Libernovo, a fresh face in the office and gaming chair market, launched with ambitious claims for its first product, the Omni chair. The standout feature? An electrically-adjustable lumbar support system, proudly dubbed the first “dynamic ergonomic” chair. This innovation undeniably simplifies support adjustments, yet it faces stiff competition in a crowded market.
After weeks of rigorous testing, using the Libernovo Omni for both demanding workdays and relaxing gaming sessions, the experience proved to be a mixed bag. While its electric lumbar support is a convenient marvel, offering excellent long-term comfort and a surprisingly effective massage mode, the chair’s hefty price is somewhat undermined by certain build quality issues, including noticeably wobbly armrests and a limited size range for users.
Pros:
- Excellent long-term comfort
- Electronic lumbar adjustment is incredibly convenient
- Overall solid build quality
- Sleek and smart design
- Lumbar massage mode offers a nice touch
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Armrests cannot be locked in position
- Some parts feel wobbly
- Limited range for sitter sizes
Specs
| Assembly required | Yes |
| Height range | 5’2″- 6’3″ (158 – 190cm) |
| Weight range | Max 300 lbs (136kg) |
| Warranty | Frame: 5 years, Electronics: 2 years |
| Upholstery options | Fabric-covered foam seat, back, and headrest |
| Color options | Midnight black or Space gray (light gray) |
| Frame Construction | Plastic base and frame |
| Adjustments | Combined tilt/recline, combined back/lumbar support position, seat height, headrest height/depth, armrest height/rotation/width |
Assembly, Design, and Build Quality
The Libernovo Omni arrives in a heavy but manageable box, relatively compact compared to some other premium chairs. Assembly is straightforward, requiring only four bolts and a provided screwdriver, taking roughly 20 minutes to complete. The matching footrest, if ordered, is equally simple to put together.
Once assembled, the Omni presents a modest, office-focused aesthetic, featuring a simple gray color scheme (referred to as Midnight Black, with Space Gray as a lighter alternative). Despite its understated appearance, the rear reveals a complex network of flexible levers and wires that power the advanced back support system. Impressively, this intricate engineering doesn’t detract from the chair’s sleek and smart look.
However, the build quality doesn’t always live up to the premium promise. While core structural components like the wheels, legs, and lumbar support arms feel robust, several parts exhibit a concerning looseness. Both the headrest and armrests, for instance, have a noticeable wobble. While an unfair comparison to a chair twice its price, the sheer solidity of the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody highlights the Omni’s shortcomings in this area, feeling more akin to chairs in a much lower price bracket.
Another minor concern is the tilt-adjust control, which is secured by a plastic piece that rotates to engage a locking pin. This mechanism doesn’t feel particularly secure and could potentially loosen over time.
Perhaps the most frustrating design choice relates to the armrests: their width and swivel adjustments do not lock in place. This means even a light bump or shifting your weight can cause them to splay outwards or spin away, an irritating flaw for a chair in this price range. While the armrest padding is thankfully not overly firm, this persistent lack of stability is a significant detractor from the overall user experience.
Features
The Omni’s back and seat feature padded fabric upholstery, a departure from mesh suspension systems or leatherette. This fabric is fire and splash-resistant, though spills won’t wipe away as easily as with other materials.
The chair includes a headrest that can be adjusted for both height and depth, matching the padded fabric style of the main chair.
The armrests are fixed to the chair body, unlike some models such as the Secretlab Titan Evo, which offer removable armrests. They provide locking height adjustments, but as noted, the width and pivot adjustments remain free-moving. On the inner edge of the left armrest, three buttons and an LED control the motorized back support.
These controls allow the pneumatic cylinder to push the lumbar support up and towards the user with a “forward” button, or pull it back with a “back” button. A third button activates a continuous push-and-pull motion, providing a lower back-stretching “massage” effect.
Other key adjustments are found on the front right edge of the seat. A vertical silver bar controls the tilt, offering up to four distinct levels of recline: Deep Focus (upright), Solo-Work, Soft Recline, and Spine Flow (almost fully flat). Standard gas lift mechanisms handle seat height adjustment. Finally, a rotating knob on the seat base fine-tunes the resistance of the tilt system.
To power the motorized lumbar system, the chair uses a rechargeable (USB-C) battery, cleverly housed in a plastic pack that easily slots in and out of the seat’s side. Despite having onboard power, the Omni surprisingly lacks any RGB lighting features.
Adjustability and Comfort
The electronic lumbar adjustment is undoubtedly the Libernovo Omni’s star feature. The ability to fine-tune back support with a simple button press is incredibly convenient, eliminating the need to disengage from the chair for manual adjustments.
The “massage” mode, while not a substitute for a professional massage, offers a pleasant and useful way to gently stretch and move your lower back during extended sitting. While regular breaks are always recommended for health, this feature provides a handy option when deep in work or a gaming session. However, as time went on, I found myself using it less, preferring to find an optimal setting and leave it.
Initial comfort impressions were mixed. The seat felt a little short for my frame, the lumbar support didn’t naturally contour to my lower back as expected, and the headrest seemed to push my head forward. The recline positions also felt somewhat awkward at first.
However, after some experimentation and learning to properly adjust the headrest depth and lumbar support for various recline settings, the chair became significantly more comfortable. Although the seat base isn’t depth-adjustable, its curved front edge and generous padding prevented pressure points, leading to less fidgeting than anticipated.
Despite the initial adjustments, the chair still felt a bit small for my 6’2″ height, even though I’m within its rated 5’2″ to 6’3″ range. The headrest height never quite felt perfect. Conversely, a 5’2″ colleague found the chair instantly comfortable, despite being at the lower end of the size recommendations.
The optional footstool is a decent accessory, providing a raised platform and cushioned rest for legs. However, its plasticky and bulky construction, coupled with a lack of castors, makes it less convenient to move around and a less significant value-add.
Price
While Kickstarter backers could secure an Omni for as low as $650, the official retail price stands at $1,099. An initial launch discount drops the price to $850, but this offer is temporary, expiring in October 2025.
This positions the Libernovo Omni as a particularly expensive option in the office/gaming chair market. Most premium chairs typically fall within the $500-$800 range, with very few exceeding that. While the advanced electronics undeniably contribute to the cost, the aforementioned wobbles and build quality issues become harder to overlook at this premium price point.
Alternatives
Herman Miller x Logitech Embody
For those considering high-end office chairs with sophisticated, flexible back support and a subtle design, the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody is a clear contender. It boasts superior build quality with virtually no wobbles, but it’s nearly twice the price of the Omni and doesn’t include a headrest or any electronic features.
Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
The Secretlab Titan Evo is often recommended for its balance of comfort, versatility, and extensive customization options, available in numerous designs and sizes. While its lumbar support isn’t as advanced as the Omni’s and it’s a much larger chair, its starting price of $549 makes it significantly more affordable.
Fractal Refine
The Fractal Refine offers a middle ground, blending the compact office chair style of the Omni with a larger profile than the Titan Evo. It features an integrated headrest and a more streamlined, elegant design, available in both fabric and mesh. Priced at half the Omni’s cost, it delivers comparable comfort but lacks the fully flat recline and motorized lumbar system.
Verdict
The Libernovo Omni presents a mixed experience. Its innovative electric back support system is a standout, offering convenient adjustments and a unique massage mode that truly sets it apart. The chair is stylish and, after an initial adjustment period, proves comfortable for extended sitting, though it may not be a revolutionary comfort experience.
However, the lumbar support’s adjustability isn’t as precise as some conventional systems, and the absence of seat length adjustment is a drawback. The most significant issues are the notably flimsy armrests and headrest, with the former causing constant irritation due to its inability to lock in place. Combined with a general sense of wobble, these build quality concerns are disappointing for a chair at this price point.
At its full retail price of $1,099, recommending the Libernovo Omni becomes challenging. For those who acquired it through Kickstarter for around $650, it represents good value given its motorized features. However, for full price buyers, the electronic innovations don’t entirely offset the build quality issues that feel more aligned with much cheaper chairs. If you prioritize cutting-edge motorized lumbar support and can overlook some structural quirks, the Omni offers a unique experience. Otherwise, more robust and equally comfortable alternatives exist at lower prices.