When it comes to gaming there are certain things you need to enjoy the experience, First of all a good size TV (that goes without saying) and of course an excellent sound system.

If you want to take an extra step for the ultimate gaming experience (spouses and partners permitting) needs a gaming chair.

Why do I need a chair to play games?

Many of us use the furniture nearest the console, and why would anybody want to spend money on a chair for playing games? It has never been one of my priorities in life that’s for sure.

The main thing we have to consider, apart from the price, is whether our respective partners/spouses are going to be into the idea (this is the hard sell).

If you are single then it is fair enough.

The other downside is the sight of a gaming chair in the living room can be a bit of a downer when it comes attracting the ladies as it can be interpreted as a bit geeky/blokey and even a bit sad.

If you decided to go ahead I have come up with three chairs, all with different price tags and specs, which should cover anybody’s budget.

XRocker Gamebag

First off the blocks is the XRocker Gamebag a small entry level gaming chair with built in speakers ,this connects to all types of consoles through a battery powered connector.

The sound is not too bad, perhaps a little tinny for my liking, but for the price £29.95 (as of December, 2011), you can't expect serious quality.

The thing liked about this chair is the portability. It has a handle and can be moved out of the way when you have finished with it.

Personally, I found this chair a little too small for me and it would of course be ideal for a child or small adult.

As for the battery pack, I think it would have been better to have a power adaptor instead, as a set of batteries once a week could turn out expensive, unless you buy rechargeable ones .

The cover is removable but I couldn't see any way to remove the speakers so washing it could be a problem .

All in all for the price a tough and well-made bean bag chair

• High-quality surround sound speakers

• Supportive, contoured bucket-style seat

• Comfortable microfiber bean bag

• iPod/MP3 docking station/convenient storage pocket

• RCA audio inputs

• iPod/MP3/iPad/PSP audio input jack

• Works with all iPod's, MP3 players, Playstation, X-Box, GameCube, PSP and Nintendo gaming machines.

• Works with DVD, computer (PC and Mac), TV and stereo systems.

• The unit connects through the audio out connection (or headset connection) on your TV so is compatible with HDMI and scart.

• Colour: black body with blue detailing

• Size: (H) 55cm X (W) 76cm X (D) 84cm

• Weight 4.65Kg

• Ages six plus

• Price £29.95 (28/12/2011)

I-Ex Gaming Chair

Next on my list is the I-Ex Gaming Chair at £74.99 (28/12/2011).

It is a great bargain and it doesn't look out of place in the living room either.

This is a very comfortable gaming chair, with a high back and deep bucket seat, and is very well made and tough.

It doesn't have speakers fitted like the XRocker and is nearly twice the price, but with this chair you do get a bigger seat and much better support.

There is a smaller version The I-Ex Rookie designed for kids aged 6-12.

The I-EX Gaming chair is one of the biggest bean bag gaming chairs on the market.

I was pleasantly surprised as compared with other chairs I have tried in the past it is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and built to last.

Also it doesn't look out of place in any living room, so you can persuade the wife/girlfriend/partner that it is a good idea and you can have one.

Seeing as there are no speakers inside you don't have the problem with wires sticking out everywhere.

If you do need to have surround sound in your seat then go elsewhere.

The IEx Gaming Chair is all about tough reliability and comfort and for this kind of money it is one of the best around, although a choice of different colours would have been nice.

This is one of my favourite no nonsense gaming chairs this year.

• Dimensions Adult 30cm X 85 cm X 95 cm

• Dimensions Rookie 26cm X 75cm X 83cm

• Weight 6.0 kg

• Price Adult £74.99 (28/12/2011)

• Price Rookie £52.50 (28/12/2011)

Sky Lounger Boomchair

Finally we have, in my opinion, one of the nicest looking gaming chairs on the market at the moment, the Sky Lounger Boomchair from Lumisource a company based in the United States, this chair is only available through www.boystuff.co.uk and the lovely people over there supplied me with this one.

The first thing I noticed on arrival is the size of the thing.

This is a proper chair, really solid and well-built and looks great in the living room.

The design is very modern and pleasing on the eye, and talk about comfy, well once you get used to it there is no armchair that can match this.

The metal frame and chrome rockers on the Sky Lounger allow the gamer to rock back and forth with ease, and the lumbar support is second to none, I did find the head rest took a while to get used to, but once I had found the right height it did the job admirably.

I have always thought, what is the point of having speakers in a chair?

As I fired the Sky Lounger and engrossed myself in Assassins Creed Revelations I knew I had found gaming nirvana.

The sound from the two, three inch speakers mounted on either side of the head rest and the four inch sub-woofer underneath the seat blew me away.

It surrounds you in a cocoon of sound which certainly makes for a more immediate gaming experience.

The control panel on the side of the chair has a USB slot for charging up a controller or an mp3 player (very handy).

There are adjustable volume and bass/treble controls, so you can get the sound you are looking for, plus the input and output sockets allow headphone or exterior sound sources to be connected.

The only minor problem with this chair is the lead for plugging it into a console, it isn't very long, the other alternative is to buy the wireless kit which is an extra £25 or just get a longer lead instead.

For the price tag £159.95 (28/12/2011) it would have been nice to have the wireless kit bundled with it.

There are shed loads of gaming chairs out there at the moment, unfortunately I haven't tried all of them so I can`t really compare this with any other in the same price range (not yet any way) but it is unique and very stylish, and wouldn't look out of place in any ones living room.

Looks wise it is by far the best I have seen, performance wise it really does do the job well. Sky Lounger Boomchair certainly sets a new benchmark in the gaming chair market.

• The ultimate stylish rocker gaming chair • Three channels wireless audio (864 MHz) • Audio System with surround sound • Internal amplifier • Two x Stereo, surround sound satellite speakers • Chair colour: Black on black design, stainless steel rocker and arms.

• Separately adjustable powered subwoofer (with excellent sound reproduction, vibratory lifelike bass, and a huge volume range, to enhance experience of gaming, music and movies) • Padded for resting those tired arms.

• Adjustable headrest • It works with Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Nintendo gaming units and all major game platforms, including handheld units such as PSP and DS lites • It also will work with your TV, DVD, VHS, and stereo system, your MP3 and iPod player and your phone if it has a standard earphone jack.

• Can also work with powered amps (up to 80 Watt) • Extra padded back and base - Comfortable and easy to clean.

• UK (BS) adaptor included • Wireless adaptor available separately • RCA cable • The unit connects through the audio out connection (or headset connection) on your TV so is compatible with HDMI and Scart, and all other units with an audio out connection.

• Dimensions: when assembled - an adult sized - 116cm high x 81cm wide x 70cm depth • Weight: 25kg • Price £159.95