Ergonomics, comfort and style. What’s not to like?
We’ve seen and sat on a fair number of computer, workstation and gaming chairs in our time, some of which have been constructed from rich Corinthian leather or boasted a fascinating array of technical additions. One thing we have learned in that time, there’s more to a computer chair than just a list of features.
Our backsides have had the pleasure of testing the Nitro Concepts E200 Race Gaming Chair this past week, a significant step up from the classic ‘executive’, faux leather model we’ve been using for the last few years.
The E200 is a sports-look, racing car type chair that stands a maximum height of 132cm, with a height adjustment of 47cm to 57cm. It has a good wide seating area measuring 51cm which pads out at the sides to accommodate your hips and waist and its 49cm depth is equally capable of proving comfortable for a user of six foot or under.
The back rest is quite tall measuring around 80cm and terminates with a padded headrest. There’s a gentle curvature for the lumbar region, through lumbar vertebrae segments L5 to L1, which complements the side pads and forces your sitting position into a more ergonomically approved posture. Whether you’re leaning slightly forward o back against the headrest, the lumbar support does an excellent job of keeping your spine in the perfect position.
The chair can swivel a full 360º and features a backward tilt of 15º. However, you’re able to lock the recline position, with this being spring loaded and constantly pushing against the user as they recline. To some degree we really like this, as it again forces you into a more ergonomic and correct seating position and lessening any chance of adopting a lazy seating setup.
The arm rests are oddly directly connected to the back rest of the chair, as opposed to a more traditional combination of both the back rest and seating area. They’re perfectly sturdy enough to use to help you raise or lower your weight, but the first few goes feel a little unsafe – especially if you’re used to a solid arm rest.
The E200 is constructed from a high quality faux leather-look polyurethane, with a selection of coloured, string-like trims available. The colouring extends into the outer sections of the arm rests and a section in the chair’s wheels; it’s subtle enough to be a stand-out feature while not too overbearing. There’s also a Nitro Concepts badge stitched directly into the headrest and you get a stick-on hard plastic badge to place on the rear of the headrest – or anywhere else you like.
Judging a computer chair is a very personal thing; what is comfortable to one person, isn’t so for another. However, we’re confident saying that the Nitro Concepts E200 is by far one of the most comfortable chairs we’ve ever used. The padding throughout is firm but giving enough to support our sixteenplus stone weight without any problems and we’re pleased to find that the non-leather material doesn’t get too hot over long use.
The Nitro Concepts E200 is currently available from Overclocker UK for either £142.99 or £149.99, depending on the colour options. While it may seem a little steep for a chair and it lacks some of the USB connectivity and audio extras that some gaming chairs offer, it’s a wonderfully comfortable and capable chair. David Hayward
Although a bit expensive, this is a fantastic computer chair.