Review: Razer Iskur V2

I have, perhaps, a deep-seated distaste for gaming chairs. I bought one in 2016, got tired of the race-car-seat-like design, and grew frustrated at how poorly it managed heat. Then the back pain came as I began working remotely (right before the pandemic). One of my first pandemic purchases was a proper office chair since I spent more than eight hours at my desk. Lo and behold, the back pain slowly disappeared after a few weeks.

This launched my interest in testing office chairs—I have since put my behind on more than 50 models, from active seating to Herman Millers. An office chair is better than a gaming chair in almost every way—they often have more adjustments you can make to personalize the chair to your body; they typically do a better job of keeping you cool with breathable materials; and they usually have better back support. But that doesn't make gaming chairs less popular. They're the seat of choice for many creators and streamers, and something many gamers seem to yearn for to complete their gaming battle station. So here we are with the Razer Iskur V2.

I went into this review process knowing the Iskur would not right some of the problems I initially had with the gaming chair I sat on for many years, but I tried to keep an open mind. The verdict after a month of sitting on it? It's OK! I wouldn't choose the Iskur V2 as my WFH throne, but if you do not want an office chair, it's probably the best gaming chair around.

Big and Tall

Assembly was fairly quick and easy, like many of the office chairs I've tested, and the tools you need are included in the box. I initially thought the installation instructions were missing from, but it turns out they’re on the back of a giant piece of paper, which is the first thing you'll see when you open the box. You can also scan a QR code to watch the assembly video on YouTube.

The build materials are nice—I tested the PVC-free faux-leather model (the black-and-green version), which feels well-constructed with durable stitching. There's also a fabric model that's available only in gray. My initial impression after moving the Iskur V2 from my living room to my office upstairs was that it's heavy and bulky, plus the casters don't roll well on hardwood floors. Seriously, I have seven office chairs in my room right now (send help), and the Iskur is the tallest and widest, taking up the most space.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

It's black with some neon-green accents and looks quite sleek—most gaming chairs typically have flashy designs. I still don’t care for the race-car-seat design—I genuinely prefer the look of office chairs like the Branch Verve, Steelcase Gesture, and Herman Miller Embody to this bulky, thick Iskur, but that might also be my back holding a grudge.

The Iskur V2 has a wider backrest than its predecessor. I’m 6'4", and it fits my wide shoulders perfectly; the corners don't dig in as on some chairs. The seat was wide enough for my frame, too; however, you cannot adjust the seat depth (you can't pull the seat out at all). This meant I had no room for alternative sitting positions—I couldn't sit with one leg tucked under the other, something I can do on the Embody and the Haworth Fern I'm currently testing.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The available adjustments are fairly standard. You can adjust the height of the chair, lock the recline to several angles, and tweak the armrests into various positions—adjust the height, position them left and right, inward and outward, and forward and back. There's also the option to push the backrest to a 152-degree angle, but I rarely felt the need to use this. (If I need a break, I leave the room or nap on my bed.)

One thing I want to call out is the armrests. They stay locked to whatever position you want, even though you can adjust them in several ways. Too often, most office chairs offer 4D armrests that constantly slide around. The Iskur V2 requires you to push a button to make each adjustment on the armrest, ensuring they don't unnecessarily move. They're great.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

Included in the box is a plush memory foam headrest, but it's a bit of an afterthought. You attach this via a strap to the backrest, but my back is tall enough that it kept lifting the headrest, which would then move it out of position or make it fall off. This might not be an issue for you. I found it better to lean my head back directly on the tall backrest instead. (Maybe take a cue from Secretlab and keep the headrest affixed via magnets.)

Heat is a problem with gaming chairs, because they're made with thick foam seats, and that's no different here. There's no easy way for your body heat to dissipate through the seat and backrest foam, and that meant I've gotten up from many gaming sessions with a sweaty back, even when the room temperature wasn't too hot. When I switched from the Iskur V2 to another office chair, my body immediately felt cooler. If you live in a climate-controlled home, this isn't going to be a big deal, but this absolutely might be a deal-breaker for folks in warmer environments.

Adaptive Lumbar

The highlight of the Iskur V2 is the “adaptive and adjustable 6D lumbar support system.” Essentially, this lumbar support is a separate mechanism above the backrest and will dynamically move around as you shift your body. You can use the knobs on the sides of the backrest to adjust the height and depth of the lumbar support to align it perfectly with the curve of your spine.

I found this back support completely sufficient; I didn't find myself with any back pain after several weeks on it, but I did find it a bit … annoying. It feels like a thing sits between you and the backrest, whereas the lumbar support on many other office chairs is more subtle. I think a part of this is due to the short depth of the seat compared to other high-end chairs. In any case, I didn't care much for the fact that it adjusts in a variety of angles—contrary to what Razer suggests, I don't move my body all that much when I'm at my desk.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The main downside of this chair is the warranty. It covers only certain parts and components for three years, though you can expand it to five years if you join Razer's Extended Warranty Program. Joining this involves sharing a photo of your chair on social media with a hashtag, and then you'll have to post the evidence here. The Branch Verve office chair, which is $100 less, has a seven-year warranty on parts and components. I don't love needing to jump through hoops for a more standard warranty.

The Iskur V2’s main competition, if you want a gaming chair specifically, is Secretlab’s Titan Evo, which is honestly not that different overall. They have some of the same positives and the same negatives. It comes down to which design and company you like better, though the Titan Evo is a little more than $100 cheaper. There are plenty of other, cheaper gaming chairs you can probably find online, but please, for your back's sake, stick to one of these.