When reviewing an iconic product such as the Aeron, you need to forget the hype and look at what's in front of you... and what's in front of us is a supremely comfortable chair that's beautifully designed and seems to get better the more you live with it. The Aeron is a classic chair that led the way in ergonomic design in the 1990s, that still influences office-chair design today, and so rightfully continues to top many 'best of' lists. But is the 'entry-level' model with its limited adjustments (and lower price) a good idea?
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The Aeron kicked off the modern ergonomic chair revolution in 1994, standing on the shoulders of the granddaddy of ergo chairs, 1976's Ergon (also from Herman Miller). And 30 years after its release, it's still revered as a product design icon, both beautiful and exceptionally well made. But surely design – and the understanding of ergonomics – has changed since 1994?
I've been reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs for a few years now, and always take my time using each chair – a minimum of three weeks – before giving my review. For the Aeron, I've spent 12 weeks with it, thinking about its every facet – from the wheels to the back mesh; the armrest foam to the lumbar support. And my two second review is that the Aeron is a timeless classic, because it still succeeds in its very clear aims.
Important note: this review is on the entry-level Aeron that comes with limited adjustment options. The chair usually has several adjustments you can make, but this model reduces them dramatically with the average user in mind, and reduces the price accordingly.
Got the ergonomic office bug? Check out my list of the best standing desks if you're building an ultimate healthy home office.
'Entry-level' model & price
(Image credit: Future)
So what exactly are we reviewing here? The Aeron comes in three sizes (A, B, C), for a range of body types. There are usually many options for what you can adjust, but Herman Miller has also released an 'entry-level' model that provides fixed arm rests and fixed lumbar support (or PostureFit as they call it). You still have height adjustment and back tilt... and that's it!
So, what are Herman Miller up to? Well, this 'entry-level' model comes a little cheaper. In the US site, it's $1,020 compared to $1,750 for the fully adjustable model, while in the UK, it's a slightly less impressive £1,121 to £1,338.
You can get this model even cheaper, depending on where you're shopping. But if you want to buy from Herman Miller, they often offer deals (there's currently 20% off) and you'll get a 12-year warranty when you buy through them. That's 12 years! They're that confident in their product. But should you be? Let's break it down...
Comfort
(Image credit: Future)
I'm reviewing a model of an ergonomic chair that only offers limited options for adjustments, and I've given it a near-perfect 4.5 stars out of 5. Why? When it comes to comfort, it's because it's a real class act that does many small things exceptionally well. And, honestly, after 12 weeks of using it as my main work chair, I didn't miss the extra alterations.
Take the armrests. They're stationary. You literally can't move them on this model, and I thought that would be a deal-breaker. However, I also have an office chair that boasts '360 arms' – you can change the height, move them sideways, forward and backwards, plus they turn 360 degrees on a horizontal swivel. The entry-level Aeron does absolutely none of that: they are soft yet firm and, for me, they are perfectly positioned. They're exactly where I need them when I'm working.
Sitting on the Aeron, I feel fully supported by both the seat and the back. The design means that the majority of my back is resting against the back mesh, with my lower back supported by the static, padded lumbar support, behind a breathable mesh. The best way I can describe it is I feel like I'm in the best position that I can be in, and fully supported.
Build
(Image credit: Future)
You get the Aeron delivered fully assembled, and moving it around my office, it moves as one, with no rattling or unwanted give, which often occurs when you put your chair together yourself.
Materials-wise, the frame and the base is made from matte, polished and powder-coated die-cast aluminium, so it's light and sturdy – and it feels great in your hands. No cheap plastic here.
Herman Miller also make it clear that the Aeron, 'is up to 91% recyclable based on available recycling facilities,' and is 'made of up to 2.5 pounds of ocean-bound plastic.' That would be some of the 2016 'remastering' from original designer Don Chadwick, and certainly brings the chair up to date as far as modern ethical concerns.
Design and aesthetics
(Image credit: Future)
There's something about great design that seeps into your consciousness without you knowing. This is especially true of a product like a chair, who's function is more important than its aesthetics. Sure, it can look as pretty as a picture, but when you sit on it, if it's uncomfortable, that's just crappy design.
Well, the Aeron is one of the most comfortable, best-supporting chairs I've sat on, but it also looks great. I've been using it for over 12 weeks, and I currently couldn't think of my home office without it. It would be bare. Slightly less sophisticated. Less grown up. It's become an integral part of my office setup's design: of how it feels. And that's because the Aeron looks striking from any angle, from any distance.
Up close, whether stooping down to ground level to get a good view of the mechanics of the chair, or hovering over, there are endless curves that guide your eye. The seat is pleasingly wide with flared edges. The levers aren't an afterthought, hidden below the seat. They're exactly where they should be, occupying their space proudly. Yes, that's right: I'm talking about space around a lever! But really, I'm talking about every component of this chair having been thought through and pieced together just so. Each thoughtful detail adding to the overall finished product. And the result is great design.
Verdict
(Image credit: Future)
If you're after a chair that does the job, doesn't cost much, and you're not really bothered about how it fits in your office set-up, please don't get this chair. There's been a lot of thought put into the Aeron – its design, its ergonomics, its materials, its aesthetics. Around three decades of thought, to be exact. It's an exceptional chair, and with this entry-level model it's slightly cheaper than the 'full fat' version (which may very well earn the extra half a star).
If ever there was a chair aimed at and suited to designers and creatives, the Aeron is it. It exudes quality and confidence, it's super comfortable to use and looks really, really great.
A few years ago, while sitting in my $160 IKEA office chair, I read about a guy who claimed to have spent over $1,000 for a Herman Miller office chair.
I thought he was nuts. Who would spend so much on an office chair?
Fast-forward several years and literally thousands of hours sitting in a variety of office chairs I write this sitting in my new $1,275 office chair.
I’m an all or nothing type of guy.
I went from cheap used office chair to the Rolls Royce of office chairs.
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The question is – did I waste $1,000 or is it money well spent?
I’ll never fully know whether I wasted money because I don’t have the time, opportunity or inclination to try out every office chair out there. All I know is that many people hype Herman Miller furniture and the Aeron chair is one of their most popular office chairs. It’s been around for 20 years, offers a 12-year warranty and more or less very positively reviewed by many people for years.
The way I see it is I work in my office 5 to 7 hours per day, five days per week. I chalked it up to an investment in my health.
I’m not getting younger.
Being in my mid-forties and finally having a few extra bucks, I decided to invest in the chair.
Overall impression
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It’s awesome. It really is. It’s been good for my back. It’s very comfortable. Here’s the really cool thing about it – it’s the first office chair that I don’t mind locking into an upright position which I think is better for my back. It has a helpful adjustment at the lower spine which can adjust the curve of the lower back of the chair to keep my lower spine in its natural curvature. I love this feature.
Is it $1,275 awesome? Yes and no.
Yes, because I have the money.
If I had to go into debt to buy the chair, then it wouldn’t be worth it. That’s why I waited so long to buy it. I would have bought it years ago, but that meant going into debt for it. IMO no furniture is worth going into debt over. I restrict debt to real estate and even then I don’t like it.
Photo gallery of the Aeron Chair
Let’s take a stroll down my office chair memory lane…
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My office chair history
#1: Funky IKEA office chair
12 years ago (I still remember) I was strolling through IKEA with my soon-to-be-wife when I saw the barrel IKEA office chair. I thought that was awesome. I jumped in and loved it. Back then it was expensive having just graduated school with a load of debt. Nevertheless I plunked down the $160 CAD and became the proud owner of my first IKEA chair.
I couldn’t find it on IKEA any more but it looked like the following with wheels in black:
#2: Executive chair
Coming in around $300 CAD I thought this was a beauty. With a high back, soft cushioning and several adjustment options I thought I scored well with this chair. That was until the faux leather started peeling after a few short years. It got so bad I had to put a blanket on it. Yeah, it’s history now. Here’s an example:
#3: Medicine ball ergo chair
Somewhere in my late 30’s I started having mild low back pain here and there. My wife, ever looking out for me, bought me a medicine ball chair which are designed to strengthen one’s core and encourage good posture. It does what it purports but it’s just a bit too “healthy” for me. Instead of applying a chair fix for my back issue, I started exercising more. So far so good.
#4: Standard-issue office chair (provided by my office landlord)
My office landlord ditched this chair before I could get a pic, but it was similar to the following:
#5: Herman Miller Aeron Chair
Finally, we get to present day and what I hope will be one of the last office chairs I ever buy. It was finally time to “invest” in a chair that is both good for my spine and comfortable. My hope was that the Aeron chair would fit the bill. So far, so good.
What I like most about the Herman Aeron Chair
Spine curvature adjustment
Because the seat and back fabric is firm mesh, it can be manipulated to fit your spine’s curve, which this chair offers. There’s an adjustment for your lower spine to push into your lower spine (increasing seated curvature) or relaxing the curve. I like pushed into my spine so that I sit with better posture.
Plentiful armrest adjustment options
I’m tall so I like my chair arms elevated so that I maintain a 90° angle at my elbows. This chair’s arms elevate high enough for that. I can also adjust the armrests in, out, forward and back. With all the armrest adjustments I can set them up for optimal typing comfort.
Firm but cushioned mesh fabric
All my life I sat in chairs with upholstered cushioning. It was fine, but I definitely prefer the firm mesh fabric this chair offers. There’s a slight cushion to it but it’s firm enough to help with better sitting posture. I sit in the chair for hours at a time without any discomfort.
Seat height adjustment options
I like office chairs that elevate the seat high enough so my knees are at a 90° angle. The Aeron chair definitely rises high enough for that. In fact, I don’t have it at it’s highest level which means this chair can accommodate people taller than me (I’m 6’3″).
Plenty of feature options
When you order your Aeron from Herman Miller, you can opt for all kinds of features. I bought mine in a brick and mortar store so I didn’t have options. I believe mine is fairly loaded with features. If I were to buy it again, I’d opt for all the features… that’s the point of getting such a high caliber chair.
What I don’t like about the chair
Some adjustments not very intuitive
I actually gave up and referred to the instruction booklet when setting up the adjustments. Fortunately, the instruction booklet is short and to the point so I figured it out quickly, but I was confident I could figure out all the knobs and controls on my own.
Could use a higher back
I do prefer high-back chairs but didn’t have the option where I bought my chair. I have the medium-sized chair but if I were to buy it again, I’d opt for the large with a higher back.
More colors to choose from
As you can see in the photos above, mine is grey and black which is fine but it would be fun to have some colorful options – white, red, orange, blue etc. I took a quick look at the Herman Miller website and didn’t see such options.
Do you need to spend this much?
Yes and no.
If you use your home office a few hours per week, this chair is not necessary.
However, if you work at home full time or in an office full time, having a healthy and comfortable chair makes a huge difference. Yes, it’s expensive and will set you back, but I see it as an investment in my health. It’s like eating real food that costs a bit more for lunch instead of fast food or some packaged process meal.
However, don’t go into debt for it unless your doctor or some health professional strongly recommend you get it.
Where can you buy the Aeron chair?
It’s not an easy chair to buy. You can’t stroll into just any furniture store and buy it. I found it at a local high-end furniture store but otherwise I would have had to order it from Herman Miller. Surprise surprise, you can also buy it at Amazon.
In for a penny, in for a pound
I tend to buy stuff en masse. Since I was dropping so much on a new office chair, I decided it was time to get better office furniture. Fortunately, I had the fortitude to buy very reasonably priced furniture from Structube and Wayfair. It’s en route and should definitely spruce up my office. I splurged on a small sofa as well so that I can get work done somewhere else than the desk.Over