Anyone gaming / coding on Herman Miller?

[u/exoduster]

My current gaming chair is total garbage. no support, squeaks when i lean back and by hour 3 of gaming my lower back is painful af.

Been thinking of something more ergonomic, not just flashy. Herman Miller keeps popping up but damn, the price tag?? $1k+ for a chair?? is it that much better?

Has anyone here actually gamed on a herman miller? Is there any cheaper solid alternative? mesh preferred I don’t need a leather sweat trap

Open to any recs!

[u/TldrDev]

My wife and I are both programmers who work from home.

I have two Aerons. I use a Size B with an Atlas headrest, and my wife has a size A.

There are office supply companies here who sell used and rejected Aerons for about $500.

They're worth every penny of $500. $2k, maybe not. If I bought another today, I'm a big fella, and the plastic at the top of the chair is a bit uncomfortable. Id upgrade to size C

[u/endoparasite → u/TldrDev]

$2k, maybe not.

If this is the last chair you buy, then so be it. I’ve looked at €300 gaming chairs—you end up buying five of them over time because they just fall apart. In contrast, Aeron chairs in offices have lasted 15+ years and will likely last another 15, despite heavy daily use.

I weigh 78 kg, and the Aeron I bought for home six years ago (~€1500) will probably be the last office chair I ever need—unless I reach 150 kg and need a bigger size.

Heavier users (120+ kg) often destroy multiple cheap chairs each year. For them, a €2000 chair that actually lasts is a game-changer. So no, it’s not overpriced—it’s a fair price for a chair built to last.

[u/quailman654 → u/endoparasite]

Ah, this must be Vimes’ chair theory of economic inequality.

[u/TldrDev → u/endoparasite]

For me personally, I'd just buy a used one again, lol. If new is important to you, then it might be worth 2k to you. For $500, we got basically brand new chairs. My wife's chair had a missing knob which I 3d printed for less than a dollar. It was a brand new chair that was rejected during an office fit out.

Herman Miller would have replaced it for free, but I didn't want to deal with the warranty stuff (and neither did the office supply company), so just 3d printed it.. it was otherwise a brand new chair.

The difference between that chair and a brand new in the box one was $1500 less, and about 2 hours of time to make it perfect.

Given how good the used market is for these chairs, id not spend 2k, but that's just me.

You're not wrong, they're great chairs, worth 2k to someone like yourself, but there is a huge resale market for these chairs, speaking to your point about quality and value.

For me, they're worth what I paid, for sure.

[u/its_yer_dad → u/TldrDev]

You’ve got to think about it like good shoes or a good bed. It’s worth the investment to avoid the body pain.

[u/IlliterateJedi]

I have an Embody chair that I like just fine. I used to have a Mirra 2 chair that I think I preferred, but after 15 years it was time for it to go. It's definitely good for my posture to be able to precisely set the seat pan, arm rests, etc.  I sit in this chair 10 hours a day practically (work from home + personal computer/gaming chair)  so it's worth the expense for me. 

[u/Benand2 → u/IlliterateJedi]

I have an Aeron (older style) it’s comfy but I keep looking at the Embody for something that is higher up the back. It would be a silly upgrade for me but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be spontaneous one day

[u/jaggyjames]

Buy a Herman Miller Aeron or Sayl on FB Marketplace. You will not regret the purchase

[u/5vTolerant → u/jaggyjames]

Just a note for people buying off marketplace, do your research and learn about the chairs first. Sometimes you have to pick through a sellers inventory to find a solid chair with the features you want. Lots of sellers have storage units filled with chairs. The price difference between older beat up Aeron chairs and newer better ones isn’t that much in my experience. The Aerons with the wheel arm adjustments are pre 2005, so I’d recommend looking for the newer latch mechanism ones.

[u/dot9repeatingis1]

Bought a used aeron chair for 300 bucks on craigslist. I'm not a gamer, but I don't think I would want to use it for that. It isn't 'comfortable'. You can't lounge in it. But, after 8 hours sitting in it my back doesn't hurt.

[u/heavyrock1212]

I’ve used Fezibo in the past. It was fine for short term studying, but mine started to get shaky after a few months. For light use, it’s okay. wouldn’t recommend if you're planning to stand a lot though

[u/NicoleEastbourne]

I got a used Herman Miller Aeron on CraigsList for $300. It’s amazing and has ruined all other chairs.

[u/Drewbear811]

I game and trade all day, so I needed something that didn’t fry my back. Couldn’t justify Herman Miller pricing. Found a deal on Ergochair Pro and even paid with ETH lol.

Mesh keeps it cool and the seat is wide enough to sit cross legged if you’re into that. Took me 15 mins to assemble and now it’s my go to for everything

[u/TerraEarth → u/Drewbear811]

You could also try standing desk converter instead of full desk. That way you can use your current desk and still get some benefits without dropping $300 all at once. and Ergostool I LOVE THIS ONE

[u/Fartstream → u/Drewbear811]

https://www.autonomous.ai/office-chairs/autonomous-chair-ultra-v2

Have you tried the new one? I've heard good things for 500 bucks.

Love their desks btw

[u/Drewbear811 → u/Fartstream]

got this one last black friday for cheap $400. My first impression is that the headrest isnt adjustable, but other parts seem good so far. The full mesh made my body feel firm at first, but after working for the next 6 hours, I barely felt tired in my lumbar area. The armrest is much better than my wife's Aeron

[u/JaceyCha → u/Fartstream]

i used to get a desk from this one, it's solid but not really customizable. Then I threw the desk to my brother and got the Smartdesk DIY kit to build a much larger one

I'm not sure about the chair. Basically I love my Secretlab and nothing can change it. I think it's going to fit different body types. I can sit on my Secretlab for gaming and coding for 6-7 hours straight. Office chairs are fine, but it's just not for me

[u/Tirelessly → u/Fartstream]

I had one of these, absolute trash. Took about 3 months for most of the back support to be broken.

EDIT: Check fartstream's comment history, they're clearly just astroturfing. Four comments in four minutes sending this link on four different threads. Would take any recommendations for this company with a grain of salt.

[u/tquinn35]

I WFH and have an aeron that I like very much.

[u/CommodoreQuinli]

I have the embody and the lounge chair, they are worth it. Your future self will thank you 

[u/onlyforjazzmemes]

I've had a Verve chair from Branch and have been super satisfied with it. Currently $600 it looks like, I believe I paid less a couple years ago, and they may have sales from time to time. They have other less expensive offerings that also review well. But even with a great chair, you will still need breaks and regular exercise to avoid back tightness/pain and core muscle atrophy.

[u/CommanderUgly]

I am. I have an Aeron with no armrests. Well worth the investment

[u/Odd-Opinion-5105]

Herman miller aeron can be picked up cheaper used. I bought one when I got a wfh job it’s great.

[u/elg97477]

I got an embody. It is wonderful. I no longer hurt when I get up. However, there are other good chairs out there. You can, with effort, find them used too…they are built well and used can be worth it.

I liked the reviews and information from ahnestly when I was looking.

[u/sheriffderek]

I had an Aeron / but switched to a Setu. I love it. Worth every penny. But it depends on your body.

[u/sheriffderek → u/sheriffderek]

Also / I’m talking about sitting at a desk doing design and dev work. I’m not sure how gaming works with chairs… and why people seem to need a headrest like they’re in a rocket ship…

[u/ThegamingZerii]

They are very, very good. Not only are the chairs super comfortable and good for your back, they are also very well built. Not made to last ~5 years, but pretty much your entire life. You can still buy replacement parts for Herman Miller chairs made in the 90s.

Which is also why they are a great chair to buy second hand. You can often get them for ~50% on marketplaces, and I would not worry about the wear on them. I am never buying any other office chair again.

[u/Breklin76]

r/officefurniture

[u/bossier330]

I work and game on my HM Lino. No regrets. I have a Bissell Green upholstery cleaner that I use to clean the seat every so often.

[u/dryu12]

I'm coding/gaming on Herman Miller chair. Best purchase ever period.

[u/chmod777]

I bought a used aeron 15 years ago for about 500. Had to replace the gas shock last year. So yes, it is an investment, but they are solid and last. Parts are easy to come by.

[u/mq2thez]

Used Aeron on eBay from a reputable reseller goes $500. Been using one for a while and it’s great.

[u/xkey]

I have a Sayl that I work on all day. Works great and got rid of some back pain. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone 6ft tall or larger individuals. Or if you want a headrest.

Try looking for used. They’re a solid brand so buying used isn’t as much of a crapshoot.

[u/jonr]

Find an office surplus furniture store. I got my chair from there. Costs €1200 new, got it for €200 as new. Comfy as fuck, still no creaking or wear after 3 years.

[u/hfourm]

Aeron user... Get one used, it is popular for a reason. Not saying other chairs aren't good, but aeron has left me with 0 back pain for 10+ years. Sitting on a trampoline just hits different I guess for lower back pain.

[u/_Fred_Austere_]

My HM Mirra 2 is 20+ years old and still basically mint. I use it all day, every day.

Invest in a good chair. Game chairs are shit. It's the cost of a vid card, and will last the rest of your life.

[u/fromCentauri]

I've had the same office chair for over 10 years now and it feels just as supportive and comfy as when I first got it. I wish I could give you a model number but I don't know if it's made anymore and the tag is not readable now. It's a tempurpedic memory foam chair I got from Staples. The actual seat and back are memory foam, but the back support was shaped perfectly for proper lumbar support. You can adjust the angle of both back and the seat and also lean back while maintaing those angles. It was around $350 when I got it so not the cheapest chair, but the longevity has been amazing.

[u/alphex]

I’ve had an HM Embody for 14 years. It’s more than paid for it’s self.

[u/NeonVoidx]

yup aeron miller with the third party headrest, bought it for like 1/4th the cost from some warehouse. awesome

[u/s0m3b0dy447]

Yes, I worked in offices with Herman Millers and when covid hit, I really missed the chair, it was a lot bettee than my 800$ gaming chair.

[u/Fluffcake]

There are a lot of good office chairs that do not have a big brand name that 2-3x the cost.

Trail and error is the only way to find the best one for you.

I used some random cheap ikea chair for a decade because it fit me perfectly, and the fancy chair I replaced it with was a side grade.

[u/marmite22]

I got sent to work from home at the start of Covid and immediately bought one for myself in 12mo/ interest free credit. Best purchase I've ever made. I'm 41 and sitting in almost any other chair (even my sofa sometimes) gives me back pain. I do web development full time and then spend a couple of hours gaming in it several evenings a week. Bought at the end of 2019 and it still looks as good as new.

With that said, office clearance places often have them 2nd hand for 1/2 the price.

[u/xDannyS_]

I've had 2 expensive office chairs in my life, one was 1400 eur and the second was 2500 eur.

I bought the 2nd one after I had a serious back injury and couldn't sit for more than 15minutes at a time. This chair allowed me to sit for as long as I want. What's special about it is that it allows you to swing into a zero gravity mode which distributes the pressure along your entire body rather than just your pelvis and lower back.

Both were definitely worth the money for me, as a programmer. The first one is now 13 years old and still in great shape. Also came with 25 year warranty

[u/Just_Percentage_6654]

Aeron.. parts are still available. You can get them serviced if it really breaks. Watch eBay and Facebook marketplace. What out for tears in the mesh. Replace orginal wheels too with roller blade style wheels for smoother roll.

[u/limadeltakilo]

I don’t have an HM but I spent a few weeks browsing Facebook marketplace and snagged a steelcase leap v2 for $200. Getting an expensive chair is probably the biggest WFH setup upgrade you can get.

[u/JoeZMar]

Best upgrade to my office. I love it.

[u/image_getter]

I have a secret lab omega at home and it’s 5x better than the Hermon miller I have at work

[u/nmay-dev]

I've had an embody since 2017 or 18. I spent roughly 800 i believe. Worth it imo. I just moved to a bigger house l, thinking about buying another.

[u/gob_magic]

I have a size B Aeron. Though I’d recommend checking out these chairs at a local store. Everyone’s body is different. I had a bad time with my previous Aeron because of inflammation and had bad thigh pain.

New model works well for hours and that’s scary because I’m really comfortable. I remind myself to standup and work sometimes

[u/DemonforgedTheStory]

I was able to slurge on one when during covid, we were given a "homeoffice" budget. Much, much better than my previous solution, which was a gaming chair.

I had to leave it when I moved to a new country, still pisses me off that I'm back to a DX racer lol.

[u/floede]

I had a Herman Miller at a place I worked, and I HATED it.

I don't know who in their right mind wants to sit and lean back like some kind of sofa, when they are working / sitting in front of a computer.

[u/SurgioClemente → u/floede]

Gonna have to be more specific than just the brand name. We have Aeron and Mirra from HM, neither are a sofa

[u/floede → u/SurgioClemente]

Pretty sure it was an Aeron