It might take you a week or two (maybe even a month) to get used to the Herman Miller Embody, but it’s well worth it. Its upright positioning supported my back and eased lingering back pain from sitting in a cheap gaming chair. The seat feels rigid at first but eventually becomes surprisingly pillowy, and the armrests stay firmly in place. It does a great job of whisking heat away from my body, though not as well as mesh backrests and seats. It’s one of the most adjustable chairs around: You can pull out the seat, change the height and angle of the armrests, and tweak the Backfit adjustment to follow your spine’s natural curve.
Did I mention it’s pretty? I’d argue this is one of the most eye-catching chairs around, especially with the rib-like design on the back. Not to mention it has a surprisingly small footprint. I know, I know, it’s incredibly spendy. But what’s amazing is that after I’ve spent nearly two years in this chair, it feels just as good as new, with barely any squeaks. Best of all, Herman Miller offers a 12-year warranty that covers every part of the chair, and it arrives completely assembled.
★ Another Luxe Chair: Steelcase’s Gesture ($1,159) is comfortable, no matter how you’re sitting. Tuck a leg under the other, cross your legs at the knee, or sling one over the armrest, and you’ll be fairly well-supported. The adjustments are nice, too—you have a wide range of motion to work with so the whole package ends up feeling precisely tailored to your body and posture. Unfortunately, the upholstered fabric hasn’t held up as well as the Embody, and it isn’t as breathable as other, cheaper chairs.