Vertagear is one of the better known names in gaming chairs, offering a few different lines and models, including a couple that work with RGB lighting kits. Today we're checking out the top model from their second line of chairs, opposite the SL5000 that we've already reviewed (and enjoyed).
This time we're taking a seat in the PL6000, which offers a slightly more structured design that might just fit in your gaming setup. Let's check it out.
Design
The most significant difference in the PL6000 vs the SL5000 is the slightly wider and firmer design. The chair still fits right in with the current gaming furniture aesthetic, but this time around we've got something that does actually seem more like an office chair than its SL-line counterpart. Kind of, at least.
Build quality is great across the board, with a heavy duty aluminum base, PU casters for smooth rolling, high quality resilient foam for the seat, and a steel frame for durability. It sits like a chair built to last, and I've had no issues with it over the last couple months.
Vertagear has also included two pillows, including a lumbar support pillow and a memory foam neck pillow. These are optional, so if one of them doesn't sit right with you they're very easy to take off, although they are designed to help keep your posture correct. Additionally, the chair features a very powerful gas lift for adjusting height, 4D armrests to control their angle, tilt, and height, and a very deep reclining back. However you like your chairs, you can make the PL6000 work.
We got to test the sharp blue chair, and it's bright. We had a much more muted blue SL5000, and though they both look good, this particular variant of the PL6000 is going to stand out much more. It's up to you if that's a good or bad thing.
Oh, and there's nowhere for a custom RGB LED kit with this chair. I don't think that's much of a dealbreaker, but beware that you'll only be able to use Vertagear's bottom LED kit for that here; you'll have to step down to the PL4500 if you want the specific compatible kit in a chair.
Assembly
Assembling Vertagear chairs is typically very easy, and the PL6000 is no exception. You really only have a couple parts, and the whole process shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes. You insert the wheels into the base, attach that to the seat, then slide the back into the chair and secure it with a couple of screws. You'll need the included Allen wrench, but that's about it.
This takes most of the hassle out of aligning the chair and needing a second person to square things away, hold something down while you drill in a screw, or anything like that. You'll have your old chair replaced in no time.
Comfort
The PL6000 is a stark contrast from its brother in the SL line. While they look similar, the PL6000 is much more firm, especially since its made out of Vertagear's resilience foam. They claim it's fairly close to memory foam and should have a prolonged lifespan, which may be true, but it's a sharp difference from the plush cloth of the SL5000.
This isn't a bad thing. Some people definitely prefer the stronger support that you're going to get here; if you need structure to keep your posture proper and your back from hurting, this one's going to fit the bill. If you slouch and lean a little more often in your chair, this chair might feel more uncomfortable than what you're used to.
But it's still an office/gaming chair, not a recliner that you should be sleeping in. I didn't get the same immediate relaxed feeling of squishing into a plush chair, but I had no issues sitting in the PL6000 for hours at a time with minimized back strain. I'd probably argue that this one's going to be a healthier pick for most people, and with its incredibly wide seat and highly adjustable back and arm rests, you can still tweak it to fit your body properly.
Worth it?
The PL6000 strikes a price point just a touch higher than the SL5000. Coming in at $499 (although with frequent discounts to $399) it's more expensive than the standard chairs you'll find at Target or Office Max, but with some slick color variants, great support, and adjustable options, it's a solid choice.
If you're set on Vertagear, whether or not you want this particular chair or its cousin in the SL5000 is going to come down to preference in comfort. While the PL6000 provides better, firmer support, the SL5000 has a very comfortable plush seat, and the option to add RGB support with Vertagear's LED kits. I'm probably in the SL5000 camp, but you can't go wrong either way.
