The original
Herman Miller Aeron
$1,830
Search on Amazon ↗The Herman Miller Aeron ($1,830) is a mesh chair sold in three sizes that GearLab's testers found comfortable for a full workday, while the Steelcase Series 1 ($549) has a padded seat, standard 4D arms and seat depth adjustment. Both carry a 12-year warranty, so the $1,281 saving mostly costs you comfort and mesh airflow.
The original
$1,830
Search on Amazon ↗Close match
Steelcase
$549Save $1,281 (70%)
Search on Amazon ↗| Spec | Herman Miller Aeron | Steelcase Series 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $1,830 | $549 |
| Seat | 8Z Pellicle mesh suspension | Foam seat in fabric, leather or vinyl |
| Back | 8Z Pellicle mesh suspension | 3D Microknit or Air Back |
| Sizes | A, B and C (4'10" to 6'6") | Not listed |
| Weight capacity | 300, 350 or 400 lb by size | 400 lb |
| Lumbar | PostureFit SL, adjustable pad or basic back | Adjustable lumbar standard |
| Arms | Fixed, height-only or fully adjustable (height, depth, angle) | 4D standard: height, width, depth, pivot |
| Seat depth | Not listed | Adjustable |
| Warranty | 12 years | 12 years, multi-shift, 24/7 parts and labor |
| GearLab overall score | 73 | 60 |
Less breathable than a mesh seat.
Herman Miller Aeron: Buy the Herman Miller Aeron if you sit all day, want a breathable mesh seat and back, and want a chair sized to your height and weight.
Steelcase Series 1: Buy the Steelcase Series 1 if you sit for part of the day and want Steelcase adjustments and a 12-year warranty for $1,281 less.
Not in GearLab's testing. It scored the Aeron 7.6 for comfort and the Series 1 5.0. Most testers found the Aeron comfortable for a full workday, while most were comfortable in the Series 1 for five to six hours a day.
Both are 12 years. Steelcase describes the Series 1's as a Limited Lifetime warranty of 12 years, multi-shift, 24/7 parts and labor. Herman Miller lists 12 years for the Aeron, subject to its terms.
GearLab found the Series 1's lumbar "on the weaker side": height-adjustable but not in strength or curve. The Aeron's PostureFit SL pads adjust in firmness but not height, and GearLab said the tall pads make height rarely an issue.
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Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
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