LiberNovo Omni Review: Is It Good for Your Back?

If you have spent any time looking at ergonomic office chairs online recently, there is a good chance you will have come across LiberNovo.

The company’s chairs look noticeably different from most conventional office chairs, with a motorised lumbar support system designed to introduce movement while you are sitting. It is an interesting idea, particularly for people who experience stiffness or discomfort after spending long periods at a desk.

I used the LiberNovo Omni for several weeks to explore its features, build quality and dynamic back support. More importantly, I wanted to answer the question many potential buyers will have: is the LiberNovo Omni genuinely good for your back, or is the motorised mechanism more of a novelty?

Prefer to watch the review? In the video below, I demonstrate the chair’s different adjustments, reclining mechanism and motorised lumbar support before giving my chiropractor’s verdict.

Disclosure: LiberNovo supplied the chair for this review. We have not been paid to produce the review, there are no affiliate links and LiberNovo did not have any control over the conclusions. As with all Sit School reviews, the aim is to provide an independent and balanced assessment.

Who are LiberNovo?

LiberNovo is a relatively new office chair company, having launched in 2023. The story behind the brand began with a technology entrepreneur who was reportedly struggling with back pain and wanted to approach office seating from a different direction.

The company subsequently attracted considerable attention through crowdfunding, raising more than $10 million to develop and market its chairs. That is one reason LiberNovo appears to have arrived so quickly across social media, YouTube and online advertising.

However, the Omni is not simply another heavily marketed office chair. Its central idea is different from most traditional ergonomic chairs: instead of providing only static lumbar support, the chair uses a motorised mechanism to move the lower part of the backrest while you are sitting.

The principle behind this is that introducing controlled movement may help reduce the stiffness associated with remaining in one position for too long. It is a sensible concept, but whether it works for you will depend upon your body, your back and how regularly you actually use it.

LiberNovo Omni features and adjustments

Before looking at the motorised lumbar system, it is worth covering the chair itself. The Omni is a substantial chair with a wide range of adjustments and generally feels like a well-made product.

The seat

The chair has a sculpted foam seat which feels relatively firm around the outside and softer through the centre. It provides a supportive sitting position without feeling excessively hard.

One limitation is that the seat depth is fixed. There is no conventional seat-slide adjustment to move the seat forwards or backwards.

For me, the depth was reasonably comfortable and left approximately a hand’s width between the front of the seat and the back of my knees. However, taller users may find that their legs extend further beyond the edge of the seat than they would like.

LiberNovo offers a larger version called the Omni Dynamic Maxi, which may provide a better fit for taller or larger users. This is worth considering carefully because neither the seat depth nor the main backrest height can be adjusted on the standard model.

Multi-adjustable armrests

The armrests offer a good level of adjustment. They can be moved:

• Up and down
• Forwards and backwards
• Inwards and outwards
• Closer together for a narrower sitting position
• Further apart to accommodate a broader user

The controls for the motorised lumbar support are also positioned on the side of the armrest. This makes the system relatively easy to operate without having to reach behind the chair.

Adjustable headrest

The headrest is one of the better conventional features on the chair. It can be raised and lowered, tilted to support the back of the head and moved forwards or backwards.

This makes it possible to position the support more accurately behind the head and upper neck, particularly when using the chair in one of its reclining positions.

A backrest designed to move with you

The Omni has a flexible backrest frame which allows it to move from side to side as you change position. Rather than holding you rigidly in the centre of the chair, the backrest follows some of the movement through your trunk.

It creates a slightly cocooned feeling, almost like the supportive seats found in some sports cars. Importantly, the movement does not feel loose or uncontrolled. You need to initiate it yourself, and the backrest does not simply drift from side to side while you are working.

I found this aspect of the chair surprisingly comfortable. It gives you greater freedom to turn, reach and change position without completely losing contact with the backrest.

The mechanism also feels sturdy. There was no significant movement in the frame, no loose components and no obvious deterioration during the time I used it.

Reclining positions and footrest

The backrest can be used in several different positions. It can be locked relatively upright, allowed to recline partially or released into a much deeper reclining position.

The full recline takes a little trust at first because the chair moves backwards quite quickly. Once you become accustomed to it, however, the base feels stable and well planted. I did not feel as though the chair was likely to tip over.

The optional footrest complements the reclining position by allowing you to support your legs while using the motorised lumbar system. This is probably the position in which the movement of the backrest feels most noticeable.

Whether you will get much work done while fully reclined is another question. I found it more suitable for taking a short break than for normal desk work.

How does the motorised lumbar support work?

The main feature of the LiberNovo Omni is its motorised dynamic lumbar support.

As the mechanism operates, the lower section of the backrest moves towards the body and then gradually releases. This changes the pressure through the lower back and introduces a repeated flexing and extending movement while you remain in the chair.

You can use the system in an automatic cycle or adjust the amount of lumbar support manually. This allows you to increase or decrease how firmly the backrest presses into your lower back.

In the fully reclined position, the movement is quite noticeable. It produces a definite pressure through the lumbar spine and may feel relatively strong when you use it for the first time. Some people will enjoy that sensation, while others may prefer a gentler setting.

The movement feels less intense when sitting upright. In this position, it is more like the chair is gently mobilising the muscles, joints and connective tissues around the lower back.

The motor can be heard while the mechanism is operating, although it is not excessively loud. It produces a low mechanical whirring sound which I think most people would become accustomed to.

Battery life and charging

The motorised mechanism is powered by a rechargeable battery attached to the side of the chair. This means the chair does not need to remain permanently plugged into a wall socket while you are using it.

The battery lasts for several hours of active use before it needs to be recharged by USB. In reality, most people are unlikely to run the lumbar mechanism continuously, so the time between charges will depend upon how frequently it is used.

This does introduce another consideration, however. If the battery runs flat, you need to remember to recharge it. During my review period, the battery went flat and I did not immediately feel compelled to charge it. It took me a day or so to get around to it.

That raised an important question: if I did not particularly miss the motorised support while it was unavailable, how essential was it to my experience of the chair?

Assembly and presentation

The Omni arrives in a large box and there are quite a few components to assemble. The chair is also heavy, weighing somewhere in the region of 30kg, so having another person available may make the process easier.

Despite this, the assembly process was relatively straightforward. The printed instructions were clear and included a useful visual guide which took you through the process step by step. LiberNovo also provides assembly videos and detailed supporting manuals.

The packaging, instructions and overall presentation were very good. It felt as though considerable thought had gone into the complete experience rather than just the chair itself.

What is the LiberNovo Omni like to use every day?

After using the chair for several weeks, there is no question that it ticks many of the boxes expected from a premium ergonomic chair.

It offers good armrest adjustment, an effective headrest, several reclining positions and a flexible backrest which allows more movement than a conventional fixed frame. The materials feel substantial and the chair has remained stable, with no components working loose or beginning to creak.

It is, however, a large chair. It projects quite a long way behind the desk and may feel imposing in a smaller home office. This is not a discreet task chair which can easily be tucked away when it is not being used.

There are also a lot of controls to understand. Most people will work them out, but it may take some time before you feel completely comfortable with every adjustment.

Could the motorised support become a gimmick?

This is probably the most important question surrounding the LiberNovo Omni.

The motorised lumbar system works, and it undoubtedly introduces movement into the lower back. The issue is whether you will continue using it once the initial novelty has passed.

During my first few days with the chair, I regularly experimented with the buttons and different settings. Other people who saw the chair also wanted to try the mechanism. After a while, however, there were occasions when I sat in the chair for an extended period without turning it on.

It reminds me slightly of a sit-stand desk. For the first few weeks, someone may switch regularly between sitting and standing. A few months later, the desk may remain in its lowest position unless the person has developed a genuine habit around using it.

The same principle applies here. The technology can only provide a benefit if you use it.

The manually adjustable lumbar position is useful, but similar support can be achieved more simply with a conventional adjustable lumbar pad, inflatable lumbar support or height-adjustable backrest. It is the repeated dynamic movement which makes the Omni different.

Is the LiberNovo Omni good for back pain?

From a chiropractor’s perspective, the answer depends heavily upon the type of back pain you have.

If your back becomes mildly stiff or uncomfortable after sitting for long periods, the dynamic lumbar system may be helpful. It introduces some movement and changes the pressure through your lower back without requiring you to leave the chair.

For general muscular stiffness, it may feel pleasant and provide a useful reminder that your spine does not need to remain fixed in one position throughout the working day.

However, I would be more cautious if you have:

• Severe or acute back pain
• Significant sciatica
• Numbness or tingling running into the leg
• Back pain requiring regular pain medication
• Osteoporosis or a particularly fragile spine
• A condition which is aggravated by pressure or repeated lumbar movement

In these situations, the motorised movement could feel too forceful or irritating. You may also be less in control of the pressure being applied than you would be during a stretch or exercise prescribed specifically for you.

There is also a danger of buying an expensive chair in the hope that it will provide a complete solution to an ongoing back problem. No chair can replace appropriate assessment, exercise, rehabilitation and regular physical activity.

Even with dynamic lumbar support, you still need to get up, walk around and change position during the day. Movement within a chair is helpful, but it is not the same as moving your whole body.

What are the main drawbacks?

The LiberNovo Omni is innovative and well made, but it will not be right for everyone. The main limitations I found were:

• No adjustable seat slide on the standard chair
• No height adjustment through the main backrest
• A large and heavy design
• The battery needs to be recharged
• The motor produces some background noise
• The lumbar movement may feel too strong for some users
• The main feature is only worthwhile if you continue to use it
• It is a substantial investment for a chair you may not have tried

The availability of a larger Maxi version may help taller users, but choosing the correct size remains important because some of the dimensions cannot be altered once you have bought the chair.

LiberNovo Omni review: the chiropractor’s verdict

The LiberNovo Omni is certainly different. I like the thinking behind it, the flexible side-to-side movement and the attempt to bring more movement into an activity which is usually very static.

The build quality is good, the chair feels stable and the conventional features are generally well designed. The headrest and armrests offer plenty of adjustment, while the reclining mechanism creates a comfortable position for short periods away from normal desk work.

The motorised lumbar support is more difficult to judge. It works exactly as intended, but its long-term value depends upon whether you enjoy the sensation and develop a habit of using it. If you stop using the motor, a good conventional ergonomic chair may provide much of what you need for considerably less money.

At around £1,200 in the UK at the time of filming, this is a significant purchase. LiberNovo offers a 30-day trial, which is particularly important with a chair of this type. Check the current trial terms before ordering and remember that you may need to retain the packaging if you decide to return it.

I would strongly recommend trying the chair where possible, particularly if you are buying it because of existing back pain. You need to know whether your back tolerates and benefits from the repeated movement rather than simply assuming that more technology will produce a better result.

For someone with general stiffness who enjoys the dynamic support and will use it regularly, the LiberNovo Omni could be a very interesting chair. For someone with more acute or sensitive back pain, or someone unlikely to use the motor after the first few weeks, a more conventional adjustable ergonomic chair may be the more sensible choice.

Need help choosing an office chair?

The best office chair is not necessarily the one with the most technology or the highest price. It is the chair which fits your body, supports the way you work and gives you the adjustments you will genuinely use.

At Well Adjusted Seating, we provide chiropractor-led office chair advice, chair fittings and a carefully selected range of ergonomic office chairs. You can also explore more independent chair reviews and practical seating advice through Sit School.