The Herman Miller Aeron stands as a globally renowned and highly sought-after office chair, recognized for its ergonomic excellence. However, it also commands a premium price, prompting the common question: are Herman Miller chairs worth it?
Herman Miller chairs are known for their exceptional quality, ergonomic design, and durability. While they come with a premium price tag, their comfort and long-term value make them worth it for individuals who prioritize comfort and are willing to invest in a chair that can enhance their posture and well-being over time.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of Herman Miller chairs to know if they are worth the price.
What are the Pros of Herman Miller Chairs?
Herman Miller chairs are prized for their outstanding build quality, customizable armrests, exceptional back support, forward seat tilt for active sitting, and a well-engineered recline function, all contributing to a comfortable and ergonomic seating experience.
Build Quality
When you invest in the Herman Miller Aeron, you’re choosing one of the most impeccably constructed chairs available.
After assessing over 50 office chairs, the Aeron consistently garners the highest marks for build quality.
Crafted in the USA, each component exudes top-tier craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly together, ensuring a seamlessly smooth user experience, and boasting an aesthetically pleasing design, so much so that it has earned a place in The Museum of Modern Art.
All in all, the Aeron represents the pinnacle of high-end chair options.
Armrests
Opting for the fully adjustable arms, which we highly recommend, grants you three-way adjustments. These encompass height, depth, and pivot adjustments, offering an extensive range for positioning your arms to your liking.
While width adjustment isn’t available, the pivot adjustment compensates by delivering a wide range of movement that effectively serves as a substitute for width adjustment.
Back Support
The Aeron chair offers several lumbar support choices to suit your needs. Firstly, there’s the no lumbar option, relying on the chair’s inherent backrest curve for support.
Alternatively, you can opt for a height-adjustable lumbar system or the Posture Fit SL, which covers a larger back area and allows for depth control in the lumbar adjustment.
In general, the Aeron garners high praise for its back support among our office testers, ensuring a reliable and comfortable support experience.
Forward Seat Tilt
An exceptional feature distinguishing this chair from many others is its forward seat tilt function. While this adjustment may not be commonly found in various seating options, it caters to those seeking precisely this feature.
If you’re in search of a premium chair offering this option, this chair could be your ideal choice.
Recline Function
The Aeron boasts a recline mechanism that strikes a remarkable balance between a knee tilt and synchro tilt mechanism, offering an exceptionally smooth adjustment rarely found in office chairs.
It delivers a gentle rocking sensation, effortlessly allowing you to return to an upright sitting position.
With its excellent tension adjustment and multiple locking positions, this chair is an excellent choice for individuals who enjoy the flexibility of rocking or reclining during their workday.
Policies
When you order a Herman Miller Aeron Chair, you’re going to get the best office chair warranties in the business. You’ll get 12-year coverage on the entire chair. This includes every part of the chair including the mesh.
If anything goes wrong, they’ll replace the part or send in a technician to fix it, ensuring that you’re covered for that full 12-year period.
When you order an Aeron Chair, it’s delivered fully assembled to your door. You also get a 30-day period where you can return the chair for a full refund if you don’t like it.
One of the perks to having a fully assembled chair delivered to you, is that if you don’t like the chair and chose to return it, you don’t have to spend time disassembling the chair for repackaging. There are very few chairs in the industry that have this good of policies when you purchase a chair.
What are the Cons of Herman Miller Chairs?
Herman Miller chairs are generally considered high-quality, but they do have some potential drawbacks:
Seat
When evaluating the value of the Aeron chair, it’s essential to consider that its seat may not suit everyone’s preferences. Notably, the chair lacks seat depth adjustment across its three available sizes.
Consequently, some users might find the seat length incompatible, potentially experiencing discomfort as the front edge of the frame contacts the back of their legs.
Another aspect dissatisfying some office users is the plastic framing around the sides. This design cradles the user, limiting movement and adjustments within the seat.
The seat itself is constructed from firm mesh material. While the mesh is pliable, it may feel overly rigid for certain individuals who prefer a softer seating experience. If you favor a softer seat, the Aeron chair might not align with your preferences.
Back Rest
The Aeron’s backrest may not offer universal comfort, primarily due to its prominent frame and absence of back height adjustments.
Several users reported feeling the frame against their upper back when reclining or stretching, resulting in discomfort. The lack of back height adjustment further limits the ability to reposition the frame to avoid contact with the upper back.
If you tend to shift positions frequently while seated, this aspect could pose a drawback for your seating experience.
Price
A significant deterrent for potential buyers is the chair’s price point. With a starting price of $1,205, even the base model of this chair falls into the high-cost category.
Opting for full customization can escalate the price to as much as $2,300, rendering it one of the priciest chairs available in the market.
So, Are Herman Miller Chairs Worth It?
Considering all the information provided, the question of whether this chair is worth it comes down to a balance of its impressive features and a few drawbacks.
It undeniably ranks among the highest-end chairs available, backed by industry-leading policies. Its exceptional arm and back support, along with an outstanding recline function, set it apart. Moreover, it offers unique adjustments not commonly found in other high-end office chairs.
However, there are important cons to consider. The seat and back may not provide universal comfort, and the absence of backrest adjustments can pose challenges if the chair’s size isn’t an ideal fit. Additionally, the high price point may deter potential buyers.
From a pure value perspective, the chair justifies its cost, especially when you factor in Herman Miller’s impressive 12-year warranty. Breaking down the cost per year, it ranges from $110 to $195, depending on your configuration.
When you consider this annual cost for a high-end office chair that’s built to last, it becomes a reasonable investment.
In contrast, lower-end chairs may need replacement every few years, while mid-market options might require two replacements during the Aeron’s 12-year warranty period.
With confidence in the Aeron’s longevity and its status as one of the best chairs on the market, the overall value proposition of this chair is worth the investment.
Last Words
There is no negative answer when the question is are herman miller chairs worth it.
This chair combines exceptional craftsmanship, comfort, support, and a wide range of customizable features to ensure you find the perfect fit for your physique and posture.
Additionally, it stands as a symbol of contemporary office furniture design, enhancing the aesthetics of your workspace.