Gaming accessories are just one of many markets that underpin the wider gaming industry and highlight the great interest and potential within it. Obviously, investing in a gaming chair depends on a few factors – but for those who have reached this crossroads and are now deciding whether or not to fork out the money on one of the most popular accessories in the business, is it actually worth it? Are they overrated? Do they match certain types of games better than others? Let’s explore.
Playing Like The Pros
For many gamers, gaming chairs are not just about the comfort of a chair; they’re about getting into the feel and mindset of some of the world’s top video gamers. Even as little as 20 years ago, accessories like gaming chairs were reserved for those in small corners of the gaming world and those who could afford them.
However, as the video gaming world exploded into the digital realm and turned a hobby into a potential profession for the first time, those who play video games competitively wanted to ensure they were giving themselves the best possible opportunity to maximize their results.
Professional video gaming has become such a colossal subdivision within the gaming industry that it has led to hugely successful global sectors, including betting markets that cover the top eSports tournaments.
For some of the most popular eSports games like Valorant, gaming chairs are more than worth the money if you compete at the top level. Betting on Valorant doesn’t capture just how big the market is, with tournaments selling out arenas worldwide. As more gaming fans access eSports betting markets and even more want to turn gaming into their full-time job, it’s no surprise that the gaming accessories market is propped up by such enormous demand.
Comfort & Time
The two main aspects you should look at are comfort and time. Some in the industry argue that a good gaming chair is a perfect investment. While that is definitely the case if you are a professional gamer or spend dozens of hours a week playing a game, there is a cost-efficiency argument for those who might not have as much time during the week to sit down and play video games.
The biggest CS2 tournaments of 2025 have enormous potential, and you’ll see all of the top names sitting in the best gaming chairs in the world. Many of these custom-made designs are worth tens of thousands of dollars. For professional video gamers who could spend around 100 hours a week playing video games and get paid millions of dollars for doing so, this is an obvious investment, given how much they’re getting back in terms of wages, comfort, and time spent playing video games.
Is It Worth It For The Average Gamer?
Sorry to break the bad news to you, but the chances are you fall into the category of average gamer. This means you won’t have some of the big eSports teams sliding into your DMs offering lucrative pro video gaming sponsorship deals and getting some of the highest-spec gaming accessories and merchandise delivered to your door for free.
Many gaming chairs cost between $50 and $100, so if you sit on a couch or a standard chair, playing games, even if it’s just a couple of hours a day, it will probably be worth it. I mean, even if IKEA launched their gaming chair range, there’s definitely a market and an affordable angle to consider seriously.
They can help with comfort and posture and enhance your gaming experience. So, if the other option is to sit and slouch on an uncomfortable couch or bean bag, then investing some of your funds in a gaming chair could make your gaming experience a little more relaxing.
Final Say
I wouldn’t say gaming chairs are overrated if you have the disposable income to get one and a passion for gaming. Again, the higher you go up this scale, the more you can get better custom fits. They have better designs and comfier fits, and some gaming accessory companies will even tailor your specifications to ensure they can optimize your experience.
So, if you enjoy racing games like Gran Turismo or F1, you can get a wheel and a gearbox to accompany your gaming chair. If you’re sitting around playing NFL, the chair on its own will be fine. If you’re playing Counter-Strike 2, some players opt for gaming chairs that can incorporate VR and other types of accessories, so it really depends on the type of gaming genre you’re most drawn to.
Although other accessories can complement a solid gaming chair, it boils down to time for me, which is the main factor. Even if you play a game with a dozen accessories and can afford it, is it worth having a gaming chair if you only use it for a couple of hours a week? To each their own, I suppose, but unless it’s a hobby you care passionately about, it might be easier to stick to the couch, as I do.