GTRacing Ace Series M1 Review

Any of the gaming chairs we tested cost several hundred bucks, and others, such as the Herman Miller X Logitech Embody, cost more than $1,000. You don’t have to spend too much money on a well-made, wheeled, recliner gaming chair. Though GTRacing’s squeaky, $180 Pro GT099 chair series disappointed us, the company’s Ace M1 line is a better choice for a little more cost. The Ace chairs outperform the Pro chairs in terms of construction consistency, and their thicker fake leather does not squeak. The Ace M1 we checked costs $259 direct, whereas the smaller Ace S1 variant costs just $199. The Ace M1 doesn’t feel quite as premium as our Editors’ Choice selection, the SecretLab Titan, but it’s a decent alternative if you’re trying to invest less capital.

Assembly of the Ace M1

The GTRacing Ace M1’s assembly mechanism is similar to that of the Pro GT099 sequence. You must attach the armrests and side brackets yourself, which is not the case for chairs from Andaseat or SecretLab. It’s a slight annoyance, but it makes assembling the chair more difficult than it should be.

The Ace’s Appearance and Feel While assembled, the Ace M1 resembles SecretLab’s chairs admirably. The all-black edition borders on piracy, with the same red stitching around the sides and gold-embroidered design on the headrest and back. It’s a tasteful, if derivative, style improvement over the Pro GT099 set, which looks like a bland, colorful gaming chair.

It’s also even more sturdy than the Pro GT099 chair, with cold-cured foam for the bench and back, just like SecretLab’s seats. The PU leather is therefore heavier and more durable than the material used on the Pro GT099 chair. As a consequence, the gaming chair is much more comfortable, with far less give from flimsy, suspended padding and fake leather. More specifically, the Ace M1’s components do not squeak as much as the Pro GT099’s.

However, the better materials do not prevent the Ace M1 from making noises. I discovered that the castors squeak softly while moving around the floor after I placed it together. It’s not a harsh squeal, but more like a hiss, as though the rubber of the tyres were rubbing a little against their mounts. It’s not as obtrusive as the squeaking of the Pro’s fake leather, and you can probably block it out (it’s not any quieter than the tone of most castors moving over smooth, textured flooring like tile). Nonetheless, it lends the chair a cheap appearance.

Although the firmer foam and denser fake leather are significant improvements over the Pro, they also fall short of the padding and coverings utilized by Andaseat and SecretLab. The padding isn’t as firm and springy, and the PU fabric isn’t as soft and supple as the more luxurious seats from those brands. The Ace M1 gaming chair has a 350-pound consumer size.

Ace M1 Modifications

The Ace M1 has the usual gaming chair modifications, such as a lever-pulled back that reclines and an air-pistol cylinder that controls the chair’s height. The armrests are particularly adaptable, since they can be moved forward, backward, up and down, and adjusted to one of three angled configurations.

The Ace M1 comes with a lumbar cushion that you can insert behind your back and a head cushion that you can clip to the top of the chair, as do most gaming chairs. They are firm and convenient, and are constructed of the same materials as the chair.

Sitting in the Ace M1 is a far more pleasant feeling than sitting in the Pro GT099. It’s firmer, more welcoming, less cheap-feeling, and doesn’t squeak as you turn in your position. The wheels’ scratching hiss is mildly distracting, but it’s a minor quibble in comparison to the Pro GT099. It’s a more comfortable game chair overall, plus it feels a little cooler.

By default, the GTRacing Ace series ships with a one-year guarantee, but you can get a five-year warranty for free by posting your chair purchase on social media. It’s an unusual move, but it will help your chair last longer.

Good Performance at a Low Cost

The Ace M1 demonstrates that GTRacing will create a capable, inexpensive gaming chair that doesn’t sound cheap or squeaks all the time. Its style slavishly imitates SecretLab’s seats, but there are worse models to draw inspiration from. If it doesn’t feel as sturdy, supple, or simply premium as SecretLab and Andaseat’s products, it’s also $100 to $200 less expensive. If you’re searching for a good gaming chair for less than $300, the GTRacing Ace M1 is a good option.

The $399 price tag SecretLab is a secret laboratory. Titan is still our favorite gaming chair due to its high build quality, but the Ace M1 is one of the better budget choices, particularly for larger users. Though we haven’t reviewed it, the smaller Ace S1 gaming chair looks identical to the Ace M1, but has a lower, 290-pound weight over the Ace M1’s 350-pound capacity—and it’s just $199. Consider the equally priced Playseat Puma Active Gaming Seat if you’re searching for a gaming chair to use in front of your TV rather than your desk.