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Ask HN: What are some cheaper Herman Miller alternatives?
Is it possible to get the comfort and looks of a HM chair, but for less?
Testimonials (especially from people with sciatica) appreciated!
- PaulHoule 2y agoSteelcase isn't cheaper but it's better in my opinion. For me the mesh on the Aeron chair causes intense hamstring pain more than any other chair.
- cloudking 2y ago+1 for the Steelcase Leap V2, look for a used one, brand new prices are ridiculous. Lots of office spaces sell these off for cheap.
- PaulHoule 2y agoHaven’t tried the V2 but I had a good run with a Leap V1 though boy were they pissed when I tried to get service for one I bought on Ebay. (After several years of using it… They fixed it just fine in the end though)
- cloudking 2y agoI really like it for back support, also you can get it with a built in headrest
- dtnewman 2y ago+1 as well. Because the Aeron is so iconic, they seem to retain value much better, so they are expensive in the secondary market. Leaps are cheaper, but I personally think the Leap is a better chair.
- the__alchemist 2y agoFor me, it's the HM chairs plastic front stabbing the back of my thighs! I gather this is similar to cilantro tasking like soap; a significant minority is bothered by it, but most people don't mind.
- pyb 2y agoIn my experience, HM Sayls are easy to find secondhand. However, you'll probably need to dismantle the chair to add grease to the mechanisms.
- joezydeco 2y agoDo you know what the difference is between the standard Sayl and the "gamer" version? It's like half the price.
- pyb 2y agoNo I can't tell the difference other than the colors. Sayls have optional features including lumbar support ; adjustable armrests.
- joezydeco 2y agoI have a Sayl at work and that lumbar support is a literal piece of plastic, albeit well designed, that slides up and down. I can't believe that's a massive upcharge?
- rozenmd 2y ago+1 for secondhand, surprisingly easy to find around the world too (I had one couriered from Paris, from a liquidated startup to my home office in Toulouse)
- Ologn 2y agoI bought my refurbished HM Aeron second hand from a chair repair shop in New York City five years ago. With WFH and all I have been using it a lot in the past five years, and it has held up well. Worth every penny.
- snailb 2y agoHere is a cheap alternative: I bought a $300 chair off amazon, that actually isn't comfortable. The trick was to buy a seat cushion with memory foam. This made the experience 100% better.
- zerr 2y agoAren't you sweating on a memory foam?
- snailb 2y agoNo you don't. Depending on the quality of the memory foam. It's very comfy.
- bradybunch 2y agoIt's an alternative. But not cheap!
- notaharvardmba 2y agoAutonomous chairs are great and decent price
- Leftium 2y agoI've gotten the Ikea Markus chair twice (one for the US, one for Korea). It used to be the WireCutter's budget pick for several years straight (however, now it's "universally reviled by our testing panel...") I personally find the Markus very comfortable.
- wruza 2y agoMarkus is above average, but I wish it had a detachable upper end. Sitting in it for hours makes you wish to bend back but you can’t. Also not a fan of its rattling tilt lock.
- malfist 2y agoProbably didn't pay enough to be WireCutter's top pick anymore. Look at their coverage of air filters, particularly IKEA's air filter and it's obvious they're bought and paid for.
- admissionsguy 2y agoI have Aeron and my girlfriend has a Markus. To be honest, I prefer the Markus and she prefers the Markus as well. From what I’ve read Aeron requires you to assume a “proper” sitting position and mine apparently is not.
- muzani 2y agoMine is a Malkolm. It is falling apart and I don't know if they make the same model anymore. But it's so good I often forget I'm sitting at a chair.
- dtnewman 2y agoThe HM Aeron has become to go-to office chair. It's definitely a good one and popular for a reason, but there are other great chairs too. Any HM, Steelcase, or Haworth chair (and I'm sure there are others) is likely going to be well thought out, built to last, nice looking and comfortable. Personally, I have a Steelcase Leap v2 chair. It was manufactured in 2004 (according to the sticker on the bottom). I purchased it used for around $150-200 in 2017 and it was in seemingly perfect condition at the time, although the used-office-furniture place I bought it from gave it a nice steam cleaning before I took it home. In 2024, it is still in nearly perfect condition and I'm not particularly careful with it. If you saw the fabric, arm rests and other visible parts of the chair, you would probably think it's a year or two old. I think it will easily last another 10 years. And I LOVE it. The point is that if you buy a used chair in good condition made by a great company, it's a much better deal than getting a so-so new chair [1]. In my case, they sold it at a heavy discount, because the rest of the Steelcase Leaps that they had were grey and mine was the only navy one, so a corporate customer was less likely to want it. Didn't matter at all to me, and the truth is that had I spend $500 instead, it still would have been a great investment. I would look for companies selling used office furniture in your area. In my case, they weren't really a "store", but instead a big warehouse that I went to. When companies move out of offices, they buy up all the good furniture and then sell it to other companies, but they were willing to sell to me. What's nice about this is they will likely let you look at all the chairs they have and pick the one that works best for you. You can also look for private sellers in your area. If possible, spend $30 to rent a steam cleaner to clean the chair when you get it. Not necessary, just nice to make the chair look like new. Edit: I have had lower back pain and sciatica in the past, so a good chair is important for me. I found the Steelcase Leap great for this. [1] Reminds me of the old quote from Charlie Munger / Warren Buffett: "It's better to buy a great company at a good price than an okay company at a great price".
- wannabebarista 2y ago+1 for the Steelcase Leap. It's an underrated chair.
- hakfoo 2y ago
- leros 2y agoI've had the Herman Miller Aeron and the Steel Case Leap. Both are considered top tier options. I'm currently using an Autonomous chair and I'm very happy with it.
- lurn_mor 2y agoGet a standing desk, don't buy a chair. Solved 99% of my lower back problems, and if I'm too tired to work at the desk, work's done!
- shiggaz 2y agoI went to an ergonomic chair store and found several good chairs that compete with HM. They aren't the only manufacturer, shop around!
- fckgw 2y agoThe Office Depot Hyken is a great HM knockoff. Regularly goes on sale for ~$99 as well. https://www.staples.com/union-scale-flexfit-hyken-ergonomic-mesh-swivel-task-chair-charcoal-gray-un59464/product_24328579 https://www.staples.com/union-scale-flexfit-hyken-ergonomic-...