Herman Miller Aeron chair review

Selecting an ergonomic chair should be considered an investment, both in monetary terms and as an investment in your good health. Correct support and posture when sitting for a long time have been shown to improve well-being and increase productivity. One of the best-selling chairs has been around for many years, but it's still a firm favorite. But why is the Aeron chair still so popular?

Designed in 1994 by Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick, the Herman Miller Aeron chair is one of the few office chairs identifiable by name. It has an almost iconic status in the ergonomic chair market with millions sold worldwide since its launch. Despite its high price, it remains one of the best-selling, if not the best-selling, office chairs in the world. Without a doubt, one of its most attractive features is its appearance. The Aeron chair is a design classic and is exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Made of modern materials, it is well proportioned, with an unusual but distinctive design. Its use of a 'film', a thin and taut mesh membrane, instead of conventional foam upholstery, revolutionized the design of the office chair. Many manufacturers now offer a mesh option in their chair ranges. With the arms suspended from the frame of the backrest, the chair seems quite minimal from the side view but very substantial from the front or rear.

One of the most unusual aspects of a Herman Miller Aeron chair is its size. Aeron chairs are available in three sizes, A, B and C. Size B covers the vast majority of people (around 90%) with 'A' covering the smallest percentile and 'C' covering the largest percentile and heavy. The upside to this is that the chair dimensions are scaled by size, just like the tilt weight control and the chairs are suitable for a much wider diversity of people than many other chairs. A negative aspect, and there are not many, is that the chair is based on the three sizes for the depth of the seat. There is no seat depth adjustment facility on the chair.

The height of the arm is adjusted on the Aeron chair through two levers on the back of each arm or, on some chairs, these levers are replaced by wheels. The arms have a good adjustment range and move very easily. Arm pads are pivoting as standard, although fixed (non-rotating) arm pads can be ordered if required. When placed inward, they provide good support for keyboard work, and when placed straight or slightly outward, they are suitable for mouse or general work. The arm pads are large and well aeron part.

Herman Miller chairs are equipped with a forward tilt and tilt facility. The Aeron chair has the Kinemat tilt that moves effortlessly and naturally through a generous 30-degree recline. There is a tension control and a tilt limiter, a mechanism to limit how far the chair reclines. The chair also has a forward tilt function that allows the chair to tilt forward, beyond the upright position. This is particularly useful for close computer work.

The Pellicle seat and rear suspension of Aeron chairs are made of highly engineered fabric. It is quite firm but offers excellent and comfortable support. It has excellent pressure distribution properties and allows air to flow, preventing heat build-up and allowing moisture to dissipate.

Posturefit is a unique backrest mechanism found only on Aeron chairs. It has a butterfly-shaped pressure pad that supports the lumbar region but also supports the lower back, below the belt line, that other chairs cannot support. Controlled with a pressure wheel, the Posturefit maintains a healthy posture and comfortable support when sitting for long or short periods. There is also a standard lumbar support option consisting of a slide and reversible bar, similar to other chairs.

It would be very difficult to review the Herman Miller Aeron chair regardless of its appearance. It is, after all, a design classic! Available in three different Pellicle styles and a range of colors, it looks fantastic, whatever option you choose. It has a standard graphite base and frame, but can be upgraded with a polished base and polished links. Although expensive, these polished aluminum options really enhance what is already an impressive-looking chair. Herman Miller chairs are extremely well built, as you would expect from a 'high end' manufacturer.