Apartment Therapy Los Angeles | Good questions: Which office chair is the best?

Good questions: Which office chair is the best?

Our reader Jon writes, "So after reading everything I could get my hands on, I'm still not any closer to being able to make a decision on an office chair. I've narrowed my choices down to the Herman Miller Celle, the Knoll Chadwick, and the Steelcase Think (and maybe even the Haworth Zody if my wallet feels frisky)...(continued)

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As far as I can tell, all these chairs have pretty much the same functions (tilt limiter, tilt resistance, etc. etc.) and they've all won awards at NeoCon or have been similarly recognized. Which is the best? Is there such a thing as the best, or is it all personal preference?"

Thanks for your question Jon. Coming from a person with metal in her back, we can tell you that not all chairs are created equal but...each chair serves different people. We would definitely go test drive them all for 15 min or longer if you can hang out in the store. If you have certain issues such as lumbar support or other requirements make sure to ask your questions then.

You may also inquire whether the store has a return or exchange program so that if you do get it home and you hate it after 7-10 days you may be able to exchange it for something else. Readers? any experience with any of these chairs?

Comments (9)

I looked at all those chairs and none seemed as comfortable as the price tags seemed to say they "should". Since it wasn't the price throwing me off, I ended up opting for a full size "judge's chair" in all top grain leather. I got a floor model from Office Furniture Unlimited for about the price of an Aeron chair and is way more comfortable (to me) - libear abount of memory foam in the seat, and "pub back" cushions on the back. I could easily spend hours sitting in it comfortably. If I had that mkind of time. Wish I had one at work...

posted by Keith on 2007-03-14 11:13:21

I went ahead and finally bought a Steelcase Think chair after going back and forth for months. Very comfortable and it is recyclable at the end of its life. Which for that price, I hope is a long time from now!

posted by David on 2007-03-14 11:36:34

I bought the Herman Miller Mirra chair from www.sit4less.com and it's the best chair ever. I like it a lot more than the Aeron because it's a bit cheaper and because it just plain feels better.

I used to have bad neck/back problems (forward head position) and went to the Chriopractor all the time and he TOLD me to get a new chair. I followed his advice and the Mirra supports me beautifully and looks awesome too.

posted by Monica on 2007-03-14 13:29:33

I have a Humanscale Freedom chair at home and it is really the best chair ever. It is so comfortable and it's adjustable. I had an Aeron chair at work, and hands down, the Freedom chair is, to me, the more comfy chair.

posted by Christine on 2007-03-14 17:58:41

I'm a fan of the Steelcase Leap chairs that we have in our office. My rear-end spends about 10 hours in this chair a day and I have no complaints!

I have the HM Aeron chair in my home office - and I do not find it to be as comfortable as the Leap. The arm rests are difficult to adjust and the overall heft of the chair is a pain. I was interested in replacing the Aeron with a Mirra though.

posted by Aileen on 2007-03-15 10:21:47

The JOAKIM chair from IKEA is one of the most comfortable office chairs I have ever sat in and it didn't break my bank or my back. (My back is TERRIBLE.) True, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the chairs you listed, but I think it supports my lower back better than anything I sat in. The one I got looks like it's upholstered in men's suit material and is very attractive.

Husband has the Aeron chair and I hate it. I slide out of it. I shopped around and sat in lots of chairs.

posted by ChickieLou on 2007-03-15 14:30:29

I really don't know much about all those chairs you guys just talked about, however, the best office/work/task chairs i have ever sat on was in a korean internet cafe, it has two piece of back support and it leaves you spine open which in my opinion is the best chair i have ever sat on, I asked them where they get it or the name of it they never answered me in english that i understand so it is still a myth for me.

posted by sitter on 2007-03-16 19:56:23

I've had a Herman Miller Aeron Chair (size B, Lumbar model) for about three months, I bought it used off eBay. I love it. For me the deciding factor was the articulating armrests, I have a lot of trouble with paing in my shoulders from arm overuse (I do photo retouching so my arm is going all day long). The armrests on most chairs are not close enough to my body, but on the Aeron, you can swing them inward (at least on this model, the low end model doesn't have that feature).

posted by gragegrl on 2007-03-19 14:57:49

I'm particular to the Eames Management chair. I have an aeron at work and a knock-off eames at home. I'd much rather sit in the knock-off than the aeron so I can only imagine how much better the original design would feel.

posted by mscot on 2007-03-21 12:24:57