My Herman Miller Cosm Chair Is One of My Most Prized Possessions

If you were to ask me what material possessions I couldn’t live without, my desk chair would make it into my top five. A Herman Miller Cosm, to be specific, my chair has completely changed how my body feels after a long day of work.

Yes, I realize how wild it may sound to wax poetic about a chair. But as a writer and editor, I have to sit in front of my computer to make a living. I’m also in my mid 30s and have had two babies. And I’m constantly bending down and picking up my kids. If there’s one part of my body that’s always on the verge of spasming, it’s my back.

Which brings me back to my Cosm chair. I upgraded about five years ago, and my back has never felt better. I no longer feel sore from just sitting; of course, I still have to take breaks throughout the day and get up and walk to change up my posture a bit. But there’s a noticeable difference in how my entire body feels at the end of a long day or week of work.

The chair, and all of the other models from Herman Miller, is admittedly expensive. Yet I think it’s worth every single penny. Here’s why I’m such a believer and could never go back to an old, cheapo chair that’s not optimized for support.

What Are Herman Miller Chairs?

Herman Miller is known for making comfortable, highly ergonomic desk chairs. I’ve noticed a handful of ergonomic desk chair companies have come onto the scene in the last few years, but Herman Miller is the OG.

The chairs are responsive, meaning that they effortlessly bend and pivot as the person sitting in them does, so that the support moves with you. The mesh material is breathable (so you never get sweaty, even in hotter months) and flexible, allowing it to confirm to your body and help evenly distribute pressure so that your muscles feel supported. And each chair includes special spinal support features to help keep you properly aligned and sitting with good posture.

Herman Miller chairs also come with a 12-year warranty — which is reassuring when you’re making such a big investment.

How I Tested My Cosm Chair

I’ve had my Cosm chair since 2021. Since I got it, I’ve sat in it to work at my desk, five days a week, most weeks. So yes, I’ve done a heck of a lot of sitting in it over the years.

Assembly

It comes fully assembled right out of the box, so you can literally just open it up and roll it out. Literally could not be easier.

Adjustability

Unlike some other Herman Miller models, the Cosm does not have a ton of hyper adjustable parts. It comes with thee options for back height — I have the mid back — and three different armrest styles — mine’s the adjustable arm. Some people may prefer a chair that can be tweaked in a bunch of ways to get the absolute perfect fit. But I appreciate the low-level effort required to get comfy; I just wanted a chair that would be supportive with the basic adjustments I needed and the ones I didn’t. This chair moves up and down for height, and so do the arm rests. Otherwise, everything else takes a one-size-fits-all approach. (For a more customizable fit, you can try the Aeron or Embody chairs.)

Comfort

For me, this is what makes the Cosm chair worth the big bucks. My back feels supported, my butt is comfortably cradled, and I can adjust the chair and arm rests to the exact height I need to get my feet flat on the floor, knees bent, and arms in a comfortable position on the desk. I always used to have back pain at the end of a long workday; ever since I switched to this chair, I don’t. It’s made a huge difference in how my body feels and functions.

I also like that I can lean on the backrest and it tilts effortlessly depending on how much weight I put into it, to get myself into whatever angle I’m trying to be in.

Durability

Five years in and the suspension and tilt still work like a dream, and the wheels continue to roll perfectly — compared to the random Amazon chair my husband uses that makes a horrible squeaking noise and needs to be pushed hard because the castors seem like they need to be re-greased. I’ve never needed any sort of tune up or repairs and it still looks like it’s brand new. I do take good care of my chair, but I wouldn’t say I baby it in any special way; I guess I’m a little lucky that it hasn’t been a victim of a major spill or encounter with a sharp object that might mess with or degrade the materials quicker.

Cleaning

To clean it, I’ve simply wiped off food or dust with a damp microfiber cloth. I haven’t needed to, but the brand says you can use a mild detergent to clean the base, frame, and arms. There are also specific instructions for spot-cleaning the seat material. I have the graphite color, so I think it’s more forgiving than one of the lighter fabrics would be — which has been convenient since my toddler likes to climb into my chair sometimes. I’ve never noticed any stains. It’s important to note that some Herman Miller chairs are made of different materials, so you’ll want to read care instructions for whatever individual model you buy to make sure you don’t accidentally degrade the fabric or stain it when you’re trying to clean it.

What I Love About Herman Miller Chairs

It feels good to sit in them.

The most important thing about a desk chair is that I feel good sitting in it all day, and my Cosm chair does that for me. Other Herman Miller chairs come with even more targeted and customizable back support and various tilt features, for an even more customizable fit, if that’s what you’re after. But I love that even without all of that, my back is happy in my chair.

They’re made of high-quality materials.

I love that this chair looks the same as the day I got it. And it functions the same way, too. There are no signs of any of the parts degrading with age or normal use. I can turn in my seat and push myself across the floor and adjust up and down without missing a beat or needing to fight a setting or lever or wheel into submission.

What I Don’t Love About Herman Miller Chairs

They’re expensive.

If I’m being honest, this is the only downside, IMO. It’s a big one though: The prices of these chairs is quite a limiting factor. I can shout about the benefits from the rooftops, but at the end of the day, these chairs cost over $1,000, and sometimes well over $2,000. That’s a lot of cash to put into a desk chair. Even if you can afford it, it may not feel like the most responsible way to budget your money. I get that.

Bottom Line: Are Herman Miller Chairs Worth Buying?

For me, it’s a resounding yes. I love my Cosm chair, and will preach about it to anyone who will listen. It feels like the perfect model for me, as someone who prioritizes comfort above all else and also deeply values minimal design that requires low effort for a high payoff. I plan to enjoy sitting in my Herman Miller Cosm chair for many more years to come.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Amy Marturana Winderl has been testing products and writing reviews for editorial publications for over a decade. She's tested everything from makeup and skincare products to fitness apparel, sneakers, gym equipment, hiking and camping equipment, and gardening tools and accessories. She has also tested products and written copy for SELF's beauty and fitness awards and Outside's gear guide. For HGTV, Amy has tested a variety of home and garden products, including wheelbarrows, garden hoses, hose reels, gardening carts and wagons, pop-up canopy tents and bath mats.

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