Spending 8 hours + a day in seated position may have negative impact on our health, especially if you sit in uncomfortable chair that doesn’t give you proper support.
Embody Chair by Herman Miller was designed to help people maintain good posture when they sit for many hours every day and minimize the negative effects of sitting like: lower back pain, sacrum pain, hip pain, impeded blood circulation in legs, numbness and cramps.
However, as every other model of Herman Miller ergonomic chair, the Embody is of course very expensive.
If you’re here, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on Embody, but you urgently need a good ergonomic office chair that will allow you to sit for many hours without any pain.
You can find few Herman Miller Embody alternatives on the market, but not every one of them is worth buying. So which one of the cheaper ergonomic office chairs is quality enough to be a good alternative for Embody? My answer is CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair.
What these two chairs have in common and what are the differences between them? What are the reasons to buy Herman Miller Embody and what may encourage you to purchase the cheap alternative (except for the price)? In this review you will find answers to all these questions. But let me start with a few words about Embody chair.
Herman Miller Embody has ingeniously designed backrest that user can make more flat or curved – so it could fit and properly support the natural curves of his spine. The ergonomic shape of this high-end chair and the backrest that adjusts to user’s spine make it perfect for people who suffer from back pain, have bad posture or simply want to avoid such problems.
Now let’s take a look at CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair. Of course Embody’s backrest design is an unique feature and we won’t find it on this affordable Herman Miller alternative (or any other chair, being precisely), but it has many fantastic feature that provide great comfort during long hours of sitting.
Differences Between Herman Miller Embody And Its Inexpensive Alternative
CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair feature skeletal back frame with S-shaped backrest and adjustable lumbar support which goes up and down. Although this cheap chair doesn’t have such an innovative and fancy backrest like Embody, it does provide good support for user’s lower back and helps him to sit in proper position.
Moreover, there is one feature that CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair has and Embody lacks! The former one has headrest which helps to minimize neck and shoulder tension. You can even adjust its height, angle and pivot it. The latter one doesn’t offer headrest (not even a sold separately one) and some customers complain about it. So when it comes to neck support this inexpensive chair wins over Embody. Of course the headrest on CMO chair is removable and you can even buy a version without it, if you want to save few dollars, but I think it’s good to have it to avoid neck strain and overload.
Another difference between these two chairs is the armrests adjustment. Embody has armrests that you can move up and down as well as move inwards and outwards. The inexpensive Embody alternative has only height-adjustable arms.
Both chairs have different design and fabrics on the seat and backrest. Of course Herman Miller Embody has top-quality breathable fabric that you won’t find on cheaper alternatives. However, the fabric on CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair is not bad either! Maybe it’s not that ingenious and sophisticated, but it’s still comfortable. The mesh backrest allows for good air flow so your back won’t sweat even if you spend several hours in this chair.
There is one more feature that differentiates these two models – CMO chair has a hanger on the back of the seat so you can hang on it your jacket or bag. It’s a quite useful feature. Embody doesn’t have it.
Similarities Between Herman Miller & CMO Ergonomic Chair
Herman Miller Embody and its low-budget alternative have adjustable seat depth. The former one allows you to lengthen or shorten the seat, while the latter one allows to slide the seat forward and backward, depending on the length of your legs.
Thanks to adjustable seat depth your thighs are properly supported, the edge of the seat doesn’t hurt the back of your knees and you can keep your knees at 90 degree angle. It’s good for your blood circulation and helps you to avoid numbness.
Other similarities include: adjustable chair height and reclining backrest.
Herman Miller Embody or its alternative – which one you should buy?
Both chairs have some similar and different features but they are both great for people who have back problems. Both these models provide good support for lower back, pelvic area and thighs. Embody, as well as it’s cheaper alternative have ergonomic shape that help user to maintain proper posture.
However, considering that there are many differences between these chairs, here are my tips on which one you should choose.
Herman Miller Embody has unique adjustable backrest that any other chair could offer you. It allows to adjust its curviness to your spine. According to many customers this backrest gives exceptional support and it has helped many people with back soreness. If you have problems with back or struggle with back pain for a long time this model will be a great choice.
If you don’t have back pain but would like to have a chair that will help you to keep the good posture and support your spine – choose the CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair. It’s also perfect choice for people who suffer from shoulder and neck pain as it has adjustable headrest.
Oh and there’s one more thing that may encourage you to buy Embody or a reason to buy CMO chair. Herman Miller Embody is great for people of different height (from 5’4’’ to 6’4’’), but rather not heavy or wide. On the other hand, CMO Ergonomic Mesh High-Back Ultra Computer Office Chair is most comfy for short and average in height users.
Also keep in mind that Herman Miller Embody Chair is available in dozens of color versions while its inexpensive alternative comes only in black.
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