AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh gaming chair review: right idea, wrong implementation
AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Two-minute review
AndaSeat is playing an interesting game. The X-Air Series Mesh Series actually has two basic models to choose from: X-Air and X-Air Pro. Prices start at $369/approx. £290 for the X-Air and $419/approx. £329 for the X-Air Pro. Both are currently only available in their store. Is there a big difference between the two? Well, it mostly depends on the color scheme, base, and armrests.
With the Pro, you get the 5D rest (more on that later), an aluminum base, and two additional colorways. The Celeste model I tested was a black mesh solution with a purple gradient back, while the Twilight has a pink gradient back but with a white mesh instead of the black we see here.
The original X-Air comes with a more traditional 4D armrest, as well as the original adjustable tilt system and iron base, and is only available in black. However, frankly, if you’re torn between the two, I’d still recommend picking it up. Not just because of the cost savings, but because those more traditional armrests are far superior to the 5D Devil on the X-Air Pro.
Why are they such a problem? Simply put, they are too confusing. They slide, slide and diverge in many directions and rotate in many different ways, making it difficult for them to support you if you push against them. Put your arms on them; sure, you’ll be fine, but otherwise they really lose some of the key functionality that makes for a good armrest; it’s factors like this that really bring down the overall score, making it nowhere near one of the best step. Comfortable gaming chair Available today.
As for the process of building it, well, you’ll definitely need a second pair of hands to help, that’s for sure. The AndaSeat’s manual is detailed enough and comes with plenty of drill bits and bolts, but the way it expects you to tilt and align some (very heavy) parts just to hold them together is honestly a little crazy.
The ergonomics are also interesting. It has solid lumbar support built in and a decent headrest, and the mesh itself is supportive enough (even without any padding underneath), but when you start using it, it’s very difficult to adjust or even know what you’re doing. Difficult. This can make the initial experience quite off-putting. There’s an argument to be made that it’s adjustable and that with enough time, effort, energy and reading the manual you’ll get there, but this should be intuitive right out of the box, and sadly that’s not the case.
It may sound like I’m just complaining about this, but it’s still a solid recommendation if you’re looking for a stylish, comfortable gaming chair that’s also suitable for an office environment. Well, it probably won’t be one of them best gaming chair All around, but where it should be; the comfort level is impressive, and it does just that: keeps you cool during long gaming sessions while being ergonomically sound. But, and this is a big but, there are still plenty of better options at this price point.
AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Price and Availability
- List price: $419
- No Amazon or UK availability
- Limited colorways
Now, if you want to buy your own Mesh X-Air, you may find it a challenge if you’re anywhere outside of the United States. The only place you can easily get one of these is within the United States, and only directly from AndaSeat’s website.
You can choose the X-Air or X-Air Pro in one of three colorways. The X-Air is limited to an all-black version, while the Pro is also available in white mesh and black mesh variants with a gradient back panel. The Pro also comes with AndaSeat’s 5D armrests, aluminum base, and self-adjusting tilt system, although I’ll go into all of this in more detail soon.
Perhaps not surprisingly, considering how little physical material is involved in the Mesh range, its pricing compares to similar products Kaiser 4 by AndaSeat Significantly less. The Kaiser 4 Series starts at around $569, while the X-Air Mesh can go as low as $369, which makes it seem like a steal in comparison.
AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Specifications
| price: | $419 |
| aspect: | 44.1 x 26.0 x 25.6 inches/112 x 66 x 65 cm |
| Maximum user weight: | 265 lbs/120 kg |
| Minimum seat height: | 17.7 inches/45 cm |
| Seat width: | 20.47 inches/52 cm |
| Tilt angle: | 105-126° |
| Warranty: | 5 years |
| Material: | Mesh (flannel knitted) |
AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Design and Aesthetics
- Office style feel
- Configuration is challenging
- Light games become “popular”
Well, let me call it that. From the front, this thing looks like a corporate office and nothing else. Indeed. The new middle managers made the executive decision to purchase 20 new highly ergonomic office chairs while they were in the task force/project code stage to get a feel for it.
There’s nothing glamorous here, nothing overtly comfortable, just a translucent woven mesh fabric ergonomically strapped to a metallic-plastic superstructure, combined with an all-black finish and some rather funky-looking armrests.
Turn it around on the spot, however, and if you pick up one of the more exotic X-Air Pro variants, your eyes are immediately drawn to the dramatic and exaggerated color gradient from top to bottom on the rear support structure. It’s bold, effective, and, honestly, a little confusing.
It’s like X-Air doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. Is this the best gaming chair? this best office chair? It doesn’t know, but honestly, that’s fine.
AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: comfort and adjustability
- 5D armrests are a nightmare
- No waist adjustment
- Not intuitive to use
From a comfort perspective, the mesh material on the AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh is much more impressive than you might first think.
If you haven’t tried a mesh chair yet and have spent most of your gaming career sitting on a slightly more expensive PU leather chair, it comes with thick padding and enough adjustable knobs to keep even the most avid Guitarists out there will also be delighted, then you might be surprised at how squishy and supportive these things are.
AndaSeat nailed mesh over this. It’s not as annoying or unsupportive as you might first think. There was almost a rebound. That’s not to say it’s as soft as a Labrador’s ears, but nonetheless, you’ll find it very comfortable if you sit on it for long periods of time. Whether you’re doing nine hours of exercise Elden Ring Whether you’re running a challenge or writing a 20-page feature article, X-Air Pro has your back (literally).
Now for the cons. Adjustability is there, but not intuitive. The lumbar support is fixed directly out of the door and is very aggressive. If you don’t like it, there’s little you can do to relieve the stress it puts on your lower spine. The headrest is adjustable but even with the best adjustments it does stick out quite aggressively and the seat base also moves forward and back giving you some degree of control but again even if you have all the switches , disposal, and knowing when you are actually moving requires a large degree of awareness of your fine motor skills.
Then there are the 5D armrests. Sadly, these things are a mess. They are actually built on three moving parts. main arm Moving up and down on a ratchet system, the base that extends in the middle is attached to this system and can be rotated about 220 degrees and then the last armrest on top of it, can also be rotated 360 degrees and also slides forward and backward over time brilliantly .
There’s a lot going on here, and while it’s comfortable enough on top and spongy enough with all the movement it has, that means if you try to lean on it at any point, or try to use it to reposition yourself on The way you sit in a chair, it’s likely to slip out from under you in all kinds of weird and wonderful ways. Even compared to something like the Kaiser 4’s 5D armrests, it’s such a noticeable design shift that if you’re considering this chair, I’d actually recommend sticking with the X-Air, purely to avoid the 5D rest.
Final positive: the tilt mechanism is awesome. The chair back itself slopes, not the base to which it is attached. This gives you a more sturdy seating position and allows you to relax if you’re a little anxious. This is my first personal favorite chair and its adaptive tilt is top notch.
AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Assembly
Oh, why the AndaSeat, why is assembly on this thing such a nightmare? What’s stopping you from assembling some of these on site and shipping them intact?
This is not an easy chair to assemble. The instruction manual is good enough, it tells you what to do, but you need to route and connect the cables for all the adjustment elements, secure the toggle switch into place on the side of the seat base, and then the plastic cover that covers the exposed part of the cable is what I The most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen.
From there, it’s a case of (if you build it separately) the seat back is precariously attached to the chair base (which weighs a ton), and the arms are already attached. It would be nice if it weren’t for balancing on those plastic 5D armrests. Finally, you can install the headrest, again holding it in place with two invisible screws. This is just a nightmare. I’ve built over 50 gaming chairs in the ten years I’ve been in this industry, and this was by far the most challenging one.
Should I buy AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also considering…
It’s relatively cheap, relatively comfortable, but a bit of a nightmare. If, like me, you don’t like the AndaSeat X-Air Pro, then try one of the sizes.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | AndaSeat X-Air Pro | Steelcase Series 2 Tasks | Andacet Caesar 3 XL |
| price | $419 / £ N/A | $914/£800 | $500/£500 |
| aspect | 44.1 x 26.0 x 25.6 inches/112 x 66 x 65 cm | 42.5 x 26 x 22 inches/108 x 66 x 56 cm | 53.0 x 29.1 x 22.6 inches/134.5 x 74 x 57.5 cm |
| Maximum user weight | 265 lbs/120 kg | 242 lbs/110 kg | 395 lbs/180 kg |
| Minimum seat height | 17.7 inches/45 cm | 16.1 inches/41 cm | 17.5 inches/44.5 cm |
| seat width | 20.47 inches/52 cm | 18.7 inches/47.5 cm | 21.0 inches/53.5 cm |
| tilt angle | 105-126° | 17° | 90-165° |
| Warranty | 5 years | 12 years (lifetime: frame and base) | 2 years |
| Material | Mesh (flannel knitted) | 3D micro-woven backrest, designer fabric seat | PVC leather or linen fabric |
How I tested AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh
- sit in various positions
- After three weeks of testing
- Multiple butts on the seat
I put the AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh Gaming Chair through rigorous testing over the course of a few weeks, using it as my daily chair for all my writing work, gaming, and other PC-oriented activities.
Additionally, I lived with it for 1 week in a welcoming environment with multiple staff members of all shapes and sizes, who also provided me with their own direct feedback to ensure the needs of a variety of people were met. I documented the entire build process and my time with the X-Air Pro, and also participated in the review writing process.
The first review will be in December 2024.
