Most of my previous reviews of Cougar’s products have been focused on what they’re best known for – PC cases and cooling products like the Airface Eco case or Forza 85 air cooler which I’ve reviewed for Tom’s Hardware.
Today’s review will be a little different – and a first for me : The Cougar Defensor, a chair designed for office and gaming. Since this is a new type of review for me, and I have high standards for products intended for regular use, I’ve spent over 4 months using this chair to test its durability.
Let’s start by taking a look at the packaging and installation
Packaging
The chair arrives in a large box, with the inner contents protected by a mix of molded foam, carboard, bubble wrap, and plastic coverings.
Installation – Chair frame
All of the parts required to assemble the chair are included in the box. To start putting it together, you’ll connect the back and bottom of the chair.
The next step is to secure the parts of the chair which allow you to adjust the back rest and height of the chair.
You’re also supposed to install the arm rests before assembling the rest of the chair, something – as you’ll see in the photo below – I forgot to do until after installing the base.
Feature highlight: Rotatable arm rests
The arm rests included in Cougar’s Defensor chair can be rotated backwards at an angle. By default, they only rotate backwards – but if you prefer to have them rotate forwards, you can switch the left and right arm rests to accommodate this direction. In addition, the arm rests themselves can be moved forward or backwards +- 2 inches.
Feature Highlight : Adjustable Design
Installation – Bottom
The bottom of the chair is supported by five bars with wheels at the bottom and a hydraulic lift. The size of the lift should be fine for most individuals, but taller folks like myself might prefer to use a slightly larger aftermarket lift for best comfort.
After attaching the wheels and hydraulic lift, it’s time to attach the bottom and top parts of the chair together.
Feature highlight: Adjustable back support
One of this chair’s stand-out features is the inclusion of an adjustable back support. Cougar advertises this feature as an “integrated PushBack advanced lumbar support system lets you control just the right amount of pressure applied on your lower back, preserving the natural curve of your spine.”
Feature highlight : Back pocket
The chair features a back pocket on the rear side, which can be used for holding a few items like file folders.
Feature highlight – Magnetic Memory Foam Neck Rest Pillow
Some folks prefer to have a headrest on their chair, some folks don’t. Cougar’s Defensor includes a memory foam neck pillow for those of us that do.
For those who prefer not to have a headrest, or for those who might prefer to alternate between having a headrest installed or not, the neck pillow is magnetically attached – so you don’t need any parts or tools to remove the pillow. This feature also means the location of the pillow can be easily moved and adjusted according to your preferences.
Photo: Front view of chair
Durability and judgements on product build quality
When you’re spending a few hundred dollars on a product, I expect it to last. If you couldn’t already tell by the images of the installation process, the build quality of the chair certainly appears to be sturdy and of good design. However, to be sure of this, I tested this chair both during WFH Office use and while using it for gaming and leisure. To this day, there is no sign of wear or tear – and to me, this indicates that this chair should last for many years without problem.
Customization options
The Defensor is available in three upholstery choices: premium Hyper-Dura leatherette, woven fabric, and imitation linen.
Five color themes are available – black and orange, grey and orange, gold and black, grey and black, and light grey and orange.
Conclusion and pricing
Cougar’s Defensor is a high-quality office and gaming chair which I’ve had the pleasure of using over the past few months. It features adjustable lumbar back support, a variety of upholstery and color customization options, and back storage. If this product interests you, it is currently available for $260 USD at Microless and $310 USD at GigaParts