Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 assessment: The final word in gaming chair versatility

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is the corporate’s present top-of-the-range gaming chair, which on the floor seems to supply a really comparable set of options as a number of different gaming chairs, however elevates its providing in quite a lot of key methods. For a begin, it is available in three sizes to go well with nearly any dimension of sitter, plus it’s out there in a dizzying array of materials and finishes. Crucially, although, in addition to nailing its core consolation, it’s the addition of detachable magnetic components that put this chair above all others.

We are saying “all” and we imply it, as that is our present best choice for the very best gaming chair general. Others, such because the Fractal Refine are spectacular by way of normal consolation and magnificence, nevertheless it’s the flexibility on supply with the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 that basically makes it such a go-to possibility.

Specs

Design

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is what you may name a traditional-looking gaming chair. Since the marketplace for these chairs exploded, a sure model has emerged as being pretty dominant, consisting of a glance that nods to automotive racing chairs with bolsters on the perimeters of the seat and again, and a chunky, thickly padded construct.

Certainly, many of those chairs, or no less than their underpinnings, are seemingly made by the identical few producers and, at a look, this chair seems to be near-identical to the Noblechairs Hero, with the identical tilt and recline mechanism and field metal tube body development beneath. It’s all in stark distinction to the extra distinctive look of some choices, such because the Fractal Refine, Logitech Embody, or Razer Fujin.

Regardless of this obvious lack of innovation, the Secretlab nonetheless seems to be moderately sensible, although I’d personally go for the fully plain black end reasonably than the gold and purple trimmed model that was despatched for us to check – it’s generally known as the Stealth end.

You can too get the chair in a fairly wide selection of primary colours, and  an enormous vary of branded patterns. There are alternatives for all kinds of esports groups, video games akin to Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, League of Legends, and naturally Star Wars. Most of those are available in a leatherette (fake leather-based) end, however you may also get a SoftWeave cloth end and a MicroSuede end, although the latter has only a few choices.

On steadiness, it’s not probably the most elegant possibility on the market by way of look, so it wouldn’t essentially be our first selection if you wish to keep a smooth workplace vibe, nevertheless it seems to be sensible sufficient with a muted end.

Options

The place the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 actually shines is with its function set. This chair has a number of little options that massively elevate it over different choices, plus the addition of the corporate’s new Secretlab Recliner Add-On completely transforms this chair.

The core options are like most premium gaming chairs, although. You get a seat that may tilt again, utilizing an adjustable stiffness steadiness on its underside. Flip the lean lock deal with on the left and you may lean again to tilt the entire seat and again meeting to round a 20-degree angle. You possibly can lock it on this place or at considered one of three different angles.

The again may also be reclined to a 165-degree angle when launched through a deal with on the proper aspect of the chair. With the lean and recline engaged, you may actually sit again and almost lie flat on this chair, which is nice for moments once you simply must take a break.

The peak of the chair will be adjusted too, through a deal with on the proper. With the chair out there in three totally different sizes to go well with numerous sitters, the peak vary of the chair varies. We examined the XL model, which might vary between 18.5 and 22.5 inches, measured on the highest level of the entrance of the seat cushion. The smaller variations drop decrease, although.

The general dimension of the chair varies too, relying on whether or not you choose small, common, or XL. Which means if you happen to’re notably tall and slim, it’s possible you’ll discover the XL model a bit too large, or if you happen to’re quick and large, it’s possible you’ll discover the small model too slender however I discovered the XL model an excellent match for my 6-foot, 2-inch top and 220lb weight.

Notably, the Titan Evo doesn’t supply an adjustable seat size, as on the Fractal Refine, or some other adjustment within the core dimensions of the seat. Few different gaming chairs do that both, however you will have to think twice about which dimension to decide on. One issue to notice, additionally, is that the XL model comes with a bigger wheel base that has a width of 30.5 inches, which I discovered large sufficient to not match by way of my commonplace door frames, requiring me to take away this part to get the chair upstairs (a hammer was required to knock it free).

Again to these options, and the Titan Evo 2022 after all comes with tremendous adjustable armrests, as is outwardly required with any gaming chair. These ones transfer up and down, aspect to aspect, entrance to again, and twist. All these actions lock into place but are simple to regulate.

What’s extra, the armrest tops will be eliminated and swapped out. That is nice as a manner of each offering a method of tweaking the feel and appear of your chair, in addition to giving an possibility for substitute in case your pointy elbows put on by way of the preliminary pads. The default pads have medium-soft padding with a clean end, however you may also get softer pads with an opulent end or cooling gel pads.

The penultimate predominant piece of the consolation puzzle is the headrest cushion. This makes use of the magic of magnets to stay, unaided, to the again of the chair. It will possibly sit at some extent the place the highest of the cushion is simply stage with the highest of the seat again, then slide totally 6.5 inches all the way down to accommodate a variety of head heights and sitting positions. Most gaming chairs supply head cushions which are simply fastened to the chair with elastic, making them tough to regulate and too simple to dislodge.

In the meantime, lumbar help is offered by a mechanism contained in the again of the chair that pushes out a delicate curve within the cloth. It may be moved up and down and out and in through rotating knobs on the perimeters. The utmost stage of help/curve isn’t all that excessive however you may positively really feel the distinction.

One last flourish is that the aspect attachment bolt covers – a typical function of so many similar-style gaming chairs – are magnetically hooked up. They will usually be fiddly to connect, so that is yet one more useful little further.

Consolation

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is a surprisingly snug gaming chair. I say shocking, as the principle cushioning on the seat isn’t all that comfortable, so your preliminary impression of it’s that it’d begin to get uncomfortable. Nonetheless, with extended use, I didn’t discover this to be the case.

A key a part of the explanation why is that the seat base may be very lengthy, so it helps your legs. On this XL model, it’s over 20 inches lengthy, leaving solely an inch or so of hole between the backs of my legs and the entrance of the seat. In the meantime, on the Fractal Refine, the seat is simply round 18 inches lengthy, even when totally prolonged. That’s the same size to the Herman Miller Aeron too. All this leg help means your weight feels nicely distributed, and there’s little in the best way of strain factors on the underside of your legs.

It’s the same story with the again of the chair, which once more isn’t probably the most clearly curved and supportive again I’ve examined, nevertheless it manages to just do sufficient. It definitely helps that you’ve got the adjustable lumbar help, even when its impact feels refined and it’s a contact tough to dial within the adjustments. As soon as it’s arrange, although, it provides just a bit further nudge into your decrease again to take a few of the pressure. The under image reveals the lumbar help drawn in on the left and pushing out on the proper – you may see the shadow from the additional curve the place the central panel meets the aspect bolster.

The armrests are decently snug too, with a barely softer really feel than a few of the rock-hard armrests I’ve encountered earlier than. That mentioned, the additional cushioning of the plush pads is a welcome improve, although I’ve not tried the cooling gel variations.

I wasn’t eager on the armrests not with the ability to drop under my desktop, although – they merely don’t decrease that far. The smaller variations may drop this far, however on this model, I might solely set them according to or above the desk. In addition they sit only a contact large for me, even when pulled in as shut as attainable – I needed to angle the rests inward to truly have the ability to relaxation on them whereas typing.

The three crowning glories of the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022’s consolation, although, are its headrest cushion, its recline features, and its newly launched recliner add-on.

Beginning with the cushion, it’s extremely comfortable, squidgy, and well-contoured, to the purpose the place it nestles completely simply behind your neck. This offers perfect and safe help once you’re sat upright, then crucially makes for an extremely snug really feel once you’re sat tilted again and reclined. You’ll want to regulate its place a bit as you recline, however that’s the place its simple magnetic adjustment actually comes into play. It’s even simpler to make use of than the Fractal Refine’s sliding headrest.

As for the lean and recline, the convenience with which this chair simply tilts again on the flick of a swap, after which reclines into an almost flat place, is wonderful for a fast recuperation second. Most gaming chairs supply some kind of tilt function, however cheaper choices don’t steadiness nicely, requiring you to primarily push your self backward by resting your ft on one thing, whereas right here the chair simply suggestions again.

Finishing this consolation equation is the admittedly not low cost possibility of including the Recliner Add-On, which for $249 will get you a leg-supporting recliner. With this hooked up, this chair is a real napping king.

Value

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 value begins at $549 for the small or common sizes, rising to $599 for the XL model. Extra intricate designs then add between $75 and $95 to the value, whereas the “unique” microsuede variations value $799. All are clearly pretty premium costs however the extras right here actually do elevate this chair above most others.

Options

Fractal Refine

With model for days and wonderful general consolation, the Fractal Refine is a incredible gaming chair. It’s a lighter, extra compact design than the Titan Evo, with higher predominant seat and again padding and a incredible sliding headrest. It’s not fairly as versatile, although, regardless of its adjustable seat size.

Verdict

Whereas the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022’s identify makes it sound prefer it’s getting on in years, it’s nonetheless main the pack by way of further options and flexibility, with its magnetically hooked up headrest cushion and armrest pads bringing a welcome contact of customization. With the latest addition of with the ability to add a recliner attachment too, it truly is the do-it-all gaming chair.

With three sizes out there, the Titan Evo can be capable of accommodate an enormous vary of sitters and affords first rate general seat consolation with incredible tilt and recline choices.

That is an costly chair, although. Considerably comparable rivals by way of general construct, such because the Noblechairs Hero, have dropped in value in recent times, so whilst you miss out on a few of the further options of the Titan Evo, you may also save $150. Total, although, if you happen to’re after a very premium and feature-rich gaming chair, the Titan Evo is difficult to beat.

To finish your gaming room setup, take a look at our Secretlab Magnus Professional assessment, which is at the moment additionally our choose for the very best gaming desk you should purchase.