High & Low: Eames & Eames-Inspired Task Chairs

The Eames Management Chair is a favorite of Apartment Therapy readers—it scored just below the Aeron Chair in a lunchtime survey. We love it in mesh, Maharam, or plain leather. Like any standard bearer, it's often copied, and we've heard both good and bad reviews of knockoffs. We've rounded up a few of the current crop for both "high" and "low" options...

FIRST ROW
• 1 Leather with aluminum frame: Eames Management Chair from DWR, $1,750
• 2 Leather with aluminum base/arms: Topstar Chair from Overstock.com, $477
• 3 Leather with chromed metal frame: Swivel Leather Desk Chair from West Elm, $300
• 4 Vinyl with chromed steel frame: Studio Office Chair from Chiasso, $268
• 5 Bonded leather over wood composite with chrome plated frame: Surf Office Chair from CB2, $200

OTHER OPTIONS
• Reader Tip: Affordable "Eames" Style Desk Chair
• Good Questions: Do You Prefer the Eames Group's or CB's Office Chair?
• Eames Knockoffs, Fakes & Copies

For other high and low posts from Apartment Therapy, click here.

Comments (6)

I really want one of those for my home office. None of them look all that comfortable. Does anyone who own one think they could sit in it for 9 hours straight? Heh..

posted by Nephthys on July 24th 2009 at 11:10am
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I have a "knockoff" that cost about $350-$400. I've had it for over three years and I love it. It's totally comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. I prefer my chairs to force me to sit up straight, which this one does.

posted by ErikTheRed on July 24th 2009 at 11:27am
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I have a chair similar to CB2's Surf from the regular Crate and Barrel. I haven't sat in it for super long streches but it very comfortable when I do use it. Like ErikTheRed said, it forces you to sit up straight (though it can be adjusted somewhat).

posted by Enamorada on July 24th 2009 at 12:21pm
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I bought two about a year ago for $200 ea. from a place called Rapport Furniture in Los Angeles. Like ErikTheRed, I like the way it makes you sit. It gives good lower back support, is pretty comfortable and looks great:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7874990@N03/2955192343/

posted by modernguy on July 24th 2009 at 12:55pm
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I don't recommend the one from Z Gallerie (about $250 I think). It feels a little cheap when you roll around in it. Looks fine though, and is adequately comfortable. Wouldn't normally buy this type of item from Z Gallerie but had a gift certificate and couldn't find anything else we liked.

posted by ammanda on July 24th 2009 at 4:09pm
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We got this knockoff in white leatherette for $209. http://www.officechairstation.com/Leader-Office-Chairs-Black.htm

posted by scarlethue on July 24th 2009 at 7:01pm
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