PC Gaming Chair Roundup 2016

GT Omega Racing Master XL

Manufacturer: GT Omega Racing
UK price (as reviewed): £209.94 (inc VAT)
US price (as reviewed): $349.95 (ex Tax)

This is another chair that, judging by the packaging, has come from the same factory as the Noblechairs and Vertagear models. For the bulk of the assembly process, there are few issues to speak of, and the process is largely the same as the rest. The arms come pre-attached to the seat base, and the adjustment levers are fitted with plastic covers out of the box too – this isn't the case with every chair, so it's a nice touch.


Where we did hit trouble was in aligning the backrest in between the metal arms that extend from the seat base. It took us multiple attempts to get right and proved to be pretty frustrating trying to get the screws to catch their threads. Nevertheless, with that done, you secure the two plastic side covers and you're done.


Currently on pre-order for £210 and due in mid-September, the Master XL is available in six colour schemes, one of which is all-black and the others of which are black with a certain colour: white, red, green, blue or orange.


The outer faux leather covering has a textured finish, although like the Arozzi chair this one has no perforation. That said, the foam here feels pretty dense, which in turn causes the chair to feel very solid and this lessens the impact of not having a breathable material – it's when you really sink into something that the heat builds up. On the flipside, we found the GT Omega Racing chair to be a bit too far up the firmness scale, but for many this will be a plus and it certainly supports your frame and posture well.


Click to enlarge

The stitching holds up to close inspection, although the main material itself lacks the luxuriousness of the more expensive chairs on test.

Once you're seated, you've plenty of options to adjust the position to perfection. The height adjustment lever is a bit harder to use than others, but this is a minor inconvenience at worst and you get a full 12cm to play with.


Like most chairs here, the Master XL comes with a couple of cushions for added neck and lumbar support, although the lower back one is non-adjustable; you simply place it where you want it. It's also quite a firm cushion, just like the chair, making it really quite pronounced when resting against it.


You also get a full range of adjustments for the arm rests – height, depth, width and angle. That said, the rests themselves are flat and rather solid. You get a lot of grip from them but they're not especially comfortable.


Lastly, the side lever allows for a lot of recline, and a lockable tilt mechanism means you're bound to find a resting angle that suits you.

The Master XL doesn't seem to have any major pitfalls, and it's very likely to appeal to those seeking a chair that's firm but still offers comfort and plenty of adjustment options.