Secretlab is considered the OG in the gaming chairs scene, and their new TITAN Evo 2022 improves on the TITAN 2020 series with some features that are novel to gaming chairs. Having tested many other chairs from Martiangear, APOL, and even ErgoTune, the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 will round out all the chairs from Singapore companies. The Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 will start from S$574, depending on the size and upholstery of your choice.
Build quality and design
The build quality of the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 is on another level compared to the other gaming chairs that I’ve tested. Even the unboxing experience feels premium, with each component of the chair neatly packed and sealed. It is relatively easy to build the TITAN Evo 2022 with the guided instructions provided in the box.
Once assembled, the TITAN Evo 2022 feels very sturdy and there are almost no parts of the chair that feel rattly or of lesser quality. The Class 4 hydraulics adjust very smoothly, and the casters wheels roll quietly on both parquet and marble flooring. If I’m nitpicking, the armrests are the only component that feel rattly but it is likely because it is a moving component. Everything else feels solid and well designed – from the ergonomic handle of the height levers to the angled recline levers.
As for upholstery, you can choose between three options of PU leather, NAPA leather or fabric. Both of the PU leather and fabric options have been improved compared to the TITAN 2020. The unit I have is the fabric version that Secretlab calls the SoftWeave Plus, which is supposed to be softer, more breathable and durable. There are also multiple colour options you can choose from. The unit in this review is the Cookies & Cream colourway.
Warranty
Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 comes with a standard warranty of 3 years. But you can easily extend it to a total of 5 years simply by sharing a picture of your Secretlab chair on social media.
Features and comfort
There are quite a few changes from its predecessor, which we will discuss the following in the sections below.
- Improved upholstery
- Magnetic memory foam pillow
- Armrest with CloudSwap replacement system
- 4-Way L-ADAPT Lumbar system
- Redesigned seat base
- Three sizes to choose from
SoftWeave Plus Fabric upholstery
In a tropical climate of Singapore, I have a preference towards fabric upholstery as PU leather can stick to the skin once you start perspiring. The SoftWeave Plus Fabric on the TITAN Evo 2022 delivers a comfortable and breathable sitting surface during my time of testing. Despite sitting on the chair for hours, the seat isn’t uncomfortably warm and I like how it feels on my skin.
I also really like the look of the stitching of the SoftWeave Plus fabric. There is a visible knit which has a small gradient of light to dark greys, giving the chair a textured look. It definitely feels more durable that the fabric on the APOL Sphinx.
Magnetic Memory Foam Head Pillow
Secretlab is the first to implement a magnetic head pillow, eliminating the need for straps. The use of magnetic head pillow does look much cleaner compared to straps, and allows you do micro-adjustments that stays in place.
The magnets used are strong so you don’t have to worry about it falling off if you fidget about. You can check out a short video of the head pillow being held magnetically below.
However, one thing to note is that the lowest you can place the magnetic head pillow is under the Secretlab logo. This means that if you’re want to position the pillow lower for more neck and shoulder support, the pillow will not hold its place.
The memory foam used on the head pillow is really comfortable. It molds well to the amount of force applied to it, and creates a comfortable spot to rest my head or neck.
4D Armrests with CloudSwap Technology
Yet another first for Secretlab is their implementation of a hot-swappable armrest. These new armrests are held by magnets, making it easy to remove and swap to a new/different one based on your preference. You can check the video below on how it works:
It is really nice to have an option to swap the default armrests with the two other materials that Secretlab offers below.
I do find the default armrests on the TITAN Evo 2022 to be more comfortable than that of other gaming chairs’ armrest. I like how the armrest have rounded edges so it is more comfortable on my forearms and elbows. The armrests also have good cushioning, which is softer that most of the competition out there, as seen in the video below:
Lastly, like all gaming chairs, the armrests on the TITAN Evo 2022 are 4-Directional, which means you can adjust it from side-to-side, forward/backward, up/down, and swivel left/right.
L-ADAPT 4-Way Lumbar Support System
The old TITAN 2020 allows you to adjust the amount of protrusion for lumbar support. However, the new lumbar support on the TITAN Evo 2022 which Secretlab calls L-ADAPT, now adds the ability to adjust the height of the protrusion. This provides you more fine tuning to achieve a sweet spot for your lower back as you can move the support up/down, and in/out.
However, if you are used to using a lumbar pillow then you might not find the L-ADAPT support to be significant. You can definitely still feel a support at your lower back. Ultimately it really depends on personal preference as to how much lower back support is considered sufficient. It would be best to visit the Secretlab showroom to test out the lumbar support for yourself.
But if you don’t have time, you can check out the video below to have sense of what the lumbar support is like:
Sculpted pebble seat base
If you can recall, the 2020 series of chairs from Secretlab consist of an OMEGA (smaller with bucket style seat base) and a TITAN (larger with flat seat base). But in the 2022 series, Secretlab decided to scrape the OMEGA lineup and update the TITAN lineup with three sizes and a redesigned seat base.
TITAN Evo 2022 now features a pebble seat base, which in design is a combination of both seat bases from the 2020 OMEGA and TITAN. The end product is something that offers gently sloping sides combined with a roomy center sitting area which allows you to seat cross-legged.
When it comes to comfort, the seat base of the TITAN Evo 2022 offers a firmer cushioning compared to other brands. If you are coming from a hard chair, then you’ll find the TITAN Evo 2022 comfortable from the get go. But if you are used to softer cushioning, then you may find the seat to be a little too firm at the beginning. Personally, I did find the cushioning to be a little firm at the beginning, but after two weeks of use, I found myself to be used to it, or perhaps the cushioning could have broken in.
Three sizes – S, R, XL
As aforementioned, there are now three sizes to choose from – small, regular, and extra large. I like how Secretlab now offers a consistent product with multiple sizes to cater to a wider audience. In the past, if you are short, you are kind of forced to get the OMEGA even if you are not a fan of a bucket styled seat base. If you’re between height of 170-173cm, you may want to go down to the showroom to see if you fit a Small or Regular better, balancing the positioning of the magnetic head rest and seat depth.
Multi-tilt mechanism
This isn’t exactly a change to the TITAN Evo 2022, but with gaming chairs you can expect the Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 to have multi-tilt mechanism. This means that you can recline the chair all the way to 165° and choose to lock in a particular angle, or keep the tension unlocked to have your chair free to bop back and forth as demonstrated by the video below.
Conclusion
Starting from S$574, the TITAN Evo 2022 is one of the pricier gaming chairs in the Singapore market. Having said that, the extra premium is due to better build quality and novel features added in Secretlab’s 2022 series. The new 4-way lumbar support is a improvement vs its predecessor, and while the magnetic head pillow and armrest may not offer immediate benefits, it can offer future upgrades down the line.
If you’re someone who prioritizes on the look, feel, and quality of things, the TITAN Evo 2022 definitely satisfies all that. The SoftWeave Plus fabric looks unique and feels great on skin. The quality of the chair is unmatched in the current competition, where even small details such as armrest down to handles are also designed to be market leading. When it comes to comfort, this is really something you should try out in person, but I can conclude that the seat cushioning is on the medium-firm side compared to other brands in the market.