Choosing an ergonomic office chair is a hassle. Some are expensive, some are complicated, and some are less than what claims they make. Whatever the suit be, Herman Miller is that one brand that has time and time prioritized making ergonomic office chairs for the comfort of their users.
With so many bestselling pieces, the brand has appeased its users over time. But, what makes their chairs so different and worthy? Here, I will be comparing two of the most popular office chairs from Herman Miller – Aeron and Embody.
Being from the same brand, these two chairs share quite a bit of similarity, but they stand out on their differences. Let me break them down for you further.
Table of Contents
Herman Miller Aeron vs. Embody – Features
Before giving you a final comparative analysis of the two, I should walk you through both the chairs’ features. Doing so will provide you with an individual perspective of both the chairs, letting you decide which one of the two ergonomic chairs works better for you.
Herman Miller Aeron
When talking about one of the most popular office chairs in the U.S, Aeron is one of the best. From the design to the comfort, this chair excels in almost every department. It has a weight capacity of 350 lbs, which is pretty standard. The best thing about this chair (and this brand in general), is that they understand their people’s bodies are shaped differently.
Here is a quick breakdown of all the features of the Herman Miller Aeron office chair.
Available Colors
If you are particular about your office chair’s color, Aeron comes in three different colors – Mineral, Carbon, and Graphite. The graphite is the darkest of the lot, while the mineral is the lightest. All of them have a very neutral and subdued color shade that fits in with every office aesthetic.
The mineral color variant is the one meant for minimalistic and very neutral office aesthetics with a lot of whites around. If you are into darker tones and want to create a moody space for your workstation, choose graphite.
Cooling Feature
One of the most common issues people have with office chairs is overheating, especially around the back. The constant sweating does lead to an uncomfortable seating experience throughout the day. Aeron solved that problem from the root.
The chair’s backrest has a transparent light fabric that traps in the excess heat and sweat and traps the excess humidity from the skin. It has a pellicle mesh design on the back that allows seamless air circulation to keep your back cool and comfortable throughout.
Material
Herman Miller has their unique material for their office chairs, Pellicle being one of them. This breathable mesh fabric has an elastomeric suspension design that puts pressure on the muscles and joints, keeping you comfortable even when you are sat for extended hours of the day.
The new material in the upgraded Aeron is the 8Z Pellicle, which is specifically designed to provide support in eight latitudes to ensure that the user has a comfortable seating experience without back pain and consistent discomfort. It gives your back with enhanced ergonomic support.
PostureFit SL
Another unique feature in Aeron that you get is the PostureFit SL design. It provides the seater with long-term comfort with sustained lumbar support and helps keep your spine in the natural position throughout your seating.
It is a highly adjustable chair with adjustable seat depth and seat height that one can change according to their natural curve of the body and the kind of comfort that their spine and back needs after sitting on the same chair for over 8-10 hours.
Herman Miller Embody
Now that I have discussed Aeron’s features, the next thing I want to talk about is the features of the Herman Miller Embody Chair. This office chair was designed to reduce the strain and stress on the body of the sitter. From the adjustable armrests to the standard tilt, this chair brings the best for its users.
Here are a few of the features of this ergonomic chair.
Color
Unlike Aeron, which is available in 3 colors, Embody is available in 10 different colors since the chair comes with fabric on the seat and the back. It has a range of bright and happy colors, perfect for individuals who like to spruce up their office space with quirky colors.
Backfit
Not many people believe when they hear this, but the design of Embody is made to mimic the structure of a human’s back. This is mainly done to provide your back and spine with the maximum support and provide a lot of comfort while sitting at the office for 8-10 hours straight.
The flexible rib design allows the users to stretch and mold their back according to their comfort after being sat on the chair for long. It also provides you with a more balanced and supported posture.
Pixelated Support
Much like how Aeron has the Pellicle mesh, Embody is known for its Pixelated Support. It has been designed to support the stature of the user in a way that helps them feel comfortable throughout the day.
The design with the “dynamic matrix of pixels” is that the chair’s design conforms to the body of the sitter. It reduces the risks of blocked circulation, reduces the pressure points, and enables your weight to be distributed evenly throughout the chair.
Layered Support
If you wonder how you’d manage overheating while sitting on Embody, you don’t have to anymore. Unlike Aeron, which has the breathable mesh fabric on the back of the office chair, Embody has four added support layers.
Each layer on the back is made with different materials that support your back and ensure the users’ maximum comfort. Not just for support, these layers also promote better airflow and keep the risks of sweating and overheating in check.
- Your purchase includes One Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair – Size B, graphite color
- Chair dimensions: 41" H x 27" W x 16.75" D. Seat heights: 16”-20.5”.
- Tilt Limiter lets you set the recline range at one of three postures. Tension control lets you adjust the amount of effort needed to recline...
- Designed to enhance health, improve focus, and provide ergonomic support for people who sit more than 4 hours a day
- Features: fully adjustable arms, titanium base and white frame, and translucent casters
- Total Height: 42 - 45" | Seat Height: 16 - 20.5" | Width: 29.5" | Depth: 15"- 18"
Herman Miller Aeron vs. Embody – Comparison
With each of these chairs’ primary features out of the way, the next thing we need to focus on is the comparison. How do these compete against each other?
To make it easier for the consumers to choose, I have sorted down these comparisons based on three factors – Size, Comfort, and Adjustability.
Size
Like its choice of colors, Aeron is available in three different sizes as opposed to Embody, which is available in just one. The variance in Aeron’s sizes is to cater to a wide range of uses, based on the size of the chair and the weight capacity. Aeron’s small size supports up to 300lbs, while the medium and large size supports up to 350lbs.
But, Embody doesn’t have multiple size options and supports up to 300lbs. Numerous adjustment options make up for the lack of sizing.
Comfort
Body Aeron and Embody are manufactured for the enhanced comfort of the users. While Aeron boasts the combination of the Pellicle Mesh backrest and the PostureFit technology, Embody is specifically designed to conform to the shape of the sitter’s body.
One unique thing about Embody that isn’t available in Aeron is the suspended plastic coil instead of the traditional foam padding used in most office chairs. Embody also allows the sitters to indulge in micro-movements while being seated to keep a sustained blood circulation without any hassle.
Adjustability
Coming to the adjustable settings in these chairs, Embody steals the show. Aeron comes with all the standard adjustability mechanisms, including standard tilt and three lockable positions, but that is pretty much it.
On the other hand, Embody boasts an array of unique adjustability options, including adjustable height range, seat depth, and adjustable armrest options. It also has a more flexible frame compared to Aeron, making this a public favorite.
Conclusion
I cannot say enough good things about Herman Miller office chairs. It is one of those rare furniture brands that has stood out in the market with their unique craftsmanship and the unmatched quality. When choosing between Aeron and Embody, I would suggest opting for Aeron because of the wide range of adjustability options and quality design.
It has a highly functional design with a comfortable sitting experience that allows the users to invest in an ergonomic chair they wouldn’t regret spending your coins on.
![Is the Infamous Herman Miller Aeron Worth it in [currentyear]?](https://officearrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Aeron-Chair-Features.jpg "Is the Infamous Herman Miller Aeron Worth it in [currentyear]?")
