When you think of gaming chairs, I’m pretty sure you’re picturing plush leather material with a racing style and bucket seat design. You know the one. Black all over with stripes or colorful accents of white, red, or blue, or any color combination you can think of. Enter the Cougar Argo Gaming Chair.
Throughout the years, racing-style bucket seats have dominated the gaming chair industry. Padded with faux-leather seats that are usually chunky and snug against our bodies. No complaints though as they have always worked for almost everyone and performed quite solidly.
But if you’re adventurous enough to try out something new or just want a very comfortable chair that doesn’t necessarily scream “GAMER”, then you’re on the right page.
Typically, when you see a mesh finish on a chair, it’s most likely your standard office chair. But with the Cougar Argo, you get a hybrid that combines the great elements of a gaming chair while maintaining a sleek and minimalist design.
With a unique mesh finish and overall minimalist design that prioritizes ergonomics and maximum comfort for its users, will this be the perfect hybrid gaming chair for you?
Overview
The Cougar Argo is a unique-looking gaming chair that stands out among its competitors in a way because of its minimalist structure and design. Which I find quite ironic, if you ask me. Usually when a product stands out it is due to bold or eye-catching designs that will steal your attention right away.
The same can’t be said with the Cougar Argo, though. This one takes the spotlight by having an ergonomic design that you see more frequently in line with traditional office chairs.
The Argo is manufactured by Cougar, a company that has been in the business since 2008 specializing in producing the best gaming equipment and peripherals for dedicated and casual gamers alike.
So it’s safe to say that you’re in reliable hands and you’re getting yourself a gaming chair of the highest standard.
While other brands continue to compete on producing the fanciest and boldest designs, Cougar went the other direction and followed the minimalist route when they released the Argo gaming chair.
Performance
Despite the minimalist and subtle structure, Cougar did not skimp on giving you a high-quality gaming chair. With a highly breathable mesh cushion, you get a pleasant and comfortable gaming experience even when you’ve been doing it all throughout the day.
The adaptive mesh material is easy against your back which allows air, body heat, and water vapor to pass through the seat and backrest to keep you fresh, cool, and dry throughout the most intense gaming sessions.
The Cougar Argo is also fully adjustable and has a maximum weight capacity of 150 kg (or 330.7 lbs) to accommodate every gamer’s size or build. To add more comfort, the armrests are firm and offer full 3D movement for height, angle, and depth adjustments.
A lot of people would argue that a gaming chair can be quite impractical. That it’s just a marketing ploy to make you spend more on a flashy or gaudy chair.
While that can be true for some, I still believe gaming chairs have a different set of priorities in comparison to a normal desk chair.
Specifications & Features
- Product Dimensions: 29.53 x 26.77 x 15.35 inches (LxWxH)
- Surface Material: Mesh and breathable PVC leather.
- Frame: Aluminum.
- Base: 5-star aluminum alloy base.
- Armrest Directions: Allows 3D movements and adjustments.
- Product Weight: 25 kg or 55.11 lbs.
- Maximum User Weight Capacity: 150 kg or 330.7 lbs.
- Footrest: No.
- Recline: Yes, from 105 degrees to 130 degrees.
- Swivel: No.
- Controls: Trigger shift wire control system.
- Wheels: Large 3” caster wheels for enhanced stability.
- Colors: Black and orange only.
- Warranty: 1-Year Warranty for mechanism, steel frame, and base, gas lift cylinder, wheels, and the armrest. But you get 2 years of warranty for Argo’s aluminum frame and 5-star base.
Check out Cougar’s video about their Argo Gaming Chair below.
What I Love About The Cougar Argo
Minimalist Doesn’t Mean Boring
I believe it when they say sometimes less is more. The same truth also applies to the Cougar Argo.
For years, gaming companies have flooded us with gaming chairs that are flashy, bold, chunky, and any other style that will give our eyes something to look at. And for years, it has worked. So it’s such a refreshing change to see Cougar go the opposite direction and offer a more subtle take on what a gaming chair should look like.
I feel like this type of minimalist gaming chair will suit a lot of professionals who love gaming and are opting for more sleek and subtle designs rather than a gaudy structure. But don’t be fooled, this is still a gaming chair and was made for gamers in mind. As you can see by the bright orange accents all over the chair.
Though there is an all black option if the orange variant is not your taste.
Ergonomic and Comfortable
When it comes to performance alone, you really just can’t go wrong with the Cougar Argo.
This certain model is just packed with a lot of ergonomic features to ensure that you have the most comfortable gaming experience possible. There is little to no strain on your back thanks to the dynamic lumbar support that eases pain and fatigue on your body when you play for long periods of time.
Adjustability
One of the best things about the Cougar Argo is its fully adjustable design.
You can easily adjust the height by tilting the headrest in different directions. 3D adjustable armrests to place them at any angle you prefer. Lock the recline in three angles depending on your comfortability from 105 degrees to 130 degrees. Adjust the rocking tension and the seat depth so your back is against the lumbar for maximum comfort.
Less Sweat And Heat Against The Mesh
Aside from being ergo-friendly and comfortable, I also noticed that I sweat a lot less against the mesh of the Cougar Argo.
I know one of the most annoying things we experience as gamers is the amount of sweat we work up whenever we play for long hours. It’s even more horrifying when our skin starts to stick to the seat itself.
Some of this can be due to the thick padding most gaming chairs have, this is especially true with faux-leather padded seats. It stores up a lot more heat and in turn, makes us sweat.
But thanks to the breathable and adaptive mesh material of the Cougar Argo, I can still feel fresh and dry even during the most extensive and rigorous games. No more shirt changes in between rounds, am I right?
My Least Favorite Things
The Price
Because the Cougar Argo is filled with so many ergonomic features, the cost of this gaming chair is also significantly higher. Especially compared to other brands.
Do I think it’s worth it? No.
I think you can get cheaper alternatives in the market. Though you would have to sacrifice a few things for a lesser price. But for some of you who have the money and are not so tight on budget, the Argo is a great gaming chair to consider if you want a minimalistic design.
It’s As Basic As It Gets
While I’ve said before that sometimes less is more, I feel like Cougar could have also added a few more features just to make this gaming a little more exciting. Especially with the expensive price tag attached to the Cougar Argo. You’d think there will be more fun features aside from the unique design of the model.
But sadly, I’m a little disappointed. This alone makes you hesitant if it’s worth the splurge. Dropping more than $400 on a gaming chair is no cheap decision after all. Especially when you can find inexpensive alternatives with more cool features to offer in the market.
In A Nutshell
Here is a narrowed down list of the good and the bad on the Cougar Argo.
Pros
- The sleek, minimalist structure looks subtle and clean without looking too boring.
- Great dynamic design for lumbar support.
- Impressive adjustability.
- Overall ergonomics are terrific.
- Breathable mesh allows users to stay fresh and dry even during long periods of gaming.
Cons
- The overall features of this model is a little basic.
- Expensive. You can find cheaper alternatives in the market if you’re tight on budget.
Final Verdict
All in all, I think the Cougar Argo found the sweet spot between a gaming chair and your traditional office chair.
It has all the ergonomic qualities and functions you can find easily on any gaming chair in the market while maintaining a classic, sleek, and minimalist design that isn’t so in-your-face. Bright orange accents aside, of course.
This is great for you if you’re looking for a multi-tasking chair that you can easily use for work and for your gaming sessions. No need to swap out your chairs if you want to look more “professional” or more like a gamer.
Admittedly, it’s not the cheapest gaming chair in the market. You can easily find cheaper and maybe even better alternatives out there. But what it lacks in those aspects, the Argo makes up for impressive ergonomics, adjustability, and durability.
So if you’re a big fan of Cougar and you trust their products, then I highly suggest the Argo gaming chair for you.
It’s comfortable, ergo-friendly with a very strong and durable build that stays that way even after several hours of gaming or work.
Recommended reading for you:
Best Computer Gaming Chairs For Adults 2021: Take Your Gaming To New Levels
The Ultimate Computer Gaming Chair Guide For Every Gamer This 2021.
