Game Comfortably: Top Ergonomic Products for Healthy Gaming
Discover the ultimate guide to the top ergonomic gaming products for a healthy and comfortable gaming experience Learn how to choose the best ergonomic products and get category-specific guidance from our expert team Avoid the buzzword pitfalls and check out our FAQ section for answers to common questions about gaming ergonomics
Ergonomic gaming products come in a diverse range of styles, forms, and functionalities, all aimed at enhancing the gamer's comfort and well-being during extended gaming sessions. However, defining these products can be a bit challenging. According to Oregon OSHA's discussion on ergonomics, it involves designing a job to fit the worker for increased safety and productivity. In the context of gaming, we can redefine it to mean products that are specifically tailored to fit the gamer, ensuring a safer and more efficient gaming experience.
Each item on the list below is specifically designed to alleviate the strain on your hands and fingers. Whether it's a unique shape that reduces joint movement or an enhanced grip, the approach varies from product to product and how well it suits your body may differ. That's why it's essential to explore and assess several factors when selecting ergonomic gaming products. Some of these factors include:
When shopping for ergonomic gaming products, it's important to consider the category-specific guidance for each item. For instance, what makes a gaming mouse ergonomic may differ from what makes a gaming keyboard ergonomic. It's also important to prioritize design over aesthetic, as many ergonomic gaming products may appear asymmetrical. Finally, don't rely solely on the word "ergonomic" in a product description - take a closer look to see what specific features make the product healthy and unique.
SCUF Instinct Pro Most Ergonomic Xbox Series X|S Controller $230 at Best Buy
The Best Ergonomic Gaming Products for Healthy, Comfortable Gaming
Looking for a gaming mouse that offers both style and substance? Meet the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, an ergonomic masterpiece designed to enhance your FPS gaming experience. With a range of state-of-the-art features, this versatile mouse is the perfect choice for gamers of all levels. One of its standout features is the HyperScroll tilt wheel, which offers smooth, free spin and tactile cycling modes for fast and accurate scrolling.
The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro is a wireless gaming mouse that weighs 112 g and has 11 programmable buttons. It features a DPI Focus Pro 30k Optical Sensor and its dimensions are Length: 130 mm, Width: 75.4 mm, Height: 42.5 mm. The mouse has a curvature that fits well in the hand and comes with an excellently-received thumb rest. Its clicks are satisfying and it has a dynamic scroll wheel. However, the thumb rests may take some getting used to. The mouse can be purchased for $150 on Amazon or $160 at Best Buy. Its ergonomic design is geared towards providing maximum comfort and minimal movement during FPS gaming, which can otherwise cause injury.
The Razer Basilisk V3 Pro offers a comfortable thumb rest that is highly praised by those who prefer it, but it may not be suitable for those with a different mouse grip. Additionally, the mouse's design is intended to mimic the shape of your hand, with the left-mouse button positioned higher on the frame for easy clicking and running parallel to the mouse pad, while the right mouse button is lower and slanted to fit the shape of your hand. The scroll wheel also functions dynamically, with a faster spinning mode when scrolling faster.
Razer Huntsman Gaming Keyboard is an exceptional choice for those looking for an ergonomic gaming keyboard. With its attached wrist rest, it offers both comfort and ease of use. The keyboard's keystrokes are highly tactile and clicky, providing exceptional accuracy for all your gaming needs. Whether you're looking for a decorative keyboard or one that emphasizes functionality, the Razer Huntsman Gaming Keyboard is sure to satisfy you.
The keyboard also boasts sound-dampening foam keys that provide a quiet typing experience, without sacrificing the satisfying click of each keystroke. Additionally, the keys are highly responsive and the keyboard can be used wired or wirelessly with no replaceable keys. The only downside is the minimal control over key lighting, but overall, the Razer Huntsman Gaming Keyboard is a great choice for gamers who prioritize comfort and performance. It can be purchased for $159 on Amazon or $190 at Best Buy.
The keyboard features sound-dampening technology that provides a satisfying "click" while reducing noise, making it ideal for typing in quiet environments like when you're studying near a sibling or gaming with others on a headset. This allows for a comfortable and natural typing or gaming experience, regardless of your surroundings.
Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair is the ultimate ergonomic gaming chair, created by the renowned luxury furniture brand. It promises to provide daily comfort for both work and play, and is backed by an impressive 12-year, 24-hour usage warranty.
The Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair offers a unique blend of ergonomic design and high-quality construction. Herman Miller is renowned for producing intricate, well-crafted products like office chairs and clocks. While their office chairs are top-notch, they weren't specifically designed for gaming. However, with the collaboration of Logitech, gamers can now enjoy the best of both worlds.
The Herman Miller X Logitech G Embody Gaming Chair provides superior lumbar support that can be adjusted for your arms, back, and height. Say goodbye to worrying about incorrect posture or damaging your chair during assembly, as this gaming chair requires no setup.
The EUREKA ERGONOMIC Standing Desk is the ultimate gaming desk, equipped with shelves, slots for your mobile devices and tablets, hangers for your mugs and headsets, and a specialized pull-out tray for your keyboard and mouse. Its sleek design will transport you straight into the gaming world.
The EUREKA ERGONOMIC Standing Desk boasts a Dual Motor Lifting Mechanism and can support a Maximum Load of 220 lbs. Its Desktop Size of 72" x 23.6" and Height Adjustable feature from 29" to 46" provide flexibility for both sitting and standing positions. The Keyboard/mouse tray is designed for comfort, while the multiple construction options ensure a perfect fit. However, the Construction process may pose a challenge. Priced at $859 on Amazon, this desk is a great option for those seeking a comfortable and versatile gaming experience.
The retractable, adjustable, and rotatable mouse and keyboard tray of the EUREKA ERGONOMIC Standing Desk ensures a comfortable fit for your arms and hands. With multiple construction modes catering to different user styles such as gamers, audiophiles, and monitor enthusiasts, this desk offers great opportunities for customization to suit your needs. The only downside is that its construction is rated as "medium difficulty." However, once the desk is set up, you're good to go.
Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Most Ergonomic PS5 ControllerThe Razer Wolverine V2 Pro was designed by Razer with the singular goal of creating the ultimate premium wireless controller for PC and PS5. And they've succeeded in doing so. It boasts a decent battery life, wired and wireless modes, and 6 remappable multifunction buttons at your disposal.
The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro stands out as a top-tier PS5 controller due to its emphasis on ergonomics and premium build quality. Its ample size, responsive buttons, and customizable thumbsticks make it a comfortable choice for extended gaming sessions. Additionally, the eight-directional D-Pad reduces the need for precise thumb movements, enabling smoother gameplay.
The absence of rumble/vibration effects on the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro could be seen as an ergonomic advantage, albeit a controversial one. In fact, there have been reports of a 15-year-old boy developing HAVS, a neurological disorder caused by prolonged vibration exposure, from playing PlayStation games. However, it should be noted that the boy was already playing excessively for seven hours a day and the rumble feature can easily be turned off. Thus, this is more of a non-issue than a feature.
SCUF Instinct Pro is the ultimate Xbox Series X|S controller for those who want the best of the best. While it does come with a hefty price tag, it's packed with features that enhance the overall gaming experience. Some may question whether the extra cost is worth it or if they'll even notice a difference after using a standard controller with minimal features for years. Nevertheless, for those seeking a top-of-the-line gaming setup, the Instinct Pro is the clear choice.
The Scuf Instinct Pro is a top-tier ergonomic gaming controller designed for the Xbox Series X|S. Its high-quality build and non-slip grip make it a standout product in the market. The controller's "Instant Triggers" can be adjusted to fire without a full pull of the trigger, reducing tendon strain in the fingers. Additionally, the controller features six extra buttons that can be remapped to suit the user's preferences. Although it is the most expensive top-performing controller for the Xbox Series X|S, the Scuf Instinct Pro is an excellent choice for gamers looking for ultimate control over their gaming experience. Customizable faceplates and thumb grips are also available for purchase separately. For an optimal experience, try it out with some of the great FPS games available on Xbox Game Pass.
The Scuf Instinct Pro's ergonomic design prioritizes gamer comfort and ensures a secure grip. The textured comfort grip delivers a soft and firm hold, allowing you to stay focused on the game without worrying about hand positioning. However, it comes with a hefty price tag, currently ranking as the most expensive controller on our list of the best controllers for Xbox gaming.
How to choose a good ergonomic gaming product
With the rise of sedentary lifestyles and increased computer usage, the next phase of gaming and health reporting may focus on the physical effects of gaming. As conditions such as lower back pain and carpal tunnel become more prevalent, simply telling individuals to game less is no longer a viable solution. Rather, some suggest that using ergonomic gaming products may be the key to reducing the negative effects of prolonged gaming.
When faced with a plethora of ergonomic gaming products, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones are truly the best fit for our needs. However, there are certain key factors that we can prioritize as average gamers to make the selection process easier. These include utilizing category-specific guides, prioritizing design over aesthetics, and avoiding products that simply use "ergonomic" as a trendy buzzword.
When it comes to finding the best ergonomic gaming products, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each product category, such as mice, keyboards, chairs, and desks, has its own unique set of features and requirements. That's why it's important to research each category individually and look for the best information available. For instance, our buyer's guide for ergonomic gaming chairs provides a detailed discussion on what to look for in a chair. Additionally, ErgoPlus has a comprehensive guide on how to choose an ergonomic keyboard for office use, which includes information on their proper placement. Although gaming keyboards may differ, you can still glean valuable insights from this guide. Similarly, selecting the right desk size for gaming can be just as crucial as other factors for your gaming comfort.
However, finding the most suitable ergonomic products for gaming can be simplified by prioritizing design that caters to the needs of the human body, rather than focusing solely on aesthetics.
Category Specific Guidance
Many of us are unaware of the oddities in our own body shapes, such as the pentagonal shape of our hands with the middle finger's base protruding more than the pointer finger's base, while the pinky's base is more recessed. Interestingly, gaming products seem to prioritize aesthetics and our perceived body shape rather than real ergonomics. Symmetrical designs are common in gaming mice, while ergonomic ones are less symmetrical. Ironically, ambidextrous products meant for both right and left-handed users often fall short in terms of ergonomics as they can't cater to either side effectively.
For Humans, By Humans
Be mindful of the casual use of the term "ergonomic" in product marketing. A genuine ergonomic product should demonstrate its functionality through its design or be explicitly stated. Phrases such as "our most ergonomic model yet" can be misleading, particularly on low-cost items.
Furthermore, it's important to note that just because a product is labeled as ergonomic, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will be the perfect fit for your body. The essence of ergonomics lies in fitting the product to your body, rather than the other way around. While we have provided detailed explanations of each product's ergonomic features in the listings above, it's essential to remember that if a particular item doesn't feel comfortable or hasn't worked for you in the past, it's perfectly fine to skip it without any guilt.
FAQ
Buzzword, Beware
Don't settle for just standing or sitting while gaming. It's not healthy to sit for hours on end, but standing for too long can also cause strain on your body. The solution? Invest in a height adjustable gaming desk to give yourself the option to switch between sitting and standing positions. Your body will thank you.
Q: Is it better to stand or sit while gaming?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common injury among gamers, which is caused by repetitive gripping with an extended wrist. To prevent this type of injury, it is important to take frequent breaks, stretch regularly, and use products that reduce the need for intensive gripping. By adopting these measures, we can minimize the risk of damaging tendons and other wrist-related injuries.
