In the day and age of content creators, streamers, and hardcore gamers, gaming accessories have never been a bigger business. Not only is it a sign of status but having the best equipment to hand can prove the smallest difference in getting that latest skin, or clinching the title of the biggest world tournament. It’s no small exaggeration to say that the tools make the gamer, as much as the gamer’s skills, anyway. And this could not be any truer for gaming chairs. In this particular example, the ThunderX3.
The ThunderX3 CORE is a Budget Gaming Chair, But Not Budget Comfort
Gaming chairs can be incredibly expensive, and in rare cases, that price isn’t followed by the same level of quality. Straight off the bat, this is where the ThunderX3 bucks the trend. It’s not one of those over-the-top, ridiculously expensive chairs that’ll set you back a huge amount, but it still comes with some of the bells and whistles of the ‘high-end’ chairs.
Having been sent the ThunderX3 CORE – of which there are numerous options to choose from, color and fabric-wise – I was lucky enough to have the entirety of the Christmas period to check and test it out and put it through its paces.
First of all, the chair came as part of a two-box pack that when unpacked, was a cinch to put together. Not only are the instructions actually clear, but you’re supplied with all the tools needed to put it together, so instead of a headache, you’re sat down in comfort after a mere ten minutes of building. Ridiculously simple.
The second box also contained an armrest as a free gift, which all customers can take advantage of, and also can double as a footrest, although that may be my own invention, rather than a direct use of it. Either way, not only is it a nice touch, it’ll make you realize how badly you need it as it’ll work wonders on your posture.
On the topic of posture, the chair comes with the aforementioned arm/footrest and a headrest to boot. The synchronous tilting for the back and seat of the chair means you’ll feel fully supported, even when reclining, and the ergonomic nature of the chair means you’ll feel better having sat in it for hours. There’s not going to be many times when you feel you need to get up and stretch. The chair itself is also firm but not too hard, and comfortable, but far from ‘squishy’. Again, you’ll feel supported which for an item you’ll end up spending hundreds of hours in is an absolute must.
And this is where the ThunderX3 CORE excels. You could spend double and end up uncomfortable, as has happened to many of us in the past, or spend far less, and still find ultimate comfort in this product. It’s budget price – as gaming chairs go – but not budget comfort at all.
That’s not to say it doesn’t have a few issues, albeit small ones, because it does. Some of the chair’s various handles can be difficult to use without physically standing up and bending over to unlock/move, but that may change over time as they loosen. Whilst the chair itself is further reaching in quality than the price suggests, I found myself rearranging and moving my arms on the armrest regularly to find a comfortable position. Lastly, the chair may be made for those with a more hefty stature, promising to hold up to 150KG, but like many others, it isn’t optimised for someone of my height (6’8), but that is as much a me problem as it is anything else.
All-in-all, this is a chair you’ll be spending nearly four figures on, and that is very good. For it’s price, it’s arguably better than what you’d expect, when compared to other chairs in its category, and definitely knocking on the door of some of the ‘premium’ gaming chair competitors. A few small issues aside, you’ll do well to find a better-priced chair for what you’re getting.
8/10
The ThunderX3 CORE was sent to FandomWire for review by Overclockers UK.
Follow us for more entertainment coverage on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
