Best New Office Chair Under $500? | Haworth Soji Review

[@justadad2304]

It's worth noting that the price calculator in Haworth's customization tool has nothing to do with what you would actually pay. (I have absolutely no idea why this tool is so far removed from reality, but it's true.) By the time you customize a chair, you can expect to pay the same kind of price range you see for their preconfigured options and even, for some reason, possibly even less. Honest disclosure - I've yet to actually purchase a customized Haworth chair, but have communicated endlessly with Jonathan at Haworth on numerous options and seen the final prices all the way up to the checkout point (without actually checking out) and can vouch that customizing is no more expensive than buying preconfigured.

[@16ozsetups]

Great point! Can't say I made it all the way to the "purchase" stage when going through the full customization tool, so that's really great to know - honestly, that shows how insane the value of this chair is when fully customized!

[@mythInfinite]

I have a feeling that one day you’ll become an awesome KZbinr. Gain experience and get to the top. Good luck bro, great video. 😁👍

[@16ozsetups]

Really appreciate it!

[@mythInfinite]

@@16ozsetups no problem, thanks for the heart!

[@ChristopherDillman]

Really nice overview. I'm now intrigued with the Soji! But.. 4:14 - Can I ask for a measurement from a real-world owner? How high does the seat go up on the Soji? That is measuring the max height - from the tippy top surface of the cushion all the way down to the floor. I'm 6-3 and need something with good height. TIA.

[@16ozsetups]

Just took some measurements! Hard to give you an exact number, as the seat certainly isn’t flat. The lowest point (center back of the seat) is ~21”. Highest center point (front edge) is ~22”. Obviously will decrease as the cushion compresses. But! If this is too low, Haworth offers a “high” variant, significantly increasing the height. May be worth looking into.

[@tonyanddianesammarco174]

Great, thorough review. How do the caster perform on carpet?

[@16ozsetups]

Casters perform just OK on the carpet - looking to grab a large office floor mat in the future to assist!

[@ProNerdy]

​​@@16ozsetupsrollerblade office chair wheels may work better, especially if it's not super high pile carpet. I use the Lifelong wheels and they've been working great.

[@derekd.4156]

I have the $1000 higher end equivalent at my office and they’re fantastic, but I’m not personally going to spend that so I hope this is a good alternative

[@16ozsetups]

Yup, worked in an office environment for a bit with Herman Miller Aerons. Loved em, but out of my personal price range.

[@JordaanFPS]

Just got my office chair, but this definitely on my next up

[@16ozsetups]

Nice! Totally recommend sitting in one if you get a chance before buying! Or at least make sure you can return it easily should it not work out.

[@unbecoming2007]

Great video. Why do all reviewers never mention how fabric feels on skin? We all sit in shorts or shirtless occasionally right? How is this mesh on back, bare skin? Thank you. Everything else in review was top notch.

[@16ozsetups]

Base chair fabric feels great on skin - soft to the touch, and not itchy or scratchy. Closest comparison I can make is to the material you can find on a lot of fabric couches. The mesh backing is fine; as long as you're not sliding your back around constantly! Definitely not super soft, but again, I think it would be find in a stationary position.

[@unbecoming2007]

@@16ozsetups Left this same comment in many other reviews. You're the only one that replied. I liked your video the best anyway. It was honest, thorough, concise, includes timestamps, done at a normal speed w/ nonintrusive music, and not longer than it needed to be. Thanks for the review and reply. Subbed.

[@16ozsetups]

Much appreciated!

[@blzjvsk]

Hi, any chance that you remember the color ID of the mesh? Is it XT005 Mist, please?

[@16ozsetups]

I've been scouring their website and I unfortunately cannot find the exact mesh color that came with this color combo, as this specific pre-built no longer exists - definitely one of the grey variants.

[@gLitCheRR44]

How is the seat? Is it too firm or just fine?

[@16ozsetups]

I definitely don't think the seat is too firm! I would say it's stiffer than, for instance, a soft fabric sofa, but not uncomfortably so.

[@jollymz8616]

How’s the chair holding up these days?

[@16ozsetups]

Great! Almost everything I mention in this review is holding true. The one minor comment I have is some of the back framing has become “creaky” when applying weight. I haven’t looked into it too deeply, as it doesn’t concern me much. If it’s at a joint, chances are some WD40 will help.

[@danielgoen9452]

Where was this chair made? Unfortunately Im too stupid to figure out how to buy this for $500

[@16ozsetups]

Because the "quick ship" option is no longer available, you have to play around with customization options to drop the price - cheapest I could get, at the time of this post, is $545. Haworth offers sales frequently throughout the year, and if you're a new customer, they used to offer a 10% discount which would juussttt drop it below the $500 threshold!

[@danielgoen9452]

@@16ozsetups Thank you so much!!

[@TheRealtalk617]

If you're a new customer they have a 10% off discount code roaming around if you look for it.

[@16ozsetups]

Good to know - seems like they offer rotating seasonal deals as well, so grabbing an additional 10%-20% off official MSRP is a pretty solid bargain.

[@Jeremy-o7s]

How did you get the chair under $500 when it's listed for $641 before customizations?

[@marcusborderlands6177]

When you customize it ends up lower somehow

[@16ozsetups]

If you go to the "store" page rather than going through the full blown customization tool (i.e. go to the link in the description), you can play around with options to sink the price below the $500 mark. For instance, after navigating to the page, the following option is $488: Material: Mesh Color: Coal Lumbar: Yes Tilt: No Obviously, you can play around with options, but there are a few out there that will drop the price!

[@Jobyx20]

I want this chair but im in europe 😢

[@16ozsetups]

I do think Haworth has an online international store! If this particular model isn’t available, I’d certainly be interested in some of the other options.

[@Jobyx20]

@@16ozsetups not this one, unfortunately.

[@pooxtreme3]

I dont think they offer the custom configurator anymore.. i cant find it

[@16ozsetups]

Looks like it's still there, I just had to do some digging - certainly hidden away: www.haworth.com/na/en/products/stools/soji.html

[@Talon97]

way too much plastic for the price you're paying as is the case with all their other chairs...

[@16ozsetups]

I would love a 100% non plastic office chair one day if you have any recs!

[@TV-fx8gq]

Have fun moving your 100lbs chair 😂