Herman Miller Aeron vs Embody

[OM3GA]

For anyone that has tried both, which did you end up getting? These seem to be the top two HM chairs people go with but its a lot of money and i dont know much about them. Im working from home and i get back ache with my current ikea chair so i need a new one.

 

[OM3GA]

Can you sit on them before purchase. That's ideal as everyones body is different

Its pretty hard to find anyone that has them on display and with the lockdowns as well. Ive sat in an aeron before but not for very long. Never tried the embody. Both seem to have goods and bads tbh

 

[OM3GA]

I got the Embody. The Aeron I tried was just too small in the back. I'm 1.93m and my height is in my trunk so the top of the Aeron was just too low. The Embody supports my shoulders if I lean back.

Ah ok, makes sense. Im 1.85m. Maybe it would be alright for me.

 

[OM3GA]

I'm 1.95m. Sounds like you sat in a B size. Maybe an A. Though they're not very common at all. They're usually Bs. The C is not at all small. If I lean right back into mine, the top is 1-2cm below my shoulders. Probably could probably be an inch or so shorter and I'd not notice.

Im 1.85m, would you say id be better off with the C as well then?

 

[OM3GA]

Not sure if you have seen it or perhaps removed this from your list already but I would suggest their cosm chair.

I too was having back ache after owning a Dxracer for a few years. Since sitting in the cosm I haven’t had back ache once. It has a lovely back height as well so for those over 6 foot like me it’s a great choice.

Ive not heard of it. I only know the aeron and embody because people on reddit suggested them. Im over 6ft too so ill look into the cosm as well. Thanks.

 

[OM3GA]

I tried an Aeron last year. Sat in a B and a C side by side for 5-10 minutes until finally settling on the C as I am taller. After 1 week I gave up on it as it was giving me pins and needles in my legs due to the longer seat digging in at the back of my knees as it has a hard plastic ridge there.
So then I swapped it for a size B Aeron and it was better but I never truly got on with it. It's just such an over rated chair.
Tried a human scale freedom. Shockingly bad for me. The hunt continues... I hear the Steelcase Leap v2 is good. Would like to try it.

Interesting, maybe the embody would suit you better as it has a small cushion in the seat instead of the netting that the aeron has.

 

[OM3GA]

I've had an Aeron (Bill stumpf anniversary edition), a Mirra and now got the Embody at work. I like the Mirra the least, the other two are both ok but I don't really prefer one over the other. Out of the three I'd go with the Embody as it's the latest and should have had the latest ergonomics applied to it.

I think the only reason i might prefer the aeron right now is because you can buy a third party headrest for it, whereas nothing like that exists for the embody. Since, youve tried both, which would you say is comfier to sit in for long periods of time? The aeron looks more forgiving but i may be wrong.

 

[OM3GA]

I'm 6`2“ and have the Mirra. Our HR team got it for me after I started getting backache. Now I have it at home. I've not tried others but I consider it to be excellent, and my back pain has gone, despite spending more time in it.

I wasn't a fan of it initially but there's a lot to adjust, and I think it was a case of getting used to something new.

I still think I need to switch to a sit/stand setup to tackle the problem properly. Have you thought about that?

Yes actually. i will be moving soon and was thinking of getting an adjustable desk for the new place. Seems to be perfect for long hours of work. I have an ikea desk right now.

 

[OM3GA]

The embody is what I've stuck with, it feels much cheaper than the aeron but it's a more modern design and I don't slouch as much in it.

Fair enough. I think im gonna have to try them all tbh. Once lockdown is eased i might go to the showroom in london to try them.

 

[OM3GA]

you’d have to try them really. As another poster said, the C does have a longer seat which can be uncomfortable for some people if their thighs are relatively short or they naturally sit right back in the chair. Though this can be mitigated somewhat with a footrest, which I think you should use anyway if you’re in a chair for long periods.

I found the B comfortable but small. Okay for 30 mins. The C however, I can sit in all day, every day and have done for about 10 years.

I have a pillow as a footrest right now, until i get something better haha. I think im gonna go to the showroom in london to try them all. Cant really decide from looking online.

 

[OM3GA]

Well my embody is going back. The chair has developed a really annoying squeak when I recline in it. They say it’s normal, but I would expect more from a chair at this cost. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good chair, but I am not having that noise for 12 years!

Will probably try the Aeron next.

Ive actually heard a lot of people say the same thing about the noise it makes. Something about how the plastic parts are all put together. I think the aeron is a better built chair. Maybe because they are selling them to corporations.

If you do get the aeron next, then let us know how you feel about the difference.

 

[OM3GA]

The plastic noise is different I think. You can hear that when it flexes but that doesn't bother me. This is like a metal not oiled type noise. I will probably try an Aeron, as why not? Just deciding if I go for size B or C.

Ah right, yeah thats not the best when youre paying so much for it. I think for most people a b is good enough but the c is better if youre over 6ft. I will most likely go with an aeron but i want to at least sit in them after lockdown is over and shops open up again.

 

[OM3GA]

The advantage with buying remote though is the full free collect/return process and 14 days to try it out.

Thats true i guess.