Finding the perfect office chair can be a daunting task, and opting for one of the best Herman Miller chairs is one easy route to go. The brand is well known for its premium quality, excellent ergonomics and stylish looks, so you can't go far wrong. Not for nothing are Herman Miller chairs featured heavily in my list of the best office chairs for back pain.
As you'd expect though, Herman Miller chairs are pretty expensive and not everyone can afford one. Plus, maybe you just want some other options to consider. In which case, read on as we present five of the best alternatives to Herman Miller office chairs.
Our team at CreativeBloq have personally tested and reviewed each of the chairs on this list, ensuring that our recommendations are backed by first-hand experience. So whether you're on a tight budget or willing to splurge a little, this guide will help you navigate the world of Herman Miller alternatives and find the perfect office chair to suit your needs and preferences.
Colours: Black, coral, light grey, dark grey, green and blue
Weight: 18kg
Max load: 125kg
Assembly: Needs assembly
Warrenty : Seven years
Reasons to buy
+
Great design
+
Comfortable
+
Good lumbar support
Reasons to avoid
-
Arm rests not adjustable
-
Limited height
Looking for a chair that looks as stylish, refined and premium as a Herman Miller, but that's waaaaay more affordable? I think this chair ticks all those boxes, with stunning aesthetics based around a seamless, sweeping colourful design. It's also easy to assemble and delivers exceptional comfort and ergonomic support. Did I mention it's around half the price of most Herman Miller chairs?!
When I reviewed this chair, I found it super comfortable to sit in for long periods, with easy to adjust lumbar support helping me to find the ideal position. There's a nice recline tension that allows subtle movement, too. But on the downside, Armrests have a frustrating height adjustment mechanism that I found inconsistent in use. That's pretty much my only gripe with the Verve.
Overall, this chair delivers excellent comfort and style aimed at creatives looking for a premium, personality-filled office chair. In short, this chair offers a great value alternative to a Herman Miller.
I was a bit stumped when it came to choosing a budget alternative to Herman Miller... as pretty much all chairs are budget in comparison to their $1,000+ chairs. So for this one, I really focussed in on the absolute best budget chair that you can find right now – the Sihoo M90C.
At under $200, you do get a lot for your money, too. Adjustability is its strong suit: you can tweak nearly every aspect including the back support tension, headrest height, armrest positioning, seat height, and chair tilt angle. Note, though, that you can't modify the seat depth.
All this comes in at surprisingly affordable price point compared to chairs with similar capabilities. Of course, some cost-cutting is evident in the build quality and finish, which isn't in the same world of luxury as the premium designer chairs, or indeed the other options on this list. But it's still a solid chair that offers great value for money.
Leather is one thing that Herman Miller does not do. And that's a shame, as leather chairs can offer a soft luxury that's hard to beat. The X4 Executive leather chair from X-Chair nails this brief, with gorgeous Italian leather and, when you choose the 4D arm rests at an extra cost, an absolutely fantastic ergonomic experience. Note, one criteria that this falls down as a Herman Miller alternative is the price. This is the most expensive chair on our list, and won't save you any money compared with Herman Miller.
One of the most comfortable and ergonomically-designed office chairs I've tested, the X4's combination of premium leather upholstery and high-density foam cushioning provides exceptional softness and plush comfort. Meanwhile, the solid metal base construction ensures proper ergonomic support and a level of stability that feels reassuringly sturdy.
With a classic look based on a two-part backrest and single-piece seat base, the X4 comes in eight different colour options to suit your preferences. But where it truly excels is in its long-term seated comfort. Utilising a build of high-grade plastic, chrome aluminium, breathable mesh, and top-grain leather, it manages to strike the perfect balance between firm ergonomic support and luxurious cushioning.
If you're willing to spend a little more than our budget option, then Sihoo has another great chair for you. The Doro S300 is aimed at the mid-range market, so still more affordable than a Herman Miller chair. And yet it has a very impressive design, based on a spring-loaded and highly customisable system of supports and cushions melded with an exposed aluminium frame.
The design itself is attractive enough to rival a Herman Miller chair: in the words of our reviewer, it's "undeniably beautiful, with flowing lines and a strong, structural form". And the comfort and adjustability it offers is also impressive.
Key features include sprung lumbar support with adjustable angle, an "anti-gravity" mechanism that allows smooth reclining, adjustable height, armrests, and recline resistance, and breathable mesh seat and backrest. Note, though, that you can't lock the back, and there's no headrest.
If you're primarily using your chair for gaming sessions, or a mix of office work and gaming, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is a worthy and affordable alternative to a Herman Miller chair. After several weeks of extensive testing, this premium gaming chair left a highly positive impression on our reviewer with its robust comfort and meticulous attention to detail.
One of its standout features is the fully adjustable lumbar support system, conveniently controlled via a knob on the right side of the backrest. The seat's bucket-style design, reminiscent of racing chairs, ensures your backside stays properly supported even during marathon sessions. The use of cold-cure foam padding throughout contributes to superior overall comfort.
The Titan Evo is available in Small, Regular, and XL sizes to accommodate a wide range of body types. The stylish blend of leatherette and velvet-like upholstery finishes exudes a premium look and feel that matches the chair's luxurious comfort. And the magnetic headrest is yet another well-designed feature that allows you to dial in your perfect seating position.
Look for chairs with good lumbar support, adjustable seat height, tilt tension control, and a breathable mesh backrest. Ergonomic office chairs designed to promote proper spinal alignment can help alleviate lower back issues. For more details, read our article Best office chairs for back pain.
Should I get a mesh or padded office chair?
Mesh chairs allow more airflow and are breathable, while padded chairs provide more cushioning. So the choice between them comes down to your preference for airflow vs cushioning, and the climate you'll be using it in.
What is the ideal height for an office chair?
The ideal seat height for an office chair will allows your feet to rest flat and your thighs to be roughly parallel to the floor with knees at about a 90-degree angle. Most chairs have pneumatic height adjustment that allow you to position your seat in this way.
To find the right Herman Miller alternative, look for an office chair with good ergonomic design and broad adjustability. Other thing to check for include lumbar support and a breathable mesh backrest. Consider chairs from reputable brands like Steelcase, Humanscale and Ergohuman that offer similar quality to Herman Miller at a lower price point. Just because they're more affordable doesn't necessarily mean they'll be lower quality.
Our team at CreativeBloq takes a hands-on approach to reviewing office chairs from Herman Miller and other brands. We don't merely consider the price tag; our testing process involves assembling each chair from its disassembled state, a common scenario for office chairs. This allows us to assess the ease of assembly, an often overlooked factor.
Beyond the initial setup, we integrate these chairs into our daily work routine, closely monitoring their comfort levels over extended periods. Equally crucial is the adjustability of various chair components, as this plays a pivotal role in ensuring optimal ergonomics, comfort, and safety. Our comprehensive testing methodology ensures that our recommendations are backed by firsthand experience, providing you with informed insights to make the best choice for your needs and budget.
Beren has worked on creative titles at Future Publishing for over 13 years. Cutting his teeth as Staff Writer on the digital art magazine ImagineFX, he moved on to edit several creative titles, and is currently the Ecommerce Editor on the most effective creative website in the world. When he's not testing and reviewing the best ergonomic office chairs, phones, laptops, TVs, monitors and various types of storage, he can be found finding and comparing the best deals on the tech that creatives value the most.
