Best Desk Chair? Aeron? Or Something Else?

[Nick Danger]

I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, in front of my computer. It's time to upgrade my desk chair to something more comfortable and more ergonomic. I'm done with cheap chairs from Office Max that make my back ache.

I want to spend $800 or less, if I can. This might mean buying a used chair, but I'm ok with that.

Is a Herman Miller Aeron chair the way to go? Are there better choices?

Nick

 

[ShadowWalker]

I've been eyeing that chair as well. From everything I've read, they are suppose to last a lifetime. Check out Craigslist in your area as well. usually you can get a fully featured one from there for much less.

 

[Nick Danger]

The other chair I'm seriously considering is the Steelcase Leap.

Here's an extensive review of it: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair-is-the-steelcase-leap/

If anyone has this chair, I'd be curious to hear your opinion about it. It's about the same price as the Aeron, and both can be purchased from a number of used furniture dealers.

Nick

 

[StillShaving]

I was making a similar choice a few of years ago. I considered the Aeron, it is not a bad chair, but I ultimately purchased a Steelcase Leap. I liked the flexible back and multiple tension adjustments on this chair

If I were shopping today I would recommend you check out Steelcase line as well as your local healthy back store. Here in NC we have http://www.healthyback.com/ which has both of these chairs to check out, but I see this chain does not extend into the midwest.

 

[StillShaving]

The other chair I'm seriously considering is the Steelcase Leap.

Here's an extensive review of it: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-office-chair-is-the-steelcase-leap/

If anyone has this chair, I'd be curious to hear your opinion about it. It's about the same price as the Aeron, and both can be purchased from a number of used furniture dealers.

Nick

I missed this post, but as noted before I have the leap chair and preferred it when comparing the two against each other. The Aeron preports to be cooler (temp), and might even look a little cooler (Fonzie ), but when you think about it how often are you sitting in a non A/C environment. The fabric of the Aeron can be more easily damaged than a more conventional chair. After seeing them side by side I found the Leap to be more substantial and comfortable with more adjustability. YMMV.

 

[Nick Danger]

I was making a similar choice a few of years ago. I considered the Aeron, it is not a bad chair, but I ultimately purchased a Steelcase Leap. I liked the flexible back and multiple tension adjustments on this chair

I"m thinking very seriously about this chair. Which model did you get? The one with the arms that just have the height adjustment, or the fully adjustable arms that pivot?

The Aeron chair may be more stylish, but it sounds like the Steelcase Leap might actually be more comfortable.

Nick

 

[StillShaving]

I"m thinking very seriously about this chair. Which model did you get? The one with the arms that just have the height adjustment, or the fully adjustable arms that pivot?

The Aeron chair may be more stylish, but it sounds like the Steelcase Leap might actually be more comfortable.

Nick

My Leap chair has arms with both the adjustable height and pivot. I use the adjustable height more than the pivot. The pivot is nice to have in order to change positions from time-to-time but it is minor feature overall that I could live without. But if you use your armrest a lot, its value would increase. As sometimes it is nice to (pivot) pull them in towards your side for more support and later push them out for no support (or to shift the angle of your elbows which are still resting upon armrests).

For me, the most impressive feature as compared to the generic office chair was the back. Where the pressure to tilt the chair back has more adjustments as well as the stiffness of the so called live-back. Making it easy to switch positions and tensions throughout the day.

 

[one cut]

A friend of mine has this chair and he says if you sit in it you will want one so only try it of you are willing to get a new chair.

so far he has been right. this chair must be ajusted to fit you, that is important, but the company has a guide o how to do that, its not difficult.

the name Alumedic
http://www.apendics.de/wagner-wellness-buerostuehle/wagner-alumedic-limited-k5005.html

http://buerostuhlshop.tv/wagner?gclid=CNeP_OaKtLoCFYmV3godzh4ADw

 

[auk1124]

At work I have an Aeron clone from some unknown company. My workplace bought a truckload of them a few years ago from someone (there is no identification on my chair at all).

I LOVE the fabric back. I have seriously abused my chair for 6 years, and the back has held up extremely well. If my cheapo fake Aeron ever gives out on me, I don't know what I will do.

 

[OMEN]

I spend a lot of time sitting at my desk, in front of my computer. It's time to upgrade my desk chair to something more comfortable and more ergonomic. I'm done with cheap chairs from Office Max that make my back ache.

I want to spend $800 or less, if I can. This might mean buying a used chair, but I'm ok with that.

Is a Herman Miller Aeron chair the way to go? Are there better choices?

Nick

I got a Herman Miller for my 21st. It's amazing. My friend tried to convince me his fake leather office chair was better...but no...just...no.


My model is a Mirra in black. My uncle has the Aeron.

 

[Nick Danger]

I'm strongly considering this used chair:

http://www.nationalofficeliquidators.com/products/steelcase-leap-v2-task-chair-black-3d-mesh-fabric

However, I'm contacting the vendor this week to see what their idea of "excellent condition" actually means.

Anybody else ever bought used office furniture? Am I about to make a terrible decision?

Nick

 

[ChinMusic]

I have the Herman Miller Aeron chair and am very happy with it.

 

[StillShaving]

I'm strongly considering this used chair:

http://www.nationalofficeliquidators.com/products/steelcase-leap-v2-task-chair-black-3d-mesh-fabric

However, I'm contacting the vendor this week to see what their idea of "excellent condition" actually means.

Anybody else ever bought used office furniture? Am I about to make a terrible decision?

Nick

Hard to say, but I have heard of people buying used office gear in good shape. Things left over after a company spent too much money too fast and had to downsize.

 

[Nick Danger]

Hard to say, but I have heard of people buying used office gear in good shape. Things left over after a company spent too much money too fast and had to downsize.

Turns out this used furniture vendor has a location about a half mile from where I work in Chicago. The chair I want is in their Phoenix warehouse, but they will ship it to Chicago so I can check it out. Seems like a no-lose proposition. I think I'm going to go for it.

They have used Aeron chairs too, but the Steelcase Leap seems like the better chair to me.

Nick

 

[Rocinante]

I have lower back problems and had been using the Aeron chair. I was always uncomfortable in it, but I thought it was just me because the chair got such great reviews.

Splurged on a Leap about a year ago (and PIF'd the Aeron to a co-worker.) The Leap could use just a little more padding in the seat, and the fabric is warmer, but overall it's a much more comfortable chair for me. The adjustability is superior, as is the lumbar support. And my back problems seem more manageable. As with most things, YMMV.

 

[Nick Danger]

I stopped by the used furniture store at lunch today. I did a test-drive with an Aeron and the Leap v1. It was no contest: the Leap was far, far more comfortable and more adjustable. The salesman told me that the older Leap v1 actually had more padding than the newer Leap v2, but that the v2 was more adjustable. They are shipping in a Leap v2 for me to test, which should be early next week. I'll be buying one version of the Leap or the other. The Aeron, as handsome as the design may be, is no longer under consideration.

Nick

 

[Nick Danger]

I brought home my Steelcase Leap V2 today. I'm sitting in it right now. This is by far the most comfortable desk chair in which it has ever been my pleasure to sit. Took me about two minutes to figure out the adjustments and get it set up to perfectly fit my body. I really like that I can adjust the seat depth. I never sat with my back against the lumbar support of other chairs because the seat was always too deep. Right now, I'm feeling terrific back support. There is also a unique movement when I lean back - the back rest moves back in a slight recline as the seat moves forward. I thought it would feel awkward when I read about this feature, but it's natural feeling and very relaxing. Really an outstanding chair.

As for my purchase from a used furniture vendor, I couldn't be more satisfied. The fabric on the seat and the back is spotless. There is a tiny scratch low down on the side of the chair that I would never have noticed if I hadn't inspected it from top to bottom. Other than that, it's hard to believe this chair was ever used. Given that I paid about 40% of the retail cost (or less) I think I got a great deal.

Trying to decide between a Steelcase Leap V2 and a Herman Miller Aeron? Sit in them both. I bet you'll choose the Leap.

Nick

 

[Hinano_Paul]

Man I missed this thread, Glad you got the V2. I've had the Aeron for the last 8 years fantastic chair. For me though it just doesnt offer that much back support. I injured by back a few years back and now if I sit in the Aeron for more that an hour or so my back is killing me. Still a great chair just wish it was more supportive.