In the ever-expanding universe of gaming chair options, one that I’m at least somewhat familiar with, it feels rare to find a company that has been around for more than a few years. It came as a surprise to me then, when I was asked to review the E-Win Flash XL Gaming Chair, to learn that E-Win has actually been designing seats since 2001. Back then they were in the luxury car and office chair business, but the pivot to gaming chairs in 2015 at least seems sensible.
There are multiple variants for each style of chair E-Win produces, ranging from a standard all-black look to designs featuring a pink bunny or Captain America branding. Needless to say, it’s likely you’ll find a look that you like if you’re in the market. The chair I reviewed was mostly black with electric blue highlights peppering the Stain Resistant 2.0 PU Leather.
The construction of the chair is undeniably durable. This is a piece of furniture that will last you years, as indicated by the 2-year warranty that comes standard with your purchase. There are even ways to extend that warranty for up to another three years for free, simply by doing some social posting. The frame itself actually has a 10-year warranty, but I feel you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has had the same chair for ten years.
All that said, once I put the chair together, which was simple to do and took less than an hour, I felt I could forcefully toss it down the stairs and not have it sustain any damage. While I would like to try that at some point, for science of course, I felt it more prudent to start putting it to work.
It turns out that after two months of regular use, that initial feeling of durability has remained. I’m used to seeing chairs, even some higher quality ones, lose their form after even just a few weeks. I’m pleased to report that this is not the case with the E-Win Flash XL. It looks and feels like it just came out of the box. I could certainly see this as a drawback for some – I know the broken-in feel has a certain appeal. If that’s more your cup of tea, you likely wouldn’t reach that point for some time in this chair.
Another gripe I have had with gaming chairs specifically in the past is how hot they would seem to get, even after sitting for only an hour or so. In my experience, that has not been a problem for the Flash XL. When working from home, I’m able to sit for hours at a time and stay nice and cool, something that has shot up my priority list in the last few years thanks to being in my home office more than ever.
It should be noted, as indicated by its name, the Flash XL is a bit larger than your average gaming chair. In fact, it’s recommended for those up to seven feet tall and comfortably performs for those up to 550 pounds. To accommodate those of all shapes and sizes, the chair has a wider seat and a five-star base, which never once flinched under the strain, even when I had my wife and kids pile on to test.
For those of you who prefer to lounge in your chair, E-Win also has you covered there, as the seat reclines back 155 degrees. While it’s not a feature I take advantage of too much, it certainly had me relaxed while putting it through its paces.
One of the bigger drawbacks, if you can call it that, is what you’ll find with just about any premium gaming chair in existence – the price. As of publishing time, the E-Win Flash XL Gaming Chair is selling for $519, marked down from its standard price of $599. Now, it can be argued that something you use on such a regular basis is worth the price of admission, but it definitely puts this quality chair out of reach for a fair amount of potential customers.
Overall, the E-Win Flash XL Gaming Chair is undeniably a premium product. Its sturdy construction, numerous design options, and level of comfort elevate it above many of its peers – at a cost. If you have the means though, you would be doing yourself a disservice by not considering adding an E-Win to your office.
