Our review unit was the Large variant of the Atlas — specifically, the ‘Plus’ model with NanoFoam Composite (more on that later). Total height measures 50.6 inches (128.5cm), and despite a seemingly more generous sitting space, this chair is decidedly less imposing than my outgoing Secretlab Titan Evo. The slender backrest looks much more subtle and elegant.
The wheels are PU-coated casters, and the wheelbase is made from reinforced nylon rather than the Titan Evo’s aluminum. As such, the finish there is a little less premium, but this saves a ton of weight, which helps with assembly and moving the chair around your space. The heaviest model is just 55 pounds (25kg), which is roughly one-third lighter than the 80-pound Titan Evo. The large chair is rated for users up to 256 pounds (120kg) and between 5' 10" – 6' 5" (178 – 195cm). Below that, the regular size Atlas will work for any height below 5' 10" (178cm) and a weight of less than 220 pounds (100kg).
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Overall, the chair feels extremely sturdy, although there’s a touch more play in the armrests than I’d like. Secretlab’s chairs have always felt absolutely bombproof to sit in, and the Atlas is no different.
The sweeping leather back looks really excellent, and is one of the best new design elements of this chair. The overall look and feel of the Softweave fabric is brilliant, although you can opt for the pricier leather if you so wish. As mentioned, the chair is noticeably lighter than Secretlab’s Titan Evo, so moving the chair around the office is much easier with this new model. It’s also got a much slimmer profile, so it certainly feels like it takes up a lot less space.
While the back of the chair is leather, the main material is Secretlab’s SoftWeave Plus fabric, which is designed to keep you cool during those long gaming sessions. Testing during a heatwave, I can confirm that the chair remains comfortable to sit in, even in warmer temperatures. Some users might prefer the feel and the wipe-down convenience of the Leatherette models; however, the SoftWeave is not desperately hard to keep clean.
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) The chair is controlled by two distinct arms that sit underneath the chair. The left side controls the lock/unlock mechanism for the chair’s reclining position, as well as the position of the seat base. The right side lets you adjust the height of the chair as well as the tilt force required to make the chair recline. The controls feel a little stiff and take some getting used to, especially the tilt force, but they’re nifty once you get the hang of them. Even users with long arms will need to lean to reach the adjustments, but the visual indicators on both arms are a welcome inclusion and an enormous quality of life upgrade.
At first sit, the Atlas feels extremely comfortable. We’re testing Secretlab’s special NanoFoam composite — cold-cure foam layered with microfoam for extra softness and support. The chair is extremely forgiving, but also provides great weight distribution and support right across the seat base. Similarly, the backrest has a nice curve to it that makes sitting back very pleasant. The magnetic headrest is a new design for this chair and certainly does the job. The magnets also feel considerably stronger than previous offerings, so there shouldn’t be any worries about the pillow falling off.
I had the privilege of visiting Secretlab’s headquarters in Singapore ahead of launch, where they revealed, amongst other things, that most users tend to set the lumbar support on their chairs to the same setting. As such, lumbar adjustment is out with the Atlas. That might sound daunting, but it feels like they’ve got the default setting spot on with this one. Naturally, because it can’t be adjusted, it won’t work for everyone, but my considerably shorter wife found it to be just as supportive as I did.
(Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Armrest height is controlled with levers that lock the armrests into place at your chosen height. The swivel doesn’t lock, but is adjusted through a series of set positions by simply twisting it. This requires a decent amount of force, so there’s no danger of moving them accidentally. The armrests also move forward and backward. This is a much easier adjustment; as such, you might find yourself pushing them out of position if you bump up against your desk. I position them all the way back, so this isn’t an issue for me.
The default upright position of the chair is a 100-degree vertical tilt, which does take some getting used to. Crucially, the backrest doesn’t move independently and can’t be adjusted with the lever you normally find on Secretlab chairs. However, this unlocks the Atlas’ party piece. Take the chair from locked to unlocked, and the chair can be tilted at will using just your bodyweight. The back rest and the seat base move asynchronously, so as you go back, the tilt increases at a faster rate compared to the base, opening up the chair and inviting you to rest more easily.
The unlocked mode is what the Atlas is all about, and it is super-refreshing to have a gaming/task chair that can be reclined or rocked in at will. I use the tilt force at its highest setting, level four, which means the chair rocks partway back, but not all the way, under my own weight. Level 3 is great for even more recline, for instance, if you want to kick back and play some Xbox with a controller. If you want to sit upright for max focus, you’re best locking the chair in its most upright position, as even at the strongest level of tilt force, I found the chair couldn’t hold me upright when I leaned against the backrest.
The armrests are very spacious and comfortable, although I do miss the fourth dimension of adjustment that lets you move them closer together or further apart. Overall, the chair is really comfortable for sitting, even for long periods of time. A large part of that is Secretlab’s NanoFoam, which distributes weight well, but does cost a little more than the standard foam finish, so bear that in mind.
Ultimately, this is a chair for sitting upright in, so there’s not much leeway if you like to sit off to one side or at a funny angle. That being said, the seat base is definitely the most spacious of Secretlab’s offerings to date, so if you want a bit more flexibility in how you’re sitting, this is the Secretlab chair for you.
Overall, the Atlas is a really well-built and sturdy chair that is extremely comfortable to sit in. It lacks some of the premium finish of Secretlab’s other offerings, and isn’t quite as adjustable as the more imposing Titan Evo. However, it is definitely Secretlab’s most comfortable chair to date, and the rocking mechanism makes it the most enjoyable to sit in over long periods of time.
Stephen is Tom's Hardware's News Editor with almost a decade of industry experience covering technology, having worked at TechRadar, iMore, and even Apple over the years. He has covered the world of consumer tech from nearly every angle, including supply chain rumors, patents, and litigation, and more. When he's not at work, he loves reading about history and playing video games. ","collapsible":{"enabled":true,"maxHeight":250,"readMoreText":"Read more","readLessText":"Read less"}}), "https://slice.vanilla.futurecdn.net/13-4-24/js/authorBio.js"); } else { console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); } Stephen Warwick Social Links Navigation News Editor Stephen is Tom's Hardware's News Editor with almost a decade of industry experience covering technology, having worked at TechRadar, iMore, and even Apple over the years. He has covered the world of consumer tech from nearly every angle, including supply chain rumors, patents, and litigation, and more. When he's not at work, he loves reading about history and playing video games.
PEnns ConsArm rests only 3D Backrest can’t be3D is a con?? Is there a 4D or 5D version but they didn't use?? "Backrest can't be". ………Or maybe it can be! AI is funny sometimes!! Reply
SkyBill40 I've been trying to get my wife into a much better high backed office chair for a long time. I love my Omega 2020 but it's "too gamey" for her. This seems right up her alley though and I'd buy the Atlas for me if I didn't already have a chair. Reply
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- https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/gaming-chairs/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/peripherals/gaming-chairs/secretlab-atlas-review#main
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