Gaming chair vs office chair, in short: an office chair is usually the better pick for an eight hour workday, because the better ones let you adjust lumbar support, armrests and tilt to your body, often with a breathable mesh back. A gaming chair suits people who recline often, like a headrest and a bold look, or want one seat for both work and play. Either way, judge each chair by its listed adjustments, not its label.
Below we break down how the two designs differ, who each one suits, and how real chairs we sell compare on paper.
Gaming chair vs office chair: how the designs differ
Seat and back shape
The classic racing style gaming chair has a tall back with side bolsters (the “wings”) and a bucket shaped seat that holds you in place. A task style office chair usually has a flatter seat with a rounded front edge and a back contoured to the spine. OSHA’s computer workstation guidance says the backrest should conform to the natural curve of your spine and that the seat should be padded, with a rounded “waterfall” edge, and wide enough for most hip sizes. Bolsters feel snug, but press on your thighs if you sit wider than the seat.
One honest note: the chairs labeled gaming chairs in our current range are not wing back racing seats. Two are cow print chairs with pillows, 2D arms and recline, two are glam faux fur armless chairs, and one is a tuxedo style faux leather chair. They show how loosely “gaming chair” gets used.
Lumbar pillow vs adjustable lumbar
Gaming chairs typically ship with a loose lumbar pillow and a headrest pillow held by straps. It is easy to move but can slide. Office chairs more often build the support into the backrest, sometimes with a height or depth adjustment. OSHA recommends lumbar support that is height adjustable so it fits your lower back. A pillow can do that job if it stays put; a built in adjuster tends to stay where you set it.
Recline and tilt
Gaming chairs lean into recline, sometimes with a pop up footrest for breaks. Office chairs focus on tilt tension and a tilt lock so you can work upright or lean back slightly while typing. OSHA calls for a backrest that reclines at least 15 degrees from vertical. Most of our listings say “tilt” or “recline” without giving an angle, so ask us if that matters to you.
Armrests
Many gaming chairs use 2D arms that move up and down and pivot. Office chairs range from fixed arms to flip up arms and fully adjustable ones. OSHA says armrests should be soft, rounded, large enough to support most of your forearm and small enough not to block you from pulling in to the desk. Armless chairs, like the faux fur models below, slide fully under a desk but give your arms nothing to rest on.
Materials: PU leather and velvet vs mesh
Gaming chairs are mostly PU leather (faux leather), velvet or other upholstery over foam. These feel plush but trap more heat than mesh, which breathes well in warm rooms. Our office chair guide covers mesh, leather and fabric in more depth.
Footprint and looks
Gaming chairs tend to be taller and wider, with bold colors or prints. A high back with a headrest pillow can pass 49 inches tall, which matters in a small room or under a shelf. Office chairs usually blend into a home office or video call background more quietly.
Gaming chairs and office chairs we sell, compared
Every figure below comes from the product listing on our site at the time of writing. “Not listed” means the listing does not say; call us and we will ask the maker.
| Chair | Type | Price | Material | Lumbar | Arms | Tilt and recline | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeRoots Pink and White Cow Print Gaming Chair With Footrest | Gaming | $349.99 | Velvet, memory foam seat | Lumbar pillow plus headrest pillow | 2D (height, pivot) | Tilt, recline, tilt lock, pop up footrest | 250 lb |
| Benzara 42 Inch Swivel Office Gaming Chair | Gaming | $256.67 | Vegan faux leather | Not listed (contoured padded back) | Adjustable | Not listed | Not listed |
| HomeRoots Ivory and Black Faux Fur Gaming Chair | Gaming | $139.99 | Faux fur, 26 in wide seat | Foam padded back | Armless | Tilt, tilt lock | 250 lb |
| HomeRoots Gray and Black Mesh Executive Office Chair | Office | $564.99 | Mesh seat and back | Adjustable, plus headrest | 2D (height, sideways) | Recline, tilt tension, tilt lock | 280 lb |
| HomeRoots Black Executive Office Chair | Office | $214.99 | Faux leather and polyester | Built in | Flip up, padded | Tilt, tilt lock | 300 lb |
| LeisureMod Angel Mesh Office Chair | Office | $168 | Mesh | Adjustable lumbar dial | Fully adjustable | Synchro tilt, upright lock | Not listed |
| Benzara Sely Rolling Office Chair | Office | $150.27 | Double layer mesh back, gel memory foam seat | Not listed | Not listed | Tilt | Not listed |
What the listings tell you
- The cow print chair is the closest thing we carry to a full featured gaming chair: pillows, 2D arms, recline and a footrest. The black, white and pink cow print version is listed at $289.99 with the same seat height range (20 to 23.5 inches) but no footrest. That seat range starts fairly high, so check it against your desk.
- The gray mesh executive chair is the most adjustable chair in the table, with adjustable lumbar, a back that raises independently of the seat, 2D arms and a headrest.
- The HomeRoots black executive chair has the highest listed capacity here, at 300 lb, and flip up arms.
- Several listings skip capacity or adjustment details. Do not assume; ask us.
Who each type suits
Choose an ergonomic office chair if
- You work at a desk most of the day and mainly type, read or take calls.
- You want lumbar support and arms you can fine tune rather than pillows.
- Your room runs warm and you prefer a breathable mesh back.
Choose a gaming chair if
- You split time between work and gaming or streaming and lean back often.
- You like a headrest and a footrest for breaks.
- The look matters to you and the chair is part of the room’s style.
Whichever you choose, fit comes first. Our guide on how to choose an office chair walks through seat height by body height and desk pairing, and the big and tall office chair guide covers weight ratings, seat width and heavy duty parts. Our desk dimensions guide covers desk height and knee clearance.
Best desk chair for back pain: what to look for
No chair treats back pain, and we cannot tell you which chair will help yours. What you can do is pick one that adjusts to support a neutral posture: lumbar support you can position at the hollow of your lower back, a recline you can lock, arms that let your shoulders relax and a seat that lets your feet rest flat. By that measure, either type can work if it has those adjustments. If you have ongoing or worsening back, neck or leg pain, see a doctor or physical therapist before relying on a new chair.
Frequently asked questions
Is a gaming chair or office chair better for long workdays?
For most desk work, an adjustable office chair, because built in lumbar, adjustable arms and a mesh back are more common. A gaming chair with similar adjustments can work just as well.
What makes a chair an ergonomic chair?
Adjustability. OSHA’s guidance lists a backrest that follows the spine, height adjustable lumbar support, at least 15 degrees of recline, a padded waterfall seat, soft armrests and a five leg base with casters suited to your floor.
Are gaming chairs good for back pain?
Some people like the recline and lumbar pillow, but no chair is a treatment. Ask a doctor or physical therapist what to look for.
Are mesh office chairs cooler than PU leather gaming chairs?
Generally, yes. Mesh lets air through, while PU leather and velvet over foam hold more heat.
Need help choosing?
Browse more HomeRoots chairs or read our guide to buying designer furniture online. For specs that are not listed, call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight; below that, shipping is a $200 flat rate. For returns, see our return and refund policy.
