DXRacer Vs Secretlab: Which Is the Best Gaming Chair Brand?

As you begin researching office and gaming chair brands, two names that you’ll undoubtedly come across, again and again, are DXRacer and Secretlab. You might have seen a few trademark chairs from both brands, but you’re not sure which between the two is the better value for your money. In the battle of DXRacer and Secretlab, which is the best gaming chair brand?

Both DXRacer and Secretlab are regarded for their great gaming chairs, but Secretlab has the advantage after my own personal testing. Their chairs tend to look better, feel more comfortable, and be of higher quality.

That’s just my opinion though, and I strongly recommend you make up your own mind. In this highly detailed guide, that’s exactly what I want to help you do. I’ll talk about DXRacer and Secretlab as individual brands, discuss the differences between the two, and then compare specific DXRacer and Secretlab chairs. By the time you’re done reading, you can decide whether DXRacer or Secretlab will be your next gaming chair. 

DXRacer Overview

Let’s start with DXRacer. Founded in 2001, according to DXRacer’s website, their chairs have been bought and used by more than six million users in over 52 countries. They were the 2015 sponsors of the World Cyber Games and are the preferred choice of many esports gaming leagues around the world, including SK Telecom (South Korea), Ninjas in Pyjamas (Sweden), and Natus Vincere (Ukraine).

Their gaming chairs include the P Series, the G Series, the Formula & Racing Series, and the Tank Series. They also produce a chair known as the MASTER, a modular gaming chair with microfiber leather seating. You can also shop limited edition gaming chairs through DXRacer.

Besides gaming chairs, DXRacer sells chair accessories like pillows, mechanisms, casters, cylinders, bases, and armrests. All chairs are covered under DXRacer’s lifetime warranty on the chair’s internal steel frame. The connected parts are protected under a shorter warranty that’s good for two years. 

One of the reasons DXRacer is such a favorite among gaming chair enthusiasts is the reasonable prices of their chairs. The average price of the P Series chairs are $259. The G Series chairs are about $400 each, the Formula & Racing Series chairs are about $330 a pop, and the Tank Series chairs retail for around $630.  

Check out my guide on the Best DXRacer Gaming Chairs

Secretlab Overview

The Singaporean company Secretlab is the newer of the two, as it was founded in 2014. Since its creation, Secretlab has made a big splash in the world of gaming chairs in only a short amount of time. Today, they have operations throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. 

Secretlab produces only three gaming chairs, the Omega, Titan, and the Titan XL. The company is also known for its computer desks as well as accessories like extra lumbar pillows and spare chair parts such as casters, hydraulics, tilt mechanisms, bottom and side covers, 4D armrests, chair bases, and the like. 

By default, Secretlab’s warranty lasts for three years and covers “all functionality portions of the chair,” according to their website. In other words, if you misuse the chair and it ends up damaged or destroyed, that’s on you. You can extend the duration of your Secretlab warranty to five years if you’re interested. 

The pricing of Secretlab’s gaming chairs is quite competitive, with none of their chairs costing more than $500. Considering what many people think is the fantastic quality of this brand, the price of a Secretlab chair makes it more widely accessible to a greater number of gamers unlike, say, a Herman Miller chair. 

DXRacer vs Secretlab: What’s the Difference?

Now that you’re clearer on the brand histories and products from DXRacer and Secretlab respectively, I next want to delve into some of the differences between one chair brand and another. 

Brand Reputation 

DXRacer has the longevity between the two brands, but Secretlab boasts a great track record of excellence. I would say the reputations for both brands are rather stellar. Sure, DXRacer is known for its inexpensive gaming chairs, but many users who buy an S Series, G Series, or the like have few complaints. They recognize that for the money, they’re not getting a Herman Miller chair. They tend to appreciate the quality of a DXRacer for what they spent.

Secretlab has impressed many gamers with its premium materials, sturdy feel, overall great support, and focus on ergonomics. The only complaint that I could see about Secretlab chairs after doing a bit of digging is that there simply isn’t enough variety. With only three Secretlab chairs versus DXRacer’s dozens, this is definitely a valid complaint. 

Number of Materials Offered

Most DXRacer chairs are produced with a metal frame and typically a nylon base, but it’s sometimes aluminum. Outside of some chairs in the Formula & Racing Series, DXRacer chairs are reliably covered in PU leather, often with color-blocking in an appealing accent color against a black base. Even the lumbar and headrest support pillows are made of PU leather and feature accent colors. 

Compare that to Secretlab. Their gaming chairs feature an ADC12 aluminum wheelbase without any traces of nylon. The wheelbase of their chairs is augmented with gussets and ribbing that makes the chair even more structurally sound. The PU caster wheels are super-sized for rolling over more surfaces.

Secretlab chairs come in PRIME 2.0 PU leather, NAPA leather, or SoftWeave fabric. PRIME 2.0 PU leather might not be authentic leather, but Secretlab promises that their PU leather will last four times longer than the competition. Designed to feel supple and soft yet still flex when you need it, Secretlab says their PRIME leather is also resistant to abrasions so it can handle wear and tear.

Their NAPA leather is real-deal leather, the same that’s often used to make high-end handbags and vehicles. The cool feel of the leather when combined with its plush softness makes this a highly desirable material. SoftWeave features short, dense yarns that are grounded for a fluffy-soft seat with great breathability. 

Materials and Build Quality

Reviewing the materials featured in Secretlab’s chairs versus those in DXRacer’s, I’d have to say the build quality prize would go to Secretlab. The quality of these chairs is part of what has made Secretlab the big sensation it’s become in only a matter of seven years (as of this writing). 

That’s not to say that DXRacer chairs are lacking in build quality, but the adage that you get what you pay for does apply here. You can’t choose from seating materials for DXRacer chairs like you can with a Secretlab gaming chair, and the base is typically made of nylon, which is a cost-saving measure. Secretlab features an aluminum base all the way to the wheelbase. 

Comfort

How comfortable is it to sit in a DXRacer versus a Secretlab gaming chair? DXRacer says on their website that they use high-density shaping foam that molds to your body for a customized sitting experience. Secretlab’s chairs have a cold-cure foam mix that’s supposed to be the perfect combination of comfortable yet firm. 

Both chairs then should offer optimal comfort. As I mentioned in the intro, in my personal experience, I found using the Secretlab a more comfortable experience. I’ve also seen complaints that users can’t squeeze into in all DXRacer chairs, which would certainly impede your comfort. 

Adjustability

I’ll talk a lot more about adjustment features as I put DXRacer and Secretlab chairs head-to-head in the next section, but I want to touch on which adjustments you can expect out of both chair brands. The DXRacer Formula & Racing Series features movable casters, Class 4 hydraulics, and tilting with a tilt lock. Some DXRacer chairs have 3D armrests that move in three directions and some even 4D armrests. 

Secretlab chairs use Class 4 hydraulics as well. Their chairs have adjustable lumbar support, reclining (with locking), and 4D armrests that can move in a variety of awesome directions. This is one area in which Secretlab will win almost every time. Most DXRacer chairs offer some armrest flexibility at best while Secretlab’s armrests are always comfortable and highly adjustable.  

Aesthetics

This is something that will come down to personal preference, but a lot of people (myself included) find Secretlab gaming chairs to be more appealing. Whether yours is coated in one of their leather varieties or the SoftWeave material, the shape and design of a Secretlab chair create a striking silhouette. 

Between the emblazoned Secretlab logos, the contouring and angles of the seat, or those 4D armrests, you’ll look like a legit gamer when sitting in the Secretlab. This brand features a variety of chair colors as well as custom esports and game finishes, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Mortal Kombat. 

If you do like colors, then DXRacer will be right up your alley as well. As I touched on before, their chairs feature color-blocked accents, often in one color, but sometimes in two colors as seen in the P Series. The accent hues include white, bright red, gray, and electric blue. You can also buy a DXRacer chair in all black if you want a rather understated gaming chair.

DXRacer makes it clear which gaming chair brand you rep with their name stitched onto the headrest as well as across the neck and lumbar pillows, as I stated before. Their chairs have a unique shape too, with a wider back and a narrower headrest. 

Price

I touched on the pricing of DXRacer versus Secretlab chairs earlier in this guide. As I illustrated then, there’s not really a huge price difference between one chair brand and the other. DXRacer as a whole remains the cheaper brand, but not by a great margin. 

Check out my full guide on the Average Gaming Chair Cost

DXRacer vs Secretlab Models Compared

By this point, you’re probably closer to making up your mind about whether you prefer DXRacer or Secretlab chairs. You might even be almost ready for a purchasing decision. This section will help cement your choice as I compare three models of DXRacer chairs with all the current Secretlab models available. 

DXRacer Racing Series vs Secretlab OMEGA

First, I want to talk about the DXRacer Formula & Racing Series and pit these chairs against the Secretlab Omega. For example’s sake, I’ll use OH/RAA106/N DXRacer, which features mesh and PU leather. 

Starting with that model, the DXRacer Formula & Racing Series chair includes five PU caster wheels, each of which is two inches. The wheels are built for stability, although DXRacer isn’t clear if the caster wheels are intended for rolling on hard flooring, soft flooring, or even both. The chair’s five-star base lends it more durability and is supposed to reduce operational noise. 

In the Formula & Racing Series chair, you have the freedom to recline 135 expansive degrees. The tension spring built into the chair lets you rock the chair in a more relaxed stance or more firmly. 3D armrests can slide backward or forward, rotate outward or inward, and move up and down. 

The high-density shaping foam in the seat is made for your comfort, as are the adjustable lumbar cushion and adjustable headrest. If you’re hoping for further ergonomics though, you might be a little disappointed. That’s the extent of what’s featured in this chair. 

The Secretlab Omega is for users up to 240 pounds. The chair includes the abovementioned XL caster wheels with tough PU coatings. Secretlab also isn’t clear on which types of floors their caster wheels are best for, but I’d assume it’s both hard and soft flooring. Its ADC12 wheelbase is built from hard yet lightweight aluminum. The base creates stability and balance for long hours spent gaming, working, or relaxing.

Raise or lower your Omega courtesy of its Class 4 hydraulics. The multi-tilt mechanism lets you instantly switch your chair angle and lock it in place. Set your degree of lumbar support with a knob that controls the backrest. To further make sitting in the Omega a plush experience, you get a Signature memory foam lumbar pillow. 

Included also is a second pillow for your head that features cooling gel so you won’t sweat when the going gets tough. The backrest of the Omega can recline 165 degrees and is made longer than average to accommodate your entire spine.  

Then there are the 4D armrests of the Omega, which are covered in PU padding. Their concave shape of the rests keeps your elbows in one spot while you game comfortably. You can move the armrests up, down, backward, forward, angled right, angled left, or just right and left. The internal mechanism that controls the armrest adjustments is metal. This chair is available in NAPA leather, SoftWeave fabric, and PRIME 2.0 PU leather. 

Between these two chairs, the winner is definitely the Secretlab Omega. It’s got a greater reclining radius, more ergonomics, and 4D armrests instead of 3D. Do keep in mind that the Omega is somewhat more expensive, but I think the extra cost is worth it in this case. 

DXRacer G Series vs Secretlab Titan

With six chairs in the DXRacer G Series, you certainly have your pick. We’ll focus on the OH/GB001/N model with a removable seat cushion. The G Series caster wheels are smooth and quiet. Although they’re still made of PU plastic, they’re anti-scratch so you can maintain the quality of your hardwood flooring. This feature would suggest the casters aren’t made for carpeting, but DXRacer doesn’t elaborate. 

The multi-functional mechanics give you more control in how you’d like to sit in your gaming chair. You can set the height, the tilt adjustment with locking, and rocking. The G Series chairs also include up to 135 degrees of reclining, which is the same as the Racing & Formula Series. 

One huge difference in the G Series is that it has 4D armrests. Move your armrests backward, forward, right, left, down, up, or swivel them. I will say that though this is a step in the right direction, DXRacer’s armrests lack the concave shape and support you get in any of Secretlab’s gaming chairs. Although the lumbar and head pillows are not included by default, DXRacer adds them as a free gift when you buy a chair in the G Series.

The Secretlab Titan is new and improved for 2020. This chair has a more generous weight limit than the Omega, about 290 pounds rather than 240 pounds. The XL PU caster wheels are back for quiet rolling, and the Titan is also built with an ADC12 aluminum wheelbase with Class 4 hydraulic adjustments. 

Many of the same adjustments are featured from the Omega to the Titan, from the multi-tilt mechanism to the backrest adjustment knob and the backrest with 165 degrees of reclining. Where the Titan really stands out is its shape. It’s wider at the back for a more encompassing feel. If you want a gaming chair with a shape that’s outside of the norm to impress your streaming audience, the Titan fits the bill well. 

So who wins between the DXRacer G Series and the Secretlab Titan? It’s a toss-up. The Titan is a sturdy chair with all the great Secretlab features, including lumbar and headrest pillows (complete with cooling gel) and 4D armrests. Yet the G Series chairs also have a 4D armrest, and this chair is cheaper. I suppose it comes down to individual features like reclining angle, which the Titan has over the G Series, as well as your own personal preference. 

DXRacer Tank Series vs Secretlab Titan XL

The third comparison I want do is between the burly DXRacer Tank Series and the equally sizable Secretlab Titan XL. Two behemoths will face off, but there will only be one winner!

The Tank Series has three models, so you get the fewest choices out of DXRacer’s collection of gaming chairs. This chair can support an incredible 400 pounds. This time, the Tank Series features an aluminum base rather than a PU one so it can provide the support that bigger gamers need. The casters are still the same though. 

DXRacer reinforced and custom-built its tilt mechanism in the Tank Series so the chair doesn’t buckle under the heavier backrest load. The backrest can tilt between 90 and 120 degrees, which is a lesser radius than other DXRacer chairs. Yet you also have 4D armrests, which make up for the lesser tilting abilities. DXRacer reinforces the Tank Series with higher-quality molded foam to support more weight than the foam in its other chairs. 

The Titan XL has the same reliably great features from Secretlab, including XL PU caster wheels, ACD12 aluminum base, adjustable lumbar support, and multi-tilting. Like the Tank Series, Secretlab beefed up the tilt mechanism for the Titan XL, as it has high-grade springs that allow it to move 85 to 165 degrees back. 

The Class 4 heavy-duty hydraulic gas pistons allow for easy raising or lowering of this chair, which is intended for users weighing up to 390 pounds. That’s only a difference of 10 pounds, but still, the Tank Series has the advantage here. 

Would I give the win to the Tank Series outright? In this case, I think so. Yet this is a very, very close one. 

DXRacer vs. Secretlab: Which Is Better?

Okay, now it’s time to answer the question that’s on everyone’s mind. Is DXRacer or Secretlab the better gaming chair brand? After discussing all I have throughout this guide, I would again say that Secretlab is the better brand. Their chairs are made with better quality materials without an astronomically high price. Those materials lend the chair amazing comfort and a great look that DXRacer just lacks.

That said, DXRacer comes really close to matching the quality of Secretlab’s chairs with some of its models. For example, I like the DXRacer Tank Series a little more than the Titan XL since it has many of the same features, including 4D armrests. The problem with one series of DXRacer chairs and another is that the same features aren’t consistent. Some chairs are all PU leather, others have mesh panels. Some chairs have 3D armrests and others 4D.

Every Secretlab gaming chair–and admittedly, there aren’t many–have consistent features. You don’t have to wonder if your Secretlab chair will have 4D armrests, as that’s a standard. You can rely on their chairs, and that reliability really goes far! 

Check out my guide on the Best DXRacer Alternatives

FAQs

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