ErgoChair Pro vs Verus Task Chair: which is safer?

Herman Miller Verus Task Chair is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Autonomous ErgoChair Pro

Autonomous

ErgoChair Pro

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Poor 49/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Steel frame, upholstered fabric seat/back, plastic/aluminum components

Confidence

62%

LikelyFlame-retardant chemicals in upholstery fabric

PossibleFormaldehyde-releasing resins in fabric finish and adhesives

PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) from off-gassing

Our pick

Herman Miller Verus Task Chair

Herman Miller

Verus Task Chair

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

cast aluminum frame, upholstered fabric seat/back, polyester mesh

Confidence

72%

PossibleFlame retardants in upholstery fabric

PossibleHeavy metals in fabric dyes or pigments

PossibleFoam off-gassing (volatile organic compounds)

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Flame-retardant chemicals in upholstery fabric, Formaldehyde-releasing resins in fabric finish and adhesives and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from off-gassing on the Autonomous and not on the Herman Miller.
  • We flag Flame retardants in upholstery fabric, Heavy metals in fabric dyes or pigments and Foam off-gassing (volatile organic compounds) on the Herman Miller and not on the Autonomous.
  • The Autonomous is Steel frame, upholstered fabric seat/back, plastic/aluminum components where the Herman Miller is cast aluminum frame, upholstered fabric seat/back, polyester mesh, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More office chairs: see the full ranking