Secretlab Titan Evo (2022) review

Secretlab has made a reputation for itself within the gaming chair {industry}, producing a number of the most unusual, high-quality chairs in the marketplace – and that features particular version chairs for The Witcher, Superman and plenty of extra.

The newest addition to the vary is the all-new Secretlab Titan Evo, combining two of the corporate’s hottest manufacturers into one.

However relatively than merely being a branding train to simplify the vary, the brand new Secretlab Titan Evo comes with new options and a refreshed design that make it probably the greatest round – even when it’s pricier than ever.

Setup

• Easy to arrange
• All required instruments come within the field
• Takes round 20-Half-hour

Organising the Secretlab Titan Evo would possibly look daunting – the field it arrives in is frankly large, and there are lots of elements, cardboard and instruments inside – however in comparison with different gaming chairs, it’s a breeze to arrange.

The directions come on a bit of cardboard actually the identical measurement because the field, making it very simple to learn from throughout the room as you’re on the ground screwing elements collectively, and all of the instruments you’ll want are provided too.

Secretlab has taken the initiative of pre-installing fiddly elements, just like the armrests, which assist velocity up the method, but it surely’s magnets that excellent the setup this time round.

In addition to utilizing screws to safe elements into place, magnets inside cowl plates and different equipment permit them to snap into place, making it each simpler and sooner to put in whereas not needing to take care of small fiddly screws.

That additionally supplies a cleaner total look, with fewer seen screws than the Secretlab Titan from 2020.

Merely put, the Secretlab Titan Evo is without doubt one of the best gaming chairs to assemble, and it ought to take not than 20-Half-hour most. Simply ensure you’ve obtained a big area to put out all the assorted parts!

Design & construct

• New Pebble seatbase design may be very comfy
• SoftWeave Plus material may be very breathable
• Strong building all through

The Secretlab Titan Evo blends the design of the corporate’s earlier two common chair traces – the Titan and the Omega – into one, simplifying the vary and making it simpler for customers to decide on which to go for. As everyone knows from limitless scrolling on Netflix, extra alternative doesn’t at all times make issues simpler…

After all, gaming chairs aren’t a one-size-fits-all affair, and that’s simply as true with the Titan Evo. As a substitute, the chair is obtainable in three sizes, S, R and XL, all with various weight assist and seat bases. It’s best to interrupt them down right here:

• S: 7in-wide seat base, advisable for individuals between 4’11” and 5’6” as much as 90kg
• R: 5in-wide seat base, advisable for individuals between 5’7” and 6’2” as much as 100kg
• XL: 3in-wide seat base, advisable for individuals between 5’11” and 6’9” as much as 180kg

For reference, I’ve been supplied with a Titan Evo R and I’ve discovered it to be accommodating for my 6’1” stature, each by way of the extensive seat base and tall again body.

The Titan Evo doesn’t simply characterize the merger of two earlier manufacturers although; there are delicate upgrades on this yr’s assortment that make it a extra comfy chair than the
Secretlab Titan 2020 – my go-to chair and the top-rated chair in our number of the
finest gaming chairs (up till now, anyway!).

Probably the most notable change, and one I seen virtually as quickly as I sat down, is the brand new “pebble seat” design employed by the chair. It sports activities a smoother incline than earlier chairs that Secretlab claims naturally guides your physique to the center of the chair, offering essentially the most assist attainable.

It’s strong and cozy with out feeling too restrictive, as with aggressively angular bucket chair designs that drive you to sit down in a single place.  

The backrest is much like that of the previous-gen Titan, however that’s no dangerous factor; it’s extensive, totally cushioned and sports activities wings on both aspect that lightly maintain you in an upright place with out forcing you right into a place you’re uncomfortable in.

There are two finishes accessible, Neo Hybrid fake leather-based and SoftWeave Plus material, with Secretlab claiming that each are hardier and extra sturdy than the fabric utilized in earlier chairs.

The PU leather-based end is allegedly 12x extra sturdy than normal PU in line with the corporate, whereas the SoftWeave chair is 3.5x extra sturdy than its authentic SoftWeave material from 2018.

I’ve been supplied with a SoftWeave end on the Titan Evo, sporting gray speckles on a largely black physique with delicate Secretlab branding on the entrance, sides and rear. It’s way more breathable than the fake leather-based Titan I used to be utilizing beforehand, and it’ll make an enormous distinction on scorching summer time days too.

The flip aspect is that the SoftWeave end is a magnet for my kitty and his sharp claws (go away Alan, it’s not for you!) and it’s not as simple to scrub because the PU leather-based different, which is actually wipe-down pleasant. It’s all down to non-public alternative; would you like one thing extra breathable, or would you like one thing that’s simple to scrub?

I’ve not but spilt tea or one other beverage on the SoftWeave-clad chair, but it surely’s solely a matter of time, and I do know it’ll be a ache to clear off…  

As with the remainder of the Secretlab assortment, the Titan Evo is constructed on a sturdy metal body that feels strong, and that theme continues with the bottom. Created from aluminium instead of the cheaper plastic, the legs sport extensive casters with agency rubberised wheels that roll effortlessly throughout carpet and hardwood flooring.

Options & consolation

• Secretlabs’ signature cold-cure reminiscence foam may be very comfy
• Magnetic pillow and armrest cushioning are simple to swap out
• One of many comfiest chairs round

Beneath the fabric that clads the floor, you’ll discover Secretlab’s signature cold-cure reminiscence foam.

It’s not new – it’s the identical materials that Secretlab has been utilizing for years – but it surely’s arguably its secret sauce. The reminiscence foam is agency with out being too onerous, slowly moulding to the form of your physique as you sit, and it’s thick, with no noticeably skinny padding wherever on the seat base or backrest.

The spectacular hinge on the backrest permits the chair to put again virtually fully flat whereas sustaining its centre of gravity, which means you shouldn’t fall backwards and find yourself on the ground – it hasn’t occurred to me but, on the very least.

The peak of the chair can be adjustable, with the easy twist of a lever beneath the chair, and the identical may be mentioned for the lean. You possibly can both tilt it freely or lock it at a given angle, relying in your desire.

As you would possibly count on, the 4D armrests can transfer up, down, left, proper, forwards and backwards to search out the optimum place. The button embedded into the armrests is metallic, an improve from the plastic utilized in earlier chairs, including to the general premium really feel.

Keep in mind these magnetic parts talked about earlier? The brand new CloudSwap armrest padding additionally snaps into place on high of the armrests utilizing magnets.

Which may not sound like a lot, however the armrests are the one space the place you’ll doubtless see put on and tear over time – my previous Titan armrests started cracking after round 2.5/3 years. When you’d beforehand not be capable of do a lot about it, now you can merely order substitute padding that’ll snap into place, additional extending the longevity of the chair.

You’ll additionally discover magnets within the smooth cold-touch reminiscence foam pillow, permitting the pillow to snap into place on the high of the backrest with out the necessity for a strap. Contemplating my previous Secretlab head pillow strap stretched over time till it wouldn’t keep in place, this can be a welcome change. It additionally means that you can regulate the angle of the pillow, one thing not attainable with a conventional strap.

I do want the magnetic space on the backrest was slightly bigger although, giving me extra freedom to put the pillow the place it feels most comfy. A extra highly effective connection can be appreciated too, with the pillow sometimes transferring and even falling off fully when knocked.   

The Titan’s built-in lumbar assist is again with the Secretlab Titan Evo, negating the necessity for the (usually counterintuitive) again assist pillow supplied with different chairs just like the
AndaSeat Darkish Demon.

Secretlab’s choice is way more intuitive, with a dial on the aspect of the chair that means that you can regulate the firmness to your liking, with a second (new) dial that additionally means that you can regulate the assist’s top. It’s simply one of the best lumbar assist system I’ve utilized in a gaming chair and is hands-down one in every of its strongest promoting factors. I’ll by no means use a regular lumbar pillow once more!

Secretlab PlushCell reminiscence foam armrests

• Plush reminiscence foam armrests
• Unimaginable consolation
• Offered individually

Although bought individually, the non-obligatory Secretlab PlushCell reminiscence foam armrests are very a lot an integral a part of the general Titan Evo expertise – for these that may afford the $79/£65 equipment, anyway.

The armrests are crafted from the identical sturdy and high-density foam utilized in different parts of the chair, matching that luxurious really feel whereas providing agency assist. To high it off, the premium armrests are clad in the identical sturdy velour because the Evo’s pillow, providing a phenomenally smooth really feel as you relaxation your forearms whereas nonetheless being considerably breathable.

Lewis Painter / Foundry

For me, the PlushCell reminiscence foam armrests make all of the distinction as I are likely to relaxation my forearms on the rests as I kind, including an extra splash of consolation in an already premium chair, although it’s arguably not fairly as vital in the event you are likely to solely relaxation your elbows – the usual arm rests will fare simply nearly as good, if not higher.

One of the best half is that they’re tremendous simple to swap out too, utilising the Titan Evo’s built-in magnet system to snap into place inside seconds.

There are questions on long-term sturdiness, missing the safety that the usual pleather armrests present, however after just a few months of use, they’re nonetheless as agency and comely because the day I put in them.

It’s a disgrace they’re not part of the usual Titan Evo package deal, however if you would like the full premium expertise, the PlushCell armrests are absolutely advisable.

Worth & availability

Whereas Secretlab gaming chairs have at all times been premium – with the supplies and options on supply, it’s not stunning – however the worth of the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is available in at round £77/$150 costlier than its predecessor, beginning at £444/$549 with the leatherette end and £464/$569 for the SoftWeave end.

There’s additionally an extra price for an XL seat, beginning at £534/$619.

Although it doesn’t cease the Titan Evo from being a tempting gaming chair, the excessive worth means cheaper chairs just like the £234.95
Nitro Ideas S300 look all of the extra tempting.

If you’re tempted by the premium gaming chair, you should purchase the Secretlab Titan Evo from the Secretlab web site within the
UK,
US and different territories worldwide.

Verdict

Secretlab continues its line of wonderful gaming chairs with the Secretlab Titan Evo (2022), providing a sturdy, comfy and extra intuitive – each in meeting use – gaming chair than its predecessor.

The brand new pebble seat design is extraordinarily comfy, even when coming from different Secretlab chairs, and the brand new two-part lumbar assist system is industry-leading in most respects. The usage of magnets can be distinctive to Secretlab’s newest chair, discovered dotted throughout the physique to make attaching and detaching varied elements simple.

Throw in typically nice construct high quality, with no rattling/wobbling elements, high-quality SoftWeave materials and a strong base to sit down on and also you’ve obtained probably the greatest gaming chairs in the marketplace in 2022, even with a not-insignificant worth hike in comparison with its predecessor.