I thought upgrading to a new office chair would cost a fortune until I tried this $200 one — and I'm surprisingly impressed

Finding a new chair can be a real pain, thanks to the wealth of options out there, so much so that I’ve been avoiding changing my old one for a while now. However, I recently had the chance to test out the Sihoo M56C Ergonomic Office Chair to see if it was the right fit for my needs.

The Sihoo M56C aims to offer dynamic lumbar support, alongside a soft, contoured seat, that helps to take off some of the daily pressure on your back. While it isn’t the cheapest office chair that you can buy, at $209 from Sihoo’s site, it gets the job done well for the price. The chair also comes with a 3-year warranty, as well as a 30-day free return period.

So, how is the chair overall? Personally, I think it’s great and it's a marked improvement over my current chair. The Sihoo is comfortable and more durable than you might expect — at least when it comes to being attacked by my cats. The focus on lower lumbar support is a real boon and the seat is impressively comfortable for the price.

My Sihoo M56C review will help you decide if this the best budget office chair for your needs or if it's worth spending a bit more on one of the best office chairs instead.

Sihoo M56C: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? An office chair designed with dedicated lumbar support.
• Who is it for? Ideal for anyone looking for a durable, comfortable desk chair.
• What does it cost? The Shihoo M56C costs $209 with no optional add-ons.
• What do we like? The Dynamic lumbar support and the comfortable cushion, as well as the mesh back
• What don’t we like? The lackluster assembly instructions and the lack of extra features to adjust the chair

Sihoo M56C: specs

Sihoo M56C: The Ups

The M56C has a lot to offer those looking for a chair that doesn’t dominate a room, but the real winner for me has been how it helps my back. The dynamic lumbar support and mesh backing offer a durable and comfortable chair for those looking for something that won't break the bank.

Support where you need it

One of the best parts of the Sihoo M56C is the dynamic lumbar support that sits on the chair's back. Initially, I found it a big hard to rest against, and was constantly aware of its presence, but that’s more due to my old chair's lack of a similar feature. The panel moves slightly with your back, meaning you feel the same pressure no matter where you move.

Meanwhile, the headrest's curve makes it comfortable to lean against, while also offering plenty of support. With that being said, it is a bit difficult to adjust as there's no levers or buttons, so once you find the perfect spot, you really don’t want to move it.

The seat is wide and comfortable

One of the biggest issues I tend to find with chairs is that the seat feels constricting, especially when you have armrests. However, the W-shaped seat cushion on the Sihoo M56C is wide enough that I never felt trapped.

On top of that, the cushion is also very comfortable, to the point that I could happily sit all day without any issue. Finally, you can also adjust the armrests' height, although I found them to be high enough at their lowest point that I never really needed to.

Cool and easy to clean mesh

The back of the Sihoo M56C is comprised of a mesh material that is both soft to lean against and comfortable. Not only that, mesh backs come with the advantage of being much cooler during hot weather, as the material allows for improved airflow. Mesh is also much easier to clean, which is great if you live in a house with pets (or eat at your desk when you have to.)

Sihoo M56C: The Downs

While the M56C certainly impressed me, there are a couple of issues that I had with the chair. Initially, the biggest problem came about when trying to assemble it, and even then, the chair doesn’t really offer many adjustments or fancy additions to help it stand out.

Not the simplest assembly

Nothing in this world is perfect, and the Sihoo M56C has some issues; the most noticeable comes about when you actually put the chair together. It isn’t the longest process, likely taking around 45 minutes to an hour.

However, the actual instructions aren’t the clearest, making it more of a chore than it really needs to be. For instance, there’s not always the clearest indication of which direction a piece should face, and it’s easy to cause some light damage in the initial stages.

A bare bones office chair

This is more personal, but the biggest issue with the M56C is that it doesn’t have much beyond the lumbar support. The chair struggles to really stand out on its own. If you’re looking for a real centerpiece design, then this might not be the chair for you.

The M56C also lacks any really cool features, nor does it have a wealth of different settings beyond adjusting the height of the chair and the armrests. I also found that the lever used to raise and lower the seat feels a bit flimsy.

Sihoo M56C: The Verdict

The Sihoo M56C manages everything it sets out to do: it’s comfortable and has some of the best lumbar support I’ve seen at this price. If you’re looking for a new chair, but don’t want to break the bank, then it’s ideal. However, if you want something a bit fancier or a chair that offers a wealth of different customization and adjustment options, then this might not be the one for you.