The Herman Miller Embody Chair and the Embody Gaming Chair are built on the same world-class ergonomic foundation, but they are tailored for different users. The main differences are in the foam padding and aesthetics, the Gaming Chair adds an extra layer of copper-infused cooling foam for enhanced comfort during long sessions and features bold, gaming-centric colorways, while the classic Embody offers a wider range of professional fabric options with standard foam.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right Embody chair from Herman Miller for your office or gaming setup.
Herman Miller Embody Chair
The original Embody Chair is a pinnacle of ergonomic design, created for professionals who spend long hours at a desk. Its signature feature is the Dynamic Pixelated Support system, which conforms to your body's micro-movements, distributing pressure evenly to encourage blood flow and focus. Developed with insights from physicians and PhDs in ergonomics, this chair is engineered to support a healthy, upright-to-slight-recline working posture.
- What it is: A high-performance, ergonomic office chair designed for pressure distribution, natural alignment, and promoting healthy movement while seated.
- Key features: Dynamic Pixelated Support, Backfit™ adjustment that tunes to your spine's unique curve, fully adjustable armrests, adjustable seat depth, and a pneumatic seat lift.
- Price: Around $1,600
- Dimensions: 29.5" W x 29" D x 43.5" H, suitable for users 5'0" to 6'4".
- Materials/Construction: A durable frame made from recycled steel and aluminum, with breathable, high-performance textile options. Backed by a 12-year warranty.
- Style: Sleek, sophisticated, and professional. Available in a vast array of neutral and corporate-friendly colors to blend seamlessly into any office or modern home workspace.
- Pros: Unmatched ergonomic support that feels personalized. Encourages healthy posture and movement. A huge range of frame and fabric customization. Backed by a comprehensive 12-year warranty. Ships fully assembled.
- Cons: A significant financial investment. The highly technical adjustments can have a slight learning curve. The aesthetic is purely professional and might not appeal to everyone.
The classic Embody is for the working professional who sees their chair as a long-term investment in health and productivity and prefers a modern, understated aesthetic.
Shop this product: hermanmiller.com/products/seating/office-chairs/embody-chair/
Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair
Developed in partnership with Logitech G, the Embody Gaming Chair takes the original's scientific design and adapts it for the specific needs of gamers. It maintains the core ergonomic support system but enhances it with an extra layer of foam in both the seat and backrest for more comfort during long, intense sessions. A key addition is the copper-infused cooling technology within the foam, designed to dissipate heat and keep players comfortable.
- What it is: A specialized version of the Embody chair, optimized with extra padding and cooling technology for the unique postures and extended sitting times of gamers.
- Key features: Includes all core Embody features plus an additional layer of seat foam, copper-infused foam for cooling, and a more pronounced back support to promote a relaxed, engaged gaming posture.
- Price: Around $1,700
- Dimensions: 29.5" W x 29" D x 45" H, features the same sizing and weight capacity as the original but feels slightly plusher.
- Materials/Construction: The same robust steel and aluminum frame with die-cast aluminum legs, but with a unique textile and additional foam layers. Also covered by the 12-year warranty.
- Style: Bold and assertive. Features a limited range of high-contrast, gaming-focused colorways like black with cyan blue or amethyst accents that stand out in a gaming setup.
- Pros: Excellent ergonomic support specifically tuned for gamers' postures. Enhanced comfort from extra foam reduces fatigue. Cooling foam actively improves comfort over long hours. Striking aesthetic matches gaming hardware. Ships fully assembled.
- Cons: A slightly higher price than the already-premium original. The distinctly "gamer" look is less versatile and may not fit in a professional setting. Far fewer color options available.
This chair is tailor-made for dedicated gamers, streamers, and people who prioritize enhanced seat comfort in a bold aesthetic for their high-performance setup.
Shop this product: hermanmiller.com/products/seating/office-chairs/embody-gaming-chair/
Embody Chair vs. Embody Gaming Chair Comparison
Comfort & Ergonomics
Both chairs share the same gold-standard ergonomic engine: the pixelated back and seat, the Backfit adjustment, and fully configurable arms, seat height, and depth. They are both exceptional for spinal health. The key comfort difference is the padding. The Embody Gaming Chair deliberately adds an extra layer of foam, including a copper-infused cooling layer, to both the seat and back.
This additional cushioning is designed for the more relaxed, forward-leaning, or semi-reclined postures common in gaming. It provides a slightly softer, more supported feel for long sessions. The original Embody Chair offers a firmer, more responsive feel that encourages the micro-movements ideal for traditional office work.
Dimensions & Sizing
The structural frame, size, and adjustment ranges of both chairs are virtually identical. Both accommodate a wide spectrum of body types and have a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds. The external dimensions are the same, and neither chair will take up more floor space than the other. The only perceptible difference in feel comes from the Gaming Chair's added foam, which might make the seat pocket feel slightly snugger initially, but it quickly conforms to your body.
Style & Aesthetics
This is the most apparent distinction. The classic Embody is designed for the modern office, offering dozens of refined frame and fabric combinations. You can configure it with polished aluminum or graphite finishes and choose from a wide palette of textiles to perfectly match your professional workspace. It looks purposeful and sophisticated.
The Embody Gaming chair makes a statement. It is only available in a few curated, high-contrast color schemes, such as the signature Cyan/Black or the all-black with carbon details. These were chosen to complement the look of gaming PCs, keyboards, and other peripherals. It’s designed to be the centerpiece of a gaming battle station, not to blend into an office.
Price & Value
The Embody Gaming Chair costs roughly $100 more than the standard Embody. Where you find the value depends entirely on your needs. For a serious gamer, the $100 upcharge for the tangible benefits of extra foam and heat-dissipating technology offers excellent value, as it directly translates to greater comfort and longer, more focused sessions. For someone buying a chair exclusively for office work, that same $100 pays for features (gamer aesthetic, added padding) they may not need or even want, making the classic Embody the better value.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both chairs represent the peak of ergonomic performance, but their finishing touches serve distinct purposes and settings.
Choose the Embody Chair if:
- Your chair is primarily for work or general office tasks in a home or corporate setting.
- You want maximum customization, with access to a wide variety of frame finishes and fabric colors.
- You prefer a sleek, professional aesthetic that blends quietly into your decor.
- You favor a firm, responsive support system that encourages active sitting.
Choose the Embody Gaming Chair if:
- You are a dedicated gamer or streamer who spends many consecutive hours in your chair.
- You value the added comfort and pressure relief from the extra foam layers.
- You play heat-intensive games and would benefit from the copper-infused cooling foam.
- You want a chair with a bold, high-tech aesthetic that matches your gaming setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Embody and Embody Gaming Chair?
The three main differences are padding, cooling, and aesthetics. The Embody Gaming Chair has an extra layer of foam for comfort, copper-infused foam to reduce heat buildup, and a bold, gamer-centric color scheme. The standard Embody offers a wider range of professional colors and has the original, firmer support cushion.
Is the Embody Gaming Chair better for your back?
Both chairs are equally superb for back health because they use the identical Backfit™ Adjustment and Dynamic Pixelated Support systems. The choice depends on posture, the standard Embody is ideal for upright office work, while the Gaming chair offers enhanced cradle-like support for the varied postures of gamers.
Can you use a regular Embody Chair for gaming?
Absolutely. The original Embody was a top choice for gamers for over a decade before the official gaming version was released. It provides exceptional ergonomic support for any seated activity. You just won't get the gamer-specific foam and cooling enhancements.
Is the Embody Gaming Chair worth the extra cost?
For a passionate gamer, the slight extra cost is likely worth it for the tangible increase in long-session comfort from the extra padding and cooling foam. For non-gamers, the standard model provides all the necessary ergonomic benefits at a lower price.
Do both chairs have the same 12-year warranty?
Yes. Both the Embody Chair and the Embody Gaming Chair are covered by Herman Miller's comprehensive 12-year, 3-shift warranty, which includes all parts and labor.
Do the Embody chairs come with a headrest?
No, neither the original nor the Gaming model includes a headrest. The chair's design encourages a balanced posture where your head is supported by your spine, eliminating the need for a headrest when sitting correctly.
How much assembly is required?
One of the best features is that both chairs ship fully assembled directly from Herman Miller. You simply need to remove the chair from the box and packaging, and it's ready to use.
How adjustable are the Embody chairs?
Both models are highly adjustable. They both feature identical controls for armrest height and width, seat height, seat depth, tilt tension and limiter, and the one-of-a-kind Backfit™ Adjustment to shape the backrest to your spine's curve.
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