Note: This feature was first published on 24 January 2025.
(Image: HWZ)
Secretlab has officially unveiled its partnership with McLaren Racing, teaming up together to launch the Secretlab Titan Evo McLaren Edition gaming chair.
Much like its previous collaboration with automotive and motorsport giants like Automobili Lamborghini and Oracle Red Bull Racing, the McLaren Edition comes in a design that Secretlab says resonates with McLaren's signature approach to performance and aesthetics.
(Image: HWZ)
(Image: HWZ)
The chair's visuals take cues from McLaren's iconic design language, integrating subtle papaya accents and a hexagonal grille pattern. These touches celebrate the spirit of McLaren's automotive legacy, complemented by carbon fibre-style leatherette panels that pay homage at the material's pioneering use in McLaren's groundbreaking 1981 MP4/1 Formula 1 car. This chair is not just a tribute to the brand's heritage but also a nod to its forward-thinking ethos. The Titan Evo McLaren Edition is equally a celebration of McLaren Racing's achievements on the Formula 1 circuit, with a particular focus on the team’s remarkably successful 2024 season and its first Constructors’ Championship title in over two decades.
The Titan Evo McLaren Edition chair is in all shape and design the same as the original Titan Evo, including its hallmark ergonomic features. You can read our review of that chair here, but suffice to say it comes with the same cold-cure foam that we feel strikes a balance between softness and support. It also does a pretty good job at ensuring optimal weight distribution during extended use, and the dynamic L-ADAPT lumbar support system is still the best out of all the ergonomic chairs out there (for my chronic lower back pain), offering an intuitive way to adjust to your spine's natural movements.
(Image: HWZ)
(Image: HWZ)
What’s different though, compared to the original Titan Evo and even the recently-launched Titan Evo Nano Edition is the premium microsuede finish that ties the design of the McLaren Edition chair together. I can’t remember if this finish is offered on other Titan Evo models apart from the Automobili Lamborghini Deluxe Verde Selvans Edition (that’s quite a mouthful, to be honest). The microsuede has a very nice, velvety smooth feel that adds to the premium feel of the McLaren Edition. In terms of comfort, I’d say it beats Secretlab’s default Neo Hybrid Leatherette and Softweave Plus Fabric finishes hands down. Between it and the NanoGen Hybrid Leatherette however, I’m torn. Both offer a different kind of comfort feeling and while the plushy-feeling NanoGen Hybrid Leatherette never seems to get warm even after extended periods on it, I thought the microsuede just felt a tad more comfortable in an air-conditioned room. It certainly looks more luxurious to the eyes too.
I do wonder if Secretlab had considered using the NanoFoam composite in the McLaren Edition’s seat cushion, instead of the standard cold-cure foam. That would have certainly made the chair more unique in my opinion.
(Image: HWZ)
Meanwhile for added support, the chair comes with the Secretlab Lumbar Pillow Pro McLaren Edition, which features the same PlushCell memory foam used with the company’s Premium Footrest. It’s a pretty durable material that also elevates comfort. Usually sold separately, this pillow works in harmony with the chair’s lumbar system, although it does take up some space and pushes you further out from the seat. I personally prefer to sit on the McLaren Edition chair without it. It also comes with a magnetic head pillow and armrest tops in standard black, which is a missed opportunity to further differentiate the McLaren Edition. Why not use PlushCell memory foam for the armrest tops? After all, it’s already used in the NanoGen Edition and would have added a touch of comfort and elegance than the standard armrest top. I also would have liked head pillow with a dash of McLaren design – a logo on it perhaps? What about castors in McLaren colours too?
(Image: HWZ)
(Image: HWZ)
Regardless, the Titan Evo McLaren Edition is a striking gaming chair and while I do love the premium microsuede finish (it’s the chair’s best-selling point for me), I thought Secretlab could have been a wee bit more adventurous with some aspects of the chair design and features. The McLaren Edition is now available for purchase at Secretlab’s e-store for S$999 for the Regular size and S$1,089 for the XL size.
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