Straightforward construction
The Omni is delivered in a correspondingly large box and not fully assembled. However, assembly can easily be done alone. Some steps are slightly different than with a classic office chair due to the flexible design, but everything fits together neatly and the instructions are clear and easy to understand.
All necessary tools are included. LiberNovo even provides a pair of fabric gloves. So there's no need to search for a toolbox or leave fingerprints on every surface while handling the components.
Upon first handling, it's noticeable that LiberNovo uses a fair amount of hard plastic. Given the premium price, I would have expected a bit more metal in some places. However, the Omni doesn't feel cheap. Gaps, joints, and mechanics make a good impression; nothing creaks suspiciously, and even after several months of daily use, my unit hasn't shown any fundamental quality issues.
Futuristic seating comfort
The name "Omni" sounds futuristic, the striking spinal design looks futuristic, and with its electric motor and battery, this office chair does indeed contain an unusually high level of technology. But the crucial point is much more mundane: the chair is simply incredibly comfortable.
The seat is soft without feeling like a worn-out sofa. Different foam zones are designed to distribute pressure differently. The backrest, in turn, consists of several interconnected segments. LiberNovo describes it as having eight flexible panels and 16 pivot points. This allows the backrest to better follow upper body movements instead of pressing the back against a rigid surface.
This is especially noticeable after many hours at the desk. Whereas with other office chairs I automatically slide forward, change my sitting position, or get up because something is pressing uncomfortably, the Omni remains surprisingly comfortable for a long time.
The comparison to "cloud nine" might sound exaggerated, but it describes the seating experience surprisingly well. The chair is soft and yielding, without lacking any support.
Almost everything can be adjusted ergonomically.
The Omni certainly doesn't lack adjustment options. The seat height can be adjusted classically using the gas spring. The backrest on the original Omni I tested can be limited to four positions at 105, 120, 135, and 160 degrees. There is now also a revised Omni generation, as well as the Omni SE and Omni Pro, with five positions at 105, 115, 125, 135, and 160 degrees.
Additionally, the resistance when leaning back can be adjusted. This is important because at 160 degrees you're almost lying down in the chair. At the same time, the seat and armrests move with you, ensuring your forearms remain supported even when reclined. This is ideally suited for relaxed reading, watching videos, or taking a short break.
The 4D armrests are also extensively adjustable: in height, width, forward and backward, and angle. The headrest can also be adjusted in several dimensions. LiberNovo refers to it accordingly as a 3D headrest.
In addition, there's electrically adjustable lumbar support. Buttons on the armrest allow you to adjust how much pressure the backrest exerts on your lower back. It's a good idea to experiment with this during the first few days. Once you find your preferred setting, you'll experience a very comfortable blend of soft padding and noticeable support.
The Omni is also offered with a seat depth of 45 or 48 centimeters. However, the seat depth is not adjustable, so the correct depth must be chosen at the time of purchase.
The armrests are both ingenious and annoying.
Ironically, one of my biggest criticisms lies with the otherwise excellent armrests. The fact that they move along with the rest of the chair when leaning back is fantastic. I also like the padding and the range of adjustment. However, the horizontal and lateral positions don't lock securely enough into place.
This is particularly noticeable when you lean heavily on an armrest to stand up or move the chair sideways. The carefully adjusted position can then shift again. While it's not the end of the world, it is still annoying.
I would overlook this with a cheap office chair. However, with a model costing over €1.000, I expect that once I've selected an armrest position, it will stay there until I consciously adjust it again.
Rolling pleasantly light-footed
The Omni rolls very well. The casters run smoothly and quietly, changes of direction are seamless, and despite its relatively complex design, the chair doesn't feel unnecessarily cumbersome when moving.
Battery and electric lumbar support
Among its most unusual features is the integrated electric drive for the backrest. The original Omni uses a 2200 mAh battery that can be removed and charged via USB-C. This eliminates the need for annoying cables running away from the chair. The manufacturer states a battery life of approximately 30 days with one OmniStretch cycle per day.
I find the electric adjustment itself more useful than the second motorized function: OmniStretch.
The back support automatically moves back and forth, designed to stretch the back and spine. This feels quite interesting and sometimes even pleasant, but after several months I hardly ever consciously used the function anymore. It was only activated accidentally once in a while, when I pressed the button, which happened occasionally.
Surprisingly easy to care for
With a softly upholstered fabric chair, the question of cleaning inevitably arises sooner or later. After all, coffee, food, or other stains are practically unavoidable in everyday life.
The Omni has proven to be surprisingly uncomplicated. The cushions are easy to clean, and the fabric is more stain-resistant than its soft surface would initially suggest. So far, I've been able to remove minor spills without much effort.
Even after several months of daily use, the chair still looks surprisingly fresh.
Spare parts are an underestimated advantage.
The manufacturer offers almost all components individually. In the European spare parts shop, for example, a seat cover currently costs €69, a gas spring €39, the battery €58, and even parts of the headrest can be ordered separately. Complete backrests and numerous smaller mechanical and trim parts are also available.
Considering the purchase price of the chair, I think these spare part prices are fair. Above all, the modular design improves the chances of actually being able to use the Omni for many years, instead of having to discard it because of a single worn-out part.
Omni Pro and Maxis: The newer versions
LiberNovo has further developed the concept. The Omni Pro not only adds active seat ventilation with two levels to the familiar chair, but also includes several detailed improvements. The neck support and armrests are more adjustable, the seat cushion and back mechanism have been redesigned, the cover is more durable, the base is made of aluminum, and the battery capacity has been increased to 3000 mAh. In addition, there's a new backrest with five recline positions. While the ventilation is the most noticeable upgrade, it's by no means the only one.
For taller and heavier users, there's also the LiberNovo Maxis. Designed for users approximately 178 to 200 centimeters tall and weighing up to 181 kilograms, it offers features such as a 52-centimeter-deep seat, more space, and greater adjustment ranges for the backrest, headrest, and armrests. It's available in Manual, Electric, and Airflow versions, each with manual or electric lumbar support, motorized back extension, and additional seat ventilation.
