Mesh offers breathable comfort for long days at the office
The often-imitated Herman Miller Aeron (Est. $630) remains a familiar, formidable entry in the office chair market, nearly 20 years after being introduced. Reviewers say the durable mesh is comfortable and breathable, and the chair comes in three sizes to better accommodate workers with a wider range of frames. The chair's sleek look also has fans, though some say it's starting to seem dated. While the Aeron boasts several ergonomic features, many common adjustments that usually are included in an office chair at this price point cost extra on the Aeron, including adjustable lumbar support (Est. $50), a tilt limiter (Est. $60) and width-adjustable arms (Est. $90).
Some reviewers recommend the upgrades, saying the standard PostureFit support is insufficient. No headrest is available, and some reviewers also complain that the seat's hard plastic edge puts too much pressure on their legs. The chair comes with a 12-year warranty, and the company gets good reviews for customer service.
Mesh chairs are available at nearly all price points, and reviewers say the Office Star 5560 (Est. $200) is a comfortable alternative to the Aeron. The mesh fabric keeps workers cool during long work sessions, and reviewers say the chair is a good pick for all but the shortest users, who may find the seat too deep. While the chair offers several adjustable options, lumbar support is not among them. No headrest is available.
As is the case among many lower-cost office chairs, a handful of users report minor quality issues such as sagging mesh and wobbly armrests. Also, the warranty doesn't stack up to the longer, more inclusive warranties offered by many competitors -- and it is complicated, with reduced coverage based upon the amount of hours the chair is used per week.
The Ikea Markus (Est. $200) is another lower-priced chair that earns solid reviews. Reviewers say it feels like it's higher in quality than other chairs around this price point, and the 10-year warranty also earns kudos. The chair, which has a mesh back and leather seat, also has a high back with a built-in headrest. However, adjustment options are limited to seat height and tilt lock, and the padding might feel too firm for some. Reviewers also note that the seat is fairly shallow, so very tall users might want to check out alternatives.
Your best bet when it comes to a mesh chair may be to be sure you can try it out for comfort first, then return it without penalty. If you do, we recommend you start with the Aeron and work your way down from there.
