Two-minute review

As the name would suggest, the Backbone One 2nd Gen is the second version of the Backbone One mobile controller. It’s available in two distinct flavors, a plain Black and the white PlayStation Edition. Which of these you choose will ultimately boil down to your personal aesthetic preferences, though I think the PlayStation Edition edges ahead thanks to the smooth DualSense Wireless Controller style clear plastic used for its buttons, which feels slightly more premium than the rougher plastic of the Black and is reminiscent of some of the best PC controllers.

Both the Black and PlayStation Editions can be purchased with either a USB-C, which will work with most Android phones and the iPhone 15 series, or a Lightning connector for older iPhone models. While it may be tempting to pick up the Lightning model if it's the connector found on your phone, I would suggest that you hold off on your purchase until you have upgraded to a more recent iPhone if you already have any plans to do so. As USB-C is now the dominant standard across iOS and Android, you run the risk of splashing out on a Lightning controller that you can't use with your next device.

The Backbone One 2nd Gen offers all of the same features as the original Backbone One, which is to say that it’s a capable mobile controller. There have been some choice upgrades this time around, though, including improvements to its d-pad and buttons. The buttons are just as tactile as the original, but feel a little firmer and less fragile to the touch. Although it looks largely unchanged, the d-pad is also a vast improvement. It’s much less stiff and is absolutely butter-smooth in its motion. It allows for much faster, more accurate inputs that are absolutely perfect for fast-paced mobile games like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile or Dead Cells.

There have also been improvements to how the controller fits around your phone. The Backbone One 2nd Gen can extend a little further, letting it comfortably clasp my iPhone 15 Plus. The fiddly rubber adapters that were included with the original Backbone One have been replaced with slick magnetic ones that are remarkably quick to change once you get the hang of it. The included large adapters even allow the controller to be used with most phone cases - completely eliminating one of my biggest complaints with the original model.

The only problem with the Backbone One 2nd Gen is less the fault of the controller and more reflects changes in the mobile controller market. There wasn’t much competition when the Backbone One first launched in 2020. Now, however, there are loads of compelling alternatives to choose from, some of which offer comparable features at a fraction of the price. Even within its price range, it’s still facing stiff competition from similarly designed Bluetooth alternatives such as the Scuf Nomad. While the Backbone One 2nd Gen still comes out ahead thanks to its quality build, a small price cut would have made this revision much more competitive

Backbone One 2nd Gen: Price and availability

•  $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99 
• Black and PlayStation Edition available 
• Discount for original owners 

Every model of the Backbone One 2nd Gen costs $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99 and is easy to find at retailers like Amazon. This includes the licensed PlayStation Edition, not to mention the Lightning and USB-C variants of each. Existing Backbone One owners with an active Backbone+ subscription, which costs $3.99 / £3.99 a month, can claim a 30% discount from the official store when they upgrade to the 2nd Gen model without needing to trade in their controller.

Even without that offer, the controller is frequently available on sale. You can often find it for $69.99 / £69.99, which is an absolutely killer price for what you’re getting. Given the rise of cheaper alternatives like the GameSir X2s Type-C, which costs only $45.99 / £49 / AU$69, it’s a shame that this discounted rate is not the standard rate.

Backbone One 2nd Gen: Specs

Backbone One 2nd Gen: Design and features

• Same great design as the Backbone One
• Improved d-pad and buttons 
• Now fits a phone case 

On the surface, very little has changed between the Backbone One and the Backbone One 2nd Gen. The Backbone One 2nd Gen maintains the same overall design, with two halves of a regular controller separated by an extending mechanism where your phone rests. The biggest changes here are in the buttons which are extremely tactile and have a pleasant, audible click. The same was true of the original model, but they are now a little firmer and more consistent.

The d-pad has also received an overhaul and is vastly improved. It’s less stiff and has quite a bouncy feel to it. The closest point of comparison is the d-pad of the Nintendo 2DS, minus all of the sponginess. The little adapters, located on either side of the extending back, have been upgraded too. They are now attached magnetically, rather than weakly slotting in, and are therefore much easier to swap out. A pair of large adapters is included in the box, which fit perfectly around my iPhone 15 Plus in its official silicone case. You can even use the controller without any adapters fitted at all, which could come in handy for those with a particularly thick phone.

Like the original Backbone One, the Backbone One 2nd Gen features charging passthrough via a USB-C port on its right-hand grip. The left-hand grip has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is perfect if you have a wired pair of any of the best gaming earbuds. 

The Backbone One 2nd Gen is also compatible with the Backbone app. It allows you to tweak your controller settings and can be accessed at any time by hitting the orange Backbone button on the controller. It’s a decent hub, but the optional Backbone+ subscription leaves a sour taste. It costs $3.99 / £3.99 a month and unlocks some additional features such as video capture, in-app voice chat, and some in-game perks. 

Thankfully, no integral features are paywalled but that just leaves this subscription feeling like a bit of a waste of money overall. Luckily, a free trial is available so you can at least see if it is for you before committing to a payment plan.

Backbone One 2nd Gen: Performance

• New d-pad and buttons are great
• Great for mobile games and game streaming 
• Compatible with lots of games and apps

If you’ve ever used the original Backbone One, then you’ll know pretty much exactly what to expect from the performance of the Backbone One 2nd Gen. The only real differences come from the improved buttons and d-pad, which do make games that require extensive use of the d-pad or rapid button inputs more satisfying and responsive. The controller is compatible with a wide range of games and apps, including some game streaming services such as Amazon Luna and GeForce Now, and offers a much more console-quality experience than relying on on-screen touch controls - though it’s still a little behind the incredible comfort offered by more premium alternatives like the Razer Kishi Ultra.

I tried a wide variety of games including Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile, Minecraft, Diablo Immortal, and much more, and was very satisfied with the performance. While perfectly compact, the Backbone One 2nd Gen sits comfortably in the hands and never feels too cramped even over periods of extended use.

Being able to use the controller with a phone case attached is also a bit of a game changer. One of the biggest issues with the original Backbone One was the fact that you needed to constantly take off your phone case in order to use it - leaving your precious device unprotected and giving you one more thing to keep track of on the move. I would say that this difference alone makes the Backbone One 2nd Gen a worthwhile upgrade if you are a phone case user, especially if you have access to the 30% discount or find it on sale. If you don’t own a Backbone One but are currently shopping for one, then this is definitely the model to go for.

Should I buy the Backbone One 2nd Gen?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If you’re not interested in what the Backbone One 2nd Gen brings to the table, then seriously consider these two other excellent mobile controllers. 

How I tested the Backbone One 2nd Gen

• Tested over a week
• Compared to other mobile controllers 
• Tested against the original Backbone One model 

I tested the Backbone One 2nd Gen mobile controller over the course of a week. During that time I played with both the regular Black version and the PlayStation Edition using my iPhone 15 Plus. I tried a wide variety of compatible mobile games, sourcing suggestions from the Backbone App. This included plenty of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile and Zenless Zone Zero, in addition to a few hours in Dead Cells, Diablo Immortal, Minecraft, and some streamed games via Amazon Luna.

Throughout my time with the controller, I compared its performance to other mobile controllers such as the Razer Kishi Ultra, Scuf Nomad, GameSir X2s Type-C, Rog Tessen, and, of course, the original Backbone One. For my audio, I relied on the wired Final VR500 earbuds and a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

Rode PodMic USB: One-minute review

You can see the rationale here: Rode’s XLR-based PodMic has been a staple of spoken-word recordings for half a decade now, delivering incredible value microphones for streaming for under $100 / £100. But not everyone has an audio interface capable of running XLR inputs, particularly not those with an eye for low-cost setups who might be drawn to the PodMic in the first place. So why not release a model with a USB-C input too?

On paper that sounds great. It means you can connect the PodMic USB directly to your PC or Mac and just start recording into a DAW. No fuss, no added audio interface expense. And don’t get me wrong, the setup really is that easy here. 

It sounds pretty good right out of the box too, through either connection type. The sound characteristics seem to favor the mid-range more than the highs, and while I personally prefer a more whispery, pronounced high end for spoken word recordings, ultimately that comes down to personal preference. 

However, what's less subjective is the topic of price. Manufacturing a USB microphone with two connections has pushed the price up to $199.99 / £199.99, double that of the original XLR-only PodMic. And that’s a problem, because a big part of the reason everyone loved the PodMic was its price, and how favorably it compared to rival mics in that same range. 

There’s a flaw in this proposition, then, but it doesn’t mean you won’t still enjoy its considerable benefits if you buy one. The construction quality is absolutely fantastic, typical of a storied studio mainstay like Rode, and the mic monitoring input is a great nice-to-have. Throwing in a stand might have sweetened the deal a little though, and considering the price it’s disappointing that this mic can’t be used to record USB and XLR tracks simultaneously.

Rode PodMic USB: Price and availability

• List price: $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.99
• Double the price of the XLR-only model
• Tough competition like the Shure MV7 at this price point

Price is the only major downside of the PodMic USB, but it’s a considerable one. Retailing for $200 / £200 means it’s going up against spoken word mic royalty like the Shure MV7, and it doesn’t offer a standout feature or discernibly better audio quality to draw you away from the latter. The fact that the extra outlay is due to an added connection type which can’t be recorded in series means it’s unlikely that most users will feel a real sense of added value here. 

Rode PodMic USB: Specs

Rode PodMic USB: Design and features

• Professional, sleek appearance 
• Straightforward setup 
• Direct mic monitoring input 

One of the best things about this mic is its look and feel. You get the sense you’re holding studio equipment as soon as you take the capsule out of its packaging and feel its 1.9lb/900g weight. While that might not be ideal for travel, it certainly conveys a sturdiness and premium construction which remains consistent under deeper scrutiny. 

Pulling away the rubber guard to reveal the XLR connection is like opening the briefcase from Pulp Fiction, so pristine and glowing are the pins and shielding. And while some mics in this space make a more explicit play for streamers by adding RGB lighting, Rode retains a sophisticated, professional studio gear aesthetic throughout. 

The supplied pop shield fits snugly over the capsule and does its job well. If you’re thinking of using this as an instrument mic it’s best used without the shield, and it’s nice to see the mic’s versatility accounted for by the easy shield fixing. 

Rather than a cradle, the mic capsule mounts to an arm or stang directly via a characteristically solid hinged metal bracket. It’s easy to get the angle you need from this design, and while a supplied stand would certainly have sweetened the deal at this high pricing, one can have no qualms about how it fixes to a boom arm. 

Setup via the USB-C connection couldn’t be much simpler. You run the cable directly from the USB-C connector at the base of the mic into your PC or Mac’s USB-C port via the cable provided. If you’re short on USB-C connections on your motherboard you could use a USB-C to USB-A cable instead, but that isn’t supplied with this mic. 

Via XLR it’s only slightly more involved, requiring an audio interface to convert that analog XLR input into a digital signal. Connecting that way does mean you forgo the use of Rode’s Unify, Connect and Central software programs for this mic, but if fidelity must be maintained at all costs, the option’s there.

This model is particularly light on physical, on-mic controls. A scroll wheel for mic monitoring gain is the one and only control here, in fact, which shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for the vast majority of use cases but when compared to the MV7’s gain/monitoring slider and mute control, it looks a little bit barebones. 

Mic monitoring sounds great, though. It’s common for these live mic monitoring signals to run hot and distort much more easily than the recording signal, but that isn’t the case here - you get a usable, representative tone. 

On the software side, there are three different programs that can be used specifically with the PodMic USB when you connect via USB: Rode Central, Rode Connect, and Rode Unify. Central is the top-level companion app that gives you all your basic controls, while Connect and Unify work more like mixers. After an initial foray, I found that I didn’t end up using any of them, preferring to just work in Ableton and add plugins to sculpt the sound. I can see the value of all three, but streamers, podcasters, and producers will all probably have their preferred software without the need to dip into these.

Rode PodMic USB: Performance

• Warm, full and a bit mid-focused
• Decent guitar amp recording
• Deals with ambient noise and knocks well

Rode’s name is hallowed in pro audio, so the fundamental sound of this mic was never going to be called into question. With the original PodMic having done the rounds for over five years now too, this is a known quantity for sound quality. 

However, sound quality is a blend of science and perception. There are specs involved, like the 48KHz sample rate via USB-C which can’t be debated, but there’s also the way its sound reproduction hits your ear. I found the PodMic USB lacks a little of the sparkle I look for from a vocal mic, at least out of the box. 

With some EQ and low pass, I can dial in that whispery, grainy high-end that makes podcasts, streams, and voiceover tracks sound glossy and broadcast-ready, so it’s not that the mic lacks fidelity. Far from it. It captures a lot of warmth and detail from a vocal source. It’s just that its natural tuning seems to emphasize midrange more than I’m used to, so I feel like dialing it back at the DAW level. That’s true when connecting via an XLR cable, or by USB-C. 

It’s the same sound characteristic story when you put this mic in front of a guitar amp speaker, although I found in this scenario the mid-emphasis works better. It’s particularly well-suited to my Mesa 2X12 closed-back cabinet - it seems to reproduce that tight, dry sound particularly well. 

A decade ago, vocals and instrument recordings at this fidelity for $200 / $200 - via USB, no less - would have been dreamland. How far we’ve come…

In a less studio-y environment like Discord or Twitch streaming where mechanical keyboards are clacking away and desk knocks are commonplace, the PodMic USB stands up well to audio intrusions. Its cardioid polar pattern tunes out keyboard noise if it’s placed so that the keyboard’s behind it, and using the supplied shock mount it suppresses knocks admirably.

Should I buy the Rode Podmic USB?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

Still not fully sold on the Rode PodMic USB? Here are two other strong gaming microphones to consider. 

How I tested the Rode PodMic USB

• Two weeks of professional and personal use
• Used for in-game comms, Discord chat, and as an instrument mic
• Both inputs tested

The PodMic has been my daily driver in online games, Discord chitchat, and recording voiceover tracks for YouTube for two straight weeks. In addition, I set it up on a stand in front of my guitar amp’s speaker cone and recorded some instrument audio. For both vocal and instrumental recordings, I ran an XLR signal through a Focusrite audio interface into Ableton. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.

One-minute review

The Scuf Nomad is a good mobile controller. If you’re looking for a portable gamepad that boasts similar features to the Backbone One but makes use of Bluetooth rather than a physical connection, then this is the product for you. Having to keep its battery topped up is a little less convenient than the plug-and-play nature of wired controllers, especially as the Scuf Nomad does seem to lose charge rather quickly while not in use, but still has some advantages - namely reducing the impact on your phone’s battery life as your play.

When it comes to build quality, the Scuf Nomad ticks all of the right boxes. Like many of the best PC controllers, it feels reassuringly robust in the hands, with a good weight. It also has a very smooth extension mechanism that helps it fit snugly around your iOS phone. Its smooth plastic exterior looks good and features some pleasant tactile elements, like the slightly softer textured rear grips, too. Although not mechanical, the face buttons and d-pad are comfortable to use and responsive despite their relatively small size. 

Its Hall effect thumbsticks are also decent, though feel extremely loose compared to much of the competition. I personally didn’t mind this and found it to be a good fit for fast-paced titles like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile and Zenless Zone Zero, but it could be a dealbreaker for those who want something to play slower role-playing games (RPGs) like Stardew Valley.

While the thumbsticks are concave by default, two alternate convex thumbstick shapes are also included in the box. This is a great inclusion on paper, but the method of swapping between them is incredibly fiddly and not something that you would realistically want to do more than once - if at all. It’s a shame, as these minor frustrations are what holds the Scuf Nomad back from greatness.

Scuf Nomad: Price and availability

• $99.99 / £89.99 / around AU$179.99 
• Available via Scuf and Amazon 
• No Android edition for now 

The Scuf Nomad is available for $99.99 / £89.99 / around AU$179.99 either directly from Scuf or at online retailers like Amazon. This price point puts it roughly on par with the cost of a Backbone One, which is clearly the product that Scuf intends this controller to compete with. 

Although a Bluetooth device, the Scuf Nomad is not compatible with Android devices - a fact that is clearly stated on the box and store listings. I found that the controller does actually pair with an Android device, though it does not function correctly in most games, for example by failing to register certain inputs. 

While the sample provided for review came in black, the Scuf Nomad is also available in a rather striking white and gray colorway. 

Scuf Nomad: Specs

Scuf Nomad: Design and features

The design of the Scuf Nomad has clearly taken plenty of cues from the overall form factor of the Backbone One. It features a similar extending back mechanism, though it feels considerably smoother and higher quality on the Scuf Nomad which is definitely a welcome upgrade. 

The area where your phone rests is also home to a really lovely grippy texture that features a subtle hexagonal design that looks a little bit like camouflage from a distance - a brilliant little nod to the Scuf brand’s roots in first-person shooters (FPS) accessories and a practical addition that helps keep your phone firmly in place. There is also a small slot for a rubber adapter, which you can slide in easily and helps create a little more room for larger phones. 

The two grips are both a little thicker than those on the Backbone One, making them noticeably more comfortable for those with larger hands. They are also a more ergonomic shape, plus each features a customizable rear input in addition to the usual face buttons, thumbsticks, shoulder buttons, and triggers. While the thumbsticks are Hall effect, the buttons and d-pad are not mechanical which is a little disappointing given the clear focus on premium-feeling components elsewhere.

I was also unimpressed by the two included alternate thumbstick tips, which are a more convex design. The process of swapping between these tips is incredibly fiddly and annoying, involving plenty of pushing and pulling with an uncomfortable degree of force that had me convinced that I was about to break the controller. It’s not a process that I would ever want to repeat.

On the bottom of the left grip, you can find a USB-C port, which is used to charge the controller with a high-quality braided USB-C cable that is included in the box. On the other side, there is a small Bluetooth pairing button, which puts the controller into pairing mode. The only other notable design element is the four LED lights positioned next to the Menu Button. These illuminate to denote the controller’s current battery level or pairing status.

The Scuf Nomad’s most significant features are all accessed through the aptly named Scuf Nomad Mobile Companion App. This includes the ability to quickly launch compatible games, update controller firmware, and save a wide range of customizable profiles. You can seriously tweak almost any aspect of the controller in these profiles from trigger dead zones to thumbstick sensitivity, and even assign new buttons to every single input.

There are also a range of presets available for the thumbsticks and triggers, which would be perfect for those just eager to dive right into games with the ideal setup. It’s also worth noting that the app does not require any subscription services to access all of its features, which is noteworthy in the face of the Backbone Plus membership offered with the Backbone app.

Scuf Nomad: Performance

I found the performance of the Scuf Nomad to be fairly impressive across the board. It sits comfortably in the hands and offers a good level of responsiveness, despite relying on only a Bluetooth connection. The small d-pad and buttons are easy to reach and well-suited for rapid presses. The thumbsticks are also a good size, but it is worth noting that they do feel particularly loose which might not be for everyone.

There was one notable occasion where the triggers and left thumbstick stopped working entirely halfway through a battle royale game. This was incredibly annoying but fixed by quickly rebooting the controller, so likely the result of a connection issue rather than any hardware problems. It was also not repeated again during my hands-on testing of the controller, so does not seem to be a persistent issue.

I played my usual gauntlet of Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile matches, plus some cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and plenty of time in Zenless Zone Zero, and found every part of the experience to be on par with the Backbone One and Razer Kishi Ultra V2 - which is to say more than acceptable for the price. 

The only real issue that I did notice was that, while the controller boasts up to 16 hours of battery life (which appeared to be accurate in my testing), it does seem to deplete charge quickly between uses. If I made sure to charge it up in the morning, things were okay but there were some occasions where I took it out of my bag after a few days of no use only to find the controller completely out of juice.

Whether the result of the controller turning itself on during my travels or a less-than-stellar battery, it’s pretty unfortunate. Luckily, it does charge quickly and can be played from dead after just 20 minutes - so this didn’t cause much of a problem in the times when I had access to a plug socket. 

Should I buy the Scuf Nomad?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

If you’re not keen on what the Scuf Nomad has to offer, then consider these two excellent alternatives. 

How I tested the Scuf Nomad

• Tested over the course of month 
• Used with an iPhone 15 Plus ts

I tested the Scuf Nomad over the course of a month, using it a few times a week as my primary mobile gaming controller. During that time I played plenty of mobile titles including the recently released Zenless Zone Zero and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile in addition to some cloud gaming on Amazon Luna. I used the controller with an iPhone 15 Plus and was careful to experiment with all of its hardware and software features via the compatible Scuf Nomad Mobile Companion App.

Throughout the testing period, I compared my experience to my hands-on testing of other mobile controllers including the Backbone One, Razer Kishi Ultra, Razer Kishi V2, Turtle Beach Atom, ROG Tessen, GameSir X2s Type-C, GameSir X2 Pro, and much more. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024

One-minute review

Before you've even assembled it, the Corsair TC500 Luxe feels like an unbelievably high quality gaming chair. From its quilted fabric seat to its steel frame, it's hard not to praise every aspect of the chair. However, a chair this high quality means a relatively higher price point. But, I believe the Corsair TC500 Luxe is well worth the investment. 

Alongside its sturdy and comfortable build, it's got a plethora of features to help you tailor it to exactly what you need from your seat. In-built lumbar support is easily adjusted with two dials on each side of the backrest, and the magnetic neck support pillow is much easier to change the height for than the one attached to a strap like on the Boulies Master Series gaming chair which I am used to using, and used to readjusting when the strap inevitably slips off the top of the chair. 

In addition, omniflex armrests are ready to move around to suit however you're sitting and support your elbows and arms. For such a high level of personalization, it's hard to argue against its price point. Frankly, there's no other product I would recommend to someone looking for a gaming chair that is so comfortable and supportive in this price bracket.

Price and availability

• $499.99 / £499.99
• Available through Corsair
• 2 year warranty

The Corsair TC500 Luxe is an expensive chair. If you're a first time buyer when it comes to gaming chairs, the price tag might be overwhelming. But for $499.99 / £499.99 you're buying a chair that is guaranteed comfort from the second it's built, and a level of customization you wouldn't find in even the best budget gaming chairs. You're paying for premium and you’re getting it. 

Three colorways are currently available. Frost, Sherwood, and Shadow. All three, although fairly basic colors, feel like a sophisticated approach to gaming furniture. I'm used to seeing quite garish designs on chairs like the League of Legends Secretlab series, or even the Herman Miller Sayl gaming chair. Having three muted yet modern colors on offer  almost guarantees you'll be able to find something that suits your setup's aesthetic. 

A two year warranty is available from purchase as well, which is worthwhile but not as significant as other products currently available at a similar price point. For example, the Herman Miller Sayl is double the price of the TC500 Luxe, but offers an incredible 12-year warranty, or the Razer Fujin Pro which offers a slightly more humble five years. But, two years is still decent, and welcome.

Specs

Design and aesthetics

The Corsair TC500 Luxe has been designed with comfort as its main focus, but that doesn't mean any corners have been cut elsewhere. Rather than having your standard decals or colorful flourishes you'd see on other gaming chairs such as the Secretlab Titan Evo series or the Razer Enki, a more sleek design has been taken on board with a dark gray color for the chair itself and then black accents through its armrests and wheelbase.

The fabric of the chair itself is soft and breathable, which I found to be a nice change to the pleather or suede feel fabric used on cheaper chairs. It's not plush, but it's more comfortable and easy to move around on. The stitched details such as the diamond design sewn onto the seat and backrest are also a nice addition, reinforcing the premium, sophisticated feel of the chair. A Corsair logo stitched on the neck support pillow and the side of the chairs headrest is another detail which I appreciated.

The seat base is wider than my previous chair too. The TC500 Luxe has a seat base width of 59cm, which is significantly wider than the width of the Boulies Master Series gaming chair which was 53cm including the sides. On paper, it doesn't seem like a huge difference but when in use, that extra 6cm gives you a surprising amount of additional space. I'm a huge fidgeter, and having a seat base which is wider overall helped me find a position that suited me much faster than usual.

Comfort and adjustability

The TC500 Luxe isn't in short supply when it comes to customizable features. Its omniflex armrests give you complete freedom of movement, so you can adjust the height and direction of your armrests, alongside how far forward or backwards you want them. The only downside to this feature is that the armrests don’t lock into place, so if you lean on them at an angle with too much force (which I did more than once when adjusting my position in the seat) they will move out of place.

The wider seat gives you plenty of space to sit comfortably, and as someone who usually sits with their legs up on the seat, there was never a moment where it felt like a squeeze. But one thing I did immediately notice about the chair is how firm the seat cushioning is. A lot of the gaming chairs I've used previously such as the Boulies Master Series and the Secretlab Titan have a slight give on the seat to make it feel softer. The TC500 Luxe on the other hand is an incredibly firm seat. At first, I thought this would make the chair more uncomfortable when used for long periods, but it actually did the complete opposite. Instead, my whole body felt supported by the backrest and seat, and I didn't find myself slumping down into a position with terrible posture as I was before.

This is definitely helped by the in-built lumbar support of the chair which can easily be adjusted either side of the backrest with two wheels. One shifts the lumbar support vertically, while the other tailors support from left to right so you can perfectly pinpoint where you need support. In the past I've used this in-built support as a one-and-done thing, adjusting it the first time I sit in the chair and then leaving it to inevitably be ignored even when I shift position. But given how easy it is to adjust with the TC500, it was a feature I was happy to make the most of frequently. 

The magnetic neck support pillow is also a lavish flourish, and one of my personal favorite parts of the chair. I don't like how a lot of gaming chairs attach their neck support pillows to a fabric elastic band for you to pull over the headrest. They are clumsy, and the slightest shift in your position tends to result in the pillow moving around. The TC500 uses magnets, so once you've placed the pillow it will stay there until you need to remove it or change positions manually. Also, the pillow itself is made from plush memory foam, so that in itself exudes comfort and quality.

Assembly

I expected there to be a lot more steps to construct a premium gaming chair, but putting together the Corsair TC500 Luxe was surprisingly easy. Besides needing a bit of help guiding the base of the seat onto the wheel base, assembly can largely be a one person process. Instructions are easy to follow, and you only need a total of ten screws to build the whole chair included in the box. 

Inside its parts box, the allen wrench is also equipped with a large handle to help make screwing parts together even easier. If you're not using this, then a lot of the chair fits together by pushing parts into place such as wheels into the wheelbase or caps into open holes in brackets. 

The chair also has a slide bracket to support one side of the backrest when you're building, much like the AndaSeat Kaiser 4, which makes the process a lot easier. This is usually the part of assembly that makes construction a two-person job, since someone needs to support the backrest while another screws brackets into place. But, the addition of the slide bracket means you have all the support you need. I did have to use a fair bit of strength lining up the other side of the chair which wasn't supported by a slide bracket, but it was nowhere near as challenging as other chairs I've built. 

The assembly process also shows off a lot of the details on the chair, which Corsair has carefully considered to help support the premium labeling of the product. The plastic caps are embellished with Corsair logos, which isn't something I've seen on any other gaming chairs. It's not a detail you'd think to note since it's something so small and easy to overlook. But, it’s details like these that help the TC500 Luxe feel like a chair worth boasting about since everything feels so premium and detail-oriented.

Should I buy the Corsair TC500 Luxe Gaming Chair?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If you're not quite convinced by the TC500 Luxe, we've got some alternatives you might want to check out. 

How I tested the Corsair TC500 Luxe

• Used over two weeks
• Used for work and gaming
• Compared against other gaming chairs

I used the Corsair TC500 Luxe over a two week period for everything from daily work to gaming in the evenings and even watching movies at my PC to see if the chair is comfortable for more leisurely activities. While testing it for gaming, I played games such as Creatures of Ava, Tekken 8, and The Garden Path, alongside mobile games like Hello Kitty Island Adventure. At no point did I feel uncomfortable while using the chair, or as if I needed to shift my position to feel the benefits of its support. 

It's been my primary chair every time I've sat at my desk, but I've closely compared it to the Boulies Master Series and Secretlab Omega to see how it performs to similarly priced products. Each time, the TC500 Luxe impressed me with how supported my spine and shoulders felt, and there has been a noticeable improvement in my posture while in use. Two weeks of consistent use has convinced me that the TC500 Luxe is the only chair I'll need at my desk. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024.