Secretlab TITAN Evo 2022 Series Jhin Edition XL Review

Secretlab provided a review unit of the TITAN Evo 2022 Series Jhin Edition XL chair to App Trigger.

The TITAN Evo 2022 Series Jhin Edition is the latest official licensed product released by Secretlab in partnership with Riot Games. Adding to a product line that includes fan favorite characters like Ahri, Yasuo, Viego, Jinx and K/DA, the Jhin Edition truly takes the design and upholstery to another level.

The Jhin Edition, per Secretlab, “features a one-of-a-kind brushed veneer and a unique sheen that evokes the textured folds of Jhin’s cloak, mirroring every minute detail of the Golden Demon’s Ornate finery. With his iconic mask stitched onto the backrest, it’s a combination of individually stitched leatherette panels in varying shades of ivory.”

I’ve never owned a Secretlab chair prior to conducting this review, but I previously owned a MAXNOMIC. So, I’m not new to gaming chairs or the spike in interest following the shift to work-from-home lifestyles in 2020. Safe to say, I won’t be going back to my MAXNOMIC any time soon and I’ll explain why.

Assembly

Assembling my review unit took about 15 minutes in total, though it probably helped that I’d previously assembled a similar gaming chair. Secretlab’s packaging made it easy to figure out what to grab first, and there was no risk of anything being damaged in transport. As well, and I’m unsure if other branded chairs come with something similar, the box was topped with a giant Jhin poster that doubled as detailed instructions (printed on the back).

Putting together any piece of furniture can be a hassle, and I’m no expert. Assembling something from IKEA has me comparing the size of dowels and I’d love to know how many times I’ve ended up disassembling something because I attached a piece the wrong way. Though, I had the unit built in about 20 minutes.

I built my unit on a carpeted floor, though Secretlab includes a thin foam mat to protect wood flooring. If the worded and pictured instructions confuse consumers, there’s a helpful Assembly Guide on the company’s YouTube channel. I didn’t use the video trying to be as handy as possible.

The set comes with an Allen Key and Phillips-Head attachment for all assembly required.

Aesthetic and Comfort

Yes, this chair is expensive. At a $624 price point, there’s plenty of reason to look for cheaper, comparable competitors. If you’re comfortable spending at that price point you want to know if the chair is going to be as comfortable and stylish as advertised.

After finishing assembly (albeit a little more sweaty than I had began), I was very content with the look and feel after sitting in it. I’ve continued to use it for the past week-and-a-half and it’s safe to say I won’t be going back to my previous chair anytime soon.

Secretlab offers three sizes and recommends each size based on height and weight. I come in just around the size for a regular, but I don’t like being snug so I wanted to compare the XL to my current chair which is marketed as a Large. I have a little more room on the sides of the backrest, but the base and armrests are a major upgrade.

Accessories and Durability

I had a couple gripes with my old chair: the headrest pillow and armchair mechanisms. The pillow was attached with an elastic band and the mechanisms felt more and more flimsy after three years of wear and tear. The PU CloudSwap Armrest Tops that come stock with the TITAN Evo Series 2022 chair felt like an immediate upgrade and the mechanisms to alter position felt sturdier (There’s the option to upgrade to the PlushCell Memory Foam or TechnoGel armrests at any time).

Though, my favorite part of the chair has to be the magnetic headrest pillow. In the days after, I’ve never had to readjust, re-center or reattach the pillow at any time.

A lumbar pillow might be something I consider in the future, but the chair does come with built-in lumbar support that consumers can change the strength and positioning of on the fly with a knob on each side.

Final Thoughts

I want to highlight again, the price point can definitely be something that deters consumers. If you feel comfortable spending at that point, you really can’t go wrong with the TITAN Evo 2022 Series. The Jhin Edition isn’t the only branded option out there. There are licensed products from Attack on Titan, Game of Thrones, Fortnite, Demon Slayer and many more. But for a League of Legends fan, this is arguably the most stylish version out there.

The first pre-order wave has been filled, so those who order the chair now aren’t expected to have their units ship until Oct. 23 or earlier as stated on Secretlab’s website. If you’re happy with the price and the design, it’s worth the wait. If you want another design, I still recommend the TITAN Evo 2022 Series as a whole. Just make sure that you’re choosing the right size for yourself.