The original Ergohuman was designed 17 years ago and at the time, the first mesh chair to challenge the Aeron Classic. But when HM updated the Aeron chair in 2017, it knocked the Ergohuman out of contention. But with the release of the newest Ergohuman GEN2, the Aeron Remastered has real competition again…for half the price.
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1. Chair Adjustments
Ever bought an office chair that didn’t fit right? It’s a common online shopping frustration without local access to try chairs. Chair adjustability is crucial. The Herman Miller Aeron, with three sizes, can be confusing, and achieving perfect seat depth and back height alignment can be challenging.
The Ergohuman GEN2 includes a seat depth and back height adjustment. I believe the seat depth adjustment is a must have when looking for an ergonomic chair. The back height adjustment feature provides a good range of motion, getting the lumbar position properly, but more importantly, giving good full back support.
Lumbar support is important, and I prefer a more aggressive comfort level. Both Aeron and Ergohuman offer lumbar support, but Aeron’s isn’t standard. Aeron provides no lumbar, height-adjustable lumbar, and a posture fit system with limited depth adjustment.
Ergohuman’s GEN2 features a versatile pivoting lumbar system with adjustable tension, providing a wide support range. Forward tilt is standard on the Ergohuman but can feel uncomfortable, requiring constant leg engagement.
For gaming or TV, a headrest is key. Herman Miller opposes headrests, but Aeron-compatible options like the Atlas are costly. In contrast, the Ergohuman ME7ERG GEN2 has a standard height-pivot adjustable headrest, which stays out of the way during tasks and solid support when reclined.
2. Build Quality
Next is build quality which is especially important when investing $900 or more in a new office chair. Over 17 years of selling Ergohuman chairs and refurbishing Herman Miller Aeron classics, I’ve seen firsthand how well they hold up. The question remains: will the Ergohuman GEN2 and Aeron Remastered match their predecessors’ durability?
The Ergohuman frame is a significant upgrade with more aluminum in the back design and no plastic cover over the mechanism, enhancing its premium feel. The metal base ensures longevity with a curved shape. The Aeron Remastered frame is top-notch, featuring molds among the nicest on a mesh office chair. The shift from a metal base reduces noise, but opinions may vary on the choice of plastic in this aspect.
Ergohuman GEN2 upgraded the mesh on this version, using a slot fixing system similar to the Aeron, eliminating staples in the upholstering process. The new mesh increases yarn use, improving tension and elasticity to address sagging issues seen in the first Ergohuman iteration.
The Herman Miller Aeron classic pellicle mesh was without question the best quality mesh to hit the market when first released. Rarely did we find chairs with sagging mesh in the used market, which is incredible. Their improvement to the mesh on the Remastered just adds to what was already really solid mesh upholstery.
3. Armrest Bliss
Poorly fitting office chair armrests can be a major frustration. The original Ergohuman lacked width adjustment and didn’t move in unison during recline, causing discomfort. The GEN2 addressed this by relocating the arm connection point, ensuring arms move seamlessly with the chair in full recline. Aeron Classic and Remastered models excel, attaching arms to the backrest for great comfort.
The Ergohuman GEN2 now includes standard height, width, depth, and pivoting adjustments with a customizable height range. While the width adjustment is good, a bit more size would be preferable. The pivot function surpasses that of a Steelcase Gesture, providing excellent support for phone or tablet use.
The Aeron Remastered offers arm options: stationary (not recommended), height-adjustable (also not recommended), and fully functional with height and pivot adjustment. The Aeron’s height range allows lowering them almost completely out of the way.
The pivot range is solid, though lacking width adjustment (addressed by chair size). Aeron’s height adjustment is annoying for frequent changes, but stable arms minimize movement. In arm pad softness, the Aeron Remastered shines, with the new Ergohuman surprisingly the closest competitor, offering comparable softness with slightly less depth.
4. Backrest Comfort
I know that seat comfort can be a deal breaker for some, but the backrest is just as important in my experience. When I can’t get comfortable in the backrest of my chair, I develop back and neck pain, which is a nightmare.
Lower back comfort is important, and Ergohuman excels with its lumbar support system. It’s great for those who lean forward while typing, providing solid support all day. The tension adjustment allows customization, offering more support for heavier individuals or a softer feel for those who prefer less intensity.
The Aeron’s height adjustable lumbar is okay. It provides a decent range of height adjustment but can also feel a little bit jabby in the back. Their posture fit system is my preferred version on the remastered, but if you want a lot of support, it doesn’t quite feel as aggressive as I would like.
Upper back support varies, especially with increased height. For full back support, including the shoulders, the Ergohuman is slightly better, offering a height adjustment feature to customize the fit. If you’re 6 feet tall and considering the Aeron, choosing size C can provide a taller back, but it may be too wide for those with narrower frames.
5. Next Level Seating
One of my biggest issues sitting in mesh office chairs for almost two decades has been the polarizing experience sitting on mesh. Either the chairs I’ve tried sagged too much, had frame issues or oddly enough felt too firm, creating awkward flexing into my tailbone.
The Herman Miller Aeron seat has consistently been a deal breaker for me. Even with the remastered version’s removal of the front seat pad, I still experienced other pressure points while seated. The tightness of the pellicle mesh gives the sensation of sitting on a hard surface, and the side bolsters on the frame pose fit issues.
The Ergohuman GEN1 also had issues, with the seat creating an awkward flex up into my tailbone, I had to discontinue use of the mesh seat early on. The GEN2 on the other hand is the first mesh seat I’ve been able to use comfortably for 8+ hours a day for more than two months now.
The change in mesh material, removal of the front pad in the waterfall edge, and the altered seat shape made a significant difference for me. The mesh’s flexibility provides some give, unlike the Aeron, without feeling saggy. Cross-legged sitting is possible in the Ergohuman, unlike the Aeron.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, the Ergohuman GEN2 has significantly improved over its initial version, aiming to compete with the Aeron Remastered. While not matching the Aeron’s build quality, the nearly 50% lower price and added features make it an appealing choice for those unwilling to spend almost $2000 on an office chair.
