Ergonomic chairs are becoming increasingly popular due to their comfort and the positive health effects they bring. One of the important parts of a quality ergonomic chair is the piston. Although it is a small detail, the piston plays a very important role in the experience of sitting and using the chair.
In this article, Epione will help you understand pistons with 6 important notes when choosing pistons to help you have an overview and make smart decisions when buying ergonomic chairs.
Explore pistons in ergonomic chairs
Besides the mechanism considered the “heart” of the ergonomic chair, the piston is also an equally important part. Basically, the function of the piston is to help lift and lower, change the height of the chair to suit the needs of use and this is also the part that bears the main weight of the chair.
The piston on an ergonomic chair is also known as a pusher, pneumatic rod, pneumatic cylinder... Most ergonomic chairs today are equipped with a pusher made from a pneumatic cylinder. This cylinder allows you to raise or lower the height of the chair to suit the height of your desk and requires force (usually your weight) to lower the chair.
Close-up of the piston in an ergonomic chair.
Some older chairs do not use these air cylinders but instead use a gear and lever system, which requires you to turn a lever a few turns to raise and lower the chair.
The cylinder works by compressing and releasing air to push a metal shaft attached to the seat pan up. When you press the control button on the controller, it unlocks and activates the cylinder, releasing the compressed air inside and pushing the seat up. To lower the seat, you simply hold the button to keep the cylinder unlocked and use your weight to compress the seat down, then release the button to seal the air inside for the next push.
In short, the piston on an ergonomic chair works on the principle of compressing and releasing air to adjust the height of the seat. This process is activated by pressing the control button/lever and holding or releasing depending on whether the seat is raised or lowered.
Currently, pistons with a body diameter of 50mm are commonly used in most office chairs and ergonomic chairs.
Classification of pistons on ergonomic chairs
Based on the load-bearing capacity, the pistons on basic ergonomic chairs are divided into 5 types, from Class 1 to Class 5 corresponding to their quality. Class 1 is the lowest quality and increases to Class 5. Each class of piston can withstand its own load and number of presses (lifting the chair).
| Maximum weight | 100kg | 120kg | 150kg | 150kg | 220kg |
| Inside diameter | 1.2mm | 1.2mm | 1.5mm | 1.5mm | 2mm |
| Outer diameter | 1.5mm | 2mm | 2mm | 2.5mm | 2.5mm |
| Characteristic | Not approved by BIFMA Quality not guaranteed |
Used in many low quality office chairs. | Used in many low quality gaming chairs | Standards for good quality gaming chairs and office chairs | Only used in XXL and top of the range models |
Nowadays, most of the ergonomic chair lines, basic gaming chair lines use class 3 to class 4 pistons. But when choosing an ergonomic chair, if the piston does not clearly mention the class, you have the right to suspect that the manufacturer is using class 3 piston instead of class 4. With the same load capacity, the price and quality of class 4 will be much better.
Class 4 piston with superior quality.
Piston class 5 is rarely used in regular chairs because of its high cost, and it is not necessary to withstand a large load of >180kg. They can be used in XXL size ergonomic chairs, however, this size is extremely rare.
Class 2 pistons are often used in a small number of products of unknown origin, regular office chairs or children's chairs when the load requirement is not too high. And class 1 pistons are not used.
6 things to note when researching and choosing pistons when buying ergonomic chairs
As mentioned, the piston in an ergonomic chair is a mechanical part responsible for adjusting the height, tilt, bearing and supporting the user's weight while sitting on the chair. It helps the user to adjust the chair to fit their body, creating a comfortable sitting position and maximum support during work or use of the chair.
However, when buying office chairs or ergonomic chairs, many customers are still subjective or do not thoroughly research the types of pistons. In 2013, there was an office chair explosion that sent a girl in China to the hospital with injuries all over her body. The main cause was believed to be the pneumatic adjustment part (piston) of the chair exploding.
Therefore, when deciding to invest in an ergonomic chair, you should research and choose a chair equipped with a piston that meets quality standards. As a unit with many years in the office furniture market, you can "pocket" the following 6 notes about pistons from Epione.
1. Stability and flexible adjustment
Poor quality pistons may not provide smoothness and flexibility. This means that the ability to customize the height and tilt of the chair is limited, making it impossible for the user to find the most comfortable sitting position for themselves.
So choose a chair with a quality piston that allows the user to easily adjust, ensuring maximum comfort when sitting to work or relax in an ergonomic chair.
2. Stability and durability
The good quality piston helps to maintain the position and stability of the chair after adjustment. This ensures that the chair does not slide or sag when the user sits on it and keeps the user feeling safe and confident throughout use.
3. Smooth and responsive
Poor quality pistons may have operational defects such as not being able to compress or deflate air smoothly. This makes it difficult to adjust the seat and creates inconvenience and annoyance for the user.
A good quality piston can overcome the above limitations. Users can quickly change their posture and sitting position smoothly and sensitively, creating a comfortable and flexible feeling.
4. Weight support
Poor quality pistons may not be able to support the user's weight properly. This can result in the chair sinking under pressure or failing to rise to the correct position.
On the contrary, a good quality piston has the ability to support weight stably and safely. This allows the ergonomic chair to support the user's weight to the maximum, providing the most optimal experience when sitting on an ergonomic chair.
5. Long life and durability
The high-quality piston parts are made from quality materials and are designed to withstand long-term use. This ensures that the piston has a long life and is resistant to wear, allowing the ergonomic chair to maintain good performance for a long time without the need for frequent replacement.
6. Warranty policy
When choosing to buy an ergonomic chair, many people are also interested in the warranty and after-sales customer care. In addition to components such as the machine, mesh, chair legs, etc., the piston is also a part that can be damaged for many reasons and needs to be replaced when needed. Therefore, you should consider buying an ergonomic chair from a reputable and reputable manufacturer. These brands often clearly describe the information/certifications achieved by the chair's components on their website.
As mentioned, you should choose a piston that meets class 4 standards to ensure criteria such as quality, durability, etc. One of the brands that can be considered is Samhongsa from Korea. This company was founded in 1970 and is a leading manufacturer of mechanical and technological solutions for the furniture industry, including the production of pistons for ergonomic chairs and other applications.
Samhongsa pistons are commonly used in office chair applications, rest chairs, massage chairs and ergonomic chairs. This brand focuses on providing products with high durability, flexibility and safety. With Samhongsa's class 4 piston line, the outer shell is also made very thick, meeting German TUV safety standards, so it is very reputable and can be 100% assured of safety when used.
Famous brands such as Herman Miller Aeron, IVINO Ergonomic Chair, Massive Ocean… also use class 4 pistons from manufacturers from the “land of kimchi”. At Epione, most of the current ergonomic chairs are equipped with class 4 pistons from Samhongsa to ensure the best quality products.
The Epione ErgoChair Pro uses Samhongsa's Class 4 Piston for "pro-grade" performance.
Hopefully, with the above "highlights" you can understand and choose the best piston type to have a worthy experience when investing in an ergonomic chair. Epione believes that you will feel most perfect when sitting on an ergonomic chair with a combination of the smallest details such as the piston, base or headrest. And feel more secure when the manufacturer has reputable information, certifications and good after-sales service for customers.
