Review of the ZONE 51 Freelancer Z9 ergonomic chair – Did you order massage and heating?

Technical specifications

• Body material: composite materials, carbon steel
• Seat/back material: mesh
• Headrest: yes
• Armrests: yes
• Crosspiece: steel
• Crosspiece color: silver
• Maximum load: 150 kg
• Gas lift: Class 3 (BIFMA)
• Swing mechanism: yes
• Backrest tilt: 90° – 155°
• Fixation in inclined position: yes
• Headrest adjustment: yes, height and tilt
• Armrest adjustment: three directions
• Footrest: yes
• Rollers: polyurethane, 50 mm
• Back dimensions (W x H): 49.5 x 80 cm
• Seat dimensions (D x W): 50 x 44 cm
• Chair width: 67.5 cm
• Seat height: 47 – 53 cm
• Chair height: 119 – 127 cm
• Weight: 24.3 kg

Equipment and assembly

The ZONE 51 Freelancer Z9 is packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with the brand logo. All components are neatly folded into individual plastic bags, separated by cardboard and soft foam inserts.

The box contains a backrest, a seat, two armrests, a headrest and its mount, a five-star crosspiece, five polyurethane wheels with a diameter of 50 mm, a gas lift, a set of screws, a USB-A to USB-C cable and a user manual.

Assembling the chair was a breeze, and the instructions weren’t even necessary. The only caveat is that it’s advisable to enlist the help of a strong person, as the components are quite heavy and may require some effort to handle.

Start with the crosspiece to which the wheels are attached. Then, insert the gas lift into the center hole until it stops.

Now you can set the crossbar aside and move on to the seat. The rocking mechanism and footrest are already attached, but the armrests will need to be attached manually using six screws and the included wrench. The underside of the armrests is marked to help the user locate their correct position.

The next step is to connect the seat and backrest, which houses the massage unit. To do this, align the corresponding grooves and secure them with three screws.

Next, you need to lift the assembled structure and install it on the gas lift integrated into the crosspiece. The final step is to secure the headrest with a simple hanger clamp and a couple of screws.

The whole process takes about fifteen minutes, and there’s far less fiddling with screws than with gaming “buckets,” which usually require connecting a bunch of components.

Impressions of use

Gaming chairs typically take up a lot of space: they’re bulky, filling up the space in front of the desk , and sometimes even too large to be comfortable. But the ZONE 51 Freelancer Z9 is different. Thanks to its mesh seat and backrest, the chair is quite compact while still providing comfortable seating for an adult weighing up to 150 kg.

The model is available in black and gray. We’re reviewing the latter, which looks rather airy. The base is mirror-silver in any case: the metal feels pleasantly cool against the skin, but the sharp edges dig into your feet. For some reason, the BIFMA Class 3 gas lift doesn’t come with a decorative plastic cover, which is usually included with gaming chairs. However, this doesn’t affect the chair’s functionality in any way and is therefore not considered a drawback.

Polyurethane casters roll smoothly across any floor. They’re quiet and won’t scratch the floor, so you don’t have to bother with buying a special mat for the chair.

The seat, backrest, and headrest are covered in a fine mesh with no padding. It’s stretched quite tightly, so you won’t sink into the chair; instead, it gently supports the user and provides a slight spring, maintaining its firmness.

The seating position is comfortable: the seat isn’t too big, its front is slightly sloped downward, and the sides are raised, positioning your buttocks in the middle without squeezing them. The controls are located under the seat on the right: a round knob adjusts the backrest tilt, and a paddle switch performs two functions: pressing it lowers and raises the seat, and tilting it to the side locks the backrest in place.

Hidden inside the seat is a retractable footrest. It sits on a metal frame and allows for comfortable leg stretching. It’s also quite durable—it doesn’t bend or flex. However, it’s not recommended to place anything other than your feet on it.

The plastic armrests are adjustable to three positions: height, left-right rotation, and forward-backward reach. The upper part of the armrest is made of a soft material to prevent elbow chafing while using the chair.

A fabric-covered massage unit is integrated into the backrest, in the lumbar region. On the right is a round handle that allows you to move the unit forward and backward, adjusting its position. On the left are the controls: a power button, a mode switch, and a heating activation button, as well as an LED indicator and a USB-C port for charging.

The headrest has a slightly convex shape. It attaches to the back of the backrest with a “hanger” (you can actually hang clothes on it) and is adjustable for height and tilt. This is convenient—you can easily adjust the neck support, unlike gaming chairs, where the head pillow is usually fixed in position and size.

The ZONE 51 Freelancer Z9 chair would be fantastic even without its massage unit: a comfortable seat, a backrest that reclines up to 155 degrees, an adjustable headrest, and a footrest do their job. The mesh allows the body to breathe, a feature you’ll appreciate on a hot summer day. But the massage function changes everything, offering a fundamental level of comfort.

The massage uses rotating rollers that apply alternating pressure to the lower back. The retractable design allows for both a gentle warm-up and a more detailed lumbar muscle workout. A massage session lasts 12 minutes, and afterward, you can extend the session or leave it alone: ​​in the latter case, the massager switches off after 3 minutes. A heating function adds to the pleasant sensation.

And you know, there’s nothing better than leaning back in your chair after work , putting your feet on the footrest, turning on the massage, and picking up a gamepad . This will achieve the ultimate level of relaxation, simultaneously relieving fatigue and recharging you for the rest of your day.

What’s more, the massager doesn’t tie you to a power outlet: it has a built-in 5000 mAh battery, which lasts for 15-20 massage sessions. The chair can be charged via a PC USB port, and the process is leisurely—a full charge takes about 5 hours.

Conclusion

While gaming chairs are very popular, they can’t compare to ergonomic models. If you want proper posture and no posture issues, choose an ergonomic chair—your back will thank you. And if you choose the ZONE 51 Freelancer Z9, you’ll even have the opportunity to indulge in occasional massages for complete relaxation.

Of course, the model does have some drawbacks. For example, the armrests have noticeable play, and their forward and backward movement can’t be locked, which can be a bit of a hassle if you’re holding the chair while moving it. Charging the battery takes quite a while, during which time you’ll be tethered to a PC or other power source. They skimped on the gas lift a bit—flagship chairs typically use a Class 4 gas lift. And the price on the official website is steep, although you can find better deals on marketplaces.

Still, the ZONE 51 Freelancer Z9 can’t be seriously criticized. Yes, there are some shortcomings, but they’re insignificant compared to the model’s advantages. Therefore, the Freelancer Z9 is worth considering if you’re looking for an ergonomic chair with the highest level of comfort. However, as always, we leave the final decision up to you.