SET-UP

Like so many office chairs, there is some assembly required. The ErgoChair 2 arrives in one large box. Upon opening it, you will discover that all the pieces are nested nicely inside. I have put together my fair share of these types of chairs and felt that the set-up was pretty standard for an office chair. There weren’t any major surprises. The first step was to pull all the parts out and make sure they were included in the box like they were supposed to be. The instructions that were included were easy to follow and all the hardware and tools needed for assembly were included. On that note, I want to pause to mention a really cool tool that Autonomous included. It’s a hex tool, but it has an easy grip handle mounted at one end. It’s perfect for this type of furniture assembly and I hope that more manufacturers include it in the future.

During the set-up process, I got a really good look at the pieces and parts that were used to make this chair. For the most part, I was really impressed with the quality of the parts. I did notice that the wheels are made from plastic and not metal. Some of the gaming chairs I’ve run across lately are reinforced to handle the weight of larger people as well as the length of time they use the chairs. Those chairs have heavier duty wheels than the ErgoChair 2 does — they are larger, too. I also noticed that the wheelbase was made from heavy plastic and not metal. While it seems to be very thick, I do have concerns about how well it will hold up for long term use.

IMPRESSIONS

The very first thing I noticed was how good the chair looks. I thought it was the perfect compliment to the SmartDesk 2 that I have in my office. The color combination I chose was the Baby Blue, which is a cool, bright blue that really pops next to the white table top of the desk. When I sat down for the first time, it felt a little awkward. I was moving from a gaming chair to this ultra plush seat with a mesh back. It was an adjustment. Once I got acclimated to the new chair, I fell in love.

I love that it has a mesh back because it helps to keep my back cool. Since I sit at my desk for 8+ hours a day, comfort is a must and the mesh backing has really helped with regulating my body temperature as well as alleviating some back strain I had been experiencing with the gaming chair. The foam in the seat DOES keep its shape. The seat from the gaming chair was supportive, but I didn’t feel as supported as I do with the ErgoChair 2. The foam wraps around you and is just like sitting on a cloud.

The padding on the armrests is good, too. There are some armrests that are h a rd plastic, but these are firm and soft. The adjustable headrest is also awesome. It will not only allow users to lay their head back, but it will also prop it forward, too.

For all the things I love about this chair there are a couple of things that I don’t like. First, the armrest doesn’t exactly lock into place. It is fully articulating so you can move it to just the right spot for comfort, but because it does that, you can easily get your fingers caught beneath it. One day, I was sitting at my desk and had gripped the armrest with my finger resting beneath the pad. As I got up from the chair and pushed away, the armrest moved backward and nearly cut my fingertip. I would recommend being aware of your movements while in the chair and will hope that Autonomous might adjust this in the future.

Next, the adjustment levers are wonderful for customizing the feel of your chair, but they can be confusing since there are so many of them. Additionally, if my daughter (or anyone else) sits in my chair and adjusts something, there is no option for ‘return to setting’ like there is on the SmartDesk 2. Finally, I wasn’t happy to find that the chair doesn’t recline 100%. This really isn’t a fault in design though since it’s a chair and not a couch. I have had gaming chairs that recline completely and I found that was a nice way to relax while seated at my desk.

FINAL THOUGHTS

As far as comfort, well that’s totally subjective. The ErgoChair for me and keep in mind that I’m coming from a cheaper brand of gaming chair, is very comfortable. It did take me a bit of fiddling with the controls to get the chair adjusted where I wanted it. Now, I think I have it perfect. Long sessions at the PC are no longer cause pain. The mesh back and headrest ensure that I stay cool while gaming or writing. I like how easy it is to tip the back of the chair back although sometimes I do feel that I’m about to fall over because of the tension on the back. Again, it will take a little getting used to. The lumbar support works well for me. With my back against the chair back, it gives me support where I need it. The adjustable headrest is nice too. It has tilt as well as height adjustments. The adjustable depth for the seat is another plus. The seat itself is plush and has just the right amount of support and give for comfortable sessions.

If you’re interested in one, check it out here. 

Autonomous Ergochair 2