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Boulies may not be a household name yet, but the United Kingdom-based chair manufacturer is becoming more known for its comfortable and ergonomic chairs at relatively affordable prices. Although it is not specifically marketed as a gaming chair, the company recently upgraded its well-received EP400 office chair.
In this review, we will consider the quality and comfort of this new chair and determine if it is worth the asking price. At the time of writing, the chair is on sale for $300 at Boulies’ official website, so it is a fairly affordable option, given its sturdy build and customization options.
Is the Boulies EP460 a worthy option for gamers and streamers, despite being marketed as an office chair? Is it worth the price? Let’s find out in our full review below!
Boulies EP460
The Boulies EP460 ergonomic office chair is an upgraded model of the popular EP400. Whether used at home or in the office, this mesh chair features impressive customizability, a footrest, and lumbar support. It has an adjustable headrest, armrests, and backrest with three different recline angles (95 degrees, 113 degrees, and 135 degrees) for superior comfort and support for long hours of work, gaming, or streaming.
Game Rant received a unit for review purposes.
Boulies EP460 Features
The Boulies EP460 ergonomic mesh office chair includes upgrades and new adjustments versus the previously released EP400 model. The biggest upgrade is the new hybrid mesh upholstery, which is more breathable than the previous model, allowing greater airflow to keep users cool as they game, stream, or work from home. After nearly two weeks of use, this writer can confirm that the mesh upholstery allows for good airflow, so it should help to minimize sweating throughout long sessions of gaming or working.
There is also a new backrest height adjustment feature that helps to make the experience even more comfortable. The EP460 lets users customize the backrest height to fit their body while at the same time providing better support for a healthy posture. The chair is recommended for users who are between 5’7” and 6’3” in height and who weigh less than 300 pounds (135kg), so a wide range of users will fit comfortably in this chair.
The Boulies EP460 uses an aluminum base with a 360-degree swivel so that you’re able to glide around your office or gaming room with ease. It also has a reinforced plastic frame, making it quite sturdy and tough. The chair features a multi-tilt mechanism, and it has three levels of backrest recline: 95 degrees, 113 degrees, and 135 degrees. It uses 6cm polyurethane casters and a class 4 hydraulics system, which is pretty impressive at this price point. Generally, this is a chair that’s a good option for people of varying heights and weights. Plus, the adjustable features allow people with many different body types to enjoy it quite comfortably.
The backrest height of the Boulies EP460 office chair features three adjustment levels. Its lumbar support ensures maximum comfort for your lower back, and it is adjustable as well. The EP460 also has adjustments that you can make to the seat’s depth. Its neck support is made for comfort, and it is adjustable in angle according to your preferences.
Adding to the customizability of the chair, the armrests also have several adjustable heights. Featuring soft padding for maximum comfort, they can also be moved forward or backward. If you’d prefer to use the chair without armrests, they can be optionally removed.
Lastly, a leg rest is also included in the package, which slides out from underneath the seat. This is convenient if you want to relax and lounge. Although it’s supported with metal rods, the footrest itself is made of plastic and feels somewhat flimsy. Gentle use is recommended.
Assembly
Putting together the EP460 only took about 45 minutes. It was not too difficult thanks to the included assembly instructions. Of particular note is that Boulies includes paper instructions instead of making you download an unnecessary app to your smartphone or a PDF. The front of the instructions has a checklist of all the contents that come in the package, which is nice to reference to make sure that everything is actually in the box.
As best practice, you should take an inventory of all the pieces to ensure that they’re all there before attempting to assemble. This will potentially save you headaches later if anything is missing.
Once you remove everything from the box, you’ll use an included Allen key to screw together the various pieces. A step-by-step assembly guide – including handy photographs to demonstrate how the pieces fit together – makes the process a lot easier. My main complaint about the assembly process is that the photographs were not always clear about positioning. For instance, it took me a few minutes to realize that the leg rest could be extended to provide more space when fitting the mechanism to the seat base. For the most part, everything fits nicely and comes together easily.
Once everything is assembled, the instructions also conveniently provide information on how to make the most of the chair’s features, such as the backrest recline, headrest adjustment, and chair height adjustment. This will help you to make the most of your new chair. It also helps explain how everything works so that you do not accidentally damage any pieces.
Color Options and Warranty
The Boulies EP460 chair comes in two different color options: black and gray. Again, it’s worth noting here that this was designed as a general-use office chair, not a gaming chair. While office chairs are suitable for many setups – and they will blend in well in a home office setting, in particular – gamers might find the lack of other color options to be somewhat underwhelming. If you are looking for something flashy, this definitely is not it.
As for the warranty, there is a limited two-year warranty, so you’re able to have some peace of mind that the chair will last for at least a couple of years. The company notes here that the warranty does not cover damage that is the result of improper assembly or usage. There is also a 14-day return policy, so if you are unsatisfied with your purchase, you should be able to return it without too much hassle.
Conclusion
The Boulies EP460 ergonomic mesh office chair is a comfortable, well-built, and cleverly designed chair that will suit the needs of many different users. This chair’s customizability makes it a good option for anyone seeking a comfortable office chair without breaking the bank. The neutral colors are ideal for a home office setting, so this could potentially double as both an office chair and a gaming/streaming chair, especially if you don’t mind the muted look. Plus, the breathable fabric makes it great to stay cool during long gaming sessions or hours plucking away at work.
At the end of the day, this is a good all-around office chair that will suit the needs of many different users. Gamers and streamers may be disappointed with the limited color options as this is not a flashy chair by any means, but the overall chair is decidedly solid and comfortable. The two-year limited warranty also gives you protection in case anything happens. Lastly, the $300 price (currently on sale at the official Boulies website) also puts it within reach of a lot of potential buyers.
Overall, the Boulies EP460 is best suited for gamers who work from home as it will fit in well within a home office setup. Gamers and streamers may also want to consider it if they do not mind the neutral and understated color options, as it has a lot of customizable features, and it’s quite comfortable over extended periods of time.
Alternative Options
If the Boulies EP460 isn’t quite your style, you may want to consider these alternatives:
FAQ
Q: Does Boulies make good chairs?
Yes, Boulies makes excellent chairs. They sell both traditional office chairs and gaming chairs.
Q: Do gamers use office chairs or gaming chairs?
Gamers use both. Gaming chairs can be preferable if you care about aesthetics for a gaming room or a stream, but office chairs blend in well in other environments, such as a home office.
