Staples Vortex Bonded Leather Gaming Chair, Black/Gray, 2-Pack

So I finally bit the bullet and ordered these Staples Vortex Gaming Chairs – got the 2-pack in black and gray because my brother’s been needing one too. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much at this price point, but wow, these chairs are actually pretty solid!
First impression right out of the box? These things look way better than in the pictures. The black and gray combo with those contrast stitches gives them this kinda sleek, modern vibe that doesn’t scream “I’m a hardcore gamer!” like some of those overly flashy chairs do. They’re honestly nice enough that I wouldn’t feel weird having one in my home office for Zoom calls.
Size-wise, they’re pretty generous – the seat is about 22 inches wide and 18.6 inches deep, which is plenty of room for me (and I’m not exactly a small guy). The height adjustment works really well too, going from around 18 to 21.6 inches, so it fits perfectly with my desk setup. My old chair was always either too high or too low, so this is a major upgrade.
The comfort factor is where these chairs really shine though. The lumbar support is built right in, and I can definitely feel the difference after those marathon Elden Ring sessions that used to leave my back killing me. The padded headrest is a game-changer too – kind of cradles your neck just right when you’re grinding for hours. The foam cushioning throughout is firm but not hard, if that makes sense? Supportive but still comfy.
One thing I absolutely love are the flip-up arms. They go from about 28 to 32 inches in height, and you can just flip them out of the way when you want to scoot closer to your desk or get in and out easier. To be fair, my last chair had fixed arms that were always getting in the way, so this feels like a luxury.
The mobility is pretty good too – those five wheels roll super smoothly on my hardwood, but they also work fine on the area rug without tearing it up. The chair holds up to 275 pounds according to the specs, which seems about right – feels really sturdy.
Setting it up wasn’t bad at all. The instructions were straightforward, and they included all the tools and stuff you need. Took me maybe 30-40 minutes for the first one, then like 20 for the second once I got the hang of it.
I’ve had cheaper chairs before that started squeaking or wobbling after a few months, but these feel like they’re built to last. They meet some fancy standards (ANSI/BIFMA or whatever), and they come with a 7-year warranty, which is pretty reassuring.
The bonded leather is holding up well so far – easy to wipe down when I inevitably spill my coffee during early morning gaming sessions. It’s not as plush as my friend’s $500 chair, but for the price? Not bad at all.
I’ve been using mine for both gaming and work-from-home days, and it transitions between the two perfectly. The tilt lock is super handy – I can keep it upright when I’m working and then recline a bit when I’m watching YouTube or playing more casual games.