Are Herman Miller chairs really worth it?

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

UPDATE:

I just got my Aeron, the seat is extremely comfortable, unlike anything I've ever sat on, no more numb bum for sure, all in all I'm happy but there's one thing annoying me. I've locked the seat position but there's still some movement on the base? Just a little bit of rocking motion when I sit down or move around, is this normal?

I currently have an Ikea Marcus which is fine, but I also suffer with severe back pain and I was wondering how good HM chairs really are and if they'd help my back problems when gaming?

They're £1000 new which I could never afford, but you can get refurb ones for £300 which is more doable if it'll be worth it.

Cor · Dec 25, 2018

Very good and worth it. Last a decade. Buy used if you can.

Courage · Dec 25, 2018

I hated the Aeron because of the hard plastic lip on the front of the chair; it felt like it cut off circulation from both of my thighs. You can only sit on Aerons a specific way or else it's just really uncomfortable. Then again I'm a bigger dude so ymmv.

I would go for a Steelcase Leap v1 or v2 though

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

Courage said:
I hated the Aeron because of the hard plastic lip on the front of the chair; it felt like it cut off circulation from both of my thighs. You can only sit on Aerons a specific way or else it's just really uncomfortable. Then again I'm a bigger dude so ymmv.

I would go for a Steelcase Leap v1 or v2 though

Yeah that's the thing, I'm open to other options for sure, as long as it's a noticeable comfort/support upgrade from Ikea Marcus.

dmoe · Dec 25, 2018

I got mine from eBay when they had one of those 20% coupons. Look for Maddison seating on eBay. They sell "Used" Herman Miller chairs. I would bet my life that mine was never used. Had the original tags and plastic still on it. Doesn't look like it was even rolled in once. They got sued once because they sold them so cheap. Mine had all the bells and whistles for like 400

thesoapster · Dec 25, 2018

If you find one you like, yeah, they are. They'll last a very, very long time. I think I've had mine (bought from some office closing liquidation or whatever...so possibly used) over ten years now?

If you're not in love with any of them, there are other brands out there, though.

Deleted member 15428 · Dec 25, 2018

Is your health worth €1000-€1500?

Conkerkid11 · Dec 25, 2018

dmoe said:
I got mine from eBay when they had one of those 20% coupons. Look for Maddison seating on eBay. They sell "Used" Herman Miller chairs. I would bet my life that mine was never used. Had the original tags and plastic still on it. Doesn't look like it was even rolled in once. They got sued once because they sold them so cheap. Mine had all the bells and whistles for like 400

I might just have to remember this post exists the next time eBay's got one of those coupons

Courage · Dec 25, 2018

MrH said:
Yeah that's the thing, I'm open to other options for sure, as long as it's a noticeable comfort/support upgrade from Ikea Marcus.

Do you have any office furniture stores near you that may have these chairs in stock? Based on everyone's descriptions of the Aeron I thought I was gonna love it but ended up hating it. It's better to sit on them for as long as you can and see which one is more comfortable for you before spending money and having to return it afterwards.

mescalineeyes · Dec 25, 2018

MrH said:
I currently have an Ikea Marcus which is fine, but I also suffer with severe back pain and I was wondering how good HM chairs really are and if they'd help my back problems when gaming?

They're £1000 new which I could never afford, but you can get refurb ones for £300 which is more doable if it'll be worth it.

As a fellow ikea Markus owner, hell yeah get the fuck out of that awful, awful chair. It's slowly killing you.

TarpitCarnivore · Dec 25, 2018

The Markus might be one of the most overrated chairs. It's so insanely uncomfortable that I don't know how it gets recommended other than for it's price.

The Aereon comes in sizes but most should fit the medium size. They can be uncomfortable though depending on how you sit but they can be finely adjusted.

The other choice in comparable price is the Steelcase Leap but I've not been able to sit on one yet so I can't compare.

The Aereons can be found at liquidation prices so easily so just spend time looking. The Leap is much harder to find.

Hinkypunk · Dec 25, 2018

I guess it's kinda relative. Is it worth it if it's going to put you $1k in debt and cause stress is other parts of your life? Probably not.

But if you can save up for it, then yes it is 100% worth it. I can actually work for hours at a time without my back killing on the weekend.

It's been responsible for a huge improvement in my overall quality of life.

FYI I too bought mine used from a small business in my city who had bought too many chairs lol. So I got it about 50% off msrp.

Relix · Dec 25, 2018

I have an Aeron and it's a life changer. Yes, it forces you to sit in a way but it's great for your back and everything. I was having some pain in my right hip after long work sessions and after switching over to Aeron this was resolved.

Important: I got Size C with all bells and whistles. I am six two and weight 260.

TarpitCarnivore · Dec 25, 2018

Should also mention a chair may not solve back pain. It may help alleviate it but often back pain is a result of something else, like your hips being too tight or poor posture.

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

Courage said:
Do you have any office furniture stores near you that may have these chairs in stock? Based on everyone's descriptions of the Aeron I thought I was gonna love it but ended up hating it. It's better to sit on them for as long as you can and see which one is more comfortable for you before spending money and having to return it afterwards.

I can't really get out due to health reasons so it's not an option for me sadly.

mescalineeyes said:
As a fellow ikea Markus owner, hell yeah get the fuck out of that awful, awful chair. It's slowly killing you.

I've always found it to be just ok, but with my back how it is I need better than ok.

Relix said:
I have an Aeron and it's a life changer. Yes, it forces you to sit in a way but it's great for your back and everything. I was having some pain in my right hip after long work sessions and after switching over to Aeron this was resolved.

I definitely have bad posture so being forced to correct it sounds good.

TarpitCarnivore said:
Should also mention a chair may not solve back pain. It may help alleviate it but often back pain is a result of something else, like your hips being too tight or poor posture.

Oh I know, I've seen back specialists and have had a couple of surgeries so it's definitely to help not to fix.

Halo 2 · Dec 25, 2018

A refurbished one is

Skel1ingt0n · Dec 25, 2018

I have a high back Cosm, their newest chair, and I love it. It's not "slink away instantly and feel relaxed;" more the opposite: "forced good posture which feels a bit limiting at first." But of course, when I stand up after five hours of work I don't even THINK about my back or legs because nothing hurts.

TarpitCarnivore · Dec 25, 2018

I'll throw another suggestion out there:

A motorized standing desk with a stool. The standing desk can help you to be up and and a little more conscience of your posture. With the stool you can lower the desk slightly to be in the stool while still keep your legs more stretched out.

Standing non stop all day isnt great but if you can move between the two it does help.

Deleted member 12224 · Dec 25, 2018

It's helped reduce the back pain I have due to an injury from car accidents. The pain was exacerbated by sitting in awful chairs.

Courage · Dec 25, 2018

Do you mostly play games on your PC? The Aeron should be fine for that. I mostly had issues with it when leaning forward when playing on console since I was applying pressure to my thighs. It offers no freedom to sit how you want other than its intended design, while I thought the Leap and even the Herman Miller Embody still help with posture but have enough space to 'lounge' on the chair.

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

Skel1ingt0n said:
I have a high back Cosm, their newest chair, and I love it. It's not "slink away instantly and feel relaxed;" more the opposite: "forced good posture which feels a bit limiting at first." But of course, when I stand up after five hours of work I don't even THINK about my back or legs because nothing hurts.

When I get out of my Ikea Marcus after a gaming session I literally say "oh fucking hell!" while I rub it and waddle off in pain and stiffness.

Zach85 · Dec 25, 2018

I use an Aeron at my desk and an Ekornes Stressless in my den/when I'm working out of my living room. The Ekornes is head and shoulders above the Aeron but both seats are phenomenal. I would look at Ekornes office chairs and ideally go somewhere to try the bands side by side alongside some other ergonomic leaders like Steelseries and Hermann Miller.

I think both of the chairs I have are leagues above most office chairs I've used and certainly any gamer chair, but you will pay the price!

EDIT - Link to Stressless Office Furniture

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

Courage said:
Do you mostly play games on your PC? The Aeron should be fine for that. I mostly had issues with it when leaning forward when playing on console since I was applying pressure to my thighs. It offers no freedom to sit how you want other than its intended design, while I thought the Leap and even the Herman Miller Embody still help with posture but have enough space to 'lounge' on the chair.

Yeah, I do all my gaming on PC and I game a lot, so a good chair would be a great investment for me.

BossAttack · Dec 25, 2018

Yes, but buy one used off Craigslist. That's what I did.

Razgriz417 · Dec 25, 2018

Courage said:
I hated the Aeron because of the hard plastic lip on the front of the chair; it felt like it cut off circulation from both of my thighs. You can only sit on Aerons a specific way or else it's just really uncomfortable. Then again I'm a bigger dude so ymmv.

I would go for a Steelcase Leap v1 or v2 though

This. I bought a used Aeron off CL and used it for a month and still couldnt get used to it. Ended up selling it off and buying a Staples mesh chair with a foam lip. Though I'm currently curious about the Secret Lab Omega Softweave chairs. Heard they are good

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

So let's say I do go for it, is the Herman Miller Aeron B the way to go?

Courage · Dec 25, 2018

MrH said:
So let's say I do go for it, is the Herman Miller Aeron B the way to go?

https://www.hermanmiller.com/conten.../other/ap_sizefitref_classic_aeron_chairs.pdf

Deleted member 1162 · Dec 25, 2018

i got mine of craigslist cheap with all the bells and whistles. it helped.

got a size b medium, i'm 5'8'

Micael · Dec 25, 2018

Have an Embody and yeah quite like it, the back system on this chair is absolutely amazing, the butt support is nothing revolutionary but it is solid enough, given that a new one cost me less than half a month wage, and that I spend most of my days sitting, yeah most definitely worth it, getting one was pretty much a no brainer, although it was a pain in the ass to get since in my country there is only 1 supplier and it is someone that clearly does it as a side business, so even getting to try it required me scheduling it and so on.
Anyway they are "cheap" second hand, so go for it.

Oh yeah as been mentioned the Herman Miller chairs do require you to sit properly to use them, if you lean forward there are chairs from Steelseries that give more support there I believe, but the way I see it there is really no supporting bad posture.

tadaima · Dec 25, 2018

100% yes. The only problem you'll have is that, if you work from an office without ergonomic chairs and you're buying for your home, your office chair will disappoint you.

MrH · Dec 25, 2018

davidwhangchoi said:
i got mine of craigslist cheap with all the bells and whistles. it helped.

got a size b medium, i'm 5'8'

I'm 6ft 3" and heavy, but I read the Herman Millers go up to 300lbs so I'll be fine on that front.

Husker86 · Dec 25, 2018

Got mine from a reseller in eBay several years ago for about $560. We'll worth it.

Was tired of replacing $100 chairs every year or two.

I'm 6'1" 190lbs and got the medium.

Swig · Dec 25, 2018

I wouldn't suggest an Aeron. I sat in one at work for 10+ years and while they look cool, they're not comfortable long term. I wouldn't be surprised if people have long term leg damage from using them. They have this hard plastic lip where your legs fall over the front of the chair at the knees and it digs into your legs. Just my experience with them. I'd never buy one. Go for a Steelcase or Embody.

I have a Steelcase Leap. Sometimes I wish I had bought an Embody, but I wanted to try one before buying and they didnt have a dealer in my area.. only Steelcase.

entremet · Dec 25, 2018

If you sit a lot, get a decent chair. Buy used if you have to. I have a friend that used one of those awful cheap chairs for ages and had to have back surgery.

Obviously, everyone is different, but don't confused value with price. Don't buy new. These things age well, so you can used reliably.

Too many times we think of price only without looking at value over the long term.

Deleted member 12833 · Dec 25, 2018

I bought the cosm this year and almost returned it. But I decided to keep it. back pain I've been experiencing for 4 years disappeared

Gifted · Dec 25, 2018

Skel1ingt0n said:
I have a high back Cosm, their newest chair, and I love it. It's not "slink away instantly and feel relaxed;" more the opposite: "forced good posture which feels a bit limiting at first." But of course, when I stand up after five hours of work I don't even THINK about my back or legs because nothing hurts.

That's the chair I've really been looking at. Did you go for the leaf arms? If so, how are they?

MrH said:
I'm 6ft 3" and heavy, but I read the Herman Millers go up to 300lbs so I'll be fine on that front.

I think you want the size C then homie. It's recommended for 6'3"+ or 260lbs+.

Mona · Dec 25, 2018

No chair over 200$ is worth it

Deleted member 12833 · Dec 25, 2018

Gifted said:
That's the chair I've really been looking at. Did you go for the leaf arms? If so, how are they?

I think you want the size C then homie. It's recommended for 6'3"+ or 260lbs+.

Leaf arms are incredible. So versatile.

Deleted member 21709 · Dec 25, 2018

If you can afford it, yes.
I used to buy a cheap Ikea chair every other year and had terrible backpain, never again.

shnurgleton · Dec 25, 2018

I sit on a $10 ikea stool when I use my home PC. It's good enough for me

At work we have aerons but I have a standing desk so I rarely sit

whatsinaname · Dec 25, 2018

I had an Ikea Markus for couple of years before I had to replace it. Should have replaced it after 1 but was feeling a little cheap. Bought a Herman Miller Embody after that, still feels brand new now after 6 years. (And much more comfortable too).

Tofer said:
I bought the cosm this year and almost returned it. But I decided to keep it. back pain I've been experiencing for 4 years disappeared

I remember that from the other thread, nice that it worked out for you.

Gifted · Dec 25, 2018

Tofer said:
Leaf arms are incredible. So versatile.

Dope! Now I REALLY want one, one other question though - why'd you almost return yours?

Deleted member 12833 · Dec 25, 2018

whatsinaname said:
I had an Ikea Markus for couple of years before I had to replace it. Should have replaced it after 1 but was feeling a little cheap. Bought a Herman Miller Embody after that, still feels brand new now after 6 years. (And much more comfortable too).

I remember that from the other thread, nice that it worked out for you.

Yes, I had to just train my body to sit with actual good posture. I was trying to sit in it like I did with my old chairs and the chair is basically telling you no. Now it's second nature and my back seriously feels so much better

nitewulf · Dec 25, 2018

Depends. Ergonomic chairs in general are worth it if well designed. Your posture is extremely important and they make sure you have a good one. But I find the Aeron extremely uncomfortable and not well designed. Other Herman Millers might be better. Steel Case is as good as anything Herman Miller.

Deleted member 12833 · Dec 25, 2018

Gifted said:
Dope! Now I REALLY want one, one other question though - why'd you almost return yours?

Combination of bad sitting habits and being lightweight. The lean is so amazing and natural feeling. Truly the best I have ever felt in a chair, but in order to initiate the lean you have to apply a certain amount of force. The lighter you are, the harder this is to do. I weight 130 so it's not easy for me. I've found a workaround though and it's now a perfect chair. If you weigh 150+ it's proba a nonissue for you

nitewulf · Dec 25, 2018

Mona said:
No chair over 200$ is worth it

Extremely uninformed and dangerous post.
I use the Steelcase Think upholstered version for reference, you can find them for around $300 - $400 used/demo condition from resellers:
http://ergonomicchairprotest.3dcartstores.com/Steelcase-Think-Chair_p_1216.html

Mona · Dec 25, 2018

nitewulf said:
Extremely uninformed and dangerous post.
I use the Steelcase Think upholstered version for reference, you can find them for around $300 - $400 used/demo condition from resellers:
http://ergonomicchairprotest.3dcartstores.com/Steelcase-Think-Chair_p_1216.html

I've been using a 35$ recliner from the salvation army for years, no complaints

I wouldn't be caught dead spending that much money for a chair

Deleted member 8901 · Dec 25, 2018

We used to have the Aeron in my office and we switched all of them to Steelcase Gestures which I think are a million times better. So much more modern looking and you can actually adjust the chairs in seconds as opposed to having some of the most frustrating controls ever put in a chair.

nitewulf · Dec 25, 2018

Mona said:
I've been using a 35$ recliner from the salvation army for years, no complaints

I wouldn't be caught dead spending that much money for a chair

Good for you.

Aztechnology · Dec 25, 2018

Think about how much you're using the chair. How long it's going to last. And how much comfort and posture protection it's going to give you. The obvious answer is for any professional that can afford it, absolutely. I have an Ikea Markus I got back when it was on sale for like $140. Great chair. But one of my first purchases is going to be a Herman Miller or otherwise amazing office chair as I spend hours upon hours in the thing.

Are Herman Miller chairs really worth it?

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