Aeron Chair vs Mirra 2 (2021): The Better Herman Miller Office Chair

A lot of us now spend a ton of time at home. However, that doesn’t mean that the world stops spinning. For most of us, either education or work goes on despite our long stays at home. Of course, this also means that you’ve been spending a lot of time on your office chair.

It should be said that not all office chairs are created equal. Though swivels and wheels are universal features, office chairs still differ in design. In particular, ergonomics plays a huge role when it comes to choosing a chair, especially because of the extended periods of time spent using it. In this comparison, we’ll take a look at Herman Miller’s Aeron and Mirra 2 chairs and see which one is the better choice for you.

Aeron vs Mirra 2 Comparison Chart

Ergonomics

Herman Miller takes great care to make sure its chairs are healthy for use.

Both Herman Miller products are made with ergonomics in mind. It shows in the adjustable lumbar support and armrests that are built into both chairs. There are, however, some product-specific designs aimed towards decreasing back strain and making an overall healthier product. For the Aeron, the design uses Pellicle, which is Herman Miller’s own mesh suspension system for the back rest. Pellicle was specifically made to eliminate pressure points in other office chair designs that restrict circulation. The newest Aeron models have 8Z Pellicle, with eight zones of different tensions specifically tweaked to make it as comfortable as possible for the user’s back. The PostureFit SL back pads, meanwhile, support the lumbar parts of your spine to emulate a healthier standing posture even while seated.

The Mirra 2 is just as impressively purposefully created for maximum support, though with different technology. The torsional flex capabilities of the chair comes from its Loop Spine design, while the tilting action that supports its adjustable recline is the company’s own Harmonic 2 design. The back rest itself is made with either Butterfly, which combines a layer of soft fabric with a polymer-veined frame, or TriFlex, which removes the fabric layer for easier cleaning. Just like the Aeron, its lumbar support is also PostureFit-based, focusing more this time on the sacral part of your back (which is a bit lower than the lumbar portion).

Design and Size

Both are made in collaboration with respected designers.

Being products of a company like Herman Miller, it’s expected that both chairs were designed by respected designer groups. The Aeron, a chair with almost three decades of production history, was modernized by Bill Stumpf in collaboration with the original co-designer Don Chadwick. The latest Aeron release accommodates an even wider range of sitting postures and activities. This may seem like overkill, but a quick review of how people usually sit will show that we don’t really stay static. From one minute of relaxed recline to the next where an intense focus on the job manifests in leaning forward closer to your desk or screen, the Aeron is flexible enough to remain a good support. One advantage that it has over the Mirra 2 is the multiple choices for size. Since the Aeron remains a popular product, it’s thoughtful of Herman Miller to avoid sitting on their laurels and still provide more tailored seating experiences to Aeron customers.

The Mirra 2, meanwhile, was designed by Studio 7.5 headed by Burkhard Schmitz and Carola Zwick. Their design philosophy of freedom and movement bleeds into the Mirra 2’s looks and feel. You’re free to choose what kind of back rest you want (between the Butterfly and TriFlex options), and there are a myriad of color choices available to match your office or study’s palette. Its sleek, sophisticated design is complemented by the wide variety of options you have for different textiles, spine colours, and base finishes that you can mix and match yourself.

Comfort and Quality

The designs of the two chairs ensure comfort for your back.

The Mirra 2 and the Aeron are both made of a combination of elastomeric polymers and polyesters, though in different percentages. This combination makes a balance between durability, lightness, and comfort possible. The Mirra 2’s surface is described as “dynamic”, almost hugging your body’s profile to provide comfort that’s top of the line. The two chairs both have adjustable reclining mechanisms that move smoothly, not in a staggered manner.

Both chairs are also well-ventilated, so you won’t have to worry about your back or your seat getting sweaty. The Aeron achieves this with its mesh back support, the Pellicle mentioned above, while the Mirra 2 has its many-holed polymer veined frame to thank for good ventilation.

Why Pick Herman Miller?

An office chair is an investment.

Though a significant price difference exists between the two chairs, it’s also worth noting that both products are probably more expensive than what most people are used to when it comes to office chairs. The question, then, is that how can Herman Miller justify the prices?

First off is the quality of their materials. As mentioned above, these are highly durable seats that, according to some online users, can last you more than ten years of continued regular use without much need for maintenance and repairs. The company itself is also a highly trusted American name. In fact, the people behind Herman Miller were the ones to conceptualize the whole “office cubicle” design. Ever since then, they’ve diversified into even gaming chairs and other furniture that aren’t necessarily business-related. With a long history of successful products and satisfied customers, buying a chair made by Herman Miller can’t be a bad thing.

Verdict

Both choices are great, but your needs will dictate which one you ultimately get.

For those with smaller or bigger than average frames, the best office chair choice would be the classic Aeron. Its three sizes ensure that you won’t find your chair too small or big. Combine this tailor-fit experience with its top-class ergonomic design and well-ventilated seating surface, and you’ve got a chair that will last your study a long time.

The Mirra 2‘s strength lies in its customizability. If you value office aesthetics but don’t want to sacrifice a healthy posture and functionality for it, then go for this chair. It has a broad variety of choices for colors and finishes, and both options for the back rest are comfortable enough to sit in for a whole day of work.

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