Looking for a mid-range office chair that is both ergonomic and comfortable?

One brand you should consider is the Alera Elusion Series, which has a lot of excellent ergonomic features.

In this article, I’ll review their most popular chairs and also mention some excellent alternatives from other brands.

About The Company

If you went searching online, you probably didn’t find many details on Alera. You would have noticed that they do not have any offices, nor any way to contact them, apart from Amazon.

This is because they are a part of a larger corporation called Essendant, a company that works as an office products wholesaler for many companies, including Alera.

They opened their business back in 1922 under the name “Utility Supply Company”, and in 1978 they decided to operate exclusively as an office products wholesaler.

The company acquired multiple businesses before becoming Essendant in 2015, and today they have many companies under their wing.

Alera Mid Back Chair

Alera Elusion Series Mesh Mid-Back Chair

The most interesting thing about this popular office chair is its free floating seat and backrest tilt feature.

The back and seat both recline and lock in any position. You can choose to recline completely with the seat locked, or lean the seat forward and lock the backrest upright.

This type of backrest/seat adjustability allows for a really tight or really wide angle of seating.

The seat comfort on this model is pretty good too, and most people that got it say that they use it for 6-8 hours a day without issues. It’s 20.5” ’wide and comes with a lot of cushioning.

It also features contoured foam with a waterfall edge to relieve the standard pressure points connected to sitting. You’ll be able to adjust the seat from 17’’ to 21’’ off the floor.

Lumbar support and armrests

This model comes with some lumbar support as well.

The mesh back chair is contoured to support your lower back, and you can control the position of the lumbar curve by adjusting the backrest height from 18.12’’ to 22.75’’.

To be honest, you probably won’t feel the lumbar support while working because most people tend to sit on the front edge of the chair while typing.

Still, the lumbar support does its job if you sit back in your chair.

The arms on the Alera chair are adjustable for height and width. You’ll be able to move them up and down, or side to side in the range of 24’’ to 25.4’’.

They’re not the most comfortable armrests available but they get the job done. You could also completely remove them if needed.

Assembly

Assembling this chair will require some effort because you’ll be setting it up from scratch. The good news is that the instructions are clear and easy to follow, plus all the tools are included.

Also, most of the setup can be done alone except for putting on the legs. Overall it’s a decent chair, but the parts that are used to assemble it are not of very good quality so don’t expect it to last.

What We Like

• Free floating seat
• Mesh keeps you cool
• Provides a comfortable seating experience

What We Don’t Like

• Not built to last

Alera High Back Chair

Alera Elusion Series Mesh High-Back Multifunction Chair

The Alera Elusion High-Back Chair comes with plenty of adjustable features and a comfortable seat. We really like the level of control it provides.

Judging by customer experiences, if you can’t find the perfect position for you in this chair, you are unlikely to find it in any other chair.

Adjustability

The seat cushion can be moved forward and back, the seat and the backrest are height adjustable, the backrest reclines to any position, and the tilt of the seat is also adjustable forward and back.

The arms don’t have all the fancy adjustments, they only move up and down, and side to side, but some people feel this option is better than the pivoting arms that get in the way.

You might notice a slight movement of the arms sometimes, which is a signal to tighten them.

Comfort and assembly

The backrest is covered in mesh to keep you cool while you work. It’s also curved to provide support to your lower back area.

The lumbar area is not adjustable, but you can adjust the height of the backrest to fit your needs.

Assembly is the biggest downside when it comes to Alera products, and this one is no different.

The instructions are presented with pictures to show you how to put the chair together. Make sure you follow them correctly to avoid stress.

This specific line comes with an extremely heavy seat that is difficult to position on your own. We recommend inserting it into the stem by laying it on the floor.

What We Like

• Lots of adjustments
• Well cushioned & comfy seat
• Tilt & recline controlled separately

What We Don’t Like

• Difficult to assemble
• Slight movement of the arms

Most Ergonomic Chair

Alera Etros Series Mid-Back Chair With Seat Slide

The Alera Etros Mid-Back Chair comes with a simple design that should blend into most workspaces.

Both the seat and the backrest have breathable mesh that keeps your body cool while you work.

The seat is also upholstered in attractive fabric and offers a 4’’ of block foam padding, making it comfortable to sit in.

It is 16’’ wide where it meets the backrest and broadens to 20’’ at the front. It can also be raised from 17.5’’ to 21.5’’ off the floor.

Ergonomics

The backrest is designed with ergonomics in mind. It features a curvature where the lumbar support is supposed to be, and you can adjust it for height with 2’’ of wiggle room.

The armrests feel comfortable and can be adjusted for height and width as well. However, they’re also the weak point of the chair because some people say they’re not durable at all.

What people really like is the slider mechanism that allows you to move the seat forward and back.

That, paired with the height adjustable backrest makes for a pretty versatile chair, especially if we take into account its budget friendly price.

What We Like

• Breathable mesh keeps you cool
• Adjustable backrest & lumbar
• Comfortable for moderate use

What We Don’t Like

• Armrests are not durable

Best Leather Chair

Alera Neratoli Series Mid-Back Leather Chair

If you’re looking for a budget leather chair that looks modern and expensive, we recommend the Alera Neratoli Mid-Back model.

It’s upholstered with bonded leather that is soft and looks like the real deal. The frame, arms, and base are made from metal, and will successfully hold people who weigh up to 275 lbs.

This chair doesn’t offer much in terms of ergonomics or lumbar support though. So if you wish to be comfortable in it for more than 8 hours, we recommend getting a seat cushion.

Don’t get me wrong, the seat is pretty comfy for moderate use, but won’t hold up under heavy use. It can be raised from 19’’ to 22.5’’ off the ground and will be comfortable for people up to 6’ tall.

Recline and assembly

The Alera Neratoli chair can be reclined by pulling a lever on the right. You won’t be able to lounge in it though, because it can only be locked in an upright position.

It’s also important to mention that the seat and the backrest are one solid piece so the whole unit tilts in sync.

The arms of the chair are padded and stationary, so they can’t be moved in any way. They also feel remarkably comfortable and soft, but tend to get torn easily.

Assembling this chair is a bit easier than other models and should take about 10 minutes to set up. Overall, this is a decent general use desk chair that is comfortable to sit in.

What We Like

• Looks expensive
• Modern design
• Easy assembly

What We Don’t Like

• Arms get damaged easily

Best Drafting Stools

Alera Ale Elusion Series Mesh Stool

If you need a taller drafting chair that will be budget friendly and comfy at the same time, check out the Alera Ale model.

The seat comes with a contoured cushion and a waterfall edge that will keep the pressure off your knee area. It can be adjusted for height from 23.6’’ to 33.1’’ off the floor.

Most standard chairs go up to about 22’’ in height but this is a drafting chair designed for taller desks, standing desks, reception desks, etc…

The seat padding is generously thick, and it won’t lose its shape even after long hours of work.

Armrests

The armrests feature soft padding that feels comfortable when you place your arms on them. They can be adjusted for width and height.

The arms can also go as low as 6.75’’ from the seat, and the maximum height when you pull them up is 9.25’’ from the seat.

What customers are saying

Judging by customer experience, the construction of the chair is sturdy, and the assembly is pretty straightforward.

The only issue some people had was the foot ring that tends to slide down from time to time.

What We Like

• Generous padding
• Adjustable features for a better fit
• Feels comfortable even after long hours

What We Don’t Like

• The foot ring slides down occasionally

Best Executive Chair

Alera Veon Series Executive High-Back Leather Chair

The Alera Veon model is extremely comfortable thanks to the coil spring cushioned seat that uses the same technology as mattresses. You will feel the bounce once you sit in it.

The seat is a lot more comfortable than the standard foam padded chairs in its price range. It is 19’’ deep and 21.5’’ wide, allowing plenty of room both for standard sized and heavier adults.

Alera has included side bolsters on this chair to follow the movement of your body and give you added ergonomic support.

The backrest is marketed as high-back but in reality, it is a bit below the standard height coming at 32’’ tall from the back of the seat to the top of the headrest.

Recline and armrests

You can recline in this chair and set the tension to stiff or soft. Some people complained that the reclining tension is too stiff, but it can be set using a tension knob found on the bottom of the seat.

The arms on the Veon model are padded and stationary. They also can’t be removed because they hold the chair together. So an armless chair is out of the question for this model.

Upholstery and assembly

With regards to the advertised leather upholstery, there are some pieces of real leather in it but they are stitched together with bonded leather and vinyl strips that tend to crack after a year.

Assembling the chair is easy, as you’ll just have to follow instructions that are written in English.

What We Like

• More comfort compared to similar chairs
• Added ergonomic support on the sides
• Comfy headrest

What We Don’t Like

• The upholstery tends to break after a while

Best Competitor Chairs

HON Ignition 2.0 Mid-Back Computer Chair

The HON Ignition chair is close to the price range of the Alera chairs and comes with a lifetime warranty that sounds good, but in reality, HON is very unresponsive.

The mesh found both on the backrest and the seat is of high quality and stretches in 4 directions to offer the most support for your body.

Comfort

The 20’’ seat is generously padded and contoured, making it incredibly comfortable to sit in.

The backrest is 23’’ tall from the bottom of the seat to the top. It reclines when you lean into it and the arms can be adjusted for height and width.

The biggest downfall of this model is its extremely large frame that will be good for people over 6’ tall. Anyone under that height will not be able to use the ergonomic features of this chair.

This product was designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA.

Steelcase Series 1 Work Office Chair

Steelcase’s Work Chair was designed to conform to your body as you work. The frame of the chair is on the small side and was made to fit smaller work spaces.

Its most distinctive feature is the LiveBack backrest that flexes as you move. It is 21.5’’ tall and was made to support your spine as you change positions throughout the day.

To add to the ergonomic experience, and save your lower back you can choose the optional lumbar support that is also adjustable.

Arms and seat

The arms on this model are fully adjustable for height, width, and depth, plus they pivot. You get around 2-3’’ of wiggle room in each direction.

The downside of the arms is that they are not very comfortable, and the pivoting part tends to get in the way so you’ll find yourself re-adjusting them a lot.

The 19.5’’ wide seat is truly comfortable and should support you for 8+ hours while you work. It can be adjusted for height from 16.5’’ to 21.5’’ off the floor.

This is a strong chair that can support people who weigh up to 400 lbs, but expect inferior craftsmanship compared to other models from this manufacturer.

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If you’re looking for a reliable ergonomic chair that won’t cost a fortune, we strongly suggest looking into the SIDIZ T50. This chair was designed to allow you to type while you’re reclined.

The mesh backrest can recline and be locked in 5 different positions, plus the seat slides forward and back and also slopes to give you the best sitting position possible.

The lumbar support on this model is also decent and can be adjusted for depth and height.

Seat and arms

The seat of the SIDIZ T50 is comfortable but definitely on the firm side. Some people solve this by adding a seat cushion.

The seat can be adjusted for height from 15.7’’ to 18.7’’ tall, and for depth from 18.3’’ to 21’’ wide.

The arms on this chair can be adjusted for height and depth, and they also pivot. They can’t be adjusted for width though, and some people have an issue with the arms being too wide for them.

Sadie Big and Tall Office Computer Chair

The Sadie Big and Tall model is a heavy duty office chair that will hold up to 400 lbs of weight. The backrest is made from mesh and should keep you ventilated while you work.

The arms are adjustable for height, they feel comfortable, and they can be omitted in the assembly process without issues. The seat is decently cushioned and should provide comfort for 4-6 hours.

This chair comes with a limited 3-year warranty, and judging by customer experiences, it will be comfortable for people that are between 5’9’’ and 6’1’’ tall.

If you’re less than 5’9’’ you won’t be able to use the lumbar support, and if you’re over 6’1’’ the seat is not high enough.

Assembly

The assembly process is easy and simple, as all the tools you’d need come included in the package together with some heavy duty screws.

The biggest issue regarding this chair is the shipping company that mishandles packages, so if you manage to receive it with all the parts intact it is a pretty decent chair.