Razer Enki / Enki X & Enki Pro test – All 3 models!

razer-enki-x-pro-test

Razer Enki / Enki X & Enki Pro test - all 3 models - all differences

Today I test the complete Razer Enki family – for this I have all 3 models here. The Razer Enki I had already bought & the Enki Pro Razer has offered me a few weeks ago – since I had planned a test anyway, it came in handy! To offer you a complete package to the Razer Enki test, I have the Enki X then also bought – one treats himself nothing else, right?

razer-enki-x-pro-test

After I was anything but satisfied with the Razer Iskur, I was super excited about the Razer Enki, as well as the Enki X & Enki Pro models. Whether Razer has done a better job or I have to rate some things as not so cool in this review, you will find out in the next few minutes!

 

There’s also an overview of the differences between the Razer Enki vs Enki X vs Enki Pro!

Razer

Enki / Enki X / Enki Pro

Enki X: metal base, PU foam upholstery, mix of fabric and PU covers, plastic castors, plastic armrests

 

Enki: additional metal armrests

 

Enki Pro: additional metal armrests, genuine Alcantara & plastic seat shell

Enki X: 2D armrests, simple rocker mechanism, max. load up to 150kg, fixed lumbar support

 

Enki: + 4D armrests & extended rocker mechanism

 

Enki Pro: + 4D armrests, extended rocker mechanism, magnetic neck cushion, genuine Alcantara cover

Table of contents
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Razer Enki X vs Enki vs Enki Pro - All features & differences at a glance

  • Simple rocking mechanism: You can rock, but you can’t lock the mechanism at will.
  • 2D Armrests: The armrests are adjustable in 2 directions & made of plastic.
  • Integrated lumbar support: The integrated lumbar support is fixed.
  • Metal base & plastic castors
  • Backrest can be tilted 152° to the seat surface
  • Covers consisting of a mix of fabric & more sustainable PU leather
razer-headrest
razer-logo

All the features of the Enki X, plus:

 

  • Advanced Rocker Mechanics: You can lock the rocker in any position.
  • 4D Armrests: The armrests here are adjustable in 4 directions and the interior is made of metal.
  • A Razer neck cushion is included

All the featues of the Enki, plus:

 

  • Genuine Alcantara cover from Italy
  • Magnetic neck pillow without straps
  • Noble plastic shell in carbon look
  • Wheel instead of lever for backrest adjustment
carbon-backside

Comfort in the test: Different for Enki X, Enki & Enki Pro

I have long considered whether I work off the Razer Enki all in one report, or make 3 individual, because surprisingly, the models also all sit a little differently, which I would not have thought at first. My assumption was that only the equipment is better depending on the model.

 

Overall, it is basically good to sit on the Enkis. The cushion hardnesses are well chosen, the Enki X seems softest to me, but the differences are minimal. The lumbar support is somewhat problematic for me.

Lordosis support partly disturbs a bit with Enki & X

The 3 models differ in terms of lumbar support, although they all seem to have the same on paper: Namely, a fixed support that is supposed to support our lower back.

lordose support -enki-x

Unfortunately, the lumbar supports of the Razer Enki & Razer Enki X are not optimal for my anatomy. I sat on the Enki for a few weeks and couldn’t get used to it either, the lumbar arch sits a bit too low for me, so it misses my actual lordosis and thus feels like a foreign body between lordosis & tailbone.

 

Only the Razer Enki Pro manages this much better: Maybe it’s because of the different backrest padding, but here I feel well supported by the brace without being bothered by it. It was exactly the same for my test person. Too bad this only fits for me on the very expensive Pro model.

 

Note: We are all built very differently. The fact that the lumbar support doesn’t fit me doesn’t mean that it will be the same for you. But of course it is possible.

Cross-legged test: still possible on all models

The Razer Enki, just like the Razer Enki X & Razer Enki Pro, has similarities with sports seats from cars, but we still hardly have any side bolsters in use. This makes it possible to sit cross-legged on the Razer Enki chairs with my 189cm & 82kg.

cutting seat test-2

Only the Razer Enki Pro is tighter: I can only just manage to cross my legs. The side bolsters are a bit firmer than in the other models because of the plastic shell. So if you’re 189cm or smaller, you can sit cross-legged here just fine.

Cross-legged test passed.

Discreet side panels without nerve effect

Side bolsters are part of the design concept in many gaming chairs, and that’s perfectly okay if the seat is wide enough for it. Otherwise, the chair user’s legroom is often restricted. While the Razer Iskur had quite stable side bolsters, the Razer Enki family is quite different.

side-cheeks-enki-x-vs-enki-pro

Here you can see the sidewalls of the 3 models. Razer Enki & Enki X have the flattest and softest sides. The slight increase at the edge is made of pure cushion material. The side bolsters of the Razer Enki Pro are a bit firmer, simply because the basic construction is a bit different here. The seat and backrest are edged in plastic, and it is precisely this plastic that makes the side bolsters firmer as a result.

 

Nevertheless, I don’t have any problems with legroom here. The seat offers enough space for that.

Side bolsters on backrest: 158° measured

The side bolsters in the shoulder area on the backrest are also still very unproblematic. In many chairs with very narrow or steep cheeks, shoulder freedom is partially restricted.

side-cheek-back protractor

I always measure the angle between the backrest and the side panel. It’s quite good here at 158°. If you consider that 180° would be quite flat, I think the value is pretty okay. It’s more critical in the 140° range, where we’re talking about particularly pronounced side bolsters. The sidewalls are even flatter, for example, in the Secretlab TITAN Evo.

Size advice: This is how big & heavy you can be for the Razer Enkis in the test

Razer itself specifies some values in which size range the different Enkis can be used. I usually arrive at different specifications than the manufacturers, which is also the case here – but it is also difficult to determine that, since we humans have very different upper body and leg lengths.

Enki: 166,5 – 204cm

Enki X: 156,5 – 194cm

Enki Pro: 166 – 204cm

Enki: 165 – 195cm

Enki X: 160 – 195cm

Enki Pro: 170 – 195cm

Enki: 136kg

Enki X: 136kg

Enki Pro: 136kg

I hope this table helps! All specifications are to be understood here +- a few centimeters. For all who are a little smaller, a foot cushion like this one could still help to get with the feet on the ground.

sitting depth-enki-pro-at-189cm

Here is a picture of the seat depth on the Enki Pro. The effective seat depths differ between the models by only 1-2cm. Nevertheless, you should not be much taller than me, because then the backrest will be too short.

sitting depth-pro-at-167

At 167cm tall, the seat depth on the Enki Pro looks like this. It looks very similar for the other models.

Weight: Best not too light & not too heavy

If you really want to use the rocker mechanisms well, you shouldn’t be too light. Especially with the Enki X’s simple rocker mechanism, my tester with 52kg does not bring enough weight to be able to rock. Even on the lightest setting, the resistance here is too great.

 

The situation is different with the advanced mechanics of the Razer Enki & Enki Pro, where it works well.

 

You shouldn’t be too heavy either, because there probably won’t be enough room at some point. However, I would say that you can easily sit on the Enkis with a slim to chubby physique.

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Features & functions of the Razer Enki in the test

There are still some features & subtleties left to be highlighted on the 3 Enki models. Styling & design are very similar, but each model has slightly different features.

Rocking Mechanism: Simple & advanced rocker mechanism

The Razer Enki X, the slimmed-down model from the series, only has a simple rocker mechanism. This means we can rock & also turn the rocker function on and off, but we cannot determine in every position. It should be noted here that it is hardest to rock with the simple mechanism. With 52kg body weight as with my girlfriend for example, the rocking does not work at all, because she is too light.

rocking-mechanism-in-use

The Razer Enki Pro & Enki are different, as they use extended rocker mechanisms. On the one hand, these make it easier to rock, and on the other hand, we can also lock the mechanics as we want – halfway back, for example.

Criticism of the Razer Enki Pro: Synchro mechanism would be cool for the price

The extended rocker mechanism of the Razer Enki Pro works without problems & very well. However, there are even better mechanics, such as the synchronous mechanism, which opens the angle between the upper and lower body when leaning and thus provides movement in the intervertebral disc area. This is good for the back.

 

From a certain price range, I expect such a mechanism, but the Enki Pro has only the extended rocker mechanism despite a proud 999€. More would have been possible here.

Backrest: 152° inclination possible

All 3 Enki models offer their user the option to tilt the backrest backwards at an angle of up to 152° to the seat surface. This is quite a high value and more than most will probably need, which is of course good.

backrest-152-degree-inclination

Thus, you can lean back very far when watching videos/streams and make yourself comfortable.

 

There are only small differences between the models: While we adjust the backrest on the Razer Enki X & Enki backwards with a lever, we have a rotary wheel on the Razer Enki Pro that we only have to turn a little bit to unlock the backrest and adjust it backwards.

turning-wheel-for-backrest-adjustment

You don’t have to imagine the rotary wheel here as in a car, so we don’t have to turn forever. It is only an estimated quarter turn with which we can adjust the backrest quite variably.

Fixed lumbar support: Mixed experiences

I have already touched on this above. All Enkis have a fixed lumbar support in the form of a bulge in the lower back. Lordosis supports are supposed to fill out our hollow back and thus relieve the surrounding structures.

 

As for the Razer Enki & Enki X, unfortunately that doesn’t work so well for my build. For me, the lumbar supports here are placed too far down and they are too firm. The protrusion is more towards the tailbone, where I perceive it as a nuisance.

 

In my research, I read in 2 reviews that the reviewers were similar – but there are also many reviews without comment on this, which is why I also assume that it is an individual problem.

lordosis support - am-enki-pro-sits-well

The Razer Enki Pro’s lumbar support, on the other hand, fits better. It doesn’t really look higher to me, but it is better padded and feels much better. For me as a potential customer, that would be a shame, since I’m not sure I’d even go for the Enki Pro at that price.

Different armrests in use

The Razer Enkis differ in terms of armrests. Somewhere there must be differences between the slimmed-down models and the premium models.

2D plastic armrests on the Razer Enki X

The armrests of the Razer Enki X are so-called 2D armrests, they can only be adjusted in height and rotated. Thus, we can rotate the armrest away from or towards the seating surface at an angle.

rotation-the-2d-armrest

The interior of the armrests here is made of plastic, as is the knob for adjusting the armrest height. For many, these adjustment options will certainly suffice as well. The surface of the armrest is covered with a soft plastic.

4D metal armrests for Enki & Enki Pro

These two models are equipped with 4D armrests that can be adjusted laterally and forward & backward in addition to the rotation & height adjustment of the Enki X.

metal-knobs-vs-plastic

The interior and the knobs are made of metal, which makes the armrests look valuable. The armrests work great!

Razer neck pillow only for Enki & Enki Pro

For the cheaper model, the Razer Enki X, there is no neck pillow included – one of the reasons for the smaller price of the Enki X. I would actually miss the neck pillow, which is why the Enki X would not be for me, or I would buy the pillow later. Whereby that is not really worth it, because you could then buy the Enki right away.

 

Anyway, the neck pillow for the other models is filled with memory foam and has a soft velvet cover. I find the pillows really top!

Magnetic neck pillow on the Enki Pro!

Just like the Secretlab TITAN Evo, the Enki Pro’s neck pillow is magnetic, so there’s no need for straps or belts to secure it. So it always sits exactly where you want it. Especially with the solutions with straps, the pillows are often not optimally adjustable for every body size.

neck pillow-pro-magnetic

I think that’s really cool about the Enki Pro! I hope that more manufacturers will switch to magnetic cushions in the future.

60mm casters & metal base

Here, all models are equipped exactly the same: In a high-quality looking metal base, 5 plastic castors are inserted in each case, which are 60mm in size.

60mm-plastic rolls

The rollers run quietly & easily, just as they should.

metal-foot-cross

Covers: Mix of fabric & "EPU"?

Razer has made the right choice when it comes to the covers: The contact surfaces of the Razer Enki & Enki X are covered with a fabric cover that feels very nice and makes a high-quality impression.

fabric cover-enki-x-enki

Only the side parts are covered with a synthetic leather, which does not matter for breathability. The important places where we lean are covered with fabric and thus ensure that we do not sweat unnecessarily.

What is an EPU leatherette?

That’s what I wondered when I read about the EPU leather. Well known are the not so horny PVC leather and the most common PU, as polyurethane covers. In my research I found out that EPU stands for “Elastomeric Polyurethane”, but how does it differ from conventional PU?

 

To find out, I contacted a company that specializes in polyurethanes and luckily they were very helpful.

The solution: EPU = PU.

The nice gentleman explained to me on the phone that any polyurethane is also elastomeric. Elastomeric plastics are supposed to be stretchable & durable, as well as return to their original shape after stretching – this is true of polyurethane in general.

fabric-cover-the-enkis

Faux leather sustainable according to Razer

Razer states that the synthetic leathers used on the Razer Enkis are produced sustainably. Specifically, it is described that less energy is needed during production, which also results in fewer emissions and that no environmentally harmful solvents are used.

 

I did not find a certificate or a brand name of the cover material, so we have to trust Razer here. Basically, I also think it is laudable to care about more sustainable materials.

Razer Enki Pro: Special features on the $999 chair

I have already highlighted some of the differences in the respective sections, such as the wheel for backrest adjustment or the magnetic neck pillow. What didn’t quite fit in anywhere is the very cool design of the Razer Enki Pro. You absolutely cannot say that the Enki Pro does not look very classy and high-quality.

High quality plastic shell in carbon look

Its plastic shell & back is the main contributor to this. In most gaming chairs, apart from Backforce, the back is simply covered with the chair’s cover and plain.

enki-pro-carbon-backside

The Enki Pro, on the other hand, shines with a carbon look back.

enki-pro-underside-plastic

The whole chair is edged in this look, which definitely looks very high-quality. Even from below, everything is kept in the carbon plastic.

page-cover-enki-vs-enki-pro

Elegant here are also the side covers for the screw connections between the backrest & seat. Here, too, everything is covered by plastic and, above all, flat.

Super Premium: Genuine Alcantara cover on the Pro!

The Razer Enki Pro is the first gaming chair in my test repertoire to be covered in genuine Alcantara. In the US, the patented material from Italy is also known as “Ultrasuede” and it stands out for many of its properties. It feels like suede, but is a mix of polyester & polyurethane.

 

Alcantara even surpasses the advantages of real leather: it is lighter, more breathable & easier to clean. In addition, it is just as allergy-neutral, antistatic & very durable.

real-alcantara-pro

Alcantara: Climate-neutral & sustainable since 2009

The super high-quality upholstery fabric is distinguished not only by its properties but also by its sustainable production. The material has been produced in a climate-neutral way since 2009, so it does not contribute to global warming. The entire value chain is also kept as sustainable as possible.

 

The manufacturer Alcantara from Italy has been increasing almost annually since 2009 in terms of sustainability balances. You can find out more about the sustainability of the products and annual sustainability reports here on Alcantara’s website.

Dual density backrest? Nothing special.

The Enki Pro is advertised with the Dual Density Backrest, so in the backrest are cushion foams with different hardnesses installed. I first thought that this is a consideration for the comfort to optimize something there. In fact, however, you won’t feel anything from the different foam densities.

uebergang-dual-density-backrest

The fact is that all Alcantara surfaces are upholstered with foam with a density of 60kg/m³, and the leatherette-covered areas have 75kg/m³. However, we hardly have any contact with the PU-covered areas when sitting, we don’t really lean against them. That’s why, in my estimation, it doesn’t do any good.

Is the Razer Enki Pro too expensive?

I think so. The Enki Pro comes in at $999, but I expect the price to drop a bit. The Enki Pro is a very high-quality gaming chair, no question. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be worth just under $1,000 to me, because I lack ergonomic features. For around $1,000, you can get extremely high-quality office chairs with a seat tilt function, synchro mechanism, variable lumbar support, seat depth adjustment and more – all features that the Enki Pro doesn’t have.

razer-enki-pro-to-tax

Chairs like the Backforce One Plus are even available for $650 with all the ergonomic features mentioned and a 10-year warranty at Made in Germany. Of course, not every chair is comparable to this one, but still the Enki Pro offers me too little. The cover material & the magnetic neck cushion is great, the plastic shell too – but that’s all that really makes the Razer Enki Pro stand out from other chairs.

 

For $500-550, I’d certainly be happy to recommend it! Unfortunately, it is not worth $999 to me. I think it’s a shame, because the Enki Pro could be a real hit at a lower price.

Quality & workmanship: Everything flawless.

In terms of material quality and manufacturing precision, all 3 Razer Enkis are completely flawless. All seams run straight, I find absolutely no workmanship issues. The backrest pads of the Enki X & Enki are perhaps a bit thin in the head area, but at least the Enki has a neck pillow for that.

razer-logo-embroidered

All 3 models arrived free of complaints. Of course, the Razer Enki Pro looks particularly high-end, as it seems to have used much more solid materials inside, since it weighs a few kilograms more than its siblings.

Conclusion: Which Razer Enki you should buy

The Razer Enki X is basically rather uninteresting for me. The better equipped Enki without X costs only $30-40 more, but you get 4D instead of 2D armrests, an extended instead of simple rocker mechanism and the memory foam neck cushion. Buying the Enki X is clearly saving money at the wrong end.

 

Otherwise, I can definitely recommend the Enki! Personally, I would rather not use it because the lumbar support is too far down and I perceive it rather as a foreign body. But that does not have to be so with you! And for its around $360, the Razer Enki is definitely a decently equipped chair at an absolutely fair price.

 

That does not apply to the Razer Enki Pro in my eyes. I can only recommend buying it if you are extremely in love with the design and money is not an issue in your life. The Razer Enki Pro is super high-quality and comfortable, but there are other chairs that can do a lot more for a price of $999 or even less. For a much lower price, I would give it an unqualified recommendation.

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conclusion-razer-enki-buy
Pros:
Cons:

Razer Iskur in test – Disappointing – Good lumbar support? + Experience with customer service

razer-iskur-test

Razer Iskur in test - Disappointing - Good lumbar support? + Experience with customer service

I was curious about today’s Razer Iskur review myself, but at the beginning mainly because of the price. It came on the market for $380, which seemed very expensive to me compared to the competition – but the price has already settled at around 400€ in the meantime.

 

Exciting for me was therefore the question of whether this new type of lumbar support justifies such a surcharge, irritated I was at the same time about the use of PVC as a cover. With the now adjusted price, the question arises a little less, but whether the lumbar support is as good as it looks and how I like the comfort compared to the many other models, you’ll find out in a moment!

razer-iskur-test

I also had contact with Razer’s customer service in connection with the Razer Iskur test: My lumbar adjustment did not work. You can also read about the struggle with Razer at the end of the report. In advance: I do not agree with all the praise that the web sings about the Iskur.

Razer

Iskur

steel frame with wooden elements, metal base, cold foam upholstery, PVC leather, 60mm plastic castors, PU armrests

4D armrests, extended tilt mechanism with lock, integrated variable lumbar support, backrest can be tilted up to 139°, max. load 136kg

Table of contents

Features & functions of the Razer Iskur

For the Iskur, Razer has come up with a new concept to support the lumbar spine. This is the main differentiator from other gaming chairs.

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Seat comfort: Is the Razer Iskur comfortable?

Even though I would like to, because the Razer Iskur would certainly sell well, I cannot really recommend the seating comfort in the Iskur test. I don’t sit badly on the chair, but there are much more comfortable chairs in this price range in my opinion.

 

The upholstery hardness is perfectly fine and not the problem. It is much more a mix of the pronounced side bolsters and the special lumbar support: For me, this is not a meaningful lumbar support, I can only sit on the Iskur when it is completely retracted. Otherwise, I actually tend to get back pain.

 

Sadly, I was glad when I was able to finish my Razer Iskur test, my back has been craving alternatives. You’ll find out what bothered me about the side bolsters and lumbar support in detail in a moment.

Cross-legged test on the Iskur

The Razer Iskur does have side bolsters, both in the seat and back area, more pictures later. The question is: Can you still sit cross-legged on it?

razer-iskur-cutter-seat-test

Yes, even with 189cm height it just barely goes. My girlfriend with 167cm has of course no problems, but with me is then also end. Anyone taller than 189cm will probably no longer be able to sit cross-legged here, unless he has shorter legs than me, which is of course possible.

Size advice: how tall and heavy you should be

In my Razer Iskur test, it became clear after the first few minutes that the chair is only suitable for a limited target group.

Neck pillow restriction

The first small problem arises with the neck pillow, but I do not weigh that soo heavily, because many do not use the neck pillows anyway.

 

Whereas, if you already advertise with high-quality memory foam pillows, which do not seem so memory-like to me (more later), they should perhaps already be usable.

neck-pillow-bad-adjustable

Nevertheless, I can only pull the cushion down just far enough for it to sit in my neck, even with an actually tall 189cm body height. Since the Razer Iskur does without strap holes, the cushion cannot be attached to them, nor is there a magnetic function. You have to be at least 189cm tall if you want to adjust it correctly, Razer itself recommends 170-190cm.

Seat & Backrest: Side bolsters & Square

You shouldn’t be too wide either. The Iskur still relies on very pronounced side bolsters on the backrest and seat.

I think side bolsters are out. In the meantime, most people have understood that they can only be a nuisance on a PC chair and are of no use except for design reasons.

sidewalls-on-seat

There are also fewer and fewer new chairs with side bolsters coming onto the market. The major brands have long since dispensed with them on most models. Of course, this is not a drama, they do not have to disturb, if you are not too wide for the chair. However, this is a careless way to cut off part of the target group, although you can still pick them up with the next production. The Enki and the Enki X have already been announced, and I have already ordered the Enki.

Seat

The side bolsters of the seat are very steeply constructed and therefore limit the siz surface for wider-built gamers. I would say that you should be of average build at most. Particularly muscular or simply wide legs won’t necessarily find room.

seat-depth-at-167cm

The seat depth is completely ok for my girlfriend with 167cm, even with 165cm you should still be able to sit here and also get the feet on the floor.

seat-depth-for-189cm-sufficient

At 189cm, the seat is still long enough. Two fingers wide should be a guideline between the lower leg and the seat, but the 4 fingers are also very good and sufficient. Razer recommends the use up to 190cm, because of the seat I would also agree.

Backrest

The backrest, in turn, does not allow for excessively broad shoulders. In the shoulder area are here again noticeable side bolsters in use. With my cross width, however, this is still completely fine, I think even 5cm more go clearly.

shoulder-area-bounded-by-side-cheeks

But: Those who are even taller than me may have reached the limit earlier. My shoulders are still below the bulge and therefore very free to move. Those who have their shoulders a bit higher will have their arms very keyboard-centric, with the shoulders bulging slightly forward, as is often the case when typing or gaming.

side-cheek-measured-with-angle-knife

I measured the shoulder cheeks with my protractor: As always the note, the values are not 100% or the measurement method can have small errors. In any case, I come here to an angle between backrest & sidewall of about 148-150 °. For comparison: typical racing chairs have 140-145°, chairs with a very wide design like Secretlab TITAN Evo or noblechairs HERO are more likely to have 160-165°.

 

The angle could therefore be a bit more open.

Conclusion: Suitable body proportions for the Razer Iskur

I’m neutral about the neck pillow, otherwise I’d have to say that the Razer Iskur won’t work below 190cm. But as I said, many do not use it at all.

In my opinion, the Razer Iskur is ideal for gamers from 165-190cm with a slim to average build. Even 195cm would still go, then the seat depth is not perfect, but ok. If you are too wide, you will be limited by the side bolsters. The neck pillow can only be used as a pillow.

Lumbar support: For me an aberration

Razer is praised from all corners for the lumbar support, I especially wondered why not a single office chair manufacturer would have come up with this idea until today, if it would be so great. And that is exactly the point: I do not like the lumbar support here, it rather causes me back pain.

lordosis-support-in-practice-test

Lordosis supports are actually supposed to fill our hollow back as accurately as possible and thus achieve a relief of the surrounding structures & intervertebral discs. However, the support of the Razer Iskur is much too extreme for me and has been developed past its actual use, because this model is simply much too montrös.

lordosis-support-in-practice-test

Thus, the support is in its initial state.

oversized-lordosenstuetze

And so it is completely extended.

 

Who exactly is that supposed to be good for? Sure, you can also set positions in between, even steplessly. However, I could not use any of these positions, the support makes my stomach stick out extremely, it pushes me into a much stronger hollow back than I actually have.

 

The support rather gave me back pain. I have had them in my test period of 2-3 weeks only retracted and found them not even so pleasant.

Lumbar support makes poor sitting posture more comfortable - sense of an ergonomic chair?

Before my Razer Iskur review, I watched a few review videos about the model, I’m always interested in what other reviewers think of it. One of the videos praised that the lumbar support was comfortable in this position:

funny-sitting-position

So if you sit on your chair like that more often anyway, the support would be great because you would have a slight support in the lower back. For me, this is absolutely no argument, my most ergonomic chair should not support me to take a crappy posture better.

 

Because sitting like that is anything but good for your back. In the long run, you let your shoulders droop, make a hunched back and thus strain the majority of your back.

 

My chair should help me to sit better/ergonomically and not help me to be able to hold bad postures longer.

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Conclusion about the lumbar support: Razer is perhaps not without reason the first with this technology.

I don’t see Razer’s lumbar support for the Iskur as a super cool innovative technology for better sitting, but rather an idea that probably no manufacturer of ergonomic office chairs would ever implement because it simply doesn’t make sense.

 

Of course, I can’t ignore the fact that apparently a lot of customers are very happy with it. I certainly am not & cannot comprehend it either. A lumbar support is supposed to support the lordosis, not bend the entire back into a weird position.

Other features of the Razer Iskur in detail

We’ve dealt with the Razer Iskur’s lumbar support enough, let’s continue with the other features that are left: Not all of these are bad either.

Memory foam cushion: Barely any memory, poorly adjustable

It is advertised as a memory foam neck pillow, but it does not really deserve its name. I know the memory foam pillows from Secretlab, noblechairs and the Razer Enki. All of them are pillows that live up to their name.

neck-pillow-with-razer-inscription

But not the Razer Iskur. Razer apparently knows how to do it; the Enki’s cushion is top-notch. However, this one hardly has a memory effect and behaves almost like a normal fabric cushion with cotton padding. I do not know why they have saved here.

 

The adjustability is also problematic. At 189cm, I’m not exactly short, but only just tall enough to be able to adjust the neck pillow correctly. This can only be put over the headrest and since the headrest with the side bolsters very quickly becomes wide, it can not be pulled down far enough for smaller people than 189cm.

4D armrests with metal & soft plastic

The Razer Iskur is equipped with 4D armrests, which I am also very happy with. There is a button on the front of the armrest that we have to press to be able to adjust the armrest. This is to prevent us from accidentally adjusting the armrests.

4d-armrest-photographed

Furthermore, the knobs & levers are made of metal, which creates an image of value and also haptically gives the feeling of valuable materials.

 

Of course, the armrest support is equipped with a soft plastic that comfortably beds our forearms.

Extended rocker mechanism & 139° backrest tilt

In the Razer Iskur test, we are dealing with an extended rocker mechanism. Thus, we can rock and also determine our position in every position compared to the simple rocking mechanics.

rocking-mechanism-in-test

This also works very well.

backrest-139-degree-tiltable

The backrest can also be tilted backwards by up to 139° with a lever on our right. This should allow us to recline nicely for video consumption.

60mm casters & metal base

The base of the Razer Iskur is made of powder-coated metal and looks quite plain.

foot-cross-of-razer-iskur

Inside this base are 60mm plastic casters that should do their job on hard & soft floors.

60mm-rolls

Here everything works as it should, the rollers are smooth running and quiet.

PVC cover - Why Razer, why?!

I haven’t had a gaming chair covered in PVC in ages, and there’s a reason for that. PVC is more robust than the most commonly used PU covers (polyurethane), but it is also not breathable. And that’s rather not so cool for seating.

 

PVC is waterproof. That’s why waterproof mattress covers are also made of PVC. I once lay on one of these in the hospital, I was not allowed to get up for 24 hours and my bed was damp for 22 hours. The mattress is protected, but it’s pretty disgusting for the patient.

pvc-cover-the-razer-iskur

It can also be read here in the material archive: PVC is more robust than PU, but not breathable and much cheaper. Of course, Razer only advertises the cover’s great robustness in its own store, but that’s how advertising works. Advertise with the pros, the cons under the table. Maybe PVC was Razer’s choice due to the low purchase price, I don’t know.

 

The bottom line is that I wouldn’t want a chair with a PVC cover for the summer, and there’s certainly a reason why 98% of gaming chairs over 230€ are covered in PU instead of PVC. $380 and then PVC to deliver is for me anyway a no-go.

 

Apart from that, PVC is a real creaky leather. With every movement the chair creaks around because PVC rubs on PVC. This is not the biggest problem for me, but is more noticeable here than with other chairs.

How breathable covers actually work

Our seat cover is actually supposed to absorb our sweat, transport it away and release it again via the room air. Often the upholstery foams also help, they also absorb moisture and transport it further. But to do this, the material must also be able to absorb moisture.

 

PVC cannot absorb moisture, so it is also very popular as flooring. When we sit on it for a long time, this means for us: we sweat into the PVC cover, but it does not absorb the moisture, so it becomes and remains more and more humid between us and the cover.

 

The higher quality a PU cover is, the better it breathes. Fabric covers also breathe well, or genuine leather. PVC, however, does not.

Razer support: Slow, bad & annoying

In the package of my Razer Iskur, which I bought from Amazon, there was a little card: If I have problems with the chair, do not contact the retailer, but Razer directly. Presumably, they want to shine with particularly good statistics, because fewer chairs are returned and the RMA rates look low.

 

Unfortunately, I had to contact Razer because the lumbar support did not work. I have never experienced such poor customer support. Had I contacted Amazon, I would have returned the chair and had a new one in 2 days. Keep this in mind.

 

  • September 10:
    On Sept. 10, I submitted to Razer all the requested documentation & information they asked for regarding my defect.
  • September 14:
    Jan from Razer writes me that they are now asking the engineering team if a replacement backrest is available.
  • September 27:
    Angelica from Razer lets me know that there is currently no backrest available. And it takes them 13 DAYS?! I express my disappointment that it took them almost 2 weeks to send me a message like this and it doesn’t get me anywhere.They also offer to send me a black backrest. I decline, I ordered the black/green one and want it the same.
  • 02 October:
    Razer found a backrest for me and sends it to me.
  • 06 October:
    I receive my new backrest. This one is stained with grease stains that I have not been able to get off until today. I didn’t feel like contacting them again about it and just accept it.


It just took 26 days from my request to receiving the replacement backrest, which is then also stained with grease stains. It’s not like I’m short of chairs, but for a prospective buyer like you, that would be pretty annoying, right? Besides, Razer sends a mail every day saying that they haven’t forgotten me. Absolutely annoying, I have received a total of 25 mails.

grease-stain-on-backrest

If the spare parts are not there, ok. But just the fact that you let 13 days pass until you even write that the spare parts warehouse is empty. And that there are no spare parts in stock, leads me to conclude that I was not the first with such problems.

 

I also found an Amazon review exciting. A customer also needed a spare part, which came from Singapore just like mine, and he even had to pay customs duty for it. And since the replacement delivery was also defective, he paid customs again for the 2nd delivery.

 

Conclusion: If your Razer Iskur is defective, do not contact Razer support. Send the chair back and have the retailer send you a replacement.

Workmanship & material quality: Problems here as well

I don’t count the fact that my first backrest was defective as a workmanship problem, because that can happen anywhere. But I become more critical when my replacement backrest is also not quite in order and, as described above, grease stains are on it that cannot be wiped off.

crooked-needle-on-headrest

However, aside from crooked seams at the top of the headrest, everything is fine here. But the bottom line I have to say: 2 defective backrests, odd seams & grease stains. That does not fit, so I’m probably unlucky with the processing, my experiences with the Razer Iskur are rather mixed here.

Positive: plywood construction

However, I have to praise one thing about the chair. Razer’s choice of materials is mixed. I can understand even less why they chose a cheap PVC cover when you look at the construction of the chair.

 

The Razer Iskur is made of plywood, which actually speaks for the chair. For reinforcement, additional steel is used here, why I do not know, because office chair manufacturers who use high-quality wood actually do not need additional steel as a construction. But that may have its reasons, shaped wood is actually a very good thing. Why, you can find out on my homepage: progamingchair.com

Conclusion: No buy recommendation for Razer Iskur

I lack any argument to suggest you buy the Razer Iskurs. For the life of me, I can’t understand how so many magazines and reviewers can recommend this chair so strongly. Whether monetary interests are behind it? I don’t want to accuse anyone of anything, but I find this strange.

 

What I find good? The armrests are great and that plywood is used is also good. Unfortunately, that’s all though, the Razer Iskur has strong side bolsters, the lumbar support is not a good design for me and rather invites you to adopt bad sitting postures. The memory foam head cushion has hardly any memory foam and cannot be adjusted well due to the wide headrest.

razer-iskur-buy

In addition, they have opted for robust, but breathable and creaky PVC leather and my experience with the Razer support was more than bad. The processing / material quality is also not the hit, considering that I needed 2 backrests and the 2nd has grease spots and crooked seams.

 

For me, the chair is nothing. Since there are definitely satisfied customers, I won’t rule out that the Razer Iskur might suit you, but in my estimation there are better options on the market: Secretlab TITAN, noblechairs HERO, HP Omen Citadel, DXRacer Master, and if it can be more expensive, then of course Backforce One & Backforce One Plus.

 

Even chairs like the Nitro Concepts S300 or Nitro Concepts X1000 I would prefer to the Iskur, if you at least buy the memoryfoam cushions. There the mechanics are “worse” and there is 1D with the armrests less, but we have much more space and a solid finish.

Benefits:
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