Home Business

Manufacturer: Herman Miller http://www.hermanmiller.com
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price: $1300, varies by model
Street Price: approx. $900

---

Released to market over a decade ago, the Herman Miller Aeron has won more awards for ergonomic design than any other competing chair.

We actually have extensive experience with the Aeron chair here at HomeBusinessRankings.com, as our own CEO has personally used it for 3 years and can't stop raving about it. To be honest though, when we first heard of the "Herman Miller Aeron," we had no idea what it was--we suspected it might be some type of World War I airplane.

When you first set eyes upon it, the chair definitely looks a little strange, "a bit like a mutated sci-fi lawn chair" is how our CEO described it. It has enough knobs and levers to make any electronic device envious, but be assured that this chair is completely mechanical, with no flimsy electronics to break.

Using the myriad of available controls, you can get the chair into the exact--and we mean exact--position that you desire by adjusting the seat height, seat tilt, backrest tilt, tilt stiffness, lumbar support, armrest height and armrest angle. Making adjustments is easy as soon as you know the function of each lever and knob (the chair actually comes with a user's manual).

The mesh material may seem fragile but it's made out of a rugged fiber called "Pellicle" which is wonderfully springy and supportive at the same time. It also allows air to circulate, which is perfect if you live in a warm climate. The chair is mounted on ruggedly build casters that allow it to roll smoothly in any direction across a wooden floor or hard carpet.

When compared to a "regular" office chair, the difference really is like night and day. When you initially sit in the Aeron, you might not be too impressed, but you really start to feel the difference after you've sat in it for more than a couple of hours. You'll find you no longer have to deal with a numb derrier or sore back even after hours of sitting at your desk.

To be fair, some people have reported disliking the chair and not being able to get quite a comfortable fit, but we suspect this has to do with differing body types that cannot be remedied by a non-custom-built chair. The Aeron does come in three different sizes so you can better tailor it to your own personal dimensions.

For the majority of you out there, if you can get past its slightly quirky appearance, we bet the Aeron will most likely be the most comfortable and ergonomic chair you have ever used. It's expensive but it's quality-constructed, and it does come in different models if you can't justify shelling out the money for the top-of-the-line model. It also comes with an unmatched warranty lasting 12 years.

For anyone with the need for a little extra ergonomic support from their office chair, we think you'll be very pleased. We can't recommend the Herman Miller Aeron chair highly enough.

---