Looking for a good ergonomic chair, you’ve probably noticed there are an overwhelming amount of brands, models, and designs on the market.

In this review, I will show my research on the HON company and their range of products, particularly their most popular office mesh chair– the HON Ignition 2.0.

So how does HON compare with other medium-priced chair competitors on the market?

Find out in my independent review below.

About The Company

Hon was founded in 1947 using scrap metal to create card files. Today they use recycled materials to manufacture their chairs as well.

Their main idea is to utilize ‘sustainable business practices’ and save the environment in the process.

Judging by customer reviews and the experiences people have had with HON products over the years, the consensus is that they are of exceptional quality.

Hon Ignition 2.0

HON Ignition 2.0 Mid-Back Mesh Chair

Hon’s Ignition 2.0 has one major difference when compared to the previous version Ignition model.

The woven mesh material on the 2.0 model comes with elastic properties that have a bit more stretch to it and retain their shape longer, unlike the standard mesh.

The seat on the HON Ignition is 20’’ wide and its material includes 2 layers of contoured padding with mesh upholstery. You’ll be able to move the seat back and forth and then lock it in place.

Adjustability and assembly

The seat height can be adjusted from 17.1 to 21.5 inches and the backrest reclines with a synchro-tilt mechanism.

This means the seat goes up when you tilt the back and it can also be locked in place. The arms are adjustable for both width and height plus it has a hard cushion that supports your hands well.

Assembling this chair is pretty easy as there are a lot of snap-on parts. However, you will still need tools to bolt in the back chair piece to the bottom piece.

The bolts are not the best quality so you might want to replace them with something stronger. Other than that this chair offers standard quality and most people that got it, seem happy with it.

What We Like

• Wide seat
• Some adjustable features
• Arms made well

What We Don’t Like

• Connecting bolts have low quality

Task Chairs

A task chair is basically an ergonomic office chair that was created to keep you in an upright position.

Chairs similar to these were used back in the days to keep typists’ backs straight and keep their shoulders relaxed so they could increase their typing speed.

Task chairs have come a long way since then in terms of technology and materials, but the intended purpose remains the same.

Task chair benefits

• They keep you sitting upright
• They take the pressure off your shoulders
• They increase your typing speed
• They usually come at a budget cost
• Most adjustments are automated

HON Lota Office Chair

The Lota model from Hon will look stylish in any office. The seat can be adjusted for height with the help of a lever and it can accommodate various body types.

The backrest has a counterbalance motion connected to the bottom of the seat, so when you lean back it follows your movement.

This works with your body weight so there’s no need for constant adjustments. You can also lock the tilt in an upright position which is especially helpful if you prefer to sit up while you work.

Adjustability and comfort

The arms on the Lota chair are adjustable for height and depth, they pivot both inwards and outwards as well.

The material on the backrest is mesh which allows air to circulate, keeping you fresh. While there’s no ‘official’ lumbar support the chair is curved to offer one.

The seat is padded but it’s definitely on the firm side. The Lota chair swivels to an angle of 360 degrees and is marketed as a conference chair.

What We Like

• Simple to adjust
• Weight activated tilt tension
• Mesh material keeps you fresh

What We Don’t Like

• Seat comfort on the firm side

HON Boda Task Chair

The Boda chair was designed for people that spend a lot of time at their desks and includes 2 layers of padding for better seating comfort.

The seat is adjustable for height (18.25’’ to 22.5’’), it can be moved back and forth, and it can be widened. The material on the backrest is mesh which is breathable and keeps you cool.

Unlike the Lota chair, this one doesn’t have a weight-activated recline. Instead, it comes with a synchro-tilt that moves the seat upwards when you recline.

Also, keep in mind, the locking mechanism only works to lock the backrest into an upright position. The Boda is a durable chair that was made to last and looks and feels new even after years of use.

What We Like

• High-grade materials
• Durable steel frame
• Mesh material keeps you cool

What We Don’t Like

• Tilt lock only works for an upright position

HON Prominent High Back Task Chair

The Hon high back task chair was made for easy performance. All the adjustable levers are positioned on one side making it easier for you to switch certain adjustments.

The chair can accommodate various body types thanks to its moving arms. The armrests can be adjusted up and down for convenience plus they can be widened to open more space for seating.

Just like the Boda model, this one offers 2 layers of padding on the seat cushion. The seat glides, it can be adjusted for depth and you get 2’’ of wiggle room.

The seat height is also adjustable and can go from 16.5’’ to 20.5’’ off the floor with the help of a pneumatic gas cylinder. Hon offers a 5-year limited warranty on this chair.

What We Like

• Mesh upholstery keeps you cool
• Arms can be adjusted for height and width
• The seat provides good comfort

What We Don’t Like

• Lumbar support is not adjustable

Executive Chairs

While executive chairs work with the same basic principles of ergonomics they are still quite different from standard office chairs.

Executive chairs are in the luxury category of chairs. They look presentable and exclusive, usually used by the senior ranking employees or the boss.

They were made to be long-lasting, extremely comfortable, and incredibly supportive. So let’s take a look at 3 different executive chairs from HON, made for people that appreciate the finer things:

The HON Wave Big & Tall Executive Mesh Chair

The Hon Wave executive chair is simple in design and comes with all-mesh upholstery to keep your body cool while you work. It is not a huge bulky chair but it can hold up to 450 lbs of weight.

The seat cushion is comfortable and supportive with 2 layers of foam sandwiched between the mesh. The seat is also height adjustable and goes from 18’’ to 22.25’’ off the floor.

The arms can be moved back and forth or widened to create more space. Don’t get us wrong, the seat itself is wider than most chairs at 22’’ but once you spread the arms you get 29.5” of space.

The only thing you’ll need to worry about is replacing them every couple of years as the surface tends to break down.

Backrest

The backrest comes with adjustable lumbar support plus it is somewhat higher than regular chairs, you get 27.5’’ from the base of the seat cushion to the top of the back.

This chair definitely delivers on the Big & Tall promise and most people who bought it feel comfortable in it. If you’re a big person, this is the chair to get.

What We Like

• Comfortable for bigger people
• Adjustable lumbar support
• Breathable mesh upholstery

What We Don’t Like

• The arm pads tend to break down

HON Leather Executive Chair

The ‘leather’ upholstery of this chair is actually bonded leather. It looks genuine and feels the same but it is made from small strands of leather bonded together with polyurethane.

The good news is, bonded leather is a lot more durable and won’t tear easily. It also doesn’t have to be maintained the way one-piece leather does, and you’ll still get that true leather smell.

This chair performs well when it is new but it breaks down quickly. We came across many unsatisfied customers complaining about the cushion flattening out after 1 year of use.There’s also no lumbar support and the arms can’t be moved.

What We Like

• Bonded leather feels good on your skin
• Budget price

What We Don’t Like

• No lumbar support
• No adjustments for the arms
• Seat cushion flattens out easily

Sadie Racing Gaming Computer Chair

The Sadie gaming chair comes with an attractive design and some adjustable features. What we really like is the flip-up arms that can be moved out of the way if needed.

The upholstery is made from bonded leather that is durable and has that real leather smell. It is not as breathable as mesh upholstery though, so it does tend to get a bit warm after a few hours.

The seat is height adjustable from 16.3’’ to 20’’ off the ground and the back of the chair reclines. You can pull the lever outwards to recline or lock it in an upright position if that’s what you prefer.

Overall this chair is well-constructed, functional, supportive, and extremely comfortable to sit in. Hon will give you 3 years of limited warranty for the Sadie chair.

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Arms can be moved out of the way
• Easy to use

What We Don’t Like

• Bonded leather upholstery keeps you warm

Ergonomic Stools

Ergonomic stools are a great solution for people that prefer active sitting. They were designed to help you maintain a proper posture, increase your strength, and improve your blood flow.

Most of the ergonomic stools are made backless and some of them pivot forward so you can sit or perch on them.

The seat is usually contoured and it swivels so you can achieve different seating positions.

HON Sit To Stand Perch Stool

The Perch stool from HON is an active seating option that can be used to increase your daily productivity and give you a wider range of motion while you’re sitting or standing.

This stool will work perfectly with a standing desk since the height of the seat can be adjusted from 23.75’’ to 35’’ off the floor with the push of a button.

The seat comes with a waterfall edge that releases the pressure on the back of your knees and allows for improved circulation while you work.

The base of the Perch stool pivots forward enabling you to get into an ‘active stance’ which places you closer to your work desk and allows you to stretch out your back while you’re working.

Active sitting

The back of the stool is minimal and serves mostly as a handle for transport. You could lean into it to relax, but remember the point of the stool is to keep you active.

This one is also great for hyperactive people because the seat swivels 360 degrees and the pole pivots side to side enabling you to move around quite a bit while you’re working.

What We Like

• Great for hyperactive people
• Seat adjusts higher than most stools

What We Don’t Like

• The seat flattens out

HON Volt Leather Task Stool

The Hon Volt stool features bonded leather upholstery on the seat, this material is extremely comfortable and feels soft on the skin.

The height of the seat can be adjusted from 22.75’’  to 32.25’’ off the ground but keep in mind, the seat will sink 1-2’’ lower when you sit on it, depending on your weight.

With these measurements, the Volt stool is an ideal choice for sit-stand desks, but it will work with some standard desks depending on their height.

The stool comes with a backrest and you could order separate armrests if you need them.

What customers are saying

Most people really like the footrest on this stool. They say the comfort of the seat is not spectacular but it will provide support for at least 3-4 hours.

With regards to durability there are mixed reviews, some people have been using it for 10 years comfortably while others see certain performance issues within the first year.

What We Like

• Good design
• Footrest to relax your legs
• Good for sit-stand desks

What We Don’t Like

• The lowest sitting point too high
• Performance issues on certain stools

HON Medical Saddle Stool

The medical saddle stool comes with a simple backless design and a supportive cushion on the seat. The height of the stool is adjustable from 17.25’’ to 22’’, so it goes higher than a regular chair.

Most of the people that get this stool use it for beauty salons, medical offices, or their kitchen. It is lightweight and easy to pick up (20 lbs) but it can be rolled on the floor quite easily as well.

The wheels on the stool are of good quality and roll smoothly. The vinyl upholstery is easy to clean and maintain as well, you’ll simply need to wipe it off with a damp cloth.

What We Like

• Simple design
• Easy to roll around
• Sits up higher than standard chairs

What We Don’t Like

• Vinyl upholstery doesn’t last long

Should You Choose HON?

The chairs and stools made by HON are of standard quality and would be good for entry into ergonomics.

The Hon Ignition 2.0 is definitely one of their better chairs, so we would definitely recommend that one if you’re looking for a good ergonomic chair at a budget price.