Herman Miller vs Steelcase vs Haworth vs Knoll vs Okamura: Which Premium Office Chair Brand Is Right for Your Singapore Office?

Last updated: August 2026 · Reading time: 7 minutes

When you're setting up a serious office in Singapore — whether it's a home office, a growing startup, or a corporate floor — the chair you pick matters more than almost any other piece of furniture. A bad chair is something you'll feel in your lower back every day. A good chair is something you'll barely think about, which is exactly the point.

At Newstar Furniture, we've been helping Singapore offices find the right premium chair since 2016. We carry both our own Newstar brand for budget-friendly new chairs and refurbished versions of the five most respected names in the business: Herman Miller, Steelcase, Haworth, Knoll, and Okamura. We're brand-agnostic — our job is to help you pick what fits, not push what we have the most margin on.

Below is a straight comparison of each brand, what they're known for, who they're best for, and what to expect to pay in Singapore.

Herman Miller — The Gold Standard

Herman Miller has been making office chairs since the 1960s, but the brand really became a household name in 1994 with the launch of the Aeron. Its mesh back was a complete break from the leather executive chairs that dominated offices at the time, and 30 years later the Aeron is still in production — there is no better sign that a design was right.

Signature models:

• Aeron (Size A, B, C) — the original mesh task chair. Backed by a 12-year warranty when bought new, 6-month local warranty when bought refurbished through Newstar.
• Embody — pressure-mapped back, designed with input from physicians, best for anyone with back pain or long programming sessions.
• Mirra 2 — a softer mesh option, slightly cheaper than Aeron.

Price range at Newstar: refurbished Aeron from $608. New Herman Miller is rarely worth the import hassle for Singapore buyers, which is why we focus on certified refurbished stock.

Best for: anyone who sits 6+ hours a day, hot Singapore offices (mesh breathes), and buyers who want the most-documented ergonomic chair on the market.

Browse refurbished Herman Miller chairs →

Steelcase — The Workhorse for Corporate Floors

Steelcase is a 110-year-old American company that has quietly equipped most of the world's major corporate offices. If you've ever sat in a chair at a bank, a consultancy, or a multinational HQ, there's a decent chance it was a Steelcase.

Signature models:

• Leap V2 — the most popular corporate chair in Singapore. Padded seat and back, highly adjustable, often described as "the chair that doesn't make you think about the chair."
• Gesture — designed for modern postures (phones, tablets, laptops). Best for anyone whose work doesn't keep them at a desk.
• Series 1 — Steelcase's entry-level task chair, surprisingly good for the price.

Price range at Newstar: refurbished Steelcase Leap V2 from $528.

Best for: corporate buyers ordering in bulk, anyone who switches postures often (phone calls + typing + reading), and offices that want proven durability over many years.

Haworth — The Quiet Innovator

Haworth doesn't have the same brand recognition as Herman Miller or Steelcase, but in ergonomic circles it's known for making some of the most thoroughly-researched chairs on the market. Their Zody chair was the first asymmetric chair to be endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association.

Signature models:

• Zody — fully adjustable asymmetric lumbar support, mesh back, great for people with specific back issues.
• Soji — minimalist task chair, popular in modern Singapore offices that prefer a less bulky look.
• Very — task chair with a unique pelvic support system.

Price range at Newstar: refurbished Haworth Zody from $318 — the most affordable entry into premium-refurbished territory.

Best for: back pain sufferers, design-conscious offices (less visually heavy than Aeron), and buyers who value ergonomic research over brand cachet.

Knoll — The Design Statement

Knoll started in the 1930s as a furniture maker focused on modern design, and that heritage still shapes their office chairs today. Where Herman Miller and Steelcase optimize for pure ergonomics, Knoll optimizes for how the chair looks in your office.

Signature models:

• ReGeneration — the flagship task chair, designed by Formway for Knoll. Flexing back that moves with you, distinctive silhouette.
• Generation — the predecessor to ReGeneration, still widely used.
• Olm — modern task chair with a thinner profile.

Availability at Newstar: currently out of stock — WhatsApp us for restock updates and pricing.

Best for: design-led offices (think architecture firms, creative agencies, executive boardrooms), buyers who care as much about aesthetic as ergonomics.

Okamura — The Japanese Engineering Choice

Okamura is the only major non-Western brand on this list, and you can feel the difference. Japanese engineering tends to optimize for compact form, lighter weight, and a more "tuned" feel. Okamura chairs are very popular in Singapore's finance and tech sectors.

Signature models:

• Contessa — the flagship. Distinctive curved mesh back, very light, looks like nothing else on this list.
• Sabrina — mid-back mesh, more affordable Contessa family member.
• Cruise — modern task chair with synchronized tilt.

Price range at Newstar: refurbished Okamura Contessa from $450 — strong resale demand in Singapore makes this excellent value.

Best for: tech/finance professionals, executives who want something distinctive, and buyers who value Japanese manufacturing quality.

How to Choose — The Quick Framework

If you want…	Go with
The proven standard, hot office, long hours	Herman Miller Aeron
Bulk corporate order, posture-switching	Steelcase Leap V2
Lower back pain relief, asymmetric support	Haworth Zody
Design-led office, boardroom	Knoll ReGeneration (out of stock — contact us)
Distinctive Japanese engineering	Okamura Contessa

What About a Brand-New Chair Instead?

If you'd rather skip refurbished entirely, Newstar also stocks brand-new ergonomic chairs from $58. These are Newstar's own design, manufactured for the Singapore market, and they come with the same 48-hour delivery and free assembly we offer on all furniture. They're not in the same league as the five brands above — but at 10% of the price, they're the right choice for hot-desking setups, visitor chairs, and home offices where you don't sit 8 hours a day.

Browse brand-new chairs from $58 →

The Newstar Difference

Every refurbished chair we sell goes through a 5-step inspection process and carries a 6-month local warranty — much shorter than buying new from the manufacturer (12 years for Herman Miller), but enough to catch any defects that survived our inspection. If something goes wrong, we're 15 minutes from Link@AMK and we'll fix it.

We also deliver island-wide within 48 hours on in-stock items (chairs, monitor arms, accessories) and offer free assembly for all large furniture. Tables, cabinets, and sofas ship on a fast made-to-order schedule with custom sizes available.

Browse all refurbished premium chairs →

FAQ

Which brand is best for lower back pain?

Haworth Zody and Herman Miller Aeron are the two standouts. The Zody's asymmetrical PALM lumbar lets you adjust left and right support independently. The Aeron's PostureFit SL supports both sacral and lumbar regions. Both are excellent — try them side by side in our showroom.

What is the cheapest refurbished premium chair at Newstar?

The Haworth Zody from $318 is our most affordable entry into premium-refurbished territory. Steelcase Leap V2 starts at $528, Herman Miller Aeron at $608, and Okamura Contessa at $450.

Is a refurbished premium chair as good as a new one?

Functionally, yes. Each chair is disassembled, inspected, deep-cleaned, and fitted with a new gas cylinder before sale. The main difference is warranty length: 6 months locally vs 12 years from the manufacturer for new chairs. For most users, the 60% savings far outweigh the shorter warranty.

Which brand has the best resale value in Singapore?

Herman Miller and Steelcase hold value best — an Aeron or Leap V2 can resell for 50-70% of purchase price after 2-3 years. Okamura Contessa also holds value well due to strong demand in Singapore's finance sector.

Can I try the chairs before buying?

Yes — visit our showroom at 3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62, Link@AMK #02-12, Singapore 569139 (Mon–Sun, 9am–6pm). The Aeron, Leap V2, Zody, and other models are on display for sit-testing.

---

Newstar Furniture has been Singapore's office furniture specialist since 2016. We've delivered over 10,000 chairs across the island. Visit our showroom at Link@AMK or shop online at newstar.sg.