SIHOO M57 Office Chair review: luxurious ergonomic touches with basic price tag

When I embarked on this SIHOO M57 Office chair review, I couldn't see how any chair could improve on my perfectly acceptable existing chair. No, I don't remember what the brand is but it said it was ergonomic and I was pretty okay with the experience. 

So, did the SIHOO M57's feature set convince me otherwise? The price point is excellent, sure, but does it offer value for money or is it simply basic? In short, a bit of both. It may earn a place in our best office chair for back pain roundup, and really when taken in context of the market as a whole, this is a great budget ergonomic chair. Just don't expect real leather and premium quality materials.

Design and assembly

The chair came in a giant box and needed assembling, which was a pretty simple task – and the fancy white gloves added a certain ceremony to the proceedings (I felt like a magician). It took around 25 minutes to assemble using the clear instructions and didn't create any drama. It's worth noting that Sihoo chairs come in many more parts to construct than other brands. It definitely helps keep the price down. 

The result is a solid build, with nicely moving parts. There is one lever, which moves to allow the chair to up and down or to tilt forwards and backwards. The lever works smoothly once you've got the hang of it, but it is a little fiddly. There are also armrests that move in and out, which work well, and the casters move smoothly across the floor.

Design-wise, it's pretty sleek, if a little basic. The mesh makes for a no-frills appearance, though it does have some pattern running across it to jazz things up a bit. The PU/PA/electroplated steel frame looks suitably mid-range and feels relatively sturdy. 

Features and comfort

The SIHOO M57 is comfortable to sit on, whether that's for a couple hours or more a proper marathon work slog. However, in context to the competition, it's a little sparse. There's no cushioning – it's mesh only – so while it feels super-supportive and keeps you cool, you don't feel as if you're sinking into a cloud. It's functional and keeps you upright in a comfy way. And I suppose that's sort of perfect given it's a work chair. No-one wants to fall asleep on the job.

The adjustability is spot on, though. I got myself into a feet-on-the-floor position I'd never achieved with my old chair, and I particularly appreciate the ability to move the armrests forwards and backwards – my wrists feel a lot happier than with my old set-up. The lumbar support is the star of the show as it has the luxurious touch of an added cushion to support your spine. 

It's pretty spacious, if I wanted to sit cross legged I could (I don't want to), and it seems to cater for a range of heights – but very tall people will struggle. I'm 5ft 5 and found the perfect setting, but my 6ft 2 companion felt he was on the upper ends of suitability. The headrest is a bit of a treat, it tilts forward enough to be of use without having to reach your head back too far. 

Price

This is a budget chair that hits above its weight when it comes to ergonomics. Sure, there are prettier out there, and there are chairs that offer more melting-comfort than the M57. But with an RRP of around $229, you can pick it up on Amazon or other third party retailers for less, it's a really solid budget option.