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High-end gaming chairs can frequently exceed $500 in cost, often significantly more. Priced at $319.99, the Cougar Armor Evo M aims to undercut its rivals and position itself among the top gaming chairs without compromising on quality or features. In most respects, Cougar has achieved this, though there are some unavoidable trade-offs to evaluate before considering it as your main gaming or office chair.
Cougar Armor Evo M – Design and Assembly
In contrast to chairs from Secretlab, such as the Titan Evo, which offers numerous configuration options, Cougar opts for simplicity with the Armor Evo M, available in only black with orange details or black with gold details. The orange variant is somewhat more vibrant, with the accent color present on the chair’s logos, lettering, stitching, wheel rings, and along the exterior of the upper backrest. The light gold detailing is exclusively found on the logos, lettering, and stitching, which is the choice I opted for.
Considering the price, the Armor Evo M proves to be an unexpectedly feature-rich steel frame chair. The main material utilized is PVC leather, a synthetic, vegan product composed of polyvinyl chloride renowned for its durability, albeit not so much for its breathability. It includes a retractable footrest and 5D adjustable armrests—features often presented as extras or sometimes nonexistent in other pricier chairs like the Mavix M9. Additionally, it comes with a magnetic memory foam neck pillow and an independent lumbar cushion.
The Armor Evo M arrives in a notably large and flat box, weighing approximately 71 pounds, though the assembled chair is just over 57 pounds. The assembly process is fairly simple, arguably manageable by one individual; however, given the bulkiness of the box and the necessity to align certain components, I found it considerably easier to have an assistant.
The chair is assembled using the included combination Allen key and screwdriver along with several bolts, washers, and caps in just six steps, aided by having certain components like the retractable footrest preinstalled beneath the seat cushion. The only area I found somewhat challenging during the assembly was aligning the plastic side caps that help secure the backrest further to the seat cushion.
After assembly, I discovered it to be a visually appealing chair that fits well into various environments, including my informal home office. I am particularly fond of the stitched lines and logos, although I did notice that the “Armor Evo M” text behind the backrest was uneven, serving as a constant reminder of the trade-offs made for the chair’s competitive price.
Cougar Armor Evo M – Comfort and Performance
Manufacturers of gaming chairs frequently offer a variety of sizes to cater to different body shapes and weights. The Armor Evo M, in its singular configuration, can support up to 352 pounds without a height designation. While I believe the chair could comfortably accommodate all but the smallest individuals, I feel Cougar leans towards larger body types to provide maximum space. For example, the internal seat width is 14 inches of its total maximum width of 23 inches as it slopes upward, and the backrest measures 11 inches of its maximum 22.5 inches as it tilts forward.
Standing at just over 5 feet 9 inches with a medium build, I found the seat and backrest width to be exceptionally accommodating. In fact, the seat depth, measuring 20 inches from the backrest, was quite excessive for me, which is why the inclusion of the lumbar cushion is either a bonus or perhaps a necessity. Without that additional support, I would have to position myself too far back in the seat.the place to access the back support.
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In a similar vein, the 5D independently adjustable armrests not only elevate and rotate but also shift left and right, providing adjustable space as necessary. While they may not recline as close as desired, there’s no mistaking their exceptional versatility, and unlike the FS 360-degree rotating arms found on the Mavix M9, these remain stable. Moreover, they offer an extra feature where the upper segment of each armrest can be tilted upward to support your forearms when using handheld gadgets. It’s a capability I rarely encounter elsewhere, and it complements the Armor Evo M’s extendable footrest quite well.
Though you can utilize the slide-out footrest in the chair’s standard orientation, it becomes especially advantageous when leaning back. You can transition from a typical 90º upright position to a 155º recline, which, while not entirely flat, allows for a significant recline, ideal for using XR glasses or simply unwinding.
Naturally, as adaptable as the chair is, there are some downsides. If you’re anticipating the kind of plush cushioning found in a Secretlab Titan Evo, think again. While the Armor Evo M may look appealing, the foam cushions are rather firm and rigid. Even the Armor Evo M’s magnetic memory foam neck pillow, despite its branding, trends towards the firmer side compared to Titan Evo neck pillow’s softness.
The lumbar cushion included is similarly quite firm. I would have preferred a bit more softness for my lower back. Additionally, it measures a hefty 4.5 inches at its thickest, requiring me to slightly recline the chair to position it properly. Finally, while I understand the desire for a lumbar cushion that doesn’t get attached due to how the chair reclines, it’s also not magnetic, causing it to occasionally fall over when I rise.
While Cougar emphasizes the breathability of its PVC leather, I found that the material can still trap warmth, especially in the cushion seat. If you pair this chair with a headset like the Razer Kraken V4 Pro, which also retains heat around your ears, you’ll certainly need a fan during especially intense gaming sessions.
Lastly, although it’s a robust chair, I notice a slight squeak coming from below the seat when I lean back. It’s not frequent or loud enough to dissuade me, but it indicates that to achieve the Armor Evo M’s competitive pricing, Cougar made some compromises.
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