110° or more) gravity will pull their entire spine up against the backrest. Then, as they lean back, the headrest positions itself to support their neck. The Frontier XL headrest works a similar way.

When tall users sit upright, the Frontier XL headrest will fall away from their neck. Then, like most ergonomic office chairs, lumbar-powered support will provide the primary means to maintain good posture.

Gaming Office Chair Chair Definition

Standard (non-ergonomic) office chairs are bad for your back. Desk workers suffering pain or lethargy in a standard chair will enjoy a massive upgrade with a Frontier XL.

Like an ergonomic office chair, the Frontier XL has adjustable features that promote healthy sitting postures. In both cases, adjustable lumbar support, adjustable arms, and a reclining backrest form the primary support.

However, the Frontier XL exceeds a typical ergonomic office chair on several fronts:

1. A deeper, more versatile 90-160° recline range (suitable for everything from desk work to napping).
2. Easily adjustable lumbar support across all recline ranges.
3. Full back support for your entire spine while reclining.

This gives us a solid ‘gaming office chair’ definition. That is: a full-back ergonomic desk chair with an executive design, adjustable lumbar support, and headrest meant to support reclined positions only.

Related: Gaming Chairs Vs Office Chairs Compared: Using 2023 Ergonomic Standards

Frontier XL Likes And Dislikes

Within a ‘gaming office chair’ context, the Frontier XL performs like a high-end chair. It offers good lumbar support, premium 4D arms, and office chair-style relined neck support.

Two other highlights deserve mention. The first is its thick 65 kg/m³ padding. This is the same density as Secretlab’s ultra-firm Titan Evo gaming chair foam.

But despite having the same padding density, Anda’s premium seats are softer. These come with an extra layer of cotton padding on top of the foam. The result is a squishy feel with firm underlying support.

The second noteworthy feature is its PVC leather. While most brands upholster chairs in PU leather, Anda deploys its own special blends of PVC leather. This stuff is thicker than PU and almost indestructible.

I’ve tested Kaiser 3 and Phantom 3 versions in tropical climates. The breathability of both has been superb. I’ve noticed no clamminess or heat buildup over long sitting sessions.

For executives working in a shared office, the toughness of this material feels reassuring. It’s stain resistant, decently breathable, and easy to keep clean with a damp rag.

Summary of Pros And Cons

After a week of testing, we found nothing to complain about with this chair. Everything seems carefully designed to give tall guys a supportive, office-style sitting experience.

Pros

• The thick 65 kg/m³ padded seat is very comfortable
• Ultra-tough yet supple PVC leatherette
• The lumbar pillow is effective and easy to use
• The neck support style will please office chair fans

Cons

• Has narrow appeal (for tall, slim guys only)
• Has a standard (not multifunction) seat tilt mechanism.

Frontier XL Vs Other AndaSeat Chairs

In 2023, Anda Seat offers three featured gaming chairs. The Phantom 3 is the cheapest, with the most basic features. The Kaiser 3 is the most expensive. I’ve got both here at ChairsFX HQ.

The Frontier XL Series fits between these premium and affordable extremes. Read this Anda Seat Gaming Chair 2023 Collection Review to see how each model compares.

Browse Chairs @ AndaSeat.com

Conclusion: Superb Gaming Office Chair

Across America, companies are now pressuring workers to return to the office. Those who find non-ergonomic desk chairs waiting for them should look up OSHA seating standards.

OSHA safety standards demand that an office chair have the necessary features to support good posture. Without ergonomic support, mental and physical performance can suffer.

Guys taller than the national average of 5’9″ have an extra card to play. While sitting, taller spines work back muscles harder. Without support, musculoskeletal dysfunctions are more likely when tall users sit full-time.

With these facts laid out, the AndaSeat Frontier XL is an easy sell to HR Departments trying to coax workers back to the office. For one thing, it is designed to support good posture for tall men.

For another, it has an office-friendly design in two ultra-tough PVC leather variants. On top of that, it’s affordable. Given its price, rugged build, sleek looks, and healthy support, HR managers will struggle to resist the logic of buying one for every tall desk worker forced back to the office full-time.

Frontier XL As A Work-From-Home Desk Chair

Those who haven’t yet been summoned back to the office will find the Frontier XL chair’s versatility a lot more useful at home. While doing desk work, it provides similar support as an ergonomic office chair.

But within the confines of your home, its versatile 90-160° recline comes in really handy. Beyond desk work, you can adjust your chair to support watching videos, reading, mobile computing, and even napping!

Bottom line: the Frontier XL is a solid gaming office chair for tall guys. It supports upright desk work like an office chair, with the deep recline versatility of a gaming chair. Recommended for sizes 5’8″ and up wanting an office-style design.

Frontier XL from Anda Seat $399.99

Related review: Best Anda Seat Gaming Chairs Of 2024 Compared