Herman Miller Aeron User Review: Discover Why It Costs So Much
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Fully ergonomic chairs have three adjustable features. Adjustable lumbar support, adjustable arms, and a reclining backrest support dynamic neutral postures. These postures help users sit comfortably and in a healthy way. But fully-ergonomic support isn’t expensive — several supportive models cost less than $350. The Herman Miller Aeron also provides fully-ergonomic support — but costs over $1000. I tested different models to find out what justifies the high price. Read this Aeron Remastered review to discover the answer.
L-R: Gaming Edition; Graphite frame with Posturefit; Mineral frame with Lumbar Pad.
For around one year, I’ve been using a Secretlab Titan Evo to support biomechanically perfect neutral postures (a 0° neck and a 25-45° lower back curve). It’s been fantastic. But I wondered if ‘better’ back support was possible. So I tested some Aeron chairs, seeking objectively better back support.
On the back support front, the Titan ($549) and Aeron ($1805+) both support similarly healthy neutral postures. The Titan also has deeper recline functions and better (height x depth-adjustable) lumbar support.
To enhance my physical comfort, spending 3 times the price of my Titan for an Aeron chair therefore didn’t make sense. However, the perception of comfort is partially psychological. On that front, the Aeron boasts several luxury extras that will justify its high price — for some people:
Aeron Physical Vs Psychological Appeal
Any chair with an adjustable lumbar, adjustable arms, and a reclining backrest can support healthy neutral postures. The Aeron provides this support with an important lumbar support option.
L-R: Posturefit (depth-adjustable) vs sliding lumbar (recommended).
Posturefit is a depth-adjustable, dual-pad unit that won’t fit everyone. The height-adjustable lumbar support pad isn’t as flashy. But its height-adjustability lets you customize the support for your particular lower back curve.
The Aeron is designed to enforce good posture at all times. Its bladed seat edges prevent users from putting their feet up. A limited recline range then ensures they remain upright. This provides first-class physical comfort.
The Aeron chair’s 3 recline ranges force you to sit upright at all times.
But the lack of options to kick back and relax in this chair may feel psychologically confining to some people. For instance, while reviewing programmer chairs, Youtuber Techlead lamented the limited versatility of the Aeron’s bladed seat style:
Aeron advantage: strict posture support keeps users positioned for focused work at all times.
Disadvantage: some may find sitting upright all the time stifling. If so, look for a chair with a non-bladed seat and deep recline functions.
Is this what you’re looking for in an office chair? If so, keep reading.
Highlight Functionality
The Aeron’s 8Z Pellicle mesh is its most outstanding feature. It’s durable, easy to clean, pleasant to the touch, and ultra-adaptive. Varied tension zones keep body weight evenly distributed, even when you change positions.
8Z Pellicle Mesh adapts as the user moves to keep them in perfect balance.
The 8Z Pellicle Mesh origin story happened at the 1996 Indianapolis 500. There, Dr. Brock Walker rigged the first iteration to help a driver with a broken back win the race.
Dr. Brock Walker’s Indy 500 suspension-style racing seats inspired the Aeron’s back support philosophies.
The ultra-adaptive variable tension zones took pressure off his spine by adapting to his movements and keeping him balanced. Modern-day desk warriors will notice this balancing effect as soon as they sit down in an Aeron.
Other Highlight Features
Beyond the Aeron’s mesh are a few other notable features:
Bladed SeatLumbar SupportSeat Tilt
The Aeron seat’s hard, bladed edges make it uncomfortable to put your feet up. With feet planted, the chair’s other features kick in to keep you comfortable and aligned.
Herman Miller Aeron Size B (medium) seat.
When you buy from the Herman Miller Store, you get three lumbar support options. The cheapest option is no lumbar support. The premium Posturefit ($100) supports two parts of the spine with depth adjustability.
L-R: Height-adjustable lumbar pad; depth-adjustable PostureFit.
Posturefit’s lack of height adjustability isn’t an issue. It’s only supposed to provide generalized mild support. In contrast, the Lumbar Support Pad ($80) is flimsy — with moderate body weight applied, it often pops out of its sockets!
The Aeron’s adjustable features are straightforward. You can recline the backrest at three angles, tilt the seat, and rock the whole chair. The armrests are (optionally) adjustable.
Herman Miller Aeron sync-tilt: the seat tilts forward or back as the user reclines or leans forward.
You can also combine the seat and backrest into a synchronous tilt. When the backrest reclines, the seat tilts up (max 16°). When leaning forward, the seat tilts down(max -1°).
Summary of Features
Upholstery: 8Z Pellicle mesh with variable tension zones.
Lumbar support: depth-adjustable Posturefit ($95) or height-adjustable lumbar pad ($75).
Backrest recline: lock tilt at 93°, 100°, 104°.
Seat: -1° to 16° tilt; height-adjustment.
Armrests: fixed; height-adjustable ($125); 3-directional (up, down, pivot for $255)
The Aeron Remastered does one thing very well: help you maintain healthy posture while sitting. The hard-edged seat forces your feet to stay planted. That lets the adaptive 8Z Pellicle mesh work its magic to keep you in balance.
An Aeron with a sliding lumbar pad provides incredible seated posture support.
I find the posture support especially potent when used with a sliding lumbar support pad. It applies mild, comfortable pressure against your lower back. Against the balancing effect of the mesh upholstery, that light touch makes it very easy to keep your spine aligned while sitting.
Likes
Excellent posture support
Luxurious mesh upholstery
Incredible build quality
Robust tilting functionality
Rock-solid 12-year warranty
Cons
Complicated buying process
The Posturefit system lacks height-adjustability
Hard bladed edges restrict leg movement
No deep recline (93-104° range)
The Aeron’s posture support upside is also its downside. Some people might find its limitations too psychologically confining. You can’t sit cross-legged in this chair. It also keeps you upright with a limited recline range.
The Aeron chair forces you to sit with perfect posture at all times.
Those who buy into the Aeron as a posture support chair will get excellent value for money. Beyond a cloud-like sitting experience, you get a superb build quality, dazzling aesthetics, and a 12-year warranty.
Where you buy an Aeron chair will have an impact on your sitting experience. Buying one directly from the Herman Miller Store gives you a full seven configuration options. You get fewer options when buying from third-party retailers. Examples:
Amazon: 3 sizes + 3 frame styles (all with Posturefit, 3D arms, full tilt) | $1,399.99
Having the full range of choices is significant. In particular, having a choice of lumbar support styles can make or break your sitting experience. As a result, this review assumes you’re using a custom Aeron properly configured for your size.
Here are three viable alternatives to the Aeron chair:
Aeron Gaming Chair
Aeron Gaming chairs are the same as Remastered editions. The difference is that Gaming editions come pre-configured. All versions have 3D arms, a Posturefit system, and a Tilt Limiter + Seat Tilt. You can choose Size B or C Sizes, plus an extra-long gas cylinder if you wish. All versions cost $1805.
L-R: Aeron Gaming; Graphite Aeron Remastered with Lumbar Pad and Standard Tilt.
The simplified buying process is supposed to make buying easier for gamers. It’s a great idea — except for the lack of Posturefit height-adjustability. If that doesn’t fit, the chair’s back support won’t work for you.
Because of that, it’s a good idea to try an Aeron Gaming chair out before buying one. If that’s not possible, a Remastered chair with a height-adjustable lumbar pad is a safer pick.
Compared to the Aeron, the fabric-covered Embody has a more modern look. While most ergonomic chairs (including the Aeron) provide lumbar-powered back support, the Embody prioritizes support for the upper spine.
The Embody’s lumbar-less Backfit system prioritizes support for the upper back and neck.
However, getting the Embody’s setting right is complex. You can’t adjust the height of the backrest. Instead, you can only toggle the angles of the upper or lower backrest curves. Ideally, the upper curve should cup your upper spine.
The built-in lumbar support curve is too low to protect my lower back.
Once the upper curve cups your upper spine, it suspends it up against gravity. That makes sitting upright very easy. However, the built-in lumbar support curve is too low for average sizes.
Healthy sitting fundamentals in a Herman Miller Aeron.
As a result, while delivering superb upper back support, an Embody chair leaves you with a flattened lower back curve. In contrast, the straightforward Aeron has no surprises. Simply plant your feet, tuck your hips, adjust the lumbar support, and use the armrests to prop your torso upright.
If you’re intrigued by the Aeron but put off by its price, the Duorest Alpha has a similar seat style as the Aeron — minus the hard side ridges.
The Duorest Alpha combines the Aeron’s seat with the Embody’s backrest adaptability.
Instead of adaptive mesh, the backrest has two halves. These flex independently in four directions as the user moves. Combined, these features provide a similar sitting experience as the Aeron.
The Alpha differs with a less restrictive feel — and less spectacular build. Even so, it comes fully-loaded with synchro-tilt, 3D arms, a headrest, a sliding seat, and a 3-year warranty. Given its low price vs features and warranty, it makes a tempting alternative to the Aeron.
Herman Miller asked its best designers to conceive the ultimate 1990s office chair.
While the Aeron seems like a lumbar-powered chair, it’s actually a mesh suspension chair. With or without lumbar support, sitting upright in this chair is insanely easy.
The sliding lumbar-equipped Aeron (left) and Posturefit version both provide superb mesh-powered posture support.
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.
