There aren’t many differences between what you’d need for a good office chair versus a good gaming chair, but for some reason, they’re often marketed differently. And that’s usually what separates them: marketing. When Branch released variations of the WIRED-favorite Ergonomic Chair Pro in collaboration with Sega, I was stoked to try it from a gamer perspective for our buying guide rather than from an office warrior POV. It checks every box: It has the comfortable ergonomics you’d expect from an adjustable office chair, with the subtle, pleasing designs inspired by one of gaming’s most revered companies.
Looks Good
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
This Sega collaboration comes in three aesthetically pleasing designs that pay homage to the company’s icons. The Sonic version has a mesh back, while the Genesis and Dreamcast versions have vegan leather instead. I tested the Dreamcast version, and I love the way it looks. It has iconic wheel designs inspired by the controller, plus a slick orange stripe on the armrests that harkens back to the console’s swirly logo.
Assembling furniture continues to be one of the most frustrating parts of reviewing gear, but I aim to do it the same exact way a WIRED reader might: by myself with copious amounts of swearing. In this case, the experience actually wasn’t that bad. The box it ships in should be lifted by two people, unless you’re like me, who goes to the gym and lives alone with a cat. I managed all 50-ish pounds up the stairs and assembled it in about an hour. I especially liked the labeled bolt packaging, and the included Allen key, which was sturdy and much better than you’d typically find in a furniture package. Instructions weren’t too difficult, nor were any of the pieces particularly cumbersome.
I am slightly concerned that my Dreamcast version is a white gaming chair, while the other two designs are darker. I wear a lot of dark clothing and eat a slightly above-average amount of spicy chips, so staining and ease of cleaning will be two things I look for during long-term testing. In the meantime, I will just cross my fingers that my cat doesn’t take too much of a liking to it and that I don’t absentmindedly drop too many Cheetos crumbs.
Feels Better
There’s a bit of a learning curve when adjusting the ergonomics. With 14 adjustment points, from lumbar support to seat tilt and depth to multiple armrest planes, it can be painstaking to dial everything in just right. But once you figure out the knobs and levers, it’s beyond easy to lock in a position to game (or work) for hours at a time. The included headrest wasn’t perfect for me—though it is adjustable, it doesn’t lower or move forward enough for my 5’ 1” frame. Otherwise, I stayed very comfortable in this chair. The Ergonomic Pro is compatible with Branch’s tall cylinder, which you may want if you’re 5’ 11” or taller.
Photograph: Louryn Strampe
