Razer Enki X review: A $299 all-day gaming chair for the rest of us

Razer Enki X Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Terminal year, I reviewed Razer's $500 gaming chair dubbed the Iskur. While definitely on the high-end for gaming chairs, information technology brought something completely new: an adaptable lumbar arch for those long gaming seshes.

Now, Razer is back with the Razer Enki and Enki X. These are technically gaming chairs built for all-solar day utilise, making them better choices for those who desire less of a gaming chair and more really comfortable part chairs. Recall of a V6 sedan instead of a V8 sports motorcar.

While they both lack the mechanical lumbar arch establish on Iskur, they make up for that with a much lower starting cost of $299. I'll too argue that the Enki'southward primary feature, the extra padded seat cushion, makes it a fantastic option for the residuum of usa more casual gamers.

I've been using Enki X for the last few weeks, and hither's what I think.

Razer Enki Reco

Razer Enki X

Bottom line: The Razer Enki and Enki X deliver all-day comfort cheers to its outstanding bottom cushion that'south wider and flatter than regular gaming chairs. The lower starting price, design, and ease of associates make information technology an easy recommendation.

The Expert

Very comfortable for hours of sitting
Cool environmentally friendly pattern
Like shooting fish in a barrel to gather
Reasonable price

The Bad

Can exist squeaky if overtightened
Wheels could exist better
Armrests could use more padding

Razer Enki X: Price and availability

Enki24855 Shot1 R Source: Razer

Razer Enki and Enki X are now available through the Razer store. Pricing starts at $299 for Enki 10 and $399 for Enki.

Both chairs have the same seat, backrest, and overall design, which is the crucial office. But the $399 Enki has 4D armrests (instead of second), a "reactive seat tilt" with a 152-degree recline (versus only the 152-recline institute in Enki X), and a retentiveness foam headrest pillow (which you buy for Enki 10 separately). Everything else is the same betwixt the 2 chairs.

Razer Enki 10: What's skillful

Razer Enki X Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Enki 10 and Enki are built for people who sit down backside a PC all day and who happen to like to game. Or maybe you don't fifty-fifty game; you sit at a desk all day and want a comfortable role chair that looks cooler than something you lot'd get at Staples.

Razer deserves credit for ease of assembly. Opening the big box and you're greeted with some humorous imagery, a pair of gloves, and a gigantic welcome letter that doubles equally instructions. Compared to Iskur, Enki X is fifty-fifty easier to put together, thanks to some of the screws beingness pre-threaded. Full assembly time, including unpacking, was 25 minutes.

To design Enki, Razer sought help from an "aviation pattern specialist … who previously designed cockpits and flying chairs to allow pilots to remain focused and comfortable when sitting for extended periods of time." It paid off. With a broader seat base of operations than Iskur at 21 inches, Enki lets you cross your legs and move effectually more comfortably, unlike typical gaming chairs, which are more like jetfighter cockpits — tight and confining.

Category	Razer Enki
Recommended weight	Less than 300 pounds Less than 136kg
Recommended height	5'5" to 6'8" 166cm to 204cm
Chair cover colour	Dark-green, blackness, quartz
Chair cover material	EPU synthetic leather
Base	Aluminium base
Frame	Steel frame
Armrests	4D metal-reinforced armrests
Casters	60mm PU coated casters
Gas lift form	Class four
Foam rype	High-density PU molded foam
Total recline angle	152 degrees
Adjustable headrest	Memory foam headrest pillow
Warranty length	36 months

Razer made a big bargain nigh "force per unit area mapping" people's derrieres, comparing Enki to other chairs noting that Enki has fewer pressure points considering of how weight is distributed. And it's all true. I tin can sit in Enki all day and the boney part of my butt (the ischium for your anatomy nerds) and not feel any discomfort or pressure points. I'm blown away by this equally all chairs eventually cause some fatigue from sitting, only this is the commencement fourth dimension for me that hasn't happened. I wish airlines used these seats, and not only for pilots.

While Enki doesn't take the excellent articulating lumbar arch of Iskur, it does take a smaller fixed i that feels supportive when leaning back.

Razer is using premium "dual-textured eco-sustainable synthetic leather" (the same constitute in some luxury car brands) and remarks that information technology is made with "reduced energy consumption and carbon-emission processes, with no environmentally harmful solvents used in its production." The issue and advent are excellent.

And Unlike some leather (or faux leather) gaming chairs where y'all may slide, the Enki keeps you in place the whole fourth dimension, thanks to the patterned fabric in the middle. Plus, it looks sharp.

Razer Enki X: What's non expert

Razer Enki X Wrests Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key

There are some very minor complaints with Razer Enki. After assembling the chair, I noticed some squeaking emanating from where the seat base of operations and back run into. Information technology was the EPU constructed leather and some of the plastic rubbing. Perchance I overtightened the screws because loosening them up did dramatically reduce the effect, although information technology is all the same in that location if I strength it.

The wheels are besides just OK. They pick up dirt and dust very quickly and don't quite roll as smoothly as I'd promise. They get you around, but I could also see upgrading these to something amend for a more premium experience.

The reclining mechanism can be a bit loud and crude, too, although information technology's not dramatically unlike from other chairs.

Likewise, the 2D armrests (4D on Enki) are not as smooth or high quality as Razer Iskur (but that's what you get for $200 less).

Speaking of, adding some softer padding to those armrests wouldn't exist a bad matter either. While they do a decent job supporting your arms during extended typing sessions, my elbows go sore after a few hours from resting on them. So, Razer, that'southward my tip: Accept the same material used in the seat cushion, add them to the armrests. I expect a check in the mail.

Razer Enki X: Contest

Secretlab Titan Evo Source: Secretlab

In that location aren't many chairs that straddle the line between gaming and function chair quite like Razer Enki and Enki X, as virtually are clearly in one camp or the other.

The most credible competitor to Razer in the premium chair space is Secretlab. It but launched its new TITAN Evo series, which is gaining a lot of positive reviews and praise. Secretlab's specialty is mass product combined with customization, letting you selection sizes, styles, and colors. But as good as the TITAN Evo is, the starting price is $499, which is more analogous to Razer'due south premium Iskur. Still, it's worth the await if you lot're shopping.

Heading below $300 and you accept E-WIN, which is another big brand in gaming chairs. It doesn't focus on all-day comfort as the Enki, but it is just $269. The E-WIN Calling serial as well lets you lot selection some different colors, using cold-cure cream and PU leather.

Yous can get more ideas from our best gaming chairs roundup.

Razer Enki X: Should you buy it?

Enki26321 Lifestyle Shot3 R Source: Razer

Y'all should purchase this if ...

You want a comfortable all-day calculator chair
You're OK with a gamer (Razer) aesthetic
You find "cockpit" chairs besides tight

You shouldn't buy this if ...

You piece of work in an actual office
You want the best lumbar back up

Razer is still relatively new to the gaming chair industry, which is a highly competitive one. I usually avert reviewing too many of these seats because they're and then similar and, quite bluntly, boring. But twice Razer has disrupted this business concern, first with Iskur'south articulating lumbar curvation and now with Enki's exceptionally comfortable seat base: This is first-class stuff.

I call back anyone who likes the await of Enki would exist pleased with this chair. It's super comfortable, the quality is excellent, it's easy to get together, and it has a three-year warranty.

The price is also good starting at $300, which seems fair and is easier to swing than Iskur's $500 price. Compared to Iskur, I think this is a meliorate choice for those who plan on spending eight hours a day sitting versus a "boxing chair" idealized for long gaming sessions. Both are great, but for different reasons.

Honestly, I'd love to see Razer combine the 2 concepts. Add Iskur's articulating lumbar curvation to a pricier Enki "Pro," add some cushier padding to the armrests, and call it a twenty-four hour period.

Overall, Razer Enki X (and Enki) is easy to recommend to anyone who wants 1 of the all-time all-twenty-four hours computer chairs on the market. The all-blackness look and gamer artful may not appeal to some, but I wouldn't be surprised if Razer offers more variations like the fabric gray Iskur. I'll be using it from now on as Iskur volition replace our secondary generic office chair.

Razer Enki Reco

Razer Enki 10

Bottom line: The Razer Enki and Enki X deliver all-day comfort thanks to its outstanding lesser cushion that's wider and flatter than regular gaming chairs. The lower starting price, design, and ease of associates make it an easy recommendation.

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