As one of the most prominent brands in the office furniture industry, Herman Miller chairs are often viewed as the gold standard of office chairs. Two well-known ergonomic chair models in particular, the Cosm and Embody, are often compared next to each other to decide which one is better than the other.
Herman Miller Embody vs. Cosm: The biggest difference between the Herman Miller Embody and the Cosm lies in the adjustability. The Embody gives the user full control over the backrest, armrests, and seat. The Cosm, on the other hand, has no manual adjustments and automatically adjusts to the user’s body.
With that said, however, there is more to this comparison than just adjustability. Each chair has its fair share of strengths and advantages. After all, Herman Miller chairs have won many awards. In this post, we will review the Herman Miller Embody vs. Cosm comparison to help you decide which one best suits your needs.
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Tale of the Tape
You can expect these two chairs to have plenty in common simply because it is made of the same brand. With one of the best warranties in the business (12 years), each chair is built to last. Moreover, you can request a full refund within 30 days, with no questions asked, if you are not happy with either chair.
The Herman Miller Embody is a gaming/office chair with a high backrest and a unique plastic skeleton-maze-looking design. Every part of the chair was designed to serve a very specific, healthful purpose. In other words, the Embody is all about pressure distribution and natural body alignment.
The Herman Miller Cosm is a mesh office chair that instantly responds to your body, movement, and posture to provide natural balance and total support. It is self-adjusting and conforms to your body naturally when you move in the chair. This is known as the ‘passive ergonomics’ concept.
Now that you had the chance to know both chairs better let us move into the Herman Miller Cosm vs. Embody chair comparison. These two chairs are unique and revolutionary in their own right, and are worthy investments for your back health. To help you compare the two chairs, we will review them based on three categories:
- Adjustability
- Comfort
- Build Quality
One caveat before we move on: reviews are always subjective by nature. Our reviews and comparison only reflect our opinions based on our personal experience with both chairs. However, it is our aim to provide an unbiased review of each chair to help you decide which one is perfect for your activities.
1. Adjustability
Herman Miller Embody
The Embody comes with all the bells and whistles. While the backrest is not height-adjustable, the high-back design makes up for it. The armrests are also adjustable, catering to anyone big or small. Lastly, the Embody’s seat depth adjustment accommodates short and long legs.
One feature that impressed us the most is the BackFit™ Adjustment. It allows you to position the Embody’s backrest in line with your spine’s natural curvature. Once the Embody is tuned to fit you, the backrest will adapt to your movement. Whether you lean forward or recline, the support remains constant.
Herman Miller Cosm
The Cosm has a different approach toward adjustability. In fact, it is the first office chair that uses the concept of “passive ergonomics”. In other words, the Cosm chair is designed to adapt to your body automatically without you having to adjust the chair. The Cosm is more of a set-it-and-forget-it type of chair.
To do this, Herman Miller created the Cosm with a highly flexible frame, giving you free upper body movement whenever you sit in the chair. In fact, Herman Miller is so confident in the Cosm’s adjustability that they claim both your feet will never have to leave the ground, even when moving in the chair.
WINNER: The Herman Miller Embody wins the adjustability category. Pretty self-explanatory. The Embody comes with numerous adjustable options, while the Cosm offers none. If you like to tweak how you sit, then the Embody is the clear-cut winner. The Cosm, on the other hand, is more convenient.
2. Comfort
Herman Miller Embody
The Embody’s seat is truly one of its kind. You will feel the Pixelated Support immediately when you sit. It can make you feel like you are floating, yet perfectly balanced. Thanks to a dynamic matrix of pixels, the chair distributes your weight evenly as you sit. No wonder it is one of the best Herman Miller Chairs available.
Additionally, the Embody’s seat is made out of four different support layers, each with its own set of material properties. These layers were designed for airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable as you sit. Because the thigh areas are often the source of discomfort, the Embody does a good job of solving this issue.
Herman Miller Cosm
The Herman Miller Cosm is all about seamless support. The flexible frame is thin but strong and feels nearly non-existent. Designed to offer support while flexing, you can comfortably move your upper body whenever you sit. It conforms to each person’s body shape to provide dynamic spinal support.
Moreover, the high-quality mesh material provides excellent breathability and cool airflow. Because of the thin seat frame, you do not need to worry about sweaty backs and thighs. Every part of the chair is designed to be temperature-neutral, giving you better comfort to focus on the task at hand.
WINNER: The Embody wins slightly in terms of comfort. This is a tough choice. Both chairs offer phenomenal comfort. However, we have to give the nod to the Embody because of the excellent weight distribution. If you want a thin mesh chair that is cool and breathable, though, the Cosm is a solid pick.
3. Build Quality
Herman Miller Embody
The Embody is one of those chairs where you get what you pay for. Because it is made in the USA, you know you are getting a premium build quality. Moreover, the pixelated support system is one of the most advanced features of an office chair. This is a chair that oozes build quality.
Herman Miller Cosm
With a focus on providing both flexibility and breathability, the Herman Miller Cosm is also a well-built chair. You can select different materials and finishes, from Silver Alloy Finish in the chassis to Graphite finish in the frame. There is no denying the quality and durability offered by Herman Miller office chairs.
WINNER: In terms of build quality, it is a tie between the Embody and Cosm. Because both chairs are made by the same brand, you can expect similar build quality. In fact, Herman Miller went through rigorous testing and research to design both chairs. At the end of the day, both chairs are worth your investment.
Final Verdict
WINNER: Herman Miller Embody
And there you go, the complete comparison of the Herman Miller Embody vs. Cosm chair. There is no denying the quality and craftsmanship offered by both phenomenal and unique office chairs. If you are seriously considering the best, however, be sure to read our reviews of the best ergonomic office chairs.
If we have to choose between the two, we would go for the Herman Miller Embody. By offering complete freedom on how you want to sit, the Embody is more outstanding than the Cosm. With that said, if you prefer to own a simple and minimalistic office chair without any of the hassles, go for the Cosm. 🙂
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