RapidX Ferrino gaming chair review

I’ve sat in many gaming chairs at tradeshows, usually just to take one for a spin or take a load off aching feet and knees in between appointments. But I’d never gotten the opportunity to truly use one for an extended period until RapidX offered to let me take one of theirs for a spin. My frame of reference is relatively limited, although I still have about 15-20 years of experience sitting in office chairs (and, unfortunately, cubicles).

So in that light, I can honestly say the Ferrino is the most comfortable office chair I’ve ever used.

RapidX Ferrino feature highlights and specifications

• Diamond-patterned backrest with color stitching
• Locking tilt mechanism inspired by car seat recliners
• Five-point base on 2-inch rim-styled casters
• Bucket seat harness inspired by professional racing seats
• Adjustable and removable neck and lumbar support pillows with color stitching
• Orthopedically and ergonomically designed
• Lift cylinder adjusts seat height from 14 to 16.6 inches
• Armrests adjust from 11.8 to 14.5 inches in height
• 3D-adjustable PVC armrests with three directional settings
• 85-155 degree angle recline adjuster
• Durable and stylized PVC leather
• Detachable neck and lumbar support pillows included
• High-quality molded polyurethane foam core
• 20.8-inch Black aluminum star base
• 20.5-inch seat width
• 10.5-inch long armrests
• Supports up to 265lbs (100-150kgs)
• Weight: 48lbs (25kgs)

How do you test an office chair? It’s all about the comfort, really.

Perfect comfort is unique to every individual, and would probably be something akin to a ‘you-shaped’ mass of memory foam wrapped in soft leather or cloth. Design and customization options are key considerations, and the metric for review mostly comes down to assembly and day-to-day usage. I also fiddled with the Ferrino’s array of adjustable parts, i.e. arm rests, lumbar support pillow, elevation controls, etc.

And of course, I gamed in it.

I assembled the Ferrino in approximately 30 minutes using the included Allen wrench. The printed instructions are minimal but adequate, although they don’t show you how you’re supposed to attach the lumbar and neck pillows. (I went online anyway and watched RapidX’s helpful Ferrino Assembly video for that.)

RapidX Ferrino gaming chair ‘performance’

As an aging but very physically active “old school” gamer I suspect I’m more prone to minor aches, pains, etc. than the average gamer. I was keen to find out if the RapidX was as comfortable as gaming chair sellers would like you to believe — and more comfortable than a fairly nice office chair that I bought about 6 months ago.

Many ‘gaming chairs’ are just ergonomic office chairs with a racing stripe or two painted on them. I’m not counting the ones purpose-built to ‘enhance’ gaming with built-in subwoofers to shake your ass or built in mouse surfaces and other niche accessories. I’m referring to ‘standard’ desk chairs. The RapidX Ferrino is one of these.

But by all accounts, I can verify that my ass, neck, shoulders, and back are happy campers in the RapidX Ferrino. Every time my butt hits the Ferrino’s seat, I’m in at least a 5% better mood. And I was repeatedly surprised at just how much more comfortable it truly is than the ‘average’ office chair (including, to my chagrin, the one I just bought 6 months ago with the springy back).
Every time my butt hits the Ferrino’s seat, I’m in at least a 5% better mood.

My lower back and neck are especially more comfortable, no doubt thanks to the included lumbar support and neck pillow. I’ll admit the neck pillow might be a bit thicker than I’d prefer, but removing it was far worse.

You could probably take a nap in this thing. I almost did.

And you could probably take a nap in this thing. I almost did. Midday doldrums settled in after a 5.5 mile run, a warm shower, and all the caffeine had drained from my body. I threw my feet up on my desk, reclined the Ferrino just shy of its 155-degree angle maximum, and damn near fell asleep. I’m certain I would have if I hadn’t stopped myself (and I’m not an easy sleeper).
All that said, I do think are some areas for minor improvement. The controls (buttons and levers) for adjusting the chair are a bit stiff, particularly the one used to lower the back into position, which also makes a very loud ‘SPROING’ when pull it. And the Lumbar/neck pillows are held in place with straps and buckles, and hence prone to shift around a bit more than I’d like — but these are all minor complaints at best.

Overall: Highly recommended

The RapidX Ferrino is a great addition to any gaming set up. At $349 it’s priced a bit steep but not really out of line with mid-tier office chairs. If you game for extended hours, investing in a chair that provides excellent comfort and proper ergonomic support is well worth the investment. And it’s one you’re not likely to need to make again for a long time. (A good gaming chair will almost assuredly long outlast the latest generation of video card.)