The Libernovo Omni Review: The Motorized Gaming Chair That Aims to Redefine Comfort

Libernovo makes its grand entrance into the office and gaming chair arena with its debut product, the Omni chair, launched via a successful Kickstarter campaign. The standout feature of the Libernovo Omni is its pioneering electrically-adjustable lumbar support, touted by the manufacturer as a “dynamic ergonomic” breakthrough.

Key Specifications

Assembly, Design, and Build Quality

The Libernovo Omni arrives in a surprisingly compact, albeit heavy, box. Assembly is straightforward and comparable to most chairs, requiring only four bolts to secure everything. A screwdriver is included, and the entire process, including unboxing, can be completed in approximately 20 minutes. Should you opt for the matching footrest, it arrives separately but is just as easy to put together.

Once assembled, the Libernovo Omni presents itself as a discreet and sophisticated piece of furniture. Unlike many overtly “gaming” chairs, its design leans more towards a professional office aesthetic, with a simple gray color scheme (referred to as Midnight Black, with Space Gray as a lighter alternative).

However, this chair’s seemingly understated appearance belies a complex internal mechanism. A glance at the rear reveals an intricate network of flexible back support levers and wires, all working in concert to power the chair’s innovative electrically-operated, adjustable backrest—a feature we’ll delve into shortly. Despite its complexity, the chair maintains a sleek and intelligent look.

That said, the chair’s build quality doesn’t always live up to its ambitious design. While key structural components like the wheels, legs, and main lumbar support arms feel robust, several other parts exhibit a noticeable looseness, diminishing overall confidence in the construction.

Both the headrest and armrests, for instance, display a significant amount of wobble. While it’s perhaps unfair to compare this approximately $1,000 chair to a $2,000 premium alternative, the latter’s rock-solid stability starkly highlights the Omni’s shortcomings in this regard. The fit and finish of these parts are more akin to chairs found in a much lower price bracket.

Another point of concern is the tilt-adjust control, which requires careful slotting during assembly. It secures with a rotating plastic piece that engages a locking pin. Unfortunately, this mechanism doesn’t feel particularly positive or robust, raising questions about its long-term durability and potential to loosen over time.

The most frustrating design choice, however, isn’t a build quality issue but a functional oversight: the armrest width and swivel adjustments lack a locking mechanism. This means even a slight bump can shift them out of position. Leaning slightly, pushing off the chair, or even just pulling the chair closer to a desk can cause the armrests to splay outwards or spin unexpectedly. While not a deal-breaker, this constant adjustment is a definite annoyance and falls short of the best systems available. On the positive side, the armrest padding offers a more comfortable experience than some overly firm alternatives.

Features Spotlight

Delving deeper into the Omni’s offerings, both the backrest and seat are generously padded and covered in a robust fabric, a departure from common mesh suspension or leather/faux leather options. This fabric boasts fire and splash resistance, though it’s worth noting that spills won’t wipe away as easily as from mesh or leather surfaces.

An integrated headrest is also included, providing adjustable height and depth, matching the chair’s overall padding and fabric style.

The armrests are fixed to the chair’s sides – unlike some models that feature removable armrests, such as the Secretlab Titan Evo – and offer secure locking height adjustments. However, their width and pivot movements remain free-floating. A set of three buttons and an LED, conveniently located on the inner edge of the left armrest, control the chair’s innovative back support system.

These controls are remarkably intuitive. A “forward” button activates a pneumatic cylinder, pushing the lumbar support system upwards and towards the user. Conversely, a “back” button retracts the piston. A third button engages a continuous push-and-retract motion, offering a gentle, lower back-stretching massage effect.

Additional primary controls, situated on the front right edge of the seat, manage the chair’s tilt and height. A vertical silver bar allows you to select up to four distinct maximum backward tilt positions. Libernovo thoughtfully labels these recline modes as Deep Focus (fully upright), Solo-Work, Soft Recline, and Spine Flow (allowing for an almost completely flat recline).

The seat’s height is adjusted via a standard gas lift mechanism: pull the lever while seated to lower the chair, or unweight the chair and pull the lever to raise it. A rotating knob on the seat base provides fine-tuning for the tilt system’s resistance.

Powering the motorized lumbar system is a rechargeable USB-C battery, cleverly housed in a plastic pack that easily slots into and out of the seat’s side. Despite this onboard power, it’s worth noting that the Omni does not feature any RGB lighting.

Adjustability and Comfort Experience

To get straight to the point: the electronic lumbar adjustment is a fantastic addition. The ability to fine-tune the chair’s support with a simple button press offers unparalleled convenience. If you find yourself shifting uncomfortably, a quick tap is all it takes to adjust the support, eliminating the need to stand up, fiddle with knobs, or wrestle with levers.

The integrated massage mode, while not a substitute for a professional massage or even a dedicated massage mat, serves as a pleasant bonus. It provides a gentle way to stretch and move your lower back without interrupting your workflow or gaming session, even when fully reclined. Of course, regular breaks and movement are crucial for overall health. While initially engaging, I found my use of the massage mode tapered off over time; once an optimal setting was found, it became a “set it and forget it” feature.

My initial comfort impressions were mixed. The seat felt somewhat short, the lumbar support didn’t quite hit the sweet spot I was accustomed to, and the headrest seemed to push my head too far forward. The various recline positions also felt slightly awkward at first.

However, with time and experimentation—learning how to properly adjust the headrest’s depth, discovering my preferred lumbar settings, and understanding the need to reposition both the back support and headrest for different recline angles—the chair became far more comfortable and agreeable.

Despite the non-adjustable seat base depth, which initially felt a tad short for my 6’2″ frame, the clever curvature of the front edge, combined with ample padding, prevented any noticeable pressure points or circulation issues. This resulted in less fidgeting than anticipated.

Similarly, while the lumbar support never quite conformed to my ideal, it consistently delivered effective and steady support.

Ultimately, for someone of my height, the chair still feels marginally too small. Although it’s rated for users between 5’2″ and 6’3″ (158-190cm) and up to 300lb (136kg), the headrest height never felt perfectly aligned. Interestingly, a 5’2″ colleague, at the lower end of the recommended size, found the chair immediately comfortable.

Regarding the optional footstool, it’s a decent accessory for elevating feet or resting legs. However, its construction feels very plastic-heavy and bulky, and it would greatly benefit from castors or a simpler way to move it around. It doesn’t add significant value to the overall chair experience.

Pricing Details

Early supporters on Kickstarter were able to secure the Omni for as little as $650. However, its official retail price stands at $1,099. Libernovo is offering an introductory discount, bringing the price down to $850, but this special offer is only valid until October 2025.

At its full retail price, the Libernovo Omni positions itself as a considerably expensive option within the office/gaming chair market. Most premium alternatives typically range from $500 to $800, with only a select few exceeding that. While the advanced electronic features undoubtedly contribute to its cost, the observed build quality issues, particularly the wobbliness, are a significant drawback at this price point.

Alternative Chairs to Consider

Herman Miller x Logitech Embody

For those seeking a truly premium office chair with a sophisticated gray aesthetic and advanced flexible back support, the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody presents itself as a prime alternative. Its superior build quality, with virtually no wobble, far surpasses the Libernovo. However, it comes at nearly double the price and does not include a headrest or any electronic features. (For more details, refer to our full Herman Miller x Logitech Embody review.)

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Secretlab Titan Evo 2022

The Secretlab Titan Evo remains a top recommendation for most gaming chair buyers, striking an excellent balance between comfort, upgradability, and adaptability, available in numerous designs and sizes. While its lumbar support is less advanced than the Omni’s, and it’s a larger chair overall, its starting price of $549 makes it significantly more affordable. (You can find more detailed information in our comprehensive Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review.)

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Fractal Refine

Positioned between the Omni’s compact office chair style and the Titan Evo’s bulk, the Fractal Refine offers a larger profile with an integrated headrest, yet maintains a sleeker, more elegant design than the Titan Evo. It’s available in both fabric and mesh options. Priced at roughly half of the Omni, it delivers comparable comfort but lacks the fully flat recline and motorized lumbar system. (Refer to our complete Fractal Refine review for additional insights.)

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Final Verdict

The Libernovo Omni is a product of mixed strengths and weaknesses. Its pioneering back support system is nearly revolutionary, providing an incredibly fast and effortless way to adjust your lumbar support, along with a mild, back-loosening massage function. The chair also boasts a stylish design, and while it demands an initial adjustment period, the Omni ultimately delivers commendable comfort for extended sitting, though it may not redefine the concept of ergonomic bliss.

Nevertheless, the lumbar support’s positioning isn’t as versatile as many traditional systems, and the absence of seat length adjustment is a notable oversight. Furthermore, the armrests and headrest exhibit a frustrating degree of floppiness, with the armrests, in particular, causing persistent annoyance. The chair back itself also suffers from noticeable wobble. I’ve encountered gaming chairs at half the price that offer a significantly more solid and stable overall feel.

Considering all these factors, we find it challenging to wholeheartedly recommend the Omni at its $1,099 retail price. For those who acquired it through Kickstarter at $650, it likely represents a good value—assuming its unique lumbar support suits you. At that price, the inclusion of a fully battery-operated, motorized back support system is genuinely impressive and unmatched by competitors. However, at full price, the persistent wobbles, reminiscent of much cheaper chairs, are a serious deterrent, making the electronic enhancements feel less indispensable.

We invite you to share your experiences with the Libernovo Omni on our community Discord server. And for those seeking to optimize their battle station, our guide to the best gaming desks offers excellent recommendations for top-tier tables.