ThunderX3 is well known in the gaming chair space for bringing innovation to the table, and that’s exactly what their latest SOLO 360 Hybrid gaming chair offers. The ‘best of both worlds’ design provides excellent comfort and build quality, while also delivering a feature-rich design that offers something new to the market.
We were kindly sent the light grey version of the chair for this review, and we’ll be putting it to the test to see how it stacks up against some of the market’s alternatives – including Secretlab, Noblechairs, and more.
Specifications
- Brand: ThunderX3
- Model: SOLO 360 Hybrid Gaming Chair
- Color: Loft Air Light Grey
- Material: Fabric Upholstery with Moulded Foam Padding
- Features: 360 Armrests, Synchronous tilt, Sync4 Mechanism
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent build quality
- Feature-rich design
- SYNC4 mechanism
- Breathable materials
- Synchronous tilt
Reasons to Avoid
- Longevity unknown
- Can be a little firm for some
Specifications & Gallery
| Specification | ThunderX3 SOLO 360 |
|---|---|
| Material | Fabric, steel |
| Colour | Light grey |
| Maximum Weight | 125kg |
| Seat Height | 45 – 53 cm |
| Seat Depth | 48 cm |
| Backrest Height | 86 – 92 cm |
| Backrest Width | 53 cm |
| Wheels | 5 x TX3 65mm nylon Casters |
| Armrest adjustability | 3D |
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Assembly
The assembly of the SOLO 360 was pretty straightforward (if you’ve ever built a gaming chair before). That said, while you could probably put it together without the instructions, some steps need to be done in a specific order, so using them is advantageous.
During the assembly process, everything felt pretty solid. The casters locked into the base firmly, and all screw holes were aligned nicely – which isn’t always the case with gaming chairs, trust me. The 3D armrests come pre-built and only need a couple of screws for assembly. Similarly, the backrest screws into the seat with a couple of bolts, then the entire thing slots onto the main chair mechanism.
All in all, assembly (when using the manual) took around 20 minutes, with no hiccups.
Build quality
As mentioned above, all parts of the chair feel pretty well-made and robust. The main fabric of the chair, which is also accompanied by a faux suede material, feels pretty premium – as does the stitching and finish. The 3D armrests require a bit of force to use, which is usually a sign of solid build quality, and all other chair mechanics work as described.
The main height and tilt mechanism – which screws into the base of the seat – feels extremely robust. Again, a bit of force is required to engage the chair’s features (like height adjustment, etc), which is definitely a good sign. The wheels seem to have decent bearings, gliding across both hard floor and carpet.
Overall, first impressions of build quality are very good. However, like most gaming chairs, true build quality will be established over time, so let’s see.
Comfort
My first impression of the SOLO 360 was pretty promising. I’ve used tonnes of chairs in the past, from Secretlabs to Xrockers and everything in between, and the SOLO 360 is definitely on the more comfortable side. The base, upon first use, is a little firm – as is the backrest. However, after using the chair for a couple of days, that firmness started to fade, resulting in a very comfortable experience.
The armrests give excellent height adjustment that allows you to find the perfect resting position – whether you’re working or gaming. The synchronous tilt function is also ideal for kicking back and relaxing over a long gaming session. The chair offers enough resistance for the automatic tilt to work well over various seating positions, a great feature for finding your ideal spot.
The headrest is probably the firmest part of the chair – closely followed by the lumbar support. Both, however, don’t take anything away from the general comfort levels of the SOLO 360.
Why the ThunderX3 SOLO 360 is worth buying
If you’re looking for a new gaming chair, why should you consider the SOLO 360 gaming chair from ThunderX3? Well, besides the fact that it’s one of the more budget-friendly options on the market, below are what we liked best about this chair.
Things we like
One of the best features of this chair has to be the SYNC4 mechanism. Essentially, ThunderX3 has designed the tilt of the backrest to work in perfect synchronization with the seat of the chair. So, when you lean back, the seat will move forward at an “optimal ratio” to provide not only excellent comfort but maximum support during usage. Additionally, users can also lock the backrest at various angles depending on their preference.
Another neat, albeit widely adopted, feature is the 360-degree armrests. As the name suggests, the armrests can rotate 360-degrees, allowing you to find the perfect position for gaming, work, or relaxation. Additionally, they’re also 3D – meaning they also have height adjustability and retraction too. While this doesn’t sound too fancy, retracting the armrests does allow you to position yourself closer to your desk – essential if you’re trying to see closer details on a creative project.
Lastly, we have to pay mention to the LOFT air multi-layered fabric used on this chair. The new addition to the SOLO 360 range provides higher levels of breathability during warmer months, increasing comfort throughout the year.
ThunderX3 has also fitted the SOLO 360 hybrid gaming chair with a handy laptop sleeve in the rear. While not the most innovative of design ideas, it’s still a feature you seldom see in other gaming chairs – and could be used if you often switch between a gaming PC and work laptop.
Conclusion
Overall, the ThunderX3 SOLO 360 hybrid gaming chair is a fine addition to today’s relatively saturated gaming chair marketplace. It not only provides excellent comfort and top-end build quality, but also comes with unique features that separate it from the competition. Better yet, with gaming chairs of this calibre usually costing well north of £200, it’s refreshing to see one hit shelves at a more reasonable sub-£200 price point.
All considered, we’d definitely recommend this gaming chair if you want something that isn’t overly gaming by design, but provides all the necessary features to make it a great chair for gaming.