Deciding on the right task chair is kind of a big deal. After all, more and more research is telling us that our health and productivity are at major risk in the wrong chair. But so many of the top ergonomic task chairs are advertised as a “great fit for all types of users.” This may be true, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right chair for you. There is a lot to consider when trying to find your comfort zone in the right task chair. Simply testing out some chairs can give you a great idea of which one you’ll be able to sit in for hours a day, but it does’t hurt to know a little bit about the chair and how it matches up against other competitors. This post compares the Steelcase Criterion and the Herman Miller Ergon, two popular task chairs from two very popular brands in the office furniture industry.
[wpcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]Herman Miller Ergon
Bill Stumpf’s original design of the HM Ergon was popular early on with NASA engineers and air traffic controllers because the chair accommodated the way they actually sat during long days at the computer and not how they should be sitting. The Ergon 2 was then introduced about 11 years later with extra refinements focused on people who sit for hours on end. The final version, Ergon 3, is not too different in that it incorporates the original key elements that made the chair so successful, while adapting to the changing workplace today. It accommodates a larger variety of people and activities that they perform throughout the day.
FEATURES
- Seat Height
- Tilt Tension
- Tilt Lock
- Forward Tilt
- Arm Height
- Arm Width
- Arm Angle
- Back Height
- Back Angle
Arm width, as well as seat, arm and back height, are all simple, but crucial adjustments that allow users to set their chair in sync with their natural seated body position based on the height and width of their torso, length of their arms and legs, etc. They accommodate various desk heights and work areas with the flexibility to easily be altered at any time. Tilt tension and lock enable the user to change the stability of their back seat when reclining. When it is increased, the user will have more resistance when reclining and vice versa. Forward tilt is great for high intensity work. It provides the user the opportunity to position his or herself in response to how they may be realistically working at different times, whether or not they should be. Lastly, to support your spine’s natural curve, you can slant the chair back to your desired position with back angle.
Comfort & Aesthetics
This chair is aesthetically pleasing with a simple design that matches all types of office environments. Its thick, plush cushioned seat and high back provide maximum comfort and relieve high pressure off the back and legs. The waterfall front releases any additional pressure under the legs, beneath your thighs. When the user leans back, the front of the seat remains stationary, so your feet stay on the floor, minimizing the pressure on your body. The arm rests are also designed for comfort with soft, cantilevered arm pads.
Eco-Friendly
All die-cast aluminum and steel components are made from recycled material and can be recycled after its lifespan.
[/wpcol_1half] [wpcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]Steelcase Criterion
The Steelcase Criterion is the chosen office chair of millions of people around the world. It was designed with the goal to fit the most extensive range of body types and workday activities that a variety of users may require. It highly-emphasizes the importance of comfort and having support no matter what task you’re performing or how you’re performing it. Whether you are in the upright position, reclining, or leaning forward at your desk, the chair is designed to provide unwavering support.
FEATURES
- Variable back stop
- Adjustable back tension
- Seat angle adjustment
- Pneumatic seat height
- Adjustable back height
- Adjustable seat depth (optional)
Arm Options
- Height-width-pivot-adjustable arms
- Height-width-adjustable arms
- Height-adjustable arms
- Fixed arms
- Armless
Seven different adjustments work independently of one another toward accommodating a variety of dynamic postures of a user. Aside from the adjustments such as seat angle, tension, seat height and variable back stop (similar to tilt lock) that were also available on the Ergon, the Criterion has some other options to help users find their comfort zone in their chair. Users can actually choose to change the height of the back of their chair as well, so that the seat back can match and fit the curvature of the spine, no matter how high the seat is. This is useful when using lower desk surfaces or you have a shorter user who will adjust the seat lower. Another optional feature is seat depth which means the chair can be adjusted horizontally forward and backward to alter the distance from the seat back. This works well with various body types who may need different degrees of support at different depths.
Comfort & Aesthetics
The Criterion has soft curves and a thick, soft cushioning like the Ergon. The Criterion, however, stands out from other task chairs as the workhorse for its durability in demanding work environments. It can accommodate up to 300 pounds.
Eco-Friendly
The Criterion is engineered for a long life, made with 16% recycled content. It has been certified through various sustainability classifications.
[/wpcol_1half_end]If sustainability is important to your business, EthoSource remanufactures and sells high-quality, top-name chairs like these, helping the environment and saving you money on a high-end, professional office design. We refurbish any fabrics and arm pads that we see fit or that the customer would like customized with their choice fabric. This allows us to recycle the frames of the chair (and cubicles), which are the most durable and resourceful part of the furniture, while making the furniture look like new again. See our selection of pre-owned and refurbished office chairs. For all other new, pre-owned and refurbished office furniture, check out our website!