This mesh office chair is like a mullet — business in the front, party in the back

For the past six years, I’ve had the opportunity to try out numerous gaming chairs, among them quite a few designed by AndaSeat.

Among various gaming chair models, several by AndaSeat stand out as favorites in the current market. As a result, when the company approached me to test their initial line of mesh office chairs, my curiosity was piqued right away.

For the past fortnight, I’ve been utilizing the AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh Office Gaming Chair for both work and gaming on my computer. Despite its appealing features, there are two significant issues that make it unsuitable for inclusion in my preferred office chair collection.

AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Price and availability

AndaSeat is a brand known for using premium materials and robust structures in their office and gaming chairs. This means their items typically cost more than affordable alternatives available. However, the advantage lies in their longevity as compared to less expensive options.

The X-Air Pro retail price is set at $449.00. However, if you’re looking for more budget-friendly alternatives among competitors, there are some options priced between $200 and $300. That being said, the X-Air Pro offers a wider array of features and controls compared to certain competitors. For example, it comes with adjustable armrests and an adjustable cushion, in addition to the standard reclining and height adjustment functions.

According to the specifications, this chair is intended for individuals ranging from approximately five feet four inches to six feet two inches in height and has a maximum weight capacity of 265 pounds. If you exceed or fall below these dimensions, the chair might not offer the necessary support for your body.

You can buy it directly from the AndaSeat online store. However, as of my current knowledge, the X-Air Pro chair is not yet listed on Amazon.

AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh Office Chair — What’s in the box?

Like other AndaSeat models, the X-Air Pro arrives in a big box dismantled. Inside, you’ll discover screws, a screwdriver, and clear instructions with illustrations to guide you through the assembly process.

AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: What I like

About three weeks ago, I injured my ankle, making it difficult for me to bear much weight on it. Given this issue, I wasn’t confident if I could put together the X-Air Pro independently. However, I managed to make it happen by arranging all components on the floor and assembling while seated. To sum up, the process was straightforward and took less than an hour to complete.

Previously, I mentioned that the X-Air Pro includes an illustrated assembly guide along with all necessary tools for setup. Unfortunately, my chair’s manual was for the basic X-Air model instead of the X-Air Pro, leading to some incorrect parts being displayed and missing steps. It’s unclear if this is a random error or common issue when buying the X-Air Pro. Nevertheless, I managed to find the official AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh Chair Assembly Guide online, which can be utilized in such cases.

From an aesthetic perspective, the front and back of the X-Air Pro chair present distinct impressions; they’re like a mullet in terms of style contrast. The front exudes a professional and minimalist feel, while the back, with its bold plastic design, offers a stark contrast to the rest of the chair. This design reminds me of Gundam or mecha aesthetics, which can seem out of place in a formal office setting but would blend well in a gaming den.

The snugly fitted knit and flannel fabric encompassing the chair’s structure may not initially feel soft to your touch, but it offers a bouncy seating sensation that feels comfortable on both my thighs and back. I ponder whether this material might stretch and droop with prolonged usage, which is a common issue with mesh chairs. However, what I can assure you is that the mesh construction appears robust, so any sagging concerns would likely arise only after years of constant use.

Lumbar support and adjustments

Since the curved “C-like dynamic lumbar” subtly molds to my back, I maintain an upright posture and lean slightly forward on the chair cushion. Consequently, I can only touch the headrest if I deliberately recline in the chair, regardless of how much I adjust the angle of the headrest. This has its advantages and disadvantages. The headrest doesn’t obstruct me like it does in some chairs, but reaching it isn’t as effortless as in others.

Controls conveniently positioned on either side of the chair, protrude slightly from beneath it. On the left side, there’s a button to control the vertical position of the seat cushion relative to the backrest. On the right, you’ll find both the recline and height adjustment buttons. The X-Air Pro can be lowered to as little as 17.72 inches off the floor, or raised up to 21.66 inches. Lastly, although the armrests can be adjusted vertically, their controls aren’t quite as intuitive as the seat cushion height adjuster (more details on that in a bit).

AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: What I do not like

I really enjoy AndaSeat’s Kaiser gaming chairs, but their new line of mesh office chairs could use some refinement. The mesh material used in the cushion and back is comfy, but the adjustment options and non-locking armrests make it a bit cumbersome and even irritating to use for extended periods.

In simpler terms, the upper half of the 5D armrests can rotate fully (360 degrees), but the lower part only rotates halfway (180 degrees). Unfortunately, these rotating parts don’t lock, which causes them to spin and move when I lean on them. This results in wobbly support on both sides of the chair, making it difficult for me to maintain a stable position.

Over the holiday period, my wife’s mom expressed her worry that the chair might pose a risk to herself as she finds the armrests rather wobbly, making it hard for her to safely get in and out of it. It could also potentially be dangerous for individuals with mobility issues who heavily depend on stable armrests for assistance when rising or sitting.

Adjusting the chair’s height is another factor that lowers its overall rating. The back and armrests can be adjusted vertically, but the method used for this adjustment is quite inconvenient and frustrating. Instead of smoothly sliding up or down to reach your desired position, you have to pull them up to different notches. Unfortunately, once they reach their maximum extension, they automatically snap back down to their lowest point. This makes it challenging to achieve equal heights for the armrests or to fully extend each area without them collapsing back down again.

Because of the tall person’s struggle with adjusting the height, I wouldn’t suggest the X-Ari Pro for individuals taller than average. Frankly, it seems as though the design doesn’t cater to those using the chair at its maximum settings.

AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Competition

Previously mentioned, with extensive experience testing various seating options throughout the years, I am confident in suggesting top-notch gaming chairs and office chairs for your consideration.

Kick-starting our discussion, I’d like to highlight a chair that stands out among my top preferences – the AndaSeat Kaiser 4. This chair earns my high recommendation because it provides exceptional lumbar support tailored to individual needs. It achieves this through an internal, four-way adjustable lumbar system, enabling users to modify the height and pressure applied to their back. The chair comes in either faux leather or fabric materials of superior quality. You can purchase the Kaiser 4 for $569.00 on AndaSeat, and it’s available in a variety of colors.

In our Razer Iskur review, we highlight another fantastic seating option. This chair boasts an eye-catching snake-scale pattern on its cushion and backrest, all while delivering a remarkably comfortable sitting experience. It comes with adjustable 4D armrests for personalized comfort, features fabric foam cushions, and sports a modern design that’s sure to impress. You can purchase it for $599.99 from Amazon.

AndaSeat X-Air Pro Mesh: Should you buy it?

✅ You should buy this if…

You want an office chair made with quality mesh materials.
You’re looking for something that is relatively easy to assemble.

❌ You should not buy this if…

You’d prefer an office chair with a more understated design
You regularly put weight on armrests and need something that will remain stable

As an observer, I must admit that the mesh office chair provides reasonable back support and comfort, yet it comes with numerous aspects that make it quite a challenge to endorse. To be frank, I was eager to conclude the testing phase and return to my trusted AndaSeat Kaiser 4 gaming chair.

As a researcher examining AndaSeat gaming chairs, I believe that future iterations could significantly benefit from modifications to their design. Firstly, I would suggest enhancing the armrest design to incorporate a locking mechanism instead of the current spin feature which can be adjusted with minimal pressure. Secondly, improving the height adjustment system for smoother and more precise control would also be beneficial. At this point, while these chairs are visually appealing in both professional and casual environments, they offer exceptional support, I recommend considering one of their faux leather gaming chairs as a better choice for now.

2025-01-07 17:39