If you're looking for a new computer or desk chair, there are a ton of options. Maybe too many options.
You can pick up something cheap from Target, go into an Office Depot and get something professional and ergonomic, or order something online with a distinct gamer flair.
There are pros and cons to all of these, obviously, but sometimes you can mix and match the best parts of those into one product. That's where the Vertagear SL5000 comes in, which is still definitely a gaming chair, but with some nicer ergonomic features and a design that you can probably put in your office that won't embarrass you on Zoom calls.
Did they succeed? Don't worry, we sat in one for a couple weeks for you. Let's dig in and find out.
Design
- Fun design that's not over the top
- Multiple color options
- Comfortable material
Let's talk about that design. Vertagear sells this particular model in a couple different colors and designs, including the dark blue and yellow we reviewed, plus some more plain black ones with single color accents or camo. It's really not egregious, and aside from the small yellow stitching, it pretty blends into the background like a standard office chair would.
The shape is certainly a little more gamer-y and sticks to the racing chair design that most manufacturers are going with. You get a lot of support with this design, including lumbar and neck supports plus some useful arm rests, but even with a plain color option don't expect to disguise this as something from Staples.
It's a pretty fully featured design, however, which is adjustable in all kinds of ways. You can lean forward and back and adjust the height of the chair, and the armrests are completely adjustable. Left and right, up and down, inward and outward, you name it.
The chair is made of synthetic faux leather that combines the durability of PVC and the comfort and cleanability of PU leather. All things considered, it does a very good job of hitting on all those points. It's soft and padded enough to stay comfortable, and aside from being kind of a dog fur magnet, it's quickly cleaned with a soft cloth and a bit of water.
Vertagear also sells an RGB expansion kit that slots into the headrest of the chair and will let you really make your chair match your setup, at the expense of some extra wires. We weren't able to test this, but if that's something that interests you, I think you'd know without seeing it in person.
Quick assembly
- Easy to assemble
- Included support pillows
Good news if you've ever been traumatized by an Ikea dresser, the SL5000 boasts quick and easy assembly and that's probably the most true thing in any of their marketing. The box includes just a few pieces, and there's maybe a dozen screws that actually need to put in. Just about everything else pops in with very little effort.
Put the wheels in the base, slot that into the actual seat of the chair, and place the back of the chair on Vertagear's unique mounting mechanism. All in all, you can get this knocked out in 15 minutes.
The SL5000 also includes two pillows, one for lumbar support and one for your headrest. These also strap to the chair so they stay put and add a little extra comfort, which is a nice bonus.
Comfort
- Comfortable and ergonomic
- Highly adjustable
But most importantly, is the SL5000 comfortable? Can you get your work down without destroying your back over several hours?
Yeah, generally this is a very comfortable and simultaneously ergonomic chair, but you do want to get it set up properly. The chair itself does a good job of supporting your back and keeping you straight, and if you need it the lumbar pillow will help you keep your posture proper to avoid those back aches after a long gaming work session. Ditto for the headrest, which can alleviate neck strain if used properly, and you don't need a separate pillow for these to take advantage of it.
Having a versatile armrest is similarly great for typing posture and minimizing your risk of developing carpal tunnel or just general wrist soreness. It can adjust to most desk sizes to keep your typing angle correct, and being able to adjust it left and right and inwards can keep you from accidentally slumping your shoulders while working.
Yes, these are definitely great ways to play Call of Duty for hours, but we do genuinely appreciate that it can be used to work effectively, too. Hitting that balance is key.
Worth it?
At $399, Vertagear is competing in the midrange of chairs. You can certainly get something a bit cheaper (even if you're looking for a gaming chair) and you can obviously spend much more if you're chasing some really high end office supplies.
But for the price Vertagear seems to have struck a solid middle ground with the SL5000. It'll manage to fit in both in an office or in front of some RGB lights, and it's comfortable and ergonomic to boot. The material seems pretty durable, too, which scores another couple points.
It's not perfect, and padding the arm rest or adding a footrest could improve the value of the chair, but this one's worth checking out if you're in the market.
Vertagear SL5000 | $399 | Amazon, Vertagear
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