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Branch Ergonomic Chair vs Herman Miller Sayl
The Herman Miller Sayl edges it for most homes.
The verdict in 10 seconds
The Branch Ergonomic Chair suits you if
- You sit at a desk for long hours and want a cool, comfortable seat
- You like fine-tuning seat depth, lumbar and armrests
- You're roughly average height and want near-premium features for less
May not suit you if
- You lean on your armrests a lot and want them soft and locked in place
- You're well over six feet tall or need a taller backrest
- You need strong, highly adjustable lower-back support
The Herman Miller Sayl suits you if
- You're petite to average height and sit at a desk all day
- You have a smaller home office and want a chair that doesn't take over the room
- You like firm, springy support and a breathable back that's easy to clean
May not suit you if
- You're especially tall and need support up to your shoulders
- You want a headrest or like to recline deeply
- You prefer a soft, plush, heavily padded seat
The short version
The Herman Miller Sayl is the stronger all-rounder of the two. The Branch Ergonomic Chair is still the better fit if you sit at a desk for long hours and want a cool, comfortable seat.
We researched 13 expert reviews, analyzed 3,273 owner ratings and comments across 12 sources for the two, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
See the evidence
The scoreboardProduct Review score 75 vs 81 · reliability 91 vs 83
| Branch Ergonomic Chair | Herman Miller Sayl | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 75 | 81 |
| Experts | 77 | 79 |
| Owners | 66 | 83 |
| Reliability | 91 | 83 |
| Report problems | 3% | 7% |
| Evidence | 8 reviews · 466 comments | 5 reviews · 534 comments |
| Typical price | $299–$389 | $1,020–$1,075 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 77 vs 79 · Owners 66 vs 83
Branch Ergonomic Chair
Herman Miller Sayl
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score
Branch Ergonomic Chair
Six of the 8 expert sources gave substantive verdicts, and 5 of those were clearly positive, praising comfort, adjustability and value; one (btod.com) found it the least comfortable of Branch's three chairs. Among 466 owner comments, 46% praise comfort and 13% praise back support, while only 2% mention back pain and 3% mention failures, supporting a high reliability score of 91. Adjustability splits owners: 25% complain about it versus 17% who like it, echoing expert gripes about hard, slipping armrests and an awkward tension knob. Evidence on back problems specifically is thin, as no source tested it for back pain, and Consumer Reports' results are paywalled, Forbes reviewed the Pro model, and WIRED only mentions it briefly.
Herman Miller Sayl
Four of 5 expert sources tested the Sayl hands-on, and all four call it comfortable and well built; Forbes named it its best office chair overall after a month of panel testing. Owners agree: of 534 comments (477 first-hand), 53% praise comfort and 21% specifically praise back support, while only 3% mention back pain and 7% mention any failure. About 80% of the 1,306 star ratings we saw are five stars. The evidence is thinner on back problems specifically, since no expert evaluated it for medical back conditions, Consumer Reports' results are paywalled, and lumbar support depends on an extra-cost option that testers judged differently.
Where each one falls shortThe most common complaints
Branch Ergonomic Chair
- Armrests are hard, wobbly or slip out of position
- Adjustments like the tension knob are awkward to use
- Lumbar support has limited range and the seat can feel firm
Herman Miller Sayl
- Short backrest and no headrest for tall users
- Lumbar support and other add-ons cost extra, and some find the lumbar flimsy
- Armrest adjustment and seat padding wear draw some complaints
Quick answers
Which is better, the Branch Ergonomic Chair or the Herman Miller Sayl?
The Herman Miller Sayl, for most homes. The Branch Ergonomic Chair is the better fit if you sit at a desk for long hours and want a cool, comfortable seat.
Based on: Product Review score 75 vs 81.Which is more reliable?
The Branch Ergonomic Chair. It's the least likely of the two to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 91 vs 83; problems mentioned by 3% vs 7% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
The Herman Miller Sayl. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.
Based on: Owners score 66 vs 83, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The Branch Ergonomic Chair usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Branch Ergonomic Chair $299–$389; Herman Miller Sayl $1,020–$1,075.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.