Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review: The ultimate 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 bunch of different gaming chairs, however elevates its providing in a lot of key methods. For a begin, it is available in three sizes to go well with nearly any measurement of sitter, plus it’s accessible in a dizzying array of materials and finishes. Crucially, although, in addition to nailing its core consolation, it’s the addition of detachable magnetic elements 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 total. Others, such because the Fractal Refine are spectacular by way of basic consolation and elegance, nevertheless it’s the flexibility on provide with the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 that basically makes it such a go-to choice.

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 fashion has emerged as being pretty dominant, consisting of a glance that nods to automobile 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 utterly plain black end slightly than the gold and crimson trimmed model that was despatched for us to check – it’s often called the Stealth end.

You can even get the chair in a fairly big selection of fundamental colours, and  an enormous vary of branded patterns. There are alternatives for all types of esports groups, video games resembling 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 material end and a MicroSuede end, although the latter has only a few choices.

On stability, it’s not probably the most elegant choice on the market by way of look, so it wouldn’t essentially be our first alternative if you wish to preserve a glossy 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 stability 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 one among three different angles.

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

The peak of the chair may be adjusted too, through a deal with on the best. With the chair accessible in three completely different sizes to go well with varied sitters, the peak vary of the chair varies. We examined the XL model, which may 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 measurement of the chair varies too, relying on whether or not you decide small, common, or XL. Which means for those who’re significantly tall and slim, chances are you’ll discover the XL model a bit too huge, or for those who’re quick and huge, chances are you’ll discover the small model too slim however I discovered the XL model a super match for my 6-foot, 2-inch peak and 220lb weight.

Notably, the Titan Evo doesn’t provide an adjustable seat size, as on the Fractal Refine, or another adjustment within the core dimensions of the seat. Few different gaming chairs do that both, however you’ll need to think twice about which measurement 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 huge sufficient to not match via my normal 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 in fact comes with tremendous adjustable armrests, as is seemingly 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 may be eliminated and swapped out. That is nice as a approach of each offering a way of tweaking the feel and appear of your chair, in addition to giving an choice for substitute in case your pointy elbows put on via 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 principal 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 may sit at a degree the place the highest of the cushion is simply degree with the highest of the seat again, then slide absolutely 6.5 inches right down to accommodate a variety of head heights and sitting positions. Most gaming chairs provide head cushions which might be simply fastened to the chair with elastic, making them troublesome to regulate and too simple to dislodge.

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

One closing flourish is that the aspect attachment bolt covers – an ordinary function of so many similar-style gaming chairs – are magnetically hooked up. They will typically be fiddly to connect, so that is yet one more useful little additional.

Consolation

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is a surprisingly snug gaming chair. I say shocking, as the primary cushioning on the seat isn’t all that gentle, so your preliminary impression of it’s that it would 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 absolutely prolonged. That’s an analogous size to the Herman Miller Aeron too. All this leg assist means your weight feels properly distributed, and there’s little in the way in which of stress factors on the underside of your legs.

It’s an analogous 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 do exactly sufficient. It actually helps that you’ve got the adjustable lumbar assist, even when its impact feels refined and it’s a contact troublesome to dial within the adjustments. As soon as it’s arrange, although, it offers just a bit additional nudge into your decrease again to take among the pressure. The beneath image reveals the lumbar assist drawn in on the left and pushing out on the best – you possibly can 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 among 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 beneath my desktop, although – they merely don’t decrease that far. The smaller variations may drop this far, however on this model, I may solely set them in keeping with or above the desk. Additionally they sit only a contact huge for me, even when pulled in as shut as potential – 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 capabilities, and its newly launched recliner add-on.

Beginning with the cushion, it’s extremely gentle, squidgy, and well-contoured, to the purpose the place it nestles completely simply behind your neck. This offers preferrred and safe assist if you’re sat upright, then crucially makes for an extremely snug really feel if 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 benefit with which this chair simply tilts again on the flick of a swap, after which reclines into a virtually flat place, is superb for a fast recuperation second. Most gaming chairs provide some form of tilt function, however cheaper choices don’t stability properly, requiring you to primarily push your self backward by resting your ft on one thing, whereas right here the chair simply ideas again.

Finishing this consolation equation is the admittedly not low-cost choice 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.

Worth

The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 worth 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 price $799. All are clearly pretty premium costs however the extras right here actually do elevate this chair above most others.

Alternate options

Fractal Refine

With fashion for days and wonderful total consolation, the Fractal Refine is a incredible gaming chair. It’s a lighter, extra compact design than the Titan Evo, with higher principal 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 additional 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 accessible, the Titan Evo can also be in a position to accommodate an enormous vary of sitters and provides first rate total seat consolation with incredible tilt and recline choices.

That is an costly chair, although. Considerably comparable rivals by way of total construct, such because the Noblechairs Hero, have dropped in worth lately, so when you miss out on among the additional options of the Titan Evo, you may also save $150. General, although, for those who’re after a really 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 overview, which is at the moment additionally our decide for the very best gaming desk you should purchase.