If there is a single Holy Grail type statement a chair manufacturer can strive for, it’s the user saying “This chair fixed my back problems.” So as astounding as it may seem that I can safely say that about the LiberNovo Omni, I can’t say I’m surprised. 

This pinnacle of office engineering does things that no other chairs on the market do. It has one of the most impressive designs and considerations I’ve ever sat on. And yet, at this moment, I’m sitting on a different chair. Because for all of the things the Omni does amazingly, it doesn’t do it all.

The Good

I’m not kidding when I say that the LiberNovo Omni has some of the most intelligent engineering possible for a chair. Each and every segment is so cleverly designed to both maximize its purpose and synergize with the rest of the chair. The backrest uses a multi point pivot system in conjunction with a segmented spinal support to create a dynamic back that forms perfectly to my body. When I first sat down, “oh wow” were the first words from my mouth. And it was the same for every other person I’ve had try the chair since.

The next most impressive aspect is the reclining function. With 4 available degrees of recline, the chair does more than just tilt back. As you recline, the seat, arms, and headrest slide along a rail system that repositions them for ideal distance from the back. They remain level with the ground (and presumably your desk), as to not disturb the intended ergonomics.

The most eye catching component, however, is the battery powered motor. The chair has a detachable battery pack that powers two things: the adjustable lumbar support and the spinal decompression massage. Sounds wild, doesn’t it? In reality, it’s powering a single hydraulic piston that shifts the support point for the lower back rest pivots. This (controlled from buttons on the left arm rest) shift where the point of support is on the lower back). 

When fully reclined, a third button activates a spinal decompression massage. This, in reality, is the lumbar support motor just shifting back and forth for a few minutes.. And to LiberNovo’s credit, this does indeed make for a fantastic lower spine stretch. This again highlights how genius the design is that such a simple motor function can provide such complicated functionality.

All the while, it was one of the easier chairs to construct upon arrival, with easy connections, simple instructions, and minimal separate parts. Seeing the complexity and interconnectedness of each part afterwards really highlighted how clever this design is.

It Fixed My Back Problems

To elaborate on my claim made in the intro: The LiberNovo Omni has indeed alleviated my back pain. I suffer from Lumbar Hyperlordosis. This, in short, means that my lower back curves a bit too much, causing discomfort when I’m upright all day. This is an increasingly common problem with desk-working folk, as improper chair posture can cause or exacerbate it.

The real way to solve this problem is through stretches and core exercises that strengthen proper pelvic tilt and other medical mumbo jumbo. But you can’t solve a problem until you stop the source of it, too. The Omni’s back support and ergonomic structure forces me to sit properly without causing discomfort. After a couple weeks of use, I found that I was experiencing remarkably less lower back pain by the end of the day, and that’s incredible!

The Bad

As much praise as I give the LiberNovo Omni, there remain some aspects that hold me back from calling it the best chair I have. Some of these are intentional choices, while others are a bit unavoidable, being in conflict with their engineered vision.

What you’ll likely notice first is the material it’s made of. A majority of the parts and frame are made from a hard plastic. It’s not a cheap plastic, by any means. But with metal or aluminum parts being commonplace in the office chair world, and a hefty $1,000 price tag, the plastic does somewhat diminish the sense of luxury you’d expect from such a product. This can all be said for the upholstery as well, which is a “Micro-linen-feeling elastic fabric.” This is to say that it’s not linen, and probably is some kind of polyester blend.

The other downside only comes to light after the honeymoon phase has worn off. Once the dazzle of the ergonomics and engineering start to settle, you might start to miss how you sat in other chairs.

Perhaps you like to sit in your desk chair in an unorthodox way, say you like to sit cross legged, or like a heavy tilt, or prefer not to have arm rests. These options are not available with the Omni. That same interconnectedness that makes the chair stand out prevents it from filling the versatility of use that users like myself might desire.

On one hand, a chair that forces you to sit correctly is good. But on the other hand, I don’t always want to sit in full business mode at my desk. Maybe I want to scrunch up, sit weird, or otherwise lounge in ways that this chair can’t provide. I want to lurch like a goblin while holding a controller, playing Elite Dangerous for 6 hours straight.  I’m fortunate enough to have a large, plush leather chair in my office so I can swap between them as I desire. But I also recognize that not everyone has the budget or space for two decently sized office chairs in one room.

The Footstool

Before wrapping up my thoughts, I wanted to give some remarks about the footrest. That is, to say: it’s not very good.

The foot rest, which is a combination foot slab for general sitting and a leg rest for reclining, has all of the flaws of the chair with none of the boons. It’s made from the same plastic and upholstery, with a less-than-satisfying cusion for the legs. It’s designed for your calves to rest against it while reclining, and not the feet. Resting the feet itself on the cushion will quickly feel hard and unpleasant. It’s lightweight build also means a greater risk of it shifting out of place when jostled, which happened frequently.

I have an ugly, home made foot rest from pine boards, memory foam, and stapled down fabric that serves it’s purpose better than this stool.

Do I Recommend It?

There is plenty to praise about the LiberNovo Omni. It offers some remarkably well designed ergonomics that compete with similar chairs for half the price. But even so, it can’t do everything. Its perfect business minded construction is great for the desk worker, but the lack of genuine casual usage makes it an awkward choice for the loungers and gamers. And with a $1,099 price tag, this isn’t a purchase one should make lightly.

So I recommend IF…

You plan to use it in a dedicated office space for being productive, not if you’re looking for a comfy chair to plop into for an extended gaming session or movie night.