Has anyone done a blind test between a genuine Herman Miller and a knock off or another similar chair. I suspect people say its good just because of the brand name.
I've got my Aeron since ten years and use it daily. It's still like brand new. I don't think I could sit in any knock off and not immediately notice the difference. It took 30 minutes to set up (ten years ago) and I haven't changed anything since then. I put my hands behind my head and the chair slowly leans back: that's the "easy" trick to configure it properly.
The one main complain I see about it is the frame hurting people's legs / preventing proper blood flow but I think that's people sitting in Aeron chairs not configured properly.
I don't just like the "pellicle mesh" (no sweating) and how great it feels, I also like that it's ten years old and is basically like new despite daily use.
As a funny sidenote: during the first covid lockdown I got stuck for three months not at my home and had to use a really crappy chair (as in: an old chair, not meant for office work at all) and within weeks I developed terrible back pain. It was so bad I had someone lend me one of his Aeron.
I've used quite a few office chairs over the years - mostly in the $200-$300 range, and before I decided to buy the Embody, I went to the Design In Reach store to try it out. I'm 6'6", so making sure I could actually fit in the thing was essential. I tried out the Embody and the Aaron and a few others.
It is legitimately a high-quality chair. I've had mine for three years now and it's absolutely solid. By this time with other chairs I'm generally starting to shop around again due to discomfort, or pieces falling off, or the hydraulics not working as well, or squeaks and creaks.
When it arrived there was no need to put it together. It just rolled out of the box fully assembled. The arm rests and back still adjust as smoothly as the day it arrived. No squeaks or creaks. And that warranty is hard to beat.
I'm not one to chase brands, by a long shot. But HM absolutely nailed it with this chair (imo).
I got one at home about 5 years ago, and have sat in it every day. I'm not sure if it's heavenly (or what that would mean for a chair), but I've never once felt uncomfortable sitting in it. It's firm (but not hard), breathable, and very well built. I'm generally not conscious of how much the chair I'm sitting in costs, so I'm not sure how other chairs that cost this much (or even a third as much) feel. If the bar is 'never uncomfortable while sitting in it', then it's absolutely worth it.
Has anyone done a blind test between a genuine Herman Miller and a knock off or another similar chair. I suspect people say its good just because of the brand name.