Corsair’s TC200 gaming chair (opens in new tab) has understated styling and a wrap-around fit, making it appealing to gamers and home-based warriors alike. The race-style seat is built to last, with a sturdy steel frame wrapped with high-density foam and breathable upholstery. But the built-in lumbar support is mediocre, so if you have a bad back, this might not be the best choice.
The TC200 costs $399.99 and is designed for adults up to 6 ft 5 in and 268 pounds. I am 1.80m and on the lowest position I can sit flat footed, which honestly doesn’t happen very often. To me, the high seat edges of the chair felt a bit narrow and restrictive, especially since I like to sit cross-legged.
I tested the black on black plush faux leather model, but the TC200 is also available in soft fabric cover. There are only two color choices: white and gray or the black-on-black model I tested.
Specifications of the Corsair TC200
| Upholstery | Faux leather or fabric |
| Overall height (with feet) | 56 inch |
| Backrest length: | 32.5 inches53 |
| Backrest width (shoulder height) | 21 inch |
| Width seat area (contact point) | 14.5 inches |
| Seating Area Width (total) | 15.6 inches |
| Depth seating area | 17.9 inches |
| Armrest width | 3.5 inch |
| Height from floor to seat | 23.2 to 18.5 inches |
| Armrest Adjustments | 4-way adjustable |
| lean backwards | 90 to 180 degrees |
| Maximum recommended weight | 268 pounds |
| Weight of chair: | 33 pounds |
| Guarantee | 2 years, covers defects in material and workmanship |
Mounting the Corsair TC200
The Corsair TC200 arrived at my door in a worn box, but had no damage thanks to the good packaging – everything was packed in plastic bags and padded with foam. Assembly instructions were missing for me, but I was able to quickly find a PDF with a link to the YouTube montage video on the Corsair website.
The chair is quick to assemble and requires only one tool – an included Allen key – for assembly. Many parts simply clicked into place. This is much easier than many chair assemblies and a nice touch for those not used to using tools and putting things together like furniture.
You start by pushing the wheels into the base and then mounting the piston on the wheelbase. Then you mount the tilt mechanism on the base of the chair and screw it on. The backrest is attached to the seat supports on either side with a couple of bolts. The side brackets are then hidden under plastic covers that screw in place and are further disguised with Corsair logo plugs.
Finally, place the seat on the base and attach the neck pillow.
Design of the Corsair TC200
Color choices are limited to a white and gray model, or the black on black I tried. The chair is as pleasant to look at as it is to sit on. It has rich textures, even with the black on black trim, with the dotted pattern of the breathable parts and subtle highlights of faux suede. The Corsair logo is elegantly simple and embroidered into the front and back of the headrest – a pleasant reminder of the brand without making you feel like a NASCAR driver.
A memory foam cushion attaches to holes in the back of the chair or can be omitted. Being a small person I decided to omit the pillow, but my six-foot-tall son thought the placement was perfect.
The wheels look like whitewall tires and have a special anti-roll mechanism to prevent the chair from slipping when you least expect it, while still rolling well if you deliberately push away from your desk. I’m submitting this under ‘features I never knew I needed’.
Lumbar support is built into the chair’s design, but it is not adjustable. At first it was comfortable to use, but after a few hours I started missing the extra back support I was used to having.
The upholstery wraps completely around the seat, including the backrest, with the only visible plastic being the bolt covers and armrests. The tops of the armrests are made of firm foam and seem to be easy to keep clean.
I really like how the adjustment levers and knobs are all black, which makes them blend in with the rest of the seat. On each armrest, there are three buttons and two levers below the seat handle to tilt, recline and raise/lower the seat.
Comfort and customization on the Corsair TC200
The Corsair TC200 has a wrap-around bucket seat to cradle your rear end in foam-padded comfort. This is a heavy-duty chair, built to last with a steel frame and powder-coated steel wheelbase. I tested the leatherette model and found the upholstery smooth and soft. While there is accent stitching on the seat, none of it is close to the edge where your bare skin might encounter it if you’re wearing shorts.
Lumbar support is built in, but not adjustable or adequate for my cranky Gen X back. The seat curves up to hug your bum, which isn’t great for those of us sitting cross-legged in a chair. However, my tall and slender teenager tested the chair for a day and found it to be perfect.
Aside from the lumbar support, the TC200 has plenty of adjustability for a custom fit. A lever on the side of the seat allows you to recline from 90 degrees vertical to a completely flat 180 degrees. A second lever handles both the upward and downward movements, and when you pull it out or push it in, it locks or unlocks the tilt/swing function. An adjustment knob under the seat controls the tension of the tilt function. This is all pretty standard stuff.
Three discreet buttons on each armrest let you move them up and down, forward and back, and in or out. They can also turn in or out a few degrees with a firm tug.
Bottom Line
The Corsair TC200 is a good gaming chair that can double as a luxury office chair. It has plenty of adjustability to let you sit up for serious work or recline for a causal YouTube viewing session. The armrests move in four directions, so you can place your elbows wherever you want. And most movements require pressing the button, so the armrests don’t slide unintentionally when you grab them, like some other chairs.
However, the TC200 seat skimps on lumbar support and feels narrow if you have a roomy bottom or like to sit cross-legged like I do. If you’re a bigger gamer looking for a luxury seat, I recommend the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XLan Editor’s Best Choice and one of the Best gaming chairs we tested.
At $399.99, the TC200 is definitely more than your typical desk chair. With a steel frame and well-designed upholstery, this is a chair designed to last for years to come. It’s not the most luxurious chair out there, but it’s definitely worth considering, especially if you like the look and the idea of wheels that won’t roll the chair away from you unexpectedly.