I test office chairs for a living and this one gives me just the right amount of all-day comfort and support

I rarely spend months sitting in the same chair as I’m constantly trying out and testing new ones. This is par for the course though, as I review the best office chairs for a living. However, every now and again, I come across a chair with the right level of comfort and support that I end up using it for longer than I initially intended, which is exactly what happened with the X-Chair X3 A.T.R. Management Chair.

I’m no stranger to the company's premium office chairs as I reviewed the X-Chair X2 a few years ago and ended up hanging onto it for just as long. While I was impressed with its adjustability, ergonomic features and all-mesh design, the X-Chair X3 raises the bar considerably despite being only $100 more. 

The overall design between the two chairs is quite similar. However, the X3 ditches the mesh seat of the X2 for one with comfy foam and adds a water-fall edge for better ergonomic positioning. The other big change is the use of a different proprietary fabric which offers more support along with spill and stain resistance. It’s almost as if X-Chair took what I loved about the X2 and turned things up a notch for a better overall experience.

While I’ve been using the X3 comfortably and with no complaints for a few months now, my review will help you decide if it’s worth investing in this particular office chair. It comes at a premium of just under $1,000 without a headrest but still manages to be on the lower side compared to other high-end chairs from Steelcase, Haworth and Herman Miller. If you work long hours from the comfort of your home like I do, the X3 could certainly be worth it but that’s for you to decide.

X-Chair X3: Cheat Sheet

• What is it? A premium ergonomic office chair with a foam seat and a mesh backrest.
• Who is it for? People who work from home or game for long hours that want a well-built chair with plenty of support and adjustment options.
• What does it cost? The X-Chair X3 starts at $979 but can cost as much as $1,643 with all the optional upgrades.
• What do we like? The comfy foam seat, the durability and support of X-Chair’s proprietary mesh, the recline mechanism and the various adjustment points.
• What don’t we like? That it doesn’t come fully assembled and that the optional upgrades can raise its premium price even higher.

X-Chair X3: Specs

X-Chair X3: The ups

The X-Chair X3 delivers in terms of ergonomics, adjustability and comfort for both work and play. The A.T.R fabric makes a big difference as does the cushioned foam seat and improved recline mechanism.

Not your standard mesh

Mesh is often used as a catch-all term for office chairs with a breathable backrest or seat but this couldn’t be anywhere further from the truth. For instance, the mesh used in the Sihoo Doro-C300 I reviewed had a clingy feeling while the A.T.R fabric in the X-Chair X3 has a smooth finish but isn’t quite as soft as the mesh in the Steelcase Karman. It’s just as supportive though and responds to your body’s movements throughout the day.

Another big selling point of X-Chair’s A.T.R fabric is that it’s both spill and stain resistant. This makes for easier cleanups as accidents do happen and the X3 can be cleaned with hot water and soap without having to worry about damaging the chair’s fabric.

Extra cushion where it counts

An all-mesh design does allow for better airflow but you sacrifice both support and comfort in the process. This is why most Herman Miller chairs don’t have mesh seats. The X3 gives you the best of both worlds by supporting your lower body and keeping your upper body cool, even more so if you opt for X-Chair’s Elemax cooling, heat and massage unit that slides into the X3’s Dynamic Variable Lumbar support.

During my testing, the X3’s cushioned foam seat was very comfortable even when working beyond your typical 8-hour work day. Another thing I really liked about its seat is its water-fall edge which allows for better ergonomic positioning and doesn’t dig into your calves. If you want an even more comfortable seat, you can upgrade from X-Chair’s standard foam to memory foam.

A more supported recline

Ergonomic office chairs are designed to keep you sitting upright with good posture so that you avoid leaning forward or slouching. There are times when you want to kick back in your chair and this is where a good tilt mechanism comes into play. The X3 features X-Chair’s SciFloat Infinite Recline which lets you adjust the resistance of its recline so that you can float between upright and all the way back.

Though I prefer to sit upright and really like how the curvature of the X3’s lumbar support aligns with that of my lower back, I use its SciFloat Infinite Recline periodically throughout the day along with the massage feature of the Elemax add-on when I needed a break. Flipping the paddle on the right underside puts you in recline mode and the knob next to it lets you adjust the recline resistance. Switching it on turned my office chair into a recliner instantly, to the point that it was so good that I almost didn’t want to get back up.

X-Chair X3: The downs

The X-Chair X3 is a premium office chair that requires you to put a bit more work in than those from other high-end brands as you have to assemble it yourself. Likewise, the optional upgrades can get expensive fast.

Assembly required

The X3 sent over for review arrived in a single, medium-sized box and I then had to put it together. This is standard for most home office furniture but when you go from a mid-range to premium office chair, many of them including those from Steelcase, Haworth and Herman Miller come fully assembled or you may have to only install the headrest yourself like with the Haworth Fern.

Assembling the X3 is a straightforward process though and all of the parts were clearly labeled with easy to follow instructions. Surprisingly, I didn’t have to install the Elemax add-on as this was done for me. It took about 15 minutes or so to put the X3 together and it felt a lot like building one of the best standing desks from Vari.

Upgrades don’t come cheap

When configuring the X3, you have the choice between for different color options but from there, everything else is an optional add-on. From a headrest to 360° arms to a wider seat and rollerblade style casters, you have a lot of additional customization options if you’re willing to pay quite a bit more.

For instance, a headrest will set you back $115 and clear roller-style wheels add an extra $75 while a memory foam seat cushion costs $150 more. From experience, I’d say the headrest is worth the upgrade, especially if you want to recline in the X3. The roller-style wheels lock in place and give the chair a more premium look but aren’t essential. The Elemax unit is an extra $150 too but X-Chair often throws this in as a free upgrade during sales events.

X-Chair X3: Verdict

The X-Chair X3 goes beyond what you’d find in your typical ergonomic office chair in terms of features and comfort. If you work from home and are looking for a chair you’ll be able to use for years to come, it’s certainly worth the additional cost. For those with a smaller budget, the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro comes in at $500 and has a padded seat, mesh backrest and a headrest is included.

If you like the design of the X3, the X2 is slightly cheaper but there’s also the X1 or X-Chair’s most affordable X-Project office chair. I used the X2 for years without any issues and the X3 will certainly give you that same kind of longevity. The X3 is expensive but like a good bed or supportive footwear, it is an investment in your health and well-being.