Bowery Management Chair Review

Much as you’d expect, when we feature a chair here on Office Chair Picks, we always try to judge it on its own merits. With the Bowery Management Chair from Laura Davidson furniture, that might be a little difficult.

You see, while some chairs may be similar to one another, this one is well known for striving to be a more affordable clone of an existing popular chair, the Herman Miller Sayl.

Everything from the unique design of the chair back to the materials used and ergonomic features of the Sayl, all of which begs one very important question:

Is the Bowery Management Chair really worth it if it’s just a near carbon copy of a more popular model?

That’s the one question we set out to answer when we took a closer look at this premium office chair.

We analyzed it in terms of comfort, design, and ergonomic features to see if it stands up on its own merit or if it really is little more than a Herman Miller clone.

Read on to learn more.

No products found.

Bowery Management Chair Review

First Impressions

The similarities between the Bowery Management Chair and it’s Herman Miller counterpart are strikingly obvious and undoubtedly the first thing anyone who knows a thing or two about office furniture would notice.

The distinctive, unframed backrest in particular pays homage to the Sayl. And other aspects of the chair design, such as the seat and adjustable features, will all appeal to fans of the Herman Miller brand in general.

The big difference, of course, is the cost.

Don’t get us wrong, this is certainly isn’t what you’d consider to be a low-budget office chair. But it’s certainly more affordable than the Sayl, and may prove popular with those who love everything about the other brand except for the cost.

Still, that’s enough about Herman Miller for now, let’s focus on the Bowery’s own features.

Assembly

Though it was slightly disappointing to learn that the Bowery Management Chair doesn’t come fully pre-assembled, this chair is fairly straightforward to put together.

It takes about 15 minutes to assemble, from getting everything out of the box to sitting down in a finished chair that’s as solid, sturdy, and durable as any we’ve come across.

Bowery Management Chair Design

It’s probably fair to say that the design of the Bowery Management Chair is something of an acquired taste.

While that tapered, rubber elastomer backrest is certainly striking and will no doubt make an interesting talking point in your office space, it doesn’t exactly look like the most inviting chair in the world.

Fortunately, there’s more to this one than meets the eye. As we’ll discuss later on, the Bowery is much more comfortable than it looks.

And besides, the combination of the distinctive design and multiple color choices (a black backrest and red seat is our favorite combination) do make this a great choice for anyone looking to create an uber-contemporary feel in their office.

If you’re looking for a more conventional looking chair for your home or office, however, the futuristic appearance might be a turn off.

Dimensions

One thing we really like about this chair is that it’s well designed for big and tall users. It boasts a weight capacity of 400 lbs (!) and is plenty tall enough to comfortable users over 6’5” to sit comfortably.

The full dimensions are as follows:

Comfort

As we’ve already mentioned, the Bowery Management Chair is much more comfortable than it looks.

That elastomer mesh backrest does much more than keep you cool and comfortable during those long sessions at your desk. Combined with the ergonomic design, it ensures that the backrest responds to the way you move your body in your seat to offer gentle yet firm support at all times.

Speaking of firmness, the poly-cotton foam seat aims to strike a balance between the kind of soft cushion you can sink into and the kind of strong support that prevents you from getting aches and pains in your legs, glutes, and lower back.

Adjustability and Ergonomic Features

If you’re looking for a bunch of adjustability options to elevate your comfort level, you’ll love this chair.

The backrest can adjust into four different positions from completely upright to complete recline, with an easy-to-use lock to keep things in place once you’ve found a position that’s most comfortable for you.

Elsewhere, that poly-cotton foam seat can be adjusted into five different positions, while the height-adjustable armrests can be moved into no less than six different positions.

All told, that means that the Bowery offers more adjustability than many other models in this price range, though the lack of adjustable lumbar support may be off-putting for some users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bowery Management Chair come with a warranty?

Yes. Manufacturers Laura Davidson Furniture offer a two-year standard warranty with all their products, a good sign of how confident they are in the quality of their product.

Is the Bowery a good office chair for shorter people?

Probably not. Many customer reviews of this chair say that the very same features that make it such a good choice for tall users rule it out as an option for those under 5’7″.

Is the back of a Bowery office chair really made of plastic?

It’s not plastic, it’s a flexible, rubber elastomer which is more comfortable than it looks and responds to your movements to provide ample support throughout your working day.

Verdict: Is the Bowery Management Chair Worth It?

So is it worth buying the Bowery Management chair from Laura Davidson Furniture if you could buy almost the same model from Herman Miller?

Honestly, that all depends on what you value most when it comes to buying office furniture.

If you want all the quality, features, and style of a Sayl without the expensive price tag, then yes, the Bowery is a very good option indeed.

OK, so it’s distinctive design may not be to everyone’s taste, but if you’re looking for something a little different, this one certainly stands out. Besides, what’s most important is how it feels when you’re working hard, and to that end, this one really does deliver. With its ergonomic design and breathable mesh, the backrest provides ample support, responding to the way your body moves and combining with the firm cushion of the seat to promote good posture.