First introduced over 25 years ago, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is an iconic design — not only in the context of the workplace but the design world in general. The Aeron chair is considered by many to be an indispensable tool that helps with productivity when working long hours at a desk. Now a perfected classic, I’ve been using the remastered chair for the past few months and in this article I will share my most appreciated features and other things I’ve learnt about the Aeron Chair from using it daily.
Made in the USA, the build quality of the Herman Miller Aeron Chair is immediately noticeable. The remastered version feels slightly more solid and slimline than the previous model and comes with subtle but considerable tweaks. These changes include an improved recline, a more comfortable lumbar system and a more compact mechanism. For the recline, there are three options — you can choose to have it locked upright, allow a limited recline range, or have the full recline range. One of the things I like best about the Aeron chair is the fluid, smooth recline motion that’s so effortless and unlike any other chair I’ve used or tested previously. Additionally, the tension knob is very responsive which makes it easy to adjust and set to my ideal recline tension.
The armrests are another notable feature which I’ve come to particularly appreciate on the Aeron Chair. Soft and comfortable, it’s very easy to set them into a comfortable position. They have both a big depth range and pivot range, with the pivot adjustment working a lot like a width adjustment. I’ve also found having retractable swivel armrests quite convenient as I can move them out of the way to do in-seat stretches.
There’s no seat depth adjustment on the Herman Miller Aeron Chair, but it’s offered in three different sizes: A, B and C. I have size B and think this size is likely to be suitable for most people but it’s of course important to check prior to purchasing to make sure you get this right. For me, the chair is the perfect height for shoulder support without the back of the chair being too tall and ugly. The mesh design is very well implemented, providing a firm, comfortable seat.
An optional extra which I’d highly recommend is the adjustable seat angle. With this feature, you can lock the seat at a certain angle or leave it unlocked. If left unlocked, when you lean forward while working you still receive some support from the chair. This is a great setting for people who have to lean forward on their work surface due to the nature of their work like artists and architects, or anyone else when writing in a notebook.
I have the Onyx Ultra Matte finish on my Aeron — which is a deeper black than the graphite option. The beautiful, dark finish of the Onyx is another one of my favourite things about the chair, as it works so well with my black desk accessories and other furniture. It’s worth noting that dust is visible against the black and if you’re like me and prefer to keep things reasonably dust-free then there are a fair few crevices to dust out — but I’d still opt for the same finish if I was purchasing again now.
The 12-year warranty on the Herman Miller Aeron says a lot about the longevity of this chair — solidifying it as an investment in your body and productivity levels for many years ahead.
