Scroll through the comments on Apartment Therapy and you'll quickly find that our readers are a passionate group of folks. So when I went searching for the perfect new desk chair, I looked back at some old posts and culled the opinions of our commenters…
1. The overwhelming favorite among readers is the Herman Miller Aeron chair. While the chair's appearance may not appeal to everyone, almost all commenters vouch for the chair's comfort. $849+
2. When reading through old posts about desk chairs, the Steelcase Leap Chair constantly pops up in comments. Many readers not only find it comfortable but they also prefer the appearance of it over the Aeron chair. $879+
3. Of course, not everyone can shell out $900 for an office chair. Budget-minded readers pointed us in the direction of Crate & Barrel's Ripple Chair. $299
4. The Studio Office Chair from CB2 also ranks high among readers. Commenters find the chair to be comfortable and stylish. As an added bonus, one reader pointed out that her cat doesn't like sitting in the chair. Good news for anyone who has ever discovered a fur ball on her desk chair in the morning. $189
5. Astute readers also pointed out the Bungee Office Chair from Container Store. The chair is very similar to the CB2 chair but it's half the price and is offered with more color options. $99
6. Another budget-friendly suggestion from readers is PB Teen's Perforated Airgo Chair. This chair was mentioned in comments a few times as being comfortable and attractive. $170-$199
Don't see your favorite chair on the list? Chime in in the comments below and keep the discussion going!
MORE DESK CHAIR POSTS ON APARTMENT THERAPY
• Modern or Vintage: What Kind of Desk Chair Do You Favor?
• Cozy at the Computer: Using Armchairs as Desk Chairs
• Turn Pool Noodles Into A Cool Industrial Desk Chair
• Office Chair Be Gone: My Standing Desk Experiment
Images: As credited above.
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My bf bought the C&B Ripple Chair for it's narrow width and clean style but I have to say that it is the most horribly uncomfortable chair to sit in! Seriously, it is like sitting on a rock. He uses a throw pillow on the seat any time he uses it. I agree that it looks great but if you are looking for something to actually sit in for any length of time I would definitely not waste your money on this one.
I recently bought a Herman Miller SAYL chair, and while not really that cheap, it looks great, has lots of color options, and is really comfortable.
I have both the Herman Miller Aeron and the Steelcase Leap Chair. I use the Steelcase Leap chair all day.
I don't get what the fuss is with the Aeron chair. It's ugly, uncomfortable, COLD and expensive!
We ordered a Stylex Insight Mesh office chair and it is stunning as well as comfortable.
http://www.stylexseating.com/resources/product.cfm?p=162
For months i've used an exercise ball – http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/clever-substitutions-inflatabl-66480 – in my home office and like it. It has the additional benefit of disappearing the desk as well as rolling easily out of the way when I clean the floor.
However, I admit that I miss being able to lean back on a chair. So I alternate the ball with a simple straight-backed IKEA kitchen chair that I hauled out of an alley one day.
Of the ones above, I would only use the Bungee because I don't like arm rests.
Heh: disappearing *under* the desk...
(..though disappearing the desk would make it even easier to clean the floor)
Ugh, the Aeron is the WORST chair for women. I agreen with Swingncocoa. I sit in one at the office because I have no choice but go home every day with a back ache. They aren't designed for people who sit forward (everyone) use a keyboard tray (everyone) or have visual taste...
I bought the Container Store Bungee chair. It was very comfortable in the store. After sitting at my computer for 20 minutes the circulation is my legs was cut off by the bands, returned it the same day. Also, it doesn’t work for a man wearing shorts. :O)
I'm surprised no ergonomic chairs made the cut.
I second the SAYL chair. It's half the price of the Aeron, cradle to cradle certified and 93% recyclable. I sit in it all day, and I'm no longer tempted to sit on my feet like in other chairs. And it actually looks good.
I third the SAYL chair - it's beautiful and in my opinion more comfortable. It's design was inspired by the Golden Gate. Best office chair ever!
We have the Miller Aeron chair at work. Damn they suck! They are good for sitting 30 - 45 minutes tops. If you sit more than that, you ass will be on fire. Our company takes 5 full floors in a Chicago DT skyscraper x 1000 + employees = the company got robbed!
The poor Aeron chair doesn't seem to be very popular in these comments but I have to say as a woman with SI Joint issues it has been a godsend. I find it extremely comfortable and it was recently the only place I could sit to get relief from sciatic pain. It gives a nice anterior tilt to the pelvis a la the Gokhale Method for back pain.
The Bungee office chair is terrible.
I was planning on getting the Aeron chair, but not after these comments. Thanks! I'll opt for the Sayl instead. I've been using a tulip chair for a while now, and it's comfy for about 2 hours.
The Herman Miller Aluminum Group office chair is much more comfortable than the knockoffs (like #3). They're expensive new, but you can find vintage ones on eBay in the same price range as a new knockoff.
I have the Herman Miller Mirra chair with lumbar support and arm adjustments: very comfortable.
I've borrowed the Herman Miller Embody chair: love, love this chair and really didn't want to give it back (sigh). Too bad I bought the Mirra before finding the Embody.
We have several Aeron chairs at work and everyone loves them. We got the ones with lumbar support; it seems to have helped people with back issues. And they've lasted so much better than the chairs we had before!
I loved the Aeron I had at work so much, I eventually bought one for home. Those who say they aren't good for women - might you have been sitting in a chair too big for you? They come in 3 sizes. My workplace had all the middle size, which is my size, but if I were a smaller woman or a large man, I'm sure I wouldn't find my chair comfortable. You also have to take some time to adjust the adjustable parts to your comfort. One thing I like about it is that it isn't one-size-fits-all. I'm one who gets restless and likes to get up and roam, but I can sit in that chair 8 hours straight, writing or reading on a computer, or surfing, without getting up once (not so healthy, but it says something about the chair.) Now I have to go look up this SAYL.
Another vote for the HM SAYL chair. Just bought the all white on Amazon a few months ago. Cured my back problems in a matter of days. Very comfortable and extremely stylish
Highly recommend the Knoll Generation chair! Very supportive, comfy whatever position you are in. I think it's the only chair on this list that lets you sit four different ways with no hard edges jabbing into you. Big fan!
http://www.knoll.com/products/product.jsp?prod_id=865