Home / Home & cleaning / Office chairs / Compare
Herman Miller Sayl vs X-Chair X2
The Herman Miller Sayl comes out ahead for most homes.
The verdict in 10 seconds
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 X-Chair X2 suits you if
- You sit at a desk most of the day and want firm lower-back support
- You enjoy fine-tuning a chair to fit your body exactly
- You want a premium mesh chair below top-tier designer prices
May not suit you if
- You're lighter and prefer gentle rather than pronounced lumbar support
- You want a soft, cushy seat and padded armrests
- You're on a tight budget or want cheap, easy returns
The short version
The Herman Miller Sayl is the stronger all-rounder of the two. The X-Chair X2 is still the better fit if you sit at a desk most of the day and want firm lower-back support.
We researched 10 expert reviews, analyzed 1,630 owner ratings and comments across 11 sources for the two, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
See the evidence
The scoreboardProduct Review score 81 vs 67 · reliability 83 vs 100
| Herman Miller Sayl | X-Chair X2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 81 | 67 |
| Experts | 79 | 78 |
| Owners | 83 | 40 |
| Reliability | 83 | 100 |
| Report problems | 7% | 0% |
| Evidence | 5 reviews · 534 comments | 5 reviews · 85 comments |
| Typical price | $1,020–$1,075 | $799–$969 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 79 vs 78 · Owners 83 vs 40
Herman Miller Sayl
X-Chair X2
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score
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.
X-Chair X2
Four of the five hands-on reviewers praise the X2's lumbar support, and all five highlight its extensive adjustability. Owners are cooler, though. Of 85 owner comments, 34% say it is poor value and 14% raise comfort complaints, while 11% praise back support and 12% praise comfort. No owners mention failures, but only 21 comments are first-hand, so confidence in the owner picture is low. The evidence on how well it fixes back pain specifically rests mainly on one three-week review.
Where each one falls shortThe most common complaints
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
X-Chair X2
- Expensive, with add-ons that add up fast
- Hard armrests and a tricky headrest adjustment
- Firm seat that some find uncomfortable
Quick answers
Which is better, the Herman Miller Sayl or the X-Chair X2?
The Herman Miller Sayl, for most homes. The X-Chair X2 is the better fit if you sit at a desk most of the day and want firm lower-back support.
Based on: Product Review score 81 vs 67.Which is more reliable?
The X-Chair X2. It's the least likely of the two to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 83 vs 100; problems mentioned by 7% vs 0% 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 83 vs 40, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The X-Chair X2 usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Herman Miller Sayl $1,020–$1,075; X-Chair X2 $799–$969.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.