TheGamer HBADA E3 Review: Why You Should Pay Attention
TheGamer is not exactly the first place you’d look for ergonomic chair reviews.
It’s one of the largest gaming media outlets in the world, and its readers are likely to spend more time thinking about frame rates than the curvature of a lumbar support.
However, that’s precisely why Josh Coulson’s feature on the HBADA E3 is worth your attention.
Coulson has been an editor at TheGamer since 2018, and over the years, he has been responsible for affiliate product-related articles.
This includes exclusive brand partnership projects with Pokemon, Funko, and Baldur's Gate 3.
He has the experience to discern which products are truly recommendable and which are not.
His assessment of the HBADA E3 was clear:
For those who sit for eight or more hours a day, it might just be "the pinnacle of office chair technology."
This is a very strong endorsement from someone who doesn’t specialize in writing about ergonomics.
Here, we will share his findings and the experiences of real users who use this chair daily.
TheGamer's Perspective – Why It Differs from Other Reviews
Many ergonomic chair reviews focus on "prevention."
The idea is that maintaining proper posture now will reduce future physical problems.
While this is a valid concept, it doesn’t necessarily apply to those who already suffer from physical discomfort.

Three Key Features TheGamer Highlighted
3-Zone Elastic Lumbar System
Many ergonomic chair reviews tend to focus on prevention.
The idea is that maintaining proper posture now can reduce future problems.
While this is a rational argument, it doesn’t apply to those who already suffer from physical discomfort.
Coulson noted that the HBADA E3 takes a different approach.
The E3 is not just a chair to prevent future pain; it aims to support existing discomfort in three areas particularly prone to strain from prolonged sitting.
These areas are:
- Lower back
- Neck and shoulders
- Arms and forearms during typing
HBADA refers to these as "pain points."
The E3's three main features directly address each of these pain points.
This is no coincidence.
The HBADA E3 was developed in collaboration with Dr. Dennis Miller of the ICA (International Chiropractors Association).
Research revealed that many ergonomic chairs focus on areas different from the actual problems users experience.
Marketing "pain prevention" is relatively easy.
However, developing a chair that genuinely alleviates actual strain is a much more challenging technical task.
This difference determines who the chair is truly for.
If you currently have no back problems and simply want to maintain good health, a more affordable model might suffice.
However, if you feel neck stiffness or lower back pain at the end of your workday, and it persists into the night, the HBADA E3 is designed precisely for such users.
Three Features Coulson Highlighted
3-Zone Elastic Lumbar System
The entire design of the E3 is built around its lumbar support.
Unlike single-pad lumbar supports that only support one point of the spine, the 3-zone system consists of:
- A central mesh layer
- Two adaptive side wings
This provides concentrated and customizable pressure to a broader area of the lower back.
Coulson evaluated this feature not just as a solution for back pain in the elderly, but from the perspective of lower back discomfort experienced by modern desk workers who sit for long hours.
The difference lies in the engineering.
Chairs designed for pain prevention can rely on static structures to add positive support to a normal state.
However, a chair aimed at supporting already strained muscles and alleviating pain and fatigue must relieve the burden on overly tensed muscles.
Therefore, the support needs to react to body movements rather than being fixed.
The 3-zone structure addresses not only the central part of the spine but also the:
- Erector spinae
- Quadratus lumborum
These are deep muscles that stabilize the pelvis and lower back, and they are prone to chronic tension buildup from prolonged sitting.
6D Mechanical Armrest
Coulson highly praised this as one of the E3’s significant features.
It is very rare to find this feature at this price point in the ergonomic chair market.
In typical chairs, you usually find:
- 2D armrests (height adjustment only)
- 4D armrests (height, width, depth, and rotation adjustment)
However, the E3's 6D system includes, in addition to these:
- Rotation adjustment
- Tilt linkage
The tilt linkage feature, in particular, is a major differentiator from many competing products.
When you recline, the armrests also move with the backrest angle.
This ensures your arms are always supported in the correct position without hovering in the air.
For users who frequently recline during video calls or reading, this is a crucial point.
It helps mitigate the unconscious posture adjustments that occur when arm support is lost during recline.
For keyboard and mouse operation, the 6D adjustment truly allows for appropriate pressure distribution on the forearms.
The difference between an "approximately correct" armrest position and an "exactly correct" one can mean the difference between relaxed shoulders in the afternoon and a gradual buildup of tension.
4D Headrest
What Coulson emphasized here was the "chain of support," often overlooked in many headrest reviews.
A headrest that merely cushions the head is only a comfort feature.
In contrast, a headrest designed to distribute pressure from the neck to the shoulders and even the lower back becomes a crucial structural support for the body.
The HBADA E3's headrest features dual-axis adjustment, including:
- Height adjustment
- Front-to-back angle adjustment
This allows it to be set not just to a position that reaches the head, but to an exact angle that actively supports the cervical spine.
When the headrest is correctly adjusted, the neck muscles can fully relax during breaks.
However, if misaligned, as is common with many chairs, the headrest can become a point of contact that the neck instinctively resists, potentially creating tension rather than reducing strain.
Medical Collaboration Behind the Design

Medical Collaboration Behind the Design
Coulson also extensively covered the development story of the HBADA E3.
Particular attention was given to the participation of Dr. Dennis Miller of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) in its development.
The HBADA E3 was born from a collaboration between Dr. Dennis Miller and an international product design team.
Coulson explains that this collaboration with a medical expert is precisely why the HBADA E3 doesn't just claim to "prevent future pain," but can address existing physical discomfort in users.
The design resulting from this collaboration was subsequently independently verified by Germany's IGR Ergonomics Certification.
IGR certification is not merely about theoretical design principles.
It is a certification system that evaluates, through measurable and verifiable standards, whether a chair can support the spine's natural S-curve during prolonged sitting.
The HBADA E3 has also received the following awards:
- French Design Award
- London Design Award
These recognize not only its engineering performance but also its innovative design.
AUTO Gravity Sensing Chassis
Coulson highlighted the auto gravity-sensing reclining function as a feature often overlooked in many reviews.
This chassis detects the user's weight and automatically adjusts the recline resistance.
This allows for natural reclining tailored to the user's physique without the need for manual adjustments.
This is more important than it seems.
Manual recline tension adjustment is one of the most overlooked settings in ergonomic chairs.
As a result, many users face issues such as:
- Using a recline with too much resistance for their body weight, constantly fighting against it
- Suddenly tipping backward due to insufficient resistance
In both cases, unconscious posture corrections occur during work, and physical strain accumulates throughout the day.
The automatic adjustment system eliminates this variable altogether.
Real User Experience: Changes Felt by Long-Term Sitters

Real User Experience: Changes Felt by Long-Term Users
In addition to Coulson's review, the HBADA E3 has gathered extensive real-world feedback from the very user demographic it was designed for.
This demographic consists of users who sit for 6 to 10 hours a day, many of whom already suffer from back and neck issues.
Here are some testimonials from users who have used the chair for an extended period.
Marcus (34)
Software Developer - Remote Worker
Daily sitting hours: 9-10 hours
Previous concern: Chronic lower back tension
Marcus has used three different chairs over four years.
Two were "low-cost ergonomic chairs" that broke within 18 months.
The other was a mid-range model that felt comfortable for the first two hours, but then gradually led to fatigue.
His main problem was always the same:
Around 3 PM, the initial slight discomfort in his lower back tension would become a significant and bothersome issue throughout his workday.
After six weeks of using the HBADA E3, his feedback was specific:
"The limits I used to feel in the afternoon are gone. It's not like all pain completely disappears at the end of the day. But I no longer spend the last three hours of work battling my lower back."
He attributes this primarily to the 3-zone lumbar support, especially the side wings.
For him, this was the first chair that didn't just touch his lower back but genuinely felt like it was supporting it.
He also made a new discovery regarding the 6D armrests:
"I never realized how much subtle tension I was holding in my shoulders until it was gone."
Sarah (29)
UX Designer - Hybrid Worker
Daily sitting hours: 7-8 hours
Previous concern: Neck and upper shoulder pain from screen work
Sarah's concern was typical "tech neck."
Prolonged screen viewing caused her head to jut forward, leading to chronic tension at the base of her skull and around her trapezius muscles.
She had tried various common ergonomic solutions, such as:
- Adjusting desk height
- Adjusting monitor position
However, there was one element she hadn't yet re-evaluated:
Her chair.
She particularly focused on the HBADA E3's headrest:
"It took me about a week to find the right angle. It needed more delicate adjustment than I expected. But within a few days of setting it correctly, I noticed I wasn't constantly tensing my neck like before."
After two months, she feels the tension around her shoulders is "significantly reduced" compared to her previous chair.
She also appreciated the tilt-linked armrests:
"I didn't realize armrests needed to move with you when you recline until I actually used it. Now I can't go back."
David (42)
Financial Analyst - Part-time Gamer
Daily usage: 8+ hours for work + 2-3 hours for gaming
Previous concern: Hip and lower back stiffness
David's case is a scenario most relatable to TheGamer readers.
His lifestyle involves using the same chair for work during the day and for gaming at night.
He previously used a gaming chair for both work and gaming.
However, the thick, cushion-centric design meant for gaming caused problems during long hours of desk work.
The transition to the HBADA E3 required an adjustment period:
"The first week felt a bit strange. The seating structure was completely different from a gaming chair, and my body needed to get used to the new sensation."
By the third week, the hip stiffness he felt at the end of each day was significantly reduced.
By the sixth week, it was hardly noticeable.
Regarding its suitability for both work and gaming, he assessed:
"It handles both. The range of motion of the 6D armrests is really convenient for controller use. You can adjust it to angles that are difficult with gaming chairs. The recline for watching movies is also sufficient. It's not the deep, immersive recline of a dedicated gaming chair, but it's a real, usable recline."
Priya (31)
Content Manager - Fully Remote Worker
Daily sitting hours: 6-8 hours
Previous concern: Mild lower back pain due to muscle fatigue
Priya had been diagnosed with mild lower back muscle fatigue from prolonged sitting.
Her doctor recommended re-evaluating her work environment.
She had already tried:
- A standing desk
- Lumbar cushions
- Physical therapy exercises
The last remaining area for improvement was her chair.
She spoke most extensively about the setup:
"The headrest was the trickiest to adjust. I'm 5 feet 4 inches tall, and the initial settings weren't right for my body. But once I adjusted both the height and angle, I felt a difference within a day or two."
After three months of use, she described her back pain:
"It's not completely gone, but it's manageable. Before, I was constantly aware of my posture, but now the chair supports me."
She particularly praised the auto gravity-sensing chassis:
"I didn't realize how much I was resisting the recline in my old chair until I didn't have to anymore."
What These Four Users Had in Common
Comparing these experiences reveals three common threads:
1. There Is an Adjustment Period
All users stated that the first one to two weeks required getting used to the chair.
The E3 offers a different way of sitting compared to typical office or gaming chairs, so the body needs time to adapt to the new posture.
Some users who expected immediate results initially felt disappointed.
However, users who continued to use it for two to three weeks consistently gave positive reviews.
2. The Lumbar System's Side Wings Made the Biggest Difference
The feature most frequently cited by actual users as "making a difference" was the side wings of the lumbar system.
The 3-zone design is an engineering feature.
However, what users actually experienced was the fit and support to their lower back provided by the floating side wings.
3. The 6D Armrests Made a Difference for Many
Even users who didn't initially identify arm or shoulder strain as their primary problem felt a difference with the 6D armrests.
The tilt linkage function, in particular, was a feature many people "didn't realize they needed until they used it."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the HBADA E3 suitable for people who already have back pain?
Yes.
This is not an accidental benefit but one of its clear design objectives.
The HBADA E3 was co-developed with Dr. Dennis Miller of the ICA (International Chiropractors Association) and is designed to address discomfort in the:
- Lower back
- Neck
- Forearms
—areas prone to strain from prolonged sitting.
The 3-zone elastic lumbar support, 6D armrests, and 4D headrest each directly address different areas of strain.
It's not merely about improving comfort.
How long does it take to feel the effects?
According to user experience, many people feel a reduction in daily tension after about 2 to 3 weeks of continuous use.
The first week or so can be an adjustment period.
The E3 offers a different way of sitting compared to typical chairs, so the body needs time to adapt to the new structure.
Users who overcome the initial discomfort consistently provide positive feedback.
How do 6D armrests differ from typical armrests?
In typical ergonomic chairs, you generally find:
- 2D (height adjustment only)
- 4D (height, width, depth, and rotation)
The E3's 6D system adds:
- Rotation
- Tilt linkage
Tilt linkage allows the armrests to move with the backrest angle when reclining, continuously supporting the arms.
The rotation function allows for natural forearm angles during typing.
These features transform the armrests from mere resting places into active supports that distribute pressure on the arms and shoulders.
Can the HBADA E3 be used for gaming as well as work?
Yes.
TheGamer's review highlighted that the armrest design is suitable for both work and gaming.
It supports the elbows and forearms during focused keyboard and mouse operations, as well as when gaming in a reclined position.
User David's experience also demonstrates its suitability for users who use the same chair for work and evening gaming.
It offers a recline angle of 140° and features an auto gravity-sensing chassis.
The 6D armrests can be adjusted to natural angles even when using a controller.
What is German IGR certification, and why is it important?
IGR (Institut für Gesundheit und Ergonomie) is a German research institute for health and ergonomics.
IGR certification verifies, through measurable standards, that a chair can maintain the spine's natural S-curve even during prolonged sitting.
It is one of the globally recognized third-party ergonomic certifications.
The HBADA E3's IGR certification means that its lumbar support performance has been validated by an independent body, not just through self-assessment.
How does the AUTO Gravity Sensing Chassis work?
It detects the user's weight when sitting and automatically adjusts the recline resistance accordingly.
For example, it provides a naturally suitable recline feel for both a user weighing approximately 63kg and one weighing approximately 100kg.
There is no need for manual tension adjustment.
Who is the HBADA E3 not suitable for?
If you sit for less than 4 hours a day, the E3's advanced design might be more than you need.
In that case, a high-quality chair priced around $200-$300 might suffice.
Also, if you're looking for the deep, enveloping recline experience typical of dedicated gaming chairs, a bucket-seat gaming chair might be more to your liking.
However, for users who require serious ergonomic performance for long work hours, the HBADA E3 is designed to offer value beyond its price point.
Explore the HBADA E3 Ergonomic Chair →
This article is based on Josh Coulson's review of the HBADA E3 Ergonomic Office Chair, published on TheGamer on February 26, 2025.
The editorial opinions expressed in the article are those of TheGamer and Josh Coulson.
The user experiences described are composite examples constructed from customer feedback and do not represent specific individuals.



















