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Space Seating Mid-Back Office Chairs: Best Value Under $400
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Good sitting posture eliminates back pain, allowing for long periods of comfortable deskwork. Mid-back desk chairs — with the requisite ergonomic components — provide the most accurate & user-friendly support. But psychological comfort gimmicks can cloud the issue. In bypassing those, the Space Seating 24 and 27 Series emerge as tremendous values. Both deliver no-frills ergonomics (with a lifetime parts warranty) for under $400!
The Space Seating 24 and 27 Series are two of the best no-frills ergonomic chairs on the market. Both meet ergonomic standards for healthy sitting. In a nutshell: any chair with adjustable arms and lumbar support + a reclining backrest fits the bill.
Both Space Seating chairs come with the most basic ergonomic features:
- Height-adjustable lumbar support: helps to preserve a healthy (25-45°) lower back curve.
- 1D Adjustable arms: supports the shoulders & arms; provides extra bracing for the spine.
- Reclined backrest: a 20° rock/recline makes it easy to move while sitting.
These features aren’t anything special — many ergonomic chairs priced under $300 offer the same (or slightly better). What sets Space Seating chairs apart is the warranty.
Both models come with a lifetime guarantee on components + 3 years on the upholstery — including wear and tear! Replacement parts are also available.
No other ergonomic chairs under $400 offer such tremendous value for money. If you can live with the lack of luxury extras, Space Seating chairs are a steal!
27 Series (full mesh) on Amazon Price not available
The Space Seating 24 Series (with fabric seat) is also available on Amazon for $280.00.
Flashy Gaming Vs Basic Ergonomics
The decision to buy an ergonomic computing chair is a pursuit of seated comfort. That has both physiological and psychological factors. On a chair, physiological comfort comes from adjustable features that support good posture.
Full-back gaming chairs allow for more relaxed, casual postures. Flashy, colorful designs add aesthetic appeal. Accepting basic no-frills ergonomics means bypassing these psychological lures.
That leaves you with a selection of mid-back chairs offering similar features across the board. In all cases, adjustable lumbar, adjustable arms, and a reclining backrest best support healthy neutral postures. That’s the ergonomic gold standard for healthy sitting in any type of desk chair!
Bottom line: psychological luxuries justify higher prices. If you bypass those, the Space Seating 24 and 27 Series chairs offer the best no-frills physiological support.
Space Seating Ergonomic Chair Reviews
The Space Seating 24 Series ranks as our top-rated mid-back ergonomic chair under $300. The Space Seating 27 Series has the same features but breaks the $300 price point with a full-mesh seat.
Like all ergonomic chairs, both are designed to support dynamic neutral sitting postures. Perfect neutral biomechanics include a 25-45° lower back curve plus a 0° neck tilt.
If you start with poor posture, sitting up straight may feel difficult at first. Luckily, by striving for neutral targets (25-45° lower back curve + 0° neck), muscle memory should kick in.
A few days of practice is all it takes for muscles to adapt, harden, and lock healthy sitting down as a rock-solid habit.
Both Chairs Work Best Without Headrests!
The 24 and 27 Series chairs have optional headrest addons that are not worth it. Studies have shown that headrests on mid-back chairs distort the spine. In contrast, a mid-back chair without a headrest makes it easier to adopt healthy neutral postures.
Then, balancing the head evenly above the shoulders becomes the only comfortable option. After just a few days, sitting that way will strengthen neck muscles and feel ‘normal’. With a straight neck habit, your entire spinal posture will improve.
In contrast, a headrest on a mid-back chair encourages a rearward head tilt. That rounds the upper spine and flattens the lower back curve.
In the process, it destabilizes neck muscles, leaving the user prone to forward head tilt (Text Neck Syndrome).
Summary: without a headrest, the Space Seating 24 and 27 Series deliver excellent ergonomic support and great value.
Space Seating 24 Series
Choosing a Space Seating chair means bypassing luxuries for more affordable, no-frills ergonomics. The Space Seating 24 Series is the ultimate no-frills ergonomic chair. Its only luxurious touch is a cool, breathable, mesh backrest. Every other aspect is spartan.
For instance, the fabric padded seat isn’t as breathable (or stylish) as the mesh version on the 27 Series. On the positive side, it’s breathable enough to keep you cool while sitting. Despite the drab looks, it does the job!
24 Series Specifications
The 24 Series has everything you need — on paper — to support good posture. In practice, the simple 1D armrests may not sync perfectly with your desk surface.
As well, this chair doesn’t have a backrest recline tilt lock. Instead, there’s only a tilt-tension knob. Loosen it and use back pressure to rock as far back as 110°. As you do, the seat will tilt up by one degree for every two degrees of recline.
The point of this rocking function is to promote seated movement — not to help you kick back and relax. To that end, moving your upper spine while sitting in a 24 Series is easy.
Summary of Specifications
The 24 Series is a good fit for average sizes (5’7″ and up) of average width or less. Those a few inches shorter can also enjoy a good fit by adding an ergonomic footrest.
FeaturesSizing
- Upholstery: padded fabric seat; mesh backrest
- Lumbar support: height-adjustable
- Armrests: 1D (2.5″ height adjustment range)
- Recline: 2-to-1 synchro tilt (100-110° recline + 5° seat tilt)
- Warranty: lifetime on components; 3 years on upholstery and foam wear and tear (details).
- Seat width x depth: 19.25″ (W) x 20″(D)
- Backrest width x height: 20.5″ x 23.75″
- Seat height range: 19.25-23.25″
- Armrest to seat height range: 7.25-9.75″
- Size rating: 5’7″ to 6’2″; 250-pound weight capacity
24 Series Advice
The Space Seating 24 Series supports long periods of healthy sitting. As well, its basic ergonomics are built to last. The pneumatic cylinder, control mechanism, base, and casters are guaranteed for life. You also get a 3-year guarantee on the upholstery and foam — including from wear and tear!
On the downside, when compared to a flashy gaming chair, the 24 Series is sort of depressing. For one thing, it’s not as deliciously comfortable as lounging in a full-back racer.
For another, the design is one your grandfather will appreciate. If you can live without flashy gimmicks, this chair offers incredible value for money!
Space Seating 27 Series
The Space Seating 27 Series is a more refined version of the 24 Series. Both chairs have the same adjustable features and similar dimensions. The 27 Series differs with a full mesh seat, nicer styling, and a slightly higher price.
These extras cost around $50 more than a 24 Series (fabric seat) version. The tactile, aesthetic, and breathability differences are significant. The mesh seat has a sophisticated, luxurious feel that belies the low price of the chair.
The breathability difference is also fantastic. However, spending more on luxuries is a slippery slope. If you’re willing to pay $50 extra for luxury mesh, why not pay $200 extra for even more goodies?
That said, if you can accept mesh seating as your only luxury, the 27 Series is an excellent pick.
Space Seating 27 Series Specifications
Full mesh office chairs are prized for having superb breathability and sophisticated aesthetics. The downside is that cheap mesh tends to sag and tear. The Space Seating 27 Series is one of the only models under $400 where this doesn’t apply.
First, the upholstery — including wear-and-tear — is guaranteed for three years. Second, the chair’s components are guaranteed for life. Third, Space Seating sells replacement parts.
Finally, the company has distribution centers across North America. Given these terms, it’s entirely possible that a 27 Series chair can last you a lifetime — for less than $400!
Summary of Specs
The 27 Series has the same features and similar dimensions as the 24 Series. It fits average sizes 5’7″ and up (of average width or less). Those a few inches shorter can also enjoy a good fit because of the large lumbar adjustment range.
For best results, sizes shorter than 5’9″ should pair an ergonomic footrest with their chair.
FeaturesSizing
- Upholstery: mesh seat and backrest
- Lumbar support: height-adjustable (4″ range)
- Armrests: 1D (2.68″ height adjustment range)
- Recline: 2-to-1 synchro tilt (100-110° recline + 5° seat tilt)
- Warranty: lifetime on components; 3 years on upholstery and foam wear and tear (details).
- Seat width x depth: 21.5″ (W) x 20.5″(D)
- Backrest width x height: 20.5″ x 23″
- Seat height range: 19.25-23.25″
- Armrest to seat height range: 8.5-11.18″
- Size rating: 5’7″ to 6’2″; 250-pound weight capacity
27 Series Advice
The 27 Series is in a class of its own. There’s no other full mesh chair priced under $400 with a lifetime warranty (or a 3-year mesh warranty)! It’s comfortable, breathable, good for your back, and easy to use.
Consider it a poor person’s Herman Miller Aeron — for a fraction of the price!
Space Seating Warranty Details
All Space Seating chairs are backed by a rock-solid warranty:
- Lifetime on components: this includes the pneumatic cylinder, control mechanism, base, and casters.
- 3 years on upholstery: upholstery and padding protection includes wear-and-tear.
These assurances are legit. Space Seating is a Taiwanese manufacturer that’s part of Office Star Products. That company was established in 1987 to provide office furniture to B2B clients.
Today, Office Star still focuses on sales to schools, government offices, and corporations. (Most of its consumer sales are through third parties like Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Staples.)
To keep its business clients happy, Office Star’s after-care is superb. The company operates 5 warehouses in the United States and Canada. Replacement parts (even for discontinued models) are usually available.
Summary: if you need any help with your chair, reach out via Amazon support. Alternatively, you can contact parts @ officestar.net or call 1-800-950-7262.
Space Seating Chair Pros And Cons
Here are the negatives and positives to consider before buying a Space Seating chair.
Downsides
There are three downsides. First, both the 24 and 27 Series chairs lack a backrest recline lock. Instead, there’s only a tilt tension knob. When loose enough, you can rock the chair from 90-110 degrees, but not lock it at any angles.
This forces you to sit upright at all times. That’s a great way to stay productive — but can feel very stifling when you feel; like relaxing.
The second downside is the plain styling. Compared to a flashy gaming chair, the drab Space Seating designs are kind of depressing.
The third problem is the armrests. For one thing, the limited adjustability makes a good sync with your desk surface unlikely.
For another thing, many users report that they split at the seams after around two years. Even though covered by the warranty, getting that fixed is a hassle.
Space Seating Pros
If you can live with the lack of psychological luxuries, Space Seating chairs offer fantastic value for money. Spread over three years, the 27 Series costs around $110 per year.
If anything goes wrong within three years, it’s covered by warranty protection. After three years, you can extend your chair’s life indefinitely by using Space Seating’s replacement part service.
Finally, despite the lack of flash, both chairs meet all ergonomic guidelines for healthy sitting.
Both chairs have everything that you need to align your spine — but no luxuries that you might want. If you can live with that equation, good posture at a great value shall be your reward.
Space Seating 27 Series on Amazon Price not available
The 24 Series (with a fabric seat) is also available on Amazon for $280.00.
Space Seating Comparisons
The Space Seating 24 ($280.00 on Amazon) and 27 Series both have the same features. The 27 Series differs with a mesh seat and slightly higher price (Price not available on Amazon).
Here’s how the 27 Series measures up with other popular full mesh office chairs.
27 Series Vs Staples Hyken
Hyken $175.63 on Amazon | 27 Series Price not available on Amazon.
The Hyken is a cult classic. It’s revered for its low price, complete ergonomic features, and full-mesh upholstery. The (included) headrest caters to a psychological desire for comfort.
But as with all mid-back chairs, removing the headrest improves spinal support. That’s less comfortable in the moment, but a lot more comfortable over the long term.
In fact, the biggest complaint that many have with the Hyken chair is its ill-fitting headrest. Google ‘Hyken headrest hack’ and find thousands altering their Hykens to feel as comfy as a full-back gaming chair.
Here’s the trick: by foregoing the psychological comfort of a headrest, you gain the physiological comfort that a perfect sitting posture provides!
Hyken Vs 27 Series Specs
Both chairs do the same job at supporting clean neutral sitting postures. But the Hyken better appeases psychological comfort desires.
Its bundled headrest and 90-140° tilt lock recline give you the option of lounging. In contrast, the 27 Series has no lounging perks.
| Specification | Staples Hyken | 27 Series |
| Armrests | 1D | 1D |
| Lumbar Support | Height-adjustable | Height-adjustable |
| Recline | 90-140° range; 4 tilt-lock positions | 20° rocking range |
| Sync-tilt seat | 10° seat tilt range | 5° seat tilt range | Warranty | 3 years from Staples (for $19.99) | Lifetime on components; 3 years on upholstery wear and tear | Price | $175.63 on Amazon | Price not available on Amazon |
The other thing to consider is warranty protection. Assuming you buy the $19.99 protection addon from Staples, both chairs are covered for 3 years of wear-and-tear.
However, everyone who’s tried to make a retail warranty claim knows how evasive the reality is. In contrast, Space Seating chairs are primarily sold to 2B2 bulk buyers (schools, government offices, etc). There’s a big difference:
- Retail support strategy: keep costs low by denying fixes because of the ‘fine print’ of the terms.
- B2B support strategy: ensure customers for life by keeping them happy.
Summary: if you’re looking for more comfort at a lower price than the 27 Series, the Hyken chair fits the bill. But don’t expect stellar durability or after-care. Learn more:
27 Series Vs Secretlab NeueChair
NeueChair $649 from Secretlab | 27 Series Price not available on Amazon.
The benefit of a mid-back chair over a gaming chair is better out-of-the-box back and neck support. Without any luxuries, Space Seating chairs offer the best value. For around $300 more than a 27 Series, the NeueChair offers a generous helping of luxury extras.
These include 4-way adjustable lumbar support, infinite recline tilt-lock, and a polished steel frame with soft, sexy, rounded edges.
In comparison, the 27 Series features — at a glance — look like they belong in the back alleys of a Karachi sweatshop.
However, a close look at the specs shows a very different story. Is it really worth paying $300 more for frivolous luxuries?
27 Series Vs NeueChair Specs
For $300 less, the 27 Series beats the NeueChair in two ways. First, its 1D armrests have a slightly larger adjustment range. Second, its lifetime components warranty blows away what NeueChair comes with.
Are you truly looking for a spartan sitting experience? Comparing the 27 Series and NeueChair should reveal where your priorities lie:
| Specification | 27 Series | NeueChair |
| Armrests | 1D (2.68″ height adjustment range) | 1D (2.3″ height adjustment range) |
| Lumbar Support | Height-adjustable | Height and depth-adjustable |
| Recline | 20° rocking range | 85° to 130° Infinite Tilt-Lock | Warranty | Lifetime on components; 3 years on upholstery wear and tear | 12 years on the frame; 5 years on components; 3 years on armrests, casters & gas lift. | Price | Price not available on Amazon | $649 from Secretlab |
If luxury wins, NeueChair’s polished steel frame is a lot more aesthetically pleasing. On the physiological front, it also delivers superior lumbar support adjustability and recline functionality.
It’s also got nifty levers under each armrest that control the recline. Using these makes it easy to enjoy a 0° neck tilt through all ranges of motion.
That level of recline control beats the 27 Series functionality by miles. Is it worth paying an extra $300 for? Maybe:
27 Series Vs Herman Miller Aeron
Aeron $1195-$2195 from Herman Miller | 27 Series Price not available on Amazon.
This comparison pits an elite cheap model against the very best full-mesh chair on the planet. The Space Seating 27 Series and Herman Miller Aeron are both full-mesh ergonomic beauties built to last for the long term.
Even so, the differences in price, quality, and ergonomic functionality are staggering. Both are at extreme ends of the luxury scale: one is purely spartan; the other provides the best luxury money can buy.
Aeron Vs NeueChair Specs
The Aeron exceeds the 27 Series in almost every way. Technically, the latter’s lifetime parts warranty beats the Aeron’s 12-year all-inclusive one. As well, the Aeron’s lumbar support ((a choice of height or depth-adjustable systems) isn’t far off from the 27 Series version.
On the flip side, the Aeron has much better mesh, armrest adjustability, and recline functionality.
| Specification | 27 Series | Aeron |
| Armrests | 1D | 3D |
| Lumbar Support | Height-adjustable | Height or depth-adjustable |
| Recline | 20° rocking range | Seat pan angle from -1° to 16°; backrest 93° to 104° | Warranty | Lifetime on components; 3 years on upholstery wear and tear | 12 years on everything | Price | Price not available on Amazon | $1195-$2195 from Herman Miller |
The tricky part of the equation is that whichever model you choose will last you for years. That makes it not a frivolous decision. On one hand, you can save over $1000 with a 27 Series and still enjoy a high level of ergonomic support.
On the other, the superior functionality, adjustability, and build quality of the Aeron delivers a much more polished sitting experience. Is that worth paying so much extra for? Find out in these reviews:
Learn more: Aeron Remastered Office Chair Review | Aeron Gaming Chair Review
24 Series Vs Best Ergo Chairs Under $300
In 2022, the Space Seating 24 Series ranks as the best ergonomic chair priced under $300. The Staples Hyken ranks #2. The super-basic yet ergonomically complete Modway Articulate ranks fourth.
Used without a headrest, all provide superb ergonomic support and excellent value. Summary of the top-4 Prices from Amazon):
- Space Seating 24 Series: basic ergonomics + lifetime parts warranty | $280.00
- Staples Hyken: full mesh upholstery + basic ergonomics | $175.63
- Ticova Ergonomic Chair: 4D arms, height + depth-adjustable lumbar support | $299.98
- Modway Articulate Ergonomic Chair: super-basic yet complete ergonomics | $138.43
Get a closer look at all models in this updated 2022 review:
Conclusion
Thrill-seeking gamers may find Space Seating chairs dull and depressing. However, not everyone is looking for giggles and thrills while sitting at a desk.
Many bean counters, programmers, and desk workers suffer back pain working in cheap non-ergonomic chairs. From that perspective, Space Seating chairs are like a gift from heaven.
Despite the lack of pizazz, they’re ergonomically complete and very easy to use. Without even trying, these chairs can help desk workers to improve their posture and productivity.
27 Series (full mesh) on Amazon Price not available
The Space Seating 24 Series (with fabric seat) is also available on Amazon for $280.00.
