E-WIN Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair (Hardware) Review

I Sits Where I Fits

Finding a comfortable chair is essential for anyone working from home or spending a lot of time gaming at a desk. While standing desks are often recommended as a better option for long-term health and posture, those that prefer to sit have a lot of options which makes looking for one a bit of a challenge. This, coupled with the fact that some of the best chairs are prohibitively expensive, results in a confusing landscape. It is for this reason that I rarely turn down the opportunity to try something new, leading me to review the Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair from E-WIN a larger model for people that want a little more room than a standard chair. 

For the past few weeks, I have been using the Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair, specifically the blue one found here, both for extended desk gaming sessions and a full-time work-from-home job. During the day, I work a full eight hours at my desk performing various office tasks, doing everything that’s expected of today’s post-pandemic jobscape. However, I often run into the conundrum of not wanting to be at my desk any more than I have to which can lead to me writing articles like this one from my laptop on the couch which is usually less than ideal ergonomics-wise. My previous chair was a simple one that was just not good enough for all-day use. There are also several games on my to-do list that really should be played at my desk rather than on a console or a Steam Deck so I really yearn for a chair that fits my needs so I can play more games and get more done. 

While I wasn’t blown away by my first impressions of the E-WIN Flash XL Series Chair, I have spent seemingly far more time comfortable which has improved my working and gaming experience so far. 

To note, this is probably a much larger chair than I need with its 16.5-inch wide sitting area and its 39-inch tall back but I like sitting cross-legged from time to time, and doing so in this chair feels great. I also feel super sturdy thanks to the aluminum base, a heavier design than what I’m used to from comparable models. Generally speaking, this is a larger-than-most gaming chair in that notorious racing chair style design, complete with neck and lumbar cushions – items that feel like a must in models like this. Plus, the wheels move smoothly even on my carpet – though I have short pile carpeting in my office space. 

Overall, my biggest compliment of the Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair is that I forgot I was sitting in it, even though I was frequently setting aside mental bandwidth to inspect it for this review. 

Now, there are certainly areas for potential improvement for this E-WIN seat that I would love to see addressed in future models. For starters, due to the sheer size of it, building the unit should be done with two people. I used to work at Staples where we constantly built chairs for the show floor and this E-WIN felt far more annoying to construct than any of those — and that was almost ten years ago! I also ran into an issue where the back seat didn’t line up perfectly with the frame, resulting in some extra space between the flanged seat and the back. This didn’t affect my sitting experience with it and I’m sure with enough effort I could get it to fit properly but just in case anyone else runs into this issue there is a 14-day return policy that is detailed here. The packaging also was fairly sparse; it was a big box with a lot of empty space so I think there could be improvements made to how these are shipped. My unit also seems to have a wonky lift lever and I think it was just installed slightly crooked but it wasn’t a deal breaker for me personally. All in all, just remember to inspect a product like this upon arrival and ensure it’s up to quality standards. There’s nothing wrong with communicating with your supplier for things like this.   

That aside, the faux leather is soft to the touch and feels tough enough that I’m not worried about it long-term. According to the website, this model uses Stain Resistant 2.0 PU Leather which is wrapped around a cold-cure foam. So far, the chair is comfortable but I think that being comfortable in this chair is a little too reliant on the attached cushions. These are removable, meaning they’re replaceable, but without them, there is not much padding at all on the back of the chair. For some, this is probably fine but I was surprised to find such a flat back on it. 

Adjustability is also an important factor to consider when choosing the right office or gaming chair. The E-WIN Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair features a tilt lock, angle lock, a gas lift, a reclining function, and adjustable armrests to create a seat that can be positioned fairly well. It does sit a little high at its lowest setting (again, I’m probably on the small side for this one) but I found myself really appreciating being able to lean back and lock it in while typing. These adjustable actions aren’t terribly smooth and are a little tighter of a pull for some functions but overall this chair does just fine when trying to configure it to one’s preferred state. 

Really the shining feature is the larger seat. It’s nice and broad – I never felt like I was going to slip out of it. All in all, for those looking for a larger gaming throne, this is a solid option. That said, I wish this felt just a touch more premium, especially at its price point. Although some of the chairs recommended as the best by my colleagues often reach upwards of $1,700 USD so I can see why this E-WIN chair would make for a preferred option. 

The best thing I can offer when it comes to shopping for chairs that are slated for long-hour use is to listen to your body and try out as many as you can. There are plenty of physical retailers that have several models to sit in before buying and there is nothing wrong with returning one that doesn’t meet your needs. The E-WIN Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair is one of the better options I have tried but there might be comfier models within E-WIN and there are certainly a lot of others to consider. 

All in all, I am not blown away by this E-WIN chair but it is satisfactory. During this testing period, I have spent far less time thinking about optimizing my comfort and more time working more effectively, and playing games at my desk more often. Things could always be better but for now, I am comfortable.  

Want to pick up an E-WIN Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair for yourself? Save 25% off your order with the discount code “ForeverClassic” at checkout.

SCORES

VISUAL APPEAL- 7.5/10

BUILD QUALITY - 6.5/10

FEATURES - 7.5/10

USABILITY - 8/10

PRICING - 7/10

OVERALL - 7.3/10

Learn more about E-WIN’s products on their official website. A Flash Series XL Size Gaming Chair was provided for the purpose of review. This review was not screened prior to publishing. We may add affiliate links in the future but for now, there are none in this article.

Alex McCumbers

Twitter: @ACMcCumbers

Alex has been steadily shaping his writing, networking, and production skills for over a decade. He got into games journalism to keep his writing skills and habits in check as he has always wanted to create a novel or write a game's narrative. Sites that have published his work include Giga Geek Magazine, Marooners' Rock, Twin Galaxies, and Popular Mechanics. Several guest pieces have been uploaded on other sites. His work has also been physically published in both volumes of the SNES Omnibus where he contributed essays on several games. He grew up in rural West Virginia, surrounded by Appalachian music and culture.

Forever Classic was the branding that was invented during a faithful summer where he became absolutely fascinated by the world of Let's Play videos and video essays on YouTube. The Forever Classic brand name has always been at the back of his mind, tying it to projects here and there, but this website will be able to collect all of those efforts into a single place as Forever Classic Games LLC. 

"Welcome to Forever Classic Games, I'm Alex McCumbers."

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