Vertagear PL4800 gaming chair review

In the event you’re trying to improve your gaming expertise with a devoted chair, there’s extra selection than ever earlier than in 2023. That’s additionally true of Dutch agency Vertagear, with 4 choices out there in its 800 Sequence from 2022. 

The PL4800 I’ve been testing is the costliest, and it’s particularly designed with taller avid gamers in thoughts. In the event you’re underneath 5ft 9in (1.75m), the SL3800 and SL5800 are higher choices. Taller than 6ft 6in (1.98m)? Go for the PL6800 as a substitute. 

So, does the PL4800 justify the excessive asking worth? I spent a number of weeks testing it to seek out out.

Design & construct

• Spectacular, high-quality construct
• Nice ‘HygennX’ material
• Plastic adjustment controls

As with most gaming chairs, there’s some meeting concerned as soon as the PL4800 arrives. Vertagear describes this as “easy” although, and it definitely wasn’t lengthy earlier than the chair was prepared to make use of. 

With the armrests already connected, all it is advisable to do is connect the bottom and wheels to the underside of the seat, then slide the backrest into place. If my expertise is something to go by, this could take round quarter-hour, and it’s very a lot doable for a single individual. 

From first impressions, there’s one phrase I’d use to explain the PL4800: unremarkable. Vertagear hasn’t deviated removed from the standard gaming chair design, so it doesn’t precisely stand out from the gang. 

Nonetheless, that’s not essentially a foul factor. This design provides way more assist than your common workplace chair, making it a sensible choice for prolonged gaming periods. 

The PL4800 additionally has a powerful, premium construct that helps justify that top price ticket. Choosing a metal body makes it really feel extra strong than the aluminium typically discovered on cheaper fashions – Vertagear provides a 10-year guarantee on it. 

Adjustment depends on a typical gasoline cylinder which might technically get replaced, however a two-year guarantee on the remainder of the chair means you’re higher off sending it again to Vertagear. 

The PL4800 options 4 commonplace caster wheels, which supply a powerful vary of actions. A rubber coating means they’re higher suited to arduous flooring than carpet, however I used it on the latter with no points. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Then there’s the chair itself, which mixes 4 completely different supplies: PU (synthetic) leather-based, UPHR foam, reminiscence foam and what Vertagear is looking ‘HygennX’. 

Deciding towards actual leather-based already reduces any odours from the PL4800, however HygennX takes it to the following stage. Made utilizing espresso grounds, it supposedly neutralises micro organism development and improves breathability, serving to stop the build-up of warmth and robust smells. 

If my expertise is something to go by, it actually works. After 7 hours of utilization every weekday for nearly three months, it nonetheless appears virtually model new. Even for those who are inclined to sweat loads, the again of the chair is dry inside a couple of minutes. 

HygennX covers many of the chair, together with the elasticated headrest you’ll discover within the field. 

The PU leather-based accents are the one place you may add a splash of color, with the Midnight Blue model I examined joined by choices for Midnight Inexperienced, Midnight Purple, Carbon Black, Burgundy Purple and Black/White. 

Most function eye-catching orange stitching, however it feels top quality and constructed to final. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

The one exceptions to that assertion are the plastic adjustment controls and casing round the place the RGB gentle package can be (extra on these later). Each really feel low-cost and misplaced on such a premium chair, however they’re removed from dealbreakers.

It’s additionally value reiterating that this chair is designed for folks between 5ft 9in (1.75m) and 6ft 6in (1.98m). Vertagear additionally specifies a most weight of 25.6 stone 9lbs (163kg) – options can be found for those who’re shorter or heavier. 

At 6ft 3in, I really feel the PL4800 was designed with somebody like me in thoughts. Besides, I wouldn’t need the highest of the chair to be any decrease. In the event you’re nearer to 6ft 6in, I’d go for the taller PL6800 as a substitute. 

Options & adjustment

• Adaptive lumbar, however not adjustable
• Loads of peak and tilt changes
• RGB gentle package bought individually

The HygennX materials is a function in itself, however there are few extra to pay attention to.  

It wouldn’t be a gaming chair with out lumbar assist, which mixes HygennX with layers of reminiscence foam and UPHR foam. Vertagear is looking this ‘ContourMax’ lumbar, and claims it might probably adapt to the form of your physique to allow a wholesome posture.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

This supported my decrease again nicely, however that gained’t be the case for everybody – even for those who’re throughout the peak vary. When you’ve got an extended again, for instance, the lumbar assist shall be within the fallacious place. 

With that in thoughts, adjustable lumbar is a notable omission. Many different gaming chairs embody this function, which ensures a greater match for everybody.

Speaking of changes, there’s loads of scope for it on the Vertagear PL4800. The usual peak management provides a great vary of motion, though the lean operate on the opposite facet doesn’t provide a lot flexibility. 

However whereas the chair is designed to advertise good posture, it provides intensive recline choices. You possibly can return till you’re virtually mendacity down, though at that time it turns into very unsteady. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

There are additionally 4D armrests, that means you may go up/down, facet to facet, in/out, or angled. Having this flexibility is sweet, however I largely stored them in the identical place. 

Nonetheless, it’s value noting that another gaming chairs present extra adjustment controls. The Mavix M7, for instance, additionally permits you to management seat depth, recline pressure and the peak of the backrest itself. None of these are requirements, although. 

As you would possibly count on from a gaming chair, it’s additionally doable so as to add RGB lights. There are devoted slots for 2 just under the headrest, however $299.99/€299.90 additional (at full worth) makes it arduous to justify. I haven’t been in a position to take a look at these, though they do look very slick. 

Consolation

• Comfy and supportive
• Encourages good posture
• Might have a lumbar cushion

In the event you’re going to purchase a devoted gaming chair, it must be snug. From utilizing the Vertagear PL4800 for round seven hours every weekday for nearly three days as my primary workplace chair, I can confidently say that’s the case. 

The supplies talked about above imply it strikes a great stability between consolation and selling good posture. I are inclined to hunch over whereas working, however the PL4800 helped keep away from that for probably the most half. 

It’s helped by a waterfall-style seat design, which relieves strain in your knees and encourages you to place your ft flat on the ground – offered it’s on the proper peak. 

In comparison with the seat and backrest, the armrests are a lot tougher with much less padding. This was initially a slight concern, however I by no means discovered them uncomfortable throughout my testing. 

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nonetheless, it’s not all excellent news. The mounted place of the lumbar assist means it gained’t be proper for everybody, even when it might probably adapt to the contours of your again.  

Until I used to be sitting virtually fully upright, including a cushion was the one method to make sure the precise stage of assist. Some gaming chairs embody lumbar cushions within the field – it could’ve been good to see that with the PL4800. 

Value & availability

As I alluded to earlier, the Vertagear PL4800 is on the costly facet, coming in at $579.99/€579.90 (approx. £510) when paying full worth.

So as to add the RGB gentle package, you’ll must pay an additional $299.99/€299.90 (approx. £263) at RRP.

The PL4800 is simply out there direct from Vertagear on the time of writing, however the firm does provide a 10-year guarantee on the body and a two-year guarantee on all the things else. 

Nonetheless, you’ll nonetheless be paying considerably greater than most entries in our gaming chair chart. Options fluctuate between fashions, however higher worth for cash could be discovered elsewhere. 

Verdict

Vertagear’s PL4800 is a gaming chair constructed for folks 5ft 9in (1.75m) and over, for whom it’s a terrific choice. 

Undoubtedly its most spectacular function is the customized HygennX material, which does a terrific job of stopping build-up of warmth, moisture or sturdy smells. It combines with PU leather-based, UPHR foam and reminiscence foam for a snug, supportive expertise. 

The adaptive lumbar assist is one other key function, however it gained’t be proper for everybody. In the event you’d somewhat regulate its place manually, the PL4800 isn’t for you. 

Mixed with costly RGB gentle add-ons and an already excessive price ticket, this gaming chair will solely be proper for a particular kind of individual. If that’s you, this shall be arduous to beat.