When it comes to ergonomic office chairs in the budget category space, finding a quality chair worth sitting on is like trying to find a needle in the haystack.
Most office chairs we’ve looked at in the budget space are made of mostly cheap plastics, with thin cushioning, a flimsy body, and with a serious lack of adjustability that offer no more ergonomic benefits than your old kitchen stool.
That’s why when we reviewed the Argomax Mesh Office Chair, we were pleasantly surprised. So much so we bestowed it the “Best Affordable Ergonomic Office Chair” in our Office Chair Guide.
There is a lot of confusion on the differences between the Argomax Mesh EM-EC001 and Argomax Mesh EM-EC002. Besides the $50 difference, there are some other subtleties you’ll want to informed on as a consumer before deciding which Argomax chair is best for you.
The good news is, both are probably the best office chairs you can get in their target price range. The EM-EC001 can be yours for around $250 (check latest price), while the EM-EC002 at a $50 bump (check current price).
Argomax Mesh Chairs EM-EC001 and EM-EC002 At a Glance
What the Argomax EM-EC001 and EM-EC002 Office Chairs Have in Common
The Argomax Mesh Office Chair EM-EC001 and EM-EC002 share the same building blocks that make them both exceptional ergonomic office chairs for their budget price tags.

Both models are made of industry strength nylon with breathable glass fiber that support up to 330 pounds of weight. The high weight tolerance also spells an extremely durable, long lasting chair. Compare that to many other chairs in the budget category that cap off at 250 pounds.
The breathable, high density cloth and mesh that covers both the Argomax EM-EC001 and EM-EC002 ensure a comfortable, cool experience even after prolonged sitting. The material is also mold resistant and washable. Let’s just say you’ll definitely appreciate this aspect of the design more come summer time.
Another standout feature of both chairs is the built in headrest that’s usually found in much higher priced ergonomic chairs. If you suffer from constant neck stiffness or headaches due to a “dangling” head while working, a headrest is indispensable in alleviating those issues.
Uncompromising Quality
As a testament to the quality and safety of the two Argomax Office Chairs, both chairs pass the BIFMA Test as well as the SGS Test for its gas spring.
BIFMA stands for Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association, with its purpose being to promote safe working environments. To become BIFMA certified, an office chair must pass rigorous testing that ensures excellent function, quality, and sustainability. There are advantages in purchasing furniture approved by BIFMA, as you can be sure it has met stringent standards for both safety and health claims.
SGS too is a company which provides inspection and verification of products to ensure their performance matches up against health and safety standards. The gas spring on both the Argomax Mesh models pass the SGS test, and have been designed for comfortable seat height adjustment and to absorb the weight of the user according to specifications.
In other words, the Argomax Office Chairs may fall into the budget category in terms of price, but their performance and quality punch at a much higher weight class.
How the Two Office Chairs Differ
Now that I’ve discussed the common traits shared by the Argomax EM-EC001 and EM-EC002, lets talk differences.
The Argomax EM-EC002 can be considered the slightly beefed up version of the EM-EC001, and that’s reflected in the around $50 increase in price.
Dimensions and weight wise, the EM-EC002 is heftier, 24.8W x 47.3H and 60 pounds versus the EM-EC001’s 23.2W x 46.3H and 47.9 pounds. Both support a maximum weight of 330lbs.
The back of the Argomax EM-EC002 is separated into 3 pieces, the mid back, headrest and lower lumbar support parts, unlike the EM-EC001, which does away with 2 pieces. Together the 3 parts ensure an ‘s’ curve style backrest that provides more ergonomics and targeted support for the lumbar area than a one piece back rest.
The Argomax EM-EC002 also features a 3D armrest unlike the EM-EC001, whose armrest can only be adjusted up or down or rotated on the horizontal plane. With the 3D armrest, in addition you can also move it forwards and back, or angle it slightly to archive the most comfortable support for your arms and even wrist.
Which Argomax Should You Get?

Those looking for an affordable ergonomic chair that focuses on good posture and support for your back will appreciate the Argomax in either forms. If you’re spending the good part of your day everyday in your chair, it is worth considering getting the Argomax EM-EC002, as the 3 piece back design and 3D armrest will really start to make a difference after many hours of continuous sitting. Otherwise, the Argomax EM-EC001 is more than adequate as a comfortable and ergonomic office or home chair that doesn’t break the bank.
References:
- BIFMa Standards Overview: https://www.bifma.org/?page=standardsoverview
- SGS Certification Overview: http://www.sgs.com/en/certification
- Best Ergonomic Office Chairs: https://ergonomictrends.com/best-ergonomic-office-chairs-reviews-buyers-guide/
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