This comfy mesh office chair I've been testing costs less than $400 — but there's a worthy alternative that's far more affordable

When my colleague, Zac Bowden, reviewed the SIHOO Doro C300 office chair in 2023, he said it "might be the best ergonomic chair you can buy for the price."

He was, of course, referring to the modest $330 price tag, which, at the time of writing this more recent review, has a $60 discount attached that drops it to $270.

That is indeed an excellent price for an office chair, especially one with mesh backing, robust lumbar support, and, as Bowden put it, "an excellent design that I think looks incredibly stylish in a modern office environment."

SIHOO apparently sold a lot of Doro C300 models, and it has since returned with an updated version: the Doro C300 Pro. I've been sitting in the new chair for the past month to get a clear idea of where it excels and where it falls behind.

SIHOO Doro C300 Pro: Price & availability

SIHOO's Doro C300 Pro costs more than the non-Pro model; you can find it at Amazon for about $440, and at the time of writing this review, there's a $50 discount coupon available.

That drops the price to $390. Not quite as good of a deal as the non-Pro Doro C300, but it still seems like a reasonable price for this type of chair.

I also found listings at Walmart, but prices are far higher than on Amazon. SIHOO's official site has the chair available for $380.

Grey and black colors are available, and it looks like the former costs $10 more.

How does the SIHOO Doro C300 Pro compare to the regular Doro C300?

There's roughly a $110 difference between the Doro C300 Pro and non-Pro models — at least without considering the frequent discounts at Amazon. So what makes the Pro model worth so much more?

There are several advancements to consider.

• The Pro model has 6D armrests that move up and down, left and right, forward and back, in and out. The non-Pro model has 4D armrests that lack the in and out function.
• The Pro model has a slightly wider seat (20.28 inches compared to 20.08 inches).
• The Pro model features some extra seat depth adjustment space.
• The Pro model has a lot more backrest adjustment height, making it better suited for tall users.
• The Pro model has recline angles set at 105, 120, and 135 degrees. The non-Pro was set at 92, 100, and 112 degrees.
• The Pro model's seat isn't quite as thick, but it still has the waterfall front that doesn't cut into the back of your legs.

The Doro C300 Pro requires a lot of assembly

The Doro C300 Pro arrives in many pieces; it requires the most assembly of any chair I've tested or used. If you're not physically able to lift heavy objects, you'll want to get some help.

Indeed, just about every piece of the chair needs some attention, but altogether it took me about 30-45 minutes from unboxing to sitting in front of my PC. The chair weighs in at about 55 pounds (25kg) when assembled, and it can support up to 300 pounds (136kg) of weight.

Assembling the chair, it quickly becomes clear where SIHOO cut corners to arrive at the competitive pricing. The five-prong base isn't as refined as those found in pricier options, the included casters — a mix of plastic and metal — feel cheap, and the chassis is primarily plastic above the main hydraulic lift.

Do these cut corners affect everyday use? The base certainly doesn't feel any less sturdy than other chairs, and the plastic framing has held up well under my 230-pound sack of meat (more on that below).

The only area where I'm concerned is the wheels, which sometimes don't sit squarely on the floor and often require a shifting of weight before I can properly roll around.

The chair might not look as fancy or have as many high-end features as others, but it sure is comfortable.

Adjustments take some getting used to, but the chair is comfy

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The Doro C300 Pro has a lot of adjustments to configure, and not all are apparent when you first start using the chair. A single handle on the right side, just below the seat, controls the recline angle, the seat depth, and the overall chair height.

I prefer a backrest without set angles of recline, but the 105, 120, and 135-degree options do an OK job. I would also like a bit more height in the main hydraulic. At about 6'4", I'm right at the edge of being too tall for the chair.

The 6D armrests have their own mechanisms inside for adjustments. Height and vertical angle work on an incremental locking function (take them to the top to have them drop back down), while the horizontal angle, depth, and rotation are freely adjustable.

These are the most customizable armrests I've ever used, and I only have one nitpick. The PU topping, while comfortable, has a cupped design that doesn't always let your arms rest as they should. I'm not sure if a flat top would be any more comfortable, but it's something worth pointing out.

The backrest also works with an incremental locking function. If you're the only one using the chair, you can set it and forget it. However, if you're sharing a chair, trying to find the right height each time would get annoying. It's a common feature in office chairs, so I can't really fault SIHOO there.

This is the first office chair with mesh backing I've tested, and I've become a big fan of the foam alternative. Not only has it been a lot less hot during the summer months, but it's as or more comfortable than a padded seat.

SIHOO designed the chair with four main mesh parts. There's the seat, with adjustable depth and "waterfall" front that prevents strain on the back of your thighs, which is wide enough to comfortably hold me in place without the plastic framing digging into my legs.

Next is the lumbar portion, also made of mesh and plastic framing. It's attached to the main frame with a gizmo that allows it to kind of float in place, following your movements and moving up and down as needed. It can't be adjusted manually; it just falls into place when you sit back.

Above the lumbar portion is the main backrest. It widens at the top, with plenty of space for my shoulders to remain on the mesh. And because the height can be adjusted, the separate headrest is at the perfect level.

The plastic frame of the chair isn't as sturdy as I'd like it to be, especially on the armrests. They tend to have a bit too much give for my liking, but nothing egregious.

On the other hand, the slightly flexible frame actually plays into the chair's ergonomics. Because nothing above the base and hydraulics is rock-solid, the chair feels like it follows me around when I'm seated.

Need to reach for something next to me? The whole back of the chair tends to remain in contact with my back. It's a neat feeling.

I was partially concerned with durability when I first started using the chair, especially coming from the robust X-Chair X-Tech Executive, but after 30+ days of use, those concerns have mostly dried up.

There's still plenty of time for something to loosen up or snap off, but SIHOO offers a rather generous three-year warranty for its chairs. That includes a one-year trial period with free returns should you not like it.

Should you spend more on the SIHOO Doro C300 Pro?

The biggest competition for the $380-$390 Doro C300 Pro is SIHOO's non-Pro model, which costs about $110 less. That's a big difference, and I just don't know if the Pro model is worth the upcharge.

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Sure, the recline angles are better, there's more room for seat depth adjustment, the armrests have a few more adjustments, and the seat is slightly wider, but if you aren't an oversized person, the standard Doro C300 at about $270 should suit you just fine.