9 Best Gaming Chairs for Neck Pain

It’s common for many gamers to underestimate the importance of having an ergonomic gaming chair with a headrest. We forget that a gaming chair is more than a place to sit rather than just a cool piece of furniture to have in your gaming space. 

Ergonomic gaming chairs help to support good posture and keep you comfortable for long hours of gaming. Specifically, most people forget to consider the headrest component of a gaming chair. Neck pain is generally caused by prolonged straining of looking up or down. Thus, an adjustable headrest serves as a visual cue to keep your head upright and helps to relieve tension in your neck.

In this article, we’ll discuss the best gaming chairs for neck pain and tell you what factors to look for when you’re in search of a gaming chair. Let’s get started! 

The Best Gaming Chairs for Neck Pain

• Secretlab Titan Evo – Best Overall
• Herman Miller Aeron – Premium Pick 
• NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Value
• GTRACING Gaming Chair – Best Under $200
• Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Under $300
• DXRacer Tank Series – Best for Heavy People
• Vertagear PL6000 – Best for Big and Tall People
• Steelcase Leap v2 – Best Fabric
• RESPAWN RSP-110 – Best with Footrest

Secretlab Titan Evo – Overall Best Gaming Chair for Neck Pain

Read our full Secretlab Gaming Chairs Review

There’s a reason the Secretlab Titan has become the leading manufacturer of gaming chairs. The Titan Evo provides an array of impressive ergonomic features to keep you comfortable and supportive. 

Rather than a clunky strap-on headrest pillow, the Evo uses a magnetic memory foam headrest. With its custom embedded magnets, players can slide it up or down. Not to mention, the memory foam padding slowly compresses when pressed, helping you to receive pressure points in your neck. Inside the pillow, there is a cooling gel to prevent your head and neck from getting too hot or sweaty. 

One of its most prominent features is its L-ADAPT, a lumbar support system that can adjust in, out, up, and down. Adjusting by height helps to align the support into the curve of your spine, thus keeping your back upright and preventing slouching. The in and out adjustment lets you control the firmness of the support. The Evo contains plenty of other adjustments like seat height, back recline up to 165 degrees, 4D adjustable armrests, and more. 

Pros:

• Magnetic memory foam relieves pressure points in your neck and has a cooling gel infused to keep you cool
• Adaptive lumbar support is adjustable in, out, up, and down to prevent back pain
• The backrest reclines up to 165 degrees, which helps to unload spinal pressure 
• Available in three upholstery options 
• Cold-cure foam padding helps to provide pressure relief and distributes your weight evenly for maximum comfort 

Cons:

• Unable to rock backrest back and forth 

Herman Miller Aeron – Best Premium Gaming Chair for Neck Pain

Read our full Herman Miller Office Chairs Review

The Herman Miller Aeron is perhaps the most ergonomic chair you’ll find. Its design and construction steer away from conventional materials. 

The Aeron’s most prominent feature is the 8Z pellicle mesh material, an elastomeric weave that stretches across the chair. This weave has varying levels of tension. The mesh feels incredibly forgiving and responsive to even the smallest micromovements. By eliminating the pressure, it helps to improve circulation in your body.

Another unique feature is their patented PostureFit SL, two individually adjustable lumbar pads to support your lower back and spine fully. These pads will flex based on your movements to ensure you’re always being supported. One pad is designed to provide cushioning for the sacrum and the other for the lumbar. 

Although the Aeron doesn’t come with a headrest, users can purchase it as an add-on. The headrest matches the ergonomics of the Aeron. It uses a fully mesh support to prevent sweating, and users can adjust the headrest as needed. Tilt the headrest by angle or toggle with the height to ensure your head is positioned optimally for good posture. 

Pros:

• Three sizes of chairs to fit people of all body types
• PostureFit SL posture pads are individually adjustable to support the lower back and base of the spine
• Breathable mesh keeps you cool and prevents sweating
• 8Z pellicle mesh uses elastomeric suspension for optimal weight distribution and alleviates tension from sitting
• Herman Miller provides a 12-year warranty 

Cons:

• Quite an expensive chair 

NeueChair by Secretlab – Best Value Gaming Chair Chair for Neck Pain

If the Aeron is out of your price range, the NeueChair by Secretlab is an excellent alternative. It features a unique NeueMesh material made of three layers of mesh by combining DuPont yarn and polyester fiber. As a result, it’s flexible for long hours of sitting yet strong enough to prevent any abrasions.

Like the Aeron, the NeueChair offers users a headrest as an add-on. The headrest simply clamps onto the top of the chair, and users can tilt it by angle or adjust the height for optimal comfort. 

With the NeueChair, you won’t have to bend over to make adjustments to your chair awkwardly. This chair offers ControlShift levers under the armrests. Squeeze the left lever to adjust the back tilt and squeeze the right lever to alter the seat height. 

For gamers looking to optimize peak performance, NeueChair offers a focus mode setting where the backrest pushes forward into your lumbar, and the seat pan slides back. As a result, you’re snugly fit into the chair, allowing you to achieve optimal focus and productivity. 

Pros:

• NeueChair headrest add on is height and angle adjustable for maximum ergonomics
• Intuitive ControlShift levers are strategically placed under armrests for easy access
• Lumbar support is height and depth adjustable to help you achieve perfect posture 
• NeueMesh material feels soft and smooth on the skin and is ideal for long hours of usage 
• Focus mode setting slides backrest forward and slides seat pan back for optimizing productivity 

Cons:

• Not ideal for people looking for gaming chairs with padded seat cushions 

GTRACING Gaming Chair – Best Gaming Chair for Neck Pain Under $200

Read our full GTRACING Gaming Chairs Review

GTracing has been around for quite a while and is best known for providing affordable gaming chairs. The GTracing gaming chair is designed with compact dimensions ideal for slim adults of average height. For students or people who are budget-conscious, these chairs are easy-to-use and durable. 

Like most gaming chairs, this chair has two external pillows: a headrest and a lumbar pillow. The headrest pillow serves as an external cue to keep your posture upright. Furthermore, the lumbar pillow is designed to fill the curve in your spine. Without the pillow, there won’t be support for your lower back. With these two pillows, having a healthy posture becomes much easier. 

GTracing also provides many other ergonomic adjustments, such as a backrest that can recline up to 170 degrees. Players can tilt and choose the back angle that suits their needs. The deep recline allows gamers to take a nap after a long gaming session. 

The seat uses high-density anti-collapse foam padding for enhanced durability and comfort. The high-density foam ensures that the foam padding retains its structural integrity for a long time and prevents deformities. In addition, the foam helps to dissipate pressure and provide comfortable seating. 

Pros:

• Extremely affordable gaming chair 
• Available in nine color options
• The backrest reclines up to 170 degrees allowing gamers to take a nap
• External lumbar and headrest pillows promote good posture 
• Anti-collapse sponge and PU leather provide a supportive and soft feeling for comfortable sitting 

Cons:

• Pillows aren’t built it meaning they are less adjustable 

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair – Best Gaming Chair for Neck Pain Under $300

Duramont is a popular mid-priced chair with lots of features to enhance comfort and ergonomics. The chair features a tall mesh backrest and headrest. This ensures that you’re fully supported in your upper back, shoulders, and neck. The headrest can be adjusted by angle and height for comfortable positioning. 

Its mesh material is contoured and provides maximum airflow to the seat. As a result, you’ll be cool and sweat-free the entire day. 

The seat features a soft and thick seat cushion with a sloped front edge to eliminate the pressure on the back of your legs. Unlike most gaming chairs that use leather upholstery, the Duramont seat is fitted with an outer mesh material, making it ideal for comfort and cooling. 

Some players prefer more control over the lumbar support. Gaming chairs with lumbar pillows can be too bulky. The Duramont has a lumbar support system that allows users to adjust the height and depth. Simply use the knob in the back of the chair to increase or decrease the firmness. 

Pros:

• The headrest is height and angle adjustable to prevent straining your neck 
• Elastic mesh is comfortable to sit on and provide ventilation to keep you cool
• Integrated lumbar support is height and depth adjustable to keep your spine aligned 
• W-shape seat cushion and high resilience foam padding helps to alleviate pressure in the seat
• The chair supports up to 330 lbs 

Cons:

• Only reclines up to 120 degrees

Read our guide on the Best Gaming Chairs Under $300

DXRacer Tank Series – Best Gaming Chair for Heavy People with Neck Pain

Read our full DXRacer Gaming Chairs Review

Most gaming chairs just weren’t designed for heavy folks. They have compact dimensions and a low weight capacity. As a result, you’re left feeling cramped, restrained, and uncomfortable. The DXRacer Tank Series is designed specifically for heavy people. Its dimensions are a few inches wider and taller, providing extra wiggle room to move around and stretch. 

This chair can support up to 400 pounds and has a recommended height of up to 6’6” tall. The Tank Series incorporates dense and contoured foam padding along with PVC leather for a soft and durable seating option. PVC leather is known to have stronger and more layers to the upholstery compared to PU leather. 

It’s also important to feel secure and stable while sitting. The Tank Series is constructed with a strong aluminum base to withstand extra load and a heavy-duty tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism has a built-in locking system to ensure tilting feels smooth and secure when the user is in a reclined position. 

Lastly, this chair features many adjustments, such as 4D armrests, a reclining backrest, and adjustable seat height. Having an adjustable armrest helps to support your forearms and elbows and prevent excessive straining in the wrists. 

Pros:

• Tank Series supports up to 400 lbs and people up to 6’6” tall
• U-shaped headrest pillow helps to provide additional head, neck, and shoulder supportThe high-density contoured foam helps to dissipate pressure points for enhanced comfort 
• PVC leather is more durable than standard PU leather 
• Heavy-duty tilt mechanism and reinforced metal base keeps you feeling safe and sturdy while reclining 

Cons:

• The backrest only reclines up to 120 degrees 

Check out our guide on the Best Gaming Chairs for Heavy People

Vertagear PL6000 – Best Gaming Chair for Big and Tall People with Neck Pain

Read our full Vertagear Gaming Chairs Review

Spending endless hours in a chair that isn’t fitted for your body size can be extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant. For a big and tall person, sitting on a regular-sized chair can mean that the headrest or lumbar pillow doesn’t fit you properly. 

The Vertagear PL6000 is best suited for big and tall people. It’s designed for people between 5’9” to 6’8” and supports up to 350 pounds. Compared to other gaming chairs, the PL6000 has larger dimensions and more durable construction. It’s constructed with a steel frame to hold more weight and has a 10-year warranty on the frame. The aluminum alloy base provides structure and stability while you sit, so you feel secure at all times. 

When it comes to ergonomics, the Vertagear PL6000 doesn’t lack in that department either. It has a large-sized headrest and lumbar pillow to correct bad posture and keep you upright. Even as you recline, your spine and neck will still remain aligned. 

Users can also benefit from the tilt lock mechanism, where they can choose between any back angle from 80 degrees to 140 degrees. Most chairs start at 90 degrees; however, the PL6000 can lean forward slightly, giving you a more active seating posture. In fact, sitting forward places less stress on your back and keeps you in a position designed for optimal focus. 

Pros:

• PL6000 supports up to 350 lbs and serves people between 5’9” to 6’8”
• Chair dimensions are wider and taller, giving you extra wiggle room to move around
• Ultra-premium high resilience foam handles 62% more pressure and weight than standard foam
• PUC combines the durability of PVC and the softness of PU leather for the perfect upholstery 
• It comes with a headrest and lumbar pillow to promote a healthy posture 

Cons:

• Headrest support is only height adjustable

Check out our guide on the Best Gaming Chairs for Big and Tall People

Steelcase Leap v2 – Best Fabric Gaming Chair for Neck Pain

There are many reasons why the Steelcase Leap V2 is continuously rated among the top in terms of ergonomics. Our favorite aspect of the V2 is the fabric upholstery and its flexibility to adapt to movement. 

The buzz2 fabric is a multi-layer fabric material that is designed to support comfort and breathability. It’s top layer fabric is a lightweight mesh to allow air to flow inside of the seat. The middle layer blends in with the top layer, and the final under-layer provide extra cushioning. 

Its most distinguishing feature is the LiveBack technology featured in the backrest. It flexes and bends based on your spinal shape and movement. As your spine changes shape through movement, the backrest will adapt to provide continuous support to your back. Thus, it promotes changing positions and remaining active while you sit. 

Like other chairs like the Aeron, the Steelcase Leap V2 offers a headrest as an add-on accessory. The headrest is padded with a soft cushion along with a breathable fabric material. This keeps your head and neck comfortable and cool. 

Pros:

• Armrests are 4D adjustable to support arms and prevent straining your shoulders and neck
• LiveBack technology flexes to your spine shape and movements 
• Buzz2 fabric offers multiple layers to provide breathability and cushioning
• Adjustable headrest supports good posture and prevents neck pain
• Passive seat edge increases circulation that would normally be cut off under your thighs

Cons:

• Quite an expensive chair 

Check out our guide on the Best Fabric Office Chairs

RESPAWN RSP-110 – Best Gaming Chair for Neck pain with a Footrest

Read our full RESPAWN Gaming Chairs Review

What feels better than kicking up your feet while playing your favorite video games? The RESPAWN RSP-110 separates itself from other chairs because it features an extendable padded footrest. A footrest improves circulation, which reduces the numbness aches from keeping your legs static for long periods. 

The ergonomics don’t stop there. Its backrest can recline up to 155 degrees, allowing you to take naps during your breaks. Reclining back combined with resting your feet will relieve a lot of pressure from your spine and legs, thus preventing most pain associated with sitting down. 

RESPAWN RSP-110 also features plenty of padding to eliminate any pressure buildup in your back, coccyx, or hips. Even the armrest has padding to alleviate more pressure from your neck and shoulders. And the chair has external lumbar and headrest pillows to promote proper posture. 

Pros:

• Padded footrest helps to alleviate numbness aches from keeping muscles static for long periods 
• Armrests are 4D adjustable, meaning your forearms can achieve the optimal position for support and comfort 
• Padded headrest and lumbar pillow keep your posture upright effortlessly
• Armrests are padded for extra comfort
• Available in many cool racing theme colors 

Cons:

• Bonded leather isn’t the most breathable material 

Check out our guide on the Best Gaming Chairs with a Footrest

How to Choose the Best Gaming Chair for Neck Pain- Complete Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to finding the best gaming chair for your needs, it is important to consider a wide range of factors such as build quality, ergonomics, comfort, headrest, weight capacity, and price. We’ll discuss the most common types of features or materials you’ll see and how to choose the one right for your circumstances. 

Materials and Build Quality

A chair’s build quality measures its durability and how well it can hold up to daily stress. We often look at a chair’s frame, base, foam padding, and upholstery.

We recommend a chair with a steel or aluminum base and frame. That’s because they are the strongest available materials that hold the most weight. Avoid materials such as nylon or plastic. 

Foam padding should have been constructed through a cold-cure process and should have a high density. Cold cure foam is the process of molding the foam padding into a specific shape. The air pockets inside of foam are dispersed across the foam, thus promoting a spring-back effect.  As a result, it maintains the structure and prevents deformities from occurring for a long time. 

Most gaming chairs use a type of leather. Although PU leathers are found in the cheapest gaming chairs, they are usually the least durable. They may experience cracks after a few years. In contrast, PVC and PUC leather use additional layers of stabilizers and lubricants to ensure better resistance to abrasion. 

Ergonomics

Ergonomics for chairs often refers to the chair’s ability to keep your posture in a healthy position. When looking at ergonomics, we will evaluate the adjustments that a chair can make. The more adjustable a chair is, the more ways users can customize their position for optimal posture.

Look for adjustments such as seat height, armrests, height and depth adjustable lumbar support systems, headrest adjustments, back angle, and seat depth. The seat height, armrest, and seat depth allow you to align your chair so that your feet are planted on the ground while remaining eye level to your computer screen. Also, your arms are in an optimal position to use the keyword without straining your wrist. 

Lumbar support helps to fill the gap between the chair and your lower back. The spine has a curve in the lumbar area that is prone to change from an S shape to a C shape. The C shape is when the lower back hunches forward. Thus, lumbar support should be height and depth adjustable. Depth adjustability controls how much the support protrudes outward based on your preferences and spinal shape. Height adjustability helps to align with your spine. 

Lastly, the back angle gives users the ability to change positions as needed. Changing positions helps prevent static muscles from becoming numb and building up too much pressure in one area. For example, when you recline backward, it helps to off-load some of the pressure places in your lower back, thus reducing back pain. 

Headrest

The headrest is often an afterthought when it comes to searching for a gaming chair. However, a headrest can serve as an external cue and reminder to keep your head upright when gaming. With the headrest, most people tend to hunch their backs or scrunch their shoulders forward. As a result, pain in the lower back and neck may ensue. 

The headrest provides soft and flexible support that can relieve some of the tension points in your neck. For example, the Secretlab Titan Evo uses memory foam padding, which decreases pressure in your neck and allows better circulation in the neck and head. As a result, you’ll feel less pain and more energy. Not to mention, Evo’s headrest has a cooling gel-infused for better thermoregulation, so you stay cool at all times. 

Comfort (seat comfort, back comfort, arm comfort)

When evaluating a chair’s comfort, you can look at the seat, back, and arm comfort. These three components will make a big difference in your seating experience. 

Most gaming chairs will use foam padding or mesh material for the seat. A foam padding should have high-density or high resiliency to help alleviate pressure in your hips and coccyx. They also provide medium firmness. A seat that is too firm can feel too hard, and one that is too soft will have your sink in too deep and affect your posture. In contrast, a mesh seat should be flexible and not too rigid. 

As far as back comfort, the chair should have lumbar support and a back that reclines. Lumbar support ensures your spine is aligned, which prevents back pain. Keeping lumbar supported also relieves the surrounding back muscles from having to maintain a proper spinal curve. A reclining back relieves tension in your back as well. Some chairs like the Steelcase Leap V2 have a flexible back that bends and adapts to your movements. If you shift left or turn your back slightly, the back will provide equal support to that area. 

Armrests should be comfortable and able to adjust in four dimensions. This means you can adjust them forward and backward support by height left and right, and rotate them on an axis. An armrest serves to support your forearms and elbows while preventing any strain in your arms or wrists. Also, they relieve the stress that would otherwise be placed on your shoulders and neck. 

Weight Capacity

Weight capacity is typically tied to the construction and build quality of a chair. The stronger the materials that are used, the more weight a chair can hold.

For example, the DXRacer Tank Series and Vertagear PL6000 are made with heavy-duty construction. Both feature a steel frame and five-star aluminum base with reinforced metals for added support. These chairs have wider dimensions as well to handle more weight. 

High-density foam padding is used to withstand heavier loads without losing shape. Even the use of PVC or PUC leather has higher abrasion resistance to prevent wear and tears. 

Price

Not everyone can afford to purchase the most luxurious gaming chair in the market. That’s why manufacturers produce chairs in many price ranges to fit your budget. For college students or beginner gamers, you may want an entry-gaming chair that is affordable and easy to use. This includes chairs like the GTracing gaming chair and RESPAWN RSP-110. They offer basic features and adjustments you need to sit comfortably. 

Consider chairs like Duramont, NeueChair, Vertagear PL6000, or DXRacer Tank series for mid-priced options. These chairs have higher quality upholstery, improved construction, and better adjustability. If you can invest in a premium chair, we advise you to get the Herman Miller Aeron or Steelcase Leap V2. 

These chairs offer dynamic and innovative ergonomics. For example, they have features that adapt to your movement so that the chair will flex and bend to support you as you move. Also, their upholstery is more flexible, which eliminates pressure buildup. 

Recap of the Best Gaming Chairs for Neck Pain

Gaming Chair for Neck Pain	Best For
Secretlab Titan Evo	Best Overall
Herman Miller Aeron	Premium Pick
NeueChair by Secretlab	Best Value
GTRACING Gaming Chair	Best Under $200
Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair	Best Under $300
DXRacer Tank Series	Best for Heavy People
Vertagear PL6000	Best for Big and Tall People
Steelcase Leap v2	Best Fabric
RESPAWN RSP-110	Best with a Footrest

Conclusion

Poor posture over a long duration is a recipe for disaster. That’s why you should pick a chair that makes sitting down comfortable and provides the support you need to prevent health problems. A strained neck could leave you sore for weeks. 

Investing in a high-quality chair with an adjustable headrest can prevent appointments to see the chiropractor or physical therapist. Not to mention, keeping your neck upright also promotes better spinal alignment. Out of our list, the Secretlab Titan Evo tops our list. But if you have certain needs such as better breathability or a more heavy-duty construction, we’ve got other chairs on our list that may suit you. We hope our gaming chairs guide has helped you in your process of finding the perfect gaming chair.