What’s the difference between the classic Aeron & the remastered Aeron?
Upon its debut in 1994, Aeron established a new standard for ergonomic seating, one to which other office chairs have been compared for more than 30 years. And that standard is truly universal – since the chair’s remaster in 2016, even Aeron can’t escape being compared to Aeron. The 2016 Aeron remaster distinguished two distinct eras of Aeron to compare: classic and remastered.
So: What’s the difference between the classic Aeron and the remastered Aeron?
Table of Contents
Does Herman Miller sell Aeron Classic?
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison Table
Aeron Classic vs. Remastered: The Details
Which Is Better?
A Shared Design Ethos
FAQs
...but first: Does Herman Miller sell classic Aeron chairs?
For a decade, the answer was no, as Herman Miller ceased production of the classic Aeron in 2016 when it launched the remastered Aeron.
But now, with the launch of Herman Miller’s Refurbished Aeron program, Aeron Classic is once again available at Herman Miller, refurbished to Herman Miller’s performance standards. Remastered Aeron models are also available from Herman Miller, both new and refurbished.
Shop Refurbished Aeron: Classic & Remastered
Aeron classic vs. remastered: a side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Aeron Classic | Remastered Aeron |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 1994 | 2016 |
| Available Until | 2016 | -- |
| Designers | Bill Stumpf & Don Chadwick | Don Chadwick |
| Height Capacity | 4’10”—6’6” | 4’8”—6’7” |
| Weight Capacity | Up to 300 lbs | Up to 350 lbs |
| Suspension Material | Pellicle | 8Z Pellicle |
| Back Support | PostureFit (2002), Adjustable Lumbar Support, Pellicle Only |
PostureFit SL, Adjustable Lumbar Support, Pellicle Only |
| Tilt Mechanism | Kinematic Tilt | Harmonic 2 Tilt |
| Armpad Adjustment | Height Adjustable, Fixed, No arms |
Fully Adjustable, Height with Pivot, Height Adjustable, Fixed, No arms |
| Weight (Size B, Fully Adjustable Arms, Standard Tilt) | 43 lbs | 38.9 lbs (4.1 lbs lighter) |
The classic Aeron: a difference maker
With Aeron, designers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick pioneered several ergonomic and kinematic features that set Aeron apart from ergonomic chairs that came before and after it. In doing so, it changed peoples’ perception of what an office chair could be, and soon found a place in museum collections, pop culture, and both corporate and home office spaces around the world.
Aeron Classic Features
Pellicle
Pellicle is the proprietary suspension material Stumpf and Chadwick developed for Aeron to replace the stiffer and less permeable foam, fabric, or leather that was commonplace in office chair upholstery at the time. It’s a breathable, elastomeric woven textile that responds to a person’s micromovements while seated, distributing pressure as needed, rather than all at once. Pellicle was also left exposed in Aeron’s design, elegant and aesthetically pleasing without the need for fabric or leather coverage.
Adjustable Lumbar Support
Lumbar support may feel like old news in ergonomic office seating nowadays, but when the classic Aeron debuted, it was a revelation. Aeron provided responsive lower back support that stabilized the pelvis in a natural position while seated to mitigate lower back pain. And it was height- and depth-adjustable to accommodate different bodies and preferences.
Kinematic Tilt
In designing the original Aeron, Stumpf and Chadwick aimed to strip away the constraints an office chair might place on a person’s movement while seated, a goal they achieved with Kinematic Tilt. Kinematic Tilt is the tilt mechanism in Aeron that supports the body's natural linkages and maintains total spinal support throughout the seated body’s whole range of movement.
PostureFit (2002)
In 2002, in collaboration with Dr. Brock Walker, an expert on musculoskeletal disorders, Herman Miller developed a new support device for the classic Aeron called PostureFit. PostureFit was designed to add support for the sacrum, the region of the spine between the lumbar spine and the tailbone that wasn’t as accommodated by the original Aeron’s existing lumbar support. PostureFit’s pad is adjustable for height and level of support.
Inclusive Sizing
Recognizing that ergonomic design isn’t one size fits all, Stumpf and Chadwick developed three sizes for the original Aeron: A, B, and C. Across its sizes, the classic Aeron can support bodies ranging from 4’10” to 6’6” tall and up to 300 lbs.
View the Classic Aeron Size-Fit Chart
The remastered Aeron:
innovating on innovation
The original Aeron deployed new technology to deliver responsive, inclusive support to a diverse range of bodies at work. But over time, bodies change, and so does office work.
In the mid-2010s, Herman Miller collaborated again with Don Chadwick to update Aeron's pioneering design. The result was the remastered Aeron (2016), modernized with new ergonomic research, advances in materials and technology, and sustainability goals.
Remastered Aeron Features
8Z Pellicle
8Z (eight zone) Pellicle is the updated version of the classic Aeron’s Pellicle suspension. Rather than provide uniform pressure distribution as did original Pellicle, 8Z Pellicle targets eight specific latitudinal zones across Aeron’s seat and backrest with levels of firmness that differ based on each anatomical zone’s support needs. The remastered Aeron’s 8Z Pellicle suspension provides the greatest support at the top and base of the backrest and the front and back of the seat. It has stabilization zones supporting proper alignment of the lumbar spine and sitting muscles, and pressure-relieving zones at the upper back and sitting bones.
PostureFit SL
The remastered Aeron also improved on the classic Aeron’s 2002 PostureFit update with Posturefit SL,which has adjustable, individual pads that provide full spinal stabilization from the base of the sacrum through the upper thoracic region. PostureFit SL is also designed to inherently support a wide range of body types and sizes without the need for manual height adjustment.
Harmonic 2 Tilt
The remastered Aeron chair features Harmonic 2 Tilt, the second evolution of Harmonic Tilt, a smooth, balanced tilt mechanism first introduced in 2003 with the original Mirra chair. Harmonic 2 Tilt uses patented spring technology to deliver balance and control in a lean, light, easy-to-assemble-and-disassemble package. Harmonic 2 Tilt offers more ease over a wider range of motion than the classic Aeron's Kinematic Tilt. While both tilt mechanisms support the body’s full range of motion, Harmonic 2 Tilt makes natural motion while seated feel a bit more effortless.
Enhanced Armrest Adjustment
Where the classic Aeron chair offered limited armrest adjustment options – just fixed or height adjustable – the remastered Aeron increases its armrest adjustability potential with fully adjustable or height-adjustable armrests with pivot. These options further expand Aeron’s inclusivity, accommodating a more comprehensive range of motion while seated.
Aesthetic/Hardware Updates
In addition to its proprietary feature updates, the remastered Aeron features many visual & hardware changes:
Color: Introduced Graphite, Carbon, & Mineral colorways. Added Onyx Ultra Matte colorway in 2021.
Knobs: Added tactile depressions on adjustment knobs for better grip.
Casters: Introduced high-performance, roll-away resistant casters.
Base: Re-sculpted base is slightly sleeker, with new colors & finishes.
Cylinder: Pneumatic cylinder updated to support the remastered frame.
Chassis: Shifted frame 1.8 degrees forward for smoother, more natural positioning. One slimmer swing arm replaces the classic chair’s two.
Frame: Carrier retooled to support the new 8Z Pellicle suspension.
Expanded Size Inclusivity
In remastering Aeron for contemporary workers, Herman Miller recognized a more diverse range of body sizes. Across its three size options (still A, B, and C), the remastered Aeron can accommodate bodies ranging from 4’7” to 6’6” tall and up to 350 lbs.
View the Remastered Aeron Size-Fit Chart
Sustainability
In the more than 20 years between the debut of the classic Aeron and the remaster, sustainability goals became vital in product design. Herman Miller launched the remastered Aeron with sustainability in mind. The remastered Aeron is composed of recycled materials and is itself up to 91% recyclable, earning several environmental certifications including BIFMA Level 3, GREENGUARD GOLD, and Indoor Advantage Gold. In 2021, Herman Miller and Don Chadwick improved further on Aeron’s sustainability, incorporating ocean-bound plastic (OBP) to the chair’s composition.
Which is the better Aeron, classic or remastered?
While the remastered Aeron technically improved on nearly every aspect of the classic chair, the classic Aeron is the version that made Aeron a household name, and is still one of the best ergonomic office chairs available today. It has its own unique advantages over the remastered Aeron, primarily that it is an iconic piece of design history, now available officially refurbished by Herman Miller for the first time. Plus, with a refurbished chair, you can feel confident you’re making the most sustainable choice, regardless of the chair model you choose.
If you’re struggling to choose, we’ve broken down a few of the key selling points of each Aeron model:
How to choose an Aeron
Choose classic Aeron if:
You’re shopping on a budget: Refurbished Aeron Classics are more affordable than remastered models, offering premium ergonomic value at lower prices.
You fall within the Classic’s size range: If you’re between 4’10” and 6’6” tall and under 300 lbs, the classic Aeron will support your natural seated position.
You prefer a classic fit: The classic Aeron has a distinct fit & feel that some prefer to the remastered Aeron.
You’re a design enthusiast or collector: Classic Aeron chairs may be refurbished by Herman Miller, but they still aren’t manufactured new. Choose Classic to own a museum-worthy piece of design history.
You value proven, timeless design: The classic Aeron gave Aeron its reputation as a paragon of ergonomic seating design, and is still one of the best ergonomic chairs available.
Shop Refurbished Aeron Classic
Choose remastered Aeron if:
You value advanced ergonomic technology:
Remastered Aeron chairs showcase Herman Miller’s recent advancements in ergonomic engineering, and the result is a more adjustable & effortlessly comfortable chair.
You fall within the remastered size range: If you’re between 4’8” and 6’7” tall and under 350 lbs, the remastered Aeron has your back.
You prefer a more contemporary aesthetic: With more color options and a slightly sleeker silhouette, remastered Aeron is more visually contemporary than the classic chair.
You want a brand new chair: Remastered Aeron models are the models Herman Miller still manufactures today. Shop New Aeron Chairs
Shop Refurbished Aeron Remastered
A shared design ethos
All Aeron models share a deep foundation in ergonomic and kinematic research and innovation. Before debuting Aeron, designers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick had collaborated on three research-backed office chair lines for Herman Miller, each of which broke new ground in ergonomic design: Ergon (1976), one of the first truly “ergonomic” office chairs; Equa (1984), a revelation in kinematic design; and Sarah (1987), which traded old-school upholstery for an innovative woven interior suspension.
When Aeron debuted in 1994, it showcased everything Stumpf and Chadwick had learned over 20 years designing ergonomic office seating for Herman Miller. That pioneering focus on ergonomics, on designing an office chair that responds to – not dictates – how we sit, is shared across all Aeron models, and will continue to inform Aeron updates to come. It’s why Aeron is always the best choice, no matter which model you choose.
Read the Aeron Design Story for a full timeline of Aeron’s development.
Shop Refurbished Aeron: Classic & Remastered
Shop New Aeron
Frequently asked questions
Is the remastered Aeron better than the Classic? Not inherently. The remastered Aeron features more recent ergonomic engineering & a more contemporary feel, but the classic Aeron is still a museum-quality paragon of ergonomic design, with added value for collectors.
Which Aeron is better for back support? While the classic Aeron provides a premium level of back support, the remastered Aeron innovated on almost every classic support feature, adding 8Z Pellicle, PostureFit SL & Harmonic Tilt to provide cutting-edge support to the entire spine.
Do both versions come in the same sizes? No – while both Aeron Classic & remastered Aeron models are available in three sizes, A, B & C, the remastered size range is slightly more inclusive. Classic Aeron supports bodies between 4’10” & 6’6” tall & under 300 lbs, while remastered Aeron supports bodies between 4’8” & 6’7” tall & under 350 lbs. For more sizing information, consult the Aeron Classic Size/Fit Guide & the Remastered Aeron Size/Fit Guide.
Should I buy Aeron refurbished or new? Buying a refurbished Aeron through Herman Miller Refurbished is a cost-effective & sustainable way to own a piece of design history. Herman Miller no longer manufactures classic Aeron models new, but remastered models are still available to purchase new by Herman Miller.