INTRODUCTION

   In a global market filled with mediocre gaming chairs it's becoming increasingly hard to find a model that combines high quality, good design, large size, superior comfort and of course plenty of features. Now granted, such models usually cost quite a bit more but considering that they offer improved sitting posture, are ideal for larger sized people and could last for many more years compared to lower-end models they are more than worth spending extra for. Vertagear is one of those manufacturers that do their best to cover all segments of the market (low to high price range) and today with me i have one of their latest and best gaming chairs to date, the P-Line PL4800 (VG-PL4800SE).

   Vertagear is the world’s leader in premium gaming chairs. As gamers and engineers, we love leveling up. The constant evolution of our products forms the foundation of our team. We obsess over every part--every tiny detail--everyday. From utilizing the most premium material to considering the nuances of your day-to-day, we strive to give you the best experience from the first touch.

   The P-Line PL4800 gaming chair by Vertagear is currently available in no less than 6 different color combinations (Carbon Black, Black/White, Midnight Blue, Midnight Green, Midnight Purple and Burgundy Red) and is part of their recently launched 800 series all models of which are BIFMA EN1335 certified. Aside being one of the largest gaming chairs around with an 90cm tall and 55cm wide backrest and an 45cm deep and 54.5cm wide seat (supports up to 1.98m tall people and 163Kg total weight) the PL-4800 also features a PUC Synthetic Faux Leather cover (PVC durability and PU softness, always according to Vertagear) with velour like breathable parts (HygennX coffee ground cloth technology), CountourMax lumbar support (4 Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer modules), VertaAir Seat technology (4 elastic breathable supports), memory foam and UPHR padding, steel frame, neck support pillow, 4D armrests, 65mm PU wheels, backrest adjustment (up to 140 degrees) and tilt function (should be up to 15 degrees). The P-Line PL4800 is also RGB ready and thus end users can equip it with 3 different sets (top/logo/bottom) all of which are available extra. So, let's see if this is the gaming chair to get if you're in the market for a brand new one.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Vertagear uses a black and white box to ship their PL4800 in the front of which has their logo, certifications and package dimensions and weight.

The product line along with the model name and a sticker with the color combination and the chair’s serial number are all placed on the left side.

All parts of the chair are wrapped in plastic bags and placed between several pieces of black foam.

First thing to come out of the box was the 5-star aluminum base (small details like the company logo are always welcome).

The backrest was next in line.

Next out of the box were the Z-support mechanism with the neck support pillow.

In another box Vertagear has placed the class-4 gaslift, 5 PU wheels, z-support mechanism handles, 4 large screws, Allen key, assembly manual and washable pet hair remover.

The seat with the two 4D armrests already attached from the factory was last.

ASSEMBLY

Let’s start today’s assembly by attaching the 5 PU wheels onto the 5-star aluminum base.

There PU wheels are 65mm in diameter so although not the largest around they are not the smallest ones either.

I was a bit surprised to see that the bundle didn’t include a plastic cover for the class-4 gaslift.

The seat of the PL4800 is not only larger than most, it’s also of very high quality (should be very sturdy).

4 Allen screws are used for each 3D armrest.

Mounting the Z-support mechanism requires 4 Allen screws (all of which are mounted under the seat already).

Here you can see how the lumbar support of the PL4800 looks like (this may not be height or width adjustable but it works very well regardless).

The backseat of the PL4800 has two holes on either side but to mount it onto the seat you will need to insert the metal pieces into it as seen above.

Once this is done just secure the backrest using the large Allen screws.

With the top of the PL4800 now ready we can attach it to the base.

FINISHED LOOKS

The carbon black version of the PL4800 may not be the flashiest in the entire lineup but that means it can blend in pretty much everywhere.

The company logo is stitched both at the top of the backseat and the neck support pillow.

Stitching both in regards to the PUC leather and velour like pieces is pretty much excellent.

The height for the 3D armrests can be adjusted whereas the top can move forward, backwards and diagonally to suit your body type.

The company logo is placed at the rear top of the backrest.

With a backrest adjustment of up to roughly 140 degrees and tilt function of up to 15 degrees resting on the PL4800 is easy.

SCORE

Many of you recommended (including some manufacturers) that I place a chart pointing to the pros and cons of each gaming chair that finds its way to the lab. Now of course since there's really no way for me to "benchmark" gaming chairs i decided to rate them based on their size, comfort and quality after using each chair for at least one full week. Size and comfort usually go hand to hand (the larger the chair the more comfortable it usually is - that however also depends on the amount of padding and also the type and quality of the cover) while in terms of quality having tested dozens of models over the past years, i think i have a good idea about that as well. Of course, these scores are based on my personal opinion (always based on the samples i get – isolated/early sample issues are always possible) so do take them with a grain of salt.

CONCLUSION

   As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews testing gaming and office chairs alike may be extremely easy but it takes a lot of time, that is if you want to test durability/sturdiness (not just of the frame and base but also the armrests, backrest and even the cover) and comfort (takes quite a bit of time to actually break in the padding of a gaming chair). This effectively means that because i test each gaming chair to arrive in the lab for well over a month when many of them make their way here at the same time well it takes a lot of time to complete my review (and i had 5 other gaming chair models by the time the PL4800 arrived). Now i guess i could always "test" gaming chairs by just sitting on them a single afternoon (and if) but i just don't feel that's the right way to do it. Anyways with that out of the way the P-Line PL4800 gaming chair is clearly one of the top 5 best gaming chair to have passed from the lab, to date anyways. Build quality is superb both in terms of the steel frame and the cover (just a step less than real leather models), size is more than enough for most users (if you are over 2 meters tall you can always opt for the slightly larger PL6800 model) and as for comfort levels even though the velour like surfaces is not really flexible at first after two weeks this chair because one of the most comfortable ones I’ve used. The RGB feature of the PL4800 also looks very nice but unfortunately even though i did request it from Vertagear the sample which arrived in the lab didn't have any of the sets with it. Design is something that always comes down to the individual but i do feel Vertagear did a great job in that regard and as for the 6 available colors well that's something i liked a lot about this chair. Vertagear also covers the entire PL4800 gaming chair with a 2-year warranty even though they cover the steel frame with a 10-year limited one and even though i don't expect the frame to bend or anything of the short it's always good to be covered just in case.

   At the time of my review the P-Line PL4800 Gaming Chair by Vertagear is on sale for USD479.99 (Vertagear.com) a price tag which although may not seem as affordable by some it’s actually very balanced for what you’re getting in return. At the end of the day there’s not much else i can say about the P-Line PL4800 Gaming Chair by Vertagear, build quality is almost excellent, it’s very comfortable and in terms of features there aren’t many models out there which can rival it and for that it gets the Platinum Award.

PROS

- Near Excellent Build Quality (PUC Faux Leather / Velour Parts / Steel Frame)
- Features (Built In Lumbar Support / Breathable Seat / Adjustable Height / 4D Adjustable Armrests / 140 Degrees Backrest Adjustment / 15 Degrees Rocking Function)
- Very Comfortable (Memory Foam & UPHR Padding)
- Large Size
- Neck Support Pillows
- Available In 6 Color Combinations
- 10 Year Limited Warranty (Steel Frame)
- Available RGB Sets

CONS

- Overall Availability In Stores
- 2 Year Limited Warranty (Steel Frame Excluded)