Secretlab Professional Footrest review: next-level comfort however you game
Until now, I’ve always been the kind of gamer who pays no respect to posture. I put my feet up on my desk chair. I contort into pretzel shape when gaming on the sofa. Simply put, I deserve the aches and twinges that my poor back often suffers from. However, Secretlab has provided a solution to a problem I was too lazy to do anything about before.
Not familiar with Secretlab? Here’s a taste of what they offer:
The Secretlab Professional Footrest is the perfect accompaniment to PC gaming. Already having a setup consisting of a Titan Evo chair and a Magnus metal desk (both by the Singapore-based manufacturer), it’s perhaps not that surprising that a footrest by the same manufacturer would feel so good when added into the mix. And yet, I have to be honest, it did surprise me. The notion of footrest seemed luxurious to the point of being unnecessary, but I was wrong.
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Almost immediately, I could see the appeal. This nifty little device - measuring in at 554mm(L) x 344mm(W) x 109mm(H) - changed my posture and added a new level of comfort to my gaming sessions. Sitting upright, feet towards the middle of the footrest, I’m fully focused on the monitor, no longer distracted by the lack of comfort I get when twisting and contorting like a snake with a relentless itch. Honestly, it’s been a revelation for my Fortnite career, even if the £199 price tag may seem steep at first.
In terms of the technical aspects, the Secretlab Professonal Footrest comes with dual modes. The Dynamic option allows you to move your feet back and forth, friction-free, with the tilt-adjustable swivel mechanism that offers 30° of free-range movement. The alternative, which is called Stationary, lets you lock the footrest at your preferred angle (between +15° to -15°). I prefer the latter as it stops me fidgeting while gaming, but it’s purely down to personal taste.
In general, the Secretlab Professional Footrest feels solid as a rock thanks to its full-metal chassis. It’s also designed to have an extra-wide, flat-top surface, which means feet of virtually any size will fit with ease. (Human feet, that is, before anyone tries to be clever on me.)
Now, Secretlab may say this accessory is designed exclusively to go with their own chairs, but I’ve found it to be just as convenient for when I’m sitting on my living room couch, playing on console, as it is when at my PC desk. From casually sitting back while playing RPGs like Persona 3 Portable or The Witcher 3, or leaning forward during a tense round of GoldenEye’s Slappers Only (one for the OGs there), I’m perfectly content thanks to the added comfort provided by the Secretlab Professional Footrest.
As standard, the Secretlab Professional Footrest comes with a Secretlab Soft PU-coated Footrest Top, which is comfortable enough on its own. However, the manufacturer also provided me with a Secretlab PlushCell™ Memory Foam Footrest Top, which can be added onto the footrest in place of the standard cover, and it makes quite the difference. Its velour finish results in a softer, more pleasing feeling, and I can’t see myself going back to the PU-coated model any time soon.
All-in-all, I love this little thing. It’s stable and hefty enough to stay firmly in place on carpeted floors (some mild sliding issues on linoleum), but light enough to pick up and move around as you like. The additional top brings a welcome, added layer of comfort but, even without, the Secretlab Professional Footrest is a truly wonderful addition to any gamer’s setup, whether at a desk or on a couch.
The Secretlab Professional Footrest will be available from June 2023, and you can register your interest on their official site now. Review samples provided by Secretlab.