The most sought after gaming chair is turning heads around the world. I had the opportunity to try it. Herman Miller Vantum may seem like the best chair, but I found a few misconceptions that might make you think differently when purchasing the product. I’m going to give you the scoop so you can make a valuable decision.
Need help? Get our free office chair buying guide!
Full Disclaimer: We are an office furniture dealer and we sell some of the products we review. To learn more about the products we sell, our review process, and why you can trust us, visit: Why We’re Different. Who is BTOD.com and The Breakroom Blog?
The most searched gaming chair links
🎥 Video of the most sought after gaming chair
Most Wanted Gaming Chair Video
Unpacking
For starters, the Vantum is a $995 chair, so my expectations were already high when I ordered it. I was impressed with how the chair was packed and made the unpacking process easy and enjoyable. The branding was vividly displayed on the wrapping materials, which I thought was a great touch for Herman Miller. However, compared to the other Herman Miller chairs we have received, there was a bit more assembly involved with this chair.
Back
One of my favorite parts of this chair is the back. It really screams the Herman Miller brand. The rest of the chair, including the look and color, reminds me of the Cosm chair. I have mentioned in the past that I like a chair that moves more freely rather than being locked into place. This chair stays put and moves with your body.
The lumbar support is phenomenal and probably the best I’ve used within the Herman Miller brand. The adjustment knob is easy to use to suit my comfort level, especially with low back pain. The high back design and natural curve is a great feature because my entire back is supported.
Headrest
On the other hand, the headrest is terrible. It feels cheap and making adjustments is extremely difficult. If you choose to lean all the way back, the headrest will force your neck forward and cause discomfort. This almost compares to the Human Scale Freedom chair, and I’m not a fan of that headrest either. If you’re not leaning all the way back, I’d say the headrest is pretty comfortable.
The Vantum also has an upper back support feature which I think doesn’t make much sense. It’s strictly there for looks. I am sure it does not provide any kind of difference in the shoulders or back.
Seat
Next, the seat of this much talked about chair does not follow the bucket seat design with the side bolsters. Instead, they have created a more ergonomic design. I appreciate this design because the seat and back are much more open and not as condensed as other gaming chairs. This aspect is very important to keep your muscles relaxed, your blood flowing, and to help with general stiffness from sitting for long periods of time.
In addition to the ergonomic design, this chair offers a sliding seat that allows you to adjust the depth of the seat. This suits both short and tall people. Unfortunately, the seat depth is shallow, and with the angled seat front, it prevents people taller than 5’9 from fitting comfortably. However, by moving the seat in, it can fit a small child. But I find it strange that it doesn’t go further out for taller people. The seat itself is not very comfortable in my opinion, the foam is not that soft and it is an uncomfortable feeling.
Arms
Also, the armrests have 3-way adjustment, which is a promising feature to highlight. The only problem with that is that the depth and width ranges are minimal. I wish they were narrower, and they don’t come far enough back to support me in the recline. The arm pads themselves aren’t too bad, wide enough and soft to the touch. The shape really gives it more of a gamer feel and a sleek design.
The Vantum offers a synchronized tilt mechanism. This is an improved feature that we see on many other gaming chairs. The dial system that is used is also a nice touch because it has numbers for different voltage levels and limits. Helps you find out what positions work best for you. My biggest complaint is the recline mechanism. I wish this chair had one of those higher end recliners as it will most likely be used for gaming at home. The Vantum has limited recline compared to other chairs like the Aeron.
build quality
Lastly, the quality of this chair doesn’t feel as solid as other Herman Miller brand chairs. The fabric isn’t impressive, it really feels like a downgrade from mid-tier chairs like the Salem Lionel, which costs less than the Vantum. I would also agree that the mesh is not doing me any favors. The mesh on Herman Miller chairs is usually of a fairly high standard, like the Aeron, for example.
Bottom line
Despite the mesh and fabric, the Vantum chair looks better in person compared to the photos and videos posted online. It has a high-end design, but also some unique aspects, like the colored rear frame and angled arm pads. I think it’s a great upgrade from a typical gaming chair and the best, hands down. But overall, it’s a disappointment in my eyes and I don’t think it’s a good investment at the price of $995 with the mentioned problems. It may not be a good option for some people. Take this information however you want to make your judgment on the Vantum gaming chair.
