Office Chairs: Reviews

No one will mistake this inexpensive office chair for the iconic Herman Miller Aeron or the Steelcase Leap, but if you are on a budget, or if you need to outfit a whole office, owners enthusiastically recommend the Ergo… Mesh Medium Back Task Chair. This chair receives high ratings from owners for its comfort and adjustable features. It has a mesh back and a contoured molded foam seat that is adjustable for seat depth. Additional adjustments include seat height, swivel, tilt and tension controls and adjustable arms. Though most owners say this office chair is easy to put together, others note that instructions aren't very clear.

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Owners say that this inexpensive leather executive chair is comfortable and practical, if not on the same plane as the Herman Miller Aeron or Steelcase Leap. The Office Star Deluxe Ergonomic Chair has an adjustable… armrest, seat height and tilt tension, so you can set the amount of resistance when you recline or rock. It also has a high back and a wide, thick cushion. It requires assembly.

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A newer model from Herman Miller, the Mirra retains many features of the Aeron paired with a more updated look and snazzier colors. Rather than coming in different sizes, however, the Mirra is designed to adapt itself to… each user with few required manual adjustments. Users give the Mirra high ratings for comfort and its somewhat lower price compared to the Aeron, though some don't find the frameless back as comfortable as that on the Aeron. The fully loaded version includes adjustable lumbar support, plus adjustable arms and seat depth, but costs $200 more than the Basic version (*est. $650).

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The more traditional-looking Steelcase Leap has an upholstered seat and back (in fabric or leather), whereas the Herman Miller Aeron and Mirra chairs have a mesh seat and back. The Leap has a gliding seat (missing on the… Aeron) and a flexible back that conforms to the sitter's spine, allowing reclining without pulling away from a desk. Steelcase offers a lifetime warranty, with the exception of 10 years for seating mechanisms and three years for fabric.

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Introduced in 1994, the Herman Miller Aeron has won more awards than any other office chair in history. And although it's still recommended in reviews, others say that it's showing its age. Its design -- once considered… cutting edge -- is now so widely imitated that it's no longer unique. Even so, reviewers say the Aeron is still a great chair, adjustable for lumbar depth, lumbar height, tilt tension, seat-pan angle, seat height, armrest angle and armrest height. It comes in three sizes, so it's an especially good choice for very short or very tall people, since most competing office chairs come in just one size. The seat material is Pellicle mesh rather than fabric. The Aeron has a 12-year warranty.

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