You’ll be forgiven if you’ve never heard of ErgoTune before as it's a relative newcomer in Western markets, after having established itself in Singapore. Coming from parent company Northday, the Supreme office chair, now in its third iteration, rose in popularity thanks to its focus on ergonomics and body posture. And we can attest to why it's done so well in its home country – it is arguably the best office chair we've tried. You'll likely struggle with it for the first day or two, but after that... your body will thank you for it.
Available in three different colors, the ErgoTune Supreme V3 might look like any other mesh office chair on the market, but the staggering number of adjustable points on it makes it a great seat for almost anyone. It’s not just the adjustability factor that makes it so darn good, it’s a seriously quality product with great construction, easy assembly (but make sure you have a lending hand) and a lot of comfort.
This chair has come about because of ErgoTune’s relationship with its fan base, who have provided a lot of feedback to make the Supreme V3 what it is today. There’s things like three-axis adjustable neck rest, a wide and adjustable lumbar support, pivoting armrests and pneumatic bases available for different heights… because not everyone is made equal.
And then there’s the competitive price point too. Typically, a very ergonomic chair will carry a four-figure price tag or a little under, but the ErgoTune Supreme V3 is priced competitively and, better yet, can be had for less during a big sale.
ErgoTune Supreme V3 review: price and availability
The ErgoTune Supreme V3 office chair is available to buy in Australia and the US for just AU$749 / $569. It’s also available in the home country of Singapore for SG$59.
That’s a really competitive price, considering rivals like the NeueChair and the Herman Miller Aeron cost a staggering AU$1,229 / $729 and AU$2,095 / $1,535 respectively.
The ErgoTune Supreme V3 is available in three different colors – the usual black, a subtle orange called Coral Red and a powder blue that parent company NorthDay calls Aqua Blue. Each is available with different sized pneumatic bases – small, medium and large – to suit people with different heights, and all priced the same.
If you're in the US, you can buy the chair directly from the ErgoTune website or from Amazon. In Australia, too, the chair is sold direct to customers from parent company Northday's site and also available on Amazon AU. You can often find a discount of some flavor either directly from the maker or on Amazon.
ErgoTune Supreme V3 review: design and setup
The Supreme V3 comes very well packaged in a massive box that weights upwards of 30kg. Every bit is neatly packed inside and setup isn’t difficult thanks to a step-by-step pictorial guide enclosed within. All the screws you need are also neatly packed as individual sets, labelled well so you know where each goes. Also in the box is a hex key with an ergonomic handle.
You can assemble the Supreme V3 all by your lonesome self, but there are parts that are heavy and, once the final product is assembled it is quite the weight. So if you can, get some help. Then just follow the instructions and, voila, you have a great seat set up in about 30 minutes or less (yes, not more).
In terms of design, there’s a solid five-castor base holding up a high-quality mesh seat. There are two levers under the chair to make height and recline adjustments, plus turnable knobs at the end of each lever to change the recline tension or lock the backrest in place. The seat itself can be moved back and forth to quite a generous degree so practically everyone can sit with their knees at a 90º angle and feet firmly planted on the floor.
The neck and lumbar support – both of which are wide and adjustable – can be quite aggressive for some users but we found them both to be ideal. They do take some getting used to, and the neck support in particular might require a lot of adjusting before you find the ideal spot, but once you get there, there’s no looking back.
It’s the armrests, though, that get high praise from us – not only can you raise or lower the height, they rotate… and they rotate in two very different ways. They turn on the primary pivot (aka the armrest support bar) and then they also turn on a front axis. So you can have them positioned towards your body or further away from it while also having them point inwards or outwards.
In total, there are 11 adjustable points on the chair, so there’s a very good chance you’ll fit right in.
ErgoTune Supreme V3 review: comfort
We could finish this entire section in one word: wow!
OK, the wow factor comes after you’ve gotten the chair set up just right and, importantly, gotten used to the lumbar support.
It’s not the easiest of chairs to sink into and that’s a good thing. Its aim is to make sure your posture is good throughout the work day at the desk, so it can initially feel like quite a harsh setup. Be patient with it because after a day or two, or maybe even a few days, you can start to feel the difference, particularly if you’re moving away from a not-so-good office setup and have been complaining about back aches. The lumbar support might be relatively large and may not be for everyone, but it’s the right curvature for your lower back.
Our only complaint was the neck support… but only for the first few days. We just couldn’t get it positioned properly and found it more a hindrance than support. It took us a few days to figure out how best to position it and from then on it’s been pure bliss.
The mesh might seem uncomfortable but it’s actually pretty darn good. It’s a very high quality weave indeed that’s sag proof. It feels good to sit in after you've used it a few days and, importantly for hot summer days, breathable.
All in all, we love the Supreme V3, but we also understand that comfort is relative and, if you’re not happy with the chair, ErgoTune offers a 21-day risk-free return with a collection of the product from your home.
ErgoTune Supreme V3 review: should you buy it?
If you’re looking for a high-quality chair that won’t break the bank, then we think you should seriously consider the ErgoTune Supreme V3. It is the best office chair we’ve tried to date and will be great for anyone who’s been suffering from back issues by sitting at a computer desk all day.
At its price point, it’s a great buy, especially considering all the different adjustments you can make to suit your body’s needs. This chair was designed for people with posture issues, and even though the lumbar support may be uncomfortable for a few days, you’ll feel the effects down the line. Throw in a robust build, easy setup and a few colour options and we think it’s a winner.
Also consider
It's hard to recommend anything else after having used the ErgoTune, but if you're sure you want an alternative that won't blow your budget, then check out the Ikea Markus. It's a very modern design with a breathable mesh back and quite a comfy faux-leather cushioned seat. Not only do we like it, it's got some pretty good user reviews too.
If you have the money to spare, then there's nothing like a Herman Miller. It is super expensive, but we consider the Herman Miller Mirra 2 one of the best office chairs you can get globally. In Australia, it will set you back a whopping two grand!
