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The ProtoArc EC100 is an ergonomic workplace chair designed for all-day consolation with out breaking the financial institution. I’ve had the chance to overview the very best chairs for years, and lots of of them are getting costly. ProtoArc, whereas I did not know them very nicely earlier than this chair, has created a top quality chair that’s straightforward to arrange, snug, and handsome for the extra palatable price of slightly below $200.
ProtoArc’s focus for the EC100 is lumbar assist, breathability, and an incredible cushion, all in a funds chair much more accessible than some bigger-named firms we have reviewed in our round-up of the best office chairs.
ProtoArc EC100: Value and Availability
The ProtoArc EC100 has wonderful construct high quality for a mere $189 and is bought on Amazon, ProtoArc’s web site, and a handful of different retailers. ProtoArc runs occasional reductions.
On the time of overview, the purple and black colorways had been bought out, however the gray choice remains to be out there (as you may see within the images since I’ve the gray colour).
Lastly, the EC100 comes with ProtoArc’s truthful however not wonderful two-year guarantee and a 30-day return coverage.
ProtoArc EC100: Unboxing & first impressions
The ProtoArc EC100 was an easy and simple meeting. It took round 20 minutes to finish, and the elements had been clearly labeled.
Every part was neatly packed within the field, so nothing acquired broken in transit, and every bit felt well-built, making me really feel assured that this chair would not simply break straight away.
My first impression of this chair was that it was an excellent combine between premium and funds. It has a sturdy base, high quality elements, and an honest design. It suits the design language of different ergonomic workplace chairs I’ve examined. Additional, after meeting, not one of the items bolted collectively felt free, which is one other good signal of a top quality design. The mesh again is light-weight and extremely breathable, which I like, and the seat cushion is comparatively thick and well-padded.
ProtoArc EC100: Design & construct high quality
Specs
Seat Top: 18.5” – 21.5”
Materials: Mesh again, high-density foam seat
Weight Capability: 280 lbs
Recline Angle: 90° – 130°
Armrest Changes: 7-position armrests
Headrest Changes: 2.7” vertical, 60° rotation
Lumbar Help: Adaptive, non-adjustable
Base Materials: Metal
Chair Weight: 36 lbs
The most effective issues in regards to the ProtoArc EC100 is that I can suggest it as an incredible choice to most individuals. That is partly due to the budget-friendly price ticket and partly as a result of this chair is designed for people 5’3″ – 6’5″ with a weight vary of 90lbs to 280lbs. That is an enormous vary I am undecided I’ve seen earlier than.
Whereas in use, the sturdy and high-quality body is modern and supplies the assist wanted. The EC100’s mesh again is breathable, retaining customers cool throughout the day and serving to reduce on getting sweaty whereas cocooned into an previous leather-style chair.
The cushion has a spring enhancement, offering higher strain distribution, in accordance with ProtoArc. I wish to see it as feeling like there may be assist to my assist, offering a cushty seat, but additionally feeling like I am not going to sink into reminiscence foam or a mushy cushion — it seems like I’ve one thing holding me up as nicely. ProtoArc additionally claims that this spring-enhanced seat cushion supplies higher strain distribution, making you’re feeling extra snug for longer. Pairing this with one other characteristic that ProtoArc boldly proclaims is the Ergonomic S-shaped backrest, which is meant to assist with backbone alignment. Lastly, add these options to the 7-position armrest, and also you get a extremely customizable, ergonomically snug, built-for-all chair at an incredible value, too.
ProtoArc EC100: In use
My group and I’ve had this chair in our rotation since September 2024. Sure, that is been some time. Nonetheless, this chair has labored its manner round and into the right desk setup for this sort of chair. Since this chair is extremely versatile, I wished to pair it with an equally versatile desk since it’s extremely adaptable. So, I paired it with a desk that works as a scorching desk proper now, simply capable of run any laptop setup and even continuously working an iPad Air setup.
This chair is continuously utilized by people who’re round 5’5″ and are underneath 150lbs and those that are above 6 toes and are simply over 200lbs. What’s spectacular about this chair is that it feels (or so I’m instructed) simply as snug to each ends of the spectrum. The lumbar assist is agency however not too agency, the seat cushion is relaxed, and the armrests are good and adjustable. Nonetheless, one factor I’ve observed is that the seat cushion is snug, however it’s much less breathable than when you’ve got full-mesh chairs. Should you run fairly heat throughout the day and wish one thing to assist preserve you cool, this will do it in your again, however it could be too heat in your… decrease half of your physique…
One other factor we observed in comparison with different chairs is that whereas many can select the place to click on into place at a couple of choices whereas reclining again, this chair can solely sit up, lay again, or have pressure in between, with no different locking positions. More often than not, that is tremendous, and we do not discover, however within the few occasions one among us has wished to lock it again, it is a bummer that we solely have two choices.
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
---|---|---|
Design |
Easy design |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use |
Straightforward to make use of |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Practicality |
Sensible for many |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Value |
Cheap value |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
ProtoArc EC100: Closing verdict
The ProtoArc EC100 is a budget-friendly ergonomic chair designed to suit a variety of heights and weights whereas staying snug and adjustable. Whereas it isn’t excellent, it is a incredible choice for individuals who want a chair for a hot-desk scenario, need a chair for his or her dwelling workplace, or if you’re merely available in the market for a chair and do not need to break the financial institution.
For extra workplace necessities, we have examined the best standing desks you may get proper now.