Tested for several months | The Kickstarter chair that raised over $10 million
The LiberNovo Omni started as an ambitious Kickstarter campaign that raised over $10 million—a testament to how many people are hungry for high-quality ergonomic chairs at reasonable prices. Now shipping production units to consumers, this chair promises to compete with flagship models from Herman Miller and Steelcase at roughly half the price.
After using the LiberNovo Omni as my primary chair for several months, I can say this is probably my favorite office chair that’s come out in recent memory. At $850-900 (depending on sales), it delivers premium comfort and innovative features that genuinely rival chairs costing twice as much.
Full disclosure: LiberNovo sent me a review unit, but this is not a sponsored review. Additionally, I purchased one with my own money through their Kickstarter campaign months before any contact with the company. You’re getting my honest assessment—both strengths and weaknesses.
Quick Take
The LiberNovo Omni successfully challenges the premium ergonomic chair market with exceptional comfort, innovative recline mechanics, and thoughtful design at roughly half the price of Herman Miller or Steelcase flagships. While it has some refinement issues (armrest height, seat depth implementation, questionable motorized lumbar), it delivers where it matters most: all-day comfort and genuine ergonomic support. This is one of the best value propositions in the premium chair category.
Pros
- Exceptional seat comfort—possibly the best I’ve tested
- Outstanding headrest (best from any manufacturer)
- Innovative recline system with components that track perfectly
- Backrest flexibility rivals Herman Miller Embody
- 160-degree recline angle
- Premium materials and build quality
- Excellent value at $850-900 vs. $1,500+ competitors
- Futuristic, modern aesthetic
- Included headrest (no $200 add-on fee)
Cons
- No seat depth adjustment (only two fixed size options)
- Longer seat depth poorly implemented (foam-only extension)
- Motorized lumbar support has limited practical use
- Armrests don’t go low enough
- Armrest pivot adjustments can be loose
- Width adjustments require excessive force
- Shorter warranty than premium competitors (5 years vs. 12 years)
- New company with unproven long-term service track record
- Fabric attracts pet hair
LiberNovo Omni Review Video
Design Overview
The LiberNovo Omni has a futuristic, modern aesthetic that borrows design DNA from premium office chairs while establishing its own identity.
Design Inspiration
To me, the Omni looks like the Herman Miller Embody and Steelcase Leap had a baby:
- From the Embody: Flexible spine-like backrest structure
- From the Leap: Fully upholstered foam-padded backrest and seat
- Unique to Omni: Electronics integration giving it a distinctive, futuristic appearance
Visual Appeal
I really like the way this chair looks. It’s one of the most unique designs I’ve seen while maintaining a classy, professional appearance. The sleek aesthetic is versatile enough to work in:
- Home offices
- Corporate workspaces
- Gaming setups
- Modern studio spaces
Available Colors:
- Midnight Black
- Space Gray
- Moss Green (newly added)
All options feature clean, neutral tones that make the chair versatile without being flashy.
Design Verdict
The design is clean, modern, and premium. It looks like it belongs in the same conversation as flagship chairs from Herman Miller and Steelcase—because it does.
Build Quality and Materials
The Omni feels like a high-end chair. Not quite at the absolute pinnacle of Herman Miller or Steelcase, but remarkably close—especially considering it costs about half as much.
Construction Quality
Frame and Base:
- Dense plastic construction with excellent molding quality
- Flat, wide leg design for stability
- Zero creaking or rattling components
- Feels intentionally designed rather than assembled from generic parts
Despite being primarily plastic, the chair feels genuinely sturdy. The quality of the molds and assembly is evident.
Materials
Foam Padding: The foam is exceptionally high quality—super soft to the touch while remaining supportive and dense enough to prevent bottoming out. This multi-density foam is a key component of the chair’s exceptional comfort.
Upholstery: The fabric is soft, breathable, and has elasticity so it moves with you rather than feeling stiff. However, there are some concerns:
- Thin construction: Long-term durability is uncertain
- Pet vulnerability: Softer woven fabric could tear if pets scratch
- Hair magnet: Be prepared with lint rollers if you have pets
Build Quality Verdict
The build quality is very solid for the price point. While it may not quite match the absolute premium feel of Herman Miller or Steelcase flagships, it’s remarkably close—and it costs about half as much. All components feel purposefully designed for this chair rather than generic off-the-shelf parts.
Comfort Breakdown
Seat Comfort
This might be the most comfortable seat I’ve ever tested—and that’s not an exaggeration.
Multi-Density Foam Design
The seat uses a unique multi-density foam construction:
- Firmer at the back: Provides support where you need it
- Softer at the front: Delivers pressure relief and comfort
This design is brilliantly executed. The seat is super soft to the touch, giving you sink-in comfort and pressure relief, while simultaneously being firm and supportive where it matters. I experienced no bottoming out while still enjoying plush, comfortable seating.
Design Features
Positive Attributes:
- No hard frame edges anywhere
- Suitable for cross-legged sitting
- Good for varied positions
The Seat Depth Issue:
My biggest complaint with the seat is the lack of seat pan depth adjustment—a core feature in most ergonomic chairs, especially at this price point.
Instead of true adjustment, you choose between two fixed seat depths at purchase:
- 45cm (19.5 inches): Standard depth
- 48cm (21 inches): Extended depth
- Seat width: 21 inches (same for both versions)
The Problem with the 48cm Option
Rather than extending the entire seat pan frame for the longer depth, LiberNovo only extended the foam pad itself. This implementation has significant drawbacks:
Issues:
- Soft foam doesn’t provide proper leg support without frame underneath
- Users report feeling like they’re “sliding” or “falling out” of the chair
- Front edge compresses and folds downward under leg weight
- No firm, locked-in feeling at the front
- Particularly problematic when sitting cross-legged or with one leg tucked
When you lift your leg onto the front edge, the foam compresses because there’s no frame support underneath, and your leg slides off rather than resting securely.
Why This Happened:
The chair originally launched on Kickstarter with only the 45cm depth. The 48cm was added later, likely explaining why it feels like an afterthought rather than a fully integrated design.
My Recommendation:
I’m 5’6″, and the 45cm seat depth is a much better fit. It feels more supportive and predictable, especially at the front edge. I wouldn’t choose the 48cm version unless you’re taller and truly need the extra depth.
Overall Seat Assessment
Despite the seat depth issue, this is still one of the most comfortable seats I’ve used on any office chair. If LiberNovo could add true seat pan depth adjustment in a future version, it would be nearly perfect.
Backrest and Lumbar Support
The backrest uses the same exceptional soft foam as the seat, creating one of the most comfortable backrests I’ve experienced.
Backrest Characteristics
Comfort:
- Soft to the touch
- Allows you to sink in slightly
- Shape hugs your lower back
- Extremely supportive
Flexibility and Movement:
What truly sets this backrest apart is how it moves with you instead of locking you into position. You have tremendous flexibility as you shift around.
I find the backrest moves with you even more than the Herman Miller Embody or Steelcase Leap—particularly when shifting side to side. This is impressive because lateral movement is the Embody’s main advantage, and the LiberNovo achieves this at half the price.
Even Pressure Distribution:
Your weight spreads evenly across the backrest, eliminating pressure points. The natural backrest curve fits well for most users even without engaging the motorized lumbar support.
The Motorized Lumbar Support
The motorized lumbar support was a main selling point that made the chair stand out, but it could also be seen as a gimmick feature.
How It Works:
- Motorized piston controlled by buttons on the armrest
- Swings upward at an angle rather than moving straight in and out
- No height adjustment
The Problem:
As an actual lumbar support, it’s not very good. When extended fully, it pushes into your mid and upper back rather than your lumbar region. The pressure point is too high or too low for many users’ specific back shapes.
When sitting normally, I always have it retracted completely because it doesn’t hit the right spot for me.
The One Use Case:
The motorized system excels in one specific scenario: as a back stretch when fully reclined. When you recline all the way back and engage it, it provides a really nice deep stretch in your lower back that hits the perfect spot. It feels excellent, and it’s honestly the only way I use this feature.
My Take:
While it’s good at this one use case, I don’t think it’s necessary or justifies having an electrical component in the chair. Electronic components add potential points of failure long-term, especially with only a 2-year warranty on the motorized system.
However: This doesn’t detract from the chair. The rest of the chair is amazing, and the motorized system is just a bonus feature. I wouldn’t buy the Omni for the electronic lumbar support—I’d buy it because it’s an exceptional chair.
My Wish:
I’d love to see LiberNovo release a non-motorized version and drop the price by $100. The chair is already an insane value, but at around $750, it would dominate that price category even more decisively.
Recline Function
The recline is honestly one of the best features of this chair and incredibly unique compared to virtually any other office chair I’ve tested.
What Makes It Special
When you recline back, the other components actually shift back with you:
Armrests: Slide backwards along the seat pan, making their use completely seamless when switching from upright to reclined positions.
Headrest: Retracts inward as you recline, properly supporting your neck throughout the transition without requiring manual adjustment.
Backrest: “Scoops” into your lower back as you recline, and the spine mechanism contracts to maintain proper support.
Recline Specifications
Maximum Recline: 160 degrees
- This is gaming chair territory for recline depth
- Far deeper than most ergonomic office chairs
- Better implementation than gaming chairs
Tilt Limiter Positions:
- 105 degrees
- 120 degrees
- 135 degrees
- 160 degrees
Important Note: This is a tilt limiter, not a tilt lock. Each position acts as a backstop limiting how far you can recline, but you can always come back up. You can’t lock yourself in a reclined position.
Tilt Tension Adjustment
The tilt tension knob is:
- Easy to reach (located on the side of the chair)
- Very responsive (feel significant difference after just a few turns)
- Convenient to adjust while seated
Real-World Use
I typically don’t use tilt limiters in any chair, but I find myself using them frequently on the Omni. The angles LiberNovo chose work perfectly for practical use cases:
- 135 degrees: Extremely comfortable for lounging and watching shows
- 160 degrees (full recline): Perfect for relaxing or napping
Recline Verdict
The recline mechanism is excellent and one of the standout features. It combines the best of both worlds: the deep recline of a gaming chair with the proper support and positioning of an ergonomic chair. The implementation is thoughtful and seamless.
Armrests
The armrests are very solid and generally comfortable, though they have some areas for improvement.
Adjustability
4D Adjustable:
- Height
- Depth
- Width
- Pivot
Range of Motion:
- Excellent for pivot and depth adjustments
- Height goes quite high but doesn’t go low enough
- Width adjustment works but implementation is clunky
Width Adjustment Issues
The width adjustments remind me of the Herman Miller Embody—you push the arms in and out. Like the Embody, adjusting them is clunky:
- Requires excessive force
- Makes micro-adjustments difficult (easy to overshoot)
- Feels like you might break something when moving them
However: From a functional standpoint, I like that the entire arm moves (not just the pad), giving you genuinely more room if you have a wider frame.
Arm Pad Quality
Positive Attributes:
- Large size
- Good cushioning
- Comfortable even when digging elbows in
- Rounded shape (no sharp edges)
- Slide back with you during recline (excellent feature)
Height Adjustment Problem
The armrests don’t go low enough. When resting on them, they force my shoulders to raise up, which becomes fatiguing over time. It’s also difficult to:
- Get them out of the way when not in use
- Push them under a desk to save space
I would really like to see them go lower.
Adjustment Looseness
The adjustments can be loose, especially the pivot. I regularly knocked them out of position accidentally when getting up or shifting. This wasn’t a major issue while actually using them (with weight applied), but it’s still annoying. They need to be tightened up.
Armrest Verdict
I really like these armrests. They’re comfortable in any position and offer amazing adjustability. There are just a few refinement issues I’d like to see addressed in a future version.
Headrest
The headrest on the LiberNovo Omni is absolutely amazing. It’s probably the best headrest I’ve used on any chair—unless you count aftermarket options like the Atlas headrest.
It’s without question the best headrest that comes directly from a manufacturer, and it’s included in the base price (no $200 add-on fee like many premium brands charge).
Adjustability
3D Adjustable:
- Height
- Pivot
- Independent depth adjustment
The range of motion on each adjustment is excellent, accommodating various sitting positions and users of different heights.
Comfort
Materials:
- Padding and fabric match the backrest
- Cohesive appearance
- Super soft to the touch
- Same exceptional foam as the backrest
This is the most comfortable headrest I’ve ever used. The padding is incredibly soft—you sink right into it like a memory foam pillow. I could probably fall asleep in it; it’s that comfortable.
Ease of Use
The headrest is very easy to adjust while seated, making it great for switching between positions—whether upright or fully reclined.
Automatic Tracking: When you recline, the headrest automatically retracts as you lean back. It moves with you through the entire recline range and stays in the correct position without manual adjustment. This is brilliant design, executed extremely well.
Depth Adjustment Implementation
The depth adjustment is particularly well-designed. There’s a button on the back right side of the headrest, so it feels natural to grab the headrest and move it forward or back.
Height Recommendation
Maximum recommended height is around 6’2″. If you’re taller, the headrest might not work as well, but for most people, the adjustment ranges are very versatile.
Minor Issue
There can be slight play when the headrest is raised all the way up. This is a very minor complaint and barely noticeable during actual use.
Headrest Verdict
This headrest is amazing. LiberNovo absolutely nailed it. It’s without a doubt the best headrest I’ve used on an office chair.
Adjustability Summary
The LiberNovo Omni offers comprehensive adjustability:
- Seat: Height adjustment only (fixed depth options at purchase)
- Backrest: Flexible spine mechanism that moves with you
- Lumbar Support: Motorized depth adjustment (limited practical use)
- Recline: Up to 160 degrees with four tilt limiter positions
- Armrests: 4D (height, depth, width, pivot)
- Headrest: 3D (height, pivot, depth) with automatic tracking during recline
Most adjustments are accessible and intuitive, making it easy to fine-tune the chair to your preferences.
Value Analysis
The LiberNovo Omni is currently available for $850-900 (depending on sales). In terms of value, it’s exceptional when you consider everything you’re getting.
Performance vs. Price
The Omni delivers way more than you’d expect at this price point. It easily outperforms most chairs in its price range in almost every category. In many areas, it goes toe-to-toe with flagship chairs from Herman Miller and Steelcase that cost twice as much ($1,500-2,000+).
What You’re Getting
- One of the most comfortable chairs I’ve ever tested
- Packed with innovative features
- Best-in-class headrest included (no additional cost)
- 160-degree recline with intelligent component tracking
- Premium materials and thoughtful design
Comparison Context: Other high-end chairs charge up to $200 for headrest add-ons, and most headrests from major brands (except perhaps the Steelcase Gesture) are mediocre at best.
Warranty Coverage
Chair: 5-year warranty Motorized Lumbar: 2-year warranty
This is decent but not best-in-class. Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth offer 12-year warranties on their flagship models.
The New Company Risk
LiberNovo is still a new company. There isn’t a proven long-term track record for customer service or warranty claims yet, which is a real risk compared to established brands like Herman Miller or Steelcase.
How Value Could Be Improved
Non-Motorized Version: Offering a non-motorized version at around $100 less would be brilliant. The motorized lumbar support isn’t essential, and removing it would:
- Reduce the price to around $750
- Eliminate a potential point of failure
- Make the chair even more appealing to buyers focused purely on comfort and ergonomics
Since the motorized system is only covered for 2 years (vs. 5 for the rest of the chair), it’s a potential long-term liability.
Competitive Positioning
When you compare the Omni to $1,000-2,000 flagship chairs from major brands, the value proposition is striking. You’re getting comparable (or better) comfort and features at roughly half the price.
My Personal Take
The LiberNovo Omni is one of my favorite chairs I’ve ever tested and one I keep coming back to. It punches well above its weight class in terms of comfort and features.
Final Verdict
The LiberNovo Omni successfully challenges the premium ergonomic chair market with a compelling combination of exceptional comfort, innovative features, and genuine value.
Yes, it has refinement issues. The seat depth implementation could be better. The armrests don’t go low enough. The motorized lumbar support feels somewhat gimmicky. The warranty is shorter than premium competitors.
But these are relatively minor concerns in the context of what this chair accomplishes. The Omni delivers where it truly matters:
Exceptional Comfort:
- Possibly the best seat I’ve tested
- Outstanding headrest
- Highly flexible, supportive backrest
Innovative Design:
- Recline system with intelligent component tracking
- Thoughtful ergonomics throughout
- Premium materials and build quality
Outstanding Value:
- Competes with $1,500-2,000 chairs
- Costs $850-900
- Includes features others charge extra for
The LiberNovo Omni is proof that you don’t need to spend $2,000 to get a truly premium ergonomic chair. While established brands still have advantages in warranty length and proven service track records, the Omni offers comparable comfort and features at a price that makes premium ergonomics accessible to many more people.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a premium ergonomic chair but don’t want to spend Herman Miller or Steelcase money, the LiberNovo Omni is an exceptional choice. It’s one of the best values in the premium chair market and genuinely one of my favorite chairs I’ve ever tested.
For anyone seeking top-tier comfort and innovative features without the premium price tag, this is an outstanding option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which seat depth should I choose? If you’re 5’8″ or shorter, go with the 45cm depth. If you’re taller and have longer legs, the 48cm might work better, but be aware of the implementation issues discussed in this review.
Is the motorized lumbar support worth it? Honestly, not really. It’s nice for back stretches when reclined but has limited practical use for actual lumbar support. I’d prefer a non-motorized version at a lower price.
How does it compare to the Herman Miller Embody? The Omni offers comparable (or better) backrest flexibility and overall comfort at roughly half the price. The Embody has better refinement and a 12-year warranty, but the Omni is better value.
Will the fabric hold up with pets? The fabric does attract pet hair easily, so keep lint rollers handy. If you have cats that scratch, the soft woven fabric could be vulnerable to damage.
Can I use this chair if I’m over 6’2″? The headrest is optimized for users up to 6’2″. If you’re significantly taller, the headrest may not position ideally for you.
How difficult is assembly? Assembly is straightforward and should take 30-45 minutes. Instructions are clear and all tools are included.
Have questions about the LiberNovo Omni or want to know how it compares to other premium chairs? Leave a comment below and I’ll help you out.