Oof! Turns out AI is as annoying in office chairs as it is everywhere else

You may have noticed, but AI is everywhere now — even in chairs. Hbada’s X7 office chair features an AI-powered lumbar support that automatically adjusts as you move around in your chair, so your posture stays just right throughout the working day. The X7’s electronic enhancements don’t end there: it also includes a massage function, plus warming and cooling elements.

Could this be one of the best chairs for back pain sufferers? We’re seeing more chairs that feature electronic lumbar support — such as DXRacer’s Martian Pro — but it’s something Hbada needs to get right to make it worthwhile, especially when the X7 is priced over $1,000 / £1,000.

I've spent a couple of weeks with the Hbada X7, and while it might seem like a dream chair, it doesn't quite live up to its promises.

Comfort & ergonomics

The Hbada X7’s big selling point is its AI-powered lumbar support, which follows the curve of your back as you move around the chair. Lean back and it will automatically recede into the chair; move forwards and it follows you. I like the way that it takes the guesswork out of lumbar support settings, but I found that its constant robotic shuffling with every infinitesimal micromovement became deeply distracting rather than comforting.

This autonomous lumbar support also includes a massage system, which feels like fingers manipulating the small of your back, in a pleasant enough way, helping relax and recharge in both work and play. In AI mode, it kicks in automatically every now and then while you’re working, which is ... terrifying! It's like a ghost is trying to push you off your chair.

The back is also heated, which is a nice touch, and the base can get cool thanks to a couple of fans. The whole thing is controlled via a quaint wired remote with an LED display. You can also charge an onboard battery, which provides about five days of power, with a magnetic charging adapter that snaps on easily and snaps off when you forget it’s there and trip over it.

The X7 is definitely a chair that prioritises adjustments, and there are a lot. The headrest, backrest, lumbar support, seatpad and armrests all move in all manner of directions to ensure you’re supported. At 6’ 4” I often find that chairs come up a little short for me, but here I was able to dial in the adjustments to keep me supported and comfortable throughout the working day.

One final detail is a flip-out footrest which, when used with the reclining backrest, transforms the chair into a more horizontal position which feels relaxing. I’m currently writing this review in this semi-curled position, and the fact that I’m not hunched over a desk seems to be making me much more productive. I live in a small house and I’m a frequent loser in our bloodthirsty battles for the living room, but with this chair I’m able to work and relax in the same place.

The X7 is one of the more comfortable chairs I’ve used, and it’s versatile and supportive, but the lumbar support’s usefulness is outweighed by its intensely annoying nature.

Design & aesthetics

Hbada’s design team has raided the history books of human-focused design. The thick, sturdy grey plastic carries a 1970s aeroplane interior vibe, while the silver-plated curvaceous back support and accents look like something from a 1990s hi-fi catalogue, with the wired remote adding to the retro feel. I actually like this jet-age aesthetic, but the black version tones it down a bit if you’re not a fan.

The overall design makes the X7 a very bottom-heavy chair, with a chunky seatpad and a bulging column at the back, presumably because this is where all the tech has been stuffed in, but it tapers upwards gracefully and helps the chair fit in at the office.

However, there are details that feel cheap for such an expensive chair. The seatpad may look like it’s cushioned, but closer inspection reveals that it’s mesh, and you can literally see the cooling fans beneath it if you look close enough. The headrest doesn’t always slot into the right place, and some of the bits that look chrome are actually plastic.

I’m sure it’s solid enough, and Hbada includes a five-year warranty, but it feels as if the company’s focus on cramming it with tech has resulted in neglect elsewhere.

Specs

Assembly

Tech-heavy chairs also tend to be heavy, and the X7 is no exception: at 38 kg it’s about the same weight as a leopard, although it has fewer dangerous pointy bits. This heft makes assembly tricky, especially the herculean task of attaching the backrest. Everything else is straightforward, and there’s only one connector for the electronic components, which can become remarkably complicated on other chairs.

While most of the chair is preassembled or easy to put together, there is the chore of bolting the legs onto the five-star base. This annoyed me because bases are usually ready to rock from the box on chairs cheaper than this one. At the base you’ll also find a silver cover that’s made entirely from plastic, which again feels like a corner cut on a chair with a premium price tag.

Price & value

The Hbada X7's RRP is an eye-watering £1,509 / $1,509, but it's currently on sale for £1,169 / $1,169, which is marginally less eye-watering: more chopping onions than end-of-Titanic.

Strip the tech out of the X7 and you’d basically have Hinomi’s H2 ($759 / £759) a remarkably similar chair that I loved for its comfort and intricate adjustability. While the X7 includes its smart lumbar support plus a footrest as standard, the H2’s flippable armrests, folding design, and more reasonable price just about edge it out.

DXRacer’s Martian Pro ($699 / £699) also includes massage goodies, warming and cooling, and electronic lumbar support. It lacks the X7’s AI-powered automations, but I think this is a good thing. I really liked the Martian's electronic features, and its lower price makes it more accessible.

Should you buy?

The Hbada X7 feels like a chair that's not quite ready for mainstream. While the massage functionality and versatility of the chair make it perfect for both work and play, the much-vaunted motorised lumbar support and oddly horrifying massage feature is just so annoying that I ended up turning it off.

This is not a chair that I’d want to pay anything north of £1,000/$1,000 for: there are a few elements, such as the sketchy headrest and self-assembled base that are usually reserved for budget units. They’re small things, but they add up. If the Hbada X7 is on sale for a reasonable price then it's worth investigating, but for now it's not enough chair for too much money.