The 6 Best Eames Chair Replicas

Best Eames Chair Replica

It has been, perhaps, the single most iconic piece of furniture on the market over the past 65 years. Known for its plush leather seat, dark grainy wood shell, and that office-chair-like metal base, the Eames Lounge Chair has withstood the test of time and remains a favorite furniture piece among designers and those simply wanting to relax after a long day.

One thing that hasn’t changed over the past six decades is the big price tag attached to this chair. So, as you can imagine, there have been plenty of Eames chair replicas made over the years, some of which start at those lower price points.

We’ve decided to dig into the best Eames replicas on the market that offer you a ton of value while keeping your living room looking oh-so-stylish.

The Best Eames Chair Replicas


TOOMOO Leather Recliner with Ottoman – Best Value

Our Pick
TooMoo Mid Century Lounge Chair
$7.99 ($7.99 / Count)
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03/10/2024 05:34 pm GMT

At first glance, the TOOMOO Leather Recliner with Ottoman looks like an authentic Eames Lounge Chair.

That is until you look at its price tag.

This recliner is one of the best value Eames replicas you can buy today. As a result, it has received several high-quality reviews, praising it for its comfort and build quality.

TOOMOO is an online furniture manufacturer that sells its products on Amazon and eBay. Most of its products ship from the United States.

Here are some specifications on the chair you should know:

  • Weight capacity. This recliner can handle up to 300lbs.
  • Fast shipping. Authentic Eames Lounge chairs take time to be custom built. This lounge change can be on your doorstep in two days.
  • Great materials. The cushions and ottoman are made using genuine leather. The wood backing with a high density eight-layer laminated wood, which mimics the Eames plywood backing nicely. And the legs are made using a high quality aluminum.

There are a lot of things we like about the TOOMOO Leather Recliner.

First, the leather is extremely soft, which is a little surprising after you see the price tag on this chair. The manufacturer has clearly done a great job at sourcing high quality leather at an affordable price.

While the wood is not plywood, like an authentic Eames Lounge Chair, the eight-layer laminated wood looks and feels very real.

The measurements of this chair are nearly identical to Herman Miller’s Eames original chair.

Keep in mind that, like a real Eames Lounge Chair, TOOMOO’s replica version is very heavy, which can make assembling the chair a little difficult. Try and build it with another person to make things easier. Even with an extra person, it’s going to take you an hour or two, on average, to fully construct this chair.

If you are on the larger side, you may find this chair a little bit too narrow for sitting.

If you’re looking for an Eames replica that can arrive at your home in a short amount of time, you can’t go wrong with this option from TOOMOO. 

1-Inch Home Lounge Chair Indoor Recliner w/ Ottoman

1Inch Home Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman
$9.99 ($1.00 / Count)
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03/11/2024 01:25 am GMT

Made using 8 layers of plywood, the 1-Inch Home Lounge Chair Indoor Recliner and matching Ottoman is a great Eames replica chair that not only comes in four different styles, but is pretty durable for a replica chair.

Made using 8 layers of plywood, the 1-Inch Home Lounge Chair Indoor Recliner and matching Ottoman is a great Eames replica chair that not only comes in four different styles, but is pretty durable for a replica chair.

That durability starts with the 8-layer plywood shell, which is built to handle a person who weighs 330lbs. Many replica Eames Lounge Chairs only use 7-layer plywood, which limits their weight capacity to about 300lbs.

Like the real thing, the 1-Inch Home Lounge Chair naturally reclines at a 15-degree angle. But unlike the authentic Eames, this chair also reclines back. The original Eames Lounge Chair doesn’t recline. It only swivels, while remaining in that comfortable 15-degree recline angle.

This chair is competitively priced, which is a big reason why it has garnered such positive reviews. Owners have raved about the quality of the chair and ottoman, along with its relatively quick shipping times.

The leather seat is made using top grade cowhide and each piece is inspected by quality control to ensure its quality material.

Like the authentic Eames, the 1-Inch Home also uses aluminum legs for its base.

In terms of its ease of assembly, the 1-Inch Home Lounge Chair is supposed to come with all of the hardware and necessary tools, in addition to holes being pre-screwed. Being that this chair is mass-produced, quality can slip at times. Some owners complained about not receiving any directions in the box or screw holes not entirely finished. The base can also be tricky to put in and might require the use of a soft mallet.

If everything is in the box, though, expect to spend about 15 minutes assembling this chair.

The 1-Inch Home falls just above the budget category when it comes to price, making it a very competitive and attractive option for those shopping for a replica Eames lounger. 


LAFII.T Full Mid Century Lounge Chair & Ottoman

LAFII.T Mid Century Lounge Chair
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As you look through these replica Eames Lounge Chairs, they all might start looking the same until you come across to the LAFII.T Full Mid Century Lounge Chair & Ottoman, which comes in more than a dozen color options, including some pretty flashy colors.

And while this may feel like the wrong move for a manufacturer that’s trying to imitate a high-end furniture company, they’re not far off. Herman Miller actually now sells the Eames Lounge Chair in a variety of color options as well.

The most noticeable color option involves white leather and a lighter-colored wood, which really stands out. Other options include a more traditional black leather, and also a very nice looking red leather. There’s also a mocha brown option and a dark brown option paired with a light walnut shell.

Here’s a little more on the chair itself:

  • It can support up to 330lbs.
  • It features the same wide armrests as the Eames Lounge Chair.
  • It’s not made of plywood. Instead it uses a cheaper laminated wood.
  • It’s built with the same 15-degree recline angle as the authentic Eames chair.
  • It can swivel a full 360 degrees, just like the original Eames chair.

While it shares a lot of similar qualities to the Eames Lounge Chair, there are some noticeable differences. The laminated wood, for instance, is quite noticeable and doesn’t look as high quality as a seven- or eight-layer plywood.

Next are the cushions. They’re relatively comfortable, but not amazing. They also can’t be removed for cleaning, like you could with an authentic Eames chair.

While the LAFII.T chair is tough to come by, it is, on average, shipping in about three to seven days, which is pretty fast.

The chair ships in two separate boxes. An instruction manual will be in one of those boxes.

Rimdoc Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman- Editor’s Choice

Premium Pick
Rimdoc Mid Century Lounge Chair
$20.00
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03/10/2024 10:20 pm GMT

When it comes to top replicas of Eames Lounge Chairs, it’s hard to beat the Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Rimdoc.

Without giving it a close look, you’d think you’re seeing a real, $6,000 Herman Miller chair. Luckily, this one costs a fraction of the price.

Here’s what else you should know about this chair:

  • Luxury materials. The leather is genuine and the removable cushion features a thicker sponge that allows you to really sink in, but still experience some firmness. The plywood shell is nearly flawless.
  • Durable. It can accommodate people up to 330lbs, which should be perfect for most. If you’re taller than 6 feet 3 inches, you might find this chair a little small, but still nice for sitting. Anyone taller than 6 feet 8 inches may not be able to comfortably sit in it.
  • Great packaging. The chair arrives in two well-packed boxes that protect it nicely. If you happen to run into any quality control issues (scratched leather, dented wood shell, etc.) make sure to save the boxes and pack things up as they arrive.

As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into when it comes to an Eames Lounge Chair replica, you should love this chair. It features the same 15 degree recline angle and the 360 degree swivel.

It is a little lower to the ground than an authentic Eames, but it’s not terribly noticeable. Like most replicas – and the authentic – you can’t adjust the height on these chairs.

Genniyz Mid-Century Lounge Chair & Ottoman – Premium Pick

Genniyz Mid Century Lounge Chair
$18.99
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03/10/2024 08:54 pm GMT

The Eames Lounge Chair has become such an iconic piece of furniture that it now even has premium versions of its replicas. The Genniyz Premium Mid-Century Lounge Chair & Ottoman is our “high-end” pick, but we use that word loosely, as it’s still nowhere near the price of Herman Miller’s original design.

Genniyz made this chair to near specifications of the Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair:

  • 35.5 inches long
  • 35 inches wide
  • 32 inches tall

The ottoman is 27 inches long X 21 inches wide X 16 inches tall.

Genniyz went above and beyond on every little detail of this chair, including its wood shell. Made using 7-ply of real wood grain veneer, this shell was kiln-dried to prevent warping or cracking.

It’s upholstered with a buttery soft full-grain aniline leather that’s imported from Italy. The company claims it’s the highest grade and most high quality leather available, which should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, the moment you feel and sit in this chair, it does have a premium feel to it.

Genniyz even included the rubber shock mounts underneath the armrests that you can find on the Herman Miller original. Those mounts really add to the overall comfort of the chair.

And like a Herman Miller original, this lounger includes five legs on the chair and four on the ottoman.

Instead of aluminum, like the original Eames, Genniyz went with a stainless steel frame, which makes it a little heavier, but adds to its durability.

Some owners have said the chair comes a little firm out of the box, but over time becomes more plush.

If you’re looking for other colors, like brown or tan seats, you’re out of luck. The Genniyz chair sticks to the original Eames Lounge Chair by only offering the same black leather over natural plywood shell look.

Putting this chair together is also quite easy and should only take you about 15 minutes. 

Furgle Mid-Centure Lounge Chair & Ottoman

Best Value
Furgle Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman
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From its 15-degree tilt angle to the wide armrests and gorgeous finishes, the Furgle Lounge Recliner Chair and Ottoman is another great Eames Lounge Chair replica that won’t break your budget.

In terms of materials, the Furgle matches up nicely with the Herman Miller original:

  • Top grain leather, but only available in black.
  • 7-layer plywood.
  • Aluminum base and legs.

What’s most impressive is the weight capacity. Most Eames Lounge Chair replicas top out at about 300lbs. But the Furgle option supports people who are 330lbs. Now, if you’re a taller individual, this may not be the chair for you. Eames Lounge Chairs are most comfortable for those under 6 feet 4 inches tall.

A few downsides of this chair:

  • It’s on the firmer side of sitting, but some owners have reported that eases up after a few months of use.
  • Some owners complained it can be a little squeaky as you steadily rock back and forth in it. Others have said a little WD-40 on the joints of the base solves this issue.
  • The proportions for lumbar support may not be the most accurate. Of course, this also depends on how big or small you are.

Like any replica maker that’s selling furniture at prices that feel too good to be true, there is a higher chance of defects and poor manufacturing. Some owners have reached out to Furgle to let them know about quality inconsistencies and, thankfully, the company is open to replacing either the chair or the ottoman if that is the case. So, make sure to keep your box intact when you unpack this chair, just in case you need to ship it back.

Most importantly, this is a super stylish chair. While Eames are really comfortable, many times, they’re found in a den or home office instead of a living room because they’re more for interior design purposes. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, then do so on a budget with this replica option.

What is an Eames Lounge Chair?

The original Eames Lounge Chair is quite possibly the most iconic chair ever made.

Officially known as the Eames Lounge Chair, this piece of furniture includes the actual chair, which is made of molded plywood and leather, and an ottoman made of the same materials.

This original design was released in 1956 by designers Charles and Ray Eames for the popular Michigan-based Herman Miller furniture company. When it debuted, one reviewer called it, “a special refugee from the strains of modern living.”

The chair’s leather seat is super plush, allowing you to sink in the moment you sit down. It’s great for entertaining, because if you’re sitting in a room with people around you, the chair includes a swivel base, allowing you to see the entire room.

But most importantly, it has remained in continuous production for the past 65 years – a real testament to its popularity and timelessness.

Today, you can custom order an Eames Lounge Chair directly from Herman Miller, but with way more options than what was offered back in the 1950s. Those options include a host of different colored leather options and “shell” options, which is the plywood bottom.

And, as we mentioned, there are several replica chairs that have hit the market over the years. Use this list to find the best replica for your home so you don’t have to worry about dishing out the big bucks for an authentic Eames Lounge Chair. Some of these replicas are quite good, too. So good, that we’re guessing your friends and family won’t even really notice the difference.

Why Should You Consider an Eames Lounge Chair Replica?

While we would all love to own an authentic Eames Lounge Chair by Herman Miller, not everyone has the budget for luxury furniture.

An authentic Eames Lounge Chair by Herman Miller starts at about $5,000 and, depending on your customization options, can increase to about $6,800. At that price point, the original Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair is really only for wealthy individuals who don’t mind dropping several thousand dollars on a single piece of furniture.

Even if you do have the five or six grand saved up to by an Eames Lounge Chair, you might feel more comfortable purchasing a replica version of this popular chair so if you spill anything on it or damage it slightly, you won’t feel as bad doing so on a chair that costs you under $1,000. Most sell between $800 and $1,500.

And then there are shipping times. An authentic Eames Lounge Chair can take more than 20 weeks to make and ship. Most replica models can be on your doorstep in about a week or so.

Thankfully, there are a handful of replica Eames Lounge Chair options for all kinds of budgets, so you can bring that modern, beautiful piece of furniture into your living room or den.

Choosing the Best Eames Chair Replica – What to Look For


There are several elements you need to consider when shopping for the best Eames Chair replica, from build quality to the number of legs, to the comfort and ease of assembly.

Use this buyer’s guide to find the Eames Lounge Chair replica that fits your budget and style.  

Design

Obviously, you want your replica to look like a genuine Eames Lounge Chair. Here are some general things to look for while shopping for a replica Eames Chair when it comes to design:

  • Leather seat. This is a biggie. Your replica should be designed as a leather seat and, preferably, real high-grade leather. Many replicas source their leather from Italy.
  • Wide armrests. There are a lot of distinctive characteristics of an Eames Lounge Chair, including the wide armrests. They’re a little more than 1 foot wide and look like little pillows that wrap around the arm of a chair.
  • Recline. An authentic Eames features a recline angle of 15 degrees. Many replicas match that angle. Some actually allow you to recline further, something an authentic Eames doesn’t do.
  • Wood shell. Preferably, you want a seven- or eight-layer plywood shell. Some replicas opt for a cheaper laminated wood instead to save on cost. That not only impacts the design, but also the durability.
  • Metal legs. You want to find legs made of aluminum, but the number of legs is even more important. An authentic Eames Lounge Chair features five legs; the ottoman features four. 

Build Quality

There are three main pieces to look at when examining the build quality of a replica Eames Lounge Chair.

Leather Quality

Look for words like, “high-grade,” when researching the leather on your replica chair. Some manufacturers will tell you where they source the leather as well. Italy is a great place for sourcing high-quality leather.

Wood Quality

Plywood is the preferred wood for the shell of your chair. A replica chair that features a seven- or eight-layer plywood is durable and looks great.

Hardware

This is extremely important because if you buy a replica chair with shoddy hardware, it’s not going to hold up. Unfortunately, it’s also difficult to research which chair comes with the best hardware. Do as much research as you can to figure out if there are any quality control issues with the hardware before making your purchase.

Price

If price wasn’t an issue, you likely wouldn’t be shopping for a replica Eames Lounge Chair. So, how much should you pay for one of these replicas?

For the most part, you should be able to score a quality replica Eames for under $1,000. There are a few models that just hit that $1,000 mark, but for $200 or $300 more than most replicas, you’re not really getting a much higher quality product.

Also be weary of super cheap models. If you find a replica under $500, for example, it’s probably not as high quality as most replicas on the market today. There’s also a chance it’s not going to look like the chair in the photo and it may not assemble correctly.

While replicas don’t cost $6,000, spending $700-$1,000 still isn’t chump change. Make sure to do your research, read reviews and understand all return policies before making your purchase.

Manufacturer & Place of Origin

Most of these replica chairs are made overseas, but distributed from warehouses in the U.S.

This isn’t a big deal. Like anything mass produced, there are going to be occasional quality control issues, but for the most part, you’re still getting a high-quality product.

One of the reasons Herman Miller chairs are so expensive is because they’re custom made by hand. Manufacturers of replica models use machines in a factory to build the chairs. 

Comfort

There are two points to keep in mind when it comes to the comfort of a replica Eames Lounge Chair:

  • Height. Some replica models come in a “tall” version, designed for, well, taller people. A standard Eames Lounge Chair can comfortably accommodate someone who’s no taller than 6 feet 4 inches tall – and that’s really pushing it. The taller version is a little longer in the seat, making it more enjoyable for taller people.
  • Cushion. This is very important. A manufacturer can use the highest quality of leather, but if the cushion sponge isn’t very plush, it’s not going to be a comfortable chair. You want something that you can sink into, but that still offers a little bit of support. Often, a chair comes to your doorstep a little firm, but does ease up over time.

Size

For the most part, replica Eames Lounge Chairs are all about the same size, give or take an inch in either direction.

Here are the typical dimensions of a replica Eames Chair

  • Height: 33 inches
  • Seat Height: 15.7 inches 
  • Width: 33 inches 
  • Depth: 35.4 inches

Technically, an authentic Eames Lounge Chair should be as wide as it is deep, making a perfect square.

Assembly

Assembly is hit and miss across the replica Eames Lounge Chair market.

For the most part, you can assemble a replica chair in about 15-20 minutes. It’s also easier if you have a second person helping you, because these chairs are pretty heavy.

Since replica chairs are mass produced, quality control when it comes to assembly isn’t always the best. Sometimes, it’s something as simple as the instruction manual wasn’t included in the box. Other times, it’s more difficult, like a screw hole wasn’t completed on the bottom of the chair, making it difficult to screw in.

Sometimes, the base of the chair won’t fit perfectly into the seat. Some owners reported having to use a rubber mallet to get things put together.

Again, though, you can likely get one of these chairs put together fairly quickly. While it’s annoying, if pieces are missing, you can always return it or reach out to the company to have them send you the pieces.

Shipping

Shipping times are pretty important for shoppers today – especially with more people working from home. An authentic Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair can take 20+ weeks to build and ship to your home, which is nearly half a year!

Thankfully, many replicas are mass produced, which allows relatively quick shipment times that range anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

You also want to know that your chair is arriving in good condition. Make sure to check reviews on all replica chairs and search for things like packaging quality.

Also note that many of these chairs will arrive in two boxes, but the assembly instructions will only be included in one of those boxes.

Finally, if your chair is damaged, you’ll want to make sure you saved not only the box, but also the packaging material so you can ship it back safely.

Warranty

As you can imagine, an authentic Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair comes with a great, 12-year warranty. If something falls apart and breaks from normal wear, the company will replace it.

The same can’t be said for replica models. Most distributors of replica models don’t offer a true warranty. Instead, they allow you to simply return the chair after you receive it because you either, 1) don’t like it, or 2) it arrived broken.

Keep in mind that many sellers of these replica lounge chairs say they offer a warranty, but offer no official policy.

While this might sound a little concerning, it’s not totally out of the ordinary. It’s pretty rare for a furniture company to offer a warranty. Herman Miller offers it because they understand their customers are dropping several thousand dollars for a chair.

Because you can purchase a replica for about a tenth of the price of an authentic model, it’s pretty much assumed you’re not worried about sending this back for replacement after a few years.

FAQs


Who makes the best Eames lounge chair replica?

It’s difficult to determine who makes the best of anything when it comes to furniture, as it often comes down to personal preference, but there are a couple of front runners when it comes to Eames Lounge Chair replicas.

  • TOME Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman: It’s a great replica in terms of quality, comfort and price.
  • TOOMOO Leather Recliner with Ottoman: You can’t beat the value of this chair.

Are Eames replica chairs comfortable?

Eames replica chairs certainly can be comfortable. While the materials and construction quality may not be as good as an authentic Eames Lounge Chair, replicas can still be relatively expensive pieces of furniture with a quality that will last for a long time.

In terms of comfort, many replicas have taken some liberties with the design of the original Eames to make them even more comfortable. Specifically, many manufacturers have allowed the chair to recline, which can make it those lazy Sundays even more comfortable. Note that an authentic Eames Lounge Chair doesn’t recline.

Many replica makers have also included oversized cushions on the chair to make them more plush and accommodate larger people.

There are likely some very cheap replicas on the market that aren’t so comfortable, so make sure to do your homework before purchasing one.

How can you tell a real Eames chair from a fake?

There are a handful of things you can look at on an Eames Lounge Chair to determine if it’s authentic or if it’s fake.

The label

  • The brand label. For about 20 years, Herman Miller put its logo on a black rectangular label with rounded corners on the bottom of the chair. The color in the 1990s was changed to silver.
  • Metal disc. Authentic Eames Lounge Chairs also include the Herman Miller logo on a metal disc that’s attached to the bottom of the chair and ottoman.
  • Paper label. While this piece often falls off, on the bottom should be a paper label that’s signed to prove it’s an authentic Eames Lounge Chair. That paper includes the patents secured for the chair.

Base

An authentic Eames Lounge Chair comes with five legs on the base of the chair and four legs on the base of the ottoman. The legs on both are slightly angled.

Here are a few other things to look for:

  • The chair needs to be able to swivel 360 degrees.
  • It doesn’t recline. Many replicas now recline. An authentic Eames Lounge Chair is set at a permanent 15-degree angle.
  • The feet of the chair and ottoman base are made of a special kind of rubber that have a “Domes of Silence” marking on them.
  • The end of each aluminum leg is around – no square.

Cushions

The seat cushion is the same exact size as the ottoman – and they are interchangeable. Also, each Eames Lounge Chair comes with 6 inches of padding. Of course, these cushions are always leather.

Dimensions

An easy way to determine an authentic Eames Lounge Chair is to measure the dimensions. Here’s what they should be:

  • 32 inches tall (from the floor to the headrest)
  • 15” off the ground (from the floor to the edge of the seat)
  • 32.75” wide (the chair is as wide as it is long – measure from each outer edge)

Why is the Eames chair so expensive?

It’s so expensive because of the quality of its materials and its incredible build quality, where you don’t see any visible fasteners or screws. When first released, the Eames Lounge Chair was a modern marvel. It was the first piece of furniture to mold plywood and combine it with leather in a way that had never been seen before.

Today, it’s now considered an icon piece of furniture, which adds to its demand. It’s no different than Tiffany & Co. charging $10,000 for a diamond ring when you can get the same quality diamond and setting for a lesser price, but without the Tiffany brand name.

As a result, the Herman Miller company believes it can still sell the chair and ottoman set for more than $5,000 and continue to consistently make money off it.

Are Eames Chairs Still Made?

Yes, Eames Chairs are still made today. Despite being introduced in 1956, Eames Lounge chairs are still produced today with very little changes to the overall design and construction. You can find brand new Eames Lounge chairs on Herman Miller’s website or on Design Within Reach.