Razer put a lot of effort into designing the lumbar support featured in its Iskur gaming chairs. The first one had a springy arch that you could vertically shift to give your lower back the appropriate reinforcement. With the $649 Iskur V2, Razer takes that idea and combines it with Secretlab Titan Evo-like elements to create a support system that you can shift in many directions. It’s a clever mechanism that contributes to a well-made chair, but the pivoting arch is less firmly supportive than more traditional lumbar sections. As a result, the Secretlab Titan Evo ($549) remains our Editors’ Choice winner for premium gaming chairs due to its stable lumbar support, thicker and more supple faux leather, and many design options. Design: Black, Gray, and a Hint of GreenThe Iskur V2 comes in three color schemes: black faux leather with green stitching, black faux leather with black stitching, or dark gray fabric with black stitching. The chair has prominent Razer logos on its back and headrest, but only the black-and-green model has Razer’s signature color scheme; the other two are low-key enough to not scream “gamer” at a glance.
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Regardless of the material, the Iskur V2 is only available in one fairly generous size. It’s recommended for people who are 5’3” to 6’7” in height and weigh up to 299 pounds. Razer sent us the black-and-green faux leather model. To assemble the chair, you pop the wheels and gas cylinder into the base, bolt the back to the seat, attach the tilt mechanism to the seat’s bottom, and set the assembled upper section on the gas cylinder. Razer thoughtfully pre-attaches the armrests to the seat and mounts flat plates to the back to align the struts. The chair’s base is made of sturdy black aluminum, and the wide casters roll smoothly.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Materials: EPU Leatherette and Plenty of Thick FoamThe Iskur V2 features EPU leatherette, which Razer claims is more durable and flexible than other faux leathers. We can’t evaluate long-term wear and tear, but the material feels thick and a bit supple. It isn’t quite as soft as the Cooler Master Caliber X2 ($369.99) and Secretlab Titan Evo’s PU leathers. However, it’s pleasant to touch, with a prominent texture that resembles tanned leather. The EPU leatherette appears strong, but I would recommend purchasing a fabric-upholstered chair if you have a clawed pet; I’ve yet to see a leather-like material that can fully rebuff the attacks from my cat, Pixel.The Iskur V2 is generously padded with dense foam that fills the seat, sides, and back with few hollows. This is a sign of a high-quality gaming chair; we’ve seen many cheaper chairs that fill the seat and back, but leave empty spaces under the upholstery. As a result, those chairs have a few areas that don’t make body contact.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Unique Lumbar SupportThe floating lumbar support is also padded, though necessarily thinner so you can adjust it relative to the rest of the chair’s back. This is the Iskur V2’s most unique element, and a significant update from the first version (you could only vertically rotate the lumbar support). Razer took cues from Secretlab to improve the V2’s lumbar support by adding two dials on the sides of the chair’s back. They let you tweak the lumbar support’s vertical position and how far forward it sits. The lumbar support also freely pivots left and right based on how you move, so it stays aligned against the small of your back.Besides the lumbar support, the Iskur V2 has all of the adjustments you would expect on a high-end gaming chair. You can raise and lower the seat thanks to a lever-activated gas cylinder, and move the 4D armrests up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. You can also rotate them between three horizontal yaw positions. The back reclines up to 152 degrees, and the entire chair tilts back with variable resistance (you can also lock it in place).The Iskur V2 comes with a large memory foam head cushion. It’s a felt-covered pillow that’s soft and supportive, with slight wings for your shoulders and neck. It attaches to the headrest via a wide elastic strap with a buckle. In testing, the strap kept the cushion in place without it inching upward and risking detachment from the headrest.Razer offers a better-than-average three-year warranty for the Iskur V2’s mechanisms and moving parts. Considering the unique nature of the chair’s lumbar support, that’s reassuring coverage.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Suitable SeatingThe Iskur V2 is a comfortable chair, though with an unfortunate caveat. The seat is firm and springy, the head cushion is quite nice, and the tilt and recline functions are smooth and nicely balanced.However, the freely pivoting lumbar support movement doesn’t feel like quite the upgrade Razer intended. It kept contact with my lower back when I moved, but a consistent angle doesn’t mean consistent pressure. Despite feeling the support against my lumbar spine as I twisted, I didn’t feel consistent support. In fact, the pivoting motion added a bit of wiggle when sitting flatly back. On the upside, I didn’t experience the lower back pain that came with sitting in the Enki Pro. That said, the Fujin Pro and Secretlab Titan Evo Lite offer more consistent (although non-adjustable) support that proves more comfortable over long periods.
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Verdict: The Right Chair for Some GamersThe Razer Iskur V2 ($649.99) is a cleverly designed gaming chair with unique adjustable lumbar support that might be ideal for some gamers, though not necessarily me. Everyone’s ergonomic needs vary; my large frame and general posture are more compatible with conventionally padded chairs. Still, the Iskur V2 is a well-made chair with dense foam, sturdy faux leather, and a better-than-average warranty. In this price range, the Secretlab Titan Evo ($549) is our Editors’ Choice for its more subtle, dependable lumbar support; slightly nicer materials; longer five-year warranty (if you post a picture of your chair on social media); and many style options. And if you want to spend significantly less money, check out the Cooler Master Caliber X2 ($369.99), another Editor’s Choice winner that appeals to budget-conscious buyers looking for a gaming chair that features a strong, well-designed build.
The Bottom Line
The Razer Iskur V2 gaming chair builds upon its predecessor’s design by offering highly adjustable lumbar support, but its pivoting hinge doesn’t facilitate a comfortable sitting experience as well as rivals.
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