Costly gaming chairs with their outsized, automobile seat-like appears to be like aren’t for everybody. And whereas business leaders like the wonderful Secret Lab Titan Evo and Noblechairs Legend do include built-in adjustable lumbar help, ergonomics is just not their main focus.
For somebody who desires a chair that is equally at dwelling within the workplace or the lounge, designed primarily to help your decrease again, there’s the very spectacular FlexiSpot C7 Ergonomic Workplace chair.
Do not assume that the C7 is an inexpensive compromise to purchasing a top-end gaming chair. Whereas it won’t be as expensive because the $500+ Titan, the much more costly Legend, or a prime of the road Herman Miller chair that runs 4 figures, this all-black mesh mannequin nonetheless prices $349, and the web site says that is at the moment $260 cheaper than typical.
However there’s an enormous distinction between the C7 and people commonplace, ache-inducing chairs you discover populating most workplace buildings.
Unpacking and Meeting
One factor the FlexiSpot C7 does have in widespread with gaming chairs is that it is available in an unfeasibly massive field. The excellent news is that the assorted elements aren’t fairly as heavy, which makes shifting them round and slotting every little thing collectively barely simpler for essentially the most half, although the meeting course of continues to be quite a bit less complicated with another person serving to, particularly when inserting the finished seat part into the wheel stand.
Nevertheless, there’s one step within the directions that myself – and different reviewers, it appears – struggled to grasp because it is not very clear.
It took about 5 minutes of makes an attempt earlier than getting it proper.
Attaching the headrest was a bit fiddly, too, however aside from the beforehand talked about exception, the guide is fairly good general. The entire course of took round 20 minutes on my own, and it will have been faster have been it not for that one situation. It was definitely accomplished in much less time than it took to place the weighty Legend and Titan Evo collectively.
First impressions
As soon as completed, it is simple to see how totally different the FlexiSpot C7 appears to be like from most workplace chairs. There’s the breathable mesh cloth overlaying every little thing, the flowery headrest, the multitude of levers, and, most conspicuously, that lumbar help part that juts out. It is all very fancy.
Do not anticipate to really feel a degree of zen-like consolation the primary time you sit within the C7, although. The mesh seat (there’s additionally a foam choice for $40 much less) is definitely firmer than a typical cushioned gaming chair and takes so acclimatizing to.
Options
That is an ergonomic chair initially, so the perfect factor you are able to do is watch FlexiSpot’s personal video (beneath) to seek out the perfect setup on your wants. Get the lumbar “cushion” (as the corporate calls it) in the correct spot, unlock the recliner, lean again, and this can be a very enjoyable chair. It really rivals top-end gaming alternate options on this division and is definitely one of many nicest, most soothing workplace chair I’ve tried.
However individuals aren’t going to purchase the FlexiSpot C7 to sleep in. It is designed to be as near ergonomically excellent as potential for customers who’re going to sit down in it for hours on finish, therefore the slew of adjustability choices.
The lumbar help actually is a spotlight. I’ve tried chairs with built-in methods that both I could not really feel in any respect or have been so intrusive that it made sitting in them a literal ache.
There is a clean locking mechanism for the C7’s lumbar help simply behind the backrest on the right-hand aspect. The cushion solely adjusts barely when that is launched, however locking it within the excellent place is fantastic. As soon as secured, it continues to shift ever so barely to match your actions, permitting for a really pure really feel.
Elsewhere, the gas-powered elevate alters the peak from 19.9 inches to 22.6 inches, and a lever on the entrance permits the seat to be slid 2.4 inches ahead or backward, which is right for these with longer or shorter legs. As a aspect notice, the chair is designed for individuals between 5-foot-4 and 6-foot-2 (162 cms to 188 cms – as much as 300 kilos), which is one thing not that widespread in gaming chairs.
I actually love the 90- to 128-degree recline function within the FlexiSpot with 5 lockable positions. It is one thing most chairs have, however right here it feels smoother than most rivals, and the stress adjuster deal with is nice. There’s additionally a lever for tilting the angle of the seat that’s easy to lock and unlock with a twist, however the base does appear to have simply two set positions.
The armrests are one other glorious function and one which’s similar to the Legend, Titan Evo, and different gaming chairs. The 4D motion permits them to be positioned increased or decrease, ahead and backward, horizontally, and at totally different angles.
Solely the up-and-down perform of the armrests requires a button press, however I by no means moved them by accident by leaning too arduous. They’re additionally fairly tender, if not fairly reaching Titan Evo ranges of satisfying squishiness.
Lastly, there’s the headrest. It supported my unusually massive skull properly, was comfortable, and stored me cool all day. It is manually adjusted with no lock however stays in place completely, even once you throw your head in opposition to it after dying in Remnant 2 for the millionth time.
Construct
It is troublesome to seek out something to complain about with the C7’s construct. The chair is sturdy with no creaks or worrying noises when rolling throughout the ground or adjusting the assorted parts. It additionally feels safe when shifting your weight within the seat or adopting a distinct place (you possibly can sit crossed legged), with no wobbling to talk of.
One thing else that I like is how simply the castors glide throughout a floor and the best way the seat spins 360 levels with little effort from the person. That is doubtless because of it being lighter than most gaming chairs, nevertheless it’s nonetheless extremely well-built, which in all probability explains why FlexiSpot gives a 10-year guarantee.
Efficiency
Placing the C7’s ergonomic claims to the take a look at concerned some 9-hour work classes with minimal breaks, adopted by round 2 to five 5 hours of gaming.
There have been occasions throughout my work classes when sitting within the C7 felt so pure that it was nearly like I used to be floating. The lumbar system would possibly take a bit getting used to at first, however it will definitely turned so completely slotted into my again that I forgot it was there.
Moreover, the mesh materials stopped issues from getting toasty in the best way pleather/leather-based/different materials can on heat days. If there’s one criticism, it is that urgent my again in opposition to the mesh would not really feel as good because it does with foam.
After my shifts had completed, I obtained up and felt… nothing. My again, which regularly feels tight after this period of time in different chairs, was fully painless, as have been my legs and neck. And there was no numb bottom that normally comes from sitting for hours on finish.
The gaming classes have been even higher as I used to be in a position to recline the C7 for a extra relaxed expertise. I really loved leaving the reclining lock off and utilizing the backrest nearly like a rocking chair.
Conclusion
I genuinely didn’t anticipate to be an enormous fan of the FlexiSpot C7. The phrases “ergonomic” and “workplace chair” will not be essentially the most interesting mixture, in spite of everything. Nevertheless, not solely does the chair look the half, however your bones and muscle groups will thanks, too.
The FlexiSpot C7 is just not with out its negatives, in fact. A sale worth of $349 for the mesh model means this isn’t a reasonable chair (relying on who you ask), and regardless of all of the positives, paying an everyday worth that is nearly twice this quantity feels a tad too costly.
Take into account that some individuals get pleasure from an outsized gaming chair that buries them in an opulent foamy seat once they sit down. This isn’t that. Additionally, extra of a warning than a unfavorable, the C7 does require some preliminary adjustment to seek out the best place, and even then can take some time to get accustomed to, a course of not everybody is perhaps prepared to finish.
The largest praise I may give the FlexiSpot C7 is that this: now that my evaluation, which concerned near-constant use, has concluded, it is time for me to revert to my beloved Titan Evo… however I am really conflicted about returning to my gaming chair or proceed having fun with this ergonomic bliss.
Execs
- You will wrestle to discover a higher workplace chair on this worth vary
- Ergonomically nearly excellent
- The lumbar help system is superb
- 10-year guarantee
- Good-looking company appears to be like
Cons
- Can require some adjustment and getting used to
- Will probably be expensive for some
- Not as lushly snug as a premium gaming chair