Thermaltake X Match Actual Leather-based Gaming Chair Evaluation: Good Seems, Exhausting Seat

Thermaltake has constructed a long-standing popularity amongst PC builders, particularly with its instances. The corporate can also be attempting its hand at PC-related furnishings today, and the Thermaltake X Match Actual Leather-based is its second most costly gaming chair as of writing (topped solely by Thermaltake’s CyberChair E500 White Version (opens in new tab)). Undoubtedly, the usage of actual leather-based, a standout among the many sea of PVC and PU fake leather-based choices dominating the market in the present day, provides to the chair’s $580 MSRP (opens in new tab). Nevertheless it takes greater than actual leather-based to make one of many finest gaming chairs. 

The X Match Actual Leather-based is claimed to help avid gamers weighing as much as 265 kilos, between 5 ft 5 and 6 ft 3 inches tall, and comes with positive detailing harking back to the seats in a luxurious automobile. However the X Match’s fancy exterior is the place the thrill ends. Regardless of a excessive price ticket, the chair does little to distinguish itself from the competitors, together with cheaper gaming chairs. And I want the onerous foam would conform to my physique higher. 

Thermaltake X Match Actual Leather-based Specs

Design

You may get the X Match Actual Leather-based in both black (opens in new tab)or burgundy purple (opens in new tab) leather-based, and every has completely different stitching patterns. The black model I examined has extra diamonds on the shoulder space, whereas the burgundy purple one covers the mid and decrease again space with the sample. Be aware that, for much less cash, there’s the common X Match chair, which has a $350 MSRP (opens in new tab), fake leather-based and fewer detailed stitching. Nonetheless, inventory for that mannequin appears to be restricted as of writing.

As a result of I like vehicles, the X Match Actual Le
ather-based’s look excites me. With its leaner design, bonded leather-based and tailor-quality stitching, it’s clear that Thermaltake was impressed by modern-day sports activities vehicles. The diamond-stitched sample and matte black leather-based of my evaluate unit jogs my memory of an Audi R8. The stitching could be very tight and clear all through the chair, and I didn’t see one free thread. 

Thermaltake logos dwell on the headrest, in addition to the fanny pack-shaped lumbar pillow and neck pillow. I’m so glad that Thermaltake has moved on to their present brand, fairly than the older Dragon Ball-looking brand. The Thermaltake brand really appears to be like good with the diamond-stitched sample. 

Regardless of utilizing actual leather-based, the X Match didn’t get heat over lengthy durations of time, and that claims so much as a result of I sweat very simply. The upholstery appears to be like fairly sturdy and proved straightforward to wash, too. I spilled a couple of teaspoon of Crystal Mild iced tea on the chair, and the mess got here proper up with a moist paper towel. Simply to be protected, I went over it with a bit of Armor All leather-based automobile wipes. 

However as good because the leather-based appears to be like on this chair, the standard is simply scratching the floor by way of how luxurious leather-based can really feel.  The leather-based used appears to be bonded leather-based, which explains the matte end and less-than-smooth texture. It appears to be like good to the eyes, however it’s not the very best quality leather-based and doesn’t evaluate, for instance, to good leather-based furnishings you’d discover in a luxurious front room. 

The armrests will not be coated in leather-based in any respect. As a substitute, they’ve a rubber end that feels a bit coarse and uncomfortable. However, the X Match Actual Leather-based’s detachable foam neck and lumbar pillows use leather-based, too. Each have the identical degree of high quality and well-crafted stitching because the chair itself. Each are additionally detachable, and you may slide the lumbar pillow up and down the backrest to suit your physique. 

Like most gaming chairs that we take a look at — even ones less expensive than our evaluate focus — the X Match completes the bundle with a gasoline piston and aluminum base that feels very strong. The chair carried out as anticipated throughout my roll take a look at, the place I slid from my desk to my images setup 5 ft away. The chair glided simply however not so uncontrollably that I felt like I wanted to anchor myself.

Consolation and Changes

Do not forget that scene from The Incredibles when Mr. Unimaginable is sitting at an workplace desk and simply appears to be like extraordinarily uncomfortable? That’s how I felt when utilizing the X Match Actual Leather-based. The chair’s foam is simply too onerous and dense, whereas the armrests lack adequate padding and the seat is slender. This all made it onerous to calm down and really feel like I belonged within the chair.

After a pair hours of taking part in Mass Impact Legendary Version whereas sitting within the X Match Actual Leather-based, my tailbone was not completely happy. I wasn’t in agony, however there was a straining feeling there. I additionally discovered the lumbar pillow to be vital for my again to not harm. 

The X FIt Actual Leather-based has a 22mm metal skeleton coated in 75kg high-density foam on the backrest and 55kg on the seat base. In accordance with Thermaltake’s product web page, the froth is supposed to not lose its form, which on this case is definitely a disgrace as a result of I want it contoured to my physique higher. 

At 6 foot 1 and about 200 kilos, I’m towards the upper finish of the really helpful peak and weight vary, but I by no means felt like I used to be too tall for the chair. I did, nonetheless, want for extra wiggle room. 

Though the backrest was large enough for me, the seat was annoyingly slender. Bumpers on the aspect of the seat make for a decent, safe match, which might make sense if I have been racing round within the chair, however I’m simply sitting at my desk. Measuring 18 inches throughout and 22 inches from the again of the knees to the backrest, I felt like I used to be sitting in a locker. For comparability, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022’s regular-sized chair (5’ 7” – 6’ 2” and as much as 220 kilos) is about 22 inches throughout and 19.3 inches deep. With Thermaltake’s X Match, I used to be barely capable of sit in my bizarre (however most popular) place with my left foot up on the seat.    

I requested my Mother, who’s 5 ft 3 inches and round 109 kilos, and a feminine (5’ 9″ and about 130 kilos) to attempt the X Match. The previous additionally discovered the chair too slender, whereas the latter discovered the tighter match to be comfy, suggesting the X Match’s seat could also be extra becoming for some, particularly those that wish to really feel very cosy and/or with slim frames. 

My favourite half in regards to the chair are its armrests, that are very adjustable. It’
s widespread for gaming chair armrests to maneuver up and down, however the X Match’s armrests additionally transfer diagonally out and in, towards and away out of your sides and towards and away from the desk. I beloved transferring them bowed inward as a result of it considerably improved my ergonomics when typing. Once I typed like this and on my Keyboardio Atreus, a break up mechanical keyboard, I felt like I used to be doing my physique a favor. 

However after lower than an hour, I started to note how little padding there’s on the armrests. Additional, it appears Thermaltake reduce some corners when setting up the armrests as a result of though they’re very maneuverable, they’ve an honest quantity of wobble.

The chair pressured me to sit down with correct posture higher than every other gaming chair I’ve tried earlier than, even with out the lumbar pillow, which is not less than good for my long-term again well being. The X Match can recline from 90 levels again to 160 levels, however it wasn’t comfy totally reclined, because of the slender backrest. It did really feel sturdy in any place, although. Nonetheless, as a result of the chair is so slender and onerous, I didn’t really feel relaxed, even when leaning again within the chair. 

The X Match has an adjustable tilt angle of 3-14 levels, and tilting was the one factor that I discovered to make the X Match comfy. It’s because tilting it allowed me to press extra weight into the chair and eventually get the dense foam to cushion my physique a bit. 

Top changes are managed by a class-4 gasoline piston, which comes very greasy out of the field and is then connected to the sturdy base. A devoted lever raises the chair as much as 9 inches, so the chair’s complete peak could be 45-54 inches, similar to the Mavix M5. Each chairs can get nearer to the bottom than the Titan Evo (51.2-54 inches tall), which might turn out to be useful if in case you have a small or brief desk — or if you happen to’re simply not very tall your self. 

As talked about, the lumbar pillow did its job in enhancing again consolation in comparison with with out it, however it’s nothing particular. It’s of medium density, however I’d have preferred to see one thing extra thrilling, particularly at this value level. For instance, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 has a built-in lumbar help system that permits you to alter firmness and placement. You’ll be able to, although, additionally alter the situation of the lumbar pillow through the use of its straps and transferring it up or down.

Meeting

At first, assembling the X Match appeared easy sufficient, because of Thermaltake’s detailed directions. The printed directions within the field embrace a useful exploded view of the chair, in addition to clear instructions in good English. However when it got here to attaching the backrest to the seat, the sweating and swearing began.

With my evaluate unit, I struggled to get the holes on the aspect of the backrest to line up. This can be a widespread wrestle within the gaming chair meeting course of and a irritating one at that. Exacerbating my woes, after I lastly bought the backrest on, the plastic cowl that goes over the backrest wouldn’t keep on. It merely wouldn’t snap into place, however I really most popular the chair with the plastic off as a result of it jogged my memory of a gutted-out monitor automobile. 

I’m very grateful that Thermaltake included an Allen wrench that was large enough for me to truly grip, not like different items of furnishings that include a small key. Apart from persistence, that was the one instrument I wanted.

Backside Line

The Thermaltake X Match Actual Leather-based has a number of potential. Its upholstery has lovely stitching and opts for actual leather-based when so many gaming chairs go for the faux stuff. However that’s a part of what makes the chair so costly. We’ve discovered the chair on sale for $500 (opens in new tab) fairly than its $580 MSRP, however you may nonetheless get an excellent gaming chair with a unique sort of upholstery for much less.

For instance, the Secretlab Omega continues to be out there with fake leather-based for $360 or cloth upholstery for $379, and it has way more luxurious pillows than our evaluate focus and is supportive with out being stiff. The newer model of that chair, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, could be had with fake leather-based for $450 or cloth for $470 and has a extra spacious seat. 

For those who insist on actual leather-based, the X Match Actual Leather-based’s upholstery appears sturdy however nonetheless not like very premium leather-based. Though you do get actual leather-based with Thermaltake’s chair, it’s clearly cheaper leather-based. That mentioned, that is nonetheless an excellent value for a leather-based gaming chair. Secretlab’s Omega and Titan Evo chairs begin at $750 and $900, respectively, for an actual leather-based end. However there are even cheaper, non-gaming choices, just like the La-Z-Boy Delano (opens in new tab) I take advantage of. Its leather-based is smoother and shinier, and the chair is way more comfy. 

On prime of that, the X Match Actual Leather-based is a tough, cosy chair that I discovered onerous to get comfy in. With none distinctive options added in in comparison with the competitors, I can’t name the X Match Actual leather-based an actual match.