In A Developer's Second Most Important Asset, I described how buying a quality chair may be one of the smartest investments you can make as a software developer. I still believe this to be true, and I urge any programmers reading this to seriously consider the value of what you're sitting in while you're on the job. In our profession, seating matters: Choice of seating is as fundamental and constant as it gets in a programming career otherwise marked by relentless change. They are long term investments. Why not take the same care and consideration in selecting a chair as you would with the other strategic directions that you'll carry with you for the rest of your career? Skimping yourself on a chair just doesn't make sense. Although I've been quite happy with my Herman Miller Aeron chair over the last 10 years, I've always been a little disenchanted with the way it became associated with dot-com excess: In the '90s, the Aeron became an emblem of the dot-com boom; it symbolized mobility, speed, efficiency, and 24/seven work weeks.
The Aeron was a must-have for hot startups precisely because it looked the least like office furniture: It was more like a piece of machinery or unadorned engineering. The black Pellide webbing was durable, and hid whatever Jolt or Red Bull stains you might get on it. Held taut by an aluminum frame, the mesh allowed air to circulate and kept your body cool. What's more, the chair came in three sizes, like a personalized tool. Assorted knobs and levers allowed you to adjust the seat height, tilt tension, tilt range, forward tilt, arm height, arm width, arm angle, lumbar depth, and lumbar height. The Aeron was high-tech but sexy – which was how the dot-commers saw themselves. But baby-faced CEOs weren't drawn to the Aeron only for the way it looked. The Aeron was a visual expression of the anti-corporate zeitgeist, a non-hierarchical philosophy about the workplace. An office full of Aerons implicitly rejected the Fortune 500, coat-and-tie, brick-and-mortar model in which the boss sinks back in an overpriced, oversized, leather dinosaur while his secretary perches on an Office Max toadstool taking notes.
I recently had the opportunity to sit in a newer Herman Miller Mirra chair on a trip, and I was surprised how much more comfortable it felt than my classic Aeron. The Mirra chair was an excellent recliner, too. I've been disappointed by how poorly the Aeron reclines. I actually broke my Aeron's recline pin once and had to replace it myself. So I've retrained myself not to recline, which is awkward, as I'm a natural recliner. All this made me wonder if I should retire my Aeron and upgrade to something better. I liked the Mirra, but the comments to my original chair post have a lot of other good seating suggestions, too. Here are pictures and links to the chairs that were most frequently mentioned as contenders, in addition to the Mirra and Aeron pictured above: There were also some lesser known recommendations, such as the Haworth Zody chair, Nightingale CXO chair, BodyBilt ergo chairs, Hag kneeling chair, NeutralPosture ergo, the Chadwick Chair from the original designer of the Aeron, and something called the swopper.
Chair fit is, of course, a subjective thing. If you're investing $500+ in a chair, you'd understandably want to be sure it's "the one". The thing to do is find a local store that sells all these chairs and try them all out. Well, good luck with that. Don't even bother with your local big-box office supply chain. Your best bet seems to be back stores, as they tend to stock many of the more exotic chairs. Apparently they have a clientele of people who are willing to spend for comfort. Reviews of individual chairs are relatively easy to find, but aren't particularly helpful in isolation. What we need is a multi-chair review roundup. The only notable roundup I know of is Slate's late 2005 Sit Happens: The Search for the Best Desk Chair. It's not as comprehensive as I would like, but it does have most of the main contenders. Notably, Slate's winner was the HumanScale Liberty. Some other helpful resources I've found, both in the comments to this post, and elsewhere: If this is all a bit too much furniture porn for your tastes, I understand.
As for me, I'm headed off to my local friendly neighborhood back store to figure out which of these chairs will best replace my aging Aeron. By my calculations, the Aeron cost me about $7 per month over its ten year lifetime; I figure my continued health and comfort while programming are worth at least that much. Update: Since people have been asking, I ultimately decided the best fit and feel for me, personally, was the Herman Miller Mirra chair. It's a huge upgrade from my ten year old Aeron. It feels like three or four revisions better. For example, the front lip of the seat is adjustable, which addresses one of the major concerns I had with my Aeron – as well as the vastly improved reclining I mentioned above. The only unexpected downside is that the plastic back is a little rough on the skin if you sit, er... shirtless. Although I am very pleased with my new shadow Mirra with citron back (pic), I urge you to do the research and try the chairs yourself before deciding.Do you have a hectic eight to five job?
Are you having a difficult time concentrating on your work because of the uncomfortable and poorly built chair in your home? If you have saved a few dollars want to minimize the fatigue and back pain that you grapple with on an everyday basis, purchasing an ergonomic chair is among the best decisions that you can ever make. Most models are comfortable, orient the body naturally for optimal support, and have quality and high-performance components that offer valuable service for years. They are also affordable, swivel to improve the experience of users, and are attainable in a plethora of interesting designs and sizes that work well for individuals of all cadres. Our picks of the 10 best for 2016 are:A popular chair in both home and commercial environments, VIVA OFFICE is an ergonomic high back bonded office chair made of high quality leather. For optimal support, this chair has a comfortable thickly padded headrest. Its backrest is also ergonomic, while its contoured and double-padded seat is comfortable and supports that buttocks and thighs well to eliminate pressure points.
You also get an ergonomic waterfall design that eliminates leg fatigue, a heavy-duty swivel mechanism that boosts its functionality, and a durable and easy-to-assemble design that supports up to 250 pounds without losing its shape nor functionality. With an original model, VIVA OFFICE offers a free two-year component exchange warranty for this chair.Mirroring the quality, comfort, and performance that people know and like VIVA OFFICE chairs for, VIVA OFFICE VIVA1168F1 is an executive high back chair with a breathable mesh back design that boosts air circulation to keep users as cool as possible. It is durable, features an adjustable headrest that boosts support, and has integrated armrests for added support, particularly when working for long hours. For those with back problems or have demanding jobs that require a lot of sitting, this chair offers superior back support. It prevents moisture and heat build-up around the body, and has an adjustable tilt tension system that boosts its functionality.
You also get heavy-duty nylon caster wheels and a sturdy 250-pound capacity frame.Merax is a racing-inspired ergonomic office chair with a multi-function system that swivels, reclines, swivels, and rocks when in use. It is durable, has a contoured and well-padded seat with a height adjustment system that works well, and has a plush synthetic PU leather finish that not only boosts comfort, but also its overall value. Its tiltable seat has a novel lock function that prevents users from over-extending. Its adjustable backrest adjusts smoothly for optimal support, while its integrated shoulder support system includes an integral lumbar support cushion that lowers the risk of back irritation and therefore, pain. This chair retails cheap in Internet stores.Featuring an advanced and computerized hydraulic system that dampens impact and vibrations well, this solid black executive chair by BestOffice is an ergonomic and comfortable chair, with a solid and ergonomic design that lasts long. It is affordable, has a padded 20-inch wide by 19-inch deep seat, and an adjustable (19-23-inches) seat height system that benefits individuals of all cadres.
It also has a high weight capacity (250 pounds), oil and water resistant PU leather upholstery, and a heavy-duty base with a 360-degree swivel system that boosts the productivity of users.Ranked among the best products in this category, this mesh chair is a well-designed mid-back chair with a contoured and ergonomic design optimized for breathability and comfort. It is durable, has a padded seat that cushion and supports that buttocks well, and a well-built pneumatic height adjustment system for optimizing its height to match the stature of users and heights of desks. Even though cheap, this one of a kind chair is professional-grade. Its premium steel and plastic frame, for instance, supports up to 225 pounds at full capacity. The non-marring dual wheel casters that it comes with work well on all terrain, while its 1-year warranty offered attests value.As the executive leather office chair reviewed herein, this mid back desk and office chair by BestOffice is a professional-grade mesh back model and an ergonomic and well-finished design that benefits individuals of all cadres.
It is back themed, has a padded seat for comfort, and has a 360-degree swivel system that comes in handy in the office environment. It is also affordable, relatively easier to assemble than most comparable models, and has a compact and space-efficient design that does not clutter office space. Purchase an original model online for the best experience.Recommended in top 10 best ergonomic chairs in 2016 reviews, this Elusion Series of the liked Alera line of ergonomic chairs is a comfortable mid back model with a tilt and swivel system that boosts its functionality significantly. It is black themed, has a padded seat with a contoured cushion that fits multiple users, and a cool and highly breathable mesh back that keeps the back cool and sweat when working for long duration. fortable, durable, and manufactured using the best quality components, this high back chair executive chair by AmazonBasics is a valuable home and office chair with a padded and contoured seat that offers all-day support and comfort.
It also has an ergonomic back, a sturdy base with a pneumatic height adjustment and 360-degree swivel technology, and a quality bonded black leather finish that boosts its aesthetic value significantly. Well-assembled, this 29.13 by 25.59 by 41.34-45.08 inch ergonomic chair supports up to 250 pounds without crumbling or losing shape.Durable, ergonomic, and manufactured using environmentally friendly materials, Office Star SPACE Seating ergonomic chair is a professional-grade model that is preferred by business executives and office workers alike. It is durable, well padded for optimal comfort, and has a supportive AirGrid back and adjustable arms that orient the body naturally. With an original model, you also get a stable nylon base with a one-touch pneumatic seat adjustment system, a two to one synchronous-tilt control system, and over-sized dual wheels that work well on all flooring, including carpets.Top on our list, BestOffice Pu Leather High Back Office Chair is a comfortable and ergonomic computer and desk chair with a low maintenance black theme that makes it an ideal every day accessory.