When I Sold My House, I Left Everything Behind — Except This Iconic Office Chair

According to Herman Miller, the Aeron chair was designed as an antidote to the overstuffed, low-seated recliners that aging bodies often spent hours in at home. The designers, Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf, noticed that such chairs were difficult to get in and out of, to operate, and to use for long periods of time. Even worse, the vinyl-upholstered foam often became lumpy and uneven, trapped heat, and subsequently had the potential to cause bedsores.

By contrast, the Aeron’s taut mesh material, which covers the seat and back of the chair, is supportive as well as gloriously breathable, which is crucial for someone like me, who runs hot year-round. It also makes sitting in the chair feel a bit like lounging in a hammock, as some people reported during testing for our guide to the best office chairs.

I agree: The mesh cradles me with a bit of buoyancy that makes it extremely comfortable, even for me, a naturally fidgety person. Even when I spend long periods in the chair, I don’t squirm — although I do, as a habit, lift myself out of the chair every 30 minutes or so for water or a stretch. (In a recent episode of The Wirecutter Show, I spoke with New York Times Well Desk editor Molly Mirhashem about how long bouts of sitting can harm your health, so I’ve been trying to take more breaks.)

Aesthetically, I love the chair’s subtlety. Its mesh black frame practically disappears into the room, never clashing with my decor. (An unexpected bonus: The mesh seems to prevent most dust from collecting on the chair, keeping it clean. I occasionally wipe under the seat with a damp cloth.)

But after testing mattresses for almost three years at Wirecutter, I know that comfort is highly relative and depends on your body and preferences. In fact, some testers found that the Aeron was too restrictive; for Kaitlyn Wells, a writer on our home-office team, even sitting with her legs crossed caused discomfort.

If you buy directly from Herman Miller and don’t love your chair, you have 30 days to return it. Unfortunately, the company’s return process includes a $99 return-shipping fee, and the original shipping and delivery charges are non-refundable.