Scale Office Chair

Humanscale is a well-known American manufacturer of ergonomic office products, and its office chairs have certain characteristics in the market, while some products are facing replacement.

I. Brand and Product Overview Humanscale was founded by Robert King in New York in 1983, focusing on designing ergonomic seating and office tools. Its product range includes office chairs, monitor arms, sit-stand desks, task lights, etc. In terms of seating, it launched the Freedom chair designed by Niels Diffrient in 1999, and subsequently introduced chairs such as Liberty, Diffrient World, and Smart. These chairs have a certain influence in the field of ergonomic design.

II. Situation of the World Standard Office Chair

1. Price: The original price of the World standard model is around seven to eight thousand yuan per chair, and the second-hand price is around 26x. If you add a 50-yuan headrest and shipping costs, the total comes to around 35x. The relatively high original price reflects its brand positioning and product value, while the second-hand price is influenced by various factors such as market supply and demand.
2. Prominent Advantages: It is made of sturdy materials, which ensures the product's durability and stability, enabling it to withstand long-term use. Its simple structure has few minor faults, reducing users' repair troubles during use and lowering usage costs. The gravity-sensing lumbar support matches as soon as you sit down without the need for tedious adjustments. This design conforms to ergonomic principles and can provide good lumbar support for users, reducing lumbar fatigue.
3. Existing Drawbacks: The recline angle is small, and it cannot be used for lying down and sleeping. This is a significant limitation for users who have a need for a lunch break or want to relax more comfortably during work breaks. The sponge seat cushion is stuffy in summer, which affects user comfort in hot weather. There is no after-sales service for second-hand products, and the condition depends on luck. There are certain risks in buying second-hand products. Users may not be able to enjoy comprehensive after-sales service, and the condition of the products is also difficult to guarantee.

III. Product Replacement Situation From August 2026 to the second quarter of 2027, ByteDance will gradually replace the Humanscale office chairs in its major office areas in Beijing, Shanghai, etc., with the domestic Qingxian S1. The models to be replaced are mainly the World standard models. This replacement decision may be based on a comprehensive consideration of factors such as product price, performance, and after-sales service.