Gaming at your desk can be a bit of a compromise as far as comfort is concerned. Using a keyboard and mouse requires a certain dedication to ergonomics that often throws comfort to the wind in the interest of avoiding repetitive stress and back injuries. But that doesn’t mean your gaming desk has to be a rigid, uncomfortable space with no room to settle in and get cozy. A gaming chair with a footrest can provide a bit of that couch-style comfort at your desk without having to give up good ergonomics.
GTRacing Gaming Chair
This chair from GTRacing comes in a variety of colors and has a robust feature set for its price category. Like most racing-style chairs it features a 90-150 degree incline, adjustable height, adjustable arms, and both a lumbar and neck pillow. The new version also features a Bluetooth speaker built into the back of the headrest with a 16-hour battery. And with a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds, it should be suitable for a wide range of needs. And, of course, it has a foot rest that folds completely under the bottom of the chair when not in use.
Neo Chair Gaming Chair
If you’re a fan of themed gaming accessories, then the Neo Chair is a solid, affordable, footrest-equipped alternative to the likes of Secretlab and their line of licensed chairs. Neo Chair offers a few different themed variants, from Marvel’s Eternals to individual characters such as Deadpool and Captain America. It features lumbar and neck pillows, steel frame, a high-density foam cushion, and fully adjustable arm rests. The footrest is the extendable kind that comes out on rails and stows underneath the chair when not in use. The Neo Chair supports a maximum of 300 pounds and features an ample 22-inch seat depth.
SITMOD Gaming Chair
This chair from SITMOD uses fabric in lieu of the much more common PU leather that many competitors opt for. While it means a slightly less premium look, the fabric is much more durable and long-lasting than even the highest-end PU leather. So even after many years you won’t find any flaking or tearing from normal use. It features a retractable footrest, lumbar and neck pillows, and a high 400-pound weight limit.
POWERSTONE Gaming Recliner
If you’re after more than just a desk chair with a footrest attachment then the POWERSTONE gaming recliner might be what you’re after. It’s a full recliner design complete with a cup holder, swivel base, a storage pouch, and neck pillow. The chair reclines and the footrest is lever-activated, making it quick and convenient to use. But where this chair really shines is the built-in massage system. In the backrest are four zones and the chair includes a multi-function remote for setting modes, strength, and timers. While it’s a bit more challenging to fit a gaming chair like this at a desk, it’s not impossible thanks to the swivel base. And if you’re after a solid gaming chair for sitting in front of your TV then it’s a fantastic choice.
Related: Best Gaming Chairs under $100
Scalebear Adjustable Footrest
There’s a good chance you already have a high-end ergonomic chair that you’re just looking to add a footrest. If that’s the case then picking up a highly adjustable footrest like this one from Scalebeard might be the best of both worlds. It features a removable top cushion, massage bumps on the foot platform, gear adjustment for different heights, and a 120-pound weight limit. The adjustable tilt combines with the adjustable height to create an adjustment system that allows you to dial in exactly the kind of leg or foot support you’re after. And the non-slip pads along the bottom ensure that they won’t slide away from you under your desk during use. It’s a great, versatile option that you can add to any sitting situation to add some much-needed support.
Proper desk posture dictates that we should keep our feet flat on the floor and our backs straight while working, but anyone who has ever had a multi-hour gaming session will tell you that sitting that perfectly straight will cause some serious fatigue. Being able to relax a bit can be as therapeutic as maintaining proper posture.
For more hardware guides check out Best Floor Gaming Chairs and 5 Best Fabric Gaming Chairs on Pro Game Guides.
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Justin is a retro and PC gaming enthusiast with a passion for emulation, benchmarks, and comparing controllers. You can usually find him installing Linux for the umpteenth time or exploring old DOS games.