Herman Miller Aeron Classic vs Remastered: Which Should You Buy?

The key differences at a glance

Mesh: The Classic uses the original Pellicle mesh with uniform tension across the seat and back. The Remastered uses 8Z Pellicle, which has eight zones of varying tension. Softer under the hamstrings and behind the shoulder blades, firmer where your sitting bones and sacrum need support. In practice, the Remastered mesh feels more responsive and distributes weight more evenly.

Back support: The Classic offers either an adjustable foam lumbar pad (slides up and down) or the original PostureFit system. The Remastered comes with PostureFit SL, which uses two independent pads to support both your lumbar spine and sacrum separately. You adjust firmness via a dial on the back of the chair. For anyone doing long hours at a desk, the PostureFit SL is a noticeable step up.

Tilt mechanism: The Classic has an infinite-position tilt lock, meaning you can lock the recline at virtually any angle. The Remastered simplified this to three fixed tilt positions. Some people see this as a downgrade. In practice, most users find one position and stick with it, so it rarely matters. The Remastered's tilt action is smoother overall, and the seat frame is tilted 1.8 degrees forward to encourage a more upright posture.

Armrests: The Classic arms adjust for height and pivot (in/out). The Remastered adds a third direction: depth (forward/back). This makes it easier to position your forearms correctly relative to your desk, especially if you switch between tasks.

Frame and weight: The Classic uses more aluminium in the base and frame and weighs around 23kg. The Remastered replaced some aluminium with engineered plastic components, shedding about a kilogram. The Classic feels slightly more substantial. The Remastered looks sleeker and more refined.

Seat pad: The Classic has a small foam pad under the front edge of the seat. The Remastered removed this. Neither is better or worse. The pad on some Classic chairs can develop a crease over time, though this is usually sorted during refurbishment.

Sustainability: The Remastered uses more recycled content and (from 2021) incorporates ocean-bound plastic. Both chairs are built to last 20+ years, which is the most meaningful sustainability factor of all.

What about colours?



The Classic is most commonly found in Graphite (dark grey/black). That's what fills most corporate offices and what we stock most frequently.

The Remastered expanded the colour range to include Carbon (mid-grey), Mineral (light grey), and more recently Onyx (matte black). Refurbished availability depends on what comes through our supply chain, but Graphite and Carbon are the most common.

So which should you buy?

Choose the Classic if:

You want the best value. Refurbished Classics offer serious ergonomic performance at a price point that's hard to beat. They're proven, durable, and still the chair most people picture when they think "Aeron." If budget matters and you're furnishing multiple workstations, this is where the numbers work hardest.

Typical refurbished price: from around £450.

Choose the Remastered if:

You're spending 6+ hours a day at a desk and want the best sitting experience available. The PostureFit SL, the 8Z mesh, and the additional arm adjustability add up to a genuinely more refined chair. It's not a revolution over the Classic, but it's a clear evolution, and you'll feel the difference over a long working day.

Typical refurbished price: from around £650.

Either way, buy refurbished. A new Remastered Aeron retails for over £1,500. A refurbished one from us costs a fraction of that, comes with a 12-month warranty, and has decades of life left. The Classic is even more accessible. Both versions are built to outlast almost anything else in your office.

How we refurbish Aeron chairs



Every Aeron we sell goes through the same process, whether it's a Classic or a Remastered:

• Full strip-down and inspection of the frame, mechanism, and mesh
• Replacement of worn components: gas lifts, arm pads, castors, lumbar pads
• Deep clean of all surfaces including the mesh
• Lubrication and testing of all moving parts and adjustments
• Final quality check before dispatch

The result is a chair that looks professional, works properly, and is ready for daily commercial use. We back every one with a 12-month warranty.

Ready to buy?



Browse our current Herman Miller chair stock or call us on 01995 606414 to discuss your requirements. We deliver nationwide and can handle single chairs through to full office rollouts.