Move over, baseball. As the years pass, video games are quickly becoming this country’s new favorite pastime. According to a 2022 Statista Consumer Insights report, gaming is America’s fourth most popular hobby, following “cooking & baking,” “reading,” and “pets.”
As gaming grows, so too does the need for gaming accessories. Fancy keyboards, mice, and headsets have always garnered demand—Call of Duty and Turtle Beach; name a more iconic duo—but the groundswell has accelerated in an era of esports leagues and Twitch streaming.
E-WIN Racing is a relative up-and-comer in the accessories business. Their gaming chairs aren’t quite as well-known as the Corsairs and Razers of the world, but E-WIN manages to stand out with its sleek, eye-catching designs.
They look good, but are E-WIN’s gaming chairs ergonomic, easy to assemble, and built to last? Read on for our full review.
The Aesthetics
Let’s start off with an easy win (no pun intended). E-WIN offers a variety of chairs, from themed chairs to heavy-duty gaming chairs, and they all look fantastic.
I reviewed a Knight Series E-WIN Racing office gaming chair—specifically the black and white KTC model. The chair sports a slick, modern style, its black faux-leather upholstery accented by just the right dash of color. A pair of cushions—one an attachable headrest, the other a resting pillow—serve as nice accoutrements. Tying the look together is the company’s namesake, “E-WIN,” embroidered on the chair’s head.
The final product looks less like the standard office chair, and more like a shiny racecar. This is designed to be a centerpiece of your gaming or office setup, and if you’re considering purchasing it—for streaming, for company Zoom meetings, etc.—odds are you know that.
Score: 9.5/10
The Assembly
My E-WIN Knight Series gaming chair shipped to me domestically (via E-WIN’s Ohio distribution center), and arrived in a fairly weathered 60-pound box.
I was disappointed with the external wear and tear, but upon opening the box, I was pleased to find all components wrapped snugly in either plastic or bubble wrap. Further in, I found an accompanying manual, a pair of Allen wrenches, and some spare nuts and washers.
These parts (which are manufactured in China) required some assembly on my part. Most of the work involved unscrewing some preset nuts from the backrest; re-screwing the backrest to the seat; screwing on the armrests; and attaching the base, wheels, and hydraulics.
It took me about an hour to get the chair fully assembled, and all told, the process was relatively simple. However, I’d be remiss not to mention the instructions themselves, which were outdated relative to my model. Specifically, they neglected to mention how to install my armrests, which gave me a decent headache.
The instructions consist of just two pages (pictured).
It was disappointing to encounter such a basic “miss” early on in my E-WIN experience. While the assembly was easy for me to figure out, your mileage may vary—especially if you’re uncomfortable with parsing vague instructions.
Score: 7.0/10
The Feel
E-WIN’s Knight Series chairs are made from a combination of plastic, metal, and PVC leather. Despite the word “leather,” don’t be mistaken: This is a faux-leather material (and, notably, not particularly eco-friendly).
On its website, E-WIN markets its PVC leather as both stain-resistant and breathable, the latter of which is designed to keep your seat cool on hotter days. While I can’t speak to the stain-resistance piece (no spills so far!), I can speak to the breathability—more specifically, a lack thereof.
I live in a cozy loft space that gets particularly warm during the summer. Based on my few weeks of testing, I’ve noticed a step backward in temperature comfort compared to my previous (though admittedly uglier) office chair. Be prepared to sweat a bit if you’re sitting for long periods.
The before and after
Thankfully, the rest of my E-WIN experience has been relatively positive. The backrest and armrests feel ergonomic for my size (I’m 5’9” and 180 lbs), and E-WIN has different models for other statures. The chair’s additional pillows are nice for days when I need some extra head or back support, but I generally don’t use them. Again, your mileage may vary.
If there’s one thing I wish the KTC model had, it’s more flexibility. The armrests, while comfortable, can only be adjusted up or down—not side to side or at an angle. And though the head pillow can be affixed to the chair, the back pillow cannot. More expensive E-WIN models offer these features, but given the KTC’s already premium pricing (more on that in a bit), I was left wanting more.
Score: 8.0/10
The Performance
As I mentioned before, I’ve been using my E-WIN Knight Series KTC model for a few weeks now. While the chair looks as good as ever, I’ve been curious to see how well I like the chair after some heavier use.
A few observations:
- The chair occasionally tips with my weight when I lean forward or backward, based on the positioning of its five wheels. I haven’t fallen over, but it’s given me a scare once or twice.
- You can recline almost completely horizontally. Because of the above point, however, I found myself worrying the chair might tip over.
- The wheels, while fine on hardwood floors, don’t roll well over rugs.
Its five-wheel design leaves the KTC model prone to tipping.
The above points are disappointing, but the next is downright concerning: I was surprised one day to find a nut had fallen out from one of my armrests. (I’d been careful to fasten them tight during assembly.) Upon further examination, I came to find that all the nuts had loosened. While I promptly tightened them, I can’t help but assume this will be a recurring issue.
I’d love to give a higher score in the performance area. The chair itself (the fabric, frame, etc.) has held up nicely, and I feel secure when simply gaming or working. But the above setback—especially just weeks into testing—leaves me questioning the KTC’s longevity.
Score: 5.0/10
The Price Tag
It’s no secret that gaming chairs come at a premium. A quick search for Razer, Corsair, or Secretlab chairs will yield price tags upward of $400 or even $500.
By comparison, the E-WIN Knight Series is a bit more competitive on price. The KTC model has a $333 price point which is frequently discounted to $229 for major sales (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.).
At full price, I would be wary of picking one up, especially given the lack of flexibility features present in pricier models. However, at $229, I see the Knight Series as a decent “step up” compared to a $100 or $150 chair you might buy on Amazon.
Don’t get me wrong: I think any chair north of $200 is excessive (unless it really offers some bells and whistles). Your personal budget and price tolerance may vary, but for most consumers, I’d wait for a sale.
Score: 6.0/10
Is the E-WIN Knight Series Gaming Chair Worth Buying?
The E-WIN Knight Series KTC gaming chair is a stunning centerpiece for my home office, and I feel much more comfortable in it than I did in my previous chair. Unfortunately, it’s held back by its outdated instructions, premium pricing, and questionable shelf life.
Still, if you have money to spend and love the aesthetic that E-WIN offers, you can do a lot worse when upgrading your gaming or work setup.
Final Score: 7.0/10
Interested in picking up your own E-WIN Racing gaming chair? Use the code TPB for 20% off your order.
Disclaimer: This chair was provided complimentary by E-WIN for review.
