Affordable AndaSeat Novis Gaming Chair Delivers Surprising Durability

With costly GPUs, building an affordable gaming PC is challenging. Budget gaming chairs are one way to save money when assembling a new setup. While cheaper chairs are often poorly built, the new AndaSeat Novis promises to outlast competitors. The Novis doesn’t wow buyers with advanced ergonomics, but it may be versatile enough for most gamers.

The Novis, which costs as low as $199, is available in black PVC leather or an ash-gray cloth fabric. For this review, I tested the slightly pricier faux leather XL version for several weeks. Even as a basic ergonomic chair, the Novis impressed with its durable construction and soft but supportive seat base. Does it suffer from any of the other common drawbacks of budget chairs?

Packaging and Assembly

When unboxing the Novis gaming chair, there weren’t many surprises. The components are adequately separated and protected with plastic and foam.

Despite its budget stature, the XL model is hefty at over 55 lbs. With the packaging weighing more, you may want to carry parts individually to the desired room.

Unlike some of its competitors, AndaSeat includes a decently-sized instruction booklet with color photos. Simplifying matters further, the Novis uses only two types of screws, with the hardware labeled in its container.

While the tilt mechanism and armrests don’t arrive attached, both were installed with minimal fuss. The most difficult step was connecting the backrest to the seat base. For some reason, one bolt refused to screw into a side bracket securely, but eventually I successfully lined up the two pieces. A helper could speed up the process, but I completed the assembly of the Novis in about 30 minutes by myself.

Design

AndaSeat calls the chair’s color Elegant Black, but it has a slight hint of smokey gray when viewed close-up. Meanwhile, the cloth Novis sports a more distinctive gray appearance.

When choosing the best chair material for your needs, fabric is more breathable than PU leather. However, the surface of the PVC leather Novis uses is much easier to wipe clean. That’s definitely a positive, since I found the chair attracted fingerprints and smudges. Unlike the AndaSeat Kaiser Frontier, the upholstery on the Novis is smooth rather than rugged. Consequently, it may not be as durable, but the imitation leather feels luxurious against the skin. For ultimate breathability with easy maintenance, you can check out Game Rant’s review of the AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh.

The Novis resembles common racing chairs in design. AndaSeat’s chair, while primarily black, features a conspicuous white logo. Additionally, owners will notice white stitching on both the edge of the seat cushion and the backrest.

The backrest and seat base have raised edges that hug the back and legs. On the XL version, the seat depth measures 21.7″, and the width is 21.1″, including the lipped edges. With a 33.3″ long backrest, the Novis XL accommodates occupants up to 6’11” tall and 265 lbs. The standard size has smaller measurements and is best for gamers 6’3″ tall or under and weighing a maximum of 198 lbs.

With a gaming chair under $300 (or $200 with the large size), you can’t expect touches of luxury throughout its build. On the Novis, the armrests are sturdy with iron supports, but lack any metal furnishings. The plastic covers on the side of the backrest serve their purpose, but do leave one exposed screw visible.

After taking note of the wheels appearing somewhat fragile on their iron base, they still function as expected. On my hard plastic mat, the Novis chair moved around quite easily, considering its large XL size.

For $250, I can’t find many complaints about the Novis’s construction. A budget chair often shows its limitations only after many months or years, but it feels secure enough to use for long hours. There were never any unsettling creaks other than when reclining the backrest.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The most advanced ergonomic gaming chairs offer a never-ending list of adjustments. With the affordable Novis, gamers only have the basics, like a reclining backrest and armrests that move up and down. Even so, I rarely felt like I needed more flexibility to feel comfortable sitting in the chair. There are also only a few handles and knobs to fiddle with.

With a large lever, the backrest on the Novis tilts backward up to 155 degrees, which is sufficient for relaxing hours. It can also rock back and forth to some degree. Underneath the chair is a round knob to modify tilt tension and another control to lock and unlock the tilt angle. Using the same lever, the seat base rises up to 55.3″.

Armrests with only height adjustments are rare with today’s mid-range and luxury chairs. Buyers can alter their width, but it requires changing screw positions underneath the seat. That may pose problems if multiple people of different sizes use the Novis. Also, some users can’t easily change the dimensions of the armrests to suit different postures or sitting positions. However, the Novis doesn’t suffer from rattling armrests, which plague some more complex alternatives.

Since the edges of the backrest are elevated, the chair’s lumbar region is partially hidden. Instead of the adjustable lumbar support of the Secetlab Titan Evo series, the bottom of the Novis’ backrest slopes outwards to a height of around two inches. I can only speak for myself, but I found that my lower back fit the contours of the chair. Even so, taller or shorter buyers may benefit from chairs that allow shifting of the lumbar cushion’s position.

The Novis relies on cold cure foam to provide enough cushioning while remaining supportive. If you are concerned about an overly firm seat base, AndaSeat’s chair is surprisingly comfortable. Its seatback doesn’t have quite the same amount of padding, but my back never ached after pressing against it for hours. The armrests also have a spongey texture that prevents sore elbows.

I’d have some reservations about using the Novis in a hot and humid environment. The PU leather is not very porous, and sweat will quickly collect on its surfaces. That said, during testing, heat buildup wasn’t an issue in dry air at normal room temperatures. Buyers can always opt for the fabric Novis, or look for a reasonably priced mesh gaming chair.

With its tempting price tag, the Novis doesn’t ship with any head or lumbar pillows. Fortunately, the manufacturer sells some compatible options on its website.

Is the Novis the Perfect Budget Throne?

Budget gaming chairs are often made by lesser-known brands and not given the scrutiny they deserve. However, more established companies are realizing that not every buyer needs a bevy of ergonomic adjustments. The AndaSeat Novis focuses on comfort and build quality without over-complicating the sitting experience.

In a previous review, I was surprised by the sturdiness of the AndaSeat Kaiser Frontier XL. I can happily say that costing less and with slightly lower maximum weight limits, the Novis also doesn’t disappoint. Medium-sized gamers may want to consider the larger option since AndaSeat has reinforced some parts, like the wheelbase. Even with plenty of plastic showing, the Novis is as solidly constructed as any similarly priced alternative. Buyers can also extend their three-year limited warranty to five years by posting a social media story.

With integrated lumbar support and a generous reclining/rocking range, the Novis compensates for a lack of adjustments. Still, the armrests may be too simplistic for some, and require an Allen key to modify their width. Also, while the smooth PU leather is effortless to maintain, it struggles to absorb sweat and resist body heat. AndaSeat offers a breathable fabric version, but colors and styles are limited for both models.

Similar Gaming Chairs

The AndaSeat Novis is an attractive combination of comfort and durability. Even so, there is no shortage of gaming chairs in the $175 to $300 price bracket.

The Respawn 110 Pro is well-padded with an integrated footrest, but is limited by fixed armrests.

Moving onto the most recognizable gaming brands, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed and Razer Iskur V2 X both stand out. The Corsair chair has a very wide seat and includes two pillows, but its seat back isn’t as tall as the Novis XL.

Finally, like the TC100 Relaxed, the Iskur V2 X offers the 2D armrests that the Novis lacks. Unfortunately, without a discount, the $300 chair might be too costly for budget buyers.

FAQ

Q: What are the most essential ergonomic qualities of a budget gaming chair?

Even without complex ergonomic features, a budget gaming chair should allow for seat height adjustments. Modifiable armrest height is also essential for maintaining a healthy typing position. Finally, the lumbar region is susceptible to aches and pain, so consider adding a pillow to chairs without integrated support.

Q: Is buying a used premium chair a better option than a lower-quality new model?

Many gaming chairs typically don’t last beyond a few years, showing signs of wear and tear such as creaking parts and cracking PU leather. But now, Herman Miller has entered the scene, producing gaming chairs based on long-lasting models. In fact, investing in a pre-owned premium chair under warranty could lead to significant savings over time.

2025-03-17 15:14