Bouiles Elite Series review: "The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"

GamesRadar+ VerdictThe Boulies Elite Series Gaming chair has genuinely changed my life for the better and has made my working and gaming time more comfortable than it has ever been. Despite it being a little too hard for some people’s tastes, it’s hard to deny the pricing is very appealing.Pros+Aesthetically pleasing+Very approachable price point+Very comfortable+SupportiveCons-May be too hard for some users-Extra cushions can be annoying-Armrest controls can be accidentally pressed GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict The Boulies Elite Series Gaming chair has genuinely changed my life for the better and has made my working and gaming time more comfortable than it has ever been. Despite it being a little too hard for some people’s tastes, it’s hard to deny the pricing is very appealing. The Boulies Elite Series Gaming chair has genuinely changed my life for the better and has made my working and gaming time more comfortable than it has ever been. Despite it being a little too hard for some people’s tastes, it’s hard to deny the pricing is very appealing. Pros+Aesthetically pleasing+Very approachable price point+Very comfortable+Supportive Aesthetically pleasing Very approachable price point Very comfortable Supportive Cons-May be too hard for some users-Extra cushions can be annoying-Armrest controls can be accidentally pressed May be too hard for some users Extra cushions can be annoying Armrest controls can be accidentally pressed Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. For a company that’s only been around since 2015, Boulies has certainly come out swinging with some heavy hitters that have cemented its place among some of the best gaming chairs on the market today. Earlier this year we gave their Master Series chair four stars and named it as the best low-profile gaming chair, so my expectations were high for the Elite series. Personally, I always find my gaming chair to be a forgotten aspect of my setup. While I will happily fork out a lot of money to ensure I have the latest and greatest technology under the hood, I often look past upgrading to one of thebest gaming chairs- which seems silly since it’s something I use when playing with all that tech. Landing on the market at $379/£289, the Elite Series from Boulies feels like a very affordable and compelling offer especially when you take into account that it undercuts its biggest competition such as Secretlab and Razer while offering similar, premium features. But does the chair live up to its ‘Elite’ name and truly stand out while you’re sitting down? Assembly (Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter) As I said previously, the chair I sit in to game is often the forgotten aspect of my gaming setup. It’s been around 10 years since I last purchased a gaming chair and my current one has done me fairly well since. It was nothing to write home about, just a simple chair from Amazon that looked ‘gamer-y’ but it did the job. However, it was rarely used as the majority of my time gaming was spent on my sofa with my consoles or PC plugged into the TV. Because it has been so long since I assembled a gaming chair I was a little apprehensive when it came to throwing the Elite Series together. While I enjoy putting together furniture - thanks IKEA - I really didn’t want to mess anything up and crumple under my own weight when sitting down. I can’t say that the assembly of the Boulies Elite Series chair was anything truly groundbreaking. The parts came in a box with an instruction sheet and tools. Easy enough. The instructions were easy to follow with both a written guide and pictures which were helpful in seeing which part went where. Although I did have some issues with attaching the wheels to the base of the chair. It appeared that one of the clips was a little loose and really took some force while the other simply clicked into place - I have a feeling this was just a slight issue with my particular chair but it is worth noting. I will say that you should acquire a little help in carrying the package the chair arrives in as this thing is heavy and is not safe to carry alone. Design & Features (Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter) When reading up about the Boulies Elite Series chair prior to getting my bum on it, I was impressed at just how much choice was available for potential buyers. Getting plenty of color and upholstery choices isn’t as common as you’d think with gaming chairs outside of Secretlab’s officially licensed designs, so it was reassuring that even though the Elite Series is a little cheaper, you do have options to customize. While the Elite enters the market at the previously mentioned price tag of $379/£289, you are able to upgrade to the Elite Series Max if you’re in the UK, which runs a little bit bigger and has additional lumbar support for £329. Both models have a choice of Ultraflex PU or Water Repellent Fabric, I have been testing the former in the blue color which both feels and looks very sleek. Other colors available include black and white for the Ultraflex PU or Ash Grey or Charcoal Grey for the water-repellent fabric. (Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter) Packaged in with every chair are some incredibly soft lumbar and head support pillows that are incredibly easy to install via some simple clips. These black pillows are here to provide you with that little bit of extra support should you need it, but are not essential for getting the most out of the Elite Series chair. As standard the chair is able to recline, although much further than I expected as I can practically lie flat in it, and also change the height. Features you’d expect on any office chair, rather than a great gaming chair. Performance (Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter) Considering the majority of my time sitting at a desk is done at my office I decided to take the Elite Series chair with me to work. After all, I spend eight hours a day sitting at my desk and in an office chair. And when I tell you that the Boulies Elite Series gaming chair was game-changing, I truly do mean it. I didn’t have any issues sitting for long periods of time, I actually found that the longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became as the seat adjusted and took shape around me. I think it’s worth saying that I am someone who likes a harder seat compared to a softer one; I asked my colleagues to give the seat a go to give me their initial impressions and while the majority of them enjoyed it, there were a couple who said it was much too hard for their comfort. So if you’re looking for something with a more cushioned seat then you may find this a little solid. (Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter) The range of motion on offer via the various handles and levers was impressive, as I wrote earlier I genuinely could lie all the way back if I wanted to and so I was able to find an angle for the backrest that really felt customized to my posture. Speaking of posture, the shape of the backrest genuinely does feel like it’s tailored to the shape of my spine. While I used to find myself sitting forward or slouching in my chairs, I never had that problem here as I was perfectly comfortable to sit back and relax. I did try using the packaged-in cushions with the chair and while I found them comfortable enough I ended up having a similar experience to ourBoulies Master Series review, which resulted in me not using them for the majority of the time. The headrest cushion became a little annoying as it didn’t stay in position all the time and I ended up removing them pretty soon after I began using them. Similarly, the customizable options for the armrests were a great addition for someone like me moving from something with solid plastic armrests. The 4D movement allowed me to position it in ways that fit my needs at any given time. Right now as I write this I have them level with my desk to support my arms while I type, but previously I had them a little lower and a little further apart to allow me to relax a little more and use one of thebest Xbox Series X controllers. However, I did find myself often accidentally pressing some of the hidden buttons that control where the armrests go. This was incredibly frustrating when I would have spent time positioning them perfectly only for them to decide to go in their own direction. Should you buy the Boulies Elite Series? (Image credit: Future / Fraser Porter) On a personal note, for the past couple of years, I have noticed my knees and back were quite often sore at night, particularly during the working week. I never really figured out what could have been causing it but I realize now that my previous chair just wasn’t helping. Since starting my sitting journey with the Boulies Elite Series gaming chair I have noticed my back is no longer sore and my knees are much better supported with less frequent pain. So if you’re asking me if you should buy the Boulies Elite Series gaming chair I would hands down say yes. It has given me increased comfort in both my professional and personal life and I should have looked at buying it sooner. Today’s best Boulies Elite Max 2024 deals$399.99ViewNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Today’s best Boulies Elite Max 2024 deals$399.99ViewNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Today’s best Boulies Elite Max 2024 deals $399.99ViewNo price informationCheck Amazon $399.99View $399.99View $399.99View $399.99 $399.99 No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price information No price information We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices How we tested the Boulies Elite Series I used the Boulies Elite Series Gaming chair as my main chair for work and gaming for a few weeks. I primarily used it at my office where I sat in it for up to 8 hours every day and performed a variety of tasks. The chair I tested was the Elite Series base model in the Ultraflex PU upholstery and in the blue color option. For more onhow we test gaming chairs, take a look at the full-sizedHardware Policy. Not done looking for gaming furniture? Check out thebest console gaming chairs, thebest pink gaming chairs, and thebest gaming desks. 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now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”