The Steelcase Gesture and the Herman Miller Embody are both premier ergonomic office chairs, but they approach user comfort from different angles. The Gesture is engineered for extreme adjustability to support a vast range of modern work postures, while the Embody uses a dynamic, spine-inspired back and pixelated seat to conform to your body's micro-movements and promote healthy circulation.
Here’s a detailed comparison of these two titans from Steelcase and Herman Miller to help you decide which is the right investment for your workspace.
Steelcase Gesture
The Steelcase Gesture was designed in response to the changing ways people work with new technologies like tablets and smartphones. Its core strength lies in its profound adaptability, offering a level of fine-tuned control that few other chairs can match, most notably in its highly articulated armrests.
- What it is: A premium ergonomic office chair focused on providing maximum adjustability to support any posture or device use.
- Key features: 360-degree rotating armrests that adjust in height, width, and angle, LiveBack technology that follows the spine's natural movement, flexible seat edge to relieve pressure on the back of the legs.
- Price: Starts at approximately $1,200, depending on fabric and feature choices.
- Dimensions: 22.375" - 34.625" W x 21" - 23.625" D x 39.25" - 44.25" H. Seat depth is adjustable from 15.75" to 18.25".
- Style: Sleek, modern, and versatile. Its design prioritizes function over form, allowing it to blend into corporate and sophisticated home office environments seamlessly.
- Materials/Construction: A durable steel and aluminum frame with proprietary flexible plastics, and options for a wide variety of upholstery fabrics and finishes.
- Pros: Unmatched armrest adjustability for any task. Accommodates a very wide range of body types and sizes. Highly intuitive controls for seat depth, height, and tilt. Durable build quality designed for constant use.
- Cons: A firm seat that may not be comfortable for all users initially. The aesthetic is more functional and less of a visual statement piece compared to the Embody. Higher-end configurations can quickly increase the cost.
The Gesture is ideal for users who need precise, manual control over their chair's setup and frequently switch between tasks and devices.
Shop this product: store.steelcase.com/seating/office-chairs/gesture
Herman Miller Embody
The Herman Miller Embody is often described as a health-positive chair, co-designed by physicians and PhDs in ergonomics and biomechanics. Its design is based on promoting natural movement, distributing pressure evenly, and maintaining spinal alignment, making you feel like you're floating while you sit.
- What it is: A high-end ergonomic chair designed to provide instinctual, dynamic support that encourages healthy seated postures.
- Key features: A dynamic matrix of pixels on the seat and back that conform to your body's movements. Backfit adjustment allows you to tune the chair's back to your spine's natural curve. A narrow backrest that allows free arm movement.
- Price: Starts at approximately $1,500.
- Dimensions: 29" W x 15" - 18" D x 42" - 45" H. The fixed arms are integral to its balanced frame.
- Style: Sculptural, futuristic, and iconic. The exposed, spine-like frame and pixelated support make it a striking centerpiece in any modern office or home office.
- Materials/Construction: A graphite or titanium base, a durable die-cast aluminum frame, and a copolymer seat/back suspension system covered in breathable, high-performance textiles.
- Pros: Superb for promoting spinal health and encouraging subconscious movement. Excellent pressure distribution reduces restlessness. Visually stunning and iconic design. Encourages an open posture with unrestricted arm movement.
- Cons: Significantly higher price point. Armrests are less adjustable than the Gesture's (height and width only). The "floating" feel isn't for everyone, some may prefer a more grounded seat. The aesthetic is bold and may not suit all decors.
The Embody is built for the person who values passive, dynamic ergonomic support and wants a chair that functions as both a wellness tool and a piece of modern design.
Shop this product: hermanmiller.com/products/seating/office-chairs/embody-chairs
Steelcase Gesture vs. Herman Miller Embody Comparison
Comfort & Ergonomics
The central ergonomic difference lies in their philosophy: active vs. passive support. The Steelcase Gesture gives you the tools to find your perfect position manually. Its 360-degree arms are its defining feature, allowing for perfect support whether you're typing at a desk, reclining with a tablet, or texting on your phone. Its back support is synchronous with the seat, providing consistent comfort as you recline. However, its seat is on the firmer side.
The Herman Miller Embody excels at passive, dynamic support. You set the Backfit adjustment once, and the chair's pixelated system automatically adjusts and moves with you throughout the day, stimulating blood flow and easing pressure points. This constant support makes it fantastic for long periods of focused work, but it offers less finite control over individual components, like arm positioning, compared to the Gesture.
Materials & Construction
Both chairs are benchmarks of quality and are built to last, backed by generous 12-year warranties that cover almost everything. The Gesture feels solid and dependable, with high-density foam, durable textiles, and a combination steel-and-plastic frame that handles daily use with ease. It's engineered to be a workhorse.
The Embody uses more visible, cutting-edge materials. Its iconic 'exoskeleton' spine is a marvel of engineering, and the pixelated support system is a complex web of durable, flexible plastic polymers. The overall feel is lighter and more futuristic, though equally robust. Both chairs incorporate recycled materials and follow sustainable manufacturing practices.
Price & Value
The Embody is consistently the more expensive of the two chairs, with its starting price roughly $300-$400 higher than the Gesture. This positions it firmly as a premium, investment-grade wellness product. The value proposition of the Embody comes from its health-positive design and iconic aesthetic.
The Steelcase Gesture, while still a premium chair, offers a better value proposition for those whose primary concern is adjustability. For a lower entry price, you get arguably the most adaptable arms on the market and a chair that can suit almost any body type or work style, making it a highly practical and durable investment.
Style & Versatility
Style is where the two chairs diverge most starkly. The Embody is a statement piece. Its spinal design and modern silhouette are immediately recognizable and designed to be noticed. It fits best in contemporary, minimalist, or tech-forward spaces where the furniture itself is part of the aesthetic.
The Gesture has a safer, more universal appeal. Its design is clean and professional but less adventurous. This isn't a drawback, its versatility means it can blend into nearly any setting, from a bustling corporate open-plan office to a cozy dedicated home office, without clashing with existing decor. It's elegant in its functional discretion.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these chairs are fantastic options for anyone serious about workspace comfort, but they serve different priorities.
Choose the Steelcase Gesture if:
- You use multiple devices (laptop, tablet, phone) at your desk and need arms that can keep up.
- You want maximum, granular control over every aspect of your chair's fit.
- The chair will be shared by multiple users with different body types and preferences.
- You value practical functionality and versatility over a bold design statement.
Choose the Herman Miller Embody if:
- Your primary concern is long-term spinal health and promoting micro-movements while sitting.
- You prefer a chair that automatically adjusts to you rather than needing constant manual tweaking.
- You spend very long, focused hours at your computer.
- You appreciate iconic modern design and want your chair to be a visually striking part of your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Gesture and the Embody?
The primary difference is the support philosophy. The Gesture provides unmatched manual adjustability for active support (you decide the position), while the Embody provides automatic, pixelated support that moves with your body for passive support (the chair reacts to you).
Do the Steelcase Gesture and Herman Miller Embody come with a warranty?
Yes, both chairs are industry-leaders in this regard. Each comes with a comprehensive 12-year manufacturer warranty that covers parts and labor for 24/7 use.
Which ergonomic chair is better for gaming?
Both are extremely popular in the gaming community. However, Herman Miller has collaborated with Logitech to release a specific GAMING version of the Embody with enhanced features like cooling foam, making it a targeted choice for gamers.
Can I try these chairs before buying them?
Absolutely. Both Steelcase and Herman Miller have networks of authorized dealers and showrooms where you can often test the chairs in person. This is highly recommended given a chair's personal nature and the high cost.
Is the Herman Miller Embody worth the extra cost over the Steelcase Gesture?
This depends on your priorities. If you value its advanced spinal support system, unique pressure distribution, and iconic design, the extra cost is justified as an investment in your well-being. If your primary need is versatile adjustability, especially for the arms, the Gesture offers exceptional value.
Which chair has better armrests?
The Steelcase Gesture has demonstrably more adjustable armrests. They move up, down, in, out, forward, backward, and pivot 360 degrees, making them superior for supporting a wide range of tasks and technologies. The Embody's arms only adjust for height and width.
Do these chairs come fully assembled?
In most cases, yes. When purchasing directly or from an authorized dealer in North America, both the Gesture and Embody typically ship fully assembled and ready to use out of the box.
How do I know which one will fit my body?
Both chairs are designed to fit a wide range of people, generally from the 5th percentile female to the 95th percentile male. The Gesture offers seat depth adjustment, which is a key feature for tailoring the fit for different leg lengths. The best way to know for sure is to try one in person or check the detailed specification sheets on their respective websites.
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