A premium price for a supremely sturdy chair which, although it’s missing a headrest and width adjustment, really stands out against the competition thanks to its premium feel.
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: One-Minute Review
The Herman Miller Aeron has been updated and is now marketed as a gaming chair. Now it’s made from ocean plastic and is essentially the same as its office doppelgänger, albeit at a slightly different price. However, whether I compare it to our best office chairor best gaming chair On the list, it had to do something very special to catch my attention at a whopping $1,805/£1,371 price tag.
The Herman Miller Aeron positions itself as a premium office-style gaming chair that puts ergonomics firmly at the forefront and really strives to deliver. Although it is certainly one of the The most comfortable gaming chair Go, and bring the benefit of height adjustability to the battle of ergonomic perfection, I can’t help but expect more for my money.
When it comes to quality gaming chairs, there are two types worth looking at: those with headrests and those without. The Aeron falls firmly into the headrest-less category, which means that while it’s as comfortable, ergonomic, and adjustable as possible, there’s no way to kick back and take a nap when it all gets too much. The lack of width adjustability on the armrests is a bit disappointing, and the omission of the headrest for the price is almost offensive, especially when you can get an ergonomic wonder like height adjustability human freedom The chairs are cheaper.
To be fair, when purchasing a Herman Miller chair, you’re paying for known variables. The Aeron really embodies Herman Miller’s attention to detail and mechanical prowess, making it ideal for time-pressed enterprise gamers. Design sensitivity was taken into account. I just wish there was a place where I could lay down and lament the money I just spent.
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: Pricing and Availability
- List price: $1,805/£1,371
- Available at the Herman Miller online store
- Sold in UK and US
The Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair comes in two sizes. Unlike its office counterpart, it’s less configurable and not customizable, but it’s cheaper. The Herman Miller Office Aeron, which comes with seat tilt, adjustable lumbar support and 3D armrests, costs $1,995/£1,558, but you can opt for less adjustability to bring the price down slightly. However, the Aero gaming chair’s configuration options didn’t baffle us. Price per unit is £1,371/$1,805.
No matter what configuration you choose, the Herman Miller premium will be added, though I appreciate that both sizes are priced the same. It’s also a bit cheaper than domestically Herman Miller x Logitech Emobdy Gaming Chair Too ($1,995/£1,570).
Unfortunately, the Herman Miller Aeron is not available in Australia, but UK and US residents can purchase it at the Herman Miller online store. There are also more height options in the US.
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: Specs
price | $1,805/£1,371 |
aspect | 43 x 26 x 23.6 inches/108 x 66 x 60 cm (standard size, “size B”) |
Maximum user weight | 300 lbs/136 kg |
Minimum seat height | 17.7 inches/45 cm |
seat width | 20.2 inches/51.4 cm |
tilt angle | about. 140 degrees |
Warranty | 12 years |
Material | net |
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: Design and Aesthetics
- Height adjustable
- A bit retro corporate design
- Not as configurable as Office
The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Herman Miller Aeron was its retro design—which, I might add, comes fully assembled. The strong curvature of the frame makes it look like it was designed for one of the minimalist mansions of the 60s. The mesh back and seat mean it could easily blend into a corporate office, but I’ve never seen a mechanism so… fluid. The armrest melted like a clock in a Dali painting. Still, it’s an attractive chair if you want that corporate vibe.
There’s no color to choose from, just jet black, and that’s your choice. No bright color configuration options like this Herman Miller x Logitech VantumFor example, but it’s more refined and understated.
As for the adjustable forward lean and adjustability, it’s called “PostureFit.” It’s essentially a fancy word for lumbar support, and it has a nice little roller handle that sits behind your back that you push it in. While these mechanisms provide a huge amount of movement, it lacks some of the delivery that other, cheaper chairs are still capable of. Namely, the lack of armrest width adjustability and actual head restraints.
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: Comfort and Adjustability
- Excellent sensory mechanism
- Lack of armrest width adjustment
- Design imposes ergonomics on you
In addition to comfort, there are a few features you’ll want in a gaming chair. You want the mechanisms to be intuitive and secure, you want it to fit on your desk, and you want it to be sturdy. The Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair does it all effortlessly. After sitting on it for a week straight, I can say I had a blast using it. None of the mechanics are clunky, and they’re all relatively intuitive. Their silicone handles also give them a nice premium feel, meaning they won’t slip out of your hands when you use them.
When you sit in the Aeron, there’s a lovely bouncy feeling that’s very satisfying. It’s not like the clunk you get when sitting on a regular office chair – which some say hangs from its butt. The whole time I sat in it, not once did it feel like it was wobbly or unstable. There are zero rattles on the arms, the padding is very good, and the Y-axis rotation is excellent. They can also slide all the way back so you can lean directly against the table. The armrests do slide forward without locking, which can be an issue with some chairs, but they’re nowhere near as prone to pinching fingers as the Herman Miller Vantum. There’s a slow and purposeful step to all mechanics that really speaks to the impressive build quality.
The main issue I had was the plastic around the backrest and bucket seats. Since there is no headrest, I found myself putting my fingers behind my head to compensate. The problem is that I seem to be the perfect height for my shoulder blades to fit into. Before buying, it might be worth checking the exact back height versus where your shoulder blades sit – thankfully the chair is the same price whether you choose a small, medium or large.
Likewise, whenever I tried to tuck food under me, I was hampered by the plastic surrounds on the bucket seats that hugged my hips. Essentially, its ergonomic advantages come from forcing you to sit in a specific position, preventing you from ruining your posture. Pretty smart, but not the best for someone like me who sits awkwardly.
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: Assembly
The fact that the Aeron requires no assembly is a blessing, especially if you can’t spare the time. For a regular gaming chair, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Who has free time during a busy day of ergonomic gaming?
Opening the box and rolling out the chair without assembly is convenient but also confidence-inspiring: you don’t even have to try to get parts misaligned or connections wrong, the experts have already done it for you.
Should you buy the Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it…
Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair: Also Consider
If you’re still not sure if the Herman Miller Aeron is right for you, there are some other options that are more customizable and might save you money. When it comes to premium build quality, though, the Aeron is hard to beat.
Row 0 – Cell 0 | herman miller aron | Herman Miller x Logitech Embody | Steelcase Series 2 Task Chair |
price | $1,805/£1,371 | $1,995/£1,570 | US$914/£800/AU$955 |
aspect | 43 x 26 x 23.6 inches/108 x 66 x 60 cm (standard size, “size B”) | 45 x 29 x 29.5 inches/114.3 x 73.6 x 75 cm | 42.5 x 26 x 22 inches/108 x 66 x 56 cm |
Maximum user weight | 300 lbs/136 kg | 300 lbs/136 kg | 242 lbs/110 kg |
Minimum seat height | 17.7 inches/45 cm | 17 inches/43.2 cm | 16.1 inches/41 cm |
seat width | 20.2 inches/51.4 cm | 21.2 inches/53.8 cm | 18.7 inches/47.5 cm |
tilt angle | about. 140 degrees | about. 120 degrees | 17 degrees |
Warranty | 12 years | 12 years | 12 years (lifetime: frame and base) |
Material | net | Sync fabric upholstery (polyester) | 3D Microknit backrest, Fame fabric seat |
How I Tested the Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair
- After a few weeks of testing
- Rocking back and forth, playing with the levers
- push it to the limit
Over the course of a few weeks, I sat in the chairs several times a week and developed a good feel for the mechanics by switching them frequently and trying to push their limits with purpose. I sat in various positions to see how it handled awkward sitting positions. Above, I compared it to cheaper chairs that nearly matched the Aeron’s level of adjustability and customizability, and considered what you’d need to sacrifice to get more out of an office chair for less money .