Aeron Basic Vs. Highly Adjustable: What’s the Difference?

The Herman Miller Aeron has been making waves in the industry ever since it came out in 1990. Are you trying to decide if an Aeron Basic or Highly Adjustable is right for you? To get the answer, you must know the differences first.

The Aeron Basic has a streamlined design and fixed lumbar support, while the Highly Adjustable has a more complex design with adjustable lumbar support. The Aeron Basic is $450 cheaper than the high adjustable version and comparatively easier to maintain.

In this article, I will compare and contrast the Aeron Basic Vs. Highly Adjustable versions. I will list the pros and cons of both chairs -Finally, I also will help you decide which chair is right for you. 

So, without any further ado, let’s begin! 

Aeron Basic Vs. Highly Adjustable: Comparison 

The Aeron Basic and Highly Adjustable chairs have excellent features. Here is a comparison of the two chairs:

Comparing the Price:

Since both the Basic and High Adjustable Aeron chair are two different versions of the same high-end office chair, both chairs are going to be comparably priced. 

When it comes to the price of the Aeron chair, there is a noticeable difference, but it is not a deal-breaker.

The Aeron Chair is a bit more expensive than your average office chair, but it’s still under $1,400. 

If you are looking for an Aeron chair, the best place to start is the Herman Miller website.

The Aeron Basic is less expensive than the Aeron Highly Adjustable one. The Aeron chair with the basic setting has a price tag of $1,345.00.

On the other hand, the one with the high adjustable features costs around $1,795.00. 

Here are the prices of Herman Miller Aeron Basic & Highly Adjustable chairs with a decent spec:

Herman MillerSpecsPrice
Aeron BasicBase Finish: Onyx Ultra MatteBack Support: Basic Back SupportTilt: StandardArms: StandardCaster: Carpet Caster$1,345.00
Aeron Highly AdjustableBase Finish: Onyx Ultra MatteBack Support: Adjustable PostureFit SLTilt: Tilt Limiter and Seat AngleArms: Fully Adjustable ArmsCaster: Carpet Caster$1,795.00

I got a $1200 Aeron Chair deal on Amazon, with the same option costing $1645 on the Herman Miller Website. You can check it on Amazon by clicking here.

I suggest that you go to chair reviews before making your purchase. And if you are looking for a used Aeron chair, you’ll be able to find one at a much more affordable price range. 

Ergonomic Features 

When it comes to ergonomic features, both of these chairs are essentially the same. But, there are of course some key differences.

The Aeron Basic has a streamlined design, while the Aeron Highly Adjustable has a more complex design. 

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences: 

  1. The Aeron Basic has fixed lumbar support, while the Highly Adjustable has adjustable lumbar support that can be customized to fit your needs. 
  2. The Aeron Basic has 8 adjustable height settings, while the Highly Adjustable has 12 adjustable height settings. 
  3. The Aeron Basic has a fixed seat depth, while the Highly Adjustable has an adjustable seat depth that can be customized to fit your needs. 
  4. The Aeron Basic has a fixed forward tilt, while the Highly Adjustable has an adjustable forward tilt that can be customized to fit your needs. 
  5. The Aeron Basic has fixed armrests, while the Highly Adjustable has adjustable armrests that can be customized to fit your needs. 
  6. Overall, the Aeron Basic is a more simplistic design, while the Highly Adjustable has more adjustable features that can be customized to fit your needs.

Aeron Basic Chair Has:

1) A streamlined design with basic lumbar support, standard tilt and stationary armrests. 

2) Is less expensive and easier to maintain than the Highly Adjustable. 

3) Comes in a variety of colors including black, blue, gray, and white. 

Aeron Highly Adjustable Chair Has: 

1) A more complex design with movable lumbar support. 

2) Is more expensive and offers more customization options than the Basic

3) Comes in a variety of colors including black, blue, gray, and white.

Common Features Between Aeron Basic and Aeron Highly Adjustable Chairs:

  1. Both chairs come in a variety of colors including black, blue, gray, and white. 
  2. Both chairs have a streamlined design. 
  3. Both chairs have no headrest. 
  4. Both chairs are comfortable and supportive. 
  5. Both chairs are high-end office chairs and highly durable.

Which Aeron Chair is Right for Me? 

The chair that is right for you depends on your individual preferences, budget, and needs.

If you’re looking for an affordable chair with a streamlined design, the Aeron Basic is a good option.

But, if your priority is better ergonomics, then the highly adjustable version is far better than the basic version.

Build Quality 

When it comes to the build quality of the Aeron chair, there is no difference. Both chairs are made with high-quality materials and are built to last. 

The only difference is that the Highly Adjustable chair offers more customization options, which means that it may be a bit more difficult to assemble than the Basic chair.

Design & Comfort 

The Aeron chair is known for its design and comfort. Both of these chairs feature a single black/Onyx Ultra Matte frame/base. And they come in the same three sizes (A, B, and C). 

The Basic version features a basic back support system and a standard tilt mechanism, which should provide you with a sufficient amount of tilt options. Furthermore, it has stationary arms. 

On the other hand, the highly adjustable version has an Adjustable Posturefit SL back support system. And it also features a tilt limiter and adjustable seat angle. Furthermore, this version also comes with fully adjustable armrests. 

Both chairs are going to provide you with good comfort. The difference is that the Highly Adjustable chair offers more customization options, which means that you can adjust it to fit your body better and it would be significantly more comfortable than the Basic version.

Purchase & Return Policies

Both chairs have a 30-day return policy. The Aeron Basic is less expensive, making it a good option if you’re not sure if the chair is going to be a good fit for you. 

If you decide that you don’t like the chair or it’s not a good fit for you, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund. The Aeron Highly Adjustable is more expensive, but it also offers more customization options. 

If you decide that you don’t like the chair or it’s not a good fit for you, you can return it within 30 days for a refund, minus a 10% restocking fee.

So, Which Chair is Right For You? 

When it comes to the build quality of the Aeron chair, there is no difference. Both chairs are made with high-quality materials and are built to last. 

The only difference is that the Highly Adjustable chair offers more customization options, which means that it may be a bit more difficult to assemble than the Basic chair. 

Both Chairs have a warranty that covers the frame, mechanism, and tilt for 12 years. The Aeron chair is a high-end office chair that is made with high-quality materials. It is built to last and comes with a 12-year warranty

If you are looking for a chair that is built to last and offers more comfort, then you should get the highly adjustable Aeron chair as it will serve you better in the long run.

Make Your Choice

Even though the Aeron Highly Adjustable chair is the clear winner here, you have to consider the pricing as well before making a choice. 

The Aeron Basic chair retails for $1345.00, while the Aeron Highly Adjustable chair retails for $1,795.00. The highly adjustable version will cost you $450 more.

So, if you’re looking for a comfortable, high-quality chair and you have the budget for it, the Aeron Highly Adjustable is a clear choice. 

However, if you’re on a budget, the Aeron Basic is still a great option. And if the price is not an issue, the Aeron chair is a clear choice.

Final Thoughts:

That’s all, folks! We hope this article helped you decide between the Aeron Basic and Highly Adjustable Chairs. Which chair you choose depends on your individual preferences and needs.

And of course, the cost of the chairs is also a huge concern. So, please take your budget into consideration before purchasing. 

Now it’s time for you to make the decision. Good luck, and thank you for reading!

Asif Iqbal

Hi, I’m the co-owner of officechairtrends.com. I had spend hundreds of hours researching on Office Chairs. This is the site where I share everything I’ve learned about office chairs.