Take the Guesswork out of buying a computer chair!
Let Sihoo take the Guesswork out of buying a computer a comfortable chair for your work/home office. Enjoy an adjustable headrest for back or side resting, a contoured adjustable back for added comfort, an adjustable armrest, adjustable chair height, adjustable lumbar support, memory-style foam sitting pad, and breathable mesh plastic back support. The W-shape firm seating pad will displace weight and reduce hot spots for added long sitting/comfort. Whether reclined or sitting upright, the Sihoo chair will provide hours of support without the fatigue of sitting.
- Design
- Ease of Use
- Price
- Comfort/customization
Ergonomics and Comfort without breaking the bank on an office chair.
I am not sure that I will ever move from Padawan to Master status, as I feel that I am a perpetual student amassing nuggets of wisdom. Beyond gems like never eat yellow snow, or never pee into the wind, one of the most valuable pieces of information received was to never skimp on one’s back or feet. I have taken this information to heart when purchasing mattresses, shoes, backpacks, and chairs.
As the pandemic created a different work environment, I spent more time in front of my MacBook, iPad, and work computer. With more dedicated sitting time, I needed a chair to provide comfort and support to reduce back/neck strain without breaking the bank. Thankfully, the ergonomic Sihoo chair provided the missing link.
Unboxing
The Sihoo M18 chair arrived in a large 13 inches wide by 29 1/2 inches long by 21 1/2 inches tall tan cardboard box. Each side panel listed the M18-M148 model number, product dimensions, product manufacturing, and Made in China labels. The front/back covers provided the SIHOO name along the top left, the M18-M148 model number along the bottom right, and several weight warnings along the right edge.
The main focal point of the cover was the side view of an ink-outline skeleton in a seated posture. The scientific diagram provided an air of credibility by demonstrating proper knee height, armrest height, hand active area, normal line of site, and the maximum line of sight. Additionally, the image demonstrated a protractor/angled view of the 90-120 degree office work posture, a small relaxed wedge from ~105-120 degrees, and a lying angle from 120-135 degrees. The design/image created a desire for workplace optimization and a draw for a more comfortable seat.
Assembly
When I opened the lid, I found packing material, cardboard liners, chair parts, and a single small white glove which was a good fit for my 7-year-old daughter’s hand. I removed each piece from the box, starting with the armrests, and then moved to the headrest, seat cushion, backrest, swivel mechanism, and three cardboard accessory boxes.
Each piece was meticulously bubble or plastic wrapped, securely positioned, and arrived without any damage. I opened the accessory boxes and found a five-point leg/caster frame within one box, the five legs/caster posts in another, and the casters, riser, and hardware in the third. Once I removed all the components and packing materials from the box, I found the second glove hiding at the bottom.
I removed the instruction manual from the seat cushion bag and followed the first two pages of instructions. The subsequent pages provided a two-panel diagram/description in German, French, Italian, Spanish, and a character language (likely Chinese). I opted to follow the instruction manual instead of the available YouTube video. For the first step, I removed 10 of the M6*12 screws and the hex wrench from the hardware punch card, unwrapped each of the caster legs/casters, and then installed the caster legs onto the base.
I was pleased with the setup, the blue thread locking material on each of the M6*12 screws, and the machined attachment points. Once the legs were attached to the central base, I inserted each caster into the posts. I then inserted the silver-foot trim, followed by the air-pressure rising rod, into the middle of the base to complete the second step of the installation process.
For the third step, I attached the left then right armrests to the seat cushion with the included M6*25 screws/small washers. The instruction manual showed the cushion base, the hex screwdriver, and the proper washer positioning. I installed the riser/tilt mechanism to the seat cushion with the M6*20 screws for the fourth step. For the fifth step, I removed the three M8*45 screws and installed the back plate to the seat cushion.
For the sixth step, I installed the cushion/back plate with mechanism onto the base’s gaslift arm. For the final step, I slid the headrest into the slot on the back of the back plate and then adjusted the headrest to the appropriate position. Once fully installed, I tested each of the chairs features. I loved the adjustable headrest, the armrest height adjustment mechanism, the seat height adjustment button, the backrest tilt tension, the breathable mesh backing (no sweating), the lumbar support depth and height adjustment, and the casters/mobility. Lastly, the instruction manual provided a helpful parts list and generic safety instructions.
Testing
Upon first impression, the chair seat cushion and back plate appeared rigid and stiff. However, after using the chair over the past few weeks, I found my initial assumption wrong. Instead of an overly firm, inflexible surface, I found a supportive Goldilocks, just-right feel to the base. I enjoyed the lumbar support depth adjustable knob and found the chair provided an impressive amount of lower back support for my 5’9”, 158-pound frame.
If you remove your weight from the chair, you can tilt the seat height adjustment lever to raise the chair. This will allow you to rest with your feet on the floor and prevent a tiny legs big chair situation. Set your weight back into the chair and press the lever again to lower the chair to the optimal height. Slide the backrest tilt angle adjustment rod to lock the chair into the upright position or pull it out to gain the ability to rock/tilt.
To further optimize the experience, I adjusted the backrest tilt tension adjustment and placed the headrest in the perfect position for my head. I loved the ability to slide the headrest up/down (~3.5 inches), and the ability to rotate the headrest forward/backward (~45 degrees). The chair armrests could be raised/lowered to taste/need and allowed the chair to slide under my desk when fully lowered.
Each armrest could be adjusted individually, which allowed for additional customization. In summary, the chair provided quite a bit of customization and allowed for prolonged comfort for typing/reading/activities. In fact, I typed this review and a few others from the comfort of the Sihoo chair without a sweaty back or fatigue/discomfort.
If I had one wish to improve the Sihoo chair, it would be for the casters to be replaced with slightly larger/rubberized wheels. The casters will not work well on taller carpets unless you have an under-desk mat. I had no issues when utilizing the chair with the shorter carpet in my basement/outdoor style carpet, nor did I have any issues on my hardwood floor. However, the chair was less maneuverable than needed when used on my plush upstairs taller-style carpet. There are better casters for the carpet; you can remove/upgrade the casters if desired.
Summary
I was pleased with the packaging, the ~20-minute installation/setup, the hextool/driver, and with the firmness of the foam seat cushion and backplate. I would have preferred slightly larger casters for improved carpet utility, but this did not detract from the overall review. Packaging 4/5, customization/comfort 4.5/5, cost 5/5.
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