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 became frustrated with how poorly it handled the heat. Then came back pain when I started working remotely (just before the pandemic). One of my first purchases during the pandemic was a proper office chair, as I spent over eight hours at my desk. Lo and behold, the back pain slowly disappeared after a few weeks.
This sparked my interest in trying office chairs; Since then, I’ve tested over 50 models, from active seats to Herman Miller. An office chair is better than a gaming chair in almost every way: they often have more adjustments you can make to customize the chair to your body; They generally 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 any less popular. They’re the seat of choice for many creators and streamers, and something many gamers seem to crave to complete their gaming battle station. So here we are with the Razer Iskur V2.
I went into this review process knowing that Iskur wouldn’t fix some of the issues I initially had with the gaming chair I sat in for many years, but I tried to keep an open mind. The verdict after a month of sitting on it? Alright! I would not choose the Iskur V2 as my WFH throne, but if you don’t want an office chair, it’s probably the best gaming chair out there.
big and tall
Assembly was pretty quick and easy, like many of the office chairs I’ve tested, and the necessary tools are included in the box. I initially thought the installation instructions were missing, but it turns out they’re on the back of a giant sheet of paper, which is the first thing you’ll see when you open the box. You can also scan a QR code to see the assembly video on youtube.
The construction materials are good – I tried the PVC-free faux leather model (the black and green version), which feels well-built with durable stitching. There is also a fabric model that is only available in gray. My initial impression after moving the Iskur V2 from my living room to my upstairs office was that it is heavy and bulky, plus the wheels 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, and takes up the most space.
Photography: Julian Chokkattu
It’s black with some neon green details and looks quite stylish; Most gaming chairs tend to have eye-catching designs. I still don’t like the design of the racing seats; I really prefer the look of office chairs like the ones branch verve, Steel box emoteand Herman Miller embodies to this bulky and thick Iskur, but that could 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 sag like some chairs. The seat was also wide enough for my frame; however, you can’t adjust the depth of the seat (you can ( (I didn’t take the seat out at all.) This meant I had no room for alternative sitting positions; I couldn’t sit with one leg folded under the other, which I did. can do in the Embody and the Haworth Fern I am currently testing.