IKEA Markus Office Chair Review

Although it’s a pain to build some of it, you generally like the quality and craftsmanship of IKEA furniture. Since you’re on the hunt for a new office chair, you figured you’d look into IKEA’s options, specifically the Markus chair.

If you’re unsure whether the IKEA Markus is the right office chair for you, this guide will help you make up your mind. Ahead, I’ll provide full specs for the Markus as well as features, pricing, and shipping details so you can make a purchasing decision with confidence! 

IKEA Markus Review Highlights

The IKEA Markus is an office chair with a mesh back, a plush seat, and curvy solid armrests. You can adjust its angle and height to get more of your work done. Powder-coating lends this office chair great durability. 

What We Liked

• The IKEA Markus is built for breathability with mesh throughout. 
• Its tall back with a plush headrest can support taller users.
• The Markus has a stately look that will surely turn heads.
• Polyurethane foam in the seat is plush and comfortable. 
• IKEA offers a 10-year warranty for the Markus. 

What We Didn’t Like

• The Markus doesn’t have a ton of adjustment options, as you can only set the seat angle and the chair height. 
• This office chair has only basic ergonomics. 
• The armrests are stationary; you can’t even raise or lower them. 

IKEA Markus Review: Specifications and Features

Allow me to provide more information on the IKEA Markus by diving into the multitude of features available with this office chair as well as its specs. 

Sturdy Skeleton

The base of the Markus is tough. The back bar is steel with polyester and an epoxy powder coat. The five-star base is lightweight yet strong aluminum with polyester that is also finished with an epoxy powder coating. The seat frame of the Markus is built from molded eucalyptus plywood. 

Breathable Mesh

Mesh has become the seatback material of choice for many office chairs. If you work a strenuous job or live in a warm climate, you’ll appreciate the breathability of mesh. The material allows perspiration to pass through the chair while cool air can easily enter so you feel comfortable all day long.

With fewer distractions, you should be able to check off more on your long to-do list. 

Tall Seatback 

I find the seatback of the IKEA Markus one of its most appealing features because it’s quite tall. If you’re on the taller side yourself, you might struggle to find an office or gaming chair that fits your stature. The Markus should.

The taller seatback allows for more mesh throughout. Atop the tall back is a plush headrest cushion in the same plush material as the seat. 

Soft Seating

What is that plush seat material, you ask? The Markus is outfitted in polyester. The color of the polyester is a black and gray blend that is at once timeless yet modern. Whether you work in a standard office or yours is a more colorful place, the Markus will fit right in.

Underneath the polyester material is a thick layer of polyurethane foam. 

Included Lumbar Support

Sitting down all day in one position can sure put a strain on your neck and back. That’s why the IKEA Markus includes a lumbar support feature for less pain. 

Safety Caster Wheels

If your job has you going back and forth between your desk and the filing cabinet, you’ll quite appreciate the five caster wheels attached to the IKEA Markus. They’re safety casters that include a brake mechanism with pressure sensitivity. 

According to IKEA, when you sit or stand, the amount of pressure changes. The pressure releases each time you sit and then increases when you stand. 

The combo of polyethylene and polypropylene plastic is built tough to keep your wheels rolling all day long. 

Striking Armrests 

The armrests of the Markus further define this office chair’s unique profile with their curved shape. They feature a polypropylene padded layer to support your forearms or elbows as you work. 

Adjustments

The IKEA Markus is adjustable in two ways. You can tilt the chair and then lock it into place. You can also set the seat height. 

Dimensions	Depth: 23 5/8 inchesWidth: 24 3/8 inchesHeight: 50 ¾ inches to 55 1/8 inches Seat height: 18 1/8 inches to 22 ½ inchesSeat depth: 18 ½ inches
Product Weight	49.7 pounds
Material	Epoxy, aluminum, molded eucalyptus, polyurethane foam, polypropylene plastic, steel
Weight Capacity	242 pounds, 8 ounces

IKEA Markus Review: Our Insights

Next, I want to provide some insights into the IKEA Markus that can further help with your purchasing decision. 

Build Quality

The build quality of the Markus, for what it’s priced, is good. Its five-star aluminum base with powder-coating is lightweight enough that you can roll your chair freely yet tough to stand up to everyday wear and tear.

The mesh back is a good inclusion, and the safety casters will help you feel in control all day long. Yet the seat could be better, I thought. Polyurethane foam is cheap and not that high-quality, so the lower half of your body could end up achy if you use this office chair for long enough.

The Markus also includes a polyester seat and headrest. Polyester is only so-so compared to all the textiles an office chair could utilize. 

Ergonomics

The lumbar support is built into the Markus. It should be adjustable so you can customize the level of comfort you need each day. That said, the lumbar support is the only ergonomics feature in this office chair.

That’s not all too surprising considering the reasonable price of the Markus (more on that to come), but it does leave something to be desired. 

Adjustability

Let’s investigate the range of adjustments the IKEA Markus offers, shall we? 

• Height Adjustment: The Markus is height-adjustable up to almost five inches. That’s an average range of adjustment and should help you get this chair comfy for your work needs. 
• Lumbar Adjustment: IKEA doesn’t elaborate much on its lumbar support, but it’s likely adjustable, as mentioned. 
• Armrest Adjustment: The armrests of the Markus do not move. 

Comfort (Seat, Back, and Arms)

How comfortable is sitting in the IKEA Markus?

I already talked about how the seat can be better, but the backrest might make up for it. The backrest is taller than most office chairs and plenty breathable to prevent perspiration from getting trapped within the materials of the chair and stinking up the joint. 

The armrests are padded for comfort, but I must reiterate that they don’t move one iota. You can’t raise them, lower them, anything. They are where they are, and if they get in the way of your work, there’s nothing you can do about it. 

Value

The IKEA Markus retails on IKEA’s website for $200, so it’s very reasonably priced! 

On Amazon, the Markus costs $450. You can add a 3-Year Indoor Furniture Accident Protection Plan for an extra $52.49. You can also pay $74.99 for a 5-Year Indoor Furniture Accident Protection Plan. 

IKEA Markus Review: Buying Experience

How easy is it to purchase the IKEA Markus? Let me paint a picture of what your buying experience might look like. 

Shipping

When purchasing the Markus through IKEA’s website, you’ll pay an additional $100 for shipping. Now the cost of your chair is $400.

Of course, you can always buy the Markus through Amazon per the link from earlier in this review. On Amazon, the office chair comes with free shipping. 

Assembly

Whether you buy the Markus office chair through IKEA or Amazon, you have the option to get the chair assembled and then shipped to you. The price of IKEA’s TaskRabbit Assembly varies depending on your zip code but might cost about $35. Amazon’s assembly prices are $50.

If you’d rather save some cash, you’re free to put together the Markus yourself. Since it’s an IKEA product, it will come with instructions and all the parts you need to assemble it. 

Warranty

The Markus is protected by IKEA’s Limited Warranty for 10 years. According to IKEA’s website, the warranty activates in the event of workmanship and material defects in moving parts and the Markus’ structural frame. 

According to the warranty, moving parts encompass the backrest adjustment mechanism, armrests (not in the case of the Markus, but other IKEA office chairs), the gas cylinder, and the casters. 

You’d send your defective chair back to IKEA. If IKEA decides your warranty applies, their team will repair or replace your chair. All travel, labor, spare parts, and repair costs should be covered unless your chair requires “special expenditure.” 

You can read the warranty in full here. 

Return Policy

Maybe there’s nothing wrong with your IKEA Markus; you just don’t like the chair. It happens! 

IKEA’s return policy is that once you open your product, you have 180 days to return it. If the package is unopened, you can return the product within 365 days. Either way, you must have proof of purchase if you want your full refund. 

If you go to your local IKEA to return the Markus chair, the store requires you to bring your government-issued photo ID as well as your receipt. 

Is the IKEA Markus Worth It?

The average cost of an office chair is $100 to $500, so the IKEA Markus is right in the sweet spot. Examining it in that lens, I’d say, the chair is worth it. Although it’s lacking in some areas, you can’t begrudge the Markus too much since it’s so low-cost.

Let’s start by discussing some of the Markus’ sore spots. I mentioned before that the seat material of the Markus, from its thin foam to its polyester coating, is only okay. The inflexible armrests aren’t ideal in the slightest. 

The basic lumbar support is another issue. If you’re a younger person who doesn’t experience pain in your day-to-day life, then the IKEA Markus might be fine for you. For those who can’t sit for long periods without their body hurting though, the Markus’ lumbar support might not be advanced enough for your needs.

The mesh back of the Markus can be a problem, but it depends on where you live. In hotter climes, a mesh back is great! You won’t sweat and stink up your chair. Yet in colder environments, you don’t need a mesh-backed chair. The cold air passing through all day will leave you shivering.

I do want to note that this is not an issue unique to the IKEA Markus. Any mesh-backed chair has the same problem.

As for what’s good about the Markus, there’s plenty. It features a tall back, a plush headrest, a handful of adjustments, and safety caster wheels. Its powder-coated skeleton is well-built, and you’re protected under IKEA’s comprehensive and lengthy warranty. 

IKEA Markus Alternatives

Before you add the IKEA Markus to your cart, it doesn’t hurt to explore your options. In this section, I’ll compare the Markus to the Staples Hyken, the Herman Miller Aeron, and the Steelcase Leap. 

IKEA Markus vs. Staples Hyken

Let’s start with a very close cousin of the IKEA Markus, the Staples Hyken. This technical task chair has a lot of features in common with the Markus, including the same weight capacity, the same single-color scheme, and the same mesh back.

The Hyken can adjust further than the Markus can, with tilt tension and armrest adjustments. You can set both arms at once or even one of the two arms individually. The Hyken costs only $220, so it’s not much more expensive than the Markus before you add in the extra fees like installation. 

IKEA Markus vs. Herman Miller Aeron

Okay, this might not be the fairest comparison, but I had to do it anyway. The Herman Miller Aeron is another mesh office chair. It might even be the best-known of its kind, as the Aeron is an award-winning, museum-featured chair that’s an American institution. 

You can select from three sizes to support shorter and taller users alike. Although the Aeron’s backrest isn’t as tall as the Markus’ and it lacks a headrest, that you can choose chair sizes is a huge advantage.

The Aeron includes Herman Miller’s acclaimed PostureFit SL backrest, which is one of the best lumbar support features you’ll find in an office chair. You can customize the level of back support for each individual pad. 

The armrests aren’t 4D, but they’re still adjustable, so they’re better than the Markus’ arms. However, as a default, the Aeron does include stationary arms. You’d have to pay extra for the fully adjustable armrests. 

The mesh of the Aeron is not your average mesh. Instead, it’s 8Z Pellicle mesh. The difference between Pellicle mesh and regular mesh is that the Pellicle is like its own version of lumbar support. 

In the center of the chair where your back leans, the Pellicle mesh is only somewhat taut. Closer to the edges of the chair, the mesh pulls a lot tighter. You’ll feel suspended and supported at the same time! 

The Herman Miller Aeron costs $1,445 with all the bells and whistles (adjustable arms and the like), which is over $1,200 more than the base price of the IKEA Markus. 

IKEA Markus vs. Steelcase Leap 

The third Markus alternative I want to talk about is the Steelcase Leap. The Leap would be like a distant cousin since it doesn’t feature mesh upholstery, but Buzz2 polyester. 

The polyester fabric solves the issue of cooler breezes making you cold at work all day. Polyester isn’t the plushest fabric, but it’s certainly softer than mesh. 

The caster wheels of the Leap are intended for carpeting (it’s unclear if the same is true of the Markus). 

The chair is also highly ergonomic, as the Leap boasts a five-position recline lock, recline tension adjustments, seat height adjustments, lower back firmness, adjustable lumbar support, adjustable armrests, and a customizable seat depth. The Markus can’t compare with its paltry few adjustments. 

The ergonomics of the Leap go further. The Steelcase office chair includes LiveBack technology to cradle your spine. The contouring of the backrest further lends the Leap great ergonomic support.

Like the Herman Miller Aeron, the Steelcase Leap is one expensive office chair, costing more than $1,000. 

The Bottom Line 

The IKEA Markus is a low-priced office chair that features basic ergonomics, a mesh back, stationary armrests, and safety casters. The included 10-year warranty sweetens the deal, as does the fact that you can order your chair pre-assembled.

If your office chair budget is on the smaller side, the Markus could be just the chair you’re looking for. Should you have a bigger budget, the three Markus alternatives I discussed are all great picks!