Branch just released their brand new Ergonomic Chair Pro, an upgraded version of their popular original Ergonomic chair that has been one of my top budget recommendations in the $300 price range. The new Pro version positions itself as a mid-range office chair starting at $499, promising more adjustability options, material choices, and overall improvements to the previous design.
But here’s the big question: are these upgrades actually worth the roughly $200 price increase over the original?
After testing the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro for a full week, I’m here to give you my honest, unbiased review. I purchased this chair with my own money, so you’re getting my genuine thoughts on what works, what doesn’t, and whether this chair deserves a spot in your home office.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you find this review helpful and decide to purchase through these links, it helps support my testing at no extra cost to you.
Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro Video Review
Design Overview: Familiar Yet Refined
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor. The overall shape and outer frame are essentially unchanged, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—the original had a clean, modern aesthetic that fits well in most workspaces.
The most noticeable design difference is in color selection. While the original Branch Ergonomic offered bright, vibrant color options, the Pro takes a more conservative approach with neutral, toned-down colors. This shift makes perfect sense given the Pro’s positioning toward professional environments.
The real visual upgrade comes with the new upholstery options. Beyond the standard mesh, the Pro now offers vegan leather and genuine leather configurations that significantly elevate the chair’s professional appearance. These premium materials do cost extra, but they transform the chair’s aesthetic from “budget-friendly” to “boardroom-ready.”
Build Quality and Materials: Solid Foundation with Room for Improvement
The build quality of the Pro mirrors the original Branch Ergonomic closely—which is both good and limiting. The metal base and dense plastic frame construction creates a sturdy foundation that feels solid and well-built. However, this same rigid construction lacks the flexibility that higher-end ergonomic chairs often provide.
For this review, I tested the vegan leather option, which adds $50 to the base price. The material feels high-quality and looks professional, while adding a subtle layer of softness to the overall experience.
Important consideration: If you tend to run hot during long work sessions, stick with the mesh version. The leather options, while attractive, significantly reduce breathability compared to the mesh configuration.
Comfort Analysis: Mixed Results Across Key Areas
Seat Comfort: A Step Backward
The seat presents the most concerning aspect of this “upgrade.” While Branch has made the seat softer and added useful features like seat depth adjustment and forward tilt, they’ve inadvertently created a significant comfort issue.
The Good:
- Spacious seat pan with depth adjustment (great for taller users or those who like to sit cross-legged)
- Fully padded edges prevent feeling the frame when shifting positions
- No gap between backrest and seat when fully extended
- New forward seat tilt feature for those who prefer an upright position
The Problem: The softer seat padding bottoms out around the tailbone area during extended sitting sessions. This is particularly frustrating because the original Branch Ergonomic didn’t have this issue. For a chair marketed as an upgrade, having worse seat comfort than the cheaper predecessor is a significant flaw.
Note for shorter users: Even at its shallowest setting, the seat pan may press against the back of your knees if you’re under 5 feet tall. Additionally, the standard cylinder doesn’t go very high—consider the taller cylinder upgrade if you’re average height or above.
Backrest: Familiar Issues Persist
The backrest maintains the same basic design as the original, which unfortunately means it carries over the same limitations. The rigid frame lacks flexibility, and the upholstery feels loose, causing you to sink through and feel the hard frame underneath.
The vegan leather option doesn’t solve this issue as I had hoped. It appears to be simply the mesh version with a thin layer of vegan leather applied over it, rather than a properly padded backrest. This results in minimal comfort improvement despite the price increase.
The curved top portion of the frame can push your shoulders forward and dig into your back when stretching or adjusting positions—a design flaw that remains unaddressed in this Pro version.
Lumbar Support: A Clear Winner
Here’s where the Pro version truly shines. The redesigned lumbar support represents a significant improvement over the original’s overly aggressive design.
Key improvements:
- Thicker, softer padding material that’s much more comfortable
- Both height and depth adjustment (original only had height)
- Two distinct support modes: strong and loose
- Eliminates the “pokey” feeling of the original lumbar pad
The depth adjustment offers two distinct modes rather than infinite adjustment, which limits customization but still provides more options than before. While I’d prefer more granular control, the ability to switch between aggressive support and minimal support addresses different user preferences effectively.
Recline Function: Smooth Operation with Better Access
The recline mechanism offers smooth operation through its synchro-tilt design, with a deep recline range that’s excellent for lounging. You can lock the chair in any reclined position, which is perfect for relaxed work sessions.
The biggest improvement is the relocation of the tilt tension knob to the side of the chair. The original’s placement—a small, recessed dial underneath the seat—was practically unusable. While the new knob requires about 50 turns to go from minimum to maximum tension (which feels excessive), it’s infinitely more accessible than before.
Armrests: Genuine Upgrades with Marketing Confusion
Branch markets these as “5D adjustable armrests,” but the reality is more nuanced. The armrests do offer more adjustability than the original, but the improvements feel somewhat cramped into the existing design rather than representing a complete redesign.
Available adjustments:
- Height adjustment (carried over from original)
- Depth adjustment (carried over from original)
- Full-arm width adjustment (carried over from original)
- Arm pad pivot (new, but limited range)
- Arm pad sliding width adjustment (new, but limited range)
The redundancy between full-arm width adjustment and sliding pad adjustment seems unnecessary. I’d prefer they eliminated the clunkier full-arm adjustment and expanded the range of the sliding pad adjustment instead.
The clear win: The arm pads themselves are significantly softer and more comfortable than the original’s hard, stiff pads. You can rest your elbows on them for extended periods without discomfort.
Value Assessment: Competing in a Tougher Market
At $499 for mesh, $549 for vegan leather, and $649 for genuine leather, the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro enters more competitive territory than its predecessor.
Pricing strengths:
- No upcharge for different colors (many brands charge significantly more for color options)
- Affordable leather upgrades compared to major manufacturers
- The leather options cost hundreds less than comparable upgrades from brands like Haworth
Warranty considerations:
- 7-year warranty on parts and components
- 3-year warranty on fabrics
- 30-day returns (with $40 shipping fee)
While a 7-year warranty was impressive for a $300 chair, at $500+ you’re competing against established brands like Steelcase and Haworth, who typically offer 12-year warranties. This shorter warranty period affects the long-term value proposition.
The Verdict: A Complicated Recommendation
The Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro presents a frustrating contradiction: clear improvements in some areas coupled with new problems that didn’t exist in the cheaper original.
What the Pro does well:
- Better lumbar support design and adjustability
- Improved armrest comfort and adjustability options
- Professional aesthetic with affordable leather options
- Better-positioned tilt tension control
- Useful seat depth adjustment and forward tilt features
Where it falls short:
- Seat bottoming out during extended use (a new problem)
- Unchanged rigid backrest design
- Limited warranty compared to similarly priced competitors
- Some adjustability improvements feel more like marketing than meaningful upgrades
The bottom line: For many users, the original Branch Ergonomic chair may actually provide better long-term comfort despite lacking the Pro’s additional features. The seat comfort issue alone is concerning enough to make me hesitant about recommending this chair, especially when the cheaper predecessor doesn’t have this problem.
If you’re considering the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro, I’d strongly recommend testing it for the full 30-day return period to see if the seat bottoming out affects you personally. Your experience may vary based on your body type and sitting habits.
For those seeking a chair in this price range, also consider options from established office furniture manufacturers who offer longer warranties and may provide better long-term value.
Looking for more office chair reviews? Check out my comprehensive guides to other ergonomic chairs in various price ranges. Have questions about how the Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro compares to other options? Leave a comment below—I’m happy to help you find the right chair for your needs.