Haworth provides innovative and adaptable office solutions with a focus on modern minimalism, functionality, and sustainability - often at a more accessible price point. In contrast, Herman Miller is known for its iconic, pioneering designs, cutting-edge ergonomics, and premium brand status, commanding higher prices for timeless pieces like the Aeron chair.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right office furniture brand for your space.
Haworth: The Versatile Workspace Solution
Haworth is a global office furniture manufacturer recognized for creating highly functional, flexible, and sustainable work environments. Their core customer is the corporate client seeking adaptable solutions that support well-being and productivity, from open-plan offices to collaborative breakout zones. Haworth’s approach combines ergonomic research with a clean, professional aesthetic to deliver furniture that performs as well as it looks.
- Product mix: A comprehensive range of office furniture including award-winning ergonomic chairs like the Fern and Zody, height-adjustable desks, modular wall systems, and collaborative seating.
- Style/vibe: Modern minimalism with a focus on clean lines, neutral color palettes, and adaptability. The aesthetic is professional and functional, designed to integrate seamlessly into diverse corporate settings.
- Price point: Mid-range to high-end, but generally more accessible than Herman Miller. Ergonomic task chairs commonly fall in the $800–$1,500 range, offering a strong balance of price and performance.
- Quality & Materials: Built for commercial-grade durability with high-quality components, sustainable materials, and low-emission finishes. Products are engineered to withstand heavy daily use, and most core products come with a 12-year warranty.
- Fit & Sizing: Products emphasize adjustability to fit a wide array of body types. Chairs feature multiple adjustment points like lumbar support, armrest height, and seat depth to ensure personalized ergonomic comfort.
- Sustainability: A strong corporate commitment, with many products carrying certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and GREENGUARD for low chemical emissions. They prioritize using recycled content and designing for recyclability.
Haworth excels at providing cohesive and adaptable furniture systems that support modern workstyles, making it a smart choice for organizations prioritizing function and sustainable design.
Shop Haworth: haworth.com
Herman Miller: The Iconic Design Innovator
Herman Miller is not just a furniture manufacturer, it's a design institution. With a history of creating some of the most recognizable furniture of the 20th century - including the Aeron and Eames Lounge Chairs - the brand has built its name on boundary-pushing design and unparalleled ergonomics. It is a great fit for design-conscious corporations and individual consumers who see furniture as a long-term investment in both style and physical health.
- Product mix: An iconic collection of office chairs, desks, lounge seating, storage, and accessories. Flagship products like the Aeron, Embody, and Sayl chairs are staples in offices and homes worldwide.
- Style/vibe: Sleek, innovative, and timeless. The Herman Miller aesthetic is rooted in modernism, blending form and function to create pieces that are often considered works of art.
- Price point: Premium. Expect to pay a premium for the brand’s legacy, design pedigree, and extensive ergonomic research. The famed Aeron chair starts around $1,200, with other pieces commanding similar investment-level prices.
- Quality & Materials: Exceptional craftsmanship and pioneering material use are hallmarks of the brand. From the breathable Pellicle mesh on the Aeron chair to high-grade molded plywood, materials are chosen for performance and longevity. All key products feature a 12-year warranty.
- Fit & Sizing: Takes a prescriptive approach to fit with some products. The Aeron chair famously comes in three distinct sizes (A, B, and C) to perfectly match an individual's height and weight, ensuring optimal ergonomic support.
- Sustainability: An industry leader in environmental responsibility for decades, Herman Miller emphasizes circular design, eco-friendly manufacturing, and material transparency, holding numerous certifications like BIFMA LEVEL and GREENGUARD Gold.
Herman Miller is the choice for those who want the gold standard in ergonomic performance wrapped in an iconic design that holds its value for years to come.
Shop Herman Miller: hermanmiller.com
Haworth vs. Herman Miller Comparison
Price Comparison
Both brands operate in the premium office furniture category, but Herman Miller sits at the higher end. Its flagship products, backed by iconic design status and extensive research, often come with a bigger price tag. For example, a new Aeron chair can easily exceed $1,200.
Haworth offers competitive pricing within the premium commercial market, focusing on delivering exceptional performance, durability, and a clean professional aesthetic. While still an investment, Haworth's ergonomic chairs typically provide a more accessible entry point, making them a popular choice for large-scale office outfitting.
Style & Aesthetic
Herman Miller produces design icons. Their pieces are sleek, often sculptural, and recognizable across the world. An Aeron or Eames chair is a statement piece that communicates an appreciation for timeless modern design and is suited for both high-end corporate interiors and design-savvy home offices.
Haworth's aesthetic is best described as modern professional. Their designs are clean, versatile, and built to create a cohesive and functional workspace. While perhaps less iconic, their furniture is highly adaptable and can be configured to suit a wide variety of corporate styles, from tech startups to established financial firms.
Quality & Construction
Both brands offer exceptional, commercially-rated quality designed to last for a long time. Herman Miller is known for its material innovation - like the proprietary Pellicle mesh that provides zonal support and aeration. Each component undergoes extensive testing to meet rigorous ergonomic and durability standards.
Haworth also builds its furniture to last a long time, emphasizing robust engineering and sustainable materials. They focus on solid construction and reliable ergonomic mechanisms that can stand up to constant use in a busy office, backed by their comprehensive 12-year warranty.
Shopping Experience
Both brands primarily sell through a global network of authorized dealers and showrooms, where clients can get expert consultations for large-scale projects. However, Herman Miller has also cultivated a robust direct-to-consumer channel through its website and retail stores, making its products more accessible to individual buyers and home office users.
Haworth’s experience is heavily targeted toward corporate clients, focusing on providing holistic workspace solutions rather than single-item sales. While you can find their products through dealers for individual purchase, the process is less direct than Herman Miller's online storefront.
Sustainability & Ethics
Choosing between these two on sustainability is a good problem to have - both are leaders. Herman Miller has a longstanding commitment to the environment, championing principles of circular design where products are made to be easily disassembled and recycled. Their numerous third-party certifications are testament to this commitment.
Haworth is equally dedicated to corporate responsibility, embedding sustainability into its entire manufacturing process. Their certifications, like GREENGUARD and FSC, reflect a focus on using recycled content, reducing waste, and ensuring their products contribute to healthy indoor air quality.
Which One Should You Choose?
The right choice comes down to your priorities, budget, and specific needs. Both brands offer world-class office furniture, but they cater to slightly different customers.
Choose Haworth if:
- You need a flexible, adaptable, and highly-functional workspace solution.
- Budget is a key consideration, and you need a great performing product without any brand cachet.
- Customizing an entire office with a cohesive, professional look is your main goal.
- You prioritize adjustability to suit a wide range of different users easily.
Choose Herman Miller if:
- You want an iconic piece of furniture that is recognized as a design classic.
- You are willing to invest a premium for cutting-edge ergonomic innovation and materials.
- Brand reputation and timeless design are just as important as function.
- You are looking for a specific fit, like the sized options of the Aeron chair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Haworth or Herman Miller cheaper?
Generally, Haworth products are more affordable. While both are premium brands, Haworth often offers a better price-to-performance ratio for large corporations, whereas Herman Miller's iconic status and design heritage command a higher retail price for consumers and businesses alike.
Which has better quality furniture, Haworth or Herman Miller?
Both brands provide outstanding, contract-grade quality built to withstand over a decade of use. Neither is "better," but they have different strengths. Herman Miller is celebrated for material innovation, while Haworth is known for its durable engineering and functional design. Both back their products with industry-standard 12-year warranties.
What is the warranty on Haworth and Herman Miller chairs?
Both Haworth and Herman Miller offer a comprehensive 12-year warranty that covers most chair components, including mechanisms, casters, and frames. This reflects their confidence in the durability and longevity of their ergonomic seating.
Which brand is better for ergonomics?
Both brands are at the top of the field in ergonomics. Herman Miller pushed the industry forward with research-backed designs like the Aeron. Haworth creates incredibly adjustable and responsive chairs like the Fern that conform to an individual's unique movements. The choice often comes down to personal comfort and preference.
Can you buy these brands for a home office?
Yes. Herman Miller has a very strong direct-to-consumer business model and is widely available to buy online or through retail partners. You can absolutely buy Haworth furniture for a home office, but you will typically need to go through an authorized dealer since their business model is less focused on individual sales.
Are Herman Miller chairs worth the price?
For many people, yes they definitely are. The high price tag reflects an investment in pioneering design, extensive ergonomic research, superior materials, a long-lasting and durable product, and strong resale value. If both your physical well-being and office aesthetic are top priorities, a Herman Miller chair is often considered a worthwhile expense.
What are the flagship products for each company?
For Herman Miller, the marquee office products are the Aeron, Embody, and Sayl task chairs. For Haworth, their most acclaimed ergonomic chairs are the Fern, which offers a great combination of form and comfort, and the Zody and Soji chairs as well.
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