Before switching to the DXRacer Craft series gaming chairs, I had been using a comfortable office chair called the Steelcase Leap. It felt like sitting on a plastic lawn, and the DXRacer chairs didn't seem like an upgrade in any way other than the stylish new design that is the big draw of this new series. However, despite its appearance, the entire time I sat there, I kept thinking about the many hours I spent sitting in my old chair.

But then something happened. I don't know if I've adjusted to the shape of the chair, or if the chair itself has adjusted to me after a few hours of use, but I've now reached a point where I don't want to go back.The DXRacer craft series is not an extremely cushioned chair. It's a stable chair, designed to help you maintain a healthy posture even if you sit at your desk for hours a day. And it works.

I don't think the new DXRacer series has transformed my life, but it has helped me understand what a solid gaming chair does. It doesn't have to be as comfortable as you think it should be. It's rigid enough to make you actively aware of how you're sitting, so you can readjust when your posture inevitably becomes uncomfortable.

The true test of this chair came when I played 60 hours of "The Elden Ring" (and many hours after writing the review). Even during very long gaming sessions, as in From Software's open-world game, there was no discomfort. The chair could be tilted slightly backward, which softened the time I spent exploring the game, and when it came to boss fights, I could tilt it up and focus on the screen in front of me. I never once felt like my body naturally wanted to stand upright unless the chair was supporting my body in some way. And no matter how many hours I sat there, I never felt any part of my body ache.

The design of the DXRacer Craft series is similar to our favorite gaming chairs: 4D armrests, lumbar support, removable head cushion, and two paddles to adjust height and recline or not. Everything works smoothly and without any glitches or creaks. The lumbar support in particular is a nice feature that my previous chair did not have. I can adjust it as much as I want and it doesn't feel like it's going to break. That said, none of the features are the kind of thing you adjust once and leave as is, but it is nice to have the option if you play an instrument that requires a lot of arm room, for example.

The headset is perhaps the only part of the DXRacer Craft series that is oddly lacking. It attaches to the chair head and slides up and down for adjustment. Compared to magnetic cushions like the Secret Labs Titan Evo 2022, the DXRacer's headrest looks haphazard. When in use, the memory foam and cooling gel conform to the back of the head to keep it cool, but it does not look neat, even though the chair is supposed to be aesthetically pleasing in this case.

The chair itself is covered in PU leather (polyurethane leather). I do not find this material particularly uncomfortable, especially the foam padding inside, but in my limited testing time it is difficult to determine exactly whether it will peel or crack after prolonged use. This is a real concern if you want your gaming chair to stay clean for years after purchase, as other gaming chairs made of the same material tend to do this as well. In general, you want something that will last longer, like a mesh fabric.

PU leather adds to the look of the chairs, and the DXRacer Craft series offers several unique visual designs to choose from, in addition to being solid gaming chairs. They range from a yellow rabbit design to an intricately embroidered koi carp pattern design in gold and black. None of the designs really ring a bell with me personally, but from what I have received, they are very well made. The design offers a creative chair option that is a departure from the tired futuristic gaming aesthetic offered by many other brands, including DXRacer. There's even a pink option, so you don't have to wait until it's available; if there's anything worth praising DXRacer for, it's their willingness to give chairs a choice.

At $469, the chair is in the higher price range of our favorite chairs. Without the mesh fabric and magnetic headset, this price is a bit high compared to competitors. However, for those who are tired of gaming chairs with similar designs, the design options are great, although a bit basic.

Secretlab's Titan Evo 2022 series offers more color options, including branded looks like the League of Legends Jinx design Secretlab is the better chair, but the DXRacer Craft series is not that Not bad.

To me, the Secretlab design is more subtle. I'm not necessarily interested in a gaming chair getting attention; I'd rather get functionality and longevity added to the design. However, I applaud the effort that DXRacer has put together a set of designs that are far more unique than the other chairs in the line offered by DXRacer.