What Chair Does MKBHD Use?

For years now, MKBHD has been your favorite YouTuber. You’re in the market for a new office chair and you’d love to own one just like his, maybe even the same chair. Which chair does MKBHD use?

MKBHD currently uses the Herman Miller Embody, an ergonomic office chair with a built-in flexible spine, BackFit back support, woven fabric throughout, multi-layered seating, and quite a hefty price tag.

MKBHD’s Chair: The Herman Miller Embody

I’m sure you’re eager to learn more about MKBHD’s chair. If so, then you’ll definitely want to keep reading. Ahead, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Herman Miller Embody, including its features, benefits, pricing, and pros and cons. You’ll also want to stay tuned for a few alternative chairs to consider! 

Who Is MKBHD? Some Background Info

Before I start with all that, I want to dedicate this section to MKBHD and his incredible accomplishments. Born Marques Keith Brownlee on December 3^rd, 1993 in Maplewood, New Jersey, MKBHD is one of those old-school YouTubers. He’s been part of the platform since 2008 and started posting videos in 2009.

He was still in high school when he began his tech channel, which includes reviews and tutorials. The channel really took off, growing to 10 million subscribers by the end of 2019. This is mostly due to Brownlee’s dedication to the channel. By 2018, he had posted 1,000 videos on YouTube.

MKBHD’s reviews have earned him coverage across the Internet, including on Engadget. Brownlee’s interview chops are impressive too. He sat down with Dennis Woodside in 2013, who was the CEO of Motorola. He’s also interviewed Kobe Bryant in 2015, Craig Federighi of Apple in 2016, Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2018, Bill Gates in 2019, Will Smith in 2019, and Satya Nadella of Microsoft in 2019. 

One of Brownlee’s most popular reviews was a video on the iPhone 6’s sapphire display, which he also scratch-tested. Uploaded in 2014, the video got featured in Time Magazine, CNET, HuffPost, Forbes, and The Verge. The video had more than 9.1 million views in late 2020.

As of April 2021, MKBHD has 2.5 billion total channel views and 13.8 million YouTube subscribers.  

MKBHD’s Gaming Chair Features and Benefits 

As one of the most esteemed names on YouTube, MKBHD can’t make his videos in just any ol’ chair. That’s why he uses the Herman Miller Embody. The Herman Miller brand dates back to 1905 when it was then known as Star Furniture Co. 

Many, many decades later, when Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf came together under the Herman Miller name, the brand got some incredible chairs from the creative partnership, such as the Equa 2. By far the most popular collaboration between the designers was 1994’s Aeron, which put the Herman Miller name on the map forever. I mean, this chair is in a museum, for goodness’ sake.

That brings us to the Embody, which Stumpf created with Jeff Weber in 2008. Let’s dig a little deeper into its features and benefits, shall we?

Expert-Level Design

Stumpf and Weber didn’t work on the Embody alone. They paired up with over 20 experts in areas such as ergonomics, physical therapy, vision, and biomechanics. Many of these experts are PhDs and physicians. Every feature of the Embody is designed for your comfort and support.

Built-in Spine

How many office chairs have you sat in with a spine? Most chair “spines” are just rods of unyielding metal that can lead to pain after a couple of hours, if that. Not so with the Embody. This Herman Miller innovation features the brand’s built-in flexible spine with ribs that are meant to mimic the way your own spine curves. 

You don’t see the spine, but you sure can feel the difference when you sit. The Embody’s spine will also promote a healthier posture so your back might ache less.  

BackFit Backrest

Speaking of your back, the Embody includes an adjustment feature known as the BackFit. You can customize the positioning of this backrest to better cradle your spine while you sit in the Embody. Like the built-in spine, the Embody’s BackFit backrest will adapt and adjust as you use the chair. From sitting straight to shifting and making other adjustments, you won’t have to worry about back support, as you’re getting plenty.

Multi-Layered Seating

If you’re tired of office chairs with seats that are just foam, woven upholstery, and metal framework, wait until you sit in the Herman Miller Embody. This chair features a seat with up to four layers of support. The layers serve different purposes, including cooling and promoting airflow, but can work in conjunction with one another for a cozy sitting experience.

Pixelated Support

Another Herman Miller exclusive is the Pixelated Support featured in the Embody. The pixel matrix built into this chair creates a unique phenomenon each time you sit down. You’ll get this floating feeling, but not like you’re out of control. Instead, you never lose your sense of balance. 

An added perk of the Pixelated Support is weight distribution. Between that and the support for even your subtlest of movements, you may find it easier to focus when working or playing in the Embody. You might also have better circulation due to reduced pressure. 

Carpet Casters

By default, the Embody includes Herman Miller’s mighty carpet casters. If your old office chairs have gotten tangled up in your rugs, those days should be behind you. As I’ll talk about a little later, you can upgrade to casters that can roll over hard flooring and carpet. 

Adjustability 

Besides the BackFit backrest, you can adjust the Embody in a multitude of other ways. Set the armrests up or down, adjust the seat depth, the degree of tilt, and tilt locking. You’ll be sitting pretty in no time. 

High-Quality, Eco-Friendly Materials

The Embody features premium materials that are built to last, including a sturdy frame and fabric upholstery. Herman Miller says the upholstery resists the buildup of heat and also feels smooth yet tight. 

Even better is how green this Herman Miller chair is, as about 45 percent of the Embody is built from recycled materials. The chair is almost completely recyclable when you’ve decided that you’re finished using it.  

Warranty

Buy with confidence with Herman Miller’s 12-year warranty on the Embody’s parts and labor. Any moving part is eligible for maintenance, including tilts, pneumatic cylinders, and casters.  

How Much Does MKBHD’s Chair Cost?

The Embody sounds like one of the coolest chairs that money can buy, but you suspect that comes at a price. If you did buy MKBHD’s chair, how much would it cost you?

Your suspicions were right. The Herman Miller Embody starts at $1,595. 

You can customize the frame and base colors, selecting from options like white and graphite (black), all graphite, titanium (silver) and graphite, and titanium and white. This customization is available at no extra cost to you. 

That’s also true of selecting your upholstery color. The Medley collection of upholstery options includes hues like Blue Grotto, Feather Gray, and Charcoal. The Sync collection offers colors such as Dark Carbon (grayish-black), Dark Mineral (light gray), Nightfall (navy blue), Glacier (pale blue), Canyon (bright red), and black.

If you want carpet and floor casters in one, that’s where it will cost you. At that point, MKBHD’s chair costs $1,675 with translucent carpet and floor casters, each 2.5 inches. 

Shipping is free and you do get Herman Miller’s comprehensive warranty that’s good for 12 years. Herman Miller also has a 30-day return policy if you by chance don’t like the Embody. 

Should You Buy MKBHD’s Chair?

You feel so torn. You’d love to own MKBHD’s chair, as he’s one of your biggest inspirations on YouTube and swears by this chair. Then again, you’re not sure if you can justify the price. Let’s go over the pros and cons of the Herman Miller Embody to help you make up your mind.

When it comes to premium office chairs, Herman Miller is the cream of the crop. That’s why their chairs are as costly are they are. Herman Miller has a team of professional designers and includes awesome ergonomics and handy adjustment features in all their chairs. 

In the Herman Miller family of office chairs, the Embody may have the best ergonomics between the BackFit backrest and the built-in natural spine with ribs. The way these features support and cradle your natural spine will make it hard to go back to chairs by other brands once you sit in the Embody. Stumpf and Weber built the Embody for people who use chairs for long periods, whether that’s working, recording YouTube videos like MKBHD, or even streaming video games.

The Pixelated Support gives you a fun floating sensation while still allowing you to feel like you’re in control, further lending comfort when seated. The seat itself is also worth talking about, as it has layers of different materials for great breathability.

For the eco-conscious people out there, you’ll love how you can recycle up to 95 percent of the Embody. The chair is also built from more than 40 percent recycled materials, so not only does the Embody look and feel great, but it’s great for our planet as well. 

Okay, let’s shift gears to the downsides. It’s a little disappointing that you have to pay extra to get casters that can roll on hard flooring and carpeting alike. At the end of the day, $40 isn’t that much extra, but considering the cost of the Embody, you probably won’t want to spend one extra cent more.

Yes, I won’t dance it around it anymore, the price of the Embody is very, very high. Some people might not have the budget to spend nearly $1,600 on an office chair, and that’s completely reasonable. The Embody makes $700 chairs look cheap by comparison, which is saying something.

I also thought that the Embody could use more adjustments, especially in the armrests. If you’re used to gaming chairs with 3D and even 4D armrests, then the arms of the Embody might be disappointing. They move, but not in many ways. 

Alternatives to MKBHD’s Chair

Even if you’re thinking of buying MKBHD’s chair despite its price, it’s a good idea to look at this section anyway. You might find a more reasonably priced chair that meets your needs yet still resembles MKBHD’s chair. Here are three of my favorites. 

Secretlab Titan SoftWeave

How about $430 for a chair? Does that sound more reasonable? If your answer is a resounding yes, then check out the Secretlab Titan SoftWeave. This 2020 Series chair boasts many of the same features as the Herman Miller Embody, including adjustable lower back lumbar support via a backrest, tilting, and large caster wheels. Unlike Herman Miller, Secretlab doesn’t make you pay extra for the Titan’s caster wheels to roll over hard or soft flooring. It can do both.

The long backrest has 165 degrees of tilting. Secretlab’s own signature memory foam pillows at the neck and back augment your lumbar support. The head pillow includes a cooling gel layer so you can work without warmth. 

If you’re a little miffed at the armrests of the Embody, the Titan has 4D metal armrests that can move down and up, backward and forward, right and left, and at right and left angles. That’s adjustability! 

Steelcase Gesture

Although the Steelcase Gesture is about $1,000, that’s still a savings of about $600 compared to buying the Herman Miller Embody. With its heavy-duty base that can support users up to 400 pounds, this is one sturdy chair. 

The Gesture features a synchronized system for simultaneous back and seat movement that mimics the motion of your body. This isn’t quite the precise degree of ergonomics you get with the Embody, but the synchronized system of the Gesture is still good.

You can recline in four positions and lock the recline in place once you’re cozy. You can also set the recline tension, seat height (using pneumatics), seat depth, and armrest height. The casters are for carpeting like the Embody and this chair is also covered in fabric. In the case of the Gesture, that fabric is pure polyester. 

Oh, and did I mention that Steelcase offers a 12-year warranty for the Gesture? That’s the same warranty length as Herman Miller’s.

Duramont Ergonomic Office Chair 

If you’re on a really tight budget, try the Duramont. This ergonomic office chair costs a hair under $300, so it’s plenty affordable. The chair’s weight capacity is 330 pounds. The Duramont features rollerblade caster wheels intended for office floors. Lumbar support, which you can adjust, will maintain your comfort as you sit for hours. Set the backrest down, up, out, in, or even recline it. That’s not bad for such a low-priced chair!

There are still yet more adjustments. Switch the backrest tilt from 90 to 120 degrees. You can also adjust the tilt tension, seat height, seat and armrest distance, lumbar depth, and headrest angle and height. 

Mesh throughout keeps air flowing out of the Duramont so you can focus on making videos or getting work done. The plush seat is molded high-density foam for painless sitting.   

Conclusion

Tech YouTuber MKBHD films all his clips in the Herman Miller Embody, an office chair with enviable ergonomics such as a BackFit backrest and a built-in spine with ribs. This is also one of the costlier chairs around. Whether you have room in your budget for the Embody or you like the Duramont, the Secretlab Titan, or the Steelcase Gesture, you can stream, film, and play just like MKBHD.