The Herman Miller Sayl and Setu chairs are both premium ergonomic options from Herman Miller, but they cater to very different users based on aesthetics and user experience. The Sayl is defined by its striking, suspension-bridge-inspired design for those who want a visual statement, while the Setu offers a minimalist, "sit-and-go" experience with a flexible spine that adapts automatically to your movements.
Here’s a full comparison to help you decide which of these innovative office chairs is the right fit for your workspace.
Herman Miller Sayl Chair
Designed by Yves Behar, the Sayl chair stands out with its incredible looks inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge. Its signature feature is the frameless 3D Intelligent suspension back, which provides targeted support by stretching and moving with your body, promoting healthy posture and reducing pressure points throughout the workday.
- What it is: A design-forward ergonomic office chair known for its unique, unframed suspension back.
- Key features: Y-Tower frame, elastomer strands of varying thickness for zoned support, available adjustable arms and lumbar support, wide range of color options.
- Price: Around $595
- Dimensions: 24.5" W x 26" D x 34.25"-38.75" H. Seat height is 15.5"-20".
- Materials/Construction: The back is made of a flexible elastomer on a durable polypropylene Y-Tower frame. The seat uses contouring foam with fabric upholstery.
- Style: Unconventional, architectural, and modern. It’s an eye-catching piece that adds a creative touch to any office or home workspace.
- Pros: A striking and memorable design. The flexible back offers excellent breathability and tailored lumbar support. Accessible price point for a Herman Miller chair. Highly customizable with many color combinations.
- Cons: The bold aesthetic might not suit every decor style. The standard model comes with fewer adjustments, essentials like fully adjustable arms and lumbar support are upgrades. Its plastic components can feel less premium than higher-end models.
The Sayl is built for individuals who view their office chair as a functional piece of art and appreciate an innovative approach to ergonomics without a top-tier price tag.
Shop this product: store.hermanmiller.com/office-chairs-sayl/sayl-chair/100103823.html
Herman Miller Setu Chair
Designed by Studio 7.5, the Setu is the answer for modern, collaborative workspaces where simplicity is key. It eliminates the confusing levers and knobs found on typical task chairs. Its core feature is the Kinematic Spine, which intelligently contours to your back, shoulders, and hips as you recline, providing continuous support without needing manual adjustments.
- What it is: A lightweight, minimalist office chair designed for intuitive comfort and automatic ergonomic support.
- Key features: Kinematic Spine mechanism that mimics human spine movement, Lyris 2 suspension material for seat and back, one simple height adjustment.
- Price: Around $595
- Dimensions: 25.13" W x 17.25" D x 38.38"-42" H. Seat height is 16"-20.5".
- Materials/Construction: The one-piece frame and base are made from a durable, recycled aluminum blend. The seat and back use Lyris 2 elastomeric suspension material, which is both breathable and conforming.
- Style: Sleek, refined, and minimalist. Its slender profile and understated elegance allow it to blend seamlessly into almost any professional or home environment.
- Pros: Extremely easy to use with only one adjustment (height). Kinematic Spine delivers immediate, responsive support. Very lightweight and easy to move around. The breathable mesh-like material keeps you cool.
- Cons: Limited adjustability won't satisfy users who like to fine-tune every angle, like back tension or armrest width. The simple design may feel too basic for all-day, dedicated task work for some users. Armrests are either a fixed height or not present at all.
The Setu is made for those who move frequently between spaces or prefer an agile chair that offers instant comfort without any tinkering.
Shop this product: store.hermanmiller.com/office-chairs-setu/setu-chair/4737.html
Setu vs. Sayl Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
This is the most significant point of difference. The Herman Miller Sayl is a visual statement. Its exposed Y-Tower and webbed back are designed to be seen and discussed, making it perfect for creative studios, tech startups, or anyone looking to inject personality into their space. It comes in a huge variety of bold and neutral colors to further express your style.
In contrast, the Setu values understated elegance. Its sleek lines, minimalist profile, and neutral tones help it blend into the background rather than demand attention. Its design is more universal and works well in formal corporate settings, modern home offices, or collaborative multi-use areas where you need a cohesive look.
Comfort & Ergonomics
Both chairs are ergonomic but achieve comfort in different ways. The Sayl uses a more traditional ergonomic approach with optional, manual adjustments. Its 3D Intelligent back is engineered to provide greater support in the lumbar region and less in other areas, flexing with your micromovements. For users who want to tweak their settings, the Sayl's optional additions, like adjustable arms and lumbar support, allow for a more customized-feeling fit.
The Setu's comfort is entirely intuitive. Its Kinematic Spine is the star - it's designed to bend and flex as you move, automatically providing the right amount of support and resistance as you shift and recline. This makes it ideal for short-term sitting, conference rooms, or people who hate fooling with knobs and want the chair's smarts to do the work. However, the lack of manual recline tension or back-stop features might be missed by those who sit for 8+ hours continuously.
Materials & Construction
Both chairs reflect Herman Miller's commitment to quality and sustainability. The Sayl is built around its polypropylene Y-Tower and flexible elastomer back, which is surprisingly durable. While made primarily of high-grade plastics, it feels solid and secure.
The Setu incorporates more premium-feeling materials, featuring a sleek frame and base made of recycled aluminum. Its Lyris 2 suspension fabric feels great against the body and offers superior airflow to prevent heat buildup. Both chairs are designed to last and come with Herman Miller's 12-year warranty.
Price & Value
The Sayl and Setu are identically priced for their base models, placing them in the accessible tier of Herman Miller's office chairs lineup. The final cost of a Sayl can climb slightly higher once you add optional features like fully adjustable arms or lumbar support. Since the Setu has minimal configuration options, its price is more fixed. The value proposition for both is excellent, offering designs from world-class creators and robust ergonomic support at a price well below flagships like the Aeron or Embody.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both the Sayl and Setu are excellent investments in your comfort and well-being, but they are built for different work styles and aesthetic tastes.
Choose the Herman Miller Sayl if:
- You want your office chair to be a design centerpiece that sparks conversation.
- You appreciate an architectural and unconventional aesthetic.
- You want the ability to customize your chair with a wide range of unique color options.
- You prefer to have available manual adjustments (like lumbar support) for a more fine-tuned fit.
Choose the Herman Miller Setu if:
- You prefer a clean, minimal design that blends seamlessly into any environment.
- You want a "smart" chair that provides support without needing manual tweaking.
- Your work involves moving between different areas, and you need a light, agile chair.
- You prioritize simplicity and instant comfort over a high degree of customizability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Sayl and Setu?
The primary difference is design philosophy. The Sayl is a visually bold chair with adjustable ergonomic features, focused on being a statement piece. The Setu is a minimalist chair focused on automatic, intuitive support through its flexible spine, designed to be simple and unobtrusive.
Which chair is more adjustable?
The Sayl offers more points of manual adjustment. While both have height adjustment, the Sayl has options for tilt limiter, seat depth, and fully adjustable arms, whereas the Setu's adjustments are almost entirely automatic through its Kinematic Spine.
Which Herman Miller chair is better for long hours?
For dedicated, all-day tasking at a single desk, the Sayl is often the better choice due to its optional lumbar support and greater adjustability, which allow you to dial in the perfect fit. The Setu excels in environments where you might sit for a few hours at a time or move between various work points.
Does the Sayl's plastic back feel strong?
Yes. While it is frameless, the elastomer material is engineered to be both flexible and highly durable. The strands vary in thickness to provide resilient support where you need it most, and it holds up very well to daily use.
Can you clean these chairs easily?
Both chairs are easy to maintain. You can clean the hard surfaces and back materials with a soft cloth and a mix of mild soap and water. For the fabric seat pad, follow Herman Miller's specific textile cleaning guidelines.
Are these chairs good for posture?
Absolutely. Both are designed based on ergonomic principles to support spine health. The Sayl does it through its zoned suspension back that promotes a healthy S-curve, while the Setu does it through its adaptive spine that mirrors your body's natural movements.
What is the warranty on the Sayl and Setu chairs?
Both the Setu and Sayl chairs are covered by Herman Miller's comprehensive 12-year warranty, which covers all parts and labor, reflecting the brand's confidence in their product's durability.
Do I need to assemble these chairs?
Most chairs ordered directly from Herman Miller arrive fully assembled and ready to use, so you can enjoy them right out of the box.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
