Secretlab vs. Herman Miller: Which Chair is Right for You?

In the battle of Secretlab vs. Herman Miller, there can be only one. After all, you only need one office/gaming chair. You’ve debated and debated, but you’re just not sure if your money is better spent on a Secretlab chair or a famous Herman Miller. Which is the better brand?

Although both Secretlab and Herman Miller chairs have a multitude of advantages, Herman Miller produces higher-end ergonomic chairs for better posture when working and playing. Secretlab’s chairs are catered more towards gamers and aren’t as ergonomic.

Of course, you should make up your own mind, and that’s exactly what I’m here to help you do. In this full guide, I’ll compare Secretlab and Herman Miller chairs in every way imaginable. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know which chair brand is right for you! 

Secretlab Overview

First, let’s talk about the Secretlab brand. 

Secretlab was founded by Alaric Choo and Ian Ang in Singapore in 2014. They wanted a gaming chair that ticked all their boxes, so to speak, but couldn’t find it anywhere. After searching high and low, the two put their heads together and decided to create the very chair they longed for.

The result was the Secretlab brand. Choo and Ang don’t just work alone to create the company’s award-winning gaming chairs. They’ve partnered with UX specialists, material scientists, engineers, and more.  

Choo and Ang are experienced individuals themselves. They were both pro-level esports players before starting Secretlab, so they knew a thing or two about what should go into a comfortable gaming chair. It’s no wonder then that Secretlab had partnered with esports organizations and tournaments over the years.

Check out our full Secretlab Gaming Chairs Review

Herman Miller Overview

The Herman Miller brand has a much longer history, as the company was founded in 1905, which is more than 100 years before the creation of Secretlab.

Herman Miller might not have always produced the office chairs it’s become so beloved for, but the company was in the furniture game when it was initially introduced as Star Furniture Co. 

Four years in, Dirk Jan De Pree became a clerk at Star Furniture Co. By 1919, he was the company’s president and decided to rename the company Michigan Star Furniture Co. He owned half the company’s stock, which was divided between him and his father-in-law. 

That man’s name was Herman Miller. Due to Miller’s involvement, the company became Herman Miller Furniture Company. Then, by 1960, it was just Herman Miller, which has been the case ever since. It was also in the 1960s that the Herman Miller brand began to shift towards office furniture. 

Once designers Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick became part of the company in the 1970s, the office furniture production ramped up. The two superstar designers created the Equa chair, then the Aeron in the 1990s. 

This is by far the most popular Herman Miller offering, even all these years later. The Aeron is a mesh office chair that was the best-selling chair in America in 2010. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has an Aeron as part of a permanent display. 

Check out our full Herman Miller Office Chairs Review

Secretlab vs. Herman Miller: What’s the Difference?

Now that you’re clearer on the respective histories of Secretlab and Herman Miller, it’s time to examine some differences between these chair manufacturers. 

Brand Reputation

Secretlab’s founders are rooted in gaming, so it’s no wonder that this brand is all about gaming chairs. They’re also quite pop culture-friendly, as Secretlab once sold Game of Thrones-themed chairs. Currently, you can shop for Secretlab chairs with skins of all your favorite games and related characters.

Herman Miller has a reputation of being more of a mature yet timeless brand. Theirs are office chairs primarily, although they do have some gaming chairs. Herman Miller focuses on design excellence and ergonomic features and materials. The brand tries to change the game with each new chair it introduces. 

Between the two brands, Herman Miller has a reputation that’s hard to beat. That’s what happens when your office chair is featured in MoMA. 

Number of Models Offered

Secretlab has produced a new gaming chair every year since at least 2018 through to the Titan 2022 Evo series, which is the latest model available as of this writing. The company’s first gaming chair was the Secretlab Throne V1, but that line isn’t in production anymore.

You can still find the older versions of Secretlab chairs around the Internet, but on their website, the brand is mostly focused on selling the latest edition of its Titan chairs as well as the Omega and the NeueChair. 

Herman Miller still produces many of the same chairs that brought it to the dance. That includes the Aeron and the Equa. 

The other Herman Miller office chairs are as follows:

• Cosm
• Embody
• Mirra 2
• Celle
• Sayl
• Lino
• Verus
• Eames
• Caper
• Keyn
• Setu

Both Secretlab and Herman Miller sell other furniture than chairs, but looking only at their selection of gaming/office chairs, Herman Miller has more offerings by far. 

Material and Build Quality

Starting with Secretlab as I have been, their chairs are available in a variety of materials. The Secretlab NEO hybrid leatherette is not real leather, but that allows you to save money on your office chair.

Should you want the real deal, Secretlab gives you the option to outfit their gaming chairs in premium Napa leather. This costs you more than $400 than the leatherette though. 

You can also choose PU leather, which looks less realistic than even the leatherette but is very cost-effective. The fourth material choice is Secretlab’s SoftWeave Plus fabric, which is a technical fabric made from interlocking yarn fibers. 

The material of a Herman Miller office chair varies depending on which chair you select. Using the Aeron as an example, this is a mesh office chair that uses Herman Miller’s 8Z Pellicle suspension material. That material is designed to create tautness around the edges of the chair but is more pliable in the center so it supports your posture all day long.

The Embody is an upholstered chair comparable to Secretlab’s SoftWeave fabric. You can select from two types of Herman Miller upholstery options for a chair like the Embody, one series which is called Sync, and the other that’s known as Medley. These are polyester materials. 

When it comes to build quality, the chasm between Secretlab and Herman Miller is very narrow. Undoubtedly, Secretlab gaming chairs have excellent build quality. Theirs are sturdy, well-designed office chairs with attention to detail that other chair brands these days sometimes miss.

For example, Secretlab chairs feature XL-sized polyurethane casters, metal 4D armrests, and an ergonomic pebble seat base. Inside the seat is the brand’s patented mix of cold-cure foam. 

Herman Miller chairs are superior in the build department quality though. Whether it’s the built-in spine featured in the Embody, the ergonomic back support features, or mimicking your micro-movements in your chair, it’s clear that Herman Miller goes to great lengths to make excellent office chairs every time. 

Admittedly, the latest Secretlab chair, the Evo 2022 Series, has a similar feature called L-ADAPT, which has four-way lumbar support thanks to latticed hinges in the chair. Still, this is something that Herman Miller has offered for a long time and Secretlab is just catching up on! 

Comfort

Both Secretlab and Herman Miller chairs are very comfortable to sit in. Yet comfort goes hand in hand with ergonomics, and that’s a category where Herman Miller excels. The PostureFit SL backrest with adjustable support on either side is only scratching the surface.

Herman Miller chairs also feature a motion-mimicking spine built into some models (such as the Embody), ergonomic fabric (like the 8Z Pellicle mesh in the Aeron), and breathable multi-layered seating. 

Also making a chair comfortable is how well you fit in it. Secretlab chairs come in three sizes. The small chair is for users weighing under 200 pounds who are between four feet, 11 inches and five feet, six inches tall.

The regular chair is for users under 220 pounds who are five feet, seven inches to six feet, two inches tall. Secretlab recommends the XL for users weighing 175 to 395 pounds who are five foot, 11 inches to six foot, nine inches tall. 

Not all Herman Miller chairs are available in several sizes, but the Aeron is. Size A is for users who weigh up to 120 pounds and are between four feet, eight inches and five feet, one inch tall.  

Size B chairs are for users weighing up to 290 pounds who are between five feet, 10 inches and six feet, seven inches tall. Herman Miller suggests the Size C for users up to 350 pounds who are six feet, five inches to six feet, seven inches tall. 

Adjustability

Herman Miller office chairs do offer a lot in the way of adjustments, but this is one area where I think they could be better. Most of their chairs say the arms are flexible, but Herman Miller chairs don’t feature 4D arms.

As a gaming chair brand, you can expect 4D arms to come standard with a Secretlab chair and you won’t be disappointed. Customize the headrest positioning, recline up to 165 degrees (in some models), and raise and lower this chair with Class 4 hydraulics too.

That’s not to say that Herman Miller chairs lack adjustments, as you can adjust them plenty of other ways. You’ll recline more seamlessly in Herman Miller chairs thanks to features like the NaturalGlide system.

The adjustment shifts you can make are intended to support your posture, whether that’s by changing the angle of recline or even the seat depth. 

Aesthetics

Whether you find Secretlab or Herman Miller chairs more appealing is going to come down to your personal preferences. For gamers, the cool gaming skins that Secretlab offers are highly covetable. These gamers know that a skinned chair will gain them major attention the next time they go live on stream.

For those who are looking for a professional, classic chair that maintains its timeless appeal over the years, a Herman Miller chair is certainly the right pick. 

Price

Although the build quality chasm between Secretlab and Herman Miller is rather narrow, the price chasm is gaping. 

The average price of a Secretlab chair, even the 2022 models, is about $450. By adding Napa leather seating, you can double the price, as I mentioned before. Still, a base price of under $500 is very fair.

Herman Miller chairs are at least twice as costly. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a chair from this brand that’s less than $1,000, and many of them are closer to $1,500. That’s before you make any changes to the chair, such as upgraded caster wheels, that cost extra. 

Secretlab vs. Herman Miller Models Compared

Now it’s time to put Secretlab and Herman Miller to the test by comparing chairs from both brands. Let’s see which one wins!  

Secretlab Omega vs. Herman Miller Aeron

The Secretlab Omega might not be as popular as the Titan, but it’s a quality chair, nevertheless. The 2020 Series version is available in PRIME 2.0 PU leather (no leatherette option), SoftWeave, or pure Napa leather.

This chair is recommended for users who weigh less than 240 pounds and are shorter than five feet, 11 inches. 

The Omega features Secretlab’s 4D metal armrests, which can slide, shift up or down, go backward or forward, angle left or right, or shift left or right. The arms have PU padding and a concave shape for your comfort. 

Lower back and neck pillows feature signature memory foam that molds to your body. The neck pillow boasts a cooling gel layer for keeping your body temperature down. Recline 165 degrees with the long backrest or tilt thanks to the multi-tilt mechanism.

Roll with confidence with XL caster wheels. The sturdy ADC12 aluminum wheelbase makes the Omega durable while Class 4 hydraulics allow you to recline or tilt effortlessly. All this for a chair that costs between $350 and $750 (for the Napa leather).

The Herman Miller Aeron, which to this day is still the most famous chair from Herman Miller, is a very tough act to follow. It features the 8Z Pellicle mesh suspension system that’s both for comfort and ergonomics. 

Speaking of ergonomics, the Aeron includes PostureFit SL backrests that promote healthier posture. The Aeron is designed to angle your pelvis somewhat forward while your shoulders are back and your chest is more open. This is what proper posture feels like!

Harmonic Tilt lets you recline subtly or all the way back without feeling unbalanced. You can also customize the armrest angle, depth, and height. Yes, the Aeron has no 4D arms, but they’re not stationary either. 

Remember, the Aeron comes in three sizes: Size A through Size C to accommodate a wider range of users.

The Aeron starts at $1,495, which is indeed extremely costly. Still, buying an Aeron means owning a piece of history, and that rarely comes cheap. 

Secretlab Titan vs. Herman Miller Embody

Next, let’s look at the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 chair. This is the latest and greatest Secretlab creation that’s available in three sizes (small, regular, and XL). You can select from pure Napa leather, NEO hybrid leatherette, or SoftWeave fabric. 

The newest Titan includes the cold-cure foam that Secretlab has made a trademark of its gaming chairs. This patent-pending foam provides medium-level firmness so your rear half feels supported but never pressured. 

The sculpted pebble seat base is gently curved to the edges, which then flare out. This seat style is designed to promote better posture while you sit. The 4D arms now come with CloudSwap technology for greater material choices. 

The real starring feature of the Titan Evo 2022 is the L-ADAPT Lumbar Support System. You can move this in or out as well as up or down. The latticed hinges mimic a real spine to provide support no matter what kind of activities you do in the Titan. 

The other features are a multi-tilt mechanism, reclining up to 165 degrees, Class 4 hydraulic adjustments, and a new and improved head pillow. The pillow features magnetic memory foam that attaches to the backrest and won’t shift, even during your most high-pressure moments. 

The Titan Evo 2022 Series chair starts at $450.

The Herman Miller Embody began the trend of adding a built-in spine into an office or gaming chair. Theirs have flexible ribs as well. The micro-movements supported by the Embody’s spine makes it easier on your own spine to get through your day-to-day.

The Embody includes plenty of adjustments, such as a tilt limiter, tilt tension, and a Backfit adjustment knob for back support. You can also set the seat depth, seat height, and armrests, although they’re still not 4D. 

The plush seating included with the Embody comprises four different material layers to regulate your temperature, allow air to move, and provide greater comfort. 

With Pixelated Support, you get the feeling that you’re floating. What’s really happening is that the dynamic pixel matrix is shifting according to the micromovements of your body to redistribute your weight. You’ll notice less pressure and better circulation. You could even concentrate on your work tasks better!

The Herman Miller Embody starts at $1,595, so it’s one of the most expensive chairs by this brand. Considering that a team of medical experts in all fields worked on it along with Herman Miller’s own designers, the price is a little easier to justify. 

Secretlab NeueChair vs. Herman Miller Aeron

Let’s put one more pair of Secretlab and Herman Miller chairs against each other, shall we? The Secretlab NeueChair is our first contender.

The NeueChair looks like something that Herman Miller would make more than Secretlab. It features NeueMesh, a triple-layered mesh made of DuPont yarn and polyester fibers. 

The ControlShift hand levers allow you to switch your chair’s height and tilt. You can also lock your tilt with this feature. For ergonomics, you can use the Focus Mode, which slides the seat back for better lumbar support. You can also toggle the height-adjustable lumbar support.

With double-layered Class IV hydraulics, an ADC12 aluminum alloy base, concave polyurethane armrests, and 65-millimeter casters, the NeueChair is worth the $550.

Comparing the NeueChair to the Aeron reveals that the Aeron is still at the top of the pack. The NeueChair’s mesh is great, but it’s no 8Z Pellicle mesh for ergonomics and breathability. 

The PostureFit backrest outshines the lumbar support included in the NeueChair. Unlike other Secretlab chairs that feature 4D arms, the NeueChair doesn’t even have that going for it. If you want a lower-priced chair that’s like the Aeron, then the NeueChair suffices.

You might as well splurge for the original Aeron though, even if it is costlier. 

Secretlab vs. Herman Miller: Which Is Better?

Secretlab and Herman Miller are two of the biggest names in the world of chairs, and rightfully so. You can’t go wrong by purchasing a Secretlab over a Herman Miller or vice-versa, but I do have to give it to Herman Miller as being the better of the two brands.

Herman Miller’s chairs are higher-end and have more ergonomic features. Although Secretlab chairs are beginning to replicate more of those features, they’re not innovating their own like Herman Miller has and likely will in the future. 

The Herman Miller brand focuses on reliable build quality, good adjustment options, and comfort and support so you can concentrate on the work you have to do instead of your office chair. Your posture could improve by sitting in a Herman Miller due to its ergonomics.

Secretlab’s chairs, while still great, are geared towards gamers who want a flashy chair and don’t have a huge budget. The chairs from Secretlab allow you to lounge, recline, and sit up straight. You can choose from lots of great adjustability features, sometimes even more than Herman Miller, but Secretlab chairs aren’t as good in areas such as comfort and build quality. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have a few lingering questions about your next chair? Allow me to answer them in this section. 

Conclusion 

Secretlab and Herman Miller are two heavy-hitters in the world of chairs, but Herman Miller has the edge. The Herman Miller brand has outfitted its office chairs with features that Secretlab chairs are only just now beginning to include. 

Herman Miller continues to pave the way in ergonomics, proper posture, and support in office chairs that have appealing packages. The only downside is the high price!