Corsair is a company that is well known for its computer parts, and but they’ve been branching into new areas to elevate your gaming setup. Today, we’re taking a look at their latest gaming chair, the fabric-trimmed T3 Rush. Not all chairs are created equal, especially with an MSRP of $299. Is the T3 Rush worth a buy? Join us as we find out!
Specifications
- Cost: $299.99 USD
- Seat Foam Type: Polyurethane foam (cold foam)
- Seat Foam Density: 3.43lbs/ft³
- Seat Frame Construction: Metal
- Seat Frame Color: Black
- Seat Material: Soft Fabric
- Adjustable Armrests: Yes
- Armrest Pad Size: 10.2 in. x 3.9 in. x 1 in.
- Tilt: Yes
- Tilt Mechanism Type: Basic (Up/Down, Titled)
- Adjustable Tilt Angle: 0 – 10 degrees
- Tilt Lock: Yes
- Gas Lift Class: Class 4 Grade
- Gas Lift Specification: 100mm Stroking height
- Recline: Yes
- Adjustable Back Angle: 90 - 180 Degrees
- Adjustable Height: Yes
- Size: Regular
- Minimum/Maximum Seat Height: 17.5 IN/ 21 IN
- Minimum/Maximum Arm Height: 11.22 IN/14.38 IN
- Backrest Height: 33.46 IN
- Backrest Shoulder Width: 21.26 IN
- Seat Size: 22 IN x 22.8 IN
- Weight: 49.60 LBS
- Weight Capacity: 264.5 LBS
- Warranty: 2 years
- Adjustable Lumbar/Neck Pillows: Yes
- Chair Base Material: Nylon
- Wheel Size: 2.55 IN
The throne you choose for your gaming setup is more important than many of us realize. Comfort, durability, and price all determine whether it’s a good fit and each, to a greater or lesser degree, is a subjective. You want something that will work for over long gaming sessions. Something that will last years into the future. At the same time, you don’t want it to cost more than your gaming PC. Let’s see how the T3 Rush stacks up.
Comfort When It Counts
The market is flooded with options, but surprisingly, they’re not all as comfortable as they would first seem. I have reviewed three in the last year, one from Arozzi with the faux leather trim, one from Secret Labs in fabric, and now the T3 from Corsair which also has a fabric finish. After trying these three over weeks and weeks of use, and several others over shorter times, I find fabric chairs much more comfortable and breathable. In the middle of summer, you can sit freely without finding yourself sticking to the finish. Even in normal use, they are just more immediately comfortable that leather trimmed chairs in my opinion.
The T3 Rush also comes with two other pieces than enhance its comfort: a head rest pillow and a memory foam lumbar support pillow. Out of the chairs I have used, each of them has a pillow for neck support which is attached by a strap, as this is pretty much standard in their design. The lumbar supports can be very different. The Arozzi chair had a pillow attached by a strap. The Secret Labs chair has a built-in lumbar support that used a knob, and the T3 uses a simple memory foam pillow that isn’t attached at all. You’ll need to adjust it (and readjust it) when you move, so I would have liked to have seen this attached to the chair in some way, but it’s soft and comfortable.
Durability is Key
The foundation of each chair – the five-star base and the actual frame inside the cushion – is absolutely key. A sturdy, yet hidden, frame will make all the difference in how comfortable the chair is and how long it will last. The T3 Rush uses a steel frame so you can be assured that you won’t be having any problems with it breaking or developing nasty creaks anytime soon. At the same time, in certain positions I was able to feel it, but generally only if I tried crossing my legs in the chair or leaned very heavily to one side (like when reaching out for something on my desk).
One of the worst things to happen to you is when a chair leg breaks, or a wheel snaps off. The five-point wheel base you have equalizes pressure all the way around. It’s plastic, which is a clear concession to the price (more expensive chairs usually shift this to metal). It feels solid but you’ll still want to take care not to slam it around or yourself down into the chair. The wheels themselves are sturdy and easily inserted into the base of the chair. They glide with minimal effort and allow you to move the chair from one spot to another with ease.
The Rush also includes other key features, like a quality gas lift, the rocking base, and a reclining back that can extend into a full lay. They are all adjustable using controls under the seat, as expected. I found that it really allowed me to change position and get comfortable whether I was sitting up at my keyboard or kicking back with a controller. In the past, I’ve had issues with sub-standard gas lifts or reclining mechanisms having problems even into the first year. Unfortunately, the time frame of reviews doesn’t allow for long-term testing, so I can’t say if this chair will face any of those, but it’s been perfect over the last month and I’ll update here if it does.
Easy to Build
Putting the T3 Rush together is very simple. The instruction manual is only a few pages long, and if you have ever assembled a gaming chair before, you’ll know exactly what to expect. A few screws attach the base of the chair to the gas lift and base. The wheels quickly snap into place. Four screws attach the back to the seat, which you then cover with a bit of plastic trim, and you’re in business. I really took my time, read the instructions just like a newcomer, and it only took me about half an hour from start to finish. I could easily have cut that in half if I didn’t try to walk through it like a newcomer. Corsair really made it easy with quality instructions and preinstalled screws so I didn’t need to search for where each piece went.
Final Thoughts
Corsair products are normally of good high quality and the T3 Rush gaming chair is no different. Built with a steel frame, a fabric that feels good to sit on and keeps you cool, and enough support from the head and back cushions to feed hours of gaming, it’s a great chair for an affordable price.
The product described in this review was provided by Corsair for evaluation purposes.
