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There are a lot of people looking to pair the perfect chair with their new standing desk. Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to make different types of chairs that are designed for use with standing desks. We have seen perching stools, leaning chairs and various types of drafting chairs. These different options all have their advantages, but they also have glaring weaknesses. We have found that many people are looking for a chair that can help to increase their activity and movement with their standing desk, but would like something that is similar in look and feel to their normal office chair.
The 3DEE by aeris GmbH may be the chair that fits this need. It has a seat that is similar in size and shape to normal office chairs and it has a backrest, which is rare for a standing desk chair. It also features a unique spring technology to allow for motion while you work.
Today, we will be taking an in-depth look at the 3DEE chair. Not only will be cover the positive aspects about the chair but we will also go over any problem areas that may be deal breakers for you. We want you to be able to walk away from this review knowing whether the 3DEE will be a good product for your needs.
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Manufacturer
The 3DEE is made by aeris GmbH. The 3DEE was designed for aeris in 2012 by a German product engineer named, Tobias Caratiola. Tobias was also involved with the development of other popular products like the Muvman and Swopper.
aeris is a German company that was founded by Josef Glöckl in 1996. The aeris product line focuses on seating products that incorporate movement into your workday. The product offering is very limited, but they have been very successful in terms of sales and industry-wide recognition.
aeris GmbH 3DEE Links
– Specs / Features / Pricing
– Colors
– Return Policy and Warranty
– Shipping and Assembly
– Build Quality
– Sitting Mobility
– Portability
– Seat Comfort
– Range of Motion
– Making Adjustments
– Ergonomics
– Backrest
– What I Like
– What I Don’t Like
Country of Origin
Germany
Specifications
Overall Dimensions: 29.5”W x 29.5”D x 38.25”H
Back Size: 18”W x 17.75”H
Seat Size: 18.75”W x 18.75”D
Seat Height Range: 20”-25”
Base Diameter: 29.5”
Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
Weight: 44 lbs.
Shipping Weight: 47 lbs.
Box Dimensions: 42” x 19” x 22.5”
3DEE Chair Features
3-dimensional movement
Seat height adjustment
Vertical spring tension adjustment
Side to side spring tension adjustment
Convex seat
Microfiber fabric tested to 100,000 double rubs
Seat spins 360°
Backrest with adjustable lumbar support
Backrest tension adjustment
Universal locking safety casters
2025 Starting Price – $1395
Color Options
The 3DEE is available in black or red microfiber fabric. The frame comes standard in a black aluminum finish, but you can upgrade to a polished finish for an upcharge. The spring will match the frame finish you choose.
Return Policy
The return policy for the 3DEE will vary, depending on the country you live in.
Warranty
There is a three-year warranty that is included when you purchase the 3DEE.
Shipping
After placing your order, it will take about 2-3 days for it to ship out. It will then arrive within a few days via ground transport like FedEx or UPS. The 3DEE arrives in a medium sized box that weighs almost 50 lbs. The box has handles in the side of the box to make it easier to carry but you may need some help getting the box into your office.
The packaging on the 3DEE was very good. It was sent in a good quality box. All the parts were tightly packed to prevent them from moving around inside the box. The parts were also well protected with plastic or cardboard.
Installation
The 3DEE arrives ready to assemble but it will only take you a couple minutes to complete the assembly. The chair arrives in a few parts: backrest, seat, spring strut, chair base and wheels. During assembly, you need to pop the five wheels into the base, drop the spring strut in the base and then set the seat on top of the spring strut. You then slide the backrest into the seat and sit on the chair to lock everything in place. There are no tools required for assembly and I did not find any pain points or difficulty with the process.
Build Quality
The 3DEE standing chair has a high-end build, which is why it commands such a high price. It is made in Germany with top of the line components. The base is made from aluminum and is available in a matte black finish or polished aluminum. Both options look very sharp.
It features universal dual wheel casters that are suitable for both carpeted and hard floor surfaces. The casters are designed in a way to make them more difficult to roll when you are using the chair so that it is more stable when you are moving around.
The spring strut is made from steel and features the patented 3-dimensional movement system that makes the 3DEE and Swopper so unique. The backrest and seat pan are also available in a matte black or polished aluminum finish.
The seat pan was designed to be flexible and has multi-zone foam. The foam is also climate-active with five layers for more breathability. The seat is upholstered in microfiber with a composition of 88% polyester and 12% polyurethane. It is very durable, testing at 100,000 double rubs. The backrest features the same upholstery as the seat and features a lamella-based technology that gives the backrest the ability to flex to provide different levels of lumbar support.
Sitting Mobility
The 3DEE is the first standing chair we have tested to have a five-star base with casters as a standard feature. One complaint I have with most standing chairs is that they do not have wheels, which makes it tough to make micro adjustments to get into a comfortable position in front of your keyboard. That is not an issue with the 3DEE because you have wheels to move around.
The wheels do not roll as easily as a normal office chair. They purposely have more tension so that the chair doesn’t roll out from under you when you are leaning in different directions while sitting. They are still loose enough that they are easy to move when you want to roll.
Portability
Since the 3DEE is so much like a normal office chair, it is not going to be very portable. It is larger and heavier than most other standing chairs. Most models can be picked up and carried to another location with relative ease. That will not be practical for the 3DEE. The wheels come in handy because you can roll the chair, but it is still not going to be as easy to move between numerous people or office applications as models like the Muvman or Mobis II.
Seat Comfort
The seat on the 3DEE is square in shape with a convex top. Each side is almost 19”. This is about the same size as a normal office chair. This was a nice change when compared to most of the other standing chairs we have seen. It is common to see seats around 12” wide, which does not provide a very big surface. The seat has a decent amount of padding and the edges of the seat are soft. The microfiber fabric is soft to the touch and helps to add another layer of comfort to the seat.
While the seat on the 3DEE is among the most comfortable seats I have used on a standing desk chair, it is not going to be for everyone. The convex shape will reduce the seating surface a bit and puts you in a more perched position than a normal chair. The seat is firm. It has good quality padding but the way that it feels is meant to be more of a stiff experience than a plush one, which may not be for everyone.
Range of Motion
One area that the 3DEE excels in is its range of motion. This chair really allows you to move in all sorts of directions and it feels natural. I find it to be more comfortable to be moving, even if it is just a tiny amount of bouncing, than to be sitting still in the chair.
The 3-dimensional technology that the spring offers is one of the best systems I have used on a standing chair. You have a wide range of motion in every direction. You can also adjust the tension on the spring to change the amount it moves laterally and there is another tension adjustment for the vertical bouncing.
How to adjust the 3DEE
There are several adjustments on the 3DEE, which makes it one of the most adjustable standing desk chairs available. The first two adjustments are for the tension, as we discussed in the previous section. There is a dial that you can turn on the underside of the spring strut. Turning the dial will increase or decrease the tension for the lateral movement of the spring. There is also a dial toward wrapped around the bottom portion of the spring strut which can be turned to adjust how bouncy the spring is.
The next adjustment is pneumatic seat height adjustment. There is a lever underneath the seat that will release the lock on the gas cylinder. The cylinder will push the seat up when the lever is released. You can lower the seat height by sitting on the chair while pressing the lever.
The final two adjustments are for the backrest. There is a dial underneath the front of the seat. Turning the dial will increase or decrease the amount of tension there is when you lean against the backrest. The final adjustment is for lumbar support. There is a lever behind the right side of the backrest. Pressing and holding the lever will allow you to move the bottom of the backrest up or down, which will change the amount of curvature in the backrest.
Ergonomics
aeris is a company that focuses on increasing your movement while you work. The 3DEE chair was not designed like a typical ergonomic chair that is meant to keep you comfortable in one set position. Instead of trying to put you in one optimal position, the 3DEE encourages you to move. This helps to increase blood flow, keep your muscles loose and can even help to burn some calories.
The 3DEE sits you higher than the typical ergonomic chair that puts your knees at 90°. Instead, your knees will be closer to 130°, which opens your hips and helps to reduce pressure on your lower back. This position is common in the standing desk chair category.
Along with the 3-dimensional movement, there is another big differentiator between the 3DEE and almost every other standing chair, which is lumbar support. Lumbar support adds to the ergonomics of the 3DEE because you can rely on the chair to support your back instead of having to rely on yourself to have good posture. The 3DEE is one of the only standing chairs I have used that was comfortable for long hours at a time.
Stability
I find the 3DEE to be a stable chair. The five-star base prevents the chair from tipping and the casters are designed to keep you from rolling easily. The seat has a large enough surface area to keep you from feeling like you are slipping or sitting on the edge of the seat. The backrest also helps to hold you in position and keep your balance.
Backrest
The backrest is a great feature on the 3DEE. It has the same microfiber as the seat, so it is comfortable to the touch. I am also a big fan of the adjustable lumbar support. The lumbar can be very pronounced or non-existent, depending on your preference.
The backrest is a feature that allows you to sit for longer periods than the chairs that lack one. It can be tough to maintain good posture on your own for hours at a time. The 3DEE helps to keep you in a good posture, but still gives you the benefit of being able to remain active while you work.
What Do I Like?
Made in Germany with high-end build quality
The 3DEE is among the highest quality standing desk chairs we have tested and reviewed. Not only are the components high-end, but the 3DEE features some of the most advanced technology in the sanding chair category.
Wide range of motion
There is a large range of motion on the 3DEE. This type of unique movement is only available on the 3DEE and Swopper.
Large Seat
In a world of small, awkward shaped seats, the large, square seat on the 3DEE really stands out. Most chairs in the standing chair category limit the type of person that can use the chair. The 3DEE has a seat size and shape to accommodate a much broader range of people.
Multiple adjustments
Most standing chairs only offer seat height adjustment. This provides very little customization to help cater to the way you would prefer to sit. The 3DEE has numerous adjustments to make the chair more comfortable to your specific needs.
Good option for longer hours
Because of the large seat, backrest and nice system for movement, the 3DEE is one of the only standing chairs I would recommend for people looking for something to use for long hours each day.
Good sitting mobility
I really like that the 3DEE has a five-star base with wheels because it makes it so much easier to get into the optimal typing position right away. You really forget how useful wheels are on your office chair until you sit in a bunch of chairs without them.
What Don’t I Like?
High price point
I think the most limiting factor for the 3DEE is its price. This chair will be out of a lot of people’s price range. If you want something similar for a few hundred dollars less, check out the Swopper.
Takes time to get used to
All standing and active seating products will take some time to get used to if you’ve never used them before. The sitting experience is much different than a normal chair. Using different muscles can cause soreness or pain. The tension adjustments can help to limit the adjustment period, but you should still be prepared for one.
Limited height range
The 3DEE has a limited seat height adjustment range. It will not go high enough for tall perching or leaning positions. If you are looking for a chair to use with a desk that is at full standing height, then the 3DEE will not be a good option for you.
Not portable
The 3DEE is not a portable standing desk chair. If you need a product that will be used in different areas of your office or by numerous different people, then the 3DEE probably isn’t going to be the best choice.
Bottom Line
The 3DEE standing desk chair by aeris is a high-end active chair, but it is not perfect. The high price point and short warranty will be the biggest deterrents for most people. The limited height adjustment range will also be something that could pose a problem for some buyers. The 3DEE works for standard to mid-height desks but it will not work for people that want to use their desk at taller heights.
While the 3DEE will not be a good option for everyone, it is without a doubt one of the best standing desk chairs that we have tested. The 3DEE has so many features that are rarely found on standing chairs. Things like a large seat, a backrest with lumbar support, wheels, an innovative movement system and numerous adjustments are hard to find on standing chairs, but the 3DEE has them all. If you are in the market for a high-end standing chair and are willing to pay a premium, then I would recommend adding the 3DEE to your list of potential candidates.
Kevin
Similar feedback to Hugh. I had an issue in the year after the warranty ran out (the rubber block joining the backrest and lumbar support snapped). I think that this must be a known issue as they quickly sent me a spare part and instructions for fitting it without charge.
hugh boyle
Update on previous comment. Without my prompting or additional complaints Aeris and Via seating have decided to warranty the chair after all.
hugh boyle
The warranty is probably short because the durability is poor. I have one and used it for about 1.5 years of effective use (I spend a lot of time in other offices) and the base is now loose and the mechanism obviously damaged. Unfortunately it is out of warranty (elapsed time from purchase about 4 years).
Definitely not worth the price.