Switching from a gaming chair to ergonomic £1,000+ Herman Miller mesh chair or alternatives?

[Actual_Criminal]

I have had a couple of gaming chairs in the last 5 years.

-DX Racer Racing Pro Series - RRP £349.99



-Noble Chair Epic Series - RRP £299.99

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The thing about gaming chairs, they look cool but to be honest in some places i've worked in offices, a nice ergonomic chair can be a lot more comfortable than a gaming chair.

Pros for gaming chairs:
-Look cool
-Usually high backs for a headrest
-Can be quite bulky so strong and don't break (depending on what brand)

Cons for gaming chairs:
-Can be expensive just for a popular brand (DX Racer)
-Usually leather / faux leather so can be really warm in summer
-Seat isn't actually as comfortable as ergonomic chair

The main disadvantage for me though is that fact that it can be uncomfortable whilst sitting in the chair for long periods of time. I have now started working from home and in my free time, I am always at my desk. So i'm spending 16-18 hours a day in a gaming chair.

I am thinking of transitioning to an ergonomic chair. I have done some research and someone recommended to me the Herman Miller Aeron chair. It certainly looks comfortable but retails at £1,099 here currently in the UK... It's also supposed to be the best selling office chair in the world apparently.

-Herman Miller Aeron - RRP £1,099.00
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However, £1,099 for a chair is a lot of money. I do have the cash spare, so could buy one but would rather spend the money on something else. Hell, the chair costs more than my sofa.

Can anyone else recommend a popular cheap alternative(s) that I can buy in the UK, or is the Herman Miller really worth the money?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Why not buy one secondhand? There's a thriving trade in good quality used office furniture.

There's no way I would have paid full price from the Humanscale Freedom I'm sitting on at the moment. It still wasn't cheap, but cheaper than many of the 'gaming' chairs.

Yea, never buy those new, there is a massive second hand market.

I'm worried if I bought a second hand chair that it would fall apart easily... You never know how long it has been used and if i'm spending £500+ on a chair, I would want it to last.

Also, you never know who has used it as well for hygienic reasons.

Where can you buy them pre-owned?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Another thing I forgot to mention is that I like to lean back and slouch in my chair a lot when watching movies or shows and stuff. - Not sure if you can do this in a Herman Miller?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Ok, so I have decided i'm going to buy one after watching some reviews.

The question now though is.... the Embody or Aeron ?

The problem I don't like on the Aeron is the bit of plastic on the end and I like to cross my legs a lot. However, the Aeron is also mesh whereas the Embody isn't. Hmm.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Bought a Herman Miller Aeron for £350 about 4 years ago off eBay. It was 12 years old when I bought it from date stamp. Fantastic chair although after about 10 hours it can cut legs at the back of knee a bit.

Yeah I have watched 3 reviews on YouTube and all of them mention the plastic part at the end. I cross my legs a lot too so will affect me more.

This is why I'm leaning more towards the embody at the moment.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

@Actual_Criminal 15% off sale has just started, I'm a prophet!

Oh nice. Yeah just checked.

I really do want the Embody (preferably Logitech version) though and none on the website

 

[Actual_Criminal]

I was (am?) the same. I really want the Logitech version but it's taking an age to get in stock in the UK. I've phoned them countless times and they just keep saying it'll be soon it's going through testing and testing is different from other countries.

I went into John Lewis and sat on their chairs for a good half hour and once the 15% promo kicked in I just thought, I'm tired of waiting. I'm going for the Aeron.

If the Logitech one does come into stock before my order and has been processed, i'm just going to cancel it and get the logitech one.

Oh nice, I never really shop at John Lewis so didn't know they had them.

Did you test the Embody in store too?

Also, yeah the Logitech one looks amazing compared to the normal embody and Aeron. However I am the same as you, if I can't get an Embody soon I may just bite the bullet for an Aeron but I do cross my legs so worried about the plastic.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Sadly they don't sell/stock the Embody at all. I was able to try the Aeron, Setu, SAYL and a high backed one that I can't recall the name of. If you do go into the shop to check them out be sure to wonder around as they're (or at least in the Edinburgh shop) all over the place in random spots.

I couldn't really find any place nearby to try out the Embody.

Ah that sucks.

How did the Aeron feel? Putting aside branding, marketing etc, did it actually feel like a £1,000+ chair and worth the money or better to go with a cheaper replica?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

I sat in it for a while and it felt comfy even though the two kids that sat on it before me had it in all sorts of weird positions.

Anyway I adjusted it and it was good, I sat there and played around with the desk, mimicking playing on the computer. I couldn't exactly put my feet up the way I would do at home (I have a small table/foot rest thing under the table in the corner) but it felt right.

I returned to it later after trying all the other chairs and it just felt better. The sayl is half the price but the back of it isn't as soft/comfortable and I honestly didn't like the look of it.

Put it this way with the extra 15% off swung it for me with not wanting to wait any longer for the logitech one.

How much did you pay in the end?

I know there is different attachments and finishes and stuff.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

£923.95 - B - Dark Carbon, Carpet Castors and carbon seat finish.

Their order page is terrible though. It simply has order date and number.

Billing address and shipping address.

No ETA at all.

Did you buy from Herman Miller direct or John Lewis?

Yeah let me know when you get it

 

[Actual_Criminal]

15% discount now open to the gaming products

damn could have got the gaming edition of the Aeron.

Logitech one not included as it’s still not on sale.

Yeah really tempted to just buy the £900 gaming Aeron rather than waiting for the Embody...Hmm.

Anyone know how much the official Aeron headrests costs and how easy they are to install?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

I have noticed that the Herman Miller Aeron size C is the same size as B... I'm only 5'9 but a big guy. - Should I opt for the bigger one if it's the same price?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

OK, I can either buy a new one for £900 or buy a classic Aeron refurbished in excellent condition at £430....

How does the classic compare?

 

[Actual_Criminal]

okay so it got delivered today. Package/box was all mashed and bashed but the chair itself was thankfully perfect. Got it adjusted and into position but can’t get it quite right.

Hmm, I was going to buy one online this Friday.

Do you think it's worth the money? What's it like for slouching haha?

Feel free to use it for 24 hours or so and let me know.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

ive basically sat in it for about 6 hours or so, think I got up for a brew once in that time. It’s great. As for slouching, it’s hard to say as I personally don’t really slouch but I do kind of lean back and put my feet up, they’re about 50cm up in the air. I’ve basically got it set up so I can lean back as far as I can and it won’t go to far forward. Who knows if that’s any help for you!

you could always get one and return it if it doesn’t work out, I still kind of want the Logitech one though

Haha, it sounds like you aren't 100% on it. For £900, I want to be blown away!

I have noticed as well that some of the famous streamers who have the Aeron actually use their Embody over it. - Namely Shroud, Myth and XQC which is interesting.

Yeah I would honestly pay the £1.2K to buy the Logitech Embody, however it has been saying coming soon for awhile. I posted on the HM Reddit to try and find out when it would be back in stock but got no answers.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Not sure if this is too late, but I've gone from a stupidly overpriced Herman Miller at work to a Humanscale Diffrient at home. £600 from your favourite middle class shopping destination and much more comfortable after 10+ hours.

If i'm going to pay £450 on a chair, I would be willing to pay the extra to get a Herman Miller.

It does look like a good chair without the lumbar support though.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Got this response from Herman Miller today in regards to the Logitech Embody chair.
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"Hello Daniel,

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately, we do not have an exact date for the launch of the Gaming Embody chair in the UK yet. But, we predict that it will be at the start of the new year. Please be assured that we are doing all we can to make these chairs available in the UK as soon as possible."
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To wait or not wait...hmm. I was ready online and apparently the Embody is supposed to be more ergonomic than the Aeron which is surprising.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Just bought a normal Charcoal Aeron in the end.

Was going to but the gaming edition but sold out. (They look very similar anyway.)

If I don't like it, I guess I can always sell it for 10/20% near RRP which is what I paid on the Black Friday sale anyway. Wish me luck!

 

[Actual_Criminal]

What I will say is, the chair is pretty damn heavy/awkward to move so make sure you have a hand if youre going upstairs.

Which courier dropped it off?

If it's a man and van, they will probably help me but I can't see DPD and similar peeps bothering.

 

[Actual_Criminal]

Got my Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Edition Size C chair today...

I gotta say, I'm ******* thrilled!!! I'm soo I bought it and I understand what people say when they mention a floating effect.

Hopefully the mesh stays in place and doesn't break