TechGamingGaming AccessoriesVertagear SL5000 gaming chair review: ergonomic comfort for work and playThe Vertagear Racing Series SL5000 hits the sweet spot between a great gaming chair and a cool desk seat, with ergonomic design, useful adjustability and a futuristic-professional look.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Vertagear)T3 VerdictThe Vertagear SL5000 is a comfortable, high-quality, ergonomically designed and attractive-enough option that can function as both a work and gaming chair. It outperforms its midrange price and seems well-constructed to last for years. The HygennX, which is exclusive to the Midnight Blue, is a value-add, but even without it the flagship model of the Vertagear S-Line is a very solid chair at a very solid price.Reasons to buy+High-quality materials and very comfortable+Great lumbar support and ergonomic design+Extremely adjustable and maneuverable+Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chairReasons to avoid-A bit bigger than some might need-Not as commanding as other gaming chairs-Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive-Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight BlueWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

TechGamingGaming AccessoriesVertagear SL5000 gaming chair review: ergonomic comfort for work and playThe Vertagear Racing Series SL5000 hits the sweet spot between a great gaming chair and a cool desk seat, with ergonomic design, useful adjustability and a futuristic-professional look.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Vertagear)T3 VerdictThe Vertagear SL5000 is a comfortable, high-quality, ergonomically designed and attractive-enough option that can function as both a work and gaming chair. It outperforms its midrange price and seems well-constructed to last for years. The HygennX, which is exclusive to the Midnight Blue, is a value-add, but even without it the flagship model of the Vertagear S-Line is a very solid chair at a very solid price.Reasons to buy+High-quality materials and very comfortable+Great lumbar support and ergonomic design+Extremely adjustable and maneuverable+Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chairReasons to avoid-A bit bigger than some might need-Not as commanding as other gaming chairs-Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive-Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight BlueWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

The Vertagear Racing Series SL5000 hits the sweet spot between a great gaming chair and a cool desk seat, with ergonomic design, useful adjustability and a futuristic-professional look.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Vertagear)T3 VerdictThe Vertagear SL5000 is a comfortable, high-quality, ergonomically designed and attractive-enough option that can function as both a work and gaming chair. It outperforms its midrange price and seems well-constructed to last for years. The HygennX, which is exclusive to the Midnight Blue, is a value-add, but even without it the flagship model of the Vertagear S-Line is a very solid chair at a very solid price.Reasons to buy+High-quality materials and very comfortable+Great lumbar support and ergonomic design+Extremely adjustable and maneuverable+Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chairReasons to avoid-A bit bigger than some might need-Not as commanding as other gaming chairs-Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive-Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight Blue

(Image credit: Vertagear)

Vertagear SL5000

(Image credit: Vertagear)

T3 VerdictThe Vertagear SL5000 is a comfortable, high-quality, ergonomically designed and attractive-enough option that can function as both a work and gaming chair. It outperforms its midrange price and seems well-constructed to last for years. The HygennX, which is exclusive to the Midnight Blue, is a value-add, but even without it the flagship model of the Vertagear S-Line is a very solid chair at a very solid price.Reasons to buy+High-quality materials and very comfortable+Great lumbar support and ergonomic design+Extremely adjustable and maneuverable+Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chairReasons to avoid-A bit bigger than some might need-Not as commanding as other gaming chairs-Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive-Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight Blue

T3 VerdictThe Vertagear SL5000 is a comfortable, high-quality, ergonomically designed and attractive-enough option that can function as both a work and gaming chair. It outperforms its midrange price and seems well-constructed to last for years. The HygennX, which is exclusive to the Midnight Blue, is a value-add, but even without it the flagship model of the Vertagear S-Line is a very solid chair at a very solid price.

T3 Verdict

The Vertagear SL5000 is a comfortable, high-quality, ergonomically designed and attractive-enough option that can function as both a work and gaming chair. It outperforms its midrange price and seems well-constructed to last for years. The HygennX, which is exclusive to the Midnight Blue, is a value-add, but even without it the flagship model of the Vertagear S-Line is a very solid chair at a very solid price.

Reasons to buy+High-quality materials and very comfortable+Great lumbar support and ergonomic design+Extremely adjustable and maneuverable+Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chairReasons to avoid-A bit bigger than some might need-Not as commanding as other gaming chairs-Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive-Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight Blue

Reasons to buy+High-quality materials and very comfortable+Great lumbar support and ergonomic design+Extremely adjustable and maneuverable+Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chair

High-quality materials and very comfortable

Great lumbar support and ergonomic design

Extremely adjustable and maneuverable

Sleek appearance that blends office and gaming chair

Reasons to avoid-A bit bigger than some might need-Not as commanding as other gaming chairs-Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive-Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight Blue

A bit bigger than some might need

Not as commanding as other gaming chairs

Separate RGB LED upgrade kit too expensive

Breathable HygennX only available with Midnight Blue

Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

Vertagear SL5000 deals

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After two years of working from home during the pandemic, alternating between sitting on stiff dining room chairs, a soft and almost sinking couch, and an old, undersized desk chair, I decided I needed a new chair.

The Vertagear Racing Series SL5000 hits the sweet spot between a great gaming chair and a cool desk chair, with outstanding ergonomic design, useful adjustability and a futuristic-professional look.

Well-made with high-quality materials, easy to assemble, extremely comfortable, sturdy, and subtly handsome, the SL5000 is the rare product that succeeds as a premium gaming chair while still looking good in a home office. And at a competitive price, it’s no wonder why the flagship model of Vertagear’s S-Line is one of the most popular gaming chairs out there.

The right gaming chair varies based on many factors, such as needs, features, budget and more. But I’m here to say that the Vertagear SL5000 is among thebest gaming chairs of 2022.

Now, let’s find out why.

(Image credit: Vertagear)

Vertagear SL5000

(Image credit: Vertagear)

Vertagear SL5000 review: design and setup

Vertagear claims its patented “Slide-in” hardware allows for quick and easy one-person assembly, and I’m happy to report that’s an undeniably true statement.

The SL5000 arrives in a big box but is far less daunting to build than you might fear for something that weighs more than 65 pounds and has dimensions of 33 x 28 x 15 inches. While large, the package is compact and includes everything you will need.

It’s fast and simple to put together, with just a few core pieces and about a dozen screws, and everything fits nicely, demonstrating the high-quality materials and intuitive design of the chair. After following just a few uncomplicated steps, I was sitting in my new chair in no time — however, if you do need help, there is an installation video from Vertagear for reference.

The bulk of the SL5000’s construction comprises a steel frame Ultra Premium High Resilience (UPHR) Foam, PUC synthetic faux leather, and an aluminum alloy base.

The Vertagear SL5000 can recline up to 140 degrees.(Image credit: Future)

The Vertagear SL5000 reclining backward

The Vertagear SL5000 can recline up to 140 degrees.

The Vertagear SL5000 can recline up to 140 degrees.

(Image credit: Future)

Crucial to the structure and stability of the chair is the five-star base that’s fabricated with aluminum alloy and is lightweight but strong. And attached to the base are motorsports-inspired Penta RS1 casters, engineered to be carefree and coated with polyurethane for smooth moving on any surface.

The racing-style gaming chair comes in a range of colors — black, black/green, black/red, black/blue, black/white, black/camo and midnight blue, which is the model I got and has a sleek black center stripe with yellow accents that provide some understated pop.

Supporting a maximum load of 330 pounds (150kg), the SL5000 is recommended for people up to 6 feet 4 inches tall and 260 pounds (118kg). The seat is 22.6 inches wide and 19 inches deep. With adjustable controls, the chair’s overall height measures 48.6 to 52.6 inches and it weighs about 60 pounds — a good size that isn’t massive or overbearing.

I have a relatively small home office and the SL5000 fits nicely, attracting attention without dominating the space and making the room feel cramped.

The Vertagear SL5000 seat is 22.6 inches wide and 19 inches deep, and the armrests are adjustable in four directions.(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 wide seat

The Vertagear SL5000 seat is 22.6 inches wide and 19 inches deep, and the armrests are adjustable in four directions.

The Vertagear SL5000 seat is 22.6 inches wide and 19 inches deep, and the armrests are adjustable in four directions.

(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 review: performance and features

When you spend so much (again, probably too much) time sitting at a desk working or gaming, you want a chair that enables everyday movements and enhances gaming performance with the right features. The SL5000 offers a wide range of adjustability that delivers great comfort, range of motion and ergonomic support — in any position and for extended periods of time.

At the heart — or I should say core — of the SL5000’s success is its posture-perfect ergonomics. The high backrest is designed to provide better neck, shoulder and lumbar support. It’s also independently adjustable, allowing you to change the angle of your sitting position and recline up to 140 degrees.

The chair’s tilt tension adapts to your body weight, so you can lean back with comfort and confidence, and the adjustable tilt mechanism is engineered with a locking system to keep you upright. The gas lift puts you at the right level for any desk or table, no matter your height or body shape.

But that’s not all that moves. The armrests have four-directional adjustability and are ergonomically designed to keep your forearms comfortable and steady to prevent sore shoulders or slipping. The casters are particularly impressive, as they glide effortlessly across the floor, even over my rough carpet.

The SL5000 also comes with memory foam neck and lumbar support cushions to give you extra padding. The cushions can be moved based on posture and preference, and they can also be removed if — like me — you find them obstructive or unnecessary.

The Vertagear SL5000 gaming chair sits on a five-star aluminum alloy base with Penta RS1 casters.(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 caster wheels

The Vertagear SL5000 gaming chair sits on a five-star aluminum alloy base with Penta RS1 casters.

The Vertagear SL5000 gaming chair sits on a five-star aluminum alloy base with Penta RS1 casters.

(Image credit: Future)

Unlike other gaming chairs, including some Vertagear models, the SL5000 is relatively unadorned. It doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles; it primarily prefers form and function over fun and fancy. The most important features are its superb comfort and ergonomic design, delivered through high-quality construction and the adjustability of the seat.

However, there are some nifty features available beyond the standard specifications.

For some reason exclusive in the S-Line to the midnight blue model — the model I got — is the HygennX technology. Designed with a patented coffee-infused fiber to limit odor and increase breathability with quick-drying functionality, HygennX neutralizes bacteria growth while prolonging the life of the chair and accessories. And I’ll admit the seat is very breathable and doesn’t seem to hold much moisture, odor, or heat, compared to other normal or gaming chairs, which is a major plus.

Additionally, the SL5000 is upgradable with a compatible RGB LED kit. According to Vertagear, the lights “elevate your gaming experience” as “the smart interactive effects yield unlimited possibilities to reflect your mood on live streams or immerse yourself in intense gaming adventures,” with modes like audio and gameplay sync and nearly 17 million colors.

The LED kit is sold separately, and based on my experience with other Vertagear gaming chairs, isn’t worth the price — though it might be for some hardcore gamers.

Overall, I found the SL5000’s performance to be excellent. Movement is free and easy; comfort is maintained over marathon workdays and all-night gaming sessions; the 4D armrests and tilt motion are great for high-speed, reactive gameplay; the deep, wide bucket seat is actually enjoyable to sit in; the adjustable height and tall seat back give you a commanding sense of control, without feeling like you’re in a rigid throne hunched over or restricted.

The Vertagear SL5000 features multiple controls for chair adjustability.(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 adjustable controls

The Vertagear SL5000 features multiple controls for chair adjustability.

The Vertagear SL5000 features multiple controls for chair adjustability.

(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 review: verdict

Since upgrading from my previous seating options to the SL5000 I have noticed major improvements in a few areas.

First, I actually work in my home office now, because I have a comfortable chair that I enjoy using. Second, whereas I used to feel neck, lumbar and shoulder pain from being hunched over for hours in a stiff, smaller wooden chair, I’m now able to work and game for hours with no stiffness, soreness or struggle, thanks to the ergonomics and adjustability. The SL5000 also adds a head-turning, almost-stylish aesthetic to the room, with its big-but-not-too-big size and sleek appearance.

It won’t blow you away with features or flashing lights — unless you get the LED upgrade — but the SL5000 is a comfortable, good-looking product that is well-made and can function as a performance-boosting game or work chair. The main criticism would be that, for the price, this is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none chair — not quite a full gaming chair, not quite an office desk chair.

This Vertagear model is more affordable than most of the first-class selections on T3’s list of thebest gaming chairsof 2022 — and it could join its peers there soon. From the moment you start assembling this chair you’ll know you’re getting premium quality at a not-quite-premium price.

While Vertagear is the same chair maker thatpartnered with Swarovski to release a lavish, diamond-encrusted gaming seat last year, the SL5000 is a cool, comfortable chair that comes with a cool, comfortable cost. And, since you can feel pretty confident you’re going to be sitting in it for a while, it’s definitely worth the investment.

The SL5000 is a cool, comfortable chair that comes at a cool, comfortable price.(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 gaming chair at a desk

The SL5000 is a cool, comfortable chair that comes at a cool, comfortable price.

The SL5000 is a cool, comfortable chair that comes at a cool, comfortable price.

(Image credit: Future)

Vertagear SL5000 review: also consider

If you’re looking for a solid gaming chair from a dependable brand that aids performance and looks good at a competitive price point, the SL5000 is a superior seat.

But if you’re shopping for a great work-slash-gaming chair and interested in something slightly different, consider the similarly pricedAndaSeat Kaiser 2, theRazer Iskur, the top-ratedSecretLab Titan Evo, or one of the other Vertagear choices.

They’re all top-rated gaming chairs like the SL5000 that make strong cases for being the best in the category. Happy sitting!

Vertagear SL5000: Price Comparison

69 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆

69 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆

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