noblechairs AURA Review of both variants

noblechairs

noblechairs is a brand of the German Pro Gamers Group, which also includes Caseking, among others. Since 2016, the Berlin-based company has specialized in the manufacture of gaming and office chairs. With model series such as EPIC, HERO, ICON, LEGEND, as well as the DAWN—which we’ve already reviewed—the manufacturer caters to a variety of designs and ergonomic preferences.

The products are available in a variety of materials, including PU leather, genuine leather, hybrid leather, and fabric upholstery. In addition, noblechairs regularly stands out through collaborations with well-known brands, including special editions for Bethesda, Star Wars, and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

With the AURA series, noblechairs is now introducing the sixth model to its portfolio.

Ordering Process, Packaging, and Package Contents

Ordering

The noblechairs AURA is available in various versions directly through the company’s own web shop, affiliated partners such as Caseking, and now also through Amazon (Affiliate). We ordered and tested both the "AtmoShell Black" and "TX Anthracite" for you. The AtmoShell version currently costs around €519.90, while the TX model is priced at €469.90.

The main difference between the two models lies in the upholstery material. While the black AtmoShell features a breathable hybrid synthetic leather, the TX version in anthracite comes with a soft fabric cover. We’ll go into detail later.

Packaging

The chair is delivered in a large cardboard box measuring 81.5 x 70.0 x 35.5 cm, which has a hefty gross weight of 32.9 kg.

The chair itself weighs 29.7 kg. The packaging is thoughtfully designed to prevent damage during transport to the relatively heavy aluminum base and the mechanism. Anyone who needs to carry the chair up to an upper floor should ideally enlist the help of a second person or use a hand truck due to its weight.

We did not find any scratches or shipping damage on either chair. However, unlike the DAWN, the AURA unfortunately relied heavily on plastic sleeves as packing material inside the box.

Package Contents

In addition to the chair components, the package includes the assembly instructions and a nicely designed box containing the screws and a wrench, which we found much better than the small bags in which the screws are simply loose.

Assembly

Assembling the noblechairs AURA follows a standard process and can be completed in 20 to 30 minutes using the included, illustrated instructions.

We’ve listed the parts here for you again in the order they appear in the images on the first page:

• 1 - 5 x M8 x 20 mm Allen screws (including lock washers and flat washers)
• 2 - 5 x M8 x 30 mm Allen screws
• 3 - 6 x M8 x 30 mm flat-head Allen screws
• 4 - Backrest bracket
• 5 - Outer plastic cover with "noblechairs" lettering
• 6 - Inner plastic cover
• 7 - Headrest
• 8 - 2 Allen wrenches [fits M8 and M6 screws]
• 9 - Base
• 10 - Seat
• 11 - Backrest
• 12 - Seat mechanism
• 13 - Casters
• 14 - Gas spring
• 15 - Telescopic cover
• 16 - Armrests

So let’s start with the underside of the chair. First, we assembled a small tower using the backrest and the headrest cushion to make it easier to mount the armrests 10 onto the chair.

When attaching the armrests 16, make sure to mount each one on the correct side. These are then mounted to the underside using three M8 x 30 mm flat-head Allen screws 3 each.

Since the armrests have wide mounting holes here as well, you can adjust their width at any time, even after assembly. We opted for the widest version right from the start.

Next, attach the seat mechanism 12 to the seat 10.

Position the mechanism so that the backrest bracket faces backward. Align the designated holes on the mechanism and the seat, then secure them with four M8 x 30 mm cylinder head screws 2.

Next, attach the backrest bracket 4 to the pre-assembled unit on the back of the mechanism. To secure the assembly, use three of the shorter M8 x 20 mm screws 1.

Now let’s move on to the base, starting with the base frame 9. According to the instructions, turn it upside down, install the five casters 13 into the designated openings, and then, with it right side up again and positioned on the floor, attach the gas spring 14, into which the telescoping cover 15 is inserted. After that, place the entire seat unit onto the gas spring.

Since placing the chair onto the base frame by itself can be a bit fiddly, after assembling the first seat, we simplified the process for the second chair by using a different method. In this case, we first inserted the gas spring 14 into the seat 10—which was already placed on the floor—along with the telescoping cover ` 15, and then placed the base 9 directly on top of it. After that, we installed all the casters 13`. And just like that, flipping the chair over is much less stressful, without having to position the seat onto the gas spring.

Next, attach the inner, U-shaped plastic cover 6 to the metal bracket.

This cover is magnetic and can be removed and reattached at any time, for example, for cleaning.

Next, attach the backrest 11 to the previously installed connecting bracket 4. This can be a bit tricky to do alone due to the backrest’s heavy weight. Feel free to ask for help with this. Slide the backrest onto the bracket and secured on the sides with the remaining two M8 x 20 mm screws 1.

Finally, slide the outer plastic cover with the "noblechairs" logo 5 over the bracket...

...and the headrest 7 is inserted into the backrest from above.

And with that, you’ve now fully assembled your noblechairs AURA.

Operation

Tilt Adjustment

The heart of the AURA is the Synchro-Tilt mechanism. Unlike the classic rocking mechanism, where the seat and backrest remain rigid at a fixed angle, here the seat and backrest move in a coordinated arc, as we already saw with the DAWN. When you lean back, the backrest tilts up to 22 degrees, while the seat moves along with it by up to 6.5 degrees.

The AURA can be locked into three fixed positions throughout its entire tilt range. Depending on which one you choose, you’ll need to turn the dial backward to release it, select the desired position from the three options, and lock it firmly in place by turning the dial forward. The angles are approximately 90°, 96°, and 112°.

As we’ve already noted with the DAWN, this range is somewhat limited compared to many competitors. For example, it’s not possible to recline all the way back. While this range is generally sufficient for productive sitting while working or leaning back more comfortably while gaming, the restriction to just three levels does make you feel somewhat limited.

This is particularly noticeable in a direct comparison to the the DAWN, which offered four positions, this is particularly noticeable. The large gap between the penultimate and final positions in particular suggests that another locking position could easily have been integrated here. During testing, we often found ourselves thinking that this exact angle—between "relaxed sitting while working" and "leaning back too far"—was missing, a position that was still available as an intermediate setting on the DAWN.

# Tilt Tension

The resistance of the Synchro-Tilt mechanism can be adjusted using the dial located on the right side. This allows you to adapt it to your body weight so that the chair neither gives way too easily when you lean back nor requires too much force.

Turn the dial forward to increase the tension and backward to decrease it. There are four different settings available. We find this tilt tension adjustment much more user-friendly than the large spring tensioners on the underside, which is how most chairs have been adjusted up until now.

Lockable Tilt Function

As with the DAWN, the AURA does not feature a separately adjustable tilt function for the entire chair, as is common on some other gaming chairs. However, we did not view this as a drawback, since the flexibility of the Synchro-Tilt mechanism is entirely sufficient in practice.

Height Adjustment

Adjusting the seat height is quite conventional and works exactly as you’d expect from most office chairs. It’s adjusted using the first switch on the right side, directly behind the tilt tension dial—simply pull the lever and apply or release pressure on the chair accordingly. The lowest seat position is 40 cm, and the highest is 49 cm.

Depth Adjustment

One feature that’s rather unusual for classic gaming chairs—and one that clearly positions the AURA as an ergonomic gaming chair—is the adjustable seat depth. Using the second switch on the right side, the entire seat can be moved forward by up to 6 cm.

In our hands-on test, we were able to identify exactly five fixed positions when extending the seat. This allows the thigh support to be optimally adjusted to different leg lengths. It effectively prevents a seat that’s too short from lacking support or a seat edge that’s too long from pressing uncomfortably into the backs of the knees. In this regard, the AURA is a few steps ahead of some gaming chairs.

Armrests

The AURA features the "4D Armrest Pro" system for its armrests, which is DAWN armrests. This system offers adjustments for height, depth, angle, and width.

The mechanism behind these adjustments is fairly conventional and corresponds to what you’d expect from current gaming and office chairs. Adjusting the various dimensions is precise and easy to do:

• Height: There’s an alloy switch on the outside of the armrests. Pull it up and hold it, while pulling the armrest up to the desired height or pushing it down.
• Depth and angle: There’s another switch on the front of the inner side that you can easily operate with your thumb. Hold it down to move the armrest forward or backward with a little effort, or to rotate it left or right.
• Width: To move the armrests closer to or farther from your body, use the push-button switch located in the center of the inner side of the armrests.

Replaceable Arm Pads

One advantage of this 4D Armrest Pro system is the replaceable arm pads.

The mechanism for this may not be immediately obvious at first glance, but it’s easy to do: At the rear, lower end of the armrest, there’s a slightly protruding area. Pressing this releases the pad’s lock. Hold this area down and slide the pad forward at the same time. Once the pad is in the front position, it can be easily removed by lifting it upward.

Reinstallation follows the same principle in reverse order: Place the pad in the front position and gently slide it backward until the mechanism locks firmly into place again.

This is intended not only for maintenance but also to accommodate personal preferences. Currently, the armrests are not yet available in the noblechairs shop, but upon inquiry, we received the following response:

• "In addition, we’ll be offering the interchangeable pads in various versions so that everyone can customize the armrests to their own preferences. I can already reveal that velour will be one of the upcoming options."

Lumbar Support

Unlike the simple slider on the DAWN, the AURA features a 4-way lumbar support that’s integrated directly into the backrest. Two side-mounted dials allow you to adjust both the height and depth of the support. The controls on each side are divided as follows:

• Right control (depth): Turning this clockwise extends the lumbar support further and increases the curve. Turning it counterclockwise retracts it.
• Left knob (height): This controls the vertical position. Turning it clockwise moves the lumbar support downward, while turning it counterclockwise moves it upward.

The mechanism reliably maintains the set position and, in our opinion, eliminates the need for a separate lumbar cushion, which often slips out of place in practice.

Adjustable Headrest

As mentioned earlier during the setup, the AURA’s headrest is inserted directly into the backrest via two metal rods. These rods feature six notches that allow the headrest to extend up to 7 cm further.

In practice, however, our test showed that the resistance intended to hold the headrest in these notches is a bit too weak. As a result, the whole thing sits a little too loosely, and especially in the first few grooves, the headrest can slip through quickly. A small clamp or a switch to lock it firmly in place would have remedied this issue.

Fortunately, for most of you, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem in everyday use: Anyone shorter than 1.90 m doesn’t need to worry about the headrest sliding down anyway, since it’s already perfectly positioned in the lowest setting for people of that height.

We therefore kept the headrest in the lowest setting throughout our test, where it confidently fulfilled its purpose for us.

Design, Materials, and Comfort

Design

Visually, noblechairs stays true to its style: The AURA impresses with a mature, clean design without any fussy edges. The two variants we tested—AtmoShell and TX—make a solid and pleasantly understated impression. Whether in a gaming room or a professional home office—in our opinion, the AURA fits perfectly into both worlds and is equally well-suited for both uses .

Stylistically, it doesn’t stand out quite as boldly or futuristically as the DAWN did, it scores points, in our view, with timeless elegance. The metal emblem on the backrest also provides an appealing tactile finish. In the details, however, the models reveal their own distinct character: While the AtmoShell variant features a solid, rich black, the TX model features fine silver threads woven into the anthracite-colored fabric that lighten up the overall look and add a beautiful visual accent. On both chairs, the chrome-plated components on the armrests further enhance the appearance and leave a very clean impression.

Overall, the very subtle branding contributes to the elegant look. The use of understated logos pleasantly underscores the chair’s high-quality appearance. However, one small detail caught our attention when directly comparing the two models on the headrest: While the logo on the TX variant is elegantly embroidered, on the AtmoShell version it is merely embossed into the faux leather. The latter is a bit of a shame when compared directly to the beautiful embroidery of the TX model.

Materials and Workmanship

When it comes to material selection, noblechairs relies on tried-and-true options. The supporting structure consists of a solid steel frame resting on a sturdy aluminum base. The seat, backrest, and integrated headrest are all padded with dense cold foam, which guarantees excellent dimensional stability.

The AtmoShell variant features high-tech synthetic leather as the upholstery material, while the TX Edition uses a soft fabric cover. The design is rounded out by armrests made of chrome-plated components and polyurethane, as well as floor-friendly 60-mm nylon-polyurethane casters that can glide smoothly across any floor surface.

The overall stability is solid: The aluminum base, the metal mounts on the armrests and at the front beneath the headrest, as well as the sturdy seat mechanism, all appear extremely robust. The stitching on our test unit was also flawlessly executed in every single spot.

Upon closer inspection, however, we did discover a few minor flaws: In our opinion, the transition at the back of the seat isn’t quite as cleanly finished with the magnetic cover—the upholstery is creased forward here.

We also found small scraps of fabric and rough edges under the armrest padding. Sure, you can’t see these spots from the outside during normal daily use, but for a chair in this price range, it still leaves a slightly uneasy feeling.

Apart from these two issues, however, the chair is well-finished all around, with no other protruding frayed edges or exposed mechanisms.

Seating Comfort

As we’ve come to expect from DAWN, the seating comfort is typically firm for the brand and, thanks to the Synchro-Tilt mechanism and the lumbar support, provides consistently good relief for the back. The backrest and armrests cradle the body very well. The AURA is recommended for a maximum weight capacity of up to 150 kg, and fortunately, the dense cold foam doesn’t sag uncomfortably under the weight.

Overall, the AURA offers significantly more ergonomic features than the DAWN. A major plus and a noticeable improvement here —in addition to the more flexible armrests—is the seat depth adjustment. This brings noticeably more flexibility to everyday use, which we and our backs greatly appreciate; however, it comes with a small trade-off: While the DAWN offered four positions, the AURA’s tilt mechanism can only be locked into three fixed positions across its entire range of motion. Although this range is generally sufficient for productive sitting while work or for leaning back more relaxed while gaming, the preset settings still make you feel somewhat limited, as explained in the Tilt Adjustment section.

When it comes to the AURA’s seat depth, unlike typical gaming chairs, we have the clear advantage of a flexibly adjustable seat. This can be optimally adjusted to your own leg length. This provides excellent support for the thighs and allows you to ergonomically tailor the chair much more effectively to your own body type—a point we’d like to highlight as particularly positive in our test compared to previous chairs.

As for breathability: It’s adequate for both upholstery options. Thanks to its more advanced, breathable hybrid leather upholstery, the AtmoShell model feels slightly cooler than the TX version. Of course, neither version can quite keep up with pure mesh alternatives or specialized designs like the fan-equipped DXRacer Martian Pro. At temperatures above 30 degrees, closed-cell padding naturally struggles, but outside of the height of summer, both versions perform exceptionally well.

Additionally, the AURA—just like the DAWN—doesn’t come with a pillow included in the box. While the chair features a built-in, height-adjustable headrest, but in our opinion, simply leaning against the cushion isn’t the most comfortable option in the long run. noblechairs offers various cushion sets for this purpose; we’ve already used the Memory Foam Cushion Set to upgrade the DAWN. It’s a bit of a shame, however, that the set requires you to purchase a lumbar cushion, even though the chair doesn’t actually need one thanks to its built-in lumbar support.

AURA AtmoShell Black vs. AURA TX Anthracite

For the AURA, noblechairs offers two variants: TX and AtmoShell. We had the chance to try both out and will explain the exact differences for you here. Both models are mechanically identical, but differ in their upholstery material.

AURA AtmoShell Black

For this variant, noblechairs uses AtmoShell hybrid leather in black, which is produced in Germany using a solvent-free process. The fine pores of the upholstery are designed to ensure better air circulation, which is noticeably beneficial compared to many other synthetic leather chairs.

In any case, the material has proven to be more resistant to abrasion and, thanks to simple damp wiping, is significantly easier to maintain than the fabric version. Overall, this offers a solid compromise between the classic, elegant leather look and comfortable breathability for longer gaming or work sessions.

AURA TX Anthracite

The TX version features a soft, gray fabric cover. In our tests, we found that both models offer the same level of breathability; however, we personally prefer the TX version. It has a slightly cozier look, though it requires a bit more effort to clean when soiled compared to the wipeable AtmoShell surface. On the other hand, the anthracite-silver stitching combination and the headrest with the embroidered noblechairs pattern are a much more striking visual feature than the merely embossed logo on the AtmoShell version.

Specifications & Technical Data

The noblechairs AURA is designed for a maximum weight capacity of up to 150 kg.

The seat height ranges from 40 cm to 49 cm, depending on the setting. The seat width is 35 cm at the inner edge and 54 cm at the widest point on the outside. The backrest measures 58 cm at its widest point and 98 cm in length. The backrest can be reclined up to 22°, while the seat can be tilted up to 6°. The 4D armrests allow for a height adjustment range of 7 cm.

The chair has a minimum overall depth of 47 cm, with the seat depth itself measuring 53 cm, which can, however, be adjusted by 6 cm.

Conclusion

With the AURA , noblechairs delivers a chair that, while it doesn’t completely reinvent the wheel in the gaming and office segments, offers well-thought-out, ergonomic features that we absolutely appreciate in this price range. In our opinion, the material quality and design are of a very high standard. Minor flaws in the workmanship, such as the rough fabric edges under the armrests, are tolerable in practice, but still leave a slight bad taste given the price.

When choosing the upholstery, you can’t go wrong with either model—it ultimately comes down to personal preference: The AtmoShell version scores points for being easier to clean and for its breathable hybrid leather.

Personally, however, we chose the TX version as our favorite during testing. The combination of soft fabric, the anthracite-silver stitching, and the high-quality embroidered logo simply looks better and feels significantly cozier.

Strong Ergonomics, but Limited Tilt

Back to the initial question: In our opinion, the AURA is clearly the "more complete DAWN"—with one caveat.

One advantage over many other gaming chairs is the seat depth adjustment, which allows you to perfectly adapt the seating surface to your leg length. The easily accessible tilt tension adjustment on the side is also a great comfort feature. In addition, the Synchro-Tilt mechanism is a real highlight: When you lean back, the seat automatically adjusts to a healthy angle, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.

However, where the AURA noticeably falls short is in the backrest’s recline adjustment. A range of just 90° to 112° is rather limited compared to the 140° or more typically found on gaming chairs. Added to this is the lack of freedom in locking the position: The chair can only be locked into three fixed positions. Compared to the DAWN (which offered four positions), we’re missing exactly the intermediate position that was the absolute sweet spot for relaxed sitting in our everyday use.

The AURA Compared to the Competition

When comparing the AURA to other models in its price range, its clear strengths and weaknesses become apparent:

• Quersus VAOS.3 Audi (approx. €550): In terms of quality and features, it’s a direct competitor on equal footing. Although it offers four recline positions (and the Audi license), it lacks adjustable seat depth and a rocking function.
• Corsair TC500 LUXE (MSRP €550, currently approx. €400): It can’t quite keep up with the AURA in terms of overall material quality and armrest adjustment options, and it also lacks seat depth adjustment. However, it scores points with a fully adjustable recline range (90° to 160°) that includes a lockable position.
• DXRacer Martian XL (approx. €599): In terms of quality and appearance, we rank it slightly below the AURA, but it pulls out all the stops when it comes to features: an electric, fully adjustable recline (90° to 135°), clever magnetically interchangeable armrests, and an air-chamber-adjustable lumbar support.
• • *noblechairs DAWN (MSRP €500, currently approx. €380):** This in-house "little brother" model is significantly simpler in terms of features and materials (primarily plastic, though Made in Italy). Nevertheless, we appreciate it for its ergonomics and the built-in Synchro-Tilt mechanism.

Price, Warranty, and Final Assessment

In terms of price, the AURA falls squarely in the middle of its class at around 519.90 € (AtmoShell) or 469.90 € (TX Anthracite).

As with the DAWN, noblechairs offers a two-year warranty on the AURA. While many competitors advertise warranties of three to five years, these are often tied to very extensive and strict conditions. However, the official spare parts shop via Gamersware is a very positive feature, as it provides access to repair parts as needed—even after the warranty has expired.

In summary, the noblechairs AURA is a rock-solid and technically sophisticated chair that excels in everyday use exactly where it counts: ergonomics. Thanks to the seat depth adjustment and Synchro-Tilt mechanism, you get a comfortable and back-friendly overall package, though unfortunately with limited recline adjustment options. If you can do without a more relaxed working position and reclining function, you’ll find a strong mid-range performer here that looks great and does its job without compromise.

The chair itself is recommended for people weighing up to 150 kg. Based on the flexibility of the seat depth and the positioning of the headrest, we would recommend the AURA for people between 1.70 m and 2.00 m tall.

Pros

• Solid combination of material quality and design
• Enhanced by a synchro-tilt mechanism and seat depth adjustment
• Spare parts available through [Gamersware][41]
• Adjustable headrest

Cons

• Limited recline angle and locking positions for the backrest
• Minor shortcomings with the armrests
• Unfortunately, it comes without a cushion, and the headrest provides a somewhat loose fit