AKRacing Core Series EX Gaming Chair Review

Rating: 8.5.

As gamers and office workers we spend so much time at our desks and in front of screens – so whether we like it or not, having a comfortable, supportive and affordable chair is going to be mission one for most of us. AKRacing’s Core Series is their entry-level model of gaming chair, combining affordability and comfort, but will that be enough to get you to part with your cash?

AKRacing has been around since 2001, so it is safe to say they’ve built up a bit of experience when it comes to making a gaming chair, and the Core Series looks to be a good starting place if you’re looking to buy your first gaming seat. Priced at £240 as well, it’s certainly far from the most expensive gaming chair we've seen.

I'm happy to say building this out of the box wasn’t too difficult, the instructions are nice and clear, and overall there aren’t a huge amount of parts to get stuck with. So, if I can build it with ‘moderate’ effort, you should be fine. The chair is very comfortable, it doesn’t feel cheap and the polyester upholstery is firm to the touch.

The accents with the coloured stitching are a nice detail as well, and overall I don't think it looks like an entry-level gaming chair, it's overall aesthetically very pleasing. And if red and black isn’t your thing, there's also plain black or black and blue models available.

I should also mention, when it comes to gaming chairs (and many other things in life), one size doesn’t fit all which is why the Core Series has four different models. The first being the EX which you can see here, but there are also the EX-wide, SX and LX models – they all vary in size and upholstery material.

The biggest issue I had was with the chair height. I’m 5’7 and at the maximum height setting my feet could still touch the ground, so I would’ve preferred a bit more range between the maximum and minimum height settings. I also don’t find the seat to be too deep, but this may be more of an issue the longer your legs are.

There aren’t any bells or whistles attached to this chair, however, because AKRacing is clearly targeting the lower end of the market with its Core Series. In fact, the company does 100% of the design and manufacturing in-house and uses high-quality materials like durable steel for the frame. Unlike some of their competitors, too, they offer a five-year warranty on the parts and a ten-year warranty on the frame. Compared to others who may offer just a one or two-year warranty, that’s a nice bonus at this price.

Here are some other features you might find interesting:

• Ergonomic design with head and lumbar pillows for adjustable support
• Highest grade upholstery materials for comfort and durability
• Steel frame for extended life
• The seat has high-density cold cured foam for long-lasting enjoyment
• 180-degree recline with variable tension rocking function for personalised seating position
• 3D armrests to set to your preference
• 330 lbs (149 kg) weight capacity to fit a wide range of body types
• Tilt lock
• Gas lift class 4
• Five-year warranty on the parts
• Ten-year warranty on the frame

You can view the whole range of models from the Core Series EX on eBuyer HERE. The all-black model will set you back £230, while the black-and-red model I reviewed today is priced at £237.

Pros:

• Easy to assemble with clear instructions.
• Fairly comfortable.
• Feels sturdy.
• Long warranty on parts and frame.
• Price.

Cons:

• ‘Bucket’ seat design, not best for long sessions.
• Maximum height isn’t all that high.
• Additional lumbar support is very rigid and not very comfortable.

KitGuru says: Let's face it, it's not the most premium looking chair out there, but for £240 it's comfortable, sturdy and would certainly look pretty good in your Twitch stream if that’s what you’re into. Overall, it's a good solid gaming chair that won’t break the bank, with a nice long warranty too, so happy days.

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