According to its tagline, Hinomi is an office furniture company that innovates ergonomic comfort. It offers a handful of chair options, ranging in price from just over $300 for its budget office chair to around $1,000 USD for its flagship chair, the Hinomi X1. This chair is offered in three primary colors and three height options. It also has a built-in legrest, highly adjustable armrests, and a four-panel backrest. But even with those specs - and that price-tag - can it compete with the best office chairs we've tested?
Hinomi X1: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Hinomi X1 has an impressive 14 adjustable elements to help refine the searing experience for any person. And, unlike what I see most frequently, Hinomi has three size options for this chair: small, medium, and large. The small chair is designed for users 5'1" to 5'6" tall, the medium is for those 5'6" to 6'1" tall, and the large is for those 5'9" to 6'6" tall. Usually, I would think this is a bit gimmicky. However, I chose the large as I am 6'1" or 6'2" tall (depending on who's asking).
During assembly, I immediately noticed how hefty this chair was. It's 73lb, which is no slight heft. Moving the box around to be able to open it up and then pulling each piece out was a workout in and of itself. Admittedly, a short workout as it only took me about 15 minutes to build this chair, but the notion still stands -- this is one beefy chair.
After assembly, I had a short friend of mine, Matt (5'4"), try and sit in the chair. He said it was incredibly uncomfortable and felt like nothing was in the right place. I then had a friend, Josh, who is about 5'10" tall try the chair. He said it was so close to being comfortable, and he just felt like he was an inch or two too short. Finally, I sat in the chair and realized precisely what my friend Josh was discussing. The chair hit me in my lower back nearly perfectly and in a unique way that other chairs that also have excellent back support do not do. This one felt more targeted in a sense.
Hinomi X1: Design and Build Quality
Materials: High-density mesh, aluminum frame
Weight Capacity: 330lb
Adjustments: Seat height, armrest height and angle, backrest tilt and tension, lumbar support
Weight: 73lb
Assembly required: Yes
Amidst all the back adjustment panels, the six-direction armrests, legrests, headrests, and more, this chair is pretty subtle in its flashiness. I don't quite understand how something this adjustable can look so average, and I mean that in the best way. Hinomi designed this chair to blend in, and it does that well.
The aluminum frame feels sturdy even if and when I plop down with all 200lb of my body weight. I also love that I can lean back and kick up my legs and have no fears that this frame will twist or give out on me. The legrest portion on chairs can sometimes be where the manufacturer skimps a bit. In Hinomi's case with the X1, they chose to keep the build quality the same, making this a solid legrest option, meaning that when I kick back and relax, I don't feel like I'm going to break my expensive chair.
Hinomi X1: In use
I currently use this as one of my (albeit many) office chairs in my coworking space with my team. This chair is a favorite for anyone who is about 5'11" and taller, including myself. As I age, and since I sit in an office chair whenever I am not standing (shout-out to the best standing desks out there), I have come to appreciate and find ergonomic chairs with lumbar support a working necessity.
I enjoy the lower back support and relief I experience from the Hinomi X1. It's nothing too intrusive, nor does it make me arch my back more than natural like some chairs have done for me in the past. This chair supports well, and it feels like my spine fits right in between the two lowest panels quite nicely—almost like it was designed that way.
The seat is firm yet comfortable, providing support without being too stiff. While it may not be the most amazing seat, considering the overall package, I would prefer this fairly comfortable seat over a great seat with rough back support. The backrest is constructed of breathable mesh, which is particularly appreciated as the weather gets warmer.
As for the armrests, I have grown to appreciate them and ignore them somehow. When trying to sit down and get work done, I don't want some fancy armrests to distract me from focusing. However, when I am perhaps not so zoned in on deep work, and I am knocking out some admin work, relaxing, researching, or something similar, I appreciate being able to adjust the armrests so much because then I can dial into precisely the way I want to sit at that moment.
Hinomi X1: Final verdict
All around, this is a fantastic chair. If you are looking for a great ergonomic chair, this one is a great one to consider. Specifically, if you are taller, some of the "one size fits all" chairs miss our lumbar, don't support your back, feel flimsy with our added torso length, or are just not designed for us. So, if you are in that taller camp, this chair is even more intriguing as you can choose the more significant option and have a chair built nearly perfectly for your height.
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