Ask HN: Are Herman Miller chairs worth the money? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Are Herman Miller chairs worth the money?

11 pointsykevinator13 comments

They seem to be priced at 10x the commodity price, anyone have one? If not, anyone have a chair they still love after 5 years?

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I still use a HM Aeron that's about 12 years old. Surprisingly it has held up well. They aren't super comfortable but I like the fact that it breaths. My kids have Aerons also and sit in them way too much. They love them. My wife likes Humanscale (she has one at the office). The Steelcase Leap is popular also.

Everyone has their preference. I have heard 24 hour chairs are the most comfortable but have never tried one. They are typically used in environments where someone will be sitting in it 24/7/365 ( http://endura-gsa.com/ )

Here's a site that might save you some money if you're looking to buy a task chair. I think they might be refurbished but I'm not sure. The prices seem good.

https://www.madisonseating.com/

You can always try FB Marketplace or Craigslist for a used one and save a few $$$.

If we hit a recession, you should see more and cheaper on the resale market. During the last recession there were a lot of these chairs available.

I have seen HN comments saying madison seating refurbish using cheap non-genuine parts: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22553667

What's the verdict?

You can get prices in Madison Seating’s ballpark at a local used office equipment store, and have a chance to try the chair out and see the parts it’s been refurbished with, if any.

Potentially. There's still a significant difference in quality between inexpensive and expensive chairs, so the expensive chair should last you longer in addition to being more comfortable. I bought a really nice leather chair about 6 years ago that is still in very good shape. The leather is still perfect, the cushions aren't deformed, and the mechanism is in good shape. It only needs to last another 14+ years before I break even :) The real reason I bought it is comfort though; my back was starting to hurt after sitting in my old chair for an hour or two, and this chair doesn't cause that problem at all.

Good furniture is usually worth spending real money on.

I like my ergohuman chair a lot. Pretty sure it's over 5 years old now. Can hardly sit in most chairs due to discomfort. Never a problem with this one. Unlike most chairs, it has very pronounced lumbar support, I believe that's the biggest factor making it comfortable for me.

Never used an Aeron so can't compare. But the standard version looks like it has rather poor lumbar support. So I'm guessing I'd find it uncomfortable.

Definitely buy a used one from an office surplus warehouse, they're a great buy!

They're totally worth it.

I have 2. They are great. Buy them used. If you do the the math they are pennies a day.

I got bigger wheels to make them easier to roll on carpet.

Worth it, finally got an Aeron in April for home use having been used to them for years in offices and it’s just awesome, no more pain and not sore.

I got a used Aeron for $240. Best chair ever.

I use a HAG Capisco and pretty happy with it. 800€ well invested...

Can confirm that. During WFH / COVID-19 my HÅG Capisco 8106 is a life (back) saver.

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