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Herman Miller Sayl Review

True Score

80
79
7

Experts

80
64

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The ultra-premium Herman Miller Sayl, though lacking neck support and arm adjustability, is money well spent, given its good ergonomics, adequate lumbar support, sturdy build, and unique design.

$599.00

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Product Snapshot

Overview

Released in 2010, the Herman Miller Sayl is a premium office chair inspired by the design of the Golden Gate Bridge. It features a die-cast aluminum frame, Harmonic tilt technology, an elastomer backrest, an injection-molded foam seat cushion, and 100% recycled polyester set fabric. Like the best office chairs, its weight capacity is 350 lbs, and its seat width is 18 inches.

It has five wheels, weighs 54 lbs, and has a 12-year warranty. Height adjustments fall between 16 and 20.5 inches, and the various recline angles are 91, 101, and 124 degrees.

Best For

  • Herman Miller

Consensus

our Verdict

The Herman Miller Sayl is an attractive desk chair with 91, 101, and 124-degree recline angles and height adjustments between 16 and 20.5 inches. However, its short backrest means no neck support, and the arms remain stationary. Yet, its standout feature is its exceptional lumbar support provided by the ventilated mesh backrest that moves with your body to keep you strain-free during prolonged sitting.

Unlike a traditional office chair, the Herman Miller Sayl’s design seamlessly integrates with any room, but the mesh could be a pain to clean regularly. That said, its glass-reinforced nylon and die-cast aluminum frame is durable, and although the cushion padding tends to wear off with continuous use, you’ll get a timely replacement with its 12-year warranty.

Reason to Buy

  • Good ergonomics/adjustability
    • The Herman Miller Sayl is well-suited for those seeking a comfortable and unique office chair that provides balanced movement and support for long work hours.

    • It features tilt limiters to set different recline angles (91, 101, and 124 degrees), and you can also adjust its height between 16 inches and 20.5 inches.

  • Comfortable lumbar support
    • The breathable elastomer keeps you cool on hot days and conforms to your back for optimal comfort during extended sitting hours.

  • Robust construction
    • With a glass-reinforced nylon and die-cast aluminum frame, this sturdy chair is designed to last.

Reason to Avoid

  • No neck support and armrest adjustability
    • It doesn’t feature the tallest backrest, so if you prefer neck support, this model may not be for you.

    • The armrests are stationary, which may make it hard to find the ideal elbow posture, but you can buy the same model with adjustable armrests at a higher price.

  • Cushion padding wears off
    • Continuous use might cause the cushion and armrest padding to wear off, but the 12-year warranty guarantees a replacement.

Herman Miller Sayl Specs

Adjustable ArmrestsAdjustable Armrests
Armrest Height MaxArmrest Height Max10.5", 10.78"
Armrest Height MinArmrest Height Min7"
Backrest HeightBackrest Height21"
Backrest WidthBackrest Width17"
Frame ConstructionFrame ConstructionAluminum, Alloy Steel, Nylon
Has FootrestHas FootrestNo
Head PillowHead PillowNo
Head RestHead RestNo
Lumbar SupportLumbar SupportYes
Piston TypePiston TypePneumatic Cylinder
ReclineReclineYes
Seat DepthSeat Depth16.5 – 18.5"
Seat Height AdjustmentSeat Height Adjustment17 – 22"
Seat Padding MaterialSeat Padding MaterialFoam
Seat WidthSeat Width18.5"
UpholsteryUpholsteryFoam
Weight LimitWeight Limit350 lbs
Wheel TypeWheel TypeCasters

All Specs

Test Results

Max Recline (Degrees)0
Min Seat Height (Inches)15.83
Max Seat Height (Inches)19.5

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Product Comparison

Herman Miller Sayl Review

True Score

80
80
82
80

Ranking

#

23

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31

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22

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31

#

13

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31

#

15

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22

Market Context

Released in 2010, the Herman Miller Sayl is a premium office chair inspired by the design of the Golden Gate Bridge. It features a die-cast…

Released in 2010, the Herman Miller Sayl is a premium office chair inspired by the design of the Golden Gate Bridge. It features a die-cast aluminum frame, Harmonic tilt technology, an elastomer backrest, an injection-molded foam seat cushion, and 100% recycled polyester set fabric. Like the best office chairs, its weight capacity is 350 lbs, and its seat width is 18 inches.

It has five wheels, weighs 54 lbs, and has a 12-year warranty. Height adjustments fall between 16 and 20.5 inches, and the various recline angles are 91, 101, and 124 degrees.

While neither chair features tall backrests for neck support, the Herman Miller Embody has a maximum height of 43.5 inches, higher than the Herman Miller…

While neither chair features tall backrests for neck support, the Herman Miller Embody has a maximum height of 43.5 inches, higher than the Herman Miller Sayl’s 39.25 inches height. Moreover, at 21.2 inches, the Embody has a wider seat to accommodate heavy-bottomed individuals than the Sayl (18 inches). For more information, read our Herman Miller Embody review.

The Herman Miller Aeron is priced nearly twice as much as the Herman Miller Sayl and features a more comfortable mesh seat that molds to…

The Herman Miller Aeron is priced nearly twice as much as the Herman Miller Sayl and features a more comfortable mesh seat that molds to the shape of your bottom, whereas the Sayl incorporates a foam seat cushion for even weight distribution. The Aeron comes in three sizes to suit various weights and heights, but the Sayl is designed only in a singular size. To learn more, check this Herman Miller Aeron review.

The Herman Miller Sayl has a breathable elastomer backrest, whereas the Corsair TC200’s backrest is made of soft fabric. The Sayl’s design is unique, resembling…

The Herman Miller Sayl has a breathable elastomer backrest, whereas the Corsair TC200’s backrest is made of soft fabric. The Sayl’s design is unique, resembling a sail, while the TC200 adopts a design inspired by a racing seat. The TC200 includes a memory foam neck pillow for reduced strain while working, a feature absent in the Sayl due to its shorter backrest.

Adjustable Armrests

Yes

Yes

4-Dimensional

Armrest Height Max

10.5", 10.78"

n/a

30"

n/a

Armrest Height Min

7"

n/a

22"

n/a

Backrest Height

21"

24"

20.5"

32.67"

Backrest Width

17"

13"

n/a

20.87"

Frame Construction

Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Nylon

Metal and Plastic

Steel and Plastic

Steel

Has Footrest

No

No

No

No

Head Pillow

No

No

No

Included

Dig Deeper

Herman Miller Embody Review →

Herman Miller Aeron Review →

Corsair TC200 Review →

All Stores

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  • $599.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    No

Score Card

E

Expert Score

79

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

80

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

80

Expert Score Breakdown

  • Techgear Lab
    68.49

    Category Trust Score

    76
    One of the first noticeable things about the Herman Miller Sayl is its unique look…. read more

    By:

    David Wise
  • Expert Reviews UK
    42.78

    Category Trust Score

    100
    The Herman Miller Sayl is an innovative and comfortable suspension bridge-inspired chair read more

    By:

    Gareth Thomas
  • BTOD
    49.33

    Category Trust Score

    NR
    Ultimately, the Sayl is a great chair, but as for the gaming design, it seems… read more

    By:

    Ryan Bald
  • Start Standing
    45.14

    Category Trust Score

    NR
    Herman Miller is known for making some of the most dramatic, innovative, and aesthetically appealing… read more

    By:

    Matthew Rowan
  • IGN
    48.75

    Category Trust Score

    80
    The Herman Miller Sayl gaming chair is an interesting piece of furniture. It’s a chic… read more

    By:

    Nic Vargus
  • Creative Bloq
    50.2

    Category Trust Score

    80
    The Herman Miller Sayl is built to last, and once you’ve tried it, it’s hard… read more

    By:

    Rosie Hilder

Customer Score Breakdown

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