The Fern, Embody, and Leap are three of the most highly rated office chairs in the market. As someone who has had the opportunity to test and use numerous high-end chairs, I can confidently say that these three chairs stand out from the rest. In this article, I will discuss the key features and my personal experiences with each chair.
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Leap vs. Fern vs. Embody Links
1. The Steelcase Leap: My First High-End Ergonomic Chair
To start off, the Steelcase Leap was my first real endeavor into the world of high-end ergonomic chairs from a major brand. While it took some time to adjust to the firmer seat and ergonomic backrest, I quickly realized that it was the most comfortable chair I had ever used. The seat, in particular, stood out to me. Initially, I found it challenging to switch from a thick memory foam seat to the Leap’s firmer seat. However, I soon realized that the change was necessary for the health of my back.
2024 Price: $599.99 Where to buy: Steelcase.com or BTOD.com
The Leap’s seat remains supportive even after hours of use, and its flexibility is outstanding compared to other chairs like the Fern and Embody. The backrest of the Leap is also incredibly flexible, thanks to its thin design. Not only does it provide excellent support, but it also stays cool, unlike fabric-backed chairs. The Leap’s arms are adjustable and feature soft yet durable pads, making them the best in the business.
There is one area where the Leap falls short: the recline. While the Leap’s unique synchro tilt mechanism allows for easy adjustment and different recline positions, it lacks the smooth, deep rocking motion that some users prefer. This is the only aspect that prevents the Leap from achieving an S-tier rating.
2. The Haworth Fern: A Worthy Challenger
After years of testing many chairs, I finally found a chair that was a step up from the Leap. I had gone through the entire Steelcase lineup, the Herman Miller line-up, the popular imports and many others. None could compete with the Leap, until I tried the standard version of the Haworth Fern.
2024 Price: $1475.00 Where to buy: Haworth.com
At first, I was not impressed because of the mesh back, horrible headrest and the added lumbar support. When I tried the version without the lumbar support and headrest, and the digital knit fabric on the backrest, I knew I had found something special. Now, the seat of the Fern is slightly less flexible than the Leap’s in my opinion but is still comfortable and provides great support.
The real standout feature of the Fern is its backrest and recline. The four-layer system of the backrest gives a suspended feeling, and the digital knit material adds an extra layer of softness like a cushioned pillow. The Fern’s arm pads are not as soft as the Leap’s but are still comfortable and have the same level of adjustability. The recline of the Fern is the best I have experienced aside from the Herman Miller chairs. It includes a wide range of motion allowing you to work straight up or recline all the way back and relax.
One downside of the Fern is its overall quality control. While the components are excellent, the build quality can vary from chair to chair. This is basically the most expensive Fern and it has some of the wobbliest arms of any chair in our office. Even the Gaming Fern and standard mesh version have stronger arms. This inconsistency in quality control is a drawback compared to chairs like the Leap and Embody.
3. The Herman Miller Gaming Embody: A Game-Changing Chair
Just when I thought I had found the perfect chair in the Fern, the Herman Miller Gaming Embody came along and impressed me even more. I was already familiar with the standard version of the Embody, but the gaming version made some minor changes that made a significant difference in comfort. The foam layer on the seat and back, along with the ribbed upholstery design, gave the chair a unique feel that raised it to S-tier status.
2024 Price: $1383.75
The pixelated support system of the Embody’s seat provides a bouncy, suspended feeling, and the small layer of foam adds a soft touch. The backrest of the Embody is incredibly flexible and allows for a wide range of movement. However, one downside is the seat depth adjustment. It is clunky to use and in the way for those who like to sit cross-legged. Another weakness is the lack of lumbar adjustments options. The only option is a fixed curve that cannot be changed. The fixed curve of the backrest may work well for some users, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Lastly, for me the most attractive feature on the Embody is the recline. Herman Miller chairs like the Aeron and Mirra2 are known for their amazing recline, and the Embody is no exception. The range is massive, the recline is deep, and it is smooth and easy to use. The biggest complaint with the Embody is usually the limited adjustability of the arms, with only height and width adjustments available. I do love the arm pads though because they are large, flat, and soft.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Steelcase Leap, Haworth Fern, and Herman Miller Gaming Embody are all expensive, high end ergonomic chairs. They may not be suitable for everyone, so it is important to try them out or purchase from a seller with free returns just in case you need to try another option.
