Our Verdict
67%
Not quite style over substance but certainly style over comfort.
The Razer Iskur is the company’s one and only gaming chair, and while for the most part it offers much the same sort of feature set as most other gaming chairs, it has one feature that really sets it apart.
Instead of relying on a cushion for lumbar support, or offering the welcome-but-modest support provided by simply firming up a portion of the seat’s back padding, as with the noblechairs Hero, the entire lower portion of this Razer chair’s back hinges forward from the top.
At Custom PC, we’ve been reviewing the latest PC hardware since 2003, and we’ve been testing chairs for over a decade. For more information on our gaming chair test process, see our How we test page.
The idea is that you can adjust this section so that it really nestles into the small of your back and offers some support. However, at least in our testing, it just doesn’t work. The peak of the back’s curve sits too low at around 6-inch (15cm), so it pokes you in the backside, rather than the lower back.
It’s not too bad in its default position, but pulling on the lever to spring it forward just results in it pushing your bum off the chair. People with shorter backs might get on better with this design, but we also measured several other chairs we had to hand and found the lumbar support sits at around the 9-inch (23cm) mark, suggesting the Iskur’s support is lower than the industry standard.
The comfort issues didn’t stop there either. The protruding shoulder wings actively pushed my shoulders forward, creating a rolled shoulder posture. This issue affects several of these racing seat-style gaming chairs, but this was the only one I’ve tested where it affected my posture so badly.
Again, shorter users will likely fair better, but a gaming chair should still accommodate someone of 6ft, 2-inch (188cm) height (since initial review, Razer has released the Iskur XL that is rated for larger users over 6’/180cm while the normal Iskur is aimed at users under 6ft/180cm). Moreover, it just goes to highlight the problems with shoulder wings on gaming chairs – they’re the definition of style over substance. Those wings are designed to hold you in a car seat while going round corners, not keep you comfortable in front of a computer. We can only advise you to, by whatever means possible, try before you buy with this chair to make sure it fits your frame.
It’s not all bad news, though. While the green stitching is a little in your face, the Iskur largely looks quite smart, with its attractively-stitched faux leather finish, and build quality that is very good throughout. The stand, armrest arms, and the various knobs and dials all feel good quality. The seat padding is decent too, providing a firm support but with a pleasant bit of springiness too.
One particular plus point is the ‘4D’ armrests, which have contoured pads that are softer than many gaming chairs we’ve tested, and they also lock firmly into position. The only letdown in terms of build quality is the castors. They simply don’t seem to turn very well. The chair drags rather than rolls along.
The tilt mechanism has a premium feel, and it can also float freely and lock into any position. However, it doesn’t have a default position that you can quickly lock back into – you always have to guess the angle at which you want to keep the seat and lock it into place. As a point of comparison, the set-and-forget system of the noblechairs HERO is much easier. We also found the weighting of the tilt system to be fairly poor, with it proving difficult to get the chair to stay tilted back without resting our feet on an object to raise them up.
Razer Iskur pros and cons
Pros
- Premium build quality
- Striking design
- Decent armrests
Cons
- Lumbar support doesn’t work well
- Overly rounded shoulder support
- Castors don’t roll
Razer Iskur specs
The Razer Iskur spec list is:
| User height rating | <180cm / 6 foot |
| User weight rating | <130 kg / <286 lbs |
| Chair cover material | PVC leather |
| Armrests | 4D |
| Gas lift class | 4 |
| Adjustable back angle | 139 degrees |
| Warranty length | Three year warranty for mechanisms and moving parts (not including wear and tear). |
Razer Iskur price
The Razer Iskur price is $499, making it a mid-range to high-end gaming chair in terms of price.
Price: $499 (£499)
Razer Iskur review conclusion
In terms of style and build quality, the Razer Iskur is a cut above many gaming chairs, assuming you don’t mind the in-your-face green details. It also offers a decent number of features and plenty of adjustability. However, it falls short when it comes to overall comfort. Of course, other peoples’ mileage may vary here, depending on your height and body shape, but we found the adjustable lumbar support and shoulder wings made this chair decidedly uncomfortable.
If you own the Razer Iskur, we’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Just get in touch via the Custom PC Facebook page, Twitter page, or by joining our 390,000+ member Custom PC and Gaming Setup Facebook group.