As I write this article, I am sitting on the Hinomi X1 ergonomic chair, and I've never been more comfortable working in my office. I got this chair three weeks ago and have spent many hours testing it. In this review, I'll share my experience.
The best investment I made last year was in a height-adjustable desk. Since then, I have spent around 50% of my office time standing. Getting such a desk was a game-changer for me. I'm a software developer and spend eight hours in the office daily. My photography requires additional office time as I edit my photos.
But I cannot stand the whole day. The other 50% of the time, I sit in front of my laptop. And a well-built chair that supports your posture can make a huge difference.
Hinomi X1 Ergonomic Chair
The Hinomi X1 is a premium chair with a futuristic look built to last - backed by a 12-year warranty. It weighs more than 30 kg when fully assembled. There's no squeaking or other noises when you sit on it, and despite its weight and solid build, it feels light against your back. It's available in three different sizes: the small version is specified for users that are between 5'1" and 5'6" tall, while the medium size is for people between 5'6" and 6'1", and the large for those between 5'9" and 6'6". I'm 6'1" and went with a medium size - it fits perfectly.
The choice between different sizes ensures that you get a chair perfectly designed for your body, while with one-size-fits-all chairs, there's usually some compromise. But make sure to choose the correct size if you get this chair.
The chair has several supports to keep your spine in check, all of which can be adjusted separately to fit your body. You have a headrest, upper-back support, lumbar support, and an armrest on each side. You can also move the firm seat forward and backward to improve your posture. Because of all those adjustable parts, you might think it's hard to assemble it. But that's not the case. It arrived in four main pieces I put together in less than 10 minutes using the included tools.
The first time you sit on it, you will have to spend one or two more minutes to figure out the perfect settings. You will want to adjust the headrest's height and angle, move the upper and lower back supports up or down to fit your back and use the 6-D adjustments of the armrests. Finally, you'll move the seat into the correct position and adjust the chair's height. Once done, sitting and working on the Hinomi X1 is pure comfort.
In the photo above, you might also have noticed that the chair has a retractable leg rest, making it a multi-purpose chair. It is a nice feature for using it during leisure time. You can put your legs up, lean back, and enjoy a book. But it can get in the way during work if you like to put your feet under the chair. Even retracted, it interferes with my legs because it extends a bit beneath the chair. So I removed the leg rest - for me, it's a working chair.
What I Like
The feature I like the most about this chair is its lumbar support. It prevents me from sagging into an unhealthy posture and keeps my back straight without feeling uncomfortable. Since it's made of two parts with a little gap in the middle, the spine can rest perfectly in between, and the TPU material feels cool even on hot days. The same can be said about the seat, the upper back, and the headrest. The mesh material will keep you from sweating. With my old chair, this was always a problem during summer.
I must also mention the build quality. Everything about this chair feels premium, and the adjustments work very well. I could perfectly customize it to fit my body. It's also easy to remove parts you don't need. If you want, you can remove the armrests, the leg rest, and the headrest with just two to three screws each, making it a minimalistic office chair.
What Could Be Improved
The armrests, while comfortable, usually get in the way when working at a desk. They prevented me from getting close to my desk because their lowest setting still interfered with the tabletop. I removed them, which is easy. My arms usually rest on my desk when I work. Hinomi's idea is to set the armrests to roughly the same height as the table and rest your arms on them. It might work for some people, but it would be great if Hinomi allowed them to be retracted further and get them out of the way when they are not required.
I also think the upper back support doesn't have to be that wide. It makes the chair look more massive than it is. But maybe some users will require it.
Finally, I would have preferred a fully black chair. The shiny aluminum surfaces had fingerprints all over after my first day of using them.
Conclusion
The Hinomi X1 is a fantastic chair available for $699. Because of its build quality, the materials, and features, it's a justifiable price. Just think about the time you are sitting in your office and the comfort you can gain from a proper chair. Had I known what I was missing out on with my old chair, I would have switched to an ergonomic chair years ago. As with investing in a height-adjustable desk, getting the Hinomi X1 has again been a game-changer for me. You can read more here.
I might be an outlier but regardless of how comfortable a chair may feel, if it doesn't match the look of my room I won't get it. Anyone else like this?
I guess I dont care about looks so much with office furniture ;-) functionality over design for me there.
Definite no. Form follows function.
Most overlooked essential office equipment for photographers: ambient light control. High-CRI dim environmental lighting that matches screen white balance and doesn’t cause reflections on the screen. Blackout shades to control window light. Dark, neutral tones throughout the editing environment to minimize reflections and color contamination.