Hey all,
Looking at a computer chair.
I've come from a 2020 secret lab omega to a 2022 secret lab titan.
Now I can't sit longer than 1 hour before starting to feel highly uncomfortable and leg/back pain.
Question is.
What ergo chairs are the way to go at the 1k price point.
The herman Miller is out of the question for me.
I've looked at
Neuechair
ONEX GTDV10E
Ergo human v2 elite
Steelcase (no delivery option to sa)
Whats people's reccomendations? I'm 180cms and 80kgs.
Pros and cons
Cheers
First off - do not buy any chair that is not AFRDI endorsed (meaning it complies with AS/NZS 4438).
every school be like…. OH hi!!
Yeah, absolutely. That is starting to change, as there is a bigger input on this across all Government. Won't change for most primary-age but secondary I know are starting to look at compliant chairs in Computer Labs, and also for teachers.
Any suggested stores? These all appear to be online and drop shipped on demand
Bad Backs in Syd/Mel/Per. Where are you?
Thanks for that. I'll try find some places to look. Not many here in Adelaide unfortunately
Back Center in Stepney - https://backcentre.com.au - Looks lithe the full Flokk range of brands at reasonable-ish prices - RH, HAG & BMA. Plus the Serati at a very inflated price. Try it there, order from elsewhere, probably cheaper even with freight from Melbourne via Bad Backs as an example. They also have the Diablo Executive, and the 'Nimbus' with a headrest looks decent although I haven't tested it.
Ergo Center in Keswick - https://www.theergocentre.com.au - They have RH chairs (Logic 400 on website, good but I prefer the New Logic 220) and the Serati at a reasonable price too. Orthopod are an Aussie Brand that I like too.
Mile End Office Furniture - https://mileendofficefurniture.com.au - they stock a Malaysian Brand called Merryfair that I have been wanting to check out. No recommendation, but try out the 'Wau' High back. It looks the goods (gamer-y) and pricing is great. First place in Oz that I have found them stocking the brand. I will be over in ADL at the end of the month, will mosey on in and check them out.
I don't mind the look of thr wau.
Gonna sit in this!
+1 for the Back Centre … found these guys to be very helpful when I was looking for office chairs for home.
Think mine was about $550 from memory, and my temperamental back has been very appreciative, so not sure you have to spend $1000 to get a fantastic chair.
@Matt2024: You talking about the wau chair?
I like the look plus fingers crossed the comfort is to match
Wau chair is yuck. Just tried it.
@Monsta-AU: A chair called x3 felt good. But still had plastics cheap looking components.
.atm I'm trying to find the ONEX GTDV10E to test (cosco didn't have any on the floor).
They said if I order it, set it.up and don't like it I can get a full refund.
If not. I've looked and a fee second hand hm aeron for around 1100..
Just wish they had a head rest.
@Agechamp: Try the Serati at the same price new… see what you think. Get the people there to show you the mechanism - it actually tilts forward when you are out of the chair and when you sit in it you need to recline back as you sit and kind of balance in the chair which engages your abs and has you sit more upright.
The brand has a video up: https://vimeo.com/674289930
Even though it's probably out of your price range, try the RH chairs too as they have the same 'balance' mechanism. I love mine, and I only need the chiro monthly now instead of fortnightly. The chair will pay for itself in less than 18 months with the savings.
@Agechamp: It was the Enterprise $460
https://backcentre.com.au/product/enterprise/
Not a gaming chair, but a very well built office chair with 10yr warranty.
I agree with @Monsta-AU, I never realised how unsuited for long periods of use most gaming chairs really are. I mean I love my chair, but for 5 days a week use it is just not good enough.
Saying that, I don't have the dollars to drop on any of the chairs Monsta recommended no matter how much I would love to - which kind of sums up the situation for most of the people I work with. If anyone knows a few chairs that are lower priced I'm all ears.
Find a proper Office Furniture store, and check if their website has a filter for AFRDI-approved chairs. Filter down to that and sort by price to create a shortlist to go and try. I have seen a few sites where they have either filters or categories for this. Here's one I searched at random - not a recommendation for the seller but you can make a list from it. https://www.adco.com.au/afrdi-certified-chairs
Also, it is my opinion that computer work for long periods (and gaming) requires a high-back and headrest. So you can go and put those types to the top of your list. Unfortunately, most of the approved chairs are task chairs, so mid-back only. There are some - I note the 'Diablo Executive' from the above link.
There are plenty of good chairs in the $400 range, just none of them have the 'gamer' aesthetic.
Ergohuman all the way.
Nothing says smug more than reclining to 45 degrees and feeling like you're about to blast off into space.
Have you got one?
I've sat in one and damnnnn
Hmmmm. At the price point it looks great. Gonna try sit in one this week.
I went with a Haworth chair from Officeworks. I got the Soji model but they have several with and without armrests. They have the AFRDI mentioned by other users here too. Similar height/weight to you.
I was previously using an Ikea office chair but started having really bad sharp pains and dumbness in my arm. Didn't have any issues prior to WFH where we had chairs in the office where you could adjust the height/recline/back support.
Decided on the Soji because of its adjustable features, and relative to other office chairs I looked at (Herman Miller etc) it was more affordable. Officeworks delivery was pretty quick and the price seemed reasonable. Did have to attach the base to the chair and use a special tool (which wasn't included and I didn't own so had to order during lockdown which was a pain) but the assembly aspect was otherwise very easy.
Been using it as my regular WFH chair for about a year now and it's great. I've had no more issues with my arm or any pain after sitting in it for 8+ hours a day. Only downside is they are plain old black mesh office chairs. So if you're looking for an asthetic element it isn't brilliant. But it certainley won't stand out for any bad reasons.
Ergo human, plastic rattly very cheap feel.
Wau no good. Plastic looked faded and discolored in the showroom, clicking mechanisms and userability wasn't great.
Initial sit was uncomfortable.
Sad to hear that about the Wau. It looked like a good possible option, but at the price I cannot say that I am surprised. Was just hoping for a bargain because look at where we are. Be really good if we could get a good high-backed chair with headrest coming in at the $500-$600 mark which has a little pizzaz and stop people buying Secretlab or similar 'gaming' chairs which are horrible.
I have seen the Wau chairs in some setups posted online, they always look good and the comments of the users were favourable but if they are being compared to Secretlab it is probably much better seating position. They do have some others from the Merryfair range at Mile End Furniture which also look reasonable. It's very hard until you actually see and try them in person. There's no stockist of them here in Sydney to my knowledge or I would have tested them.
Agree on the Ergohuman. Never been a fan of mesh seats, even the Aeron has this problem even though it is a great task chair otherwise. The Ergohuman puts me into a very uncomfortable position, that lowest bolster on the back is horrible for pelvic positioning IMO. Maybe it is just my fat arse causing that.
I tried almost all of them from mile end.
Nothing I say in was like omg yes…
No seat had 4d arm rests which I need due to playing controller under my desk and needing elbow width.
And all the components just felt really loose and cheap.
Yeah the secret lab is horrible for the body, but it's so well made. Its rock solid, epic components. Hence why I was drawn to the neue chair. But the reviews of the mesh sinking are terrible.
I'm going to buy the ONEX GTDV10E from Costco and they said if I don't like it just return it.
That's the only way I can actually test this one.
Before you do, try the Serati and see if that gives you the 'yes' moment. If not, go for the Onex.
Does anyone know of discount code for badbacks?
Have a look at Steelcase Leap V2s through used office furniture resellers. I picked up two of them at $750 each, only 2 years old.
Congratulations. You now understand that a chair that requires additional pillows to put you into a correct position is a bad chair.
First off - do not buy any chair that is not AFRDI endorsed (meaning it complies with AS/NZS 4438).
Secondly - your list of chairs is not good either. Unless you are buying highend Steelcase they are not worth it. Neue is just another Secretlab brand, and while they are better there is still the problem of a company that sold you two chairs that are not fit for anyone to sit on.
The best options for you:
Serati Pro @ $1100ish: https://seated.com.au/product/serati-high-back-chair-with-he… - just one of the resellers, I can suggest other resellers closer to you. Make sure you get the 'Pro Synchro' mechanism - it's worth the extra $50. Don't be tempted by the cheapest price on this chair as you will get the non-Pro mechanism. Also has pneumatic lumbar adjustment which is rare at the price.
Ranger Pro @ $800ish: https://www.badbacks.com.au/ranger-heavy-duty-chair - just one reseller. It's designed as a control center chair with 24x7 use. Tough as nails and will last, good for tall/heavy people.
RH New Logic 220 @ $2200: https://seated.com.au/product/rh-new-logic-220-executive-cha… - This is what I have with a back back and horrible posture. Mine is a full custom build with XL seat and non-standard upholstery. Comes with headrest but no armrests at this price. Best chair on the market, even comparing to Herman Miller (good chairs but the lack of headrest an issue for me). Has the same type of mechanism as the Serati Pro, making that a bargain.
I have recommended the Serati to others here, those that purchased it absolutely love it. Recommend that you get out and try some in person.