Gaming/Office Chair Recommendations - up to $400 2nd Hand or $800 Brand New

Moostyle on 30/05/2020 - 22:07
Last edited 03/06/2020 - 10:45 by 1 other user

Hi All,

I've been doing a lot of research of late on whether to get a gaming chair or an office chair. The HM Aeron is out of my price range and 2nd hand from a private seller isn't feasible since I need to claim the chair on tax.

I've been using this Officeworks Bathurst gaming chair that I bought on special for $79 for the last 3 years and everything was fine until it started giving me really bad pain on my lower right back, hip and down to my knee the last few days. No amount of lumbar support items I bought helped.

Like everybody else, I'm looking for something much better since working from home - this is week 10 for me.

I found this store in Sydney called BudgetOfficeFurniture (based in Clyde - near Auburn), and they sell the following 2ndhand/refurbished brands:
$300 Herman Miller Sayl
$350 Steelcase Leap V2
$300 Steelcase Think
$170 Antonio Citerrio Vitra T Chair
$220 Haworth Zody

I'm leaning towards the Steelcase Leap V2 based on all the reviews I've read. My main issue is that there's no opening times for the store, just a mobile contact number but it's open 7 days a week. The site is so shite to navigate as well which raises so many red flags for me.

In terms of new, I really wanted a SecretLabs fabric chair but the wait times are ridiculous. The DVA edition is a bit bright and the 2018 Nappa leather ones are is still too expensive at almost $1k.

I've also been looking at the real leather Noblechair Icon that Scorptec have in stock in Macquarie Park. Looks the goods and reviews seem to say it is good for support.

I'm reluctant to go for PU leather since the material rubs off from overuse. So am hoping someone has a recommendation for something they've used that helps with sciatica.

I would appreciate some recommendations. Cheers.

Home & Garden Chair Office Chair

Comments

  • Hybroid on 30/05/2020 - 22:09

    https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/millberget-swivel-chair-bomstad…

    Does the job, comes in black and white, works well with no frills and using it for 10+ hours every day.

    I find it more comfortable (with a nice thick cushion) than the mesh Ergohumans at work and also have sporadic lower back pain.

  • JF on 30/05/2020 - 22:38

    I have a Zody, love it and would recommend to anyone. Especially if you can pick one up for the price you specified!

  • Sinful on 30/05/2020 - 22:49
    +1

    I want an Ergohuman.
    Heard great reviews.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/414816

    • fallenstory on 31/05/2020 - 00:49
      +1

      As someone sitting in one right now, I highly recommend it; albeit the only office chairs I've ever sat in were the ones at my uni, work and the Ergohuman at home. Highly customisable, the most comfortable chair I've ever sat on and even though it's just only 2 years into use, I've had no quality issues at all and can't see any in the foreseeable future. Not sure how to compare it to a 2nd hand Herman Miller, but this purchase was one of the most worth bargain I've ever brought from this site.

  • zorbo01 on 31/05/2020 - 00:19

    I bought a SecretLab recently. It came weeks earlier than stated and have been happy with it.

  • fraid knot on 31/05/2020 - 07:59

    I've preordered a Secret Labs Titan in the fabric material and still waiting on delivery. A friend has one it was ultra comfy when I tried it and also seems to be the only gaming chair I found with adjustable lumbar support inbuilt.

    I didn't want to wait but it really was the only one I could find that fit my requirements that wasn't a ergo office chair that cost over $2k

  • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2020 - 09:21

    https://www.buroseating.com/product/buro-metro/

  • Orico on 31/05/2020 - 10:09

    Choose and buy. Don't think on it.

    https://www.winc.com.au/main-catalogue-browse/furniture-chai…

  • Ryanek on 31/05/2020 - 11:06

    Whatever you get, avoid PU leather at all costs.

  • the Unforgiven on 31/05/2020 - 11:12

    I have had a Secret Lab Titan since last year and I sleep in it more than my bed!

  • john2383 on 31/05/2020 - 13:38

    I'm looking for a chair also, all mesh, similar to the Ergohuman mentioned above. Had a chair from Costco in USA that I absolutely loved. Can't seem to find one at a similar price range (100-150$ USD). Any suggestions appreciated

  • SydStrand on 31/05/2020 - 14:04

    I'd avoid a gaming chair, but any of the chairs on your list look okay. I'll suss out that 'Budget Office Furniture' company.

  • Moostyle on 31/05/2020 - 14:51
    +2

    BudgetOfficeFurniture is 215 Parramatta Rd, Auburn (next door to MSY computer store).
    Open between 09:30 to 18:30 7 days a week.
    You can pay cash but if you pay card, they slug you with a 10% GST charge.

    Like the website, it's no frills in a small brown warehouse with no sign to say it's a used office furniture store.

    So I went with the Steelcase Leap V2 based on all the reviews. $350 without arms or $400 with arms.

    I also saw, sat on and inspected

    $300 Herman Miller Sayl no arms (quite comfy despite the plastic backing)
    $600 Herman Miller Aeron Size A with arms but missing lumbar support on both
    $400 Steelcase Think with arms (this was really nice)
    $220 Haworth Zody no arms
    $190 Vertilift Adjustable Desk

    So they steam cleaned the chair while I waited which was a nice touch even though the chair was already quite clean.

    My wife said she'd buy a chair there if she hadn't already just bought one recently.

    Think I'll save for a SecretLab Titan in the Nappa or Softweave once I wear this one out.

    Edited:

    • They also had some decent student chairs for around $30-$100 from a company called Gregory
    • Was quite busy when we went there
    • They're not experts in chairs so don't expect them to explain the good and bad points of a chair. It was pretty much where all the ex-corporate furniture ended up
    • macfudd on 31/05/2020 - 20:09

      Went through a similar process about a year ago myself, tried almost the same selection at a second hand office furniture place and made the same choice you did.

      Steelcase Leap is fantastic. I had two rounds of back surgery in 2018 so a good chair was vital. I've done some long hours in the Leap the last few months without any back flare ups. Far better than any other chair I've used previously.

      I've tried a friends Secretlab Titan and wasn't that impressed. He had it in the PU Leather though and I'm really not a fan of sitting on that stuff.

    • Maglia Nera on 01/06/2020 - 10:54

      You can pay cash but if you pay card, they slug you with a 10% GST charge.

      Do they provide an invoice either way - as I'd like to claim the chair on my tax this year?

      • Moostyle on 03/06/2020 - 20:12

        Only an invoice via card

    • OzFrugie on 23/06/2020 - 22:32

      How was your experience and whether you are happy with the Steelcase Leap v2 you bought from them so far?

      I am thinking to get the same chair, but not sure if this place is legit (and sell genuine stuff) as their website look so dodgy as you said.
      Do they have many stocks on the Leap v2 when you were there?

      Were the chairs all in great condition? I assume no warranty provided, right?

  • Rail on 02/06/2020 - 17:31

    Thinking of grabbing a SecretLabs chair does anyone have a referral they can PM me?

    • kient69 on 16/06/2020 - 12:39

      Also after a referral code cheers

      • the Unforgiven on 17/06/2020 - 23:14

        I tried to send you a referral code, but I can't
        I can't sent you a PM, you have to send me one

        • ichigogogo on 19/07/2020 - 13:39

          Hi Unforgiven, can you please send me your referral in PM? Cheers mate.
          Also, which model did you buy and what fabric? Do you recommend yours?

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