Last Updated: May 2026. We research independently. Some links are affiliate links — this costs you nothing and helps fund our work.
Quick Verdict
The SIHOO M57 is the best ergonomic chair under £300 available in the UK right now. It delivers adjustable lumbar support, 4D armrests, a breathable mesh back, and an included headrest at a price where most competitors offer only one or two of those features.
👉 Check Current Price on Amazon.co.uk →
– currently £229.99 for the standard model
Rating: 4.5 / 5
Who Is the SIHOO M57 For?
The M57 is right for you if:
You work from home and sit for 6–10 hours daily
You have lower back pain or postural fatigue from an inadequate chair
You want genuine ergonomic adjustability without spending £500+
You’re buying your first serious ergonomic chair
The M57 is probably NOT right if:
You prefer a very soft, heavily cushioned seat (the M57 is firm)
You need a formal executive or client-facing chair (it looks functional, not fancy)
You are significantly over 120kg (check the weight rating)
Build Quality and First Impressions
The M57 arrives flat-packed and takes 20–30 minutes to assemble with the tools provided. The instructions are clear and the process is straightforward.
Once assembled, the chair feels solid and well-engineered — the base is stable, the mechanisms engage cleanly, and there is no flex or creak in the backrest.
The mesh back is taut and consistent, without the sagging that affects cheaper mesh chairs within the first year. The armrests, seat pan, and adjustment mechanisms all feel built to last.
SIHOO carries BIFMA and SGS certifications, and the build quality reflects engineering standards rather than cost-cutting.
Adjustability — The Core Strength
This is where the M57 genuinely stands out. Most chairs under £300 offer basic height adjustment and perhaps a recline lock. The M57 offers comprehensive adjustment across every key dimension.
Lumbar Support
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– the lumbar adjustment is why this chair sells
The lumbar support is independently adjustable in height — you slide it up or down to align it precisely with the inward curve of your lower back. This is the most important feature for back comfort, and the fact that it’s fully adjustable puts the M57 ahead of most chairs at this price.
The support itself provides firm, consistent pressure against the lumbar spine. It doesn’t move dynamically with your body (that’s on the pricier Doro C300), but once set correctly, it maintains contact reliably all day.
Headrest
The headrest adjusts in both height and angle — you can position it whether you’re sitting upright or reclined. At this price, an included adjustable headrest is genuinely unusual.
Armrests
The M57 features 4D armrests — adjustable in height, width, depth, and pivot angle. This level of customisation allows proper shoulder and elbow positioning regardless of your desk height or body shape.
Seat Height and Recline
Seat height is pneumatically adjustable across a generous range. The recline mechanism offers adjustable tension and locks at multiple angles.
Comfort Over a Full Working Day
Short-term comfort is easy to manufacture with enough foam padding. Long-term comfort — across a 6–10 hour day, day after day — requires proper ergonomic support.
The mesh back maintains consistent spinal contact without creating pressure points. Unlike foam or leather backs that trap heat, the M57’s breathable mesh allows continuous air circulation. In UK home offices where air conditioning is uncommon, this matters more than you’d think.
The seat cushion is firm. This is the most common point of adjustment for new M57 users, especially those coming from padded leather chairs. The firmness is intentional — soft foam compresses and loses structural support quickly. The M57’s seat maintains consistent support over time.
Most users adjust to the firmness within 1–2 weeks and subsequently find they are significantly less fatigued at the end of the day.
If you find the seat genuinely uncomfortable after the adjustment period, a thin memory foam cushion can be added without compromising ergonomic function.
Lumbar Support in Practice
Because lumbar support is the single most important factor in chair-related back pain, it deserves special attention.
Once set correctly — which takes about five minutes of experimentation — the M57’s lumbar support maintains firm, consistent contact at the exact point your lower back needs it. Sitting fully back in the chair with proper lumbar positioning, the natural inward curve of your lower spine is supported without effort. Your back muscles can relax rather than contracting continuously.
For users experiencing lower back pain from an inadequate chair, improvement is typically noticeable within the first week of correctly configured use.
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How It Compares to the Competition
| Comparison | Verdict |
|---|---|
| vs CLOUVOU Clever Seat | Clever Seat offers more adjustability (seat depth, wider armrest range) but costs significantly more. For most users, the M57’s adjustment range is sufficient. |
| vs SIHOO Doro C300 | C300 has dynamic lumbar that moves with you. It’s the natural upgrade if the M57’s fixed lumbar feels limiting. Costs more. |
| vs Hbada Ergonomic Chair | Hbada is a budget alternative with less adjustability and less robust construction. The gap in ergonomic performance is noticeable over a full day. |
| vs Herman Miller Aeron | Aeron costs 4–5x more. It’s a better chair if budget is no constraint. The M57 delivers 80% of the ergonomic benefit at 20% of the cost. |
Setup and Adjustment Guide (10 Minutes)
Getting the M57 set up correctly is essential. An improperly adjusted M57 will underperform.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Seat height | Feet flat on floor, thighs parallel to ground, knees at 90 degrees |
| Lumbar height | Adjust so support presses firmly into the inward curve of your lower back |
| Armrest height | Forearms rest lightly, shoulders relaxed, elbows at 90 degrees |
| Armrest width/angle | Adjust inward until armrests are directly below your elbows |
| Headrest | Position so it contacts the back of your head or neck |
| Recline tension | Set so chair offers slight resistance when you lean back |
Allow 1–2 weeks before assessing. Postural muscles that have been under strain need time to adapt.
Potential Drawbacks (Be Honest)
| Drawback | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Seat firmness | Not a plush chair. Most adjust within 1–2 weeks, but some may find it uncomfortable longer term. |
| Armrest padding | Adequate but not luxurious. Aftermarket pads are cheap if needed. |
| Weight limit | Check the current listing. Users at or above the limit should consider alternatives. |
| Aesthetics | It looks like a functional ergonomic chair. Not for client-facing executive offices. |
Final Verdict
The SIHOO M57 is the strongest ergonomic chair under £300 in the UK. For most home office and remote workers, it’s the correct answer to “which chair should I buy?”
It’s not perfect. The seat firmness requires adjustment, the aesthetics are functional rather than refined, and users wanting dynamic lumbar support will find better options at higher prices.
But for the core job — supporting a desk worker through a long day without causing or worsening back pain — it does it well, consistently, and at a price most people can justify.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
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Specifications Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Back material | Breathable mesh |
| Lumbar support | Adjustable height |
| Armrests | 4D (height, width, depth, pivot) |
| Headrest | Adjustable height and angle |
| Recline | Multi-angle with tension adjustment |
| Seat height | Pneumatic adjustment |
| Certifications | BIFMA, SGS, TÜV |
| Best for | 6–10 hour daily sessions, home office |
| Price range | £229 (default) / £169 (budget option) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SIHOO M57 good for back pain?
Yes, for most users. The adjustable lumbar support addresses the primary mechanical cause of chair-related lower back pain. Users with significant clinical back conditions should consult a physiotherapist.
How long does the SIHOO M57 last?
Four to five years with normal daily use. The mesh maintains tension well and the mechanisms are robust.
Is the SIHOO M57 easy to assemble?
Yes. 20–30 minutes with the tools provided. Clear instructions.
Does the SIHOO M57 work for tall people?
Works well for average to above-average height. Very tall users (above 6’3″ / 190cm) may find the CLOUVOU Clever Seat a better fit.
Is the SIHOO M57 available with fast delivery in the UK?
Yes — Amazon UK with Prime delivery. Stock levels fluctuate.
What is the weight limit?
Check the current Amazon listing for the stated limit, as specifications can vary.
