Today, we advance to the next level of gaming. As a gamer, one thing I never want to sacrifice is comfort. Losing my focus due to a shoddy chair giving me back pain isn’t in the cards. In today’s world, we have chairs made just for us. Are you torn between different gaming chairs? It can be hard to choose just one or pay a fair price for one. You are now entering my expert guide on choosing the best gaming chair under $300.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about chairs in this price range in just minutes. Instead of spending hours or days researching chairs, save yourself some time for what really matters, gaming.
Below, I share the top 5 chairs currently on the market under $300, reviews of each model, and the all-important pro & cons of owning them. When I put together my lists of pros & cons, I identify positive and negative trends according to owner reports. This way, you know exactly what you’re getting into before you buy a chair. First, let’s unveil the chairs and check out an overview of each model.
Chair | Specs |
#1) DXRacer Racing Series |
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#2) AKRacing Core EX |
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#3) X Rocker Pro Series H3 |
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#4) RESPAWN 900 Racing Chair |
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#5) KILLABEE Big and Tall |
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#6) Dowinx Gaming Chair |
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Best Gaming Chair Under $300 Reviews
Well, that was fun, right? I bet you’re already excited to get your new chair. Compared to shopping for gaming chairs in the under-$200 range, I like the chairs in the under-$300 class a lot more. Just one step up the ladder leads to better brands, longer warranties, better materials, and chairs that simply last longer. Along with those advantages, you also get a much more comfortable chair in this range.
One reason I chose DXRacer and AKRacing chairs as my top picks is the materials. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of PU leather, but I can live with it if needed. The DXRacer and AKRacing chairs both feature fabric that breathes and is less likely to cause excessive sweating. On top of that, it’s unlikely to crease, and it gets more comfortable as you break it in rather than less comfortable.
Below, I share individual reviews of each of the chairs in the chart above along with the pros & cons according to current owner reports. The pros & cons will make your buying decision easy-peasy.
#1) DXRacer Racing Series (OH/RW106/N)
DXRacer is one of the more trustworthy and well-known gaming chair brands, and they make seriously awesome chairs. When you invest in a DXRacer chair, you know you’re going to receive a work of art. The chance of quality control issues drops dramatically because DXRacer doesn’t cut corners on its manufacturing processes and standards.
Instead, the company builds its chairs to stand the test of time. It’s the reason the company can offer a lifetime warranty on its frames and 2-year on parts. Sure, you can save 100 bucks by choosing a similar chair, but you may need to buy one annually once the fabric gets mutilated in year one.
My favorite feature of the DXRacer OH/RW106/N is the high ergonomic backrest designed to support the entire spinal column. This chair is an excellent choice for gamers of all heights. The one drawback is the low recommended max user weight of 180 lbs.
Compared to other chairs on the market, this is quite low and a bit of a bummer. However, if you fall below 200lbs and 6’1″ (the max limits in the specs), this is the first chair to check out in the under $300 range.
Other Highlights
- Fully-Adjustable 3D Straight Arms
- Nylon Five-Point Base
- Includes bonus headrest & lumbar cushions
- A larger backrest than the Formula Series (F-Series) chair
Below are the pros and cons I found reported by owners in the DXRacer OH/RW106/N reviews:
- Comfort comparable to ergonomic office chairs that cost $1000
- Amazing back support
- Approved for marathon gaming sessions of up to 15+ hours
- The height-adjustable neck pillow makes the chair even comfier
- High-quality caster wheels that roll smoothly
- Top-notch craftsmanship, a night-and-day difference compared to budget gaming chairs
- Loved by people who work at a desk for long hours every day
- Approved by users up to 6’1″ and 175 lbs
- Awesome adjustability to customize it to your liking
- Too firm for some users
- You may desire more lumbar support
- Not a good choice for big & tall folks
#2) AKRacing Core EX (AK-EX)
If you haven’t noticed already, AKRacing vs DXRacer is a showdown to see who can make the best racing-style gaming chair for the best price. At the time of this writing, the AK-EX costs less than the OH/RW106/N, and it offers some additional features that are worth a look.
The first of those features is the max recline angle of 180º. There aren’t many gaming chairs on the market that recline a full 180º, and of the ones that do, this one is my favorite for the money. The second consideration is the materials. The AK-EX chair cover is all fabric, while the OH/RW106/N features both fabric and PU leather along the sides. If you want to avoid PU leather altogether, the AK-EX is the better choice.
Like DXRacer, AKRacing offers one of the best warranties in the biz with its 10-year warranty on the frame and 5-year on parts. It’s hard to ask for more in this price range. Another key element is the higher load capacity of 330lbs compared to the 200lb rating with the OH/RW106/N chair. Larger users will be happy to know that this chair features a state-of-the-art Class 4 gas lift for ultimate support & reliability.
I’m a big fan of the AKRacing story as well. The company began back in 2001 as a true automotive racing seat manufacturer. This means, when you invest in an AKRacing gaming chair, you get true racing engineering features. That’s just cool and a major selling point for people who like to buy from legit companies.
These are the pros & cons I found reported by owners in the AKRacing AK-EX reviews:
- Recommended by users who like to rock a lot, reported no wobble between the seat and cylinder
- Easily one of the most comfortable gaming chairs on the market
- Breathable materials that stand the test of time
- A very sturdy base
- Easy assembly
- Approved for long gaming sessions of 6+ hours without discomfort
- The ability to recline a full 180º is pure awesomeness
- Dense padding that holds its shape
- Great adjustability
- Pet hair can stick to the fabric
- You might feel that it’s too stiff
- The 330lb load limit may be an overestimate
#3) X Rocker 51259 Pro H3
Are you a fan of rocking gaming chairs? If you’re anything like me and you are, this is a really awesome chair for the money. It offers some features that the other top chairs in this guide don’t, such as internal speakers. These aren’t just run-of-the-mill speakers that disappoint either.
In total, there are 4 speakers and a 4″ subwoofer. On top of that, there are internal vibrating motors that sync with the subwoofer to get your body rocking during intense gameplay or even while watching your favorite action movie.
Compatibility is another key selling point. The 51259 is compatible with all the most popular systems including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo. The only real downfall here is that the speakers aren’t Bluetooth, which would make this chair that much better. The Audio Force Modulation (AFM) tech does somewhat make up for the lack of Bluetooth by magnifying the sound quality and upping the quality of every gaming session in the chair.
The chair itself sports an ergonomic design with an extra-comfy headrest and ample lumbar support. The stabilizing armrests are a nice touch, and they are removable. Lastly, I really like the foldable frame that makes the chair easy to store.
Biggest Drawback: A 90-Day Warranty
Here are the pros and cons I found reported by owners in the X Rocker Pro H3 reviews:
- High-quality materials with good stitching
- Some of the best audio quality you’ll find in a gaming chair
- The rumbling seat feature makes the gaming experience more immersive and fun
- Extremely comfortable
- The armrests are solid and sturdy
- Positive reports after 3+ years of use (stands the test of time)
- Both kids and adults love it, makes a great gift
- Super easy to get up and running out of the box
- No Bluetooth
- Wireless transmitter runs on batteries
- You might not like the armrests
#4) RESPAWN 900 Racing Chair (RSP-900)
There’s somewhat of a love/hate relationship going on with the RSP-900, but the people who love it, like really, really love it. If you happen to be one of its lovers, then it could easily be the best gaming chair under $300 for you.
The obvious advantage here is the chair is a hybrid mix of an actual recliner and a racing-style gaming chair. There aren’t many hybrid chairs on the market of this caliber, and I respect RESPAWN for taking the road less traveled instead of sticking to the norm.
Several of the features that I like most are the independent operation between the back recline & footrest, the extra-comfy segmented padding, the built-in cup holder (obviously), and the fact that the chair still manages to swivel 360º while being a recliner.
One drawback is the max recline angle of 135º. This chair would be so much better if it went back at least 155º considering it’s built to be a recliner. The final highlight is the long warranty period with a 2-year warranty on the chair material.
Below are the pros & cons I found reported by owners in the RESPAWN RSP-900 reviews:
- Easy to assemble in about 30 minutes
- Built with a high-quality sturdy metal frame
- The chair definitely looks awesome in any setting
- The leg rest is A+ quality for long, comfortable gaming sessions
- Awesome neck support
- Comparable comfort to a real La-Z-Boy recliner
- The side bag for holding accessories is quite handy
- Doesn’t get too hot when sitting in it for long hours
- The onboard cup holder is legit
- Limited max recline angle (135º)
- The lumbar support may be lacking for you
- No height adjustment
#5) KILLABEE Big and Tall (8212)
As far as heavy-duty gaming chairs go, KILLABEE makes some of the best available, especially for the money. I’m a fan of most of the KILLABEE collection, and the Big and Tall models are where the company shines. You might have also heard of or seen VON RACER chairs.
KILLABEE is the company behind VON RACER, and both brands offer the same high-quality construction and materials. The 8212 is one step below KILLABEE’s most heavy-duty chair with a load capacity of 400 lbs. Of the 6 chairs in this guide, the 8212 is far and away the best gaming chair under $300 for big & tall gamers.
The seat depth of 20.5″ and width of 21.7″ are more than enough to accommodate most users. The backrest height of 33.5″ is longer than what you’ll find offered by most chairs. One new feature in the latest model that I like is the addition of memory foam in the seat and a lumbar pillow for added comfort.
The chair itself is fully adjustable with 3D armrests, a reclining backrest up to 155º, and even back pressure control. The only feature that could really make this chair better is a retractable footrest, which is something the Dowinx chair offers.
Here are the pros and cons I discovered in the KILLABEE 8212 reviews:
- A very sturdy build
- Adjustable 3D armrests work well and are great to have when using a mouse for PC gaming
- The chair helps to prevent slouching
- Great for people with tall desks
- Approved for marathon gaming sessions
- Easy-to-clean materials
- Highly recommended by tall users
- The memory foam makes the chair more comfortable than competing models
- The armrests may not be as sturdy as you want
- A couple of quality control issue reports
#6) Dowinx Gaming Chair
The final chair of the 6 is this masterpiece of a chair by the lesser-known Dowinx. I really like the vintage style Downinx pulled off with this chair using PU leather. Of all the chairs in this guide, this chair looks the classiest and appeals to my taste the most.
If you plan to buy a chair for both office and gaming uses, this is a tough one to beat for the money. One key feature this chair has that the other 5 don’t is a retractable footrest. When combined with the max recline angle of 170º and vibrating lumbar cushion, the retractable footrest takes comfort to the highest level. Just imagine how comfortable this chair is for watching your favorite TV shows and movies in addition to gaming.
The massage cushion uses a USB cable power supply, which is a lot more convenient than having to plug it into a wall outlet. The latest version of the chair features a Class 3 gas lift and XL PU caster wheels for a smoother glide and sturdier feel. Another feature you may enjoy is the Act-In-Chain armrests that allow you to customize the support for your elbows and wrists.
All in all, this chair is built for comfort first, features a couple of options that the other chairs don’t, and the vintage design is really cool. It also costs a good chunk less than DXRacer and AKRacing chairs.
These are the pros & cons I found reported by owners in the Dowinx reviews:
- Awesome, no-hassle customer service
- Recommended over the popular RESPAWN 110
- The footrest is sturdy
- Very comfortable materials and seat
- Approved for 6+ hours of gameplay without experiencing discomfort
- Users over 6′ and 200lbs dig it
- Clear instructions = easy assembly
- Thick padding on the armrests
- Very sturdy, no wobbling
- People with back issues may not like it
- The recline gear may feel clunky to you
- Some quality control issues reported
Bottom Line
Now you know how to choose the top gaming chairs under $300 and the top models currently on the market. Compared to the lower pricing tiers, I like some of the features that come into play in this tier. If I had to choose just one chair in this guide, I would go with the DXRacer or AKRacing models because these chairs are built to last and come backed by amazing warranties from legit companies.
A chair with more bells & whistles, such as a retractable footrest, isn’t always better since it’s the foundation & build of a chair that matters most. The fact that there are DXRacer and AKRacing chairs under $300 makes them worth checking out closely before you buy a chair in this price range. If you’re not fond of the racing-style design, the other chairs in this guide are definitely worth a look and rank as the best in their respective classes.
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