Saturday, April 1, 2023
Chair & Desk Sales
ChairsFX
  •  
  • Gaming Chairs
    • Gaming Chair Brands
    • Single Chair Reviews
    • Gaming Chair News
  • Office Chairs
    • Office Chair Brands
    • Single Chair Reviews
  • Ergonomic Advice
  • Ergonomic Trends
  • Accessories
No Result
View All Result
  •  
  • Gaming Chairs
    • Gaming Chair Brands
    • Single Chair Reviews
    • Gaming Chair News
  • Office Chairs
    • Office Chair Brands
    • Single Chair Reviews
  • Ergonomic Advice
  • Ergonomic Trends
  • Accessories
No Result
View All Result
ChairsFX
No Result
View All Result
Home Gaming Chair Reviews

Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair Review (Plus Off-Menu Hack!)

March 1, 2022
Reading Time: 10 mins read
  • Written By Anil Ramsey
ChairsFX is reader-supported. Buying through links on our site may earn us commissions (as an Amazon associate or from furniture brands). This has no influence on our editorial content. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.

The Herman Miller Aeron made its debut 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. For an easier buying experience, it has fewer custom build options. Luckily, there’s an off-menu route for connoisseurs wanting full customization! This Aeron Gaming Chair review reveals all.

Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair
Imagine sitting with effortless good posture for long hours of intense gaming.

Since 2017, the Aeron Remastered has reigned as one of the world’s best office chairs. In mid-2020, the Aeron Gaming Chair arrived. It caters to serious video game players in three ways.

First, its rich black color scheme will add serious pop to any gaming station. Second, it’s easy to buy. The Aeron Remastered comes with seven complicated configuration options. In contrast, you need only choose a medium or XL size when buying a gaming edition.

Herman Miller Aeron Gaming Chair review
The all-black Aeron Gaming Chair offers fully-loaded features in medium and XL sizes.

Third, all versions of the Aeron do one thing better than any other chair: support good posture. With good posture comes more energy and sharper focus while computing.

This support feels incredible — while doing intensive deskwork. On the downside, when it’s time to relax, the Aeron Gaming Chair keeps you locked in upright battle mode!

Aeron Gaming Chair from Herman Miller $1695

The Aeron Remastered (office edition) is also available from Herman Miller for $1195-$2195.

Aeron Gaming Vs Remastered Chair

Aeron Gaming vs Remastered Edition
Left: Aeron Gaming Chair. Right: Graphite Aeron Remastered with Lumbar Pad and Standard Tilt.

Every Aeron Remastered in the Herman Miller Store is a custom build with seven options. In contrast, Aeron Gaming Chairs come almost pre-configured.

Gaming Edition Remastered
Buy Online Only from the Herman Miller Store Amazon; third-party retailers; Herman Miller Store
Sizing Medium, XL Small, medium, XL
Styling One all-black design Six light and dark styles
Build options 2 options: size (medium or XL); gas lift length 7 options: size (S,M,XL), style, lumbar support, tilt type, etc.
2022 Price $1695 from Herman Miller $1195-$2195 from Herman Miller

If you want more control over your Aeron build, a Remastered version makes more sense:

Herman Miller Aeron Remastered Review

Aeron Gaming Chair Review

Poor posture while gaming causes lethargy, bloating, stiffness, and brain fog. The Aeron Gaming chair provides an extreme solution to these problems.

For competitive gamers, it’s a sound investment. For non-competitive gamers, there’s a usability limitation to be aware of. Both groups should also be aware of a back support limitation that has a simple (off-menu) workaround.

Ergonomic Features

This is one of the world’s premier posture-correction chairs. Bolstered seat edges force users to sit with planted feet. That primes ultra-adaptive mesh to keep the body balanced. Meanwhile, next-level tilt functions stimulate blood flow over long gaming hours.

Bladed Seat8Z Pellicle MeshPosturefit LumbarAdjustability
The Aeron’s hard bladed edges make it unpleasant to put your feet up. Keeping both feet planted is the only comfortable position.

Herman Miller Aeron seat style
Hard seat edges force users to sit with both feet planted at all times.

Planted feet provide power and balance to hold the torso upright. Then, the Aeron’s other features kick in to keep you feeling cool, comfortable, and relaxed.

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.

Herman Miller 8Z Pellicle Mesh

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).

Aeron Gaming chair Posturefit system
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!

Aeron Reamstered configuration options
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:

Learn more: Herman Miller Aeron Posturefit Vs Lumbar Pad

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.

Aeron synchronous-tilt functions
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.
  • Backrest: forward tilt option; height and depth adjustable PostureFit lumbar support.
  • Armrests: 3D adjustable.
  • Warranty: 12 years.

Aeron Gaming Chair from Herman Miller $1695

The Aeron Remastered (office edition) is also available from Herman Miller for $1195-$2195.

Gaming Chair Sizes

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.

Aeron Gaming Chair seat dimensions
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.

Aeron chair back support ergonomic science
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.

Herman Miller Aeron tilt controls
It’s easy to master Aeron controls in just a few minutes.
  1. 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°.
  2. 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°.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair

Even world-class gamers will feel inspired by this chair. That makes it a great centerpiece for the most advanced gaming or computing stations.

Pros
  • 5-star posture support
  • Sleek, sexy design
  • Gold standard adaptive mesh upholstery
  • Robust synchro-tilt functionality
  • 12-year warranty
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Forces good posture at all times
  • Limited configuration options

Priced at $1695, the Aeron Gaming chair is only expensive up-front. Spread over its 12-year warranty, this beauty costs only $141 per year!

Aeron Gaming Chair from Herman Miller $1695

The Aeron Remastered (office edition) is also available from Herman Miller for $1195-$2195.

Dislikes (Plus Workarounds)

There are three things wrong with the Aeron — but all can be overcome!

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.

Aeron recline ranges
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.

Strict vs relaxed sitting styles
Add a second chair with a flat seat to overcome the Aeron’s strict posture enforcement.

The simple solution is to add a second chair for relaxing. In fact, dual chair setups to cover both relaxation and good posture angles are common. Check out some examples:

Flat Vs Bladed Ergonomic Seat Workarounds

No Height-Adjustable Lumbar Support

Aeron Gaming chairs come pre-configured with a Posturefit dual-pad system. Posturefit works great — but only when it fits. If the pads hit your lumbar and sacral spines too high or low, they’ll feel painful rather than supportive.

Herman Miller Aeron lumbar support styles
Remastered Posturefit (depth-adjustable) vs Sliding Lumbar Pad (height-adjustable).

Then, you’ll have spent big money on a fancy chair that hurts your back! Aeron Remastered chairs offer an easy workaround. Instead of adding a Posturefit system ($95), you can add a height-adjustable lumbar pad ($75). But what if you want a Gaming edition with a sliding lumbar pad?

Aeron Gaming Chair Configuration Hack

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.

Aeron Gaming vs Onyx chair differences
The Aeron Onyx is a fully-customizable version of the Aeron Gaming Chair.

Herman Miller released the Aeron Gaming chair in September 2020. Its product page notes that they “updated the gaming chair with an Onyx colorway, our darkest and most eco-friendly shade yet.” A year later, the company released a new Onyx Ultra Matte Aeron Remastered(1).

The big difference between 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.

Aeron Gaming Onyx Remastered
Sizes B and C (medium, XL) A, B, C (small, medium, XL)
Lumbar support Depth-adjustable Posturefit Height-adjustable lumbar pad
Price $1695 $1775

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 $80 more.

Aeron Gaming Chair Alternatives

If not sold on the Aeron, here are the most viable alternatives:

Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair

The Embody Gaming Chair’s wide, flat seat provides plenty of room to sit as you like. As well, the armrests have a massive width-adjustable range of 11.5-21″. But the star of the show is the backrest.

Embody gaming chair specifications
Embody gaming chairs come in all-black with a blue or black backrest shell.

A central flexible spine holds the unit in place. Human-like ‘ribs’ flex or contract as the user moves. Like the Aeron’s mesh, this helps the users remain balanced as they shift positions. However, it’s not as easy to use.

The Embody backrest has fixed curves with no adjustable lumbar support. You can only adjust the angle of the backrest, not the height. If not experienced with ergonomic chairs, getting the back support right can be tricky!

Embody chair sitting styles
Ergonomic beginners might struggle to get the Embody’s back angle set correctly.

Notably, many of the world’s top streamers use Embody Gaming Chairs. All are hard-core gamers with years of experience using ergonomic chairs.

Timthetatman posing with Herman Miller gear
Timthetatman is one of several mega-streamers who use the Embody Gaming Chair.

If you’re at a Timthetatman level, the Embody might be for you. If not, stick with a beginner-friendly Aeron Gaming Chair.

Learn more: Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair Review

Embody Gaming Chair from Herman Miller $1795

You can also buy the Embody Classic from Herman Miller for $1845-$2195

Cheaper Aeron Clones

Two popular Aeron clones deliver a similar sitting experience for less money. The third alternative is one of the original office chairs designed for gamers.

Cheaper Aeron Gaming Chair clones
L-R: Secretlab NeueChair; Duorest Alpha; Sidiz T80.
Chair Features Drawbacks Terms
NeueChair 2D arms, 85° to 130° recline, height-adjustable lumbar No seat tilt $609 from Secretlab with a 5-year warranty
Duorest Alpha 3D arms, 85° to 130° recline, adjustable dual-back support Very Short warranty $649.00 on Amazon with a 1-year warranty
Sidiz T80 3D arms, 3:1 back to seat tilt; 90-135° recline, height-adjustable lumbar, seat slider Short warranty $749.00 on Amazon with a 3-year warranty

Flat Seat Comfort Companions

These aren’t Aeron competitors — they’re companions to stack with your Aeron chair to relax with.

Secretlab Titan 2022 Series

The Secretlab Titan is the polar ergonomic opposite of the Aeron chair. Instead of enforcing good posture, the Titan enables it without restrictions. In fact, Secretlab endorses putting your feet up as a way to move while you sit.

Secretlab Titan vs Herman Miller Aeron
The Titan also supports good posture — with more freedom to sit as you like.

This formula fills the Aeron’s gaps better than any other gaming chair. The Titan Evo 2022 Series comes in small, medium, and XL sizes with stacked features.

These include 4-way integrated lumbar support, a magnetic headrest (11″ range), 4D arms, and a 5-year warranty. What’s more, there are over forty stunning styles to choose from.

Secretlab gaming chair showroom
The Titan comes in small, medium, and XL sizes with 43 eye-popping styles.

On the downside, high-end luxury comes at a price. After splashing out so much on an Aeron chair, stacking it with a Titan will hit your wallet hard.

Titan 2022 Series $549-$674 from Secretlab

Learn More: Hands-on Titan Evo 2022 Usability Review

Staples Hyken

The Staples Hyken does (almost) everything you need. It has 1D armrests, height-adjustable lumbar support, 4 recline modes, and full mesh upholstery. As a complement to the Aeron, its flat, wide seat fills the relaxation gap.

Techlead 2-chair combo
TechLead uses an Aeron chair for work and a Staples Hyken chair for relaxing.

Popular Youtuber Techlead pairs his Aeron with a cheap Staples Hyken chair. This is what he told ChairsFX about stacking an Aeron with a looser companion chair:

  • Dual-chair benefits: “I love having two chairs; the different seating positions help me move my body around to avoid stagnating. I think everyone could benefit from having multiple chairs.”
  • Morning: “I usually start the day with the Aeron, which has an upright ergonomic seating position. It looks and feels premium, which mentally prepares me to put in my best work for the day.”
  • Evening: “By evening, I switch to the Staples Hyken chair, which is also ergonomic but also allows me to lean back comfortably or sit cross-legged. That gives a more relaxed position for gaming, movies, or light web surfing.”

Bottom line: the Hyken solves the Aeron’s relaxation limit. It stacks a flat, wide seat with ergonomic basics for comfortable after-hours relaxation. As a bonus, if used sparingly as a ‘side piece’, you can expect a Hyken to last for years.

Staples Hyken from Amazon $220.37

Learn More: Staples Hyken Review

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.

Herman Miller Aeron gaming chair

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.

The easy solution is to stack your Aeron with a second chair. Use the Aeron for focused work. When it’s time to let loose, swap chairs. That will deliver a complete sitting experience covering the entire neutral posture spectrum.

The Aeron Gaming chair’s configuration limits are also easy to solve. If you prefer a sliding lumbar pad or a small-sized version, go off-menu with a custom Aeron Onyx.

Aeron Gaming Chair lumbar support styles
Instead of a (non height adjustable) Posturefit, you can choose a sliding lumbar pad.

This means all complaints are easy to solve. Given the facts, that makes the Aeron Gaming chair almost perfect. When it’s time to perform at your best, simply plant your feet, lean into the backrest, and get down to business.

Aeron Gaming Chair from Herman Miller $1695

The Aeron Remastered (office edition) is also available from Herman Miller for $1195-$2195.

Secretlab Titan gaming chairs on sale in March 2023

Details: Secretlab March 2023 Sales Guide

Table of Contents

  1. Aeron Gaming Vs Remastered Chair
  2. Aeron Gaming Chair Review
    1. Ergonomic Features
    2. Gaming Chair Sizes
    3. Things To Like
    4. Dislikes (Plus Workarounds)
  3. Aeron Gaming Chair Alternatives
    1. Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair
    2. Cheaper Aeron Clones
    3. Flat Seat Comfort Companions
  4. Conclusion

Popular This Week

Best AFFORDABLE Ergonomic Office Chairs For Short People

Best Gaming Chairs For Big Guys: Slim to Obese Over 177 cm+

Best Ergo Office Chairs For Big Guys: 400+ lbs, 5’4″ – 6’6″

Related Posts

New Herman Miller Embody gaming chair design release details
Gaming Chair News

New Herman Miller Embody Amethyst & Galaxy Gaming Chairs

Herman Miller x G2 Esports partnership
Gaming Chair News

Herman Miller Embody x G2 Esports Special Edition Concepts

Herman Miller Zeph chair front and side view; person sitting in Zeph chair
Office Chair Reviews

New Herman Miller Zeph Chair: Stylish, Durable, Supportive

  • About
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Best Article Map
Gaming chair trends, reviews, advice.

© ChairsFX 2018-2023

No Result
View All Result
  •  Home
  • Gaming Chairs
    • Gaming Chair Brands
    • Single Chair Reviews
    • Gaming Chair News
  • Office Chairs
    • Office Chair Brands
    • Single Chair Reviews
  • Ergonomic Advice
  • Ergonomic Trends
  • Accessories

© ChairsFX 2018-2023