Secretlab NeueChair Review: $649 Luxury Mid-Back Ergonomic
Secretlab’s NeuChair is a mid-back, full mesh ergonomic office chair. It sits between the extremes of ultra-cheap and mega-expensive full-mesh variants. It’s more luxurious than basic models, and half the price of a Herman Miller Aeron. Looking for luxury mid-back ergonomics at an affordable price? This NeuChair full-mesh mid-back chair review covers one of the best options in the genre.
In the pursuit of seated comfort, you can choose either a full-back or mid-back ergonomic chair. The latter provides sweeter psychological comfort satiation. If you want to work and chillax in a chair, the Secretlab Titan full-back gaming chair better supports dual roles.
In contrast, mid-back office chairs support physiological comfort factors with greater precision. By locking users into healthy, upright working postures, productivity should improve.
However, as a part of the Secretlab ecosystem, psychological comfort still plays a part in the NeueChair equation.
If you want to go beyond basic ergonomic support — but not to the extreme of a pricey Aeron — NeuChair delivers.
Available from Secretlab in North America, the EU and UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
NeuChair Review: Mid-Back, Full-Mesh
The NeueChair is Secretlab’s mid-back, full mesh alternative to the Secretlab Titan 2022 Series gaming chair. Head-to-head with the Titan, the NeuChair is easier to use.
It’s also better at supporting a healthy back and neck — when used without a headrest! The following covers all aspects that potential NeueChair buyers should know:
ProTip: Works Best WITHOUT A Headrest
Most mid-back chair headrests are notorious for providing ill-fitting support. The NeueChair version is available for $129. It’s one of the few on the market that does a pretty good job.
Even so, a headrest on a mid-back chair distorts the spine and destabilizes the neck. In contrast, not using a headrest with a mid-back chair can easily improve both your back and neck postures.
Humans instinctively gravitate to head positions that cause minimal muscle effort. A mid-back chair (without headrest) encourages the head to evenly balance atop the shoulders. A few days of sitting that way is all you need to strengthen your neck and back muscles.
In the process, your muscles and fascia system will adapt. After a week or so, muscle memory will begin to run healthy sitting habits on auto-pilot.
As a result, while many people struggle with forward neck tilt syndrome, you’ll gain perfect neck posture — without even trying!
NeueChair Features
The NeueChair comes in a choice of Silver ($649) and Obsidian ($749) styles. The difference is the color of the steel supporting frame. The darker Obsidian version gives the chair a slightly more sophisticated look.
Is that worth paying an extra $100 for? In my opinion, it’s not. The difference is slight. If saving money matters, the Silver edition does the job just fine.
Feature Highlights
From a locked position, simply press your left ControlShift lever to unlock it. Once you’ve found your desired angle, press the lever again to lock the recline in place.
Summary of Features
- Armrests: 2D adjustable (up and down, side-to-side).
- Seat: height and depth adjustable.
- Backrest: recline from 85° to 130°; tilt tension and angle lock.
- Lumbar: height & depth adjustable
- Warranty: 12 years on the frame; 5 years on components; 3 years on armrests, casters & gas lift.
Available from Secretlab in North America, the EU and UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
NeueChair Dimensions
The NeueChair is designed to provide average adult sizes with a spacious fit. The flat, wide seat allows a full spread of the legs. As a result, those with moderately thick hips or legs should also enjoy a nice fit.
- Seat width x depth: 19.6″ (W) x 16.5″-18.5″ (D)
- Backrest width x height: 19.5″ (W) x 22.4″ (H)
- Floor to seat range: 18.5-22″
- Size rating: 5’3″ to 6’0″; up to 240 pounds
Pros And Cons
Here’s a shrewd look at the positives and negative aspects of the NeueChair:
Cons: Unnecessary Luxury
The decision to buy a mid-back chair over a full-back racer is a pragmatic one. It’s a choice for postural precision over comfort-oriented psychological luxuries.
However, if you’re going to be pragmatic, the NeueChair does the same basic job as much cheaper chairs. For instance, the Staples Hyken and Space Seating 27 Series also have adjustable arms, a reclining backrest, and adjustable lumbar support.
As a result, healthy neutral sitting postures look the same in all three chairs. Spending more for a NeueChair gets you slightly better adjustability and a ton of luxuries.
The thing is, if you want a truly luxurious experience, you should buy a full-back gaming chair instead! Consider this anomaly before splashing out on a NeueChair. Other quibbles:
- Unsteady warranty: the frame is guaranteed for 12 years (good value, given the price of the chair). However, the armrests, casters, and gas lift are only guaranteed for three years. Given the high price of the chair, that’s poor value.
- No synchronous tilt: ergonomic purists might bemoan the lack of a sync-tilting seat. This has no use while working, but is a nice relaxant. Most chairs over $600 come standard with this feature.
Pros: Comfortable, Attractive, Easy To Use
On the positive side, if you are willing to splash out on luxuries, the NeueChair delivers. First, it’s an absolutely gorgeous chair. The polished steel frame has soft, rounded edges that contrast well against the black parts.
As is Secretlab tradition, it’s also well put together using high-quality materials. From both visual and tactile perspectives, the NeueChair delights.
Super-Easy Posture Therapy
Beyond the flashy surface, NeuChair’s ergonomics are also first-rate. First, its design (without a headrest) makes good sitting posture easy and intuitive. As a reference, a perfect neutral posture includes a 25-45° lower back curve + a 0° neck tilt. In a full-back gaming chair, the 0° neck tilt is optional.
As a result, it’s possible to attain perfect neck posture in a full-back chair — with strong back muscles and discipline!
In comparison, a NeueChair (without a headrest) supports perfect back — and neck — postures out of the box! Simply plant your feet, adjust your lumbar support, and focus on sitting straight.
After a few days of practice, muscle memory will reward you with perfect neck posture as a habit!
NeuChair Full-Mesh Comparisons
In 2022, most full-mesh mid-back ergonomic chairs come in either cheap (under $400) or expensive (over $800) versions. The Secretlab NeueChair is a rare luxury model that fits between the two extremes.
Here’s how NeueChair measures up with a cheaper and more expensive alternative.
NeueChair Vs Space Seating 27 Series
NeueChair $649 from Secretlab | 27 Series Price not available on Amazon.
Why spend more for luxury when a cheaper chair can do a similar job? The Space Seating 27 Series and NeueuChair are both mid-back, full mesh ergonomic beauties. The former has slightly lesser features, but a lifetime guarantee on parts!
For $300 less than a NeueChair, the Space Seating 27 Series is a tempting alternative. Is it really worth paying $300 more for frivolities? Let’s investigate:
27 Series Vs NeueChair Specs
Despite the huge price difference, the 27 Series exceeds the NeueChair in two ways. First, its 1D armrests have a slightly larger adjustment range than the NeueChair’s.
Second, its lifetime components warranty blows away what the NeueChair offers.
| Specification | 27 Series | NeueChair |
| Armrests | 1D (2.68″ height adjustment range) | 1D (2.3″ height adjustment range) |
| Lumbar Support | Height-adjustable | Height and depth-adjustable |
| Recline | 20° rocking range | 85° to 130° Infinite Tilt-Lock | Warranty | Lifetime on components; 3 years on upholstery wear and tear | 12 years on the frame; 5 years on components; 3 years on armrests, casters & gas lift. | Price | Price not available on Amazon | $649 from Secretlab |
On the other hand, the NeueChair comes with better lumbar support adjustability and recline functionality. Its polished steel frame is also (arguably) prettier than the 27 Series.
Bottom line: some prefer splashing out, while others seek to save money. Between the NeueChair and 27 Series, both options are brilliantly covered. Learn more about the 27 Series:
NeueChair Vs Herman Miller Aeron
NeueChair $649 from Secretlab | Aeron $1195-$2195 from Herman Miller.
If you’re serious about spending more on luxury extras, why settle for a NeueChair? For around twice the price, the Aeron packs in plenty of goodies for lovers of decadence.
The Aeron’s 8Z Pellicle mesh is the best in the world. It has multiple tension zones that adapt to micromovements to keep you balanced.
Its robust sync-tilt functionality is also best-in-class. When you recline, the seat tilts up. When you lean forward, it tilts down.
Aeron Vs NeueChair Specs
Given the massive price difference, the Aeron should exceed the NeueChair in every way. It almost does. The NeueChair’s 4-way lumbar support beats the Aeron’s offerings (a choice of height or depth-adjustable systems).
Otherwise, the Aeron has better mesh, armrest adjustability, recline functionality, and warranty protection.
| Specification | Aeron | NeueChair |
| Armrests | 3D | 1D |
| Lumbar Support | Height or depth-adjustable | Height and depth-adjustable |
| Recline | seat pan angle from -1° to 16°; backrest 93° to 104° | 85° to 130° Infinite Tilt-Lock | Warranty | 12 years on everything | 12 years on the frame; 5 years on components; 3 years on armrests, casters & gas lift. | Price | $1195-$2195 from Herman Miller | $649 from Secretlab |
Learn more: Aeron Remastered Office Chair Review | Aeron Gaming Chair Review
Conclusion
The point of an ergonomic chair is to support good posture while sitting. In the cell phone era, Text Neck Syndrome caused by excessive forward head tilt is also problematic.
Buying a NeueChair can help you tackle both issues — simply by sitting. Its 4-way adjustable lumbar support makes it easy to set the perfect lower back support. As well, without a headrest, the NeueChair coaxes your neck to maintain a healthy 0° neck tilt.
Deciding to buy one or not is a question of luxury. It’s possible to enjoy a similar quality of support — minus frivolities — for a lot less money. It’s also possible to get an even more luxurious sitting experience with a high-end Aeron.
The NeueChair fits between the two extremes. If looking for cool, luxurious comfort without extreme pricing, NeueChair fits the bill.
Available from Secretlab in North America, the EU and UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
