Vertagear PL4800 Evaluate: Gaming Chair for Taller Gamers

Worth When Reviewed

$579.99

Finest Costs In the present day: Vertagear PL4800

For those who’re seeking 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 obtainable in its 800 Collection from 2022. 

The PL4800 I’ve been testing is the most costly, and it’s particularly designed with taller players in thoughts. For those who’re below 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 value? I spent just a few weeks testing it to search 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 actually wasn’t lengthy earlier than the chair was prepared to make use of. 

With the armrests already hooked up, all you should 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 potential 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 normal gaming chair design, so it doesn’t precisely stand out from the group. 

Nevertheless, that’s not essentially a nasty factor. This design presents rather more help than your common workplace chair, making it a sensible choice for prolonged gaming periods. 

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

Adjustment depends on a regular fuel cylinder which may 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 normal caster wheels, which supply a formidable vary of actions. A rubber coating means they’re higher suited to exhausting 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 totally different supplies: PU (synthetic) leather-based, UPHR foam, reminiscence foam and what Vertagear is asking ‘HygennX’. 

Deciding in opposition to actual leather-based already reduces any odours from the PL4800, however HygennX takes it to the subsequent degree. Made utilizing espresso grounds, it supposedly neutralises micro organism development and improves breathability, serving to stop the build-up of warmth and powerful 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 seems virtually model new. Even for those who are inclined to sweat quite a bit, 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’ll be able to add a splash of color, with the Midnight Blue model I examined joined by choices for Midnight Inexperienced, Midnight Purple, Carbon Black, Burgundy Crimson and Black/White. 

Most characteristic 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 mild package could 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 individuals between 5ft 9in (1.75m) and 6ft 6in (1.98m). Vertagear additionally specifies a most weight of 25.6 stone 9lbs (163kg) – alternate 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. For those who’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 mild package offered individually

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

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

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

This supported my decrease again effectively, however that received’t be the case for everybody – even for those who’re throughout the peak vary. You probably have an extended again, for instance, the lumbar help might be within the unsuitable place. 

With that in thoughts, adjustable lumbar is a notable omission. Many different gaming chairs embrace this characteristic, 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 presents a great vary of motion, though the lean operate on the opposite aspect doesn’t provide a lot flexibility. 

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

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

There are additionally 4D armrests, which means you’ll be able to go up/down, aspect to aspect, in/out, or angled. Having this flexibility is good, however I principally stored them in the identical place. 

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

As you may anticipate from a gaming chair, it’s additionally potential so as to add RGB lights. There are devoted slots for 2 slightly below the headrest, however $299.99/€299.90 additional (at full value) makes it exhausting 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

For those who’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 foremost 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 stress in your knees and encourages you to place your ft flat on the ground – supplied it’s on the proper peak. 

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

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Nevertheless, it’s not all excellent news. The mounted place of the lumbar help means it received’t be proper for everybody, even when it may well adapt to the contours of your again.  

Until I used to be sitting virtually utterly upright, including a cushion was the one approach to make sure the fitting degree of help. Some gaming chairs embrace lumbar cushions within the field – it could’ve been good to see that with the PL4800. 

Worth & availability

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

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

The PL4800 is simply obtainable 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 every little thing else. 

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

Verdict

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

Undoubtedly its most spectacular characteristic is the customized HygennX material, which does a fantastic 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 help is one other key characteristic, however it received’t be proper for everybody. For those who’d reasonably alter its place manually, the PL4800 isn’t for you. 

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