I've Reviewed 100+ Chairs - Here's Why The Herman Miller Gaming Embody is STILL the Best Chair

Summary

In this in-depth review, the Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair is praised for its innovative design, blending flexible mesh and cushioning to provide exceptional comfort. The chair's backrest adapts to the user’s movements, while its unique seat structure molds to the body without hard edges. Despite these strengths, the reviewer points out a few drawbacks, such as the stiff lumbar pad and outdated armrests. Comparisons to other chairs like the Haworth Fern and Steelcase Carmen are made, but the Embody remains a top contender for its unmatched seat comfort and overall design.

Takeaways

• 😀 Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair is praised for its unique design, especially the hybrid material combining cushion and mesh, providing a superior comfort experience.
• 😀 The chair's backrest and seat are made with flexible, edge-to-edge material, allowing for a custom fit and offering more freedom of movement compared to traditional mesh chairs with hard edges.
• 😀 The Herman Miller Embody's design includes a thin backrest that promotes better airflow and prevents overheating, unlike traditional cushion chairs.
• 😀 The addition of the Atlas Headrest improves the chair's functionality, solving issues with head support and reducing discomfort for taller users who experience shoulder blade pressure from the backrest.
• 😀 One of the most notable flaws of the Embody is the lumbar pad, which feels stiff and uncomfortable for many users. This could be easily improved with additional cushioning or more adjustable options.
• 😀 The armrests of the Embody are outdated, lacking adjustability compared to newer designs like those on the remastered Aeron. An upgrade to more versatile armrests would improve user experience.
• 😀 Despite its flaws, the Embody remains a top contender due to its innovation, with no current competitors matching its level of edge-to-edge flexibility in the market.
• 😀 Asian-made chairs, while using mesh materials, often lack the innovation found in the Embody, as they rely on multiple moving parts and plastic components that increase wear and reduce comfort.
• 😀 Chairs like the Hworth Fern and Anthos chair are seen as innovative contenders to the Embody, with superior backrest designs and cushions, but they come with their own compromises (e.g., the Fern’s standard seat cushion).
• 😀 The Steelcase Carmen lineup stands out for its flexible plastic and mesh design, allowing for better body movement but still falling short in terms of cushion comfort compared to the Embody.
• 😀 The speaker plans to attend Neocon, a major design conference, in hopes of discovering new competitors to the Herman Miller Embody, with updates and future innovations to be explored.

Q & A

What makes the Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair stand out from other chairs?

The Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair stands out due to its innovative use of a hybrid cushion and pixelated mesh material that flexes and adapts to the body. Unlike typical mesh chairs, it provides edge-to-edge flexibility without the hard edges found in other chairs, offering a more comfortable and supportive experience.

How does the Embody Gaming Chair's backrest design contribute to comfort?

The backrest of the Embody is designed to mold to the user's body, with a flexible and bendy structure that adapts to every movement. It reduces heat buildup compared to traditional cushion chairs due to its thin design, allowing for better airflow and comfort.

What is the primary advantage of the Embody's mesh material?

The primary advantage of the Embody's mesh material is its ability to bend and flex according to the user's body without the hard edges that are typically found in traditional mesh chairs. This flexibility allows the chair to conform to various sitting positions, such as leg tucking or spreading, without discomfort.

What problem does the Atlas Headrest solve for the Embody Gaming Chair?

The Atlas Headrest addresses the issue of head and neck support, particularly when the user tilts the chair back. It helps support the head, preventing the head from floating uncomfortably while also mitigating discomfort caused by the inward curve at the top of the backrest, which could dig into the shoulders of taller users.

What is the biggest complaint users have about the Embody Gaming Chair?

The biggest complaint about the Embody Gaming Chair is its lumbar support pad, which many users find uncomfortable. The hard, stiff plastic lumbar pad in the bottom area of the chair is a point of criticism, and it's seen as an easy fix with more cushioning or adjustability.

How do the armrests on the Embody compare to other chairs?

The armrests on the Embody are considered outdated by some users. While they can be adjusted up and down as well as inwards and outwards, they lack the advanced adjustability features found in more modern chairs, such as the ability to move forward and backward or swivel. This is seen as a limitation for some users.

What other chair brands are innovating in ways similar to Herman Miller?

Other brands innovating in similar ways to Herman Miller include HÅWORTH, with its Fern chair, which offers a flexible backrest that competes with the Embody's backrest design. The Anthos chair is another contender, known for its exceptionally comfortable cushion, though its design aims to promote proper posture rather than relaxed sitting.

What design flaw does the Embody chair have that could be easily fixed?

Two main design flaws in the Embody chair could be easily fixed: the uncomfortable lumbar pad and the outdated armrests. The lumbar pad could be made smaller, cushioned more, or be made adjustable, while the armrests could be redesigned to offer more adjustability in terms of forward/backward movement and swiveled positioning.

Why does the reviewer consider Herman Miller's Embody unchallenged in the chair market?

The reviewer considers the Embody unchallenged due to its unmatched flexibility and comfort, specifically the pixelated mesh and hybrid cushion design. While other chairs, particularly from Asia, are focused on making good enough mesh chairs, they lack the innovation seen in the Embody, which remains the benchmark for ergonomic design and comfort.

What alternatives to the Herman Miller Embody are recommended in the script?

Alternatives recommended include the HÅWORTH Fern, which offers a flexible backrest design superior to the Embody, the Anthos chair with its incredible cushion comfort, and the Steelcase Carmen, which innovates on the mesh formula. Each chair offers its own unique features but none match the overall experience of the Embody in terms of flexibility and cushion comfort.