Hands-on first look | Two new models address original Omni feedback
LiberNovo just released two brand new chairs: the Omni Pro and the Omni SE. Both models represent significant evolutions of the original LiberNovo Omni, which was my favorite chair that came out last year.
The original Omni started as a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $10 million and became a viral success right out of the gate. I’ve been using it as my daily driver ever since my review, and while I regularly need to switch chairs for testing, the Omni is the one I keep coming back to.
LiberNovo went back, analyzed feedback from reviewers and customers, and returned with two new versions. From what I’ve seen so far, they actually listened-addressing many of the main issues people had with the original chair.
This isn’t a full review since I haven’t had enough time to thoroughly test each chair (full reviews are coming). Instead, I want to walk you through exactly what changed from the original Omni, what’s brand new on each model, and which one makes the most sense for you.
Full disclosure: LiberNovo sent me both chairs for testing. I have affiliate links in the description. If you find this helpful and want to check them out, please consider using those links-it supports the channel at no extra cost to you.
Quick Overview
Shared Upgrades (Both Pro and SE):
- 5-position reclining backrest (vs. 4 on original)
- Extended headrest range of motion
- Improved armrest height travel (96mm vs. 80mm, 20mm lower minimum)
- Reinforced seat front edge with denser foam
- Smoother lumbar adjustment mechanism
Omni Pro Exclusive Features:
- Active seat ventilation (AirFlow Mode)
- Die-cast aluminum alloy base
- Premium Danish Gabriel Atlantic fabric
- Two color options (Graphite, Glacier)
Omni SE Exclusive Features:
- Manual screw-driven lumbar (no electronics)
- Lower price point (few hundred dollars less than original)
- One color option (Obsidian)
- Standard nylon base and olefin fabric
LiberNovo Omni Pro and SE Video Review
Shared Upgrades: What Both Models Get
Before diving into what separates the Pro from the SE, let’s cover the quality-of-life changes both chairs received. These upgrades directly address criticisms from my original review and represent meaningful improvements.
Important Note: None of these upgrades are currently on the original Omni. However, since they made it onto the SE (the more affordable version), it’s safe to assume LiberNovo will eventually roll these into a v2 of the original Omni.
5-Position Reclining Backrest
Original Omni: Four tilt limiter positions (105°, 120°, 135°, 160°) Pro and SE: Five positions (105°, 115°, 125°, 135°, 160°)
The 120° position was replaced with two new angles: 115° and 125°.
Why This Matters: I actually liked the positions on the original Omni, but more control over locking increments is always welcome. The jump from 105° to 120° could feel abrupt, so breaking it into 115° and 125° provides a more gradual and precise range.
This seems minor on paper, but in practice, it makes the middle range of recline feel more dialed in.
Enhanced Headrest Adjustability
The headrest received a significant upgrade with extended range of motion in every direction:
- Height
- Depth
- Tilt angle
The overall travel in each area is noticeably extended compared to the original, accommodating a wider range of body types and sitting positions more easily.
My Take: I thought the headrest on the Omni was already the best I’d used on any chair. This upgrade makes something already great even better. More adjustability means it works for more people and positions-always a good thing.
Armrest Height Improvements
Original: 80mm travel Pro/SE: 96mm travel, with lowest position dropped 20mm
This is huge for me personally.
One of my biggest frustrations with the original Omni was that armrests didn’t go low enough. They propped my shoulders up slightly, which was fine for short sessions but became fatiguing over time. I also couldn’t get them out of the way or push them under my desk.
This upgrade directly addresses that issue. It may look subtle, but it makes a huge difference in day-to-day use.
Reinforced Seat Front Edge
The seat front edge now features denser foam with a slightly raised contour.
The Problem It Solves: On the original Omni, the foam at the front was really soft. At times, it could feel like you were sliding off the seat. If you have longer legs, this was especially noticeable-the front foam would compress under your legs without providing much support.
The Solution: The denser foam and raised contour make a real difference. You feel more locked in. I basically have no issues with the sliding sensation anymore, even when sitting cross-legged.
Smoother Lumbar Adjustment
Both upper and lower joints on the lumbar mechanism were slightly repositioned for a smoother, more responsive adjustment arc.
The Improvement: The original Omni’s recline was already smooth, but you could feel some friction from plastic on plastic. Now it feels significantly smoother throughout the full recline range. Not the biggest upgrade, but definitely noticeable.
Quality-of-Life Improvements Wrap-Up
The Pro and SE deliver numerous quality-of-life changes that really add up. Many are subtle but make a real difference in daily use.
What I appreciate most: these upgrades show LiberNovo is actively paying attention to customer feedback. Many fixes directly addressed issues I and other reviewers called out. That’s genuinely reassuring from a relatively new company.
The Omni Pro: Premium Materials and Active Cooling
Now let’s dive into what makes the Pro the Pro.
After extensive time with the original Omni, one of my main complaints was heat buildup. Because you sink into those soft foam layers, there’s limited airflow, and during long sessions, it could get really warm. The Omni Pro appears to be LiberNovo’s answer to that problem.
Active Seat Ventilation (AirFlow Mode)
The headline feature: Active seat ventilation built directly into the chair.
How It Works: The Active AirFlow Seat Ventilation uses a centrifugal fan system to pull heat and moisture away from your body through the seat cushion, creating continuous airflow circulation for cooler, more comfortable sitting.
Features:
- Two airflow levels
- Built-in sensors automatically pause when you stand, resume when you sit
- 3,000mAh battery providing 14+ hours (low) or 9 hours (high)
- More than enough for a full workday without charging
I haven’t done a full long-term test yet, so I’ll save the deep dive for the complete review. But on paper and in early use, this is exactly what the Omni needed.
Premium Materials Upgrade
Beyond ventilation, the Pro receives significant material upgrades.
Base: Switches from glass fiber reinforced nylon to a one-piece die-cast aluminum alloy 5-star base. No welds, no seams. Looks cleaner and feels more substantial.
Note: The original nylon base was perfectly durable-this aluminum upgrade is about refinement, not necessity.
Upholstery: Upgraded to Danish Gabriel Atlantic fabric from Gabriel, one of Denmark’s most respected performance textile manufacturers.
Durability Rating: 100,000 to 120,000 Martindale cycles
- Translation: Very durable fabric that will hold up for years
Why This Matters: The original Omni uses standard olefin fabric that I noted was thin and a potential long-term durability concern. This is a meaningful step up.
Breathability: The premium fabric has significantly less heat buildup compared to the original Omni’s fabric. This pairs excellently with the air ventilation feature, making the chair as a whole significantly cooler during long sessions.
Color Options
Available in two colors:
- Graphite
- Glacier
These are similar to the original Omni colors but look clean and sleek.
Who the Pro Is For
Choose the Pro if:
- Heat buildup was your main hesitation with the original Omni
- You tend to run warm during long sessions
- You want the most premium version with upgraded materials
- You’re willing to pay extra for active ventilation and premium construction
The combination of Gabriel Atlantic fabric (more breathable on its own) and active ventilation basically eliminates the heat issue entirely. If you want the most refined version of this chair, the Pro is the one to get.
The Omni SE: The Version I Wanted All Along
Now let’s talk about the SE, and honestly, this might be the more exciting chair to me than the Pro.
Why the SE Excites Me
In my original Omni review, one of my main criticisms was the motorized lumbar support. I said clearly that while it was cool as a back stretch tool, I wouldn’t buy the Omni for that feature. I found it had a niche use case, didn’t work well as actual adjustable lumbar, and more importantly, it’s an electronic component with a shorter warranty period-a real long-term liability in a chair you’re expecting to last years.
I actually said in that review: “I would love to see LiberNovo offer a version without the electronics at a lower price.”
Well, the SE is pretty much exactly that.
Manual Screw-Driven Lumbar
The main difference: Instead of the electric motor, the SE uses a precision screw-driven mechanism. You get the same core lumbar architecture and Bionic FlexFit backrest-just manual control via a knob on the side.
Why This Is Better: For most people, this is the right call. You set your lumbar support once and rarely touch it again. Having a motor sounds impressive but adds complexity without much practical benefit for everyday use.
Long-Term Reliability: Since there are no electronic components in the lumbar, you don’t have to worry about it being a point of failure. That peace of mind matters when investing in a chair you want to use for years.
What It Still Gets
The SE includes all the shared upgrades discussed earlier:
- 5-position backrest
- Enhanced headrest range
- Improved armrest travel
- Reinforced seat front edge
- Smoother lumbar adjustment
The recline angles on the SE are identical to the Pro.
What It Doesn’t Get
The SE does not include:
- AirFlow ventilation
- Aluminum base (keeps glass fiber reinforced nylon)
- Gabriel Atlantic fabric (keeps standard olefin)
- Active cooling
Color Option
Available in one color: Obsidian
Compared to the Midnight Black version of the original Omni, Obsidian is a much deeper black. It looks really sleek.
My Take: Black is the most versatile color for an office chair, so not having multiple options isn’t a big deal for most people.
Who the SE Is For
The SE gives you all the comfort and adjustability of the LiberNovo Omni without the electronics, at a lower price point.
Pricing: LiberNovo indicated it will be priced a few hundred dollars less than the original Omni-a significant difference.
At that price, the value is really hard to argue with.
My Perspective: I said in my original review that I wouldn’t buy the Omni for the electronic lumbar support. I’d buy it because it’s just a really good chair. The SE is everything I said I wanted. All the fundamentals are there, and you’re not paying for features you’re unlikely to use.
For many people, this is going to be the sweet spot.
Comparison Chart
| Feature | Original Omni | Omni Pro | Omni SE |
| Recline Positions | 4 (105°, 120°, 135°, 160°) | 5 (105°, 115°, 125°, 135°, 160°) | 5 (105°, 115°, 125°, 135°, 160°) |
| Headrest Range | Standard | Extended | Extended |
| Armrest Travel | 80mm | 96mm (20mm lower min) | 96mm (20mm lower min) |
| Seat Front Edge | Standard foam | Reinforced dense foam | Reinforced dense foam |
| Lumbar Type | Motorized | Motorized | Manual screw-driven |
| Ventilation | None | Active AirFlow | None |
| Base Material | Nylon | Die-cast aluminum | Nylon |
| Fabric | Standard olefin | Gabriel Atlantic | Standard olefin |
| Colors | Multiple | 2 (Graphite, Glacier) | 1 (Obsidian) |
| Price | Standard | Premium (highest) | Value (few hundred less) |
Which One Should You Get?
Let’s break this down clearly.
What Both Pro and SE Share
Both chairs get identical quality-of-life improvements over the original Omni:
- 5-position backrest
- Better neck support range
- More armrest travel
- Reinforced seat front edge
- Smoother lumbar adjustment arc
These upgrades alone make both better day-to-day chairs than the original.
Where They Split
Choose the Omni Pro if:
- You run hot during long sessions
- Heat buildup was your main concern with the original
- You want active seat ventilation
- You prefer premium materials (aluminum base, Gabriel Atlantic fabric)
- You’re willing to pay more for the most refined version
Choose the Omni SE if:
- You want the core Omni experience with adjustability improvements
- You prefer a simpler, more reliable lumbar mechanism
- You don’t need active cooling
- You want better value at a more accessible price point
- You agree that the motorized lumbar was unnecessary
Pricing Context
LiberNovo hasn’t officially confirmed exact pricing, but based on what they’ve shared:
- SE: Few hundred dollars less than original Omni
- Pro: Above the Omni as their premium option
Final Thoughts
LiberNovo’s approach with these new models is smart. Instead of just releasing a “v2” of the Omni, they created two distinct options serving different priorities:
The Pro addresses the heat issue comprehensively with active ventilation and premium breathable fabrics, while elevating build quality with aluminum construction.
The SE strips out the electronics I (and many others) found unnecessary, simplifies the lumbar to something more reliable long-term, and delivers all the comfort and adjustability improvements at a better price.
Both represent LiberNovo listening to feedback and iterating thoughtfully. The shared upgrades across both models-particularly the armrest improvements and reinforced seat edge-show they were paying attention to specific criticisms.
For me personally, the SE is closer to what I wanted from day one: all the fundamentals that make the Omni great, without paying for features of questionable utility. But if you run hot, the Pro’s active cooling is a legitimate game-changer.
Full reviews of both chairs are coming once I’ve had more time to properly test them long-term. Subscribe so you don’t miss those.
Links to both chairs will be in the description as they become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the original Omni get these upgrades? LiberNovo hasn’t officially confirmed, but since these improvements made it onto the SE (the budget option), it’s reasonable to assume they’ll eventually roll them into an updated original Omni.
How much cheaper will the SE be? LiberNovo indicated “a few hundred dollars less” than the original Omni. Exact pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Can I turn off the ventilation on the Pro? Yes, the AirFlow system has two levels plus off. It runs on a battery, so you’re not forced to use it.
Is the manual lumbar on the SE worse than the motorized version? No. For most people, it’s actually better. You set lumbar support once and rarely adjust it. The manual mechanism is simpler, more reliable long-term, and has no electronic components to fail.
Which one should I get if I already own the original Omni? If heat buildup bothers you, the Pro is worth considering. If heat isn’t an issue, the upgrades are nice but probably not worth replacing a chair you already own. Wait for full reviews to see if the improvements justify the upgrade for your specific use case.
Does the SE still have the amazing headrest from the original Omni? Yes, and it’s even better. The SE gets the same extended headrest range as the Pro, with more adjustment in every direction than the original.
Have questions about the LiberNovo Omni Pro or SE? Want to know which one is right for your setup? Leave a comment below and I’ll help you decide.