The Boulies Master Rex is a highly adjustable gaming chair packed with features designed to keep you comfortable while grinding through work, diving into a gaming session, or just browsing the web. It’s a strong contender if you’re in the market for an upgrade, though its price tag—over $400 (£300) at the time of writing—puts it well outside the budget-friendly category.
Thankfully, Boulies sent over a black Ultraflex PU version of the Master Rex for review, giving me the chance to test it out firsthand and see if it truly justifies that premium price—and whether it deserves a spot as your next gaming chair.
Design and Aesthetics
As mentioned in the intro, I received the black Ultraflex PU version of the Boulies Master Rex. This material gives it a clean and sharp finish, with a subtle, professional look that can fit right into an office setting or a more toned-down gaming setup. It avoids the overly flashy gamer aesthetic, which I personally like, while the materials, on the whole, feel premium.
One of the first things I noticed out the box, though, was the chair's weight. You really feel it when unboxing each part and during assembly. But in this case, the weight adds to the sense of sturdiness and build quality, rather than being a drawback. Once assembled, it feels solid and stable, which is always reassuring with furniture you're going to sit in for hours at a time.
The seat itself is generously sized, too, with a width of 31cm and a depth of 48cm. I found this meant it offered plenty of cushioning and support, making it genuinely comfortable for long sessions. I had no issues with space, and that extra depth helps with maintaining good posture throughout the day.
Boulies recommends the Master Rex for users between 5ft 1in and 5ft 11in, which works well for me since I fall within that range. However, if you’re 6ft or taller, you might want to look at other options or check how well the dimensions align with your setup, especially for back and neck support.
Assembly Process
Putting the Boulies Master Rex together wasn’t the smoothest solo experience. I ended up needing an extra pair of hands to get it over the finish line, mainly because attaching the backrest to the base proved tricky. The screw alignment in that section just wasn’t cooperating, which added some unnecessary frustration to an otherwise manageable build.
That said, the instructions themselves were clear and easy to follow, which definitely helped keep things on track. All the parts were well packaged, and nothing felt overly complicated. With two people, the whole process was pretty straightforward—within an hour, we had it assembled.
So while I wouldn’t recommend building it solo unless you’re particularly patient (or experienced with this kind of thing), it’s not a nightmare by any means—just make sure you’ve got someone around to help out with the heavier parts.
Build Quality and Materials
As mentioned, the Boulies chair I received is finished in their Ultraflex PU leather, which looks premium and is easy to keep clean—just a quick wipe down does the job (which came in handy at times...). As an owner of a mesh chair, though, I quickly realized the Master Rex does get noticeably warmer during longer sessions, especially in hotter weather. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can get a bit sweaty over time if you don’t have good airflow in your room.
One of the standout build elements is the aluminum-constructed 4D armrests. They offer a solid range of adjustment—up and down, twist, and side to side—and feel impressively sturdy. I put quite a bit of weight on them during testing and didn’t notice any give or wobble, all thanks to that aluminum frame. The padding on top is also a nice touch and adds to the comfort factor when resting your arms on them.
Down at the base, the XL PU casters are another win. They roll relatively smoothly even across carpet, which I always appreciate since some chairs tend to drag or stick. The base itself feels strong and stable, too, supporting the weight of the chair and user (max. weight 110kg) without any creaks or rattles.
Ultimately, the Master Rex is a very well-built chair, in my opinion. Everything from the stitching to the PU finish is great, with no rough edges or signs of cheap manufacturing. While it may not be the coolest option temperature-wise, that's a personal choice during purchase, as Boulies offers several mesh chairs you could buy instead.
Comfort and Ergonomics
Comfort-wise, the Boulies Master Rex delivers pretty much what you'd expect from a premium gaming chair. It’s well-cushioned throughout, with soft but supportive padding that holds up nicely during long gaming or work days.
The chair includes built-in lumbar support and a separate headrest cushion—both of which are great additions. The lumbar support is height-adjustable via a side knob, which is a nice idea in theory, though in practice, I didn’t find it made a huge difference. The adjustment range feels quite limited, so don’t expect dramatic changes there. That said, the fixed support still did a solid job of helping me maintain good posture throughout the day.
The head cushion, on the other hand, was a standout. It’s genuinely comfortable and made a noticeable difference during longer work sessions. It’s soft and fits well against the upper spine and neck.
If you're someone who spends a lot of time at your desk, that consistency in comfort is a big plus, and one of the reasons this chair feels like a step up from more basic models.
Adjustability
The Boulies Master Rex packs in a solid range of adjustability features that make it easy to fine-tune the chair to your setup and sitting style. It offers a 95 to 165-degree recline, which gives you plenty of room to lean back. You can also lock it in a fixed position or enable a 15-degree rocking tilt, which I personally preferred for general use. That said, the handle to adjust the tilt felt a bit stiff. It works fine once you get the hang of it, but it could be smoother.
The 4D armrests are another highlight, with up/down, twist, and side-to-side adjustments that make it easier to align your arms properly, whether you're typing or gaming. I talked more about these in the build section, but it's worth repeating that they’re solid, smooth to adjust, and feel sturdy.
The chair also comes equipped with a class-4 gas lift for height adjustment, which adds to the overall sense of stability and reliability. It moves up and down smoothly and doesn’t dip or sag, even when fully extended. As expected, you also get full 360-degree swivel, which works without any friction or noise.
Altogether, the Master Rex gives you all the key adjustability features you’d want in a chair at this price point. It’s flexible enough to suit different tasks and body types, with only a few minor gripes—mainly the stiffness of the tilt mechanism—that slightly hold it back from being perfect in this area.
Features and Extras
Beyond the included head pillow, the main extra feature on the Boulies Master Rex is the slide-out pressure-free leg rest. It’s a nice addition that I’m sure some people will find genuinely useful, especially if you like to recline the chair all the way back and almost lie flat. In that kind of setup, the leg rest makes a lot of sense and adds to the overall comfort.
In my case, however, the leg rest didn’t get much use. My desk setup just doesn’t allow for it, so it mostly stayed tucked away. While it’s a cool feature to have, I’d personally be fine without it, especially if leaving it out brought the price down a bit. It’s one of those “nice to have” additions rather than an essential, depending on your space and how you plan to use the chair.
Value for Money
At $419.99 (£329.99) at the time of writing, the Master Rex definitely sits on the pricier end of the gaming chair spectrum. It’s more expensive than the Boulies EP400 I also own, but to be fair, it feels like a clear upgrade, especially when it comes down to adjustability and overall build quality. It’s not a budget-friendly option, but considering the features, materials, and finish, it does offer pretty solid value for money.
It’s worth noting, though, that there are a few slightly cheaper chairs out there with similar feature sets, so if you're purely after the best deal, it’s worth comparing. Just note that Boulies offers a 2-year warranty and a 14-day returns policy, which adds a bit of peace of mind if you’re on the fence.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Boulies Master Rex
The Boulies Master Rex is a well-rounded, premium gaming chair that delivers on comfort, adjustability, and build quality.
If you’re someone who spends long hours at your desk, whether for work, gaming, or both, and you value a clean, professional look over flashy colored accents, this chair should absolutely be on your shortlist. It’s especially suited to users within the recommended height range who want something sturdy, supportive, adjustable, and built to last.
That said, it’s not for everyone. If you're on a tighter budget, or if you’re significantly taller than 6ft, there may be better-suited options out there, either in terms of price or ergonomics. And while the extras like the leg rest are nice to have, they won’t be practical for every setup.
