Herman Miller Embody vs Haworth Fern

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Herman Miller

Embody

The Embody offers exceptional, adaptable comfort for long desk sessions, but its high price, weight, and some fixed adjustments limit its appeal.

Best for: Long-hour desk workers seeking premium ergonomic support and precise adjustments
Skip it if: Buyers prioritizing low cost, easy portability, and a built-in headrest

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Herman Miller Embody

Haworth

Fern

The Haworth Fern is a premium chair praised for long-session comfort and responsive support, but its high price, headrest limitations, and configuration trade-offs may deter some buyers.

Best for: Long-session work seeking adaptive support, customization, and durability.
Skip it if: Budget-sensitive buyers wanting full mesh or a highly adjustable headrest.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Haworth Fern

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Specs side by side

Spec	Herman Miller Embody	Haworth Fern
Lumbar	–	Adjustable
Armrests	Adjustable	–
Mesh	No	Yes
Style	Ergonomic	Ergonomic
Headrest	No	No
Footrest	No	No

Rows where the two differ come first.

Where only one fits

must-haves: FernAdjustable lumbarBreathable mesh

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Herman Miller Embody

Exceptional comfort across upright, forward, and reclined sitting 1 2 4 6
Extensive adjustments enable highly personalized positioning 2 5 6 7
Adaptive back system delivers strong, individualized support 1 2 3 5
Premium materials and robust construction support lasting daily use 1 2 4 5
Twelve-year warranty strengthens long-term ownership confidence 4 7 8
Premium pricing puts it beyond many shoppers' budgets 1 2 3 5
Heavy construction makes moving and rearranging the chair difficult 3 6
Armrests lack forward movement and swivel for some positions 2 7 8
No built-in headrest may disappoint reclined-sitting users 4 8

Haworth Fern

Exceptional long-session comfort with adaptive, responsive back support 1 2 3 5
Fully assembled on delivery, backed by a 12-year chair warranty 1 2 3 4
Multiple configurations accommodate different arms, lumbar, and headrest preferences 2 3 5 6
Premium, distinctive design with strong build quality 1 2 4 6
Smooth recline and flexible back support varied postures 4 5 6 7
Premium price makes the chair a significant investment 1 2 3 4
Headrest can feel underwhelming, firm, or clunky to adjust 1 4 6
No full-mesh configuration; some buyers may prefer one 2 3
Personal fit varies, with tall users reporting seat-back gaps 4 5 6

Ranked in our guides

Guide	Embody	Fern
Best ergonomic office chairs	#2	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.