When setting up a home office or workspace area, one of the most important pieces of furniture to consider is your chair.
You’ll likely spend a lot of time sitting in your office chair each day, so making sure you choose one that is comfortable and supportive for long work sessions is key. Two popular options to consider are the Branch Verve chair and a more traditional ergonomic office chair. But which one is the better pick?
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Branch Verve | Ergonomic Office Chair |
| Seat Comfort | Good – 3D knit mesh is comfortable and contours slightly | Excellent – Specialized foams/meshes contour very well |
| Back Support | Decent – Adjustable lumbar firmness provides some support | Excellent – Robust lumbar mechanisms and thicker cushions |
| Armrests | Good – Flipped up armrests, width adjusts | Excellent – 4D adjustable armrests, ultimate adjustability |
| Adjustability | Very Good – Adjusts height, seat depth, lumbar firmness, arm width, tilt tension | Excellent – More granular adjustments like seat angle and recline |
| Assembly Difficulty | Excellent – 10 mins with no tools required | Good – Under 30 mins usually with tools included |
| Design Aesthetic | Excellent – Sleek minimalist design blends into home offices nicely | Good – Varies hugely depending on model, some appear clunky |
| Size/Footprint | Excellent – Compact overall footprint saves space | Varies – Larger models may limit smaller desk spaces |
| Cost | Excellent – Just $349, incredible value | Fair – Models comparable to Verve exceed $800 typically |
Key Takeaways:
- For those prioritizing cost, ease of setup, and design aesthetic, the affordable $349 Branch Verve chair is an incredible option that competes well beyond its price tag. Hard to beat overall value.
- Traditional ergonomic chairs still edge out the Verve in terms of absolute ergonomic customization and plush, supportive cushions. They remain the pinnacle for all-day comfort.
- Consider your workspace size – the Branch Verve’s smaller footprint gives it an advantage for compact home offices where bulky chairs may overwhelm the area.
- While the Verve isn’t the right pick for those needing the Cadillac level cushions of $1k+ chairs, it delivers around 80-90% of that experience and support for less than half the price, making it a sensible option for most.
- For shoppers on a tight budget but wanting ergonomic benefits, the Branch Verve handily beats cheaper chairs lacking adjustments and quality materials. Worth the step up in cost.
Overview of The Branch Verve Chair
The Branch Verve is a relatively new arrival in the home office chair market. Launched in 2021 by startup Branch Furniture, the Branch Verve aims to differentiate itself from standard ergonomic chairs in a few key ways:
- Material: The Verve is constructed using a 3D knit mesh material that Branch claims offers superior breathability and comfort versus foam or fabric chairs. It contours slightly to your body while still providing adequate support.
- Customization: The height, seat depth, arm width and height, back firmness, and tilt can all be customized when ordering to get an exact fit.
- Style: Branch designed the Verve to look nice enough to fit seamlessly into living spaces, not just tucked away in a home office. It comes in three neutral colors too.
- Price: $349 makes this chair cost notably less than many high-end ergonomic models, which often exceed $1,000.
Ergonomic Office Chair Overview
On the other side, you have traditional ergonomic desk chairs from brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth. Key attributes include:
- Adjustability: Like the Verve, most quality ergonomic chairs offer lots of customization points ― adjustable arms, seat slide, tilt limiter, tilt tension, etc.
- Materials: Mesh, fabric, and leather options are common. High-end chairs use very breathable meshes and cushy foams.
- Support: Ergonomic chairs emphasize lumbar support, adjustable height, full back support, and excellent posture/spine alignment.
- Price: Ranges widely, but expect to spend at least $300+ for a decent chair and up to $2,000+ for top models with all features. Popular chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron and Steelcase Leap cost around $1,000 typically.
Now that we’ve covered the key overview points, let’s compare the Branch Verve and typical ergonomic chairs across some major categories…
Comfort and Customization Comparison
When it comes to your office chair comfort should be priority number one. An uncomfortable chair can literally be a pain in the neck and back! Here’s how the Verve and ergonomic chairs compare across factors related to comfort and customizability:
Seat Comfort
- Verve: Its 3D knit mesh is comfortable at first sit. Contours to your shape decently while maintaining structure.
- Ergonomic: Higher-end ergonomic chairs offer excellent cushioning via multilayer foam, perforated leather, and mesh. Tons of surface area contact.
Back Support
- Verve: Lumbar firmness is adjustable. Mesh provides some contouring. Medium thickness back cushioning.
- Ergonomic: Specialized lumbar mechanisms and much thicker, fuller cushioning from mesh, foam combos. Contours extremely well.
Armrests
- Verve: Flipped up armrests allow for easy sliding in and out. Width between armpads adjusts too.
- Ergonomic: 4D adjustable armrest models let you tweak every axis – height, width, depth, pivot. Superior wrist support.
Adjustability
- Verve: Height, seat depth, lumbar firmness, arm width, tilt tension all adjustable. Great customization.
- Ergonomic: More granular adjustments like independent seat angle and precise recline settings. Overall more adaptive.
Winner: Ergonomic Chair
While the Branch Verve chair puts up an impressive fight, traditional ergonomic models still reign supreme in the critical comfort and customization factors for long workdays. Their higher-end materials, specialized support mechanisms, and abundance of adjustments give them a slight edge.
Design & Setup Comparison
Beyond just comfort factors, office chairs also differ quite a bit when it comes to overall setup process and design aesthetic too. Here’s how the Verve and ergonomic chairs stack up in these areas:
Assembly Difficulty
- Verve: Branch designed the Verve to assemble in 10 minutes with no tools required. All hardware and components come pre-attached. Extremely quick.
- Ergonomic: Most ergonomic office chairs have more fiddly parts/adjustments, but are still reasonable to assemble. Usually under 30 mins with all tools included.
Design Aesthetic
- Verve: With its slender profile and neutral, soft colors the Verve disappears nicely into home offices and living spaces. Very minimalist.
- Ergonomic: Iconic ergonomic chairs like the Aeron have timeless designs, but some models still look clunky. Depends heavily on personal taste.
Size Footprint
- Verve: With a smaller back and arm design, the Verve takes up less space when not in use. Good for compact home offices.
- Ergonomic: Larger, thicker cushions and robust lumbar supports lead to bigger chair footprints. Limiting for smaller desks.
Winner: Tie
For the setup and design comparison, neither chair clearly dominates. The Branch Verve offers noticeably easier assembly and a smaller footprint that’s nicer for compact home office areas. But some traditional ergonomic chairs have equally iconic styling and comparable overall footprint. It’s a split decision.
Cost Comparison
Lastly, let’s take a look at how pricing shakes out for these two chair styles…
Branch Verve Pricing
- $349 base price
- Free shipping
- 10-year warranty included
Ergonomic Chair Pricing
- $250 – $2,500+ price range
- $800 – $1,200 typical for Steelcase Leap, Herman Miller Aeron, etc.
- Shipping costs may apply
- 8-12 year warranties usually
When it comes to cost and overall value for money spent, the Branch Verve once again puts up an excellent fight versus traditional ergonomic chairs.
While the Verve lacks some of the intricate adjustments and plush materials of ultra high-end chairs, its sub $400 price point makes it attainable for far more buyers.
And it still offers incredible comfort. The Verve’s combination of ergonomic adjustments, good lumbar support, and breathable mesh seat at just $349 is tough for even mid-range ergonomic chairs to match overall.
Winner: Branch Verve
Branch Verve And Ergonomic Chair – FAQ
Still trying to choose between the Branch Verve, a premium ergonomic chair, or other seating options to outfit your workspace? Here we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these chairs:
Absolutely – the Branch Verve delivers tremendous value and quality given its affordable $349 price point. Compared to chairs double or triple that price, the Verve offers similar comfort, good ergonomic adjustments, an easy assembly, and sleek design. While it may not quite match the plushness of pricier high-end chairs, it comes surprisingly close at a substantially lower cost.
For traditional ergonomic chairs, the most recommended brands are Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Haworth thanks to their patented adjustments, research-backed designs, and focus on quality materials that last over a decade+ of use. Branch is quickly becoming a top name for ergonomic chairs specifically catered to home offices given the Verve chair’s excellence.
The Herman Miller Embody and Steelcase Leap chairs are most often cited as the most comfortable by those sitting long hours. They expertly blend cushioning and support for perfect posture and comfort maintenance. The Branch Verve makes an excellent case too though with its lower cost, and would suit extended work marathons very well.
A proper ergonomic chair aligned to your needs is absolutely worth the investment if you sit 4+ hours per day regularly. Paying up for better materials, adjustments, and support now preserves your neck, back, and body over years of use compared to a basic cheap chair. Prioritizing ergonomics saves health expenses down the road!
Closing Remarks
So what’s the final verdict after comparing the Branch Verve against standard ergonomic office chairs across all those different factors?
For those wanting the pinnacle ergonomic chair with best-in-class cushions, lumbar systems, materials, and precise adjustments – traditional ergonomic models still come out slightly ahead overall.
Chairs like the Steelcase Leap or Herman Miller Embody deliver incredible support and healthy posture if budget isn’t limiting.
But considering its quality materials, ergonomic adjustments, and breathability combined with its easy assembly, attractive design, and especially reasonable pricing – the Branch Verve offers tremendous overall value for anyone needing a comfortable home office chair.
Ultimately it delivers 80-90% of the functionality of ultra-high end chairs for less than half the price in most cases.
The Verve is a true standout in the crowded home office chair market and suitable for long hours of focused work. It’s an easy recommendation for furnishing any home or hybrid work setup.