Herman Miller vs Secretlab for gaming and work

Seat shape and side support

Herman Miller task chairs have a broad, mostly flat seat with a gently rolled front edge and no raised sides. That leaves room to shift your weight, sit cross-legged for a moment or turn to reach a drawer. The Aeron's mesh seat is suspended on a frame, and the Embody's seat is padded with a flexing structure underneath.

Secretlab's Titan chairs keep the gaming chair outline: a seat with raised side wings and a backrest with shoulder wings, though Secretlab has softened these over the years compared with racing-style buckets. The wings help hold you in place when you lean back, but some people find them pressing on the thighs or hips. Secretlab sells its Titan in several sizes, which helps avoid that if you choose the right one.

Recline and tilt

Task chairs are built around a tilt that moves with you while you work. The Aeron and Embody let the back move through a range with adjustable tension and lock it in a few positions, but they do not lie far back. They are designed so you can lean back to read or think and then return upright to type.

Gaming chairs use a separate recline lever that lets the backrest go much further back, close to lying down on many models, plus a rocking tilt for the whole seat. That suits watching a film, leaning back with a controller or resting between matches. If you want a deep recline, a gaming chair is the better tool. If you want the chair to follow you while you work upright, a task chair is.

Armrests, lumbar and covers compared

Both brands offer adjustable armrests. Secretlab's Titan uses 4D arms, which move up and down, forward and back, side to side and pivot. Herman Miller arms vary by model, with height and pivot on most Aerons and more movement on some specifications. For lumbar, the Aeron uses a pad or its PostureFit support, the Embody relies on its flexing back with no separate pad, and Secretlab builds an adjustable lumbar into the Titan's backrest instead of a loose cushion.

Covers differ more. Herman Miller uses mesh or upholstered fabric. Secretlab offers leatherette and a woven fabric option. Mesh breathes best in a warm room, fabric sits in the middle, and leatherette wipes clean but can feel warm.

See our best gaming chairs →

Which suits work, which suits gaming

If you spend most of the day typing, a task chair usually fits better. The HSE display screen equipment guidance focuses on a stable chair with adjustable height and back support, forearms roughly horizontal and feet flat on the floor or a footrest. A flat seat with a sliding or sized depth, low arms that tuck under the desk and a tilt that follows you all help with that. Herman Miller is built around this kind of use.

If you split time between a desk and leaning back with a controller, a gaming chair can do both reasonably well. Look for 4D arms, a lumbar you can set, and a recline that locks firmly. Make sure the side wings do not press on you in the size you choose. Many people who game at a keyboard and mouse use a task chair happily; many who game with a controller prefer a gaming chair.

• Mostly typing and mouse work: task chair
• Mostly controller gaming and films: gaming chair
• Hot room: mesh task chair or fabric gaming chair
• Shared chair: one with plenty of adjustment, or a size that fits everyone

Cheaper routes to either style

Both brands sit at the premium end. If you like the task chair approach, many mid-range mesh chairs copy the Aeron's breathable seat and add seat depth and 4D arms. If you like the gaming approach, Razer and Corsair chairs offer wide seats, 4D arms and deep recline at lower prices. See our gaming chairs under £400 and Herman Miller alternatives guides for listing-based comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Herman Miller chair good for gaming? Yes for keyboard and mouse gaming at a desk. It will not recline as far as a gaming chair, so it is less suited to lying back with a controller.

Is a Secretlab good for working from home? It can be, if you set the lumbar, arms and seat height properly and the side wings do not press on you. Check the size chart before buying.

Which lasts longer? Both are built for years of daily use. Mesh and fabric do not peel, while leatherette covers can wear at the edges over time. Warranty terms vary by model and retailer.

Does Herman Miller make gaming chairs? Herman Miller has released gaming editions of some task chairs. They keep the task chair design rather than the racing seat shape.