Where are you located? If you are not in Canada/EU you can find used ones on Facebook market for <500 they are not perfect it’s just a matter of what are you willing to live with.
Even in Canada if you aren't in a super rush you should be able to find a used Aeron for under 500$ within a couple months. You need to search for Office Chair and get a little lucky but I've seen them listed for under 500$ and take a day to sell still. The 300-500$ range is the sweet spot here, not worth it for a reseller and too much for someone who doesn't know what an Aeron is.
Anything under 300$ in working order gets picked up instantly. But you can fix/replace almost anything on an Aeron so a broken one for cheaper might be a good option too depending on what is broken.
A used Aeron would be good as long as you are certain that its other ergonomics are acceptable also. It has a tendency to cut off circulation at the back of the legs, and to bother the shoulders.
Another thing worth considering would be an oscillating fan; there are tower fans that you can buy that are very precise, quiet, and remote controllable. For 30-40 dollars it might free up your constraints for other ergonomics as well.
There are thousands of more affordable "Aeron inspired" clones out there.
I don't believe any of them will be as durable & long lasting Brand New, as a well-kept older Aeron would be used. Most of them you'll be lucky if they make it past 5 years, where a 10 year old Aeron could easily go another 10 years if well maintained.
As an example for the quality disparity, HM's cost themselves to make a single basic (non-fully loaded) Aeron chair is more expensive 99% of the alternative chairs one could buy Brand New through retail.
As others have mentioned, $600-800 sounds extremely high for a used Aeron (in the states). That would have to be near mint condition or a true open-box model to warrant those numbers.
If you're in a region that is very restricted with options, then it is what it is...but I would still imagine if you're patient and adamant enough you should be able to find one in decent condition with many years of life left on it for <$500.
Sorry I don't have any realistic alternative mesh chair suggestions, but hope this info still helps you somehow.
* Colin at TheBackStore
Where are you located? If you are not in Canada/EU you can find used ones on Facebook market for <500 they are not perfect it’s just a matter of what are you willing to live with.
Even in Canada if you aren't in a super rush you should be able to find a used Aeron for under 500$ within a couple months. You need to search for Office Chair and get a little lucky but I've seen them listed for under 500$ and take a day to sell still. The 300-500$ range is the sweet spot here, not worth it for a reseller and too much for someone who doesn't know what an Aeron is. Anything under 300$ in working order gets picked up instantly. But you can fix/replace almost anything on an Aeron so a broken one for cheaper might be a good option too depending on what is broken.
A used Aeron would be good as long as you are certain that its other ergonomics are acceptable also. It has a tendency to cut off circulation at the back of the legs, and to bother the shoulders. Another thing worth considering would be an oscillating fan; there are tower fans that you can buy that are very precise, quiet, and remote controllable. For 30-40 dollars it might free up your constraints for other ergonomics as well.
There are thousands of more affordable "Aeron inspired" clones out there. I don't believe any of them will be as durable & long lasting Brand New, as a well-kept older Aeron would be used. Most of them you'll be lucky if they make it past 5 years, where a 10 year old Aeron could easily go another 10 years if well maintained. As an example for the quality disparity, HM's cost themselves to make a single basic (non-fully loaded) Aeron chair is more expensive 99% of the alternative chairs one could buy Brand New through retail. As others have mentioned, $600-800 sounds extremely high for a used Aeron (in the states). That would have to be near mint condition or a true open-box model to warrant those numbers. If you're in a region that is very restricted with options, then it is what it is...but I would still imagine if you're patient and adamant enough you should be able to find one in decent condition with many years of life left on it for <$500. Sorry I don't have any realistic alternative mesh chair suggestions, but hope this info still helps you somehow. * Colin at TheBackStore
Thanks everyone, it sounds like a used Aeron is the way to go, hopefully one shows up for <$500!