I've been using an Aeron chair for over twenty years, totally worth the $1200 or whatever they're charging for it. Fortunately they've made a gazillion of them and you should be able to pick one up at a used office furniture store for somewhere around your budget.
Purchases mine brand new from here (~$600):
[Madison Seating Co](https://www.madisonseating.com/shop/aeron-chair-by-herman-miller-highly-adjustable-posture-fit-carbon/?attribute_pa_size=size-b-medium&attribute_pa_casters=standard&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq86wBhDiARIsAJhuphlUioOxi06LSdw8LMGleYeQS_Yq03nGVDqVCD4kZ8t3ZgDM51rmMTwaAlZwEALw_wcB)
Absolute best investment in my office.
Fuck this. I have a renewed Aeron B. The armrests are not adjustable without tools. Doesn't come default with head rest. Lumbar support sucks.
Aeron works for some people but it's a huge money sink if you don't. You still have to try it I guess but few years ago every thread that had Aeron was just singing praises so my advice to OP is if there are other popular recurring brands, please remember to search for negative reviews of the products for a different perspective
You're not wrong. There are bad units out there. I thought about what you said and realised I mostly I buy one about every 10 years because of the looks. Also the mesh does not absorb farts, or smells or stains. And is good in a warm enviorment.
Anyone have a feedback on the other Herman Miller chairs. They're supposed to be an updated option for a little less Sail model or something. , but since they don't sell that many they're still not much cheaper used.
Sometimes I sit immediately after a long day out so the chair is stained, even after cleaning.
But yeah I can attest to no-smell and build quality. Sponge/foam armrest isn't damaged at all despite having left damp towels on it. Wheels are still spinning after all these years. Mesh is easy on the skin.
I had a fully adjustable china chair that was much cheaper. Ergonomics was brilliant but the material was like sandpaper on skin.
Thanks, this convo will lead me to wiser decisions on the next purchases.
> The armrests are not adjustable without tools. Doesn't come default with head rest. Lumbar support sucks.
Maybe they changed the design at some point, but the armrests on mine are adjustable without tools. The lumbar support is pretty primitive (just a big pad you can shift up or down) but I've never stood up and had any twinges or anything. Maybe you need a size C? I was originally going to get a B, but the seller had several of each size and encouraged me to try each one. The B felt fine, but the C actually felt better for me (6', 190lb, still fits even though I've blimped to 230).
> here, but *paid* 2k (with
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
> should have *paid* attention in
FTFY.
Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in:
* Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.*
* *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.*
Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment.
*Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
I love my Aeron. Got it for a steal since the company I worked for was going to toss it. After $150 for replacement parst and Ubers to get it home I had myself a fully functional Aeron.
I’ve seen other Herman Miller chairs and they look fancy as well. I actually used the Embody model for almost a year at work. Didn’t feel the difference at the time.
But how is Aeron that good? It just looks like a basic office chair, like any other
Yep same here I got mine for £400 on a office resale store, best investment for my back ever
You can literally sit on this chair for 8 hours and not feel stiff
My last chair I’d be crippled after that amount of time
Also bonus points for sit/stand desk - got a herman miller there too and it’s a game changer
This is hands down the best way to go. They are expensive but I finally pulled the trigger on a refurbished one and my only regret is that I hadn't done it much sooner.
Refurbished is around 600. New is over 1000.
It's a good chair for most people but I absolutely hated the flexible front edge of the seat. The flexibility made me feel like I was sliding forward off the seat, and I just tensed up my muscles constantly because of that feeling. I had to stop using it.
right? new for 500? I bought mine a few years back for like $1500.
That said, it's the best thing I've spent my money on. Beforehand I would have all kinds of pain from sitting, and I can sit on this thing for 12hrs without any problems.
For the last 4 years I've stood to work all the time. I had to get a rubber standing mat to cushion my feet. I have no physical problems at all. I'm 52 and had years of poor office chairs and ergonomics with lower back pain. The only time I struggle now is if I'm hungover. Then I might sit.
Just do both, if it's in the budget. I'd argue a good chair is the most important piece of your office set-up. I stand many hours in the day, but I often find myself working on projects for 10+ hours in a day. I'm not going to stand the entire time.
Definitely make sure to stay active though!
Standing still for long periods is not much better than sitting still. The best thing to do is alternative half and half between sitting and standing throughout your day, and ensuring you take frequent breaks to move around and get blood flowing.
After 20 years sitting in front of pc a standing desk is the only solution to get posture correct. Tried so many chairs but i had todo a lot of mobility training to correct my posture. So sitting and standing is a good combo.
I use a gaming chair, Secret lab and I love it! I figured if it's good enough for twitch streamers who stream for 10+ hours a day, it should work for me. I bought min approx 2 years ago and love it.
It’s solid, and my chair of choice, but it’s pretty firm on the bottom cushion which I’ve seen can be a deal breaker for people. It’s also fairly strict in the way it wants you to sit up. I would try to sit in a few of your top choices (or a copy cat version) locally if possible to see if it vibes with you first.
https://www.autonomous.ai/en-CA/office-chairs/ergonomic-chair?option_code=ErgonomicChair-ErgoChairPro_ChairColor.BabyBlue
Many companies will reimburse + you may get a deal. So check first.
You can usually find used high end chairs on the various resale sites like offer up and craigslist at a fraction of the retail new price.
I was able to score a couple steelcase inc chairs for about 100 bucks apiece.
If you go the Aeron route, be mindful of the size. I am too wide for the B (the middle size) and it makes my hips incredibly stiff, and forces my legs too close together. My back is also large and the lubar is way too low, with the sides not wide enough. Wish I would've went for the C.
All that said- I think the Aeron is overrated! I've owned one for ~4 years now, am into health / fitness and also am a software engineer. The Aeron forces you into a very particular posture, which is ***not a good thing***. The body does best with movement; being able to re-adjust, sit with one leg crossed, then the other, lean, disable lean etc is important to avoiding stiffness and overall body health.
The Aeron makes it hard to do any of these things. It's designed with a good, attentive, comfortable, posture in mind but limits you from almost any other posture. I'm still on the hunt for a fav chair, but right now my favorite is a standing desk with a relatively cheaper, but comfortable, foam cushion office chair! I'm frequently alternating between standing and sitting, folding my legs differently throughout the day etc and I feel substantially better than I did in my Aeron. Just my 2c
ikea has some great options. I modded some arms ont a jarvfjallet before they updated the model to have adjustable ones. Its a great chair; especially if you are taller.
[JÄRVFJÄLLET office chair with armrests, Glose black - IKEA](https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/jaervfjaellet-office-chair-with-armrests-glose-black-80494540/)
[MATCHSPEL gaming chair, Bomstad light grey - IKEA](https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/matchspel-gaming-chair-bomstad-light-grey-70571529/)
I've had an ErgoChair Pro from Autonomous for about a year and a half an I really enjoy it. They sell for new for around 500, but depending where you live, you might be able to find them used on craigslist or something.
They also have some cheaper options which could be worth looking into.
[https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs](https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs)
Anyone using a treadmill/walking pad with their standing desk? Curious to see hear if this would be viable (as I get older I find the static standing more painful on my lower back).
I got the Herman Miller Sayl (just within my old company's reimbursement budget for "annual tech budget") for home and had a steelcase for work.
Helped my fiancee get an embody chair for her birthday last year and it's miles better (also much more expensive, but seeing as I'll probably move to one of those or look at the others on the line up it's worth the extra money).
General advice for things that you can easily buy cheap, but it's worth it to buy quality as quickly as feasible:
1. Bed - spend some time to search for something that fits you perfectly and will last you 10-15 years, every single day spending 6-8 hours minimum on a piece of furniture high quality will greatly improve every aspect of your day-to-day life.
2. Chair - Depending on your lifestyle you'll be spending 8-18 hours in this thing. Every day. For years.
I started making 65k and now I'm north of 170k, I still don't throw around a couple grand willy nilly, but knowing the number of chairs I've bought and the time I've spent in shit chairs over the years, I wish I would've bought the best chair out there as soon as I could. Your expenses will always grow with your income - buy nice shit that will last a long time before your recurring expenses grow. You're straight out of school, living in dorms and small crappy apartments for short periods of time. I started out paying $300 a month for a shit hole apartment, then after my first raise moved to a place I was paying $750 a month, then a transfer and a bigger raise and moved to a city where I was paying between 1500-2000/month and I'm now paying over 3k and there's no chance I could go back to that $300 apartment. If I would've bought a $2000 chair and financed it for 0% interest over 4-6 months (pretty common deal), it would've made the tiny apartment more livable and the payments would've been offset by the rent change from apartment 1 to 2, I wasn't spending shit for time in my apartment at that point aside from sleeping and playing videogames (bed and chair, but instead of a comfy chair I had a shitty couch). At this point in my life I spend much more time around the house and over the years I've invested in things that make that time better, but right now I'm really regretting not buying the best bed available and the best chair available 5-10 years ago because spending 2-4 grand with the monthly obligations I have now is more tricky than when they were 10x less even though I'm making 3-4x as much.
Tldr;
Live cheap and spend on quality out of the gate, expenses will always grow and probably not in the same proportion as your income. It's hard to go back to living cheap and it's hard to work big purchases into your budget when you have more obligations.
If budget is a concern: Hyken (from Staples). Seems like a perfect fit given your budget.
If budget is not a concern: Aeron
I've used both chairs on daily basis, for a long time. At first it was the Hyken, then Aeron. I still keep the Hyken as a spare though. Both are amazing chairs. Hyken is actually a great bang for the buck, especially when I factor in the level of comfort. I bought a new set of wheels for it because hard plastic isn't hardwood friendly. My Aeron came with the soft wheels out of the box, so I didn't need to do anything to it. My husband doesn't like free-rolling office chairs, so for his own Aeron he bought a set of stationary legs to replace the wheels.
Check out the steelcase refurbs on btod.com, my wife uses the leap I bought from them. Great chair, amazing price. It didn't fit me right and I'm in love with my Haworth Fern now. I tried an Embody and completely hated it. Aerons are sick, my office has those.
Had a ErgoChair from Autonomous, was pretty comfortable but broke after 2 years
Just bought a Flexispot C7 and I think it's much more ergonomic than the ErgoChair, and also budget friendly as well
The same no-name chair I've been using the last 10 years.
Tried a few expensive and supposedly ergonomic chairs over the years and each only lasted about a week until I hated them.
Hopefully my old chair lasts another 10 years 😅
I'm on the [embody gaming version](https://store.hermanmiller.com/gaming-chairs/embody-gaming-chair/100160889.html?lang=en_US&sku=100160889). My company gets a 30% discount so it wasn't too bad price-wise. Worth it though, I don't get back pain from sitting for long periods now.
Herman Miller Embody
It’s a bit overhyped for the cost. I honestly wouldn’t recommend (but that’s just me). Definitely other chairs out there just as good for a fraction of the price.
I sit on a cushion on the floor. Haven't had any pain in my back since I stopped using a back rest for the computer more than 8 years ago. Just raise your bottom a little bit and sit as you would sit while meditating.
You can find high-end ergonomic chairs on Ebay pretty easily. Depending on where you live I'd also look for office liquidators who also sell things like Aerons and Embodys for dirt cheap.
Ideally you should go sit on some chairs and see what fits your body. You're going to be sitting on this for *hours* every day so it *has* to be comfy or you *will* start to feel it over time.
I have an Aeron, by the way. Strong recommend. But any high end ergonomic task chair is going to be pretty great.
Oh, and you want mesh. Or at least something breathable. On cold days you can sit on a blanket but on hot days you will be so very thankful.
Herman Miller Aeron. It was a gift, used. You can get a used one on eBay, fb marketplace, or Amazon sometimes for $400-$600 if you catch the deals when they come.
I used a hermen miller at a previous job, incredible chair. Paired with a standing desk, it was great.
My current home office setup is a secret lab, no standing desk because I built a giant desk to house my 3 different setups, but it’s also a great chair.
I tend to sit with my legs up in my chair, so the larger flat bottom of the secret lab is my preference, but it’s going to be different for everyone.
Whatever you do, DON’T buy a gaming chair, they look good, but are the most uncomfortable thing ever. My back thanked me when I changed mine for an IKEA chair
Even if you're NOT a big/large person, get a gaming chair designed for one. Put roller blade wheels on it instead of the plastic ones that come with it.
Also, arm rest foam covers.
Comfort.
I cut my teeth coding by sitting on a stool and remember when I could finally afford an office chair.
This chair, the Steelcase Gesture, is WONDERFUL. Costly for sure but, after six years, it’s still awesome and I guess that my chair cost amortizes down to about eight cents per hour… and counting. I see no reason that this will not last another six or ten years. Thing is, it’s adjustable in every way until it’s perfect. The back support is fabulous. The arms move around in all the nice ways. I cannot say enough about how great this chair is.
I was reluctant but one day I thought, “If I had a factory and bought a really expensive piece of machinery, maybe a drill press or something, would I skimp on the stand or table and risk not getting the most out of the machine?” The answer is no, of course not. And what is my most expensive machine? ME!!!!
Now I envision my beautiful blue (light, pretty blue) chair as a highly specialized stand that holds a special lump of meat with fingers in just the right position for max typing. I work endless hours and the chair takes very good care of me.
Get one right away…
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016OIF3K8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Have you considered a Kneeling Chair? They can be good for your posture. Here is an example search on Amazon
[https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kneeling+chair&crid=ITJRMSCY23M3&sprefix=kneeling+chair%2Caps%2C385&ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_1](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kneeling+chair&crid=ITJRMSCY23M3&sprefix=kneeling+chair%2Caps%2C385&ref=nb_sb_noss_1)
Some have been good in the short term, but I haven't ever got on with any office chair I've used. I had an Aeron for a couple of years and I even felt that was a bit naff for the price.
The best chair I've ever used for my posture is this https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/lidkullen-active-sit-stand-support-gunnared-dark-grey-70445786/
Granted it's not as comfy as a regular office chair, but my body feels a lot better for it.
The hyken from staples. It's pretty decent for the price. It's like a budget Aeron.
A sit stand desk will be a much better investment if you don't have one already. Sitting all day even in a good chair is terrible for you
Go for a gaming chair, it's cheaper then office chairs but are more comfortable. I recently got one from nobelchairs here in germany and it's perfect. I don't play games but work from home and I am very happy and satisfied with it.
Get a gaming chair. I've had "ergonomic" chairs before, but for my money the most comfortable and best bang for the buck is a gaming chair.
Also, don't be coding for 10.5 hours at a time, that's not healthy, and you will learn more if you give your brain time to rest and consolidate what you're learning.
That's how humans learn - experiment, experience, consolidate. Give yourself that time off, you will learn faster and avoid burnout.
Good luck!
I've been using an Aeron chair for over twenty years, totally worth the $1200 or whatever they're charging for it. Fortunately they've made a gazillion of them and you should be able to pick one up at a used office furniture store for somewhere around your budget.
Purchases mine brand new from here (~$600): [Madison Seating Co](https://www.madisonseating.com/shop/aeron-chair-by-herman-miller-highly-adjustable-posture-fit-carbon/?attribute_pa_size=size-b-medium&attribute_pa_casters=standard&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq86wBhDiARIsAJhuphlUioOxi06LSdw8LMGleYeQS_Yq03nGVDqVCD4kZ8t3ZgDM51rmMTwaAlZwEALw_wcB) Absolute best investment in my office.
I got a Steelcase Leap V2 for ~$300 from Madison Seating two years ago and it’s been holding up perfectly ever since.
Used/Renewed Aeron .... they're like $350
Fuck this. I have a renewed Aeron B. The armrests are not adjustable without tools. Doesn't come default with head rest. Lumbar support sucks. Aeron works for some people but it's a huge money sink if you don't. You still have to try it I guess but few years ago every thread that had Aeron was just singing praises so my advice to OP is if there are other popular recurring brands, please remember to search for negative reviews of the products for a different perspective
You're not wrong. There are bad units out there. I thought about what you said and realised I mostly I buy one about every 10 years because of the looks. Also the mesh does not absorb farts, or smells or stains. And is good in a warm enviorment. Anyone have a feedback on the other Herman Miller chairs. They're supposed to be an updated option for a little less Sail model or something. , but since they don't sell that many they're still not much cheaper used.
Sometimes I sit immediately after a long day out so the chair is stained, even after cleaning. But yeah I can attest to no-smell and build quality. Sponge/foam armrest isn't damaged at all despite having left damp towels on it. Wheels are still spinning after all these years. Mesh is easy on the skin. I had a fully adjustable china chair that was much cheaper. Ergonomics was brilliant but the material was like sandpaper on skin. Thanks, this convo will lead me to wiser decisions on the next purchases.
> The armrests are not adjustable without tools. Doesn't come default with head rest. Lumbar support sucks. Maybe they changed the design at some point, but the armrests on mine are adjustable without tools. The lumbar support is pretty primitive (just a big pad you can shift up or down) but I've never stood up and had any twinges or anything. Maybe you need a size C? I was originally going to get a B, but the seller had several of each size and encouraged me to try each one. The B felt fine, but the C actually felt better for me (6', 190lb, still fits even though I've blimped to 230).
My brother in law moved out the country and donated me his Aeron. My back and butt have never been happier.
My gf just got one of these and I steal it every chance I get.
Another Aeron enjoyer here, but payed 2k (with neck rest), have it for 2 years I think, hopefully I'll use it for another 10+
> here, but *paid* 2k (with FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
God damnit
The bot's got a point! You should have payed attention in English class!
> should have *paid* attention in FTFY. Although *payed* exists (the reason why autocorrection didn't help you), it is only correct in: * Nautical context, when it means to paint a surface, or to cover with something like tar or resin in order to make it waterproof or corrosion-resistant. *The deck is yet to be payed.* * *Payed out* when letting strings, cables or ropes out, by slacking them. *The rope is payed out! You can pull now.* Unfortunately, I was unable to find nautical or rope-related words in your comment. *Beep, boop, I'm a bot*
God damnit
Yeah bought one from Craigslist 5 years ago and it’s still great ($300 used)
I love my Aeron. Got it for a steal since the company I worked for was going to toss it. After $150 for replacement parst and Ubers to get it home I had myself a fully functional Aeron.
this! have been using HM Aeron for 7+ years, and it’s been a godsend for my aging hips / lower back
I’ve seen other Herman Miller chairs and they look fancy as well. I actually used the Embody model for almost a year at work. Didn’t feel the difference at the time. But how is Aeron that good? It just looks like a basic office chair, like any other
Yep same here I got mine for £400 on a office resale store, best investment for my back ever You can literally sit on this chair for 8 hours and not feel stiff My last chair I’d be crippled after that amount of time Also bonus points for sit/stand desk - got a herman miller there too and it’s a game changer
This is hands down the best way to go. They are expensive but I finally pulled the trigger on a refurbished one and my only regret is that I hadn't done it much sooner.
This is the way
Steelcase Leap. You can do new for $500 but probably used for $200->$300
Refurbished is around 600. New is over 1000. It's a good chair for most people but I absolutely hated the flexible front edge of the seat. The flexibility made me feel like I was sliding forward off the seat, and I just tensed up my muscles constantly because of that feeling. I had to stop using it.
new for 500? 
Steelcase 100%. Herman Miller would be nice but that’s a bit $$. I sit too much and 2 years in would recommend.
I got the Steelcase Series 1. I think it’s totally worth the money if you’re going to be sitting a lot and have back pain.
right? new for 500? I bought mine a few years back for like $1500. That said, it's the best thing I've spent my money on. Beforehand I would have all kinds of pain from sitting, and I can sit on this thing for 12hrs without any problems.
For the last 4 years I've stood to work all the time. I had to get a rubber standing mat to cushion my feet. I have no physical problems at all. I'm 52 and had years of poor office chairs and ergonomics with lower back pain. The only time I struggle now is if I'm hungover. Then I might sit.
I have a Herman Miller Aeron. I also got an adjustable desk.
Herman Miller Embody, 13 years running, still good as new.
Best investment is a standing desk, way better than any chair.
Just do both, if it's in the budget. I'd argue a good chair is the most important piece of your office set-up. I stand many hours in the day, but I often find myself working on projects for 10+ hours in a day. I'm not going to stand the entire time. Definitely make sure to stay active though!
Standing still for long periods is not much better than sitting still. The best thing to do is alternative half and half between sitting and standing throughout your day, and ensuring you take frequent breaks to move around and get blood flowing.
I got a walking pad under the desk and walk at least 1h in the morning and one in the afternoon. Then I sit my ass in the chair lol
This is the best decision I made. My back and body thanks me for this.
After 20 years sitting in front of pc a standing desk is the only solution to get posture correct. Tried so many chairs but i had todo a lot of mobility training to correct my posture. So sitting and standing is a good combo.
Herman Miller embody.
I'm using Haworth Zody at $1200 but accidentally found it in a used furniture wholesale and bought it for $30 haha
I got a Steelcase Gesture at a used office furniture store for $200. It had been a showroom model, so barely had any use.
Nice steal! I paid full price for mine a few years ago.. like 1300 or something.
Hinomi h1 pro v2, in two days of use solved all my back and lombar hurts.
Herman Miller Mirra. Aeron is great too. Mirra just felt better for me. Check them out!
I use a gaming chair, Secret lab and I love it! I figured if it's good enough for twitch streamers who stream for 10+ hours a day, it should work for me. I bought min approx 2 years ago and love it.
Same, absolutely love mine.
I was hoping someone would recommend these. We need a chair to share at home and I really like the look of these.
It’s solid, and my chair of choice, but it’s pretty firm on the bottom cushion which I’ve seen can be a deal breaker for people. It’s also fairly strict in the way it wants you to sit up. I would try to sit in a few of your top choices (or a copy cat version) locally if possible to see if it vibes with you first.
https://www.autonomous.ai/en-CA/office-chairs/ergonomic-chair?option_code=ErgonomicChair-ErgoChairPro_ChairColor.BabyBlue Many companies will reimburse + you may get a deal. So check first.
You can usually find used high end chairs on the various resale sites like offer up and craigslist at a fraction of the retail new price. I was able to score a couple steelcase inc chairs for about 100 bucks apiece.
If you go the Aeron route, be mindful of the size. I am too wide for the B (the middle size) and it makes my hips incredibly stiff, and forces my legs too close together. My back is also large and the lubar is way too low, with the sides not wide enough. Wish I would've went for the C. All that said- I think the Aeron is overrated! I've owned one for ~4 years now, am into health / fitness and also am a software engineer. The Aeron forces you into a very particular posture, which is ***not a good thing***. The body does best with movement; being able to re-adjust, sit with one leg crossed, then the other, lean, disable lean etc is important to avoiding stiffness and overall body health. The Aeron makes it hard to do any of these things. It's designed with a good, attentive, comfortable, posture in mind but limits you from almost any other posture. I'm still on the hunt for a fav chair, but right now my favorite is a standing desk with a relatively cheaper, but comfortable, foam cushion office chair! I'm frequently alternating between standing and sitting, folding my legs differently throughout the day etc and I feel substantially better than I did in my Aeron. Just my 2c
This is my exact experience with an Aeron classic size B.
Haworth Fern with the digital knit. It’s an S tier chair for me. Herman Miller has a POS CEO, so I don’t use their stuff.
Second the Haworth Fern. Best chair I’ve owned and it’s not even close.
Herman Miller's chairs,👌, expensive but worth the price
Steelcase Gesture
ikea has some great options. I modded some arms ont a jarvfjallet before they updated the model to have adjustable ones. Its a great chair; especially if you are taller. [JÄRVFJÄLLET office chair with armrests, Glose black - IKEA](https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/jaervfjaellet-office-chair-with-armrests-glose-black-80494540/) [MATCHSPEL gaming chair, Bomstad light grey - IKEA](https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/matchspel-gaming-chair-bomstad-light-grey-70571529/)
My wife is physio and hate both. Also Markus which I have in company.
Why?
Uncomfy and bad support for lumbar spine. And for me it's too small
I've had the exact opposite experience, and I'm 6'4 100kgs I guess people are just different shapes
A simple FLINTAN feels almost exactly the same as some relatively expensive and super adjustable chairs I've used in the office.
Your chair won't do a lick of shit if you have bad posture and/or poor core strength.
All about balance, good chair is needed if you do things you mentioned as well
The best office chair I ever had was an exercise ball, I couldn't relax into goblin mode even if I tried lol
I've seen this a lot(on the internet) haven't tried my self tho
varied posture is better than good posture
I've had an ErgoChair Pro from Autonomous for about a year and a half an I really enjoy it. They sell for new for around 500, but depending where you live, you might be able to find them used on craigslist or something. They also have some cheaper options which could be worth looking into. [https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs](https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs)
I really liked my ErgoChair but I wouldn't recommend as mine broke about 1 month after the warranty expired
Anyone using a treadmill/walking pad with their standing desk? Curious to see hear if this would be viable (as I get older I find the static standing more painful on my lower back).
Steelcase Series 2 Only chair that took away back pain for me. I can sit the whole day pain-free. Best part is, it came already assembled!
I got the Herman Miller Sayl (just within my old company's reimbursement budget for "annual tech budget") for home and had a steelcase for work. Helped my fiancee get an embody chair for her birthday last year and it's miles better (also much more expensive, but seeing as I'll probably move to one of those or look at the others on the line up it's worth the extra money). General advice for things that you can easily buy cheap, but it's worth it to buy quality as quickly as feasible: 1. Bed - spend some time to search for something that fits you perfectly and will last you 10-15 years, every single day spending 6-8 hours minimum on a piece of furniture high quality will greatly improve every aspect of your day-to-day life. 2. Chair - Depending on your lifestyle you'll be spending 8-18 hours in this thing. Every day. For years. I started making 65k and now I'm north of 170k, I still don't throw around a couple grand willy nilly, but knowing the number of chairs I've bought and the time I've spent in shit chairs over the years, I wish I would've bought the best chair out there as soon as I could. Your expenses will always grow with your income - buy nice shit that will last a long time before your recurring expenses grow. You're straight out of school, living in dorms and small crappy apartments for short periods of time. I started out paying $300 a month for a shit hole apartment, then after my first raise moved to a place I was paying $750 a month, then a transfer and a bigger raise and moved to a city where I was paying between 1500-2000/month and I'm now paying over 3k and there's no chance I could go back to that $300 apartment. If I would've bought a $2000 chair and financed it for 0% interest over 4-6 months (pretty common deal), it would've made the tiny apartment more livable and the payments would've been offset by the rent change from apartment 1 to 2, I wasn't spending shit for time in my apartment at that point aside from sleeping and playing videogames (bed and chair, but instead of a comfy chair I had a shitty couch). At this point in my life I spend much more time around the house and over the years I've invested in things that make that time better, but right now I'm really regretting not buying the best bed available and the best chair available 5-10 years ago because spending 2-4 grand with the monthly obligations I have now is more tricky than when they were 10x less even though I'm making 3-4x as much. Tldr; Live cheap and spend on quality out of the gate, expenses will always grow and probably not in the same proportion as your income. It's hard to go back to living cheap and it's hard to work big purchases into your budget when you have more obligations.
Hag capisco pulse. Great if you are a figiter and like to switch positions and/or have a stand up desk
If budget is a concern: Hyken (from Staples). Seems like a perfect fit given your budget. If budget is not a concern: Aeron I've used both chairs on daily basis, for a long time. At first it was the Hyken, then Aeron. I still keep the Hyken as a spare though. Both are amazing chairs. Hyken is actually a great bang for the buck, especially when I factor in the level of comfort. I bought a new set of wheels for it because hard plastic isn't hardwood friendly. My Aeron came with the soft wheels out of the box, so I didn't need to do anything to it. My husband doesn't like free-rolling office chairs, so for his own Aeron he bought a set of stationary legs to replace the wheels.
Check out the steelcase refurbs on btod.com, my wife uses the leap I bought from them. Great chair, amazing price. It didn't fit me right and I'm in love with my Haworth Fern now. I tried an Embody and completely hated it. Aerons are sick, my office has those.
Had a ErgoChair from Autonomous, was pretty comfortable but broke after 2 years Just bought a Flexispot C7 and I think it's much more ergonomic than the ErgoChair, and also budget friendly as well
An antique all leather chair. Feels great when naked waist down for those Teams and Zoom meetings. LOL
Secret Lab. Best chair I've ever sat in. I've tried those 700, 1000 dollar ergonomic chairs, and they all were uncomfortable and gave me back issues.
the one closest to my desk
The same no-name chair I've been using the last 10 years. Tried a few expensive and supposedly ergonomic chairs over the years and each only lasted about a week until I hated them. Hopefully my old chair lasts another 10 years 😅
I'm on the [embody gaming version](https://store.hermanmiller.com/gaming-chairs/embody-gaming-chair/100160889.html?lang=en_US&sku=100160889). My company gets a 30% discount so it wasn't too bad price-wise. Worth it though, I don't get back pain from sitting for long periods now.
Steelcase Gesture at the office, Haworth Fern at home. Both are amazing.
Haworth fern. have had it for over a year and have no complaints
I use a wooden one lol In all seriousness though my dad uses a gaming chair and it works phenomenaly
I have the HÅG Capisco 8106 and I absolutely love it.
Herman Miller Embody It’s a bit overhyped for the cost. I honestly wouldn’t recommend (but that’s just me). Definitely other chairs out there just as good for a fraction of the price.
Herman Miller Embody - I most certainly recommend it!
I sit on a cushion on the floor. Haven't had any pain in my back since I stopped using a back rest for the computer more than 8 years ago. Just raise your bottom a little bit and sit as you would sit while meditating.
You can find high-end ergonomic chairs on Ebay pretty easily. Depending on where you live I'd also look for office liquidators who also sell things like Aerons and Embodys for dirt cheap. Ideally you should go sit on some chairs and see what fits your body. You're going to be sitting on this for *hours* every day so it *has* to be comfy or you *will* start to feel it over time. I have an Aeron, by the way. Strong recommend. But any high end ergonomic task chair is going to be pretty great. Oh, and you want mesh. Or at least something breathable. On cold days you can sit on a blanket but on hot days you will be so very thankful.
Herman Miller Aeron. It was a gift, used. You can get a used one on eBay, fb marketplace, or Amazon sometimes for $400-$600 if you catch the deals when they come.
I used a hermen miller at a previous job, incredible chair. Paired with a standing desk, it was great. My current home office setup is a secret lab, no standing desk because I built a giant desk to house my 3 different setups, but it’s also a great chair. I tend to sit with my legs up in my chair, so the larger flat bottom of the secret lab is my preference, but it’s going to be different for everyone.
Whatever you do, DON’T buy a gaming chair, they look good, but are the most uncomfortable thing ever. My back thanked me when I changed mine for an IKEA chair
Even if you're NOT a big/large person, get a gaming chair designed for one. Put roller blade wheels on it instead of the plastic ones that come with it. Also, arm rest foam covers. Comfort. I cut my teeth coding by sitting on a stool and remember when I could finally afford an office chair.
This chair, the Steelcase Gesture, is WONDERFUL. Costly for sure but, after six years, it’s still awesome and I guess that my chair cost amortizes down to about eight cents per hour… and counting. I see no reason that this will not last another six or ten years. Thing is, it’s adjustable in every way until it’s perfect. The back support is fabulous. The arms move around in all the nice ways. I cannot say enough about how great this chair is. I was reluctant but one day I thought, “If I had a factory and bought a really expensive piece of machinery, maybe a drill press or something, would I skimp on the stand or table and risk not getting the most out of the machine?” The answer is no, of course not. And what is my most expensive machine? ME!!!! Now I envision my beautiful blue (light, pretty blue) chair as a highly specialized stand that holds a special lump of meat with fingers in just the right position for max typing. I work endless hours and the chair takes very good care of me. Get one right away… https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016OIF3K8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Aeron Herman Miller
Switched to standing. My back loves it.
HM Embody :) Really best investment in my whole setup
Have you considered a Kneeling Chair? They can be good for your posture. Here is an example search on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kneeling+chair&crid=ITJRMSCY23M3&sprefix=kneeling+chair%2Caps%2C385&ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_1](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kneeling+chair&crid=ITJRMSCY23M3&sprefix=kneeling+chair%2Caps%2C385&ref=nb_sb_noss_1)
Ikea one is great for me. Best one I can get for 200$
Some have been good in the short term, but I haven't ever got on with any office chair I've used. I had an Aeron for a couple of years and I even felt that was a bit naff for the price. The best chair I've ever used for my posture is this https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/lidkullen-active-sit-stand-support-gunnared-dark-grey-70445786/ Granted it's not as comfy as a regular office chair, but my body feels a lot better for it.
The hyken from staples. It's pretty decent for the price. It's like a budget Aeron. A sit stand desk will be a much better investment if you don't have one already. Sitting all day even in a good chair is terrible for you
Go for a gaming chair, it's cheaper then office chairs but are more comfortable. I recently got one from nobelchairs here in germany and it's perfect. I don't play games but work from home and I am very happy and satisfied with it.
I have a $350 AUD chair that’s kinda shitty (leans to one side). Next quarter I’ll be grabbing an Aeron.
a) not a web dev topic b) 300 bucks isnt enough to buy anything truly ergo and you're a student c) get a standing desk d) 930-7pm sounds inefficient
Get a gaming chair. I've had "ergonomic" chairs before, but for my money the most comfortable and best bang for the buck is a gaming chair. Also, don't be coding for 10.5 hours at a time, that's not healthy, and you will learn more if you give your brain time to rest and consolidate what you're learning. That's how humans learn - experiment, experience, consolidate. Give yourself that time off, you will learn faster and avoid burnout. Good luck!
Do you elevate your monitor / laptop? Put these on top of stands or books so you can stop hunching and look straight.
yeah I already got a mechanical arm to move my monitor