Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2 review: comfortable all-day chair that doesn't quite justify its price

Autonomous, better known for its AI software work, makes a surprisingly solid office and gaming chair with the ErgoChair Ultra 2. At $499, it's comfortable enough for a full day at the desk and an evening of gaming, though the price tag is harder to swallow once you look at the details.

The specs: 71 x 71 x 104–117 cm frame, a max user weight of 145 kg, seat height range of 46–58 cm, seat depth range of 46–52 cm, 25° recline, and a total weight of 16.6 kg. The standout design choice is the polymer spine replacing the usual rigid steel or aluminium frame — it flexes and twists slightly, conforming to your back without any dials or levers. You just sit down and it adapts. The seat uses a similar polymer spring array under the foam pad, though the reviewer notes it could use a few more centimetres of foam — it doesn't feel as plush as the back. Seat depth is adjustable via a pull handle, which is genuinely useful for taller users, but sliding the seat while sitting causes a small but noticeable clunk that undermines the sense of solidity. The 4D adjustable armrests are called out as the weakest part of the package.

The reviewer is 184 cm tall and 68 kg — self-described as a "giant stick insect" — and typically avoids mesh chairs due to lack of support. The ErgoChair Ultra 2 is the first mesh chair that gave him no back or seat comfort issues across a full day of use. The lighter polymer construction also makes it easier to move around than most gaming chairs.

Overall, the ErgoChair Ultra 2 is a well-built chair with some genuinely clever engineering, but the $499 price doesn't fully align with what you get, particularly given the armrest quality and seat padding. That said, the reviewer acknowledges that criticism applies to most gaming chairs at this price point right now.