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The Cougar Explore Royal F gaming chair is an obvious and very welcome result of the market’s inevitable evolution. The market is constantly demanding something better, fresher, more technologically advanced… and, of course, cheaper. And the Royal F offers considerably more than you might expect at first glance if you judge it solely by its price.
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Відеоогляд Cougar Explore Royal F
Price and Positioning
What are the numbers? At the time of writing, the promotional price is $200 (normally around $270). So it is reasonable to expect regular sale prices in the $220 range, keeping the Royal F firmly in the psychologically affordable segment.
Since the chair arrived partially assembled, I’ll say just one thing about the ease of assembly: all the main screws use a hexagonal socket, so you shouldn’t run into any problems putting it together. A Toptul GAAV0701 bit set will also do the job.
Design and Material Options
The Cougar Explore Royal F looks quite stereotypical for a gaming chair, but at the same time, it has a refined appearance – especially in our “black and gold” colorway. If you prefer other shades, the lineup also includes the Cougar Explore Royal Ash (with gray fabric) and the Cougar Explore Royal Gray (in a darker finish).
And let me clarify right away: in the case of the Royal F, its “stereotypical” look is a huge plus. Preserving the classic appearance of a full-fledged gaming chair without compromising on the budget segment is genuinely rare. I mentioned the Cougar Fusion S earlier and expected something similar, but no: what we have here is a fully fledged gaming chair with a striking design, an ergonomically shaped seat, high-quality fabric, and upholstery featuring textured carbon-fiber inserts.
As it turns out, there is a bit of market magic behind this. The manufacturer hints that Cougar still had a stock of high-tech components in its warehouses from the COUGAR x VCT 2024 lineup. And just as AMD reuses proven chips to launch “new” processor models, Cougar has put these components to work in creating several highly successful budget-friendly gaming chairs.
Practicality and Dimensions
That certainly does not mean the Cougar Explore Royal F is boring or stripped down in any way.
Build Quality and Details: The stitching is sturdy and neat, while the back of the chair features a spacious storage pocket – perfect for snacks, a tablet, a compact laptop, or a power bank for a standalone VR headset. The package also includes two soft cushions: one for the neck/head and another for lumbar support.
Top Mechanism and Structural Specifications:
- Armrests: 3D armrests with extension, rotation, and height adjustment.
- Gas lift: Class 4, rated for loads of up to 120 kg
- Chair weight: Just over 21 kg
- Backrest: Reclines from 90° to 155°
- Seat height: 100 mm gas-lift travel, with seat height adjustable from 450 to 550 mm
- Seat width: 380 mm
The base is a classic five-star design, with large casters that roll smoothly and quietly across the floor. The chair also features a full rocking mode (Top-Gun). The Explore Royal F is comfortable to sit in both summer, thanks to its breathable fabric upholstery, and winter, thanks to its ergonomic shape, which helps retain warmth.
The only drawback I would point out is the armrests – they are missing the fourth degree of freedom, namely lateral adjustment from side to side.
Cougar Explore Royal F: Final Verdict
Even understanding how this model came about on the market, the overall value offered by the Cougar Explore Royal F seems almost too good to be true. It has everything you would expect from a good gaming chair, and even a little more – such as the convenient storage pocket on the backrest. I can confidently recommend it, especially while the promotional price is still in effect!
Where to buy Cougar Explore Royal F
