Here are some points I forgot to mention in the video: - If you don’t care about the chair reviews skip to 14:44 to get tips on reducing your back and neck pain working online from home. - The main benefit of these chairs and the reason they are so expensive is the ergonomics and the adjustability. - Another feature both chairs have I forgot to mention is the tension adjustment. This is how much the chair pushes back when leaning back. (How easily it leans back) - Yes you can cross your legs in both chairs fairly comfortably. Although the Herman Miller is a little less comfortable doing this due to the slight ridges on the edge of the seat. - Huge celebrities like Drake and The Chainsmokers use Herman Miller Aeron chairs in their studios so that has a lot to say about the reputation of the chair.
Thanks for the video Billy. Have you sat in versions without the Posturefit SL? The smaller lumbar support, or the mesh only versions? A lot of ppl on reddit have questions about the posturefit, would be great to do a comparison on the various lumbar features
Chairs are so individual. I also own both chairs. For a larger person, the Herman Miller's hard edges can get VERY SORE especially on thigh behind the knees.The very hard edges--even though they are sculpted--are difficult to live with. Thus, the lack of pan adjustment becomes a disaster for the Aeron chair. Also, considering this as a review, you completely missed two things regarding the Gesture. 1: The back recline tension is amazing compared with the Herman Miller Aeron--or any other chair. The Gesture seems to be balanced such that I can maintain ANY ANGLE EFFORTLESSLY. No other chair I have tried has the same nuanced tension. For me, this is an amazing form of comfort and support. 2: The gesture really does allow a VARIETY of postures. My favorite is to rotate the seat 90 degrees left or right, and then sit sideways, using the back as a side support. Thus is HUGE for back pain sufferers! That allows some lateral flexibility to stretch. For me in comparison, the net result is that sitting 5 to 6 hours in the Herman Miller Aeron results in back pain and leg pain, even with the lumbar attachment. OTOH, the Gesture actually gradually reduces my back pain as the day progresses. I believe it is because of the huge variety of achievable postures, the ability of legs to be tight or splay, and rotate the chair to give the back a variety of subtle but useful looks. I disagree with the criticism of the Gesture and its reclining without the seat coming with it. But everyone is different, so take that into account. IMO, leaning should stretch hip flexors. At the end of a day, in the Herman Miller, I feel like the Aeron has trapped my body into ONE ergonomic position. But the needs of sitting all day are to actually adopt dozens of ergonomic postures throughout the day to enhance flexibility and pain relief. So, I decided to use the Gesture at work, and demoted the Aeron to home use. But since I still have desk work at hime, I found the Aeron once again hurting me, so I bought a Gesture for home as well. For me, best decision ever.
Was considering getting the Aeron but reading this I'm tempted to try out the Gesutre as a larger guy myself (5'9 at 240) The Aeron having multuple sizes makes it seem like it would fit a bigger guy, but does the one size of the gesture really work for bigger people?
Yup I'm ditching my Embody because my thighs are constantly resting on the plastic handles it is so painful. I also hate the fact the embody leans back by default as I find myself leaning forward a lot when I'm gaming so I actually like that the Gesture doesn't move back as much since it can still give me back support while leaning forward.
What does cutting a video and making it organized have to do with the integrity of a review? Whatever you upload whether its cut or not cut are your actual views. The editing of the video (assuming its done by you) does not impact the integrity of the video.
I think with some reviews in general people will cut the things such as adjusting seat pan depth, adjustments in general, and then saying how easy it is. On some chairs it is easy, but on others saying "it's easy", while some chairs would require 2 hands to adjust one arm rest most wouldn't consider as easy as something else. Maybe just poor wording, which considering it's a one take video is expected, but can see a meaning in this context.
actually I prefer NOT being able to cross my legs comfortably in a chair, it is a bad habit from childhood that has structurally weakened my right knee and has caused injuries throughout the years.
11:30 Gesture's seat is definitely moves together with the back rest when you lean back. It only has a smaller angle of movement compared to the Aeron.
I've had a Herman Miller Embody for almost a year and some days it feels perfect and others it feels off. Any previous Embody users switch to the Gesture and like it?
Herman Miller Aeron sucks. I'm in the process of returning mine. The waterfall design on the front of the seat kills my thighs. After doing research I am not the only one, a ton of people are having comfort issues with the Aerons stupid seat design. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! Make sure you sit in for a good 20 minutes or so. I sat in the Aeron at a store for 5 minutes if that and thought it was fine. I regret buying it with a passion.
I'm 99,9% sure that you sat in it wrong. The Aeron is intended to be used with 90 degree angle in and behind your knees, and your feet flat on the floor. This way your tighs should absolutely not even touch the front mesh, the lip or the hard frame - not in the classic, but mostly not in the remastered as it has a better lip design. Not sitting like I said will definietly cause you problems, but not just in the Aeron, in every single chair - you might not realize it as harshly first but it will cause you long term problems in your legs, hips and back. These chairs are called ergonomic for a reason. There is a setup and break-in period, you cannot experience it in just 5 minutes or 20 minutes, or expect that some fast fiddling with the knobs in a store is enough to set it up well. This is why there is an extensive return policy @ HM or even a testing/trial period at some dealers. Nobody should expect HM chairs to be like some random office store chair you take home and sit on it - it would be like hopping from a Honda Civic to a 900 HP Lamborghini and go for a ride around the block...
Most adjustable arms, as along as you don't want to use it in a useful spot lmao. I fucking hate forward arms, makes terrible for tasking. Especially when reclining.
Haworth Zody is pretty much the Aeron with better arms and optional headrest and leather covers from factory. They also have a stool version (with feet rests). I have a Leap v2, a Steelcase Please v2 and a Zody. None have headrests and I do lean back a lot and miss it. The Zody is actually worse for leaning back imho, because you want open angles for healthy recline, and the Leap is the better one for that slouchy recline, even if less comfortable. The Please is probably the best for the work. But the Zody is definitely the best of both worlds. It's much cheaper and a lot more bang for buck. The Please is also very good and has the best back support ever, but it doesn't sell state-side (I'm in Europe).
I'm about 5'6 and 180lbs. Do you think the leap v2 or gesture would be any better for just gaming/relax editing at home? And to be honest I don't even sit "properly' with my back straight. I usually sit at the front of my Aeron at work and it works fine but when I do want to sit up straight the Aeron doesnt feel comfortable for me. Based on these things do you think the Leap v2 or Gesture benefit any better? Is the cushion that much better on the gesture to compensate for the extra 400+ dollars? I'm looking to try these used and the guy says hes willing to do the Steelcase think for 325 - Like New. The Steelcase - Leap v2 for 399. The Steelcase Gesture is about 650.
That headrest for the Herman Miller is hard to find. Sucks Herman Miller does not make a high back chair other than the Cosm which I am not all that impressed with.
For all the lack of polish on this video, i really appreciate genuine honesty and details you covered. Really helped me make a decision on which chair i wanted.
I'm now watching since 3 minutes and all you do is repeat the same sentences over and over. "Honest review, incredibly expensive, honest review, incredibly expensive, backpain". Why do people never get to the point?
How is the Aeron for just propping your feet up and leaning back and gaming on a big TV (assuming you get the headrest)? I'm torn between this and the Embody but def leaning towards the Aeron because it's WAY less $.
Just returned my Aeron as it hurt my thighs due to the hard shell. Just couldn't get it comfortable and I was in a size C. I'm now ordering a gesture w/ headrest.
As a follow up I also tried a Gesture with headrest and returned it as well. The seat was like a brick! Started looking at Lifeform but that jumps into the $3500 range... just crazy.
Thank you for doing this video. i wanted to get a gaming also as suppose to my old executive leather chairs. i liked how you talked fast and it was not boring to go through ALL OF THE CONTENT. good job. gona buy now a herman miller.
Does anyone know where I can try a steelcase chair in person? Specifically the Leap. I live right at the edge of the DC metro area, so anywhere in MD, VA, DC, and PA would be helpful.
I acquired the Gesture because it was a good compromise between comfort, looks, and price (in my region). If I wanted the best back or seat support, I would take the Steelcase Leap V2 or the Steelcase Amia, respectively; Hoping not to regret this choice in a near future. My line of thoughts was: I sat most of my life on a wooden chair and I always felt comfortable, then I got an upper-tier gaming chair at a great discount (it was the best option back then because I was really short on cash... don't judge). However, after being borrowed a very very uncomfortable office chair provided by my previous company and losing access to my cheap yet somewhat comfortable gaming chair -- I thought it was time to make an upgrade; For the same reasons: back pain... I do not think I can go wrong with any of my three options. Hence looks are a factor for me. Eh eh. However, after watching hours of reviews, it seems consensual that the Herman Miller Aeron is not made for prolonged seating - so if you work IT like me, stay away.
@@salut9658 In my country, we can only get Steelcase's straight from the brand source (which operates only in B2B - but has made occasional B2C sales since the pandemic started); When speaking with the financial department lady who was taking care of making me the quotes for various setups, she advised me not to take the headrest since I am only 1.68m tall. I followed her advice and did not order the headrest. Saved quite some cash and I must say I haven't felt the need for the head rest at all; The most comfortable chair I've ever sat on, zero pain, zero discomforts!
High-end chairs are overpriced because they pre-charge you a lot of things (the brand name, the research, the shipping/returning of every chair they've shipped, the 12 years of the potential cost of shipping/returning parts or sending a technician to your house to repair ANYTHING). They take the sum of the expenses they have to pay then divide it to the number of chairs produced; we're all paying for each other's mistakes (theirs too) :)) A local dealer I know sells these Aeron remastered brand-new with original parts. He takes out all the above costs and sells it for $750 each with only a 1-year warranty, no free shipping, no nothing. I got one fully loaded in mineral/satin aluminum for $800 tax included. Even at half the price, he still makes money. Now I, don't have to pay for other's mistakes. However, if anything happens to the chair I'm on my own. But I know these chairs can last 15 yrs easily, even the arm pad won't crack. It's the most comfortable chair ever.
Used the Herman Miller variations at AbbVie and some other companies I’ve worked at. Tried the Steelcase Gesture today. Definitely prefer the material and firm ergonomics of the Steelcase Gesture. To each their own. For myself personally, when in business professional attire, the Herman Miller material feels less enjoyable to sit in comparably to the Steelcase Gesture. Also the Steelcase Gesture is currently no where near this price point mentioned, anymore. Much more affordable, with the add-ons.
Nice one. Appreciate the holistic approach you offer to reducing back/neck pain, particularly pointing out the need for regular movement, exercise, etc. Equally as important as the chair, if not more so.
Have you tried the Herman Miller Mirra to compare to the Aeron? I’m looking at those. I don’t have a furniture store that has office chairs, so I have to order. I got but am sending back the Fern. I live with chronic lower back pain and neck pain. Thank you so much for this review. People with pain just don’t review chairs much.
Great video. Thanks for giving your honest opinion. Considering these are the two most popular chairs at a similar price point, this was extremely useful. Not to mention that these chairs aren't on display at a lot of retailers.
Hi Billy, thanks for the good review and I appreciate the information. Could you tell me what factors seem to make it difficult to work from the reclined position you demonstrate around 11:10? I am soon to make a purchase and favoring the Gesture, but was curious about this factor after seeing your video. Also, I just wanted to confirm that your theory about the hip impingement being caused by the way the seat moves with the back when you lean backwards is correct, and is why some favor the design the gesture implements where the seat stays at the same angle when reclining.
After 8 minutes I finally understood the weird size difference of him and the chairs thats' been going on since the beginning of the video. He was not standing up.
The chair I use now I find myself in the front portion of the chair leaning forward, as I do a lot of video and photo editing, as I like to get close to the screen. What chair it doesn't have to be either of theses two will have me sitting correctly up wright and comfortable, and not in the front portion of chair leaning forward to get close to my screen to do my editing.. All the other bell and whistles the chairs is capable of is just a bonus. I think a chair that tilts forward but keep you sitting correctly up wright and comfortable is what I am looking for. Any recommendations folks?
Everybody is different and why people need to try it out first. If you have back pain then yes it is worth the money. I first looked into the Aeron chair, but the store also had a weird Humanscale freedom chair with a headrest. I sat on it and it fit my body way better than Aeron which I have used before at work (which was also at the store too). Both are great but the Freedom was a better natural recliner and has back support. I can recline anytime to chain body positions. Steelcase there was a model there too but it didn't fit right.
Did you look at the X-Chair at all? Seems like a good competitor. I have a 20+yr old HM Aeron and its due to be replaced. I find the seat edges digging into the back of my thighs after some time. Still tossing ideas around for my next 20 yr chair.
Thanks for the comparison. I used the gesture for about a year at work and loved it. Was debating getting one for the house, but couldn't stop reading about the Aeron as well. I actually really like the arm rest on the gesture and use them almost 100% of the time. I'm 5 ft 7in, if I were to sit up straight in the Aeron do you think the arm rests would come forward enough to still provide support?
Yes I definitely think they would go forward enough. I actually have mine set at the farthest back setting. But if you're used to the gesture and already love it and have no problems you may as well stick with it to be honest. Switching chairs takes some time to get used to.
I preferred the Gesture to the Aeron when I tried them first. Then I tried a larger Aeron size C and that worked better than both. I ended up with an Embody however as I loved the matrix back support. I just got a Leap v2 for a steal from a company that went bust (used for around a year and like new). I reckon the Leap v2 might become my main chair. It's such a personal thing that I couldn't recommend anyone buy a chair without sitting on it.
Billy, i've been eyeing on the Aeron and Embody because of all the talk about it. However, just today, i'm now interested in the cosm. Thoughts on the cosm? It's supposed to be the successor the aeron remastered i think.
Both of these chairs aren't great ... overpriced for the level of "ergonomics" and comfort. The Aeron has a hard edge, and a hard front lip to the chair that digs into your legs after a while cutting into your circulation. The frame is pretty hard, and leaning back in the Aeron with the rock is nice except when you feel it pushing up on the back of your thighs. The gesture's seat is rock hard, but at least the seat angle is slightly forward so it's better for your leg circulation. The main problem with the gesture is the back is stiff on it, and not nearly as supportive and the lunar support sucks ... it gave me back issues after a week. Check out the Haworth Zody chair ... forward tilt as well, and synchro tilt with a more comfortable padded seat you can get in leather as well. Understated but very nice chair that's not over-marketed and over-hyped. Just a real, comfortable chair.
I sat in an Aeron for a couple years and never had the chair cutting off circulation. It must depend on body build as I've known other people to have similar issues. Or it needs adjusted better to suit you. This is largely why chair comfortability is subjective and people should just sit in any chair they are considering to see if they like them prior to purchasing. To say that the front lip will cut into user's circulation is a misleading claim. It's certainly a possibility, but not a true statement for everyone.
This video was helpful! Thank you for posting. I was very glad to hear the chairs are helping with your back pain 👍 With the from home situation extended to end of year, my back pain as well as my posture has been getting worse... so I finally decided to make the investment before I regret it later in life. So excited for my Aeron chair to arrive :)
Hey Billy , What is the main source of traffic to your course is it organic youtube ? Or Ads (Fb , YT ...) ? Because I'm thinking to start my course about graffic design
buying a chair because they have better name isn't a good idea.....you buy a chair to suit your needs.....not because of a resale value. Chairs are not cars.
Billy, if i can pick up a lighlty used gesture for $200, leap v2 for $40, or an Aeron non SL for $250. What would u get? it doesn't sound like you liked the gesture much.
The lumbar support is exactly why I couldn't stand the Aeron. Seeing that piece sitting in the middle brings back lots of bad memories. LOL I think if it stretched all the way across, I might have been able to tolerate it but something about the piece just constantly hitting a small part of your lower back that drove me crazy. I'm going to try the Gesture shortly.
@@Nigel__ Hey man, yes I've had it for about 2 weeks now and I love it! I finally found my chair. There was a very brief period early on where I had some initial back/hip discomfort but I think that was more just due to my body sitting differently and adjusting to sitting more proper. And also finding the right chair setting (there are so many options). But now, I love it and it's an absolute keeper for me.
Enjoyed the review, but leaning towards the aeron. I''ve seen these being sold for great prices generally from liquidations or quick sales. However, it can be rare and competitive because of resellers. Debating if I should purchase at retail because I have a bad back, neck pain, which leads to constant migraines for days or weeks. Also I get a piece of mind that no one ever farted on the chair, but 1200 though... :/
Do you think the Steelcase Leap V2 is good? You mentioned it was very comfortable but ugly (i dont care about the looks). I plan buying one used. Would you recommen the Leap or Aeron and why? Leap has a very good reclining mechanism too...
Awesome review! Thanks a lot. I can see you are very passionate about the chairs. I’m considering the Aeron B or C size. I guess I’m about the same posture as you (perhaps a bit heavier). I wonder, when you sit on the Aeron your outer thighs touches the side plastic of the seat quite tightly. Does this bother you? I’m afraid the B size is too small for me, but maybe the C size doesn’t give enough back support. Also thanks for the tips about standing desks. I’m definitely getting one of those (work at computer all day).
