Whenever you consider a gaming chair, you most likely don’t consider one thing just like the Herman Miller Vantum. As a substitute, your thoughts greater than possible conjures up photos of racing-style bucket seats made from fake leather-based. These seats could be respectable sufficient for shorter intervals of time. They usually do have a sure aesthetic high quality to them that may look good in lots of setups.
Nonetheless, most conventional gaming chairs do little to nothing for correct lumbar assist. Irrespective of how a lot the advertising tells you they do. Moreover, very hardly ever will any of them have correct thoracic (your higher again) assist. And over time, sitting in a chair like that for lengthy hours every day can result in points. Again ache, neck ache, you title it.
Herman Miller is on a mission to vary the attitude on gaming chairs, and the Vantum is its newest creation in that respect. When the chair was introduced final 12 months, I used to be keen to check one. As a result of I sit in my chair every day for a lot of hours throughout work. Then I usually dump at the least just a few hours into gaming within the evenings, whereas enjoying for for much longer hours on the weekends. I’ve been testing the Vantum for the final couple of months. And I can now confidently say that is the final gaming chair you’ll ever want or need.
The Herman Miller Vantum is designed particularly for players
Should you’ve ever shopped for a chair for gaming, then you definitely’ve most likely in some unspecified time in the future heard or seen somebody advocate getting a Herman Miller chair as a substitute of a “gaming chair.” Though most chairs from Herman Miller aren’t designed for gaming, they’re nonetheless utilized by many to recreation in due to their stellar consolation and assist. The Vantum follows that design perfect however can also be made particularly with players in thoughts.
It was developed in partnership with Logitech G and it exhibits. Although I wouldn’t essentially say the Vantum has a “gamer aesthetic” to it, I believe that’s solely as a result of we’ve been conditioned to suppose solely of the racing-style chairs as gaming chairs. That being stated, Logitech G has achieved a terrific job at aiding Herman Miller in designing a first-rate gaming chair.
A brand new commonplace for gaming chair fashion
In relation to fashion, the Vantum appears to be like superb, and gives the sort of assist you want for lengthy gaming classes. Whereas additionally supplying you with options that are supposed to provide help to be extra centered and carry out in your video games higher. I’m not saying that this chair goes that can assist you win video games. However what it should do is maintain your extra snug and alert when you play. Which can translate to performing higher. And for me, that’s precisely what’s occurred.
Since utilizing it, I’ve been much less centered on any form of discomfort that will pop up and extra centered on the video games. That lack of worrying about shoulder or again ache has left me free to maintain my consideration on my video games. And I’ve seen a slight enhance in efficiency, enjoying higher than I normally do. Although total, I’m simply noticing that I’m having fun with my gaming classes extra as a result of I’m extraordinarily snug.
That is additionally partially because of the chair’s ‘Lively forward-leaning-alignment’ as Herman Miller calls it, which I really feel helps with the main target in video games and in work. Once more, I’m not saying the Vantum goes to present you pro-level gaming efficiency. However it should provide help to focus extra. And that’s not a nasty factor.
Simple meeting makes setting this up a breeze
Certainly one of my greatest gripes with most gaming chairs is the setup. Placing them collectively usually instances ends in an extended course of. Not with the Vantum. It’s a terrific unboxing expertise that comes packaged neatly. And that’s solely made higher by the truth that it comes nearly completely assembled. Out of all of the chairs I’ve examined thus far, this has been the quickest to place collectively.
That made the meeting a refreshing expertise as a result of it didn’t take me an hour. As a substitute, I used to be prepared to sit down down and begin gaming in 5 minutes. And that’s as a result of all of the small steps achieved earlier than you even open the field. The casters are already put in within the base, and the arms and again are already hooked up to the seat. So all you actually must do is place the seat onto the bottom after which connect the headrest. That’s it.
No messing with screws or annoying little Allen wrenches. And if like me you will have an incalculable distaste for all of the steps that the majority gaming chairs require for meeting, then the Vantum shall be a breath of recent air.
The lean and lumbar assist adjustment are game-changing
After a pair months of use, certainly one of my favourite components concerning the Vantum has develop into the adjustment knobs for the recline and lumbar assist. On the left, the numeric tilt knob (which Herman Miller calls the lean limiter) handles the extent of recline for the again. Whereas the knob on the fitting takes care of the lean stress.
There’s additionally a set of knobs that allow you to modify the lumbar assist. First, let’s speak concerning the lumbar assist. The Vantum makes use of Herman Miller’s patented Posture Match system. Which is designed to stop slouching and fatigue whereas sitting by reinforcing your pelvis and decrease again. It’d take you just a few gaming classes to determine your individual most well-liked alignment prefer it did for me. But it surely’s tremendous straightforward to regulate thanks to those knobs.
They’re simply reachable although they’re behind the again, for one. However the knob can also be coated in little nubs or bumps. It is a small element however I discovered that it makes the knobs simpler to find and it simply appears like they’re simpler to grip and switch.
Tilt limiter and tilt stress
Irrespective of the way you’re enjoying video games, the lean limiter and tilt stress are there to assist make you as snug as potential. One of the best half is that the knobs for them have the identical little grippy nubs because the knobs for the lumbar assist. And are simply as straightforward to succeed in whereas sitting down within the chair. With a fast twist, I used to be capable of simply go from sitting upright whereas working or enjoying extra aggressive PC video games, to leaning again a bit of for a extra relaxed gaming expertise on my PS5.
And once I’m able to take a break from gaming the lean stress is improbable for leaning again all the way in which and watching films or TV. I used to be skeptical at first with the Vantum not having a tilt lock choice. As a result of actually, each different chair I’ve used for the previous 10 years has had one. However actually, the Vantum doesn’t want it.
Releasing the lean stress to its lowest degree makes it potential to lean again with subsequent to no effort and is completely snug for watching movies. And I’ve discovered that I truly prefer it extra that the again comes again up if I have to stand up and out of the chair.
Total, I believe the lumbar assist and tilt adjustment setup is a really intelligent design and most of the people ought to find it irresistible.
The Herman Miller Vantum isn’t excellent
After I say I really like this chair, I completely love this chair. However the Herman Miller Vantum isn’t excellent. There are undoubtedly some areas I’d prefer to see enchancment on for Herman Miller and Logitech G’s subsequent chair. Ought to there be one.
For starters, 4D armrests. With the armrests on the Vantum, you’ll be able to modify the depth, peak, and width. However they don’t flip. And generally it’s only a tiny bit extra snug in your arms to have this selection. Not having these was not a deal breaker for me although. As a result of the armrests are nonetheless extraordinarily snug in nearly each state of affairs. They usually’re straightforward to regulate any which method. The arms even have a pleasant, satisfying click on as you elevate them.
And whereas this doesn’t actually have any impression in any respect on how they operate, I simply discover it as a pleasant satisfying element.
The seat depth adjustment may use some work
One other space I’m not tremendous keen on is the seat depth adjustment. To be clear although, I’ve no points in any respect with how a lot it may be adjusted. Reasonably, it’s that it’s probably not straightforward to regulate with out getting out of the chair.
The Vantum use the same kind of seat depth adjustment as Herman Miller’s dearer gaming chair, the Embody. Although it’s not completely the identical. The deal with for adjusting the seat depth is situated on the underside of the seat on the fitting facet. It’s straightforward to seize, and all it’s a must to do is pull it outward, then slide the seat backward or ahead to regulate the depth.
The issue right here, is sliding the seat. Irrespective of what number of instances I’ve tried, making an attempt to regulate the seat backward or ahead whereas I’m sitting in it at all times ends in the chair merely shifting ahead or backward as a result of the casters transfer. So, at the least for me, I’ve to get out of the chair to regulate the depth. All that being stated, this isn’t a problem if you happen to discover the seat depth you like and by no means have to regulate it. However it might have been good if this adjustment was simpler to do whereas sitting down.
Won’t be a terrific match for taller folks
I’m about 5 toes seven inches. So the chair is completely snug for me. However I’ve heard that folks over six toes could discover it much less snug. Clearly, this isn’t one thing I can take a look at. However if you happen to’re over six toes you could wish to see if you will discover a vendor who sells the Vantum so you’ll be able to attempt it out for your self. Or if you recognize somebody who has a Vantum, inquire about sitting in it to see if it really works for you.
Be certain you wish to use the pinnacle relaxation
One final level I’d like to the touch on is the pinnacle relaxation. There’s a cause it’s there. It’s meant to supply further assist to your neck. And whereas I’ve grown to love it quite a bit, be certain you wish to use it. As a result of it doesn’t appear to be it’s potential to take away it. Ever. A minimum of not with out probably breaking it.
When you slide it into place, it feels locked in for good. So my suggestion right here, is to make use of the chair with out the headset first. And see how you are feeling with out it. Personally, I believe the headrest is a should. You’re most likely going to need it for any and all instances you lean the chair again.
Additionally value mentioning is that the pinnacle relaxation does take some getting used to. As soon as you discover the fitting peak for it, then you need to be good to go. From that time, simply tilt up or down relying on the way you’re sitting. Should you’re sitting upright, you most likely wish to tilt it extra downwards so the underside of the headrest isn’t scraping in opposition to your neck. However I discover that once I lean again, my neck has extra assist and it’s extra snug if I tilt the headrest upwards.
Herman Miller Vantum evaluation: wrap-up
I believe there’s a explicit goal marketplace for the Vantum and an ideal chair for a lot of players. Whereas it doesn’t maintain as a lot status as different chairs from Herman Miller, just like the Embody gaming chair or the Aeron, the Vantum is well-made and affords a great deal of options. And it’s a good higher funding now that the worth has come down from $995 to $795.
I firmly consider that is the final gaming chair that many individuals will ever want to purchase or wish to purchase. It’s fashionable, extraordinarily snug, and has numerous changes for selling higher well being of your decrease and higher again, neck, and shoulders. Sure, it’s nonetheless costly. But when taken care of, you could by no means have to exchange this chair as a result of it comes with a 12-year guarantee. This additionally covers components and labor. Plus, the Vantum is available in three colorways. White, Black, and Purple. That being stated, the Vantum shouldn’t be for everybody. A minimum of not in my view.
Total, the Vantum is a superb gaming chair that may most likely final you for greater than a decade or two. And also you don’t must spend greater than $1,000 to get that.
You should purchase the Herman Miller Vantum if:
- You desire a high-quality, snug gaming chair
- You need top-tier ergonomic options
- You’re already contemplating spending upwards of $500 or extra
You shouldn’t purchase the Herman Miller Vantum if:
- You don’t wish to spend quite a lot of hundred
- You’ll be able to afford the Herman Miller Embody gaming chair
Herman Miller Vantum