Europe makes the best chairs in the world. Here is what to buy instead of Herman Miller if you are in the EU.
If you spend enough time in this sub as someone who knows nothing about office chairs, you'd probably think Herman Miller and Steelcase are the only high-end chairs worth buying.
But that’s just not the case in Europe. We have some incredibly innovative manufacturers here that easily match (or beat) the big US names on build quality and ergonomics.
I want to highlight some of my favourite brands from the EU (plus Switzerland and Norway). Most of the brands I mention here are ones I have direct experience with.
# HĂ…G (Flokk) - Norway
HĂ…G challenges the idea of static sitting and a single "perfect" static posture with it's concept of "Balanced Movement", a central-pivot mechanism that follows the natural movements of the body and improves circulation by engaging the legs and feet. They are well known for their iconic Capisco saddle chair by Peter Opsvik (designer of the original kneeling chair). They still have their factory in a [small rural town in the middle of Norway](https://youtu.be/y1QlFhPI4c0).
**Recommended models:** Creed, SoFi, Capisco
# RH / BMA (Flokk) - Sweden / Netherlands
Originally two separate manufacturers that merged under Flokk. They share a similar design philosophy with a focus on pelvic support and a "2PP" (Two Point Pivot) knee-tilt mechanism. One pivot point is near the knees, allowing you to rock back and forth in a fixed angle, while the second one at the hips lets you change the angle of the backrest with a lever, giving you a lot of control over your seating position.
**Recommended models:** RH Logic, RH Mereo (great for smaller people), RH Axia (originally by BMA, less dynamic more stable)
# Giroflex (Flokk) - Switzerland
This Swiss brand (although as far as I know, most of their production now has been moved to Poland) has been around for over 150 years. They invented one of the first spring based swivel-chairs in 1926 and one of the first chairs with a modern synchro-mechanism in called Syntop. Their version of the synchro-mechanism is called synchro motion which tilts the seat and backrest at a ratio of about 1:2.5. Their "dual-zone" seat profile relieves pressure on the front of the legs while maintaining good pelvic support.
**Recommended models:** Giroflex 64, Giroflex 353
# Profim (Flokk) - Poland
High quality Polish craftsmanship at a reasonably affordable price. Profim offers pretty much all the basics you need from an ergonomic chair with some really beautiful designs and some interesting tech. Their SmartHPS mechanism uses a "sphere joint system" that allows the backrest and seat to move dynamically in all directions.
**Recommended models:** Pace, AccisPro
# Malmstolen (Flokk) - Sweden
A personal favourite of mine (I am sitting on one as I write this) and a company that puts a [serious amount of thought](https://malmstolen.com/app/uploads/2021/05/Sitting-ergonomics.pdf) into their chairs. Malmstolen’s main feature is their seat system, developed with Swedish bed maker DUX, using soft upholstery and small springs for pressure distribution. It’s easily the most comfortable seat my butt has ever come into contact with. Their chairs offer either a knee-tilt (similar to the RH Logic) or a synchro mechanism. Backrests come in a comfy 3D mesh material called "ZenXit" for even more pressure distribution or with adjustable elastic straps under the upholstery to fine-tune the tension.
**Recommend models:** R4, R7, 4000, 7000. They're all great, find one that suits you, R=ZenXit, 4=knee-tilt, 7=synchro-glide
# Sokoa - France
Sokoa was born from a 1972 crowd funding initiative to boost employment in the Basque Country and the community aspect is still a big part of their identity. Their WI-MAX model is made for users with back sensitivity and comes in an "ergo" version, with [absolute units of armrests](https://www.sokoa.com/en/office-furniture/collection/177-wi-max-ergo/), an adjustable lumbar support via air pump and therapeutic systems for thermotherapy and cryotherapy (basically heating and cooling pads applied to the headrest and lumbar area).
**Recommended models:** WI-MAX, WI-MAX ergo
# Nowy Styl - Poland
Nowy Styl is another big player in Europe for office and public space furnishings. They offer some interesting models at a reasonable price. Their duo-back backrests, consisting of two split movable parts and designed to relieve pressure on the spine, are very popular with some users. They also offer a signautre technology called X-Move with lateral and rotational movement in the backrest. You will see similar versions of this type of multidimensional tech from other brands, each with their own unique implementation.
**Recommended models:** Xilium (also avaialble as a gaming chair if you're into that aesthetic), Xenium
# Kinnarps - Sweden
You may have seen Kinnarps mentioned before on this subreddit as they have a great reputation for solid build quality and ergonomics. Their chairs have exceptional adjustability, featuring either a synchro mechanism or their signature FreeFloat mechanism where the backrest and seat move independently of eachother and the seat can be tilted forward for a more dynamic feel.
**Recommended models:** 6000/8000, 9000, Capella X
# Dauphin - Germany
A large family-run German manufacturer that offers a [broad range of mechanisms](https://www.dauphin.de/dauphin/de/englisch/ergonomics/mechanisms) (synchro, auto, synchro balance, 3D-balance, ball balance and more...) and some budget-friendly options (Trendoffice). They put a very strong emphasis on R&D with a focus on ergonomics and sustainability. They also offer a spring based seat cushion for some models.
**Recommended models:** Dauphin Shape, Dauphin Just evo
# Wilkhahn - Germany
Another example of great German engineering and innovation. The "Trimension" technology is Wilkhahn's patented 3D kinematic system that uses two pivot points to allow for lateral and rotational movement in the backrest. I love the minimalist design of these chairs.
**Recommended models:** ON, AT
# Haider Bioswing - Germany
At the heart of every Bioswing chair is the "3D-Sitzwerk", a mechanism that is decoupled from the base of the chair via a suspension system, allowing the entire chair to oscillate freely in response to the users tiniest movements. Unlike other 3D mechanisms, the Bioswing Sitzwerk causes the seat to swing like a pendulum instead of tilting so it always stays parallel to the ground and centers itself automatically. A very controlled and subtle movement that is meant to strengthen your deep muscles. Even without this tech, their chairs are super comfortable. I used to have one as my daily driver for about a year and the movement definitely made a difference.
**Recommended models:** they all have almost the same mechanism but vary in size and shape. Models 4, 5, 6 and 7 have a slightly smoother reclining movement.
# Interstuhl - Germany
This manufacturer is well known in Germany for their premium build quality and competitive 10 year warranty. Their patented mechanism "Flextech" allows the seat to be moved laterally and tilt forward while engaging the pelvic muscles. Their iconic Silver Executive Chair has featured in multiple movies like James Bond: Quantum of Solace and Ocean's Thirteen.
**Recommended models:** Every Active, Joyce
# Vitra - Switzerland
Well known for being the sole authorised manufacturer for Charles & Ray Eames and George Nelson in Europe. They are very design-oriented while also producing some decent ergonomic models. Their ID chair features a modular system for switching out backrests and seats, giving you many customization options. Their proprietary FlowMotion mechanism has a central pivot point allowing the chair to tilt forward with you.
**Recommended models:** ID Soft, ID Mesh
# Forma 5 - Spain
Forma 5, based in Seville, is deeply health-focused, going even so far as to design their chairs specifically to prevent semicircular lipoatrophy, something I had never heard of before. Their chairs have a very sleek aesthetic, which I love. They designed their own dynamic mechanism which gives you a 360° balancing tilt combined with a synchronized backrest and seat movement.
**Recommended models:** 3.60, Kineo
Others worth checking out: Aeris (well known for their Swopper chair), König + Neurath, Köhl, Sedus, Wagner, Löffler, Ahrend, Savo, Eurosit EDIT: Dromeas (from Greece)
Unfortunately, many of these companies do not operate D2C and you will have to find a local dealer or showroom to try out their models. I would always suggest trying out what's available to you in your region instead of just buying online.
If I missed any local brands you think are worth checking out, let me know in the comments.