Secretlab Titan Evo Stealth (2022 Series): problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
The Stealth is a premium tall-backed gaming chair in Small, Regular and XL with a built-in 4-way lumbar and user-replaceable CloudSwap armrests. The recurring problems are armrest wear, very firm cold-cure foam, heat buildup under the non-breathable leatherette and, after 3-5 years, hydraulic-piston and bracket failures. There are no consumables; a long-term owner reported roughly $150 for an out-of-warranty gas-piston replacement. It is a strong buy at the 2025 sale prices of $479-499 and weaker at the $579 US list price.
Common problems and fixes
- Armrest tops wearing and tearing — the most reported long-term failure, sometimes within a few years; the magnetic CloudSwap tops are user-swappable, and replacement tops are around $20 apiece. [4][3b]
- Very firm cold-cure foam — WIRED found it jarring at first; there is no fix, it is a comfort preference rather than a defect. [5]
- Recline lever sticks and ratchets — leaning back while pulling the lever can make it ratchet suddenly; no owner fix is reported. [5]
- Hydraulic gas-piston failure — one 5-year owner reported the piston failing at about 3 years and leaking oil at about 5 years, with roughly $150 for an out-of-warranty replacement. [3]
- Seat-base bracket breakage — one owner reported the metal plate under the seat base that holds the armrest assembly breaking off just after warranty expiry, with others in the thread confirming the same failure; Secretlab offered only a paid replacement. [3d]
- Lumbar knob will not stay fixed — one owner reported the lumbar-support knob will not stay fixed. [3]
Parts and consumables
- CloudSwap armrest tops — the wear item; magnetic and user-replaceable, with replacement tops around $20 apiece for the Titan SL. [4][3b]
- Class 4 hydraulic piston — the part that failed at about 3 years in one long-term report; Secretlab sells it as a replacement, with roughly $150 reported out of warranty. [3]
- Seat base — one owner was quoted roughly $184 CAD for a replacement after the bracket plate broke. [3d]
- No routine consumables; maintenance is wiping the leatherette, and leather wipes were listed at $20 in a 2025 sale listing. [3a][14]
Yearly running cost
No subscriptions and no consumables. The only owner-paid costs are replacement parts when something fails: roughly $150 for an out-of-warranty gas piston, roughly $184 CAD for a seat base and around $20 per replacement armrest top. Secretlab publishes aftercare guides, and maintenance is wiping the leatherette. [3][3d][3b][3a]
When it is a good buy
- US: the Stealth NEO Hybrid Leatherette lists at $579 on the US product page; 2025 sale coverage showed $499 in July 2025 and $479 on Black Friday 2025. [2][14][15]
- Older US pricing: $429 small / $449 regular / $499 XL for the PU-leather variant in July 2021, and $534 small / $549 regular / $584 XL in IGN’s July 2021 launch review. [5][5b]
- UK: Stealth XL was on sale at GBP 489, down from GBP 539. [3a]
- At the 2025 sale prices of $479-499 the case is stronger; at $579-659 the buyer pays a premium for adjustability, three-size fit and the 5-year warranty. [14][15][5]
- Alternatives: a refurbished high-end office chair such as the Steelcase Leap or X-Chair X3 is the better choice if you want seat-depth adjustment and mesh breathability. [5]