Aeron Chair

I've just taken delivery of a remastered Aeron in Mineral & Polished Al for my wife's home office and noticed that my own Aeron was just coming up to its 4th Birthday.

The remastered one does feel a tiny bit different, the base seems slightly more forgiving on the new one, more comfy maybe, if that's possible.

I do like (and prefer) the added flexibility of the new arms.

However I do feel my "original" retains the iconic look with its executive fabric and the larger "bulb" under the seat.

We are now a happy Herman Miller couple!

After recovering from the initial sticker shock, I did the math on a fully-optioned Aeron, and learned that over the expected lifetime (at least 15 years) of this chair, the amortized cost is around 25 cents per day, small price to pay for my long-term health. I already have the older classic version that is 15 years old, and except for the scratched casters and faded arm pads, everything looks and functions as near-new, especially the mesh seat and back. In fact, the older it got, the better the plastic graphite base/frame parts looked, faded into a metallic luster and hardness that is hard to tell that it's actually plastic. Also, I've come to appreciate the classic, now-understated aesthetics of the Aeron. Unlike other chairs with every adjustment option and flashy designs, the Aeron remains a purpose-driven machine, with function following form.

For potential buyers, I recommend getting at least these options: lumbar support, tilt limiter and seat angle, and height adjustable arms. On my new remastered version, I couldn't tell much difference between the old lumbar support of the classic Aeron and the new Posturefit SL on the remastered. The forward seat angle (with tilt limiter set to the most forward position) really supports my back when I'm leaning into the keys, which is often, and no other chair I've tried does this so well or at all. If possible, also consider the fully adjustable arms, which when angled in tight toward the body, elbows can rest naturally when typing. The leather arm pads are certainly not necessary, but it's nice to have on the one part of the chair that I constantly touch with my hands. The vinyl arm pads on my classic are fine and durable, but the luxurious feeling of leather and stitching was worth the additional $80 for me. My only regret with the options I chose is the polished aluminum. I thought they would be more shiny, but they're rather duller than I imagined from the photos, and the base will probably scratch and dull even more over time. In comparison, the graphite on my classic still looks great.

If I had complaints about the Aeron in general it's that there is small but noticeable wobble when I jiggle the seat. I bought two at the same time, and they both do this. Once I sit on it, the wobble doesn't seem to affect performance, but considering the overall build quality, this flaw is noticeable. My older classic doesn't do this, and I do worry about longevity on this remastered. Another issue might be the shipping. I decided to order directly from HM, and I expected the chairs to come directly from their warehouse. Instead, they were shipped from Design Within Reach, a highly reputable retailer no doubt, but not what I expected. Also, although both were delivered sooner than the confirmation email indicated, they were delivered separately on two different dates, and the tracking numbers from my confirmation email didn't match the actual shipments. Small quibbles.

Being in finance in NYC for nearly 20 years now, I've used older versions of the "Aeron" chair and they were superb! The support, height, depth, and adjustable functions such as the lumbar support of those chairs were incredible. This new "redesigned" chair though, has a lot to be desired - to be honest the old versions were much superior to this new model. The models we had around the mid-2000s were the best in my opinion as far as how many things you could adjust, the lumbar support, depth, height, etc. - this new chair just doesn't have the dimensions. It appears they've reduced/decreased "inches" off of a lot of the dimensions such as seat depth, seat height, etc, while also removing some adjustable options such as not being able to adjust the seat depth, which his a huge disappointment for this new chair and the lumbar mechanism for either type of lumbar support now available falls flat compared to the models around 2006-2007.

The older model around that time frame was solid as a rock, had all kinds of great dimensions to fit anyone, even very long legged/tall people and tall and big people etc. - these chairs seat depth is sooo shallow it doesn't fit right and cuts off circulation! And you cannot adjust the set "out" or "in" closer or away from the back rest - so unfortunate. Like I said, it appears they've found ways to cut corners to reduce cost for them, but the price is still high, and actually higher compared to 10-15 years ago when the chairs were still excellent. For the quality you are getting now - it's better to look elsewhere.....

Enjoying it so far.

Conforms to the body, easily adjustable, great support.

Let me start by saying I didn't get to pick my chair, but it doesn't matter, because I still got what I would have picked! Many years ago, my mother sold office furniture, and even today she says Herman Miller is the best. After 10 years with this chair, I have to agree. My office has nearly 100 of these chairs, and as far as I know, everyone loves them.

One word of advice: dust builds up under/in/on the chair in places you don't readily notice, and guarantee your janitor likely isn't looking. Every so often, you need to turn the chair upside down and give it a really good cleaning. Otherwise, like me, you'll be on the floor looking for something you dropped and be horrified by what you notice. That's on me, not the chair, but now you can't say you didn't know. I don't feel so bad now that I've shown several co-workers and theirs were just as dusty.

I had one at work for ten years and loved it, the best, most comfortable desk chair I ever had. I retired and bought one for my home office and have used it for over six years. I have never had a problem with the chair and I wouldn't think of using another chair, although I probably will never have to. Pricey, yes, but very solid, high quality, great design and really worth every single penny.

The chair arrived earlier than promised, was completely assembled :) and easily adjusted. The chair is very sturdy and generally comfortable. It took me a few days to get the settings the way I want them, but after a few weeks I feel like it was a good investment.

Also, the warranty is better - by far - than the other chairs I purchased and returned.

Great char. I just wish i could remove the arm rests or have an option to buy it without arm rests

it was my dream chair until i got it. since it has really soft cushioning, it cannot support lower back at all. since I changed my chair to this one, i got serious lower back pain in one week, my doctor diagnose me with herniated disk at lower back, and the problem was from its soft cushion. this chair is so great, good quality, but it is terrible for people with lower back pain.

I found myself looking for a more ergonomic desk chair since I found myself sitting for longer periods of time. I began to research which chair to get. Time and time again the Aeron would come up as being the best of the best. I was put off by the price at first. But I kept coming back to it. What caught my eye first was the way the chair allows you to tilt forward as you work. I saw this demonstrated in a video online and I was sold. After receiving my Aeron, it was this very feature that made me fall in love with this chair. The Aeron offers perfect ergonomic support of your back. This is felt both when you lean back and as you sit up and lean forward. Better than that, you feel like you’re weightless as all pressure on your legs and hips seems to vanishes entirely. Don’t let the price dissuade you. It’s absolutely worth it. This chair came well packed and is made of the highest quality materials.

I have owned multiple Aeron Chairs and while I like them I find that the wheels fall apart after 10 years. The replacement wheels that you get from Herman Miller are just not as good as 3rd parties who use roller blade type designs. I must say I was sick of picking up broken pieces of the wheels.

Most comfortable chair I had and tried a few. Easy to adjust to individual needs.

Love the chair and it's adjustability! dislike that it came with some manufacturing defect in the threads of the seat area where the weave is really misaligned!

This chair was expensive, but its lumbar support keeps my lower back in alignment and has reduced pinched nerve pain. And it is comfortable.

I love this chair. I can spend hours on my desk without a hitch.
I would like to see this chair technology applied in the automotive industry... A car with herman-miller seat technology could be a success.

I sit in a Steelcase Gesture at work and this Herman Miller Aeron at home. The Aeron is unquestionably more comfortable and more encouraging of good posture.

The pellicle material makes it extremely well-ventilated, so heat never builds up behind your back or under your butt. While it has no seat pan depth adjustment, the size B works for me at 6' and my fiancee at 5'2". As long as you order using the sizing chart, it should not be an issue.

My favorite feature is the forward tilt option. When enabled, the seat allows you to tilt it forward a few extra degrees so you can sit up in the chair and focus and be productive while maintaining back support.

My least favorite part is that the pellicle material is difficult to clean, as any mesh would be. Since this is common sense, I won't take away a star or anything. Just keep in mind you don't want to be eating crummy food while reclining on this chair if you are a messy person.

All in all, this is the best chair I have ever owned by an incredibly wide margin. Of course you should always try one before buying, but I absolutely do not regret it. It feels like an investment in my health as much as a beautiful work of art, inspiring design, and fun toy.

The chair is built for quality and aesthetics and not comfort and usage.

lookes great and is very comfortable and moves very easy

This is the most comfortable and adjustable office chair I have used. I do wish that the arms would extend out further...about 2 inches.

I purchased the Aeron Chair without ever sitting in one and figured with the "no hassle return" I would send it back if not completely satisfied.

Also, I waited for the sale and ordered the fully adjustable model.

It's very well built: solid, quiet , attractive and easy to adjust which makes it extremely comfortable.
I've never paid this much for an office chair.. but I've never had anything this nice until now.

I am a proud owner of a Great Chair!

My second Aeron chair so I knew it was a fantastic task chair already. It’s stylish, comfortable & totally practical!

This is the most comfortable chair I've ever used, and it has to be felt to be believed. Much like virtual reality, nobody will be able to explain the experience of sitting in the Aeron chair – you have to sit in one yourself to understand just how contoured and ergonomic the chair is. I would rate this 6 stars if I could!

Chair must be great for a short person. I have long legs and the seat does not adjust out at all. The back support also does not adjust up and down, just in and out. It hit me in the wrong place. I wish I could have tried it out in a store before buying on line. Fortunately HM makes it easy to return.

Love it.

Superlative comfort. Once you get the Aeron adjusted, it does reduce leg and lumbar fatigue. Still have to get up every hour but it has made a world of a difference.

Here's the thing. I've had several Aeron chairs over the years. Some very old, some relatively new. But I figured this year I would treat myself to a brand new one. To my surprise, this new one is somewhat less comfortable than all my previous ones. The lumbar support is no where near as nice as the old school type of support. I would say that overall I'm a bit disappointed in the overall chair. I think 3 out of 5 stars is very accurate. If I were to do it again I would just keep my old Aeron chair.

I owned the previous generation for 7 years now, and recently purchased this new generation.

The new chair is still a very solid product with high quality materials.

There is a drawback in the design that I don't particulary like. Its the left side lever for adjusting tilt and upright angle. It has moved far down and its hard to reach, especially when you need to sit in the chair to push the rest back. Also the rotation mechanism knob has a low profile, making the twist difficult. Much easier in the previous generation to operate.

The new design is definelty cleaner and sleeker, but at least they should have not compromised the functionality just for the looks.

The front of the seat cuts off the blood flow of my legs. Otherwise works perfectly. I did return it though.

I’m a long time user of the Aeron chair. My previous one has about 12 years old so decided it was time for a new one. Within a week this new chair had me in so much pain I could sit at all. The base was changed and there seems to be different strengths of mesh. Right where it gets tight it cuts off circulation to my legs. It felt like I was sitting on a pipe for 8 hours a day.

I had to return the chair.

Super disappointed. The depth of the chair is a massive issue for me - never could get comfortable.

I have had four hip labral tear surgeries in the past three years, so ergonomics was a big consideration when choosing the right chair. I did a lot of research and visited the Herman Miller showroom to get measured for the right size chair (A, B, or C) before ordering. It took seven weeks to arrive, but it is everything I hoped it would be. I highly recommend this chair.

This is my second Aeron Chair in 18 years and I still have my first! This update is even more comfortable and I almost don't feel like I was in a chair. It's that comfortable and well designed. Ask me again in 18 years!

Literally have been sitting in this thing for 2 hours, and all I can say is that it was so dumb of me to wait this long to invest in a quality chair. I feel like my back pain is quite literally gone. However they figured out how to make a chair that naturally aligns with your back, I don't know - but they did it. I will make the money back for this chair in the extra time that I can work with no back pain.

I decided to purchase this chair for personal use in my home office. I was a little hesitant at first due to the price, however it was well worth it.

I got out of the military with chronic back pain, and have been suffering for many years while spending time in my home office. I currently work in IT and am just finishing up my degree at school. I spend a lot of time of my free time on the computer for studying, home labs, and research. Within a week's time of using my new Aeron Chair, I noticed that my back pain has significantly decreased and has greatly improved my quality of life. I don't ever think that I will buy another office chair again in my life, unless it is manufactured by Herman Miller. I am truly grateful for this chair and those who engineered it.

Seat wobbles, poorly finished. Leather arms arrived punctured and the customer service was awful. In regards to the chair itself, the hard plastic frame presses into the thighs.

This chair is defintely the best chair I have ever had! We use them in our office since approx 3 months and I am really happy to use it every day. No complains at all!

THE CHAIR HAS BEEN EXACTLY AS ADVERISED. I HAVE ONLY HAD A MONTH BUT HAVE HAD NO CONCERNS. I USE ON A DAILY BASIS

For over 20 years, there is no better, more comfortable, sturdier task chair than the Arron. This revised version is just as good, if not better. The tilt control is now more intuitive.

Best chair i’ve Ever had, period. Heavier than it looks, feels really strong and a solid 10 I’m confort

I have had nothing but pain in the underside of my legs since my boss has purchased these chairs. There is no adjusting the seat and the metal bar that goes across just cuts into the back of your leg. I recently had a cardiac ablation surgery and this chair actually aggravated my groin site and caused a lot of leg swelling. I'm now stuck for years of being uncomfortable in a seat that doesn't fit me properly. Looking for seat cushion as well and maybe that will help. I doubt it though with the angle on the seat that does not adjust.

I ordered the Aeron Chair with adjustable Posturefit back support, tilt limiter and seat angle, and fully adjustable arms. It is for a work station from which I am cataloging the books in my very large library. Many hours each day for many, many days. The chair makes it not only a possible job but a comfortable one.

I have the fixed lumbar and fixed arm model. The lumbar is great. You know it's there but it's not too rigid. Behind the knees slopes down for good circulation. The chair just feels like it's going to last.

Having owned an original Aeron Chair for some 22 years, I compared Don Chadwick's updated version with other current ergonomic office chairs as well as the original Aeron before purchasing. The new Aeron is more comfortable, with better back support, than its predecessor, and its adjustments are easy to operate. With due respect to its competitors, this is a chair you can work with comfortably all day. Of course, you should get up and stretch every 20 minutes, the only thing the Aeron won't do for you!

Great chair. My daily back pain has gotten much less since using it. Well worth the price.

This seriously is the perfect chair. I recently replaced my older Aeron for the new version as the only thing that could be better than an Aeron is a newly reimagined Aeron! Thanks guys, love the chair.

P.S. Love how easy it was to return and get a different model. Surprised shipping was free to return such a large item!

Perfect fit. Love it!!!

I really wanted to like this chair and in the beginning in comparison to my old chair it seemed like such an improvement. I have now had the chair for 6 months and I can hardly wait to sell it. The fact that the seat pan does not move forward makes it impossible for me to get comfortable. The front of the seat pan hurts my legs and caused them to fall asleep due to pressure behind my knees cutting off circulation. And finally my desk is a soft walnut and the hard plastic around the seat pan totally scars up my desk. I research very diligently on this chair and am regretting this purchase.

Very comfortable because of the numerous adjustments to fit your body and the way you want to sit.
Also very cool with its honeycomb seat and back.

I know this chair takes a bit of cash from the wallet, but it's well worth it. Solid. Extremely well built. Incredibly comfortable. The price in WELL worth it. Very much WELL worth it.

The delivery was awesome. I opened the box, the chair was assembled. I carried it up to my office, plunked it down, sat in in it, made some adjustments, and haven't looked back. I really love this chair.