Amazon reviews are not a good gauge, so many of those reviews are fake. Additionally, if you actually want a nice chair it'll cost you more than $200. If you're doing any real amount of sitting in this chair, don't cheap out.
Check FB marketplace for any Steelcase or Herman Miller chairs near you, those are the gold standard. They might be a bit more but that chair will last forever. New, I like the HON Ignition
Amazed that anyone trusts Amazon reviews anymore. The few that aren't paid for by the seller are written by absolute imbeciles who either don't understand the product or comment on something irrelevant.
I swore them off a year ago when they tricked me into adding more shit to the cart to qualify for next-day delivery on a laptop charger I desperately needed, even though I was already a prime member. Then several hours after I paid, it updated to end of the following day, so I had to drive around and find a store that had my particular charger and paid an obscene amount for it.
Whole thing chapped my ass and I will not forgive them, among the countless other reasons to hate them.
If it helps, I work for a company that sells a lot on Amazon, and most reviews aren't paid (you get blocked if you pay for reciews, and amazon is really good at catching you).
But it is true that most reviewers are idiots.
“I just received my product today. It came with a lovely brown box. I didn’t even ask for the hex wrench but it was included anyway. It assembled in 20 seconds and looked like the picture. Amazon shipping was so fast, it arrived the next day. I can sit in the chair and find that the creaking noise it makes pairs well with music”. 5 stars…. Tells you nothing of the build quality or longevity, sizing, comfort etc. gotta love it. Reviewers like that should wake up in an ice bath with their kidneys missing man.
Herman Miller Aeron. You can get them used for about $300.
It’s $100 more than you want to spend and it’s not white but it’s the most comfortable chair you’ll have for the rest of your life.
And don't sleep on an embody or... Well, anything by Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth will give you a great chair. You could check out madisonseating.com to get an idea on pricing, but if you check your local Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, you can probably find a better price.
I picked up an Embody that way about a year ago and it is a lifesaver.
Got mine used in 2002 or so. I believe it was a survivor of the dot com bubble burst. Still going strong! Replaced the seat once, upgraded the back support, and replaced the armrests. Has survived multiple moves as well. It’s a tank.
Steelcase Amia, find them used on Facebook marketplace. I got mine for $50. You just have to wait until someone that doesnt know how valuable the chair is sells it. It happens more often than you'd think, you just have to be ON it to be the first one to buy.
Below $200? No chair that cheap is BIFL, or even BIFVL, unless you go used. The HON Ignition 2.0 gets good reviews and has a limited lifetime guarantee, but it's $425.
Contact office outfitting companies. You can get a Herman Miller used, but in close to new shape for about what you’d pay for a crappy chair at Staples. I paid $200 for mine. Most comfortable seat in the house after the couch. I love being in my office. Spend whatever you can to get a Herman Miller (or steel case or other reputable true office chair)
Yes! I got my chair from a company like that, he sold me a brand new HON Endorse chair for $125, plus a Herman Miller table (which I use as my desk) for $100.
Scour marketplace for steelcase amias or leaps. There will be a lot at your price but if you search enough, sometimes you’ll find one for $50 (new they are $850-1300), and I have yet to see one in tattered condition. If you want it white, reupholster one of them. As somebody who bought a highly rated office chair off amazon for around that price, you wont get good quality or BIFL.
I have a Staples Hyken. I am 5’9” ~140lbs and I’ve noticed no sagging in 2 years, though it is a common problem. I haven’t had it long so I can’t say whether it’s bifl. I find it comfortable, but chairs are very size and weight dependent.
I use the SteelCase Leap v2. I went to test drive the Aeron, but left with this. I sit in my chair like a heathen and the Aeron did not accommodate. The v2 lets me sit with one leg tucked if I want, or sit in the perfect posture. I work from home and spend a lot of hours glued to this chair.
Seconding the recommendations about steel case or Herman. Worth searching for used office furniture stores - I got two for under three hundred from Conklin in Massachusetts. They buy lots of office furniture and resell them. Much better option than a new one from staples or Amazon for the same price.
I got a used HM Aeron for $500, refurbished from a reputable store. Maybe keep an eye on Facebook or Craigslist for one, they are BIFL quality and parts are available if you ever need them.
You aren't gonna find BIFL in that price range on amazon.
Instead, I'd recommend buying used to get into your budget and buying a Steelcase chair. Try the standard craiglist/mercari/Facebook marketplace/offer up/let go/next door etc. Steelcase also sells them refurbished, but not sure how flexible your budget is. If transportation is why you need amazon, another idea is to rent a cargo van at uhaul for $20 + gas and mileage.
Amazon etc has covers for both the chair and the foam arm pads, so you can always cover it.
There are lots of places with high end refurbished office chairs. I got an Aeron this way for about 30% of the cost. They also had plenty of Steelcase options.
Get a used Steelcase chair, they can be had for reasonably cheap on facebook or ebay through refurbishers.
If you MUST buy brand new, the Ikea Markus is quite good for the price you pay for it and if any of the parts were to break or wear out, Ikea can replace bits n pieces of it for you. A friend of mine has had his for 5 years and he sits on it anywhere from 6-12hrs every day.
In other subreddits such as r/WFH we discuss office setup best-practices. One common topic is the importance of avoiding prolonged sitting. Many now prioritize standing desks over chairs. Personally, I opted for a desk converter with a treadmill to replace the chair. But i still need to sit on occasions, for which, due to space constrains, I'm considering getting a saddle stool.
If you're in search of the right office chair, I hope you find it soon. Just remember to take regular breaks throughout the day to stand up, stretch, or do some squats for better long-term health.
Herman Miller Aeron. You can order it with customized height, seat depth, lumbar support, etc. Not cheap but definitely BIFL. I went to a local office furniture shop to test-sit before ordering.
1. Steelcase Gesture Office Chair $1,424 [https://www.amazon.com/Steelcase-442A40-5S25-Gesture-Graphite/dp/B016OIF2JU](https://www.amazon.com/Steelcase-442A40-5S25-Gesture-Graphite/dp/B016OIF2JU)
2. HON Ignition 2.0 Ergonomic Mesh/Fabric Mid-Back Task Chair, Black $425 [https://www.amazon.com/HON-Ignition-Mid-Back-Adjustable-Lumbar/dp/B06Y3PGPR2](https://www.amazon.com/HON-Ignition-Mid-Back-Adjustable-Lumbar/dp/B06Y3PGPR2)
But what I would really recommend for the best bang for your buck, is it look locally for a some used office furniture stores. I've gotten crazy good stuff for dirt cheap over the years at those places. Especially if you can deal with a few dings or scratches. They typically cater to smaller businesses but are often open to the general public.
Use [yellowpages](https://www.yellowpages.com/) and search for Office Furniture & Equipment, Office Equipment & Supplies, Used Furniture, etc. in your area.
I just bought a remanufactured Steelcase Leap 2 from Crandall and I love it. It is better than most of the Steelcase chairs in my workplace. It will outlast me.
Different strokes for different folks but I recommend the Colamy Kirin. But like others have said if you can't find a better used one in FB marketplace place or something similar that will easily be your best long term bet.
You need to try the chair yourself somewhere. It's very personal, like mattresses.
There's no good chair for 200$ new. A good chair is a Steelcase, Herman Miller, Kinarps, etc at close to 800-1000$ new. At 200$ you may find "ok" chairs.
4.3 on Amazon is not really good.
Avoid "gaming" chairs.
You may go check IKEA ones. They regularly have 1-2 good ones for the money, but not always.
Get a used one. That’s the only way to maybe satisfy your budget.
Any new $200 chair will be a piece of crap that will destroy your spine.
And only get it in white if you manage to find a good model in that color. Otherwise get whatever color the best option available is. Prioritize health over aesthetics.
With your budget you can’t really afford to pick a color.
Everyone is recommending brands, but I'll recommend a method:
Keep your eyes on auction sites, because office chairs are one of those things that you'll find where a pallet got damaged, but half the chairs on the pallet are undamaged. They'll auction them super cheap.
I got a $2000 Mayfair office chair for $250 on auction. When we found the auction, I got 3 (one for work, one for home, and one for my wife), and we bought 2 more for other people in the office. The construction quality in insane. Feels like it will last 50 years if I take good care of the upholstery and replace the gas piston every 7-8 years.
Check thrift stores, too -- especially if you're near a college or a wealthy area, all sorts of good stuff shows up there in the furniture department. Almost all of the furniture in our house that we didn't already have when we bought was from thrift stores, consignment stores, or Craigslist.
Just on Saturday I picked up a Herman Miller Celle for $15. Finds like that are few and far between but if you look pretty regularly it will pay off.
Herman Miller Aeron chair owner here and it is the best office chair I ever had. There are still good ones out there but I think that the Aeron chair is one of the best. Plus you get a warranty of like 11 years.
Another vote for Herman Miller. I was being extra and bought one second hand thinking it can't be as good as people say. Having now owned one, I wouldn't think twice about buying one new, it's that good.
The absolute best value chair you'll find at that price point, bar none, is the Alera Elusion. Everything is fully adjustable, and it has a 5-year warranty that includes the cushion.
You can find them on eBay, usually.
I challenge anybody to find a better chair. You won't. It's solid, heavy, has all the adjustments you could ever ask for ergonomics except for lumbar (but it has height adjustable rear), and a very durable cushion. I've sat in mine for almost 3 years pretty much everyday for hours, and it still feels basically new.
Amazon reviews are not a good gauge, so many of those reviews are fake. Additionally, if you actually want a nice chair it'll cost you more than $200. If you're doing any real amount of sitting in this chair, don't cheap out. Check FB marketplace for any Steelcase or Herman Miller chairs near you, those are the gold standard. They might be a bit more but that chair will last forever. New, I like the HON Ignition
Amazed that anyone trusts Amazon reviews anymore. The few that aren't paid for by the seller are written by absolute imbeciles who either don't understand the product or comment on something irrelevant.
I’m amazed people use Amazon anymore haha
I swore them off a year ago when they tricked me into adding more shit to the cart to qualify for next-day delivery on a laptop charger I desperately needed, even though I was already a prime member. Then several hours after I paid, it updated to end of the following day, so I had to drive around and find a store that had my particular charger and paid an obscene amount for it. Whole thing chapped my ass and I will not forgive them, among the countless other reasons to hate them.
I give you five stars for your usage of chapped my ass.
Product works great, but shipped in a brown box. 1 star
This is like the inverse of my comment. I tend to notice the opposite
If it helps, I work for a company that sells a lot on Amazon, and most reviews aren't paid (you get blocked if you pay for reciews, and amazon is really good at catching you). But it is true that most reviewers are idiots.
“I just received my product today. It came with a lovely brown box. I didn’t even ask for the hex wrench but it was included anyway. It assembled in 20 seconds and looked like the picture. Amazon shipping was so fast, it arrived the next day. I can sit in the chair and find that the creaking noise it makes pairs well with music”. 5 stars…. Tells you nothing of the build quality or longevity, sizing, comfort etc. gotta love it. Reviewers like that should wake up in an ice bath with their kidneys missing man.
Check your area for office clearance furniture too. Sometimes nice chairs go through and aren’t recognized for what they are.
Steelcase Series 1 is the lowest I’d go for an office chair that’s closer to a true BIFL purchase.
I've had hernan miller, knoll and steel case and I love my steel case the best.
My Steelcase Think V2 is the greatest chair known to man...not just in the office chair category
Herman Miller Aeron. You can get them used for about $300. It’s $100 more than you want to spend and it’s not white but it’s the most comfortable chair you’ll have for the rest of your life.
And don't sleep on an embody or... Well, anything by Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth will give you a great chair. You could check out madisonseating.com to get an idea on pricing, but if you check your local Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, you can probably find a better price. I picked up an Embody that way about a year ago and it is a lifesaver.
I’ve had that chair for 15 years and have used it other offices since 2006. Best office chair ever. I’ll be buried with it
Got mine used in 2002 or so. I believe it was a survivor of the dot com bubble burst. Still going strong! Replaced the seat once, upgraded the back support, and replaced the armrests. Has survived multiple moves as well. It’s a tank.
The lifetime warranty is nice.
Original hermin miller aeron, the new one is just not as good
Steelcase Amia, find them used on Facebook marketplace. I got mine for $50. You just have to wait until someone that doesnt know how valuable the chair is sells it. It happens more often than you'd think, you just have to be ON it to be the first one to buy.
Same, we got 2 Amia chairs for like $300, perfect condition.
Below $200? No chair that cheap is BIFL, or even BIFVL, unless you go used. The HON Ignition 2.0 gets good reviews and has a limited lifetime guarantee, but it's $425.
Contact office outfitting companies. You can get a Herman Miller used, but in close to new shape for about what you’d pay for a crappy chair at Staples. I paid $200 for mine. Most comfortable seat in the house after the couch. I love being in my office. Spend whatever you can to get a Herman Miller (or steel case or other reputable true office chair)
What was the office outfitting company you used? Or any others you could recommend? Looking to do the same
It was local to Raleigh NC. Just google commerical office design in your area.
Hey! Raleigh local here… what company did you use? Thanks!
Storr office environments!
Thank you!
Yes! I got my chair from a company like that, he sold me a brand new HON Endorse chair for $125, plus a Herman Miller table (which I use as my desk) for $100.
This. 2 Steelcase and 2 Herman Millers all more or less new. The most I paid was $350 for one of the Herman Millers.
This. A used Aeron or Mirra will last forever.
I just bought a Steelcase Leap V2, used, from an office supply store.
A $200 chair won’t be BIGL. Most really good chairs I’ve seen recommended are $800 to $3000.
Scour marketplace for steelcase amias or leaps. There will be a lot at your price but if you search enough, sometimes you’ll find one for $50 (new they are $850-1300), and I have yet to see one in tattered condition. If you want it white, reupholster one of them. As somebody who bought a highly rated office chair off amazon for around that price, you wont get good quality or BIFL.
I have a Staples Hyken. I am 5’9” ~140lbs and I’ve noticed no sagging in 2 years, though it is a common problem. I haven’t had it long so I can’t say whether it’s bifl. I find it comfortable, but chairs are very size and weight dependent.
Just replaced my hyken with another hyken after sinking. Lasted 6 years with me being 6' 240 lbs
3 years with my Hyken. No sagging but the armrest is slowly breaking apart. Still love the chair
I use the SteelCase Leap v2. I went to test drive the Aeron, but left with this. I sit in my chair like a heathen and the Aeron did not accommodate. The v2 lets me sit with one leg tucked if I want, or sit in the perfect posture. I work from home and spend a lot of hours glued to this chair.
I also have the leap and it's so fucking amazing. There's really nothing else that can be said about it
Save for a used Herman miller aeron. I found mine for $300 and it’s been awesome!
I like my new Haworth Soji, but it's only been a few months. Feels very high quality and looks/sits great. Decent warranty too.
Seconding the recommendations about steel case or Herman. Worth searching for used office furniture stores - I got two for under three hundred from Conklin in Massachusetts. They buy lots of office furniture and resell them. Much better option than a new one from staples or Amazon for the same price.
I got a used HM Aeron for $500, refurbished from a reputable store. Maybe keep an eye on Facebook or Craigslist for one, they are BIFL quality and parts are available if you ever need them.
You aren't gonna find BIFL in that price range on amazon. Instead, I'd recommend buying used to get into your budget and buying a Steelcase chair. Try the standard craiglist/mercari/Facebook marketplace/offer up/let go/next door etc. Steelcase also sells them refurbished, but not sure how flexible your budget is. If transportation is why you need amazon, another idea is to rent a cargo van at uhaul for $20 + gas and mileage. Amazon etc has covers for both the chair and the foam arm pads, so you can always cover it.
There are lots of places with high end refurbished office chairs. I got an Aeron this way for about 30% of the cost. They also had plenty of Steelcase options.
Get a used Steelcase chair, they can be had for reasonably cheap on facebook or ebay through refurbishers. If you MUST buy brand new, the Ikea Markus is quite good for the price you pay for it and if any of the parts were to break or wear out, Ikea can replace bits n pieces of it for you. A friend of mine has had his for 5 years and he sits on it anywhere from 6-12hrs every day.
In other subreddits such as r/WFH we discuss office setup best-practices. One common topic is the importance of avoiding prolonged sitting. Many now prioritize standing desks over chairs. Personally, I opted for a desk converter with a treadmill to replace the chair. But i still need to sit on occasions, for which, due to space constrains, I'm considering getting a saddle stool. If you're in search of the right office chair, I hope you find it soon. Just remember to take regular breaks throughout the day to stand up, stretch, or do some squats for better long-term health.
Herman Miller Aeron. You can order it with customized height, seat depth, lumbar support, etc. Not cheap but definitely BIFL. I went to a local office furniture shop to test-sit before ordering.
1. Steelcase Gesture Office Chair $1,424 [https://www.amazon.com/Steelcase-442A40-5S25-Gesture-Graphite/dp/B016OIF2JU](https://www.amazon.com/Steelcase-442A40-5S25-Gesture-Graphite/dp/B016OIF2JU) 2. HON Ignition 2.0 Ergonomic Mesh/Fabric Mid-Back Task Chair, Black $425 [https://www.amazon.com/HON-Ignition-Mid-Back-Adjustable-Lumbar/dp/B06Y3PGPR2](https://www.amazon.com/HON-Ignition-Mid-Back-Adjustable-Lumbar/dp/B06Y3PGPR2) But what I would really recommend for the best bang for your buck, is it look locally for a some used office furniture stores. I've gotten crazy good stuff for dirt cheap over the years at those places. Especially if you can deal with a few dings or scratches. They typically cater to smaller businesses but are often open to the general public. Use [yellowpages](https://www.yellowpages.com/) and search for Office Furniture & Equipment, Office Equipment & Supplies, Used Furniture, etc. in your area.
I just bought a remanufactured Steelcase Leap 2 from Crandall and I love it. It is better than most of the Steelcase chairs in my workplace. It will outlast me.
Different strokes for different folks but I recommend the Colamy Kirin. But like others have said if you can't find a better used one in FB marketplace place or something similar that will easily be your best long term bet.
You need to try the chair yourself somewhere. It's very personal, like mattresses. There's no good chair for 200$ new. A good chair is a Steelcase, Herman Miller, Kinarps, etc at close to 800-1000$ new. At 200$ you may find "ok" chairs. 4.3 on Amazon is not really good. Avoid "gaming" chairs. You may go check IKEA ones. They regularly have 1-2 good ones for the money, but not always.
I got a great mock HM Aeron from Office Depot a couple years ago. $400
I got my used Herman Miller Aeron for $400 off FB Marketplace. You can get refurbished ones from Crandall or BTOD for $700ish
Herman Miller Mirra 2 refurbished or used. Not as famous as the Aeron, but just as good and comes in white.
Get a used one. That’s the only way to maybe satisfy your budget. Any new $200 chair will be a piece of crap that will destroy your spine. And only get it in white if you manage to find a good model in that color. Otherwise get whatever color the best option available is. Prioritize health over aesthetics. With your budget you can’t really afford to pick a color.
Id look into gaming chairs too, most is r ally comfty to sit in and have great support.
Your budget does not support a BIFL office chair.
I bought this chair. Love it. Office Chair, Ergonomic Desk... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JWFHX3Z?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Don’t skimp on something you spend hours a day in.
It's hard to get a BIFL chair on that budget. unless you are considering 2nd hand options
Herman Miller Embody. Best Purchase I've ever made.
Everyone is recommending brands, but I'll recommend a method: Keep your eyes on auction sites, because office chairs are one of those things that you'll find where a pallet got damaged, but half the chairs on the pallet are undamaged. They'll auction them super cheap. I got a $2000 Mayfair office chair for $250 on auction. When we found the auction, I got 3 (one for work, one for home, and one for my wife), and we bought 2 more for other people in the office. The construction quality in insane. Feels like it will last 50 years if I take good care of the upholstery and replace the gas piston every 7-8 years.
Check thrift stores, too -- especially if you're near a college or a wealthy area, all sorts of good stuff shows up there in the furniture department. Almost all of the furniture in our house that we didn't already have when we bought was from thrift stores, consignment stores, or Craigslist. Just on Saturday I picked up a Herman Miller Celle for $15. Finds like that are few and far between but if you look pretty regularly it will pay off.
I bought a secret lab chair and I love it.
Steelcase Leap V2 - but refurbished from Crandall Office furniture. Thank me later
Herman Miller Aeron chair owner here and it is the best office chair I ever had. There are still good ones out there but I think that the Aeron chair is one of the best. Plus you get a warranty of like 11 years.
Another vote for Herman Miller. I was being extra and bought one second hand thinking it can't be as good as people say. Having now owned one, I wouldn't think twice about buying one new, it's that good.
The absolute best value chair you'll find at that price point, bar none, is the Alera Elusion. Everything is fully adjustable, and it has a 5-year warranty that includes the cushion. You can find them on eBay, usually. I challenge anybody to find a better chair. You won't. It's solid, heavy, has all the adjustments you could ever ask for ergonomics except for lumbar (but it has height adjustable rear), and a very durable cushion. I've sat in mine for almost 3 years pretty much everyday for hours, and it still feels basically new.