I’ve been closely following the Eames replica market for more than 3 years now. I’ve contacted manufacturers, and have accounted for customer reviews and I’ve compared the replicas listed below to the original Eames chair using the original as the gold standard to find you the best Eames chair replica on the market today.
From the countless available replicas on the market, I have eliminated poor quality or unjustifiably expensive ones, as well as any that veer too far away from the specifications of the original Eames chair design.
To that end, I have found a few clear winners to suit a wide range of budgets. That being said, I ultimately chose The Iconic Chair’s* Mid-Century Plywood Chair (*formally known as the company Urban Furnishing) as the highest quality and most faithful to the original that you can get – without throwing a ton of money at an original one. You will clearly see why, when you read this review.
And here’s a Promo Code for our top pick.
Save $150 Use Code: COMFYZEN150 at the Iconic Chair.com
If you want to skip down to the full reviews, just click here.
Below are our top recommendations:
| Recommended | Brand | Read |
Our Top Choice: Highest -Quality (And Most Faithful to the Original Design) | Mid-Century Plywood Chair by The Iconic Chair Promotional Code: Save $150 Use Code: COMFYZEN150 at theiconicchair.com | Full Review |
Highest-Quality Alternative Pick:  | eMod – Mid Century Plywood Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman: | Full Review |
Best Mid-Priced Eames Chair Replicas: | 1inchome Mid Century Eames Replica Plywood Lounge Chair & Ottoman View on Amazon – and here is their current full range. | Full Review |
Alternative to the 1inchome Replica:  | Rimdoc Lounge Chair and Ottoman (Identical to the 1inchome) View on Amazon | Full Review |
See Also: | The Furgle Mid Century Lounge Chair and Ottoman View on Amazon | Full Review |
| Best Budget Option: | Aniline Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman by TOOMOO View on Amazon | Full Review |
If you are in Canada, see below.
| Best Eames Lounge Chair Replica | FPlus Lounge Chair with Ottoman | Full Review |
Also in this guide:
How to Choose the Best Eames Replica
Before I get to the full reviews, I thought it would be helpful to tell you more about the essential details that you should look for when making your choice:
Budget – Splurge or Save?
Understandably, not everyone has the same budget to spend but Eames replicas do vary considerably in price, so there’s a replica to suit most budgets.
At well under $700 the TOOMOO is the cheapest full leather option in this review. For comparison, the theiconicchair and the ever-popular eMod brand from Amazon are upwards of $1000.
So now, no doubt you are wondering what the actual difference is between the higher and lower price points in terms of what you’ll get for your money.
The answer is that the difference in price is reflected in the finer details.
So, for example, whether the cushions are removable or not. The original Eames chair has removable cushions via a clip system. This is also true for theiconicchair and also the high-end eMod version on Amazon. For added comfort, the modular foam seat cushions are encased in silk fabric in the higher-end models. As you’d guess, the cheaper Amazon ones don’t have this added comfort and the cushions are not removable.
You can expect the leather quality to be softer in high-end replicas too, and the quality and thickness of the foam filling is also a factor, but I’ll go into more detail as we go along.
The added advantage of the higher-end theiconicchair range, in particular, is that you get a lot more choice. Choice in color, wood veneer finish, and also size (see the section Standard or Tall? below).
That being said, the cheaper replicas can look every bit the part so if you are looking for a replica from the cheaper range, please do head down to the section Lower Priced Eames Chair Replicas where I cover those in more detail.
And speaking of the lower-priced replicas, in case you are wondering, the cheaper Amazon ones are not all the same chair under a different name. Although some actually are, and I’ll tell you which ones are and aren’t too…
A Note About the Plywood Shells
The Eames chair is made up of 3 separate molded plywood shells. If you’re interested in how they are made, here’s a very brief summary of the process in one sentence: The sheets are layered (cross-grained), glued, and then heated to the precise temperature required to mold the wood into shape.
Replicas are made in the exact same way. However, you will find a few manufacturers of the cheaper replicas are now boasting of “new improved 8 layers“. I think you know where I’m going with this. Herman Miller and Vitra manufacture their chairs using 7 layers and so do the better quality replicas.
That being said, some people have said they just really like the beefier look of the 8 layers of plywood.
Which Size to Go For – Standard or Tall?
So there are two official size options that you should know about, standard and tall. There’s only a couple of inches difference between the two sizes but it may make a difference to your level of comfort. One thing to note, however, is that the upper shell is in fact designed to contour your shoulders. It was never designed to be a headrest. If you want to see people of different sizes sitting in the chair to give you more of an idea of what to expect, check out this YouTube video before you make your decision. Not all replicas give you the choice of two sizes but some do.
Shipping and Returns
You should generally expect to receive your replica in two big boxes. Occasionally Amazon customers have reported that their boxes arrived within a few days of each other. Amazon has a good returns policy which makes them a popular company to buy from.
But lounge chairs, like all large items of furniture, can be costly to return if you change your mind.
I’ve copied part of an answer I gave to a question in the comments section below as well a question emailed to me directly, as I think it’s worth highlighting again here:
My advice: (And this applies if you are buying anything that is bulky or potentially difficult to return for any reason) do carefully go over the company’s returns policy page. There are usually (and this applies to any site) a specific bunch of rules you have to follow so do be mindful of that or you may run into problems.
- Take photos on receipt of delivery, write on the delivery note (or whatever documentation they give you to sign) something like “damages – subject to inspection” and take your time to open it very carefully.
- Make sure you keep all the original packaging and understand that the cost to return may in many cases be borne by you.
Another thing to note is that some furniture companies charge a restocking fee if you change your mind. theiconicchair doesn’t charge a restocking fee and they also offer free shipping for their mid-century chair (another factor that impressed me about the company). For comparison, Manhattan Home Design charged a 25% restocking fee, although as of mid-June last year they have discontinued their version of the chair.
Assembling Your Chair
You should expect to spend some time assembling your chair. Some require more assembly than others. Generally speaking the cheaper the chair, the more bits you need to bolt together. None of it is rocket science but often they aren’t clear or in some cases any instructions to follow. You can, however, find a few good YouTube videos out there to help you if you get stuck.
The Key Design Elements of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman:
| The Recline | The chair has a fixed angle of 15°. It feels flexible to sit in but doesn’t actually recline. |
| The Swivel | The chair has a 360° swivel, (the ottoman doesn’t swivel). |
| The Legs | The chair seat and ottoman seat are the exact same size and are interchangeable. |
| The Cushions | The chair seat and ottoman seat are the exact same size and are interchangeable. |
| The Filling | The filling is foam and the cushions are 6-inches thick (interestingly, very early Eames chairs were upholstered with feathers and down). |
| The Shell | The shell has 7- layers of molded plywood made from FAS-certified sheets of hardwood – kiln-dried to prevent warping and cracking. (Pre 1974 the Eames chair had only 5 -layers of plywood.) |
Full Reviews of Our Top Picks for the Best Eames Chair Replica
Our Top Choice | Highest Quality and Most Faithful to the Original Design: Mid-Century Plywood Chair by theiconicchair.com
Our Top Choice | Highest Quality and Most Faithful to the Original Design
Mid-Century Plywood Chair by theiconicchair
First, off the bat, I’m gonna say, it’s not the cheapest one you can get, but this is by far the most popular replica that people go for – simply because there are no half measures here.
You are getting something that looks and, just as importantly, feels as close to the original Eames design as you are gonna get – without going overboard and paying several thousand more for the real deal.
For a start, theiconicchair is a well-established company. It has the widest selection of Eames chair replicas out there, and they’ve been manufacturing their Mid-Century Plywood Lounge Chair and Ottoman for close to 10 years now. They’re incredibly proud of that, and no wonder, they clearly know what they are doing!
For me, what really makes the theiconicchair.com replica stand out from the rest is the outstanding attention to detail that this replica has.
The Cushions
If you know your real Eames, you’ll know that those gorgeous flower crease buttoned cushions should each un-hook from their shell. There’s a clip system that allows you to do this.
The huge advantage is that you can replace, repair, or reupholster any one of them if you ever need to and that will, in turn, extend the life of your chair to – well, practically forever.
The theiconicchair replica has that same clip system. Now that’s a detail above and beyond the norm. Lower quality chairs always have fixed cushions, often just stapled in place (if you’re lucky, you might get Velcro).
Next, if you take a look at the shells underneath you’ll see they are veneered on the inside – not just the outside. That’s a detail that you’d generally only get with the real thing.
The Filling
This chair, until recently, came with high resilience PU-injected foam cushions. The original, in case you were wondering, also has foam cushions (though the very first one was stuffed with feathers).
Replicas or not, they’re all filled with foam (or in some cases memory foam). Foam is foam, I hear you say – except it isn’t!
There’s a lot of debate about whether a replica Eames could ever feel as soft and comfortable as the real thing. What makes the original so comfortable is the use of open-cell foam. It’s much softer than closed-cell foam and way less dense than memory foam.
Danny from theiconicchair.com recently informed me that they have upped their game, and now also use premium open-cell foam for their cushions. Compare this detail to others out there and you’ll get why we think this one is far superior to anything else.
The Feet
In terms of style, if you take a look at the feet, you can see that this replica is based on the Herman Miller chair. It’s the same black, die-cast five-point aluminum base, that Charles and Ray Eames designed more than 60 years ago.
The sketch below gives you an idea of the two official styles, but if you want to stay as authentic to the original 1956 design as possible, then you should go for a Herman Miller replica.
Next, we turn to the leather quality of the cushions as well as the overall comfort of the chair.
The Leather
The cushions are full grain semi-aniline leather imported from Italy which provides the perfect combination of quality and durability, as you’ll see below:
- Aniline leather is the highest quality leather you can get – only a few percent of the world’s leather qualifies for this category. Aniline is a water-soluble dye that soaks all the way through the leather to give the leather color and bring out the grain. It doesn’t, therefore, disguise any imperfections and that’s why only the finest quality Italian Napa leather can be used.
It ages beautifully, but it is sensitive to watermarks and grease stains, so it’s not the best choice for families with young children or pets.
- The Iconic Chair replica is Full-grain semi-aniline leather. The process for this is very similar but there’s a fine protective coating of insoluble pigment on the surface.
This makes the chair much less sensitive to water or grease marks. So it’s a far better choice for families with young children and pets.
Now, we come to the comfort aspect of this chair. And here’s where it gets interesting:
Additional details, often lacking in lesser quality replicas, include rubber shock mounts underneath the armrests and between the head and the backrest which allows for flexibility, deep buttons to create that famous Eames flower crease, as well as the 15-degree fixed tilt and 360-degree swivel which are stipulated in the original design.
The Shells
I know haven’t mentioned the quality of the plywood shells yet, but they are spot on. Made from whole sheets of high-quality FAS-certified cuts of hardwood. 7-py plywood just like the original.
Available in an impressively wide range of color options – this is something you generally only get with a real Eames – this replica is also available in the Tall Version. This adds an extra 2.5″ to the height, which if you are taller, you may find more comfortable.
There’s a fair amount of debate about the size of the Eames chair. But this actually based on a misconception about the design. People think the top shell is designed to support the head. The top shell is there to support your shoulders. Take a look at this video showing various people of different heights sitting in the chair, if you need help choosing the correct size.
| Dimensions for Each Version | Width (Inches) | Depth (Inches) | Height (Inches) |
| Standard Chair | 32.75 | 32.75 | 32.0 |
| Standard Ottoman | 26.0 | 21.5 | 17.25 |
| Tall Chair | 32.75 | 34.5 | 34.5 |
| Tall Ottoman | 26.0 | 21.5 | 17.25 |
What We Like:
- Faithful to the Original Design | This is an excellent reproduction of the Herman Miller Eames chair.
- Removable Cushions | While lower quality chairs have fixed cushions, often just stapled in place, this chair comes with premium open-cell foam cushions that are removable, simply unhook them from the shell.
- Veneered Shells both Inside and Out | The attention to detail is outstanding on this chair.
- Upholstered in Full-Grain Semi-Aniline Leather | Imported from Italy, the chair offers the perfect combination of quality and durability. It’s also less sensitive to water and grease stains than full aniline leather.
- 7-ply Wooden Veneers | Kiln dried as in the original. Also available in a choice of different woods.
Who It’s For:
The Iconic Chair replica is for all people, including families with younger children and pets, who want a very high-quality Eames style chair that has all the extra attention to details – but without the super high price tag that comes with an original Eames.
Buying Factors to Consider:
It’s not the cheapest. If you want the look and are prepared to sacrifice the extra details, to get a cheaper chair you should also consider the I Inchome, the Rimdoc or Furgle, or the ToMe chair – all of which are cheaper.
Highest-Quality Alternative Pick: eMod – Mid Century Plywood Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman:
This is another exceptionally high-quality chair and a very faithful reproduction of the original Eames lounge chair.
Now we just want to point out that if you’ve visited us here at Comfy Zen before, you may have seen the Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair by Decorific NYC featured in this spot.
To be frank, both the Decorific NYC and the eMod replicas are excellent reproductions of the original design.
And indeed, the differences between them, are very minor. Although as you’ll see, in my opinion, the eMod has a very slight edge. Both, however, are immensely popular, and both tend to sell out almost as soon as they come back in stock.
So what’s the deal? Well, these don’t come in the wide choice of colors, wood veneers, or grades of leather options that our top choice does. And that’s the reason why neither the Decorific NYC nor the eMod made our top spot.
As of updating this post, the Decorific NYC is out of stock and the eMod having been away for some time is now back. From here on we’ll look at the eMod version.
As with our top choice, this chair, has so many details in common with the original design. Details you just wouldn’t get with a cheap Eames replica.
This is a Herman Miller replica, it’s upholstered in 100% full Aniline Italian leather – including piping and buttons.
That means, there is no coating of paint on the top of the leather to add color or disguise the markings or imperfections that a lesser quality of leather would have.
The leather is dyed all the way through using only aniline dye so the quality of leather used is therefore in the top few percent of the world’s leather suitable for this process.
And that’s the thing, while it does cost more than some of the cheaper replicas we will be looking at later in this guide, this chair will be a focal point of your living space and this one will look even more beautiful and feel more comfortable as it ages.
Unlike cheap reproductions, the cushions are not glued to the shell. They are fully removable via a traditional clip system and the shell itself is veneered both inside and out. (The Decorific NYC version also has removable cushions but has a black paint finish instead of a fully veneered wood finish. You can see this below and that’s what gives this chair the edge over the Decorific NYC in my opinion.
eMod vs Decorific NYC
It goes without saying, a veneered finish on the inside of the shell is an attention to detail you’ll only find in the very best Eames chair replicas.
The shells on this chair are made from a durable 7-ply, cross-grained wood veneer which prevents the wood from warping or cracking and the cast aluminum five-star base allows for the 360° swivel function which is integral to the original design.
Lastly, and again true to the original, the chair has a fixed backward tilt of 15° and rubber shock mounts connecting the head and backrest to allow for maximum flexibility.
Buying Factors to Consider:
This is a stunning reproduction of the original and amazing value for the money. The only thing we should point out is that due to the exceptionally high quality of natural leather, you need to take care not to scratch it, and it could get water or grease-stained.
So again this option may not be the best choice for homes with young children or pets and if that applies to you, you should consider our top grain aniline leather choice.
Check the latest price and color options for the eMod – Mid Century Plywood Eames Lounge Chair & Ottoman on Amazon.
Lower Priced Eames Chair Replicas
For anyone on a budget, the good news is that there are some good replicas out there that totally look the part and are also comfortable to sit in. Below is a list of the brands that we’ve featured (and approved of) in recent months.
- 1inchome
- Furgle
- Rimdoc
- TOME
- TOOMOO
They tend to sell out very quickly on Amazon and sometimes they disappear for quite a while only to pop up again when the sellers finally get a new shipment over from China (where they are manufactured).
In case you are wondering, they aren’t all the same chair. The TOME and the TOOMOO, for example, are different from the 1inchome or the Rimdoc, but in some cases (usually in the case where one company is owned by another) the chair is identical. I’ll point that out as we go on:
Note:
Just so you know the 1 Inchome and Rimdoc are registered at the same address in NYC. They are basically the same chair so please do read on.
Just so you know other brands sold by 1inchome are the following:
Best Mid-Price Eames Chair Replica: Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by 1inchome
Mid-Price Eames Chair Replica
Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by 1inchome
The 1inchome is our clear winner in this lower-priced category.
First off, if you compare it with others we’ve seen that are made from faux leather or leatherette, this one is high-quality machine-stitched top grain leather.
It also features 7-ply high-density natural laminated wood which makes it a more faithfully copy of the original, than the TOME, for example, which has “new 8- layers” of laminated wood.
You also get a good choice of veneer finishes including walnut, palisander, and black ash (which is an alternative to ebony ash ) – all of which are options you could choose from if you were to go for the official version.
The chair ticks all the essential boxes that an authentic Herman Miller style chair would, including having that natural incline to the correct fixed angle of 15 degrees.
It doesn’t have detachable cushions (as you’d no doubt already have guessed) but that’s one way to cut down on cost without compromising the look or the overall quality of the chair.
With this one, you can even choose between normal size or an upgrade which is the taller version. The sizes are below:
| Size Guide for Chair | Length” | Width” | Height” |
| Normal: | 22.05 | 33.07 | 31.49 |
| Upgrade (Tall Version): | 22.44 | 33.07 | 33.07 |
What We Like:
- High-Quality Genuine Leather | Many replicas in this price range aren’t made from leather at all.
- Well-Made and Close to the Original | It would take an expert to know it’s not authentic unless, that is, you get very close and look for clues.
- Good Price | It’s reasonably priced for a chair and ottoman set.
Buying Factors to Consider:
It won’t feel quite as soft as our first choice which features super-soft open-cell foam, but as a reproduction of the mid-century iconic Eames, it would make a stunning centerpiece to any living space, as well as a relaxing and comfortable place to lie back and put your feet up.
It’s a well-made chair, built to last, and nicely finished, complete with tufting and buttons.
Alternative to the 1inchome Replica: Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Rimdoc
Best Budget Full Leather Option
Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Rimdoc
We wanted to include the Rimdoc in our top picks because it’s another very good choice. In fact, there really is nothing between this one and the replica chair and ottoman we have just looked at.
And that’s because they are essentially the same chair.
1 Inchome and Rimdoc are registered at the same address in NYC.
For that reason, we won’t go into details on this one as the spec is just the same. It too is made from high-quality machine-stitched leather. It also features a 7-layer plywood frame and a coated black aluminum base.
One thing I do want to point out is that just because the chair has only recently been reintroduced after being absent for some time, there aren’t yet many customer reviews for this listing, but be assured this chair has been a very popular choice with customers in the past.
Do check the latest price and color options for Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Rimdoc on Amazon if you are interested in this one, – particularly because the prices between the Inchome and Rimdoc often do vary.
Also Consider: Furgle Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Another Worthy Mention
Furgle Lounge Chair and Ottoman
This replica Eames has just (as of early January) reappeared on Amazon after an absence of a few months.
This chair is owned by the same company that also owns the 1inchome brand. And indeed, the spec details show that this is in fact the same chair.
For that reason, I won’t go into any details. But I wanted to give this one a mention because these replicas are extremely popular and tend to sell out very quickly so it’s worth taking a look.
Suffice to say it’s another great option if you want a faithful reproduction of the Eames chair but don’t want to go overboard on price with high-end aniline leather.
What We Like:
- Great Value for Money | This is a full leather chair and ottoman, and it’s in the same price range as many PU versions out there.
- Well-Made and Close to the Original | The spec is very close to the original design including the 7-ply plywood shell, and swivel with a 15-degree tilt.
Check the latest price and color options for the Furgle Lounge Chair and Ottoman on Amazon.
Note: The TOME is currently out of stock on Amazon but I have left the section in below for reference and in case it comes back soon…
Lowest Price Leather Option: Leather Recliner with Ottoman by TOME
Lowest Price Option
Leather Recliner with Ottoman by TOME
This is a great lower-priced option to go for. Unlike many replica chairs, in this price range (the Barcelona chair replica budget options being a case in point), this replica actually retains the look of the original Eames.
The fact that it stays faithful to the original Herman Miller Eames design down to black-coated aluminum five-point base means there’s nothing cheap looking about it.
For us what makes this one stand out from others in this price range is that it’s not made from PU or fake leather, it’s actually made with real leather upholstery.
Where it does differ from the others we’ve looked at – and indeed from the original design is that instead of the traditional 7- layer plywood frame stipulated in the rules for the modern authentic Eames design it has a somewhat unusual 8 -layer plywood shell.
Draw from that what you will, to us it indicates the plywood is of lower quality and the extra layer is there to compensate so the shell’s sturdiness isn’t comprised. That being said, the 8 layers of plywood do give the shells a slightly more robust appearance which to us, and customers who went for this chair, is aesthetically pleasing, and overall if you were to compare this one with the higher quality replicas it wouldn’t look out of place.
The shell is made by hand, the cushioning consists of a memory foam filling, and the chair even has the rubber shock mount detail, connecting the head and backrest that high end, and indeed the original chair all have.
What We Like:
- Good Value For Money | It’s a good copy that’s stayed faithful to the original design. For that reason, there’s nothing cheap looking about it and it is good value for the price.
Check the latest price of Leather Recliner with Ottoman by TOME on Amazon.
Also Consider:
Aniline Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman by TOOMOO
First, let me say, there’s really no perceptible difference between the TOME we’ve just looked at above and the TOOMOO so If you like the slightly beefier look that the 8-layer wood shells give you, then the TOOMOO is certainly worth your consideration.
I felt it was worth a mention here, as color and veneer options can quickly sell out so the TOOMOO may have that color that you wanted if the TOME doesn’t or vice versa.
It goes without saying that unlike theiconicchair one, it doesn’t have removable cushions nor is it filled with open-cell foam, but again that’s reflected in a lower price tag.
What We Did Like:
- A choice between leather and Aniline leather is available.
- The essential details are all there including the 360 swivel and the tilt.
- There are quite a few color options available for this chair and there are two grades of leather to choose from too.
Things We Didn’t Like:
- The fact that the plywood is upgraded to 8 layers suggested that the quality of wood used isn’t as good as it could be. But the added strength that the extra layer adds should ensure that the shells should at least stand up to wear without cracking.
- The cushions aren’t removable but that is reflected in the lower price.
- If you choose the Aniline leather version you should know that it’s buttery soft and shows off the natural grain of the leather -but it’s not water or oil stain resistant, so treat this one with care.
You Make Also Like:
Eames Replica Bird
This is a very affordable replica of the Bird popularised by Eames. First made in 1910 the Eames’s had one in their home. It’s beautiful, definitely on my shopping list!
Key Features:
- 10.63″ tall.
- Made from environmentally friendly non-toxic resin.
Best Eames Lounge Chair Replica for Canada: FPlus Lounge Chair with Ottoman
Best Eames Lounge Chair Replica for Canada
FPlus Lounge Chair with Ottoman
If you are in Canada, the FPlus Lounge Chair with Ottoman is the absolute best Eames replica to go for.
It’s a superb reproduction of the Eames Vitra chair – without the prohibitive price tag that comes with a real Eames.
There are 3 leather options to suit your budget and preference, and there’s also a good choice of color and plywood veneer options to choose from.
Plus you’ll be able to take advantage of the free shipping available across the country.
Next, we will take a look at the details that make this reproduction such a good choice.
But just before we do that, in case you skipped straight down to this section, here’s a quick reminder of the different grades of high-quality leather that you get with only the best replica Eames chairs.
- The leather used to make top grain is one of the finest qualities of leather in the world. Second only to that used for full aniline leather. Top grain aniline leather is a natural full-grain Italian leather, dyed with an Aniline dye to add color, condition the leather, and bring out the natural beauty of the grain. To further enhance the look and durability, a thin coating of non-water-soluble pigment is then applied over the top.
The coating makes it more water and grease stain-resistant as well as more durable so top grain aniline leather is suitable for everyday use in homes with younger families.
- Full aniline leather is of the highest quality leather in the world. It only looks more beautiful as it ages. It doesn’t, have that coating so the natural pattern of the grain, and texture come through – hence the superior quality of leather needed to produce it.
The lack of coating, however, means it’s not protected from water and grease marks – and this makes it less suitable for young families.
Whichever grade of leather suits your lifestyle best, you will find each FPlus chair is made to the highest standard. The cushions are lock-stitched (#301) with braided thread for the strongest seams and neatest piping you can get.
The seat pads are PU injected and then Dacron-wrapped for added comfort and breathability.
It goes without saying that with a chair of this quality, the cushions aren’t stapled to the frame as they are with many cheap copies. These cushions are (just as in the original), fully removable.
The 7ply plywood shell is kiln-dried to prevent warping or cracking. And true to the original design, the shell is made only from the best cuts from the log with minimal knots – sourced exclusively from USA, Canadian and Brazilian companies.
The 5 point base die-cast aluminum base is a replica of the Vitra Eames lounge chair, and there is a rubber shock mount plating underneath the armrest and the back of the chair to prevent the shell from cracking.
And just so you know, no tedious setup is required with this replica. Unlike many replica Eames chairs on the market, which require two people and a lengthy assembly process, this chair is shipped already fully assembled – and that’s actually a pretty big deal.
What We Like:
- It’s an Exceptionally High-Quality Reproduction | This is an excellent reproduction of the Vitra Eames chair – and there are 3 leather options to choose from: full-grain, top-grain, or vintage.
- It Comes with Removable Cushions | While most lower quality chairs have fixed cushions, (usually just stapled in place) this lounge chair comes with high resilience PU-injected foam cushions that are removable.
- The Shell is Veneered both Inside and Out | Again the attention to detail is outstanding on this chair.
- 7-ply Wooden Veneers | Kiln dried as in the original. Also available in a choice of different wooden veneers.
Check the latest price and color options for FPlus Lounge Chair with Ottoman on Furnish Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Eames chair comfortable?
If you’ve ever had the chance to put your feet up in a real Eames chair, (Vitra or Miller) you will know there’s almost a cloud-like quality of fluffy buttery-ness that throwing thousands of dollars will certainly go a long way to achieve.
But that doesn’t mean, however, that your replica won’t an absolute dream to sit and relax in. Why? Because the fundamental design of a good replica chair is practically identical to the authentic version.
The best replicas are made from exceedingly high-quality leather and the cushions have a modular foam filling – that is no different from the original.
Secondly, the chair is set at a permanent 15-degree angle, and let’s not forget here, that unlike most armchairs it comes as a set – with an ottoman. There are a couple of clever reasons for this:
- The chair invites you to lean back put your feet up and completely relax. Unlike a regular armchair, you won’t end up hunched over or leaning to one side, with restless legs and aching knees.
- Why 15- degrees? The fixed 15-degree angle was specifically built into the design to take the weight of your lower spine.
To sum up: The materials and construction, as specified in the original design – when faithfully adhered to in a good replica, are proof of the pure comfort this chair has to offer.
Does the Eames chair recline?
The original Eames chair’s recline is built into the design. It was specifically designed in a tilted position in order to take the weight off the lower back. It doesn’t, however, recline. The tilt is fixed to an angle of 15 degrees.
Do Eames chair replicas also have the tall version?
Just so you know, there are two official sizes of the Eames chair, classic and tall. Some replicas also give you this option.
There’s quite a lot of confusion about the size of the chair. Some people think it’s going to be too small for a taller person.
But here’s the thing. The top shell was never intended to be a headrest. It’s there to contour and support your shoulders.
That being said, there are two sizes of the chair to choose from. So if you are 6 feet or over, you will benefit more from choosing the tall version simply because your shoulder height will be higher.
How is the Eames chair made?
The Eames chair consists of three cushioned shells with wooden veneers, a seat, a back, and a headrest, which gives the chair its floating appearance. Each shell consists of 7 layers of molded plywood, although the original chair had only 5 layers.
The plywood consists of whole sheets of high-quality FAS-certified cuts of hardwood, layered on top of one another (cross-grained) with glue. The sheet (or veneers) are then molded into shape using heat and pressure. The result is a super-strong wood with a beautifully organic shape.
The lounge chair famously consists of three completely separate shells – which gives the impression that they defy gravity and appear to float.
Originally the cushion’s fillings were “all feathers and down”. Today, however, authentic Eames chairs have a 6″ of urethane foam filling and they are upholstered with high-quality leather including two tufted buttons to each cushion. The seat and the ottoman cushion are the same size and interchangeable with each other.
The base has 5 legs for the chair, and 4 for the ottoman.
Additionally, the chair is able to swivel 360° and has a fixed recline of 15°.
I hope this guide has been helpful, if you have any of the chairs listed above, please do drop me a comment and let me know what you think.
Thanks for this incredibly thorough and helpful review of replica Eames loungers. I’m in the market and this write up gave me more info than all the other things I read combined. I’m wondering what other options you considered for the top end replicas? You mention Manhattan Home Design when discussing returns… How about Keeks Designs? Thanks again for the excellent write-up.
Hi Emily, Thank you so much for the lovely comment you left on my Eames chair replica review. In regard to the Keeks Designs, the spec for their chairs looks good. The only difference I can see between the Urban furnishing one I talk about in my review and the Keeps Design one is that the Keeps Design one has cushions made from PU-Injected Foam whereas Urban Furnishing now uses open-cell foam which is a little softer and just like the original. PU-Injected Foam isn’t all bad though, it’s resilient and hard-wearing – just something I thought I’d point out.
I notice their returns policy says you have 30 days in which to return and the cost of the return is down to you. No mention of a restocking fee that I can see, but I notice it says all returns must be in new condition upon return, along with all original packaging materials.
I haven’t any information on customer feedback for this company and I don’t have any personal experience with them to help you more, but you could have a chat with them first before you order to get a feel for how good their customer service is before you buy. I hope that helps.
Sue
Great review. Just wanted to point out another difference between the Keeks and Iconic Chairs. Keeks uses 100% Aniline Full Grain Leather and the Iconic Chair uses Semi Aniline Full Grain Leather. The original by Herman Miller is offered in both options, so it depends on what you prefer.
Thanks Julia, Good point! The Keeks chair is indeed 100% Aniline Full Grain Leather which is in the top 5% of the worlds best leathers.
Pros are that it buttery soft and arguably looks even better with age. Cons are that because it does’nt have any coating on the surface it can be suseptable to water and grease marks.
So it does, as you say, depend on what you prefer.
All these chairs are basically the same, cheap knock offs from China. Same basic chair, prices range from $800 to $1600 all for the exact SAME chair, dropped shipped in the USA by “front” companies. It’s a scam in a way. Most of these “sellers” are likely run by the same parent corporation. While the quality is not that bad, really, it’s still really devious to claim to be selling a “premium” product that is the same as the base model. Show me a picture of the workshop where these chairs are made with love in the USA. Right.
Hi Don thanks so much for your comment. While it’s true that some of the replicas are the exact same chair, they are not all the same, and there are significant differences between those that differ. More details are in the section Lower Priced Eames Chair Replicas above but I’ll give you a quick example, the Rimdoc, and the 1inchome have 7 layers of plywood whereas the TOOMOO and the TOME have eight, which gives the chair a slightly beefier appearance that some people love. The original however is made using seven layers. One difference between the lower-priced replicas and the relatively more expensive ones is that the cheaper ones have fixed cushions whereas, for example, theiconicchair.com replica (formally known as Urban Furnishing) has removable cushions via a clip system – just like the original. The filling too is different and matches that used for the original chair.
If you do have the budget for the real thing then absolutely you should go for it. You’ll have an iconic chair and an investment piece made with love in the USA. I’ve written a post about that too, Eames Chair Original vs Replica – Spend or Save? 🙂
Fantastic thorough review! Thank you!
Thank you so much!
What’s the best option with faux or PU leather?
Thanks for great reviews. I am actively looking for an affordable version of the Eames Lounge chair and ottoman (wish I could afford the original!), but I do not want a leather finish. A faux leather is fine or a fabric, but – apart from HM originals – I have not found any. Can you recommend an Eames-style lounger that does not use leather? Thanks!
Hi Steve, Hi Tyson,
PU-leather (faux leather) Eames replicas do occasionally crop up on Amazon, although I have to say, I haven’t seen any for a couple of months now. The Mophorn Lounge Chair with Ottoman is one such example that I can think of that was made from PU leather. I do remember that it was a mid-range, Chinese-made replica very similar to the other Amazon versions out there but one thing that did stand out was that spec for spec, the PU-leather chairs tended to be a little more expensive than their real leather counterparts. (I’m not sure of the reason for the higher price point.)
I haven’t come across any other well-known furniture stores such as keeksdesign or theiconicchair that offer that option so far. I will keep an eye out and if I find any faux leather chairs, I’ll certainly point them out in this post.
Any idea how to tell the true color of the wood with the styles all listed as numbers on the 1inchome Amazon listing? Style 24 appears to be walnut but it’s hard to tell how dark or light it is based on the photos. Any insight? Great reviews!
Hi Christopher, The 1inchome Amazon listings are, at present, somewhat confusingly all listed just as Palisander Wood. Recent customers have said they have received dark cherry-colored wood which is beautiful but may or may not go with your decor. That is a problem that you have to factor in when buying from Amazon, you are a little limited by choice.
Thank you for this incredibly informative article on the Eames lounge chair. I am furnishing a new place within the next few months and would love to get one. Though the price point of The Iconic Chair seems reasonable for a high-quality replica, my wife is vegan, so I can’t buy a leather chair. I noticed Herman Miller sells fabric upholstered versions (which they note is consistent with a few early offerings of the original Eames chair).
Have you found any good replicas finished with fabric? Cheers!
Hi Eric, You are correct that Herman Miller does currently offer two fabric versions of the chair. One is Flamiber which is 33% acrylic, 30% wool, 29% cotton, 7% polyester, and 1% viscose, and the other is Mohair Supreme made from 100% Mohair. Neither of which are suitable for vegans, which means saving up for the real thing wouldn’t really be an option for you either. It’s a shame that there aren’t more fabric options around, of both genuine and replica versions. I think a (non-silk) velvet cover would look fabulous. Occasionally, I have seen PU leather replicas popping up on Amazon. That being said I haven’t seen any for a few months. I do check up on what’s available every few days and if I spot any I will post about it here.
Do you have any thoughts on the (what I assume to be newly-listed) Rimdoc premium styles? They aren’t specifically marked but the leather in the photos looks more supple and the price matches that assumption. Considering the lack of information/assurance on the page, I’m inclined to move on over to The Iconic Chair, but figured I’d ask just in case. Thank you! Link:
Hi Tyler, Thanks for your comment. Yes, you are right. It is a new listing. They haven’t listed any chairs at this higher price point before. I have posted a question to them to ask for clarification. I would have thought that most likely it would be that the leather is of higher quality but there is no real information to go on at the moment until we get an answer.
I ordered one, thinking it was black leather with palisander wood, but when it showed up, the leather was a very dark brown. I returned it, disappointed they didn’t have a better description on their listing, but almost contemplated keeping it and dying it black because the quality of the leather was so good. I took it to Tandy Leather and they confirmed it was 100% cowhide. I am torn between another Rimdoc variation (“Style 1?” I think it’s black/palisander) and the Iconic Chair, but I’m not sold on the quality of the leather on Iconic Chair.
UPDATE: The Higher priced Rimdoc chair has cotton fabric encasing both the sponge cushion seating and the armrests for added comfort, the cushions are also removable via a clip system. Additionally, the chair has stainless steel iron fixing screws. Installation is also easier in the upgraded version as the armrest iron buckle fits either left or right.
Hi, thanks for the reviews!
Are you aware of any purchase options of replicas in Europe?
L.
Hello Lucas, Firstly, I don’t have any personal experience with any European sellers, so I can’t really recommend any as such. However, Pash Classics may be an option for you to look into. I know they have been around for a few years and based on their many (mostly favorable) Trustpilot reviews they seem to be a reasonable company. What I do like is that you can select up to 6 free leather samples to be sent to you before you decide to go ahead.
My advice: If you are buying anything that is bulky or potentially difficult to return for any reason do carefully go over the company’s returns policy page. There are usually (and this applies to any site) a specific bunch of rules you have to follow so do be mindful of that or you may run into problems. In this case, (and this is pretty much standard) make sure you keep all the original packaging and understand that the cost to return is borne by you.
You could also try to speak to someone before you order so you can ask them anything you need to and that means you may also get a good feel for how efficient and polite their customer service is.
In regard to the chairs themselves, they look to be a similar spec to those sold on Amazon. It doesn’t say that the cushions are removable and I would guess that like the Amazon ones, they probably aren’t. Not that you might ever want/need to remove the cushions from the shell but it’s just worth noting that the higher quality replicas do have removable cushions (just like the original) and this does denote that a high standard of workmanship has gone into the construction of the replica with no corners cut – so to speak. That being said this is reflected in the price so the chair seems to be reasonable for the money.
I hope that helps.