The Cooler Grasp Caliber X1C was a formidable gaming chair that rivaled our perennial high decide, the Secretlab Titan EVO ($549), however did so at a a lot lower cost. We didn’t take a look at that mannequin’s PU leather-upholstered model, the Caliber X1, however we have now spent vital time with its new follow-up chair, the Caliber X2 ($369.99). This sturdy, comfy seat is densely padded and lined with pleasantly supple, breathable fake leather-based. It is about two-thirds the value of the Titan EVO, although that chair has fancier options comparable to inside lumbar assist, licensed designs, and a magnetic head pillow. Should you do not think about these must-have options, the Caliber X2 represents a fair higher worth, with a equally glorious construct high quality for a lot much less cash. For that, the Cooler Grasp Caliber X2 is an Editors’ Alternative winner for gaming chairs.
Stable Foam, Easy Fake Leather-based
In contrast to the Secretlab Titan EVO, the Caliber X2 solely is available in two variations: black or black and grey. The black-and-gray mannequin we examined is engaging and pretty understated, with black fake leather-based upholstery damaged up alongside the entrance of the seat with mild grey swaths. The completely different materials panels are secured with magenta stitching, including a touch of colour with out wanting garish.
The PU leather-based has three completely different textures throughout the chair. First, there are the sleek, grey highlights that stay on the inward-facing sides of the seat. You may additionally discover black PU leather-based on the surfaces of the chair that make contact together with your physique; it is perforated for breathability. Lastly, the chair’s outward-facing sides have a carbon fiber-like sample that visually breaks up the in any other case plain black colour. Total, the sleek and perforated PU leather-based is sturdy and supple, comparable with Secretlab’s upholstery. It is usually a step up from the fabric used on related gaming chairs we have examined.
Internally, the chair’s seat and again are completely full of foam, with all areas that contact the physique absolutely padded as much as the metal body. Solely the chair’s again is hole, with PU leather-based suspended between the solidly supported sides. The froth is agency, however with sufficient give that it does not really feel uncomfortably exhausting.
The Caliber X2 has a semi-integrated lumbar assist much like the X1C. A large, rectangular reminiscence foam cushion lined in the identical PU leather-based because the chair attaches to the again by way of elastic straps that allow it slide up and down as wanted. It is a comfy answer that does not really feel almost as pronounced as a very separate lumbar pillow, however is extra substantial than the interior lumbar assist on the Titan EVO.
A big headrest pillow can be included, matching the lumbar assist in delicate, supportive reminiscence foam protection. It slips excessive of the chair with its personal elastic strap, so you may simply take away it (not like the lumbar assist).
The armrests are typical dense slabs of black rubber mounted on metallic arms lined in matte black plastic. They’re 4D-adjustable and could be moved up, down, ahead, backward, left, and proper, and likewise rotated between three completely different horizontal positions.
The Caliber X2 helps individuals who weigh as much as 330 kilos and it has a 21.3-inch-wide seat. You’ll be able to modify the seat’s peak between 19.7 and 22.8 inches. The chair has each a tilt mechanism and reclining operate; it may recline between 90 and a claimed 180 levels. The Caliber X2 has an aluminum base, with extra-large 75mm casters that roll easily.
Cooler Grasp supplies a two-year guarantee with the Caliber X2. That is commonplace for many gaming chairs, although Secretlab extends its gaming chair guarantee to 5 years for those who share an image of your chair on social media.
Sitting within the Caliber X2
Cooler Grasp’s newest chair is sturdy and cozy, simply accommodating my larger-than-average body with no wiggling or creaking. The PU leather-based is pleasantly easy, with a breathable seat. Equally as vital, the stable foam padding is supportive.
The chair’s mechanisms easily tilt and roll, and the reclining again extends to a precarious, nearly utterly flat angle that Cooler Grasp says is 180 levels (however appears to fall possibly 10 levels wanting that). The chair additionally securely units at any angle between that and upright.
The lumbar assist feels nice and pure, and you’ll simply modify it up or right down to relaxation towards the small of your again. It is cushioning with out feeling lumpy. The vertical motion is an adjustment the Secretlab Titan EVO lacks. Nevertheless, you may’t make the X2’s cushion firmer or softer as you may with the Titan EVO’s cushion. Each have their makes use of, and customarily supply comfy and unobtrusive lumbar assist that’s higher than a separate, detachable cushion that may simply be shifted round and really feel too thick.
The top cushion is the Caliber X2’s most important weak spot, with the angled sides of the chair’s high making the elastic band prone to slipping up and off if you need the cushion to sit down excessive towards your head. It is a pretty minor criticism; I nonetheless discovered a cushty place that allow the top cushion principally keep in place.
A Excessive-Caliber Gaming Chair
The Cooler Grasp Caliber X2 is a wonderful, inexpensive gaming chair that rivals our high high-end picks. It has beneficiant, agency padding and easy, sturdy fake leather-based just like the Secretlab Titan EVO, and its sliding lumbar cushion is safe and supportive. It’s a worthy successor to the fabric-upholstered Caliber X1C, and a compelling different to the Titan EVO, which gives a wider vary of designs and two smaller dimension choices. Finally, the Caliber X2 feels nearly as good because the Titan for round $200 much less, and for that earns it our Editors’ Alternative award.
