This chair reminds me of a $1,000 model – but costs half the price

I reviewed the first version of the Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra back in April 2023, and liked it a lot. In early 2025 the Ultra 2 came out, and although it looks a lot like the original, it actually improves on it in key areas.

And though this is a slight upgrade of it's older brother, I'm still giving it the same 4 stars. That's even when considering that the Ultra 2 looks a lot like my favourite office chair, the Herman Miller Embody – which costs more than twice the price.

I go into the reasons below, but suffice to say I still think there's a place for the ErgoChair Ultra 2 in my list of the best office chairs for lower back pain.

Ergonomics & comfort

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I used the ErgoChair Ultra 2 for roughly five months before writing this review, so you could say I got to know it pretty well. And the overall impression the chair made over this time was... it did its job! It never got in the way of me sitting comfortably, I never felt that I was restricted by it in any way, and – purely vibes based – I enjoyed coming back to it as my only home office chair over that time.

But for its $500 asking price, we need to dig a little deeper than vibes. And under further scrutiny, this is a generally comfy chair with one flaw that may be a deal breaker for some.

As with the first model, you get an overall comfortable mix of mesh, metal and memory foam – though I will say there's not loads of the latter on the seat. Going back through my 5 star review of the excellent Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro review, and that was one of the great things about that chair – the abundance of foam on the seat – it really did make a difference. But why bring it up here? Well, as both chairs sell for $500, it's an important comparison that could sway potential buyers.

What does this mean in practice? I found myself thinking about my upper legs after a few hours of use. I don't want to overstate this – there was no pain, but a slight bit of discomfort all the same; a slight pressure built up just above my knees, on my hamstrings. That's definitely a sign that the seat could be more cushioned (as I adjusted height and seat depth over several sessions, and the pressure remained).

However, where the Branch chair wins out in seat comfort, the ErgoChair Ultra 2 wins with its highly-adjustable arm rests. This is actually the highlight of this chair for me. Up, down, side to side, and forwards and backwards – this is exactly what I want from a $500 office chair (and surprisingly, isn't always included.) Add to that they're plenty wide and comfy for my bony elbows, and this becomes a good option for both work and gaming.

As for the back panel, it's perfectly comfortable, and I always felt supported in upper and lower back when using the Ultra 2. However, having reviewed dozens of chairs at this point, I have to say that although the exposed back plastic mesh looks super cool, it doesn't bring any meaningful extra comfort or ergonomic upgrades. It's basically a sheet of rubber that isn't overly responsive or adjustable. I dislike design that opts for aesthetics over function – unless the look is supremely cool. But although the Ultra 2 can look good in some home offices, I wouldn't call it a timeless look. This, and the lack of an adjustable lumbar support, is why the Ultra 2 remains a 4 and not a 4.5 star chair.

Design & aesthetics

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I'm always a little hesitant to delve deep into the looks of a product, especially to an audience of designers and creatives who have a solid understanding of design and aesthetics. But maybe after five months of use I'll have picked up something that a few photos might miss, so here we go...

I think the merits of the ErgoChair Ultra 2's look will largely be dependant on what your set up is. Looking at the user galleries out there, it definitely seems to suit a gamer home office, especially in the white and black colour way.

But having reviewed the black model, I definitely didn't feel that it stuck out in my home office. Subtle touches like the back panel mesh extending over the shoulder section not only provides a nice point of difference, but is also practical as it allowed me to better grab the chair to move it around when standing up.

Obviously, the main aesthetic feature of this chair is the skeletal back. It's a look that was brilliantly introduced to office chairs with the Herman Miller Embody – one of the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in, largely thanks to its back design that was engineered to mimic the human spine, with central spine and flexible ribs.

Now, imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but the results are a bit mixed with the Ultra 2. Not because its skeletal back doesn't work – it does, as it's firm yet yielding enough to be supportive and comfortable. It's just not necessary. And if there's one thing that creatives find hard to forgive, it's style over substance.

Price & verdict

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The Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 is a good option if you're looking for a light yet firm seat that offers comfort and ergonomic adjustment to suit most users. It's highlights are fantastic arm rests and a solid back panel.

But I did note some pressure building up in my hamstrings after a while, though this wasn't an issue for me as I have a standing desk. That's because there isn't loads of memory foam in the chair's seat, and though this never became an issue where I couldn't use the chair, it's definitely worth mentioning.

So, should you buy it? Well, unfortunately for Anonymous, the Ultra 2 isn't the only option around the $500 price mark, and where I've found a design niggle here and there with the Ultra 2, I see absolutely no issues with the $500 Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro.

However, if you like the look of the Ultra 2 chair, and you can pick it up on sale, it's still a compelling option.