The Blacklyte Athena Pro Gaming Chair is a premium-built chair designed for a wide range of users. Available in both leatherette and fabric materials, the Athena Pro offers impressive ergonomic support, solid and comfortable padding throughout the back and seat, and a host of adjustable points throughout the chair’s design. While there is a vast array of gaming chairs on the market to choose from, Blacklyte’s Athena Pro Gaming Chair offers premium build quality and comfort, along with support that helps it stand out from the crowd.
Constructed of both aluminum and hard-plastic framing, the Athena Pro feels sturdy and durable once assembled. On that note, assembly is quick and easy, requiring only a single person and the provided Allen wrench. I found during the setup process that all threaded bolt holes were perfectly aligned, allowing for easy tightening of the included leg bolts. Each part fits tightly together, with typical tension points, such as attaching the back to the seat or snapping the wheels in place, coming together quite easily and without much effort required.
All of the components feel sturdy and durable, with the chair’s base-to-seat ratio being well-balanced. This means for those edge-of-the-seat sitters, you should have no concerns about the chair tilting forward and leaving you promptly sitting on the floor. This is accomplished in part thanks to the 27.6-inch wheelbase and hefty 50 mm PU silent casters, which offer smooth gliding on both carpet and hardwood floors.
“The Athena Pro offers impressive ergonomic support.”
On the note of the seat’s design, the Athena Pro offers a 21.3-inch seat width and 18.9-inch depth and a lush dual-layer cushion that is quite comfortable to sit in while still offering solid support. The backrest, likewise, offers a similar level of support, with an impressive adjustable lumbar system that offers both height and firmness adjustments thanks to the dual-knob adjusters located on either side of the chair. My one small critique of the design is that it is difficult to make lumbar adjustments while sitting in the chair.
That being said, the lower- and upper-back support provided by the Athena Pro is exceptional. While firmly present, the lumbar is still quite well-padded, so it never feels like something is digging into your back. On the contrary, the curvature of the back design feels exceptional for sitting, even for longer periods of gaming. To top it all off, Blacklyte has included a dual magnetic pillow to support the neck and head, with an emphasis on plushness. With a fairly large surface area for the pillow, most users should have no issue finding the perfect fit for their head.
The Athena Pro also offers impressive tilt control, with 135-degree back recline and 14 degrees of seat-rocking capability. The rocking feature is worth noting, as it adds a whole new level of adjustment and comfort to the user experience. When combined with the tilt adjustment, the chair can position you almost completely horizontal, which, I have to confess, was a bit daunting the first time I tested it with my 210-pound frame. However, after multiple tests, it has consistently supported my weight while fully reclined.
“The Athena Pro also offers impressive tilt control.”
All of the adjustment levers along the seat, from tilt to height to rocking mode, are easy to reach without needing to tilt awkwardly over the chair to use them. The base offers exceptionally smooth gliding during adjustments as well, complementing the already premium user experience.
As for the armrest support, like the rest of the Athena Pro, the armrests are well-crafted and offer great adjustability. Featuring a standard 4D adjustment structure, they provide a wide range of tilt, rise and slide functionality, offering great positioning options. The actual armrest padding is also quite comfortable, with Blacklyte opting for a dense foam cover over harder plastic, which I greatly appreciate.
The overall mix of exceptional comfort and body support is superb with the Athena Pro. The team at Blacklyte sent over the white leatherette version of the chair, and it looks absolutely gorgeous in my office. The attention to detail in the stitching and embroidered logo really helps promote the overall premium design and construction of the chair.
Cleaning the Athena Pro is also quite easy. Thanks to the leatherette material, a leatherette cleaner and cloth make quick work of any scuffs or dirt. While the white might feel a bit daunting to keep in pristine condition, the nature of the material makes maintaining its cleanliness a simple affair.
The Athena Pro Gaming Chair from Blacklyte is exceptional. It provides superb support for the back, with both the backrest and seat feeling comfortable even after long periods of use. The armrests, headrest and adjustable supports come together to provide great comfort and flexibility for a wide range of users. This is a chair tailor-made to accommodate a wide range of body types, providing all-day comfort. If you are in the market for an upgrade to your gaming chair, the Athena Pro is a chair worth considering.
