Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition review: “I still feel like I’m missing what makes this chair such a favorite.”

I’m about to sit down in the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition for the first time. I’ve just spent around a month in the brand’s regular SoftWeave version, testing its ergonomic recliner add-on, and after talks with its creators about how I prefer a softer seat to a firmer one, they’ve got me really excited for the new model. The NanoGen Edition promises to be a more plush, comfortable approach to one of the most popular gaming chairs of all time, and as someone who’s never really been the Titan Evo's biggest fan, I’m ready to be convinced.

As I swivel it around and fall into it though, my rear end is greeted by a firm landing I know all too well. The new foam and leatherette combination has definitely done a better job of catching me, but it’s still not as soft as some of the other best gaming chair contenders I’ve tried.

Luckily, there's still loads to like about this new Titan Evo, and I’m glad I’ve stuck with it for around a month before writing this review. It is the best version of the Titan Evo, but with an even higher asking price of $799 / £669, it hasn’t converted me fully to Team Secretlab. What’s more, its limited cosmetic options mean it may go against what people come to this manufacturer looking for.

Assembly

I have to say, the assembly process may be my favorite thing about Secretlab’s chairs. Besides maybe Boulies, which supplies color printout instructions in its boxes, no brand puts as much effort into making its chairs easy to throw together. Secretlab really has done the work to make sure that from unboxing to sitting, there are as few complications as can be. A giant placard rests in your chair’s box and highlights very clear instructions with diagrams. The armrests even come pre-attached, completely removing one of the most finicky steps of building a gaming chair.

Generously, you’re also kitted out with a multitool for screwing things together. A handy little magnetic handle can be fitted with an Allen key or Philips screwdriver head, which means you won’t have to go sifting through your toolbox to find the right size of lever for your build.

I knocked the Secretlab NanoGen Edition together in around 15-20 minutes, and although I’m now well-versed in assembling gaming chairs of all shapes and sizes, I think even first-time builders would find this easy enough to bolt together in under half an hour thanks to the clarity of instructions. Be warned though, the premium build quality you get here does result in some heavy parts, so you may need a buddy to help you lift things around.

One thing I do wish could be improved in Secretlab’s shipping and assembly process, however, is the sheer amount of packaging, foam, and cardboard used. It’s great that so much care is put into protecting a Secretlab chair en route to you, but there is an awful lot of waste left behind. This is the case for many gaming chairs, but if there’s one thing I’d like to see Secretlab lead the charge on next, it would be ensuring that even less packaging is used. If not that, then at least making sure it’s as sustainable as humanly possible.

Design

So what exactly separates the Secretlab Titan Evo from its new NanoGen counterpart? Well, a bit like the Titan Evo Lite - it’s a half step toward a different chair, but it really is the same product we’ve known since 2022. It's a variant that isn't strictly part of the Titan Evo's color and upholstery range, but it does give you the same chair, albeit with an updated level of comfort and a higher price.

The NanoGen version uses a new combination of upholstery and cushioning that Secretlab has gone to great lengths to perfect. The NanoGen Hybrid Leatherette has a very soft feel to the touch, as well as a much finer grain than the brand’s existing Neo Hybrid Leatherette. To be exact, it sports a quoted 14x the durability of regular PU leather which is up from the quoted 4x boost Secretlab’s Prime 2.0 Leatherette can lay claim to.

Underneath this new leatherette material lies the new Secretlab NanoFoam Composite cushioning. The brand says this is its softest yet, and I’d believe them. This is made up of a soft cushion microfoam layer on top, then a proprietary nano-based adhesive that attaches it to the Signature cold-cure foam from other Titan Evo models. It’s a rather maximalist approach to chair engineering, which almost completely contrasts the Fractal Refine’s extremely minimalist approach to cushioning.

Secretlab, as usual, has done loads of ergonomic testing and research to ensure this is the combination of support and comfort you need. Regardless of all of its scientific backing and fancy upholstery names, it translates to a chair that feels like it’s been forged out of premium materials.

Features

You’ll recognize this as a Secretlab Titan Evo, although it’s only available in the pure white colorway I’ve been testing or a pure black one that has a deep shine to it. These really are devoid of any highlights or design work, even when it comes to their logos and other branding. That may be attractive to some shoppers who want a pristine setup, but many are attracted to this brand’s chairs because of its deep selection of licensed designs. It is a shame that, at the time of writing, the NanoGen offerings are limited to these two colorways. I’d love to say this could change in the future, but the Titan Evo Lite launched earlier in 2024 and is still limited to the classic colorways originally available in 2022.

In more basic chair terms, you do get integrated lumbar support here, 4D armrests, and loads of adjustability from height to recline, to tilt. Secretlab allows for a range of add-ons and accessories thanks to clever magnetic pads for armrest tops and the top of the backrest, although slapping these extras on will require more money. The chair is supported by a rock-solid aluminium wheelbase, PU casters, steel frame, and a 5-year warranty. All in all, it has some incredible build quality that remains unmatched by any competitor brand I’ve tried. Very few squeaks and creaks come out of it even a month after assembly, which is more than I can say for most desk chairs on the market today.

Performance

Despite the initial shock to my rear end when first falling into the Titan Evo NanoGen Edition, it has won me over more than any other Secretlab chair. It may not have the immediate plush comfort of the Boulies Ninja Pro, but it’s easily more comfortable than the regular version of Secretlab’s premium throne.

I’ve found that for long hours at a desk, it more than does the trick. The seat base is wide enough that I can adopt lots of different positions and still benefit from the ergonomic magic this brand puts so much effort into researching. The integrated lumbar support works a treat, making my lower back feel cradled when working from home. When I’m playing games on PC at the same desk after hours, I don’t often need to change positions because of a numb bum. The NanoGen Edition does have that long-lasting comfort you want from a gaming chair, I just wish it felt a bit more plush so that you really felt you could relax and sink into it. As it stands, it doesn’t have that comfy vibe you’d be happily enveloped by after a long hard day of work. It doesn’t go all in on ergonomics like the Herman Miller Vantum either, so it still ends up feeling like a firmer mix of comfort and support overall.

Beyond cushioning though, this still isn’t my favorite gaming chair. The armrests, in particular, are a constant bugbear for me, particularly because of their narrow shape and surprisingly limited adjustability. The cushioning on them is lovely and never makes it feel as though I’m leaning awkwardly, cutting off circulation to my hands or trapping a nerve. On the other hand, I never feel I have enough width on them when aiming with a mouse in my favorite FPS games. The shape of them isn’t conducive to wide swipes and precise flicks. They’re also the one part of the seat that lets down the build quality. They rattle with a resoundingly plastic noise when moving your arms from side to side. Adjusting their height to fit my Fezibo Triple Motor L-Shaped Desk doesn’t feel intuitive either, because even though they can freely slide up and down, they lock into fixed positions that make me feel I’ve been cheated out of the 4D customization I was promised.

Versatility does get saved by the various add-ons and accessories you can spend a bit extra on though. I tested the NanoGen Edition with the Secretlab Ergonomic Recliner Add-On, and used it alongside a beautifully plush memory foam head cushion. I’m not the biggest fan of it, but even the Memory Foam Lumbar Cushion Pro is a nice option too. The detachable skins you can opt for might be another way to add some color if you feel the NanoGen white and black options are too limited.

Should you buy the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition?

I’m having trouble figuring out who exactly to recommend the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition to. If you’ve already spent money on a Secretlab chair and you know you’d rather have a more comfortable upholstery and cushioning combination, you’re the obvious market here. On the other hand, you’ve likely already spent a lot of money on your first Secretlab product, and I can tell you from first-hand experience that there are plenty of other brands out there that might suit you better if you didn’t like your first one.

Anyone coming to Secretlab for the first time will probably have a chair design or colorway already drawing them in, so the NanoGen Edition may not be the best choice unless they want to explore Secretlab’s clever skin replacement options.

The reason I hesitate to recommend this chair to people who are looking for the last stop in plush comfort is because there are so many other options out there, like the Boulies Master Series for instance. Even the AndaSeat Kaiser 4 does a good job of blending that comfort and support you want from a gaming chair, and these other brands will do it cheaper than Secretlab.

If you have the budget, you want a pristine white or black chair, and you admire build quality above all else, then this probably is the option for you. There is a reason this brand is so popular, and it’s because they do make chairs that suit a clear majority of bodies. Personally, I still feel like I’m missing what makes this chair such a favorite.

How I tested the Secretlab Titan Evo NanoGen Edition

I parked myself on Secretlab’s latest Titan Evo for around a month before this review was written. In that time, I’ve used it for work and play almost every single day, sometimes for more than 8 hours a day. I’ve closely compared it to the Boulies Ninja Pro in that time because of all the gaming chairs I’ve tested, that’s the most plush and comfortable - which feels like a solid point of comparison for the NanoGen’s aims. I swapped between the two chairs plenty in my testing time, comparing how they made my body feel in terms of comfort, ergonomics, and any aches and pains I experienced.

I assembled the Titan Evo NanoGen Edition myself and played around with its adjustability controls plenty to find the right fit for me and my body. For more on how we test gaming chairs, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Still on the lookout for a place to sit? Check out the best console gaming chairs and the best pink gaming chairs. If you need to refresh your setup, look at the best gaming desks.