In their quest to produce the perfect office chair, both Herman Miller and Haworth have created two of the most popular chairs on the market: the Aeron and Zody. Both chairs are great options for long hours of sitting, praised for their ergonomic design, but which one is truly better? In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of each chair to help you decide which one is right for you.
First, we will take note of some key features of both chairs, including highlight dimensions, adjustability options, and lumbar support.
Then, we’ll provide our verdict on which chair is better for different types of users.
| Feature | Aeron Size A | Size B | Size C | Haworth Zody |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height (in) | 38.5 | 41 | 43 | 41.5 |
| Width (in) | 25.75 | 27 | 28.25 | 27 |
| Depth (in) | 16 | 16.75 | 18.5 | 29 |
| Seat Height (in) | 19 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 16″–21″ (Standard), 17.5″–24.5″ (Dual Posture) |
| Weight (lbs) | 40 | 41 | 43 | 19.8 |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 300 | 350 | 350 | 400 |
| Base Diameter (in) | 26.5 | 26.5 | 26.5 | – |
| Warranty | 12 years | 12 years | 12 years | 12 years |
| Price | N/a | Check | N/a | Check |
Herman Miller Aeron Pros:
-Ergonomic design reduces stress on the spine
-Adjustable lumbar support for optimal comfort
-3D Intelligent Suspension provides superior comfort and support
-Infinite tilt lock allows you to adjust the chair to your perfect reclining position
-Available in a variety of sizes to fit all body types
Haworth Zody Pros:
-Ergonomic design reduces stress on the spine
-8-way adjustable seat ensures a perfect fit for all users
-Advanced lumbar support system alleviates lower back pain
-5-star base with casters makes it easy to move around the office
-Available in a variety of colors and fabrics to match your office décor
Aeron vs Zody – compare the comfort
In terms of comfort, both chairs are pretty good. The Herman Miller Aeron comes with adjustable lumbar support and a 3D Intelligent suspension that provides a great level of comfort. The Haworth Zody, on the other hand, has an 8-way adjustable seat and an advanced lumbar support system that does a great job of alleviating lower back pain.
However, we have to take the win here. The Herman Miller Aeron just edges out the Haworth Zody in terms of comfort, mainly because of the infinite tilt lock feature that allows you to find your perfect reclining position.
Aeron vs Zody – which chair is more adjustable?
Both chairs are highly adjustable, but the Herman Miller Aeron takes the win here. The chair comes in a variety of sizes to fit all body types, and the lumbar support can be adjusted to provide optimal comfort. The Haworth Zody also has a variety of size options and an 8-way adjustable seat, but it doesn’t have quite as many adjustability options as the Aeron.
Only the height adjustment range of Aeron size B&C is 16″-20.5″, in this case, the Zody with a range of 16-21″ is a little bit better in this respect.
But other factors like PostureFit, Back Support, Back Styles (Mesh Back, Digital Knit Back, Back Jacket) or adjustability for people with different body types (S, M, L) give Aeron a clear advantage.
The showdown of the price
Zody is cheaper! That’s a pretty big price difference, and it’s one of the main reasons why the Aeron is considered to be a premium office chair.
Aeron vs Zody – compare the Materials and Finishes
The Materials of Aeron is Recycled Content – 93% (Post-Consumer + Post-Industrial). The upholstery is a blend of polyester (55%), rayon (43%), and spandex (2%). The frame is aluminum.
The Haworth Zody has a seat made with 100% post-consumer recycled polyester fabric. The back is 100% recycled polyester fabric. The frame is steel.
As we can see, both chairs have a lot of recycled content, but the Herman Miller Aeron has a higher percentage of recycled content overall.
How about weight capacity & the warranty
Both chairs come with a 12-year warranty, while the Haworth Zody has a max weight capacity is up to 400 lbs, better than the Aeron with 350 lbs max
So, which chair is better? For fat guys, they prefer the Zody, but for normal users, Herman Miller Aeron is the better choice.
Herman Miller Aeron vs Haworth Zody overall
For long hours of sitting, we prefer the Herman Miller Aeron for its comfort and adjustability. It’s also more expensive, but it’s a premium office chair that’s built to last. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, go with Zody, it’s also a great chair but not as comfortable as Aeron.
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