I have, perhaps, a deep-seated distaste for gaming chairs. I bought one in 2016, got tired of the race-car-seat-like design, and grew frustrated at how poorly it managed heat. Then the back pain came as I began working remotely (right before the pandemic). One of my first pandemic purchases was a proper office chair since I spent more than eight hours at my desk. Lo and behold, the back pain slowly disappeared after a few weeks.
This launched my interest in testing office chairs—I have since put my behind on more than 50 models, from active seating to Herman Millers. An office chair is better than a gaming chair in almost every way—they often have more adjustments you can make to personalize the chair to your body; they typically do a better job of keeping you cool with breathable materials; and they usually have better back support. But that doesn’t make gaming chairs less popular. They’re the seat of choice for many creators and streamers, and something many gamers seem to yearn for to complete their gaming battle station. So here we are with the Razer Iskur V2.
I went into this review process knowing the Iskur would not right some of the problems I initially had with the gaming chair I sat on for many years, but I tried to keep an open mind. The verdict after a month of sitting on it? It’s OK! I wouldn’t choose the Iskur V2 as my WFH throne, but if you do not want an office chair, it’s probably the best gaming chair around.
Big and Tall
Assembly was fairly quick and easy, like many of the office chairs I’ve tested, and the tools you need are included in the box. I initially thought the installation instructions were missing from, but it turns out they’re on the back of a giant piece of paper, which is the first thing you’ll see when you open the box. You can also scan a QR code to watch the assembly video on YouTube.
The build materials are nice—I tested the PVC-free faux-leather model (the black-and-green version), which feels well-constructed with durable stitching. There’s also a fabric model that’s available only in gray. My initial impression after moving the Iskur V2 from my living room to my office upstairs was that it’s heavy and bulky, plus the casters don’t roll well on hardwood floors. Seriously, I have seven office chairs in my room right now (send help), and the Iskur is the tallest and widest, taking up the most space.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
It’s black with some neon-green accents and looks quite sleek—most gaming chairs typically have flashy designs. I still don’t care for the race-car-seat design—I genuinely prefer the look of office chairs like the Branch Verve, Steelcase Gesture, and Herman Miller Embody to this bulky, thick Iskur, but that might also be my back holding a grudge.
The Iskur V2 has a wider backrest than its predecessor. I’m 6’4″, and it fits my wide shoulders perfectly; the corners don’t dig in as on some chairs. The seat was wide enough for my frame, too; however, you cannot adjust the seat depth (you can’t pull the seat out at all). This meant I had no room for alternative sitting positions—I couldn’t sit with one leg tucked under the other, something I can do on the Embody and the Haworth Fern I’m currently testing.