Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Vs Remastered Chair Differences
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The Herman Miller Aeron debuted in 1994. In 2017, the Aeron Remastered emerged with adaptive mesh and elaborate tilt features. The Aeron Gaming Chair is the third iteration of this iconic ride. It’s slightly cheaper than the Remastered and comes pre-configured in medium and large sizes. This Aeron Gaming Chair review breaks down its merits.
The Aeron Gaming chair comes preconfigured with fully-loaded features and a matte black frame.
Herman Miller released the Aeron gaming chair in September 2020(1). It comes pre-configured with fully adjustable arms, full tilt functions, and a Posturefit lumbar support. It also debuted a new matte black frame.
One year later, the Aeron Remastered portfolio added a new colorway: Onyx Ultra Matte(2). It contains up to 1.3 kg of mismanaged plastic waste found near waterways per chair. This is projected to save the ocean from over 136 tonnes of plastic annually.
Based on Herman Miller product brochures, the Remastered Onyx Ultra Matte and Gaming edition frames are exactly the same. The only difference is that the Gaming version comes preconfigured.
Herman Miller has confirmed the differences(3) on its Aeron gaming chair product page Q&A:
Question: What’s the difference between the Aeron Remastered and Gaming editions? Answer:The regular Aeron is fully customizable; the Aeron Gaming is a set configuration.
Question: Is the Black Onyx gaming chair the same as the Onyx Ultra Matte Remastered Aeron? Answer:Yes, the Black / Onyx is the same color on both Aeron and Aeron Gaming.
The Aeron Gaming Chair is a fully-loaded, pre-configured version of the Aeron Remastered. It’s a ‘gaming’ chair only in marketing brochures. In practice, it’s a luxurious ergonomic office chair with some next-level features.
Ergonomic Features
The Aeron is a mesh suspension chair. Its 8Z Pellicle mesh has variable tension zones. These adapt to micromovements, helping users stay in good postural balance at all times.
Dr. Brock Walker’s Indy 500 suspension-style racing seats inspired the Aeron’s back support philosophies.
The suspension concept first helped a driver with a broken back win the 1996 Indy 500. These days, it provides the primary support to keep users upright. Then, the other features kick in to keep users in almost effortless healthy postures.
The Aeron’s hard bladed edges make it unpleasant to put your feet up. Keeping both feet planted is the only comfortable position.
Hard seat edges force users to sit with both feet planted at all times.
8Z Pellicle mesh fabric has a luxurious feel with incredible adaptive qualities. On the backrest, it’s tighter along the edges and looser in the middle.
The seat has four different tension zones. These adapt to micro-movements. That keeps body weight distributed as the user moves in the chair.
Aeron Gaming chairs come pre-configured with a Posturefit lumbar support. Its dual pads support two parts of the lower spine. The top one supports the lumbar area. The bottom one supports the sacral spine (closer to the tailbone).
The Posturefit system supports two parts of the spine — but you can’t adjust the height.
You can adjust the depth of support, but not the height. With a good fit, it provides superb lower back support. Without a good fit, the pads might feel like bricks!
Remastered chairs include an option to replace Posturefit with a height-adjustable lumbar.
Then, consider an Aeron Remastered instead. Unlike gaming editions, Remasterchairs have a height-adjustable lumbar option:
The Aeron Gaming Chair also comes pre-configured with 3D arms plus a Tilt Limiter with Seat Angle. The latter lets you recline the backrest, tilt the seat, and rock the whole chair.
In sync-tilt mode, the seat tilts as the user leans backward or forward.
You can also combine the seat and backrest into a synchronous tilt. As the backrest reclines, the seat tilts up (max 16°). When leaning forward, it tilts down (max -1°). This keeps the thighs parallel to the floor through all recline modes.
Summary of Features
Synchro-tilt: seat pan angle from -1° to 16°; backrest 93° to 104°
Upholstery: Pellicle 8Z mesh provides eight zones of varying tension for ultra-responsive support.
PostureFit Lumbar: depth–adjustable support for the lumbar and sacral spine.
Seat: adjust the height; limit the tilt range; adjust the tilt tension; sync-tilt with the backrest.
Gaming editions are only available in medium (size B) and XL (size C). Herman Miller rates both for sizes 5’2″ to 6’6″. If you can’t decide between the two, the Gaming Chair product page suggests going with Size B.
Sizes B and C Gaming Chairs are rated to support sizes 5’2″ to 6’6″ and up to 350 pounds.
Warning: the lack of Posturefit height-adjustability can be a problem. For instance, my 5’9″ size finds the Size B Posturefit too high. A half-inch lower would make a big difference! Those shorter than 5’9″ may find the misfit even worse!
Remastered Size A
Gaming Size B
Gaming Size C
Seat
15.75″ (W) x 16.75″ (D)
17″ (W) x 16.75″ (D)
18.25″ (W) x 18.5″ (D)
Backrest
20.25″(W) x 21″ (H)
21.5″ (W) x 22″ (H)
22.75″(W) x 23″ (H)
Seat Height
14.75″ to 19″
16″ to 20.4″
16″ to 20.5″
Size Rating
4’10” to 5’9″; 300 pounds
5’2″ to 6’6″; up to 350 pounds
5’2″ to 6’6″; up to 350 pounds
Gaming editions also give you the option of having a higher seat height. The stock maximum height on both editions is 20.4″. You can choose a ‘High Seat’ option during checkout for a max height of 22.87″ (no extra charge).
Things To Like
Three shining aspects stand out about the Aeron Gaming chair.
Good Posture Support
The Aeron Gaming edition does one thing very well. It helps you to (almost effortlessly) sit with good posture for long periods. The point is to align your spine as if it were in a healthy standing position.
A well-configured Aeron will support the same lower back angle as with a healthy standing position.
Hard-bladed seat edges encourage you to sit with planted feet. Doing so with your butt tucked deep into the seat lets the chair take care of the rest. The 8Z Pellicle mesh keeps you cool and balanced with a soft, luxurious feel.
Intuitive Tilt Controls
The tilt controls are intuitive. Most people will only need a few minutes to get the hang of them. Then, it becomes easy to toggle settings on the fly.
It’s easy to master Aeron controls in just a few minutes.
Forward seat tilt: press your back against the backrest; rotate the knob under the left side of the seat forward; lean forward in the chair and the seat will tilt down by -1°.
Reclined seat tilt: press your back against the backrest; rotate the knob under the left side of the seat backward; lean forward in the chair and the seat will tilt up by max 16°.
Tilt lock and limit: rotate the inner knob under the left side of the seat. Turn backward to limit the recline to 93, 100, or 104°. Turn forward to lock.
Tilt tension: rotate the knob under the right side of the seat. To loosen the rocking tension, turn backward. To tighten or lock, turn forward.
Seat height: open the latch on the right side of the seat. Once you find your ideal height, pop the latch back in place.
Inspiring Build Quality
The Aeron Gaming Chair has an elite look and feel. You can feel the quality in both the frame and plush 8Z Pellicle mesh. As well, everything works with crisp precision guaranteed for twelve years.
Even world-class gamers will feel inspired by this chair. That makes it a great centerpiece for the most advanced gaming or computing stations.
There are two things that gamers might possibly dislike about the Aeron gaming chair:
Forced Good Posture At All Times
The Aeron helps you to sit straight but leaves no other option. It forces you to sit with feet planted in a limited recline range (93, 100, 104°) at all times. This makes it an excellent office chair.
The Aeron’s 3 recline ranges all force you to sit basically upright.
Staff using one have no choice but to sit with crisp, attentive posture. It’s also a good option for competitive gamers: crisp posture helps boost energy and focus. But when gaming from home, sitting upright all the time can get annoying.
No Height-Adjustable Lumbar Support
Aeron Gaming chairs come pre-configured with a Posturefit dual-pad system. Posturefit is depth but not height-adjustable. It’s designed to provide a generalized fit. It works ok — but is an acquired taste.
L-R: depth-adjustable Posturefit; height-adjustable lumbar pad (recommended).
In contrast, the height-adjustable lumbar slider works as most people would expect. Slide it up or down until it supports your particular lower back curve.
Aeron Gaming chairs only come in two sizes, both pre-configured with Posturefit. These are for gamers uninterested in complicated ergonomic details. Luckily, informed gamers have the option to fully customize their Aeron Gaming Chair.
The Aeron Onyx is a fully-customizable version of the Aeron Gaming Chair.
The big difference between Aeron Gaming and Onyx chairs is the options. Onyx chairs give you full control over your build. You can build your own gaming chair in small, medium, or XL sizes.
As well, you can replace Posturefit with a sliding lumbar pad. Here’s a pre-configured Gaming edition vs a custom Onyx with a sliding lumbar pad. Both also come with 3D arms, Tilt Limiter, and Seat Angle functions:
Bottom line: if you find the Aeron Gaming chair options too limiting, buy an Aeron Onyx Remastered instead. With a sliding lumbar pad instead of Posturefit, the Onyx version costs $85 more.
Conclusion
The Herman Miller Aeron helps users sit with almost perfect posture. The Aeron Gaming edition does the same thing. Either model is the ultimate office chair — for managers. Sitting staff in Aeron chairs guarantees crisp, productive postures all day long.
In an office, that’s perfect. But while gaming from home, it can feel limiting. When it’s time to relax, the Aeron will keep your body locked in battle mode.
Choose the pre-configured gaming edition for minor savings. If you want a custom build, go with an Aeron Remastered.
Instead of a (non height adjustable) Posturefit, you can choose a sliding lumbar pad.
Bottom line: the Gaming and Remastered versions are both solid. When it’s time to perform at your best, simply plant your feet, lean into the backrest, and get down to business.
HermanMiller.com. ‘New Series of Special Edition Herman Miller Gaming Chairs Launching’, Press Release, September 2, 2020. Read the Press Release, (accessed 30 April 2023).
HermanMiller.com. ‘Herman Miller Increases Use of Ocean-bound Plastic with Aeron Chair’, Press Release, September 1, 2021. Read the Press Release, (accessed 30 April 2023).
Herman Miller Store. ‘Aeron Gaming Chair Product Q & A’, November 20, 2022. Read the Store Q & A, (accessed 30 April 2023).
I'm the ChairsFX founder and Chief Editor. I'm a member of the OSHA Education Center Association (OECA), with an OSHA Ergonomics Certification. Beyond these credentials, I've been hands-on testing the world's finest ergonomic desk chairs since 2018. Learn more about me and this website on the About Us page.
