Buro Metro II Vs. Professional Ergonomic Chair

BlunderCat on 29/01/2022 - 20:15

Seems like these two Officeworks chairs are pretty popular with the Ozbargain crowd:

Has anyone tried both and have a clear preference for either? I'm 172cm (5'8") and 98kg.

I've sat in the Professional II Ergonomic at my local Officeworks and it seems pretty good. I can't try the Buro Metro II as it's only available online. Professional has a 15yr warranty, the Buro has a 10yr. They look pretty similar to me.

I'm moving on from an IKEA Landfjall. Doesn't really work for me.

Other options:

  1. Officeworks Design Your Own Ergonomic Chair (seems to be a Matrix/Pago brand?) which when choosing all the premium choices with mesh back comes to $352 with a 10yr warranty. No idea what this is like as no stores have stock to test.

  2. Spend a lot more on a Haworth Fern ($998) from Officeworks without trying it and hope I like it, or hope their 30 day change of mind return policy applies if I don't.

  3. Spend a lot more on a Steelcase Leap V2 ($1100), which seems to get universal praise and tops this list – https://www.btod.com/blog/best-office-chair-reviews/ – after trying out in person at shop about 1 hour away by appointment.

Home & Garden Buro Seating Chair Office Chair

Comments

  • DannyC on 29/01/2022 - 20:39
    +1

    Tried both of these (for about 30 mins each, so not the longest) and while it seems to be not to bad on the comfort scale for me (I'm 173cm, 65kg) the overall quality of the construction I find wasn't the best. You get what you pay for I guess.

    I have a Steelcase Leap V2 and it was one of the best investments as I WFH and sit for most of the day with my laptop and 2 screen setup. If you want something that'll last year's and years definitely go the Steelcase.

    • BlunderCat on 29/01/2022 - 20:53

      Thanks for the feedback. I agree the Professional Ergonomic from Officeworks didn't feel premium. The back and armrests felt a bit loose and rattley, although it was comfortable overall. Couldn't tell if it was just the woes of demo floor stock, or how the chair actually held together.

      Where did you try the Buro? Did it feel much different to the Professional Ergonomic?

  • tfazio on 29/01/2022 - 21:22
    +1

    I've tried both the Fern and the Steelcase.

    If you can try find a store that has a Fern in it give it a shot. I actually (much to my surprise) preferred the Fern. I love the steelcase products but the Fern was so incredibly comfortable.

    These things are expensive and you're gonna have to spend some time sitting in them to figure out which one is right for your body. My opinion, Joe Blogs opinion, and your opinion, are all going to be different.

    • BlunderCat on 29/01/2022 - 21:47

      Cheers, appreciate the feedback. The fact that the Fern is available from Officeworks, with their Change of Mind return policy, is appealing.

    • healthy on 30/01/2022 - 14:31

      How tall are you if you don't mind me asking?

      I've been looking at getting the fern but I've read a few reviews online that people >6ft find it uncomfortable and unfortunately there are no dealers near me to try it out :/

  • bcdad on 29/01/2022 - 23:31
    +1

    I have a Buro Metro for 5 years and just went to try the Steelcase chairs a week ago. I found even the Series 2 beats the Buro hands down, there isn’t much lumbar support with the Buro. And the Buro started rattling after 2.5 years. I prefer Leap V2 to Gesture but that’s only personal preference.

  • skid on 30/01/2022 - 07:56
    +1

    The Buro is good, but that was when it was $250 delivered in 2015. For $550, I'd consider other chairs.

    • BlunderCat on 30/01/2022 - 08:10

      You can still get the original Buro for around $300, but I'm looking at the Buro II. No idea what the difference is between versions.

      • skid on 30/01/2022 - 09:48
        +2

        The brace at the back of the chair is different and the spokes on the base are thinner in the Buro II.

        What makes the Buro good for me is the foam in the seat has not flattened.

  • clippers on 30/01/2022 - 10:16
    +1

    I have the original Buro Metro steel base no arms. The big diff is the Metro II seat can slide forward and back.

    The most impt feature for me is being able to adjust the seat tilt to relieve pressure on lower back/tailbone and not get pins and needles in my legs.

    Whether it's the Buro at home or Herman Miller Mirra in the office, if I maintain proper posture I can sit comfortably for like 45mins to an hour. After that I need to get up and move around for couple minutes in order to reset the body for another sit-down session.

    If it isn't already obvious, a good sitting posture is still required even with expensive chair.

  • OldSchoolHarry on 30/01/2022 - 12:49
    +1

    Benn using original Buro Metro for 1 year/8 hours a day and can highly recommend it for the price. Comparing Leap v2 to Buro Metro is not fair as Buro Metro costs about $300 (about 1/3-4 of Leap v2).

    • BlunderCat on 30/01/2022 - 15:06

      I'm not comparing the Buro to the Leap directly as equals, just wondering if it's worth the upgrade. I'm glad to hear the Buro seat pad seems to be holding up for most buyers.

      • OldSchoolHarry on 30/01/2022 - 17:29

        Yeah Metro seat is so comfy compared other chairs I’ve had for twice the price. Also have Leap at work and I’d personally choose metro despite of Leap being so much more customisable. Leap armrests are better though.

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