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Boulies Elite gaming chair: One-minute evaluate
The Boulies Elite gaming chair sits within the mid-range bracket, with a welcome concentrate on adjustability and construct high quality. It adopts the acquainted racing seat design, minus the seat facet bolsters – an omission I welcome, since I all the time discover these too restrictive, and means the broad seat will be made full use of.
The Boulies Elite appears to be like sensible within the black variant I had, and the PU leatherette feels sturdy and premium to the contact. There’s a small quantity of suede on the edges of the seat, however much less so than on many rivals.
The general construct high quality is up there with a number of the best gaming chairs, with the 4D arms being a specific spotlight: they’re stable with nearly no wobble and the changes are easy, though I discovered them just a little too stiff to maneuver up and down. The casters supply a stunning quantity of grip on carpet too.
Total, the consolation of the Boulies Elite is nice. The top and lumbar pillows present loads of cushioning, however with out them, I used to be stunned to seek out myself much more comfy, as I sunk into the chair much more. The seat is just a little agency, however nonetheless not as agency as these on others. I used to be additionally in a position to set up the arms near the edges, stopping my arms from stretching out an excessive amount of, as I’ve skilled with different gaming chairs.
You’ll discover most of the identical changes typical of mid- and high-end gaming chairs, though there’s no inbuilt lumbar assist right here. The lean mechanism could be very easy and silent, and the strain will be simply altered. The lean lock could be very helpful too, whereas the 4D arms go virtually wherever you want.
The seat has a low minimal top, so these shorter in stature shouldn’t have a lot of an issue getting their ft firmly on the bottom. Nonetheless, its most isn’t that top in comparison with a few of its rivals, though the Elite Max is designed for many who need extra on this division.
On prime of this, the backrest doesn’t recline to 180 levels, as different chairs on this phase do. The truth is, the recline is among the weakest areas of the Boulies Elite. The notches within the mechanism are very distinguished when shifting again, and I typically discovered the deal with would get caught earlier than locking into place, requiring a firmer push of the deal with than normal to lock into place.
Assembling the Boulies Elite was simple for essentially the most half, though a few casters proved just a little troublesome to snap into place. Retaining the gasket mounts in place whereas putting in the lean mechanism was the toughest half, whereas putting in the backrest – which is often the trickiest a part of constructing a gaming chair – was simpler than anticipated. I managed to assemble it on my own with relative ease.
If you happen to’re looking out for a mid-range gaming chair, the Boulies Elite is a stable choose. There are a couple of snags with a number of the changes, however you’d sometimes must pay much more for this degree of adjustability, consolation, and high quality (see the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022).
Must you need one thing much more budget-friendly, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is nearly the most effective on this regard, though it lacks the identical premium development because the Boulies Elite.
Boulies Elite gaming chair evaluate: Worth and availability
- $399 / £339 / AU$594
- Out there now
- Cheaper than some rivals
The Boulies Elite prices $399 / £339 / AU$594 and is obtainable now in three colorways for the PU variant (black, blue, and white), and two for the material mannequin (ash gray and charcoal gray). There’s additionally an Elite Max for these with bigger frames, which isn’t way more costly.
It comes with a two-year guarantee as commonplace, which will be prolonged to 3 with Boulies’ Guarantee Plus, and in addition contains two years of peeling safety.
Gaming chairs of the Boulies Elite’s ilk often command increased worth tags. The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, as an illustration, begins from $549 / £469 / AU$799, regardless of having comparable changes and performance. Its costs can escalate rapidly too, relying on the particular mannequin you go for.
If you happen to’re after one thing that’s extra accommodating for bigger frames, then the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL is the most comfortable gaming chair for such customers. And if you wish to spend even lower than the Boulies Elite however nonetheless get an ideal chair, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a good different.
Boulies Elite gaming chair evaluate: Specs
|
Worth |
$399 / £339 / AU$594 |
|
Dimensions |
50.4 x 28 x 18.9in / 128 x 71 x 48cm |
|
Max person weight |
243lbs / 110kg |
|
Min seat top |
18.1in / 46cm |
|
Seat width |
20.9in / 53cm |
|
Recline angle |
165 levels |
|
Guarantee |
2 years |
|
Materials |
Leatherette, cloth |
Boulies Elite gaming chair: Design and aesthetics
- Typical gaming chair design
- No facet bolsters
- Premium really feel
The Boulies Elite sticks to the tried and true gaming chair components for essentially the most half, with a racing-style backrest, full with holes on both facet just under head top, used to lock the lumbar cushion strap. Its broad seat forgoes the facet bolsters, although, following the phase’s newer transfer in the direction of utterly flat bases, which I discover extra accommodating.
Arduous carrying with out trying utilitarian, the PU leatherette feels premium, even serving to to inject a component of sophistication. There’s a minimal quantity of suede on the edges of the seat – lower than you would possibly see on different gaming chairs.
The arms are additionally well-built, and their plastic and metallic development once more appears to be of the very best order. Their padding is agency, however I had no points resting my forearms on them.
The metallic wheel base is metallic too and feels very sturdy, but nonetheless comfy sufficient to relaxation your ft on do you have to want to. The casters supply loads of grip on carpet, extra so than these on different chairs I’ve used.
Boulies Elite gaming chair evaluate: Consolation and Adjustability
- Comfy with out cushions
- Nice arms
- Poor recline
Total, the consolation of the Boulies Elite is great. The seat is well-padded and appears just a little softer than many others. Its lack of facet bolsters can also be welcome, as I personally discover them too restrictive and inimical to totally different seating kinds. The lumbar pillow is among the thickest and most plush I’ve tried, whereas the pinnacle pillow is about on par with a lot of its rivals. Boulies does declare that you could get comfy within the Elite with out both, and I discovered this to carry true.
The truth is, I used to be most likely extra comfy, as sinking additional into the chair allowed me to calm down extra. In fact, particular person preferences will decide whether or not or not the pillows enhance consolation, however it’s reassuring all the identical to know they aren’t completely crucial.
The one actual ergonomic disadvantage is the sharpness of the underside fringe of the seat, which feels just a little uncomfortable for those who have a tendency to put your ft behind your knees, however that is merely a minor inconvenience.
The Boulies Elite has an analogous degree of adjustability as many premium gaming chairs. Its seat top can go right down to 18.1 inches/46cm – which was low sufficient for me at 5ft 7 inches/170cm to get my ft flat on the ground with no footrest – and as much as 20.5 inches/52cm, making it practically an identical to the vary of the Secretlab Titan Evo in its common measurement. If you happen to’re over six ft, although, you’ll need the Elite Max, which might go as much as 22 inches/56cm.
Its tilt operate is easy with no creaking or notchiness. There’s a clank when you tilt again into the impartial place, however it was delicate sufficient to simply overlook. The flexibility to lock the lean in any place is welcome and works effectively for essentially the most half – I did discover it sometimes acquired caught in sure positions, however it was nothing {that a} firmer push of the lever wouldn’t treatment. Nonetheless, the shortness of the deal with for this lever could make it awkward to succeed in, particularly whenever you’re already tilted again.
The arms will be put in fairly near the edges of the seat, extra so than on another gaming chairs, which I personally want as I like having my arms nearer to my physique for ergonomic causes.
Their eight-way adjustability presents loads of scope for getting a personalised setup, the assorted mechanisms really feel tight but easy to function, and there’s little or no wobble to any a part of them. One minor gripe I had, at the very least with my unit, was the stiffness of the peak changes, though it’s doable they could loosen over time.
Boulies states that the Elite has a full-length backrest recline, however it doesn’t open to 180 levels as another gaming chairs do. The largest downside with the recline operate, although, is how notchy it’s, proving tough to push again to its most opening. I discovered it additionally had an inclination to get caught at about 45 levels, requiring some pressure to return upright. There’s a common lack of really feel to the recline lever too, which suggests it may be exhausting to inform when it’s absolutely locked in place, once more requiring a agency push.
Boulies Elite gaming chair evaluate: Meeting
Constructing the Boulies Elite was a comparatively simple course of. A few casters proved tough to insert initially, however I discovered that giving them a slight twist whereas pushing did the trick, though this isn’t talked about within the directions.
The toughest half was lining up the small gasket mounts for the lean mechanism on prime of the screw holes. These don’t repair in place, so that they transfer out of place far too simply when putting the lean mechanism. I used to be in a position to attain my fingers in and shuffle them again into alignment, however these with bigger fingers would possibly want some form of implement at hand to assist.
The backrest, then again, was surprisingly simple to put in, given it’s often the trickiest a part of any gaming chair. I used to be in a position to assemble your entire chair on my own, so many others ought to be high-quality doing so too.
Ought to I purchase the Boulies Elite gaming chair?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it…
Boulies Elite gaming chair: Additionally think about
If the Boulies Elite does not sound like a very good match for you (in each sense), these are some nice options.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Boulies Elite |
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 (Common) |
Corsair TC100 Relaxed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
$399 / £339 / AU$594 |
$549 / £469 / AU$799 |
$199 / £199 / AU$399 |
|
Dimensions |
50.4 x 28 x 18.9in (128 x 71 x 48cm) |
51.2 x 27.6 x 19.3 inches (130 x 70 x 49cm) |
53.5 x 23.4 x 19.7 inches (136 x 59 x 50cm) |
|
Max person weight |
243lbs / 110kg |
285lbs / 130kg |
264lbs / 120kg |
|
Min seat top |
18.1 inches / 46cm |
17.7 inches / 45cm |
17.7 inches / 45cm |
|
Seat width |
20.9 inches / 53cm |
18.5 inches / 47cm |
21.2 inches / 54cm (incl. bolsters), 14.2 inches / 36cm (excl. bolsters) |
|
Recline angle |
165 levels |
165 levels |
160 levels |
|
Guarantee |
2 years |
3 years |
2 years |
|
Materials |
Leatherette, cloth |
Leatherette, cloth |
Leatherette, cloth |
How I examined the Boulies Elite gaming chair
- In depth testing session
- Made changes
- Plentiful gaming and productiveness expertise
I examined the Boulies Elite for a day, throughout which era I made the total vary of changes for the seat top, armrests, tilt, and recline.
I attempted sitting within the Boulies Elite in all method of how to copy how I might usually spend my time in a gaming chair. I sat at my desk whereas utilizing a keyboard and mouse.
I’ve expertise reviewing gaming chairs and have used quite a lot of each gaming and workplace chairs for a few years, together with in style fashions such because the Secretlab Titan and the Steelcase Leap. I spend many hours a day in chairs for each working and gaming.
- Learn extra about how we test
- First reviewed: January 2025