If you’d love an Eames chair, but don’t have the budget for the official one, you should absolutely go for a good replica.
You might say I’m a tiny bit obsessed with the iconic mid-century modern style of the Eames chair. But there are a lot of them out there and the prices do vary considerably. That being said, there’s a replica for every budget and even the high-end ones are still several thousand dollars cheaper than the real thing.
I’ve written a more general buying guide to choosing a good replica which will give you lots of additional information here.
But here we will get straight into the picks. So let’s start with my top recommendation, theiconicchair. This one is not the cheapest but it’s by far the quality and closest to the original design that you can get.
And here’s a Promo Code for our top pick.
Save $150 Use Code: COMFYZEN150 at the Iconic Chair.com
| 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 | Read More |
Best Mid-Priced Eames Chair Replicas: | 1inchome Mid Century Eames Replica Plywood Lounge Chair & Ottoman View on Amazon | Read More |
Alternative to the 1inchome Replica:  | Rimdoc Lounge Chair and Ottoman (Identical to the 1inchome) View on Amazon | Read More |
| Best Budget Option: | Aniline Leather Lounge Chair with Ottoman by TOOMOO View on Amazon | Read More |
Our Top Choice | theiconicchair.com
Highest Quality and Most Faithful to the Original Design
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 (still part of, and formally known as Urban Furnishing) is a well-established company that has the widest selection of replicas out there. 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.
If you know your 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 which is 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best Mid-Price Eames Chair Replica: Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by 1inchome
Mid-Price Eames Chair Replica
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.
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.
Check the latest price and color options for Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by 1inchome on Amazon.
Alternative to the 1inchome Replica: Mid Century Lounge Chair with Ottoman by Rimdoc
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.
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 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 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.
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.
I purchased the palisander, black semi-aniline version from urban furnishing several years ago for my home office. It’s holding up very well.
At the time, I had difficulty justifying the full price of the original (still do), but wanted something as close to the original as possible and was willing to pay up for it.
My debate was Regular or Tall. I’m 6’0 and decided to go for the regular especially after I learned that the “shoulder rest” is not meant to be a headrest. Am pleased with my choice and appreciate your thorough review.
Also pleased to hear iconic/urban furnishing still holds the top spot! Isn’t it true that they purchased the original specs from HM? I thought I read that at the time.
Hi Jim, Thank you for your kind comment and it’s really good the hear your feedback about how well the iconic/urban furnishing chair has stood up over time.