When it comes to gaming setups, most people immediately go to PCs, accessories, displays, consoles, or even desks. However, I’d argue that above all else, a chair is the most important piece of any setup. If you’re like me, you spend a lot of time sitting down. I’m a big desk user—I run Final Weapon, I work in data science, and I play games! Three distinct activities or obligations that require me to sit at my desk. 

With so much keeping me at my desk, it’s likely not surprising to hear that I sit a lot, and my chair is the one piece of my setup I care about most. If you have a bad chair, dozens of hours a week at the desk will likely bring back or shoulder pain. One of my previous chairs often had me waking up with tense shoulders every morning from a lack of support. Sure, you can go grab an ergonomic chair, but often, these can be an eyesore in a gaming setup.

This brings us to the recently released Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, an upgraded version of Razer’s highly popular Razer Iskur V2. Over the last few weeks, I’ve spent over 200 hours using this chair and put it to the test. If you’re looking for comfort, style, and more for your setup, I find the Iskur V2 NewGen to be an excellent option all around.

Let’s Get Set Up

Setting up furniture can sometimes be a hassle, but the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is incredibly easy to put together. The packaging comes altogether in a small box, and I was pretty surprised by how tightly every component was able to be put together—props to Razer for the efficient and secure packaging. You’ll attach the wheels to the base, attach the base to the bottom of the chair, and then add the back of the chair; it’s that easy! The screws are all mostly pre-installed and easy to remove, so I just needed to remove these, add the base or back, and screw them back in.

I always appreciate a piece of furniture that understands its users do not want to spend hours setting things up; I might have shed a tear upon seeing no dowels or Allen wrenches. It took me around 20 minutes to get everything put together for the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen, and that was with me on the phone. A traditional set of instructions is included in the box, plus you can scan a QR code to watch a video if you want. There’s also a pair of gloves included for setup to avoid dirtying the chair, which is appreciated.

The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen stands at just over four feet tall, with the height slightly adjustable at the bottom with a lever. The chair itself is lined all over with leather and features a memory foam pillow that slides over the top for maximum comfort. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the pillow at first, but it’s a necessary piece of this chair for maximum comfort. Your head almost sinks into it and melds into the chair in a way, and if you wanted to remove it, it’s easy to just slide up over the top and set it aside.

I love how premium every piece of the Iskur V2 NewGen feels, with each switch, knob, or lever having some serious weight to it. Razer clearly went the extra mile for details, even packing in small knobs to cover the area where the back of the chair attaches to the seat cushion. This also extends to the stitching, with some nice patterns on the back and cushion that give this chair a little personality.

The model I tested was black with green stitching all over. The stitching is barely noticeable on calls, so rest assured if you’re aiming to use this for work, too. Teams meetings were a breeze, and I was quite comfortable. As of now, four different colorways are available to choose from, including black, black/green, quartz, and light gray.

What’s New with the NewGen?

Upon first glance, you wouldn’t be crazy to say it’s hard to notice any major new design changes. The Iskur V2 NewGen looks extremely close to both the Iskur V2 and Iskur V2 X, but there are some key differences that make this chair stand out on its own. Right away, one of the biggest new additions to the NewGen is Razer’s Gen-2 EPU leather with CoolTouch technology. One of the most prominent complaints of the original Iskur V2 was that the chair and its leather got hot quickly, but the new CoolTouch technology really makes a difference here.

I cannot recall a time when I felt the chair physically get hot. Even during my longest sessions, the seat would only get a little warm, never uncomfortable. Razer claims this Gen-2 EPU Leather is “up to 13× more durable than regular PU leather”, so it will be interesting to see how this chair holds up after a year or two of heavy, daily use. The way the back of the chair is designed allows for air to flow through the HyperFlex Lumbar Support System, and the cushion never felt hot, either. Speaking of, the seat cushion is made of Dual-Density Cold-Cured foam and has a perforated design. 

My biggest complaint with the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen lies with its seat cushion. Don’t get me wrong – It’s comfortable, stays cool, and feels premium. However, it is a bit firm. I would’ve liked a little more give to it, but I do wonder if that would have brought temperature issues. It also feels like a must for good posture, so I’m okay with it. Beyond this, a few more inches length-wise would have been nice. The width feels great and can fit you no problem, but the overall length is just fine. It doesn’t quite reach the end of my thigh, but this bothered me less and less the more I used the Iskur V2 NewGen.

By far, however, my favorite part of the Iskur V2 NewGen is the HyperFlex Lumbar Support System. This is a fantastic system that allows you to ergonomically sit and be supported at all times. For years, many gaming chairs relied on flat backs with no support, but this system remedies that and provides better support than even some office chairs can. Essentially, you’re able to control this system by moving it up or down and in or out, allowing you to center and place the support exactly where you need it. As someone sitting at 6′ 2″, this was huge in making the Iskur V2 NewGen work for me. 

Lumbar and ergonomic support is great and all, but what makes this system in particular excellent is how it swivels with you. Regardless of how you sit, the angle you lean, or how you look at your monitor, the system moves and centers with your back. I was constantly impressed by the ability of the Iskur V2 NewGen to truly move with me, even when I looked behind me and turned my body almost to the side.

The 4D armrests are also appreciated, allowing you to move the armrests in four directions to perfectly fit your desk. The Iskur V2 NewGen can even lean back to around 150 degrees, and despite my initial concerns, it is just as sturdy as sitting upright. This is the way to go if you’re looking to kick back and watch a movie or one of the latest anime.

A Premium Price for a Premium Product

I spent hundreds of hours testing the Razer Iskur V2 NewGen. Some of that was work, some of that was writing or editing videos for Final Weapon, and some was playing a game or catching up on a TV show or anime. Overall, I’m extremely impressed and satisfied with this chair. I never once felt uncomfortable or wanted to switch to my old chair, as the lumbar support and CoolTouch leather kept me comfortable every session.

The price point of $649.99 might be a deterrent to some, but I’d argue you likely are getting your money’s worth here. You can absolutely find a cheaper gaming chair, yet the lumbar support system offered here is so good that I wouldn’t think twice about choosing a cheaper option. The Razer Iskur V2 NewGen is a phenomenal chair, and if this is considered a small refresh, I’m quite curious to see how Razer will innovate further with its next gaming chair.

Disclaimer: Razer provided a Razer Iskur V2 NewGen unit for review purposes.