Last updated: January 21st, 2026
I’m dubious when someone tells me that a $350 office chair will blow my socks off. Most chairs in this price segment are rubbish. The Sihoo M57, however, is a rare exception.
Despite being at the budget end of the office chair market, this is one of the best chairs on the Australian market.
I love expensive office chairs, but with the recent cost of living and inflation spikes, I’m not sure many people are ready to invest in something like a Herman Miller Aeron (which costs an eye-watering 6.5 times as much as the Sihoo M57).
To help you choose an economic downturn-friendly chair, I ordered an M57 on Amazon. It arrived 3 days later, and I used it for 4 weeks before writing this review.
- Am I impressed?
- Is it comfortable?
- Do I plan to keep it?
Let’s find out.
6 Reasons To Buy The Sihoo M57.
Above: The Sihoo M57 is an attractive office chair, and will look smart in a modern home office.
1. Great Value For Money.
You get some serious bang for your buck with the Sihoo M57.
It has 9 points of adjustment that include two-way headrest, bi-directional lumbar support (more about it shortly), 3D armrests, seat height, recline, and recline tension.
High-density mesh looks premium and feels satisfyingly taut. It’s certainly not cheap and flimsy, but is also not abrasive, unlike so many polyester alternatives on cheaper chairs.
While it won’t win any international design awards, it’s a charismatic, modern-looking chair that will not detract from your home office environment.
2. Bi-Directional Lumbar Support.
Above: The lumbar adjusts via this large, easy-to-access tension knob at the rear. The metallic cap is a nice design touch that elevates the look of the chair.
Finding a fully adjustable lumbar support on a budget office chair is another surprise.
A lot of chairs in this price range only offer a height adjustment, while Sihoo’s height can be raised 5 cm from its base position, and depth can change by 3 cm.
(Related: Sihoo Doro S300 Ergonomic Chair Review: An Aeron Killer?)
That might not sound like a lot but is enough to mould Sihoo’s backrest to my back, with plenty of movement to spare.
You push the pad up and down manually to adjust height, and rotate a knob to adjust depth.
No bells, whistles or fancy tension knobs, but it works. The metal cap on the knob is a nice design touch, too, and elevates the chair’s look.
3. Tall And Comfortable Backrest.
The backrest’s design borrows cues from a butterfly. It’s narrow in the middle, but wide at the shoulders and lower back.
Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, it feels nice to sink into, providing a small degree of flex to keep your spine moving throughout your workday.
Important!
Pay no attention to the incorrect measurement of the backrest on Sihoo’s product page, suggesting it’s 49cm. I’ve measured it, and it’s actually 60cm!
There are some ergonomic chairs out there that are too slim – particularly for those with a dad-bod-in-progress like me. For comparison:
- The Herman Miller Embody has a backrest width of 32.5cm.
- The Sihoo M57 office chair boasts an impressive wingspan of 51cm.
Above: The chrome base and all-mesh construction add up to a handsome aesthetic.
The chair can be adjusted between 90 to 120 degrees from the upright position to a deep recline, and the recline action feels smooth and satisfying.
Even though the Sihoo M57 has a centre-tilt mechanism, the recline feeling is quite nice. It’s a true recline that lowers you back and down – unlike the hip-thrust movement you get on cheaper Steelcase chairs.
What Is A Centre-Tilt Mechanism?
Usually found in budget office chairs, the mechanism keeps the angle between the backrest and the seat pan constant when reclining. For every centimetre you lean back, the seat pan will raise by a centimetre. This is sub-optimal, as your feet eventually begin to lift off the floor. Synchro-tilt mechanisms in premium chairs solve this issue by reducing the gearing between the backrest and the seat pan by 50%.
4. The Headrest Is A Nice Touch.
Very few office chairs include them as standard, presumably because of cost, laziness, sophistication, [insert excuse]…
For a truly ergonomic experience, I’m in the camp that believes a headrest should be standard. Being quite lofty and over six feet, I need support from head to toe – as do countless others.
(Related: Kedrom KD9060: Best Cheap Chair In Australia?)
Not only that, but the Sihoo M57 headrest is highly adjustable.
- It can be adjusted up to 10cm high.
- The angle can be turned 45 degrees both ways.
Unfortunately, the reach isn’t adjustable through a separate mechanism. Instead, you must adjust it by changing the angle, which makes it quite easy to move the headrest unintentionally.
5. The Build Quality Is On Point.
The Sihoo M57 uses bare metal in its base and armrests. It’s a smart design choice that invokes a sense of strength and creates a premium look.
As you assemble it (which takes around 15-25 minutes), you quickly get a sense of how solid each component is – just how well everything slots together.
The thick back frames are the “backbones” of its robust anatomy, and are made from a premium-feeling plastic. I’ve seen some seriously woeful office chairs in this price range frames that are skeletal, rickety, and prone to creaking.
Important!
Weighing in at around 19 kg, the Sihoo M57 will accommodate people weighing up to 150 kg.
6. Expensive-Looking Armrests.
If you’ve read my other chair reviews, you know I’m a huge armrest snob.
There’s some truth to that – and I was fully expecting the Sihoo M57 to have rubbish armrests, considering its entry-level price point.
Not so.
Above: I was impressed by the M57’s armrests. Padded and covered in dimpled, leathery plastic, they look and feel on point.
This chair has some of the best armrests I’ve ever encountered.
The surface is nicely padded and – crucially – doesn’t feel cheap. I’d go as far as saying that they feel better than those of my favourite mid-range chair, the ErgoTune Joobie.
It’s a shame the armrests don’t adjust for width, though. Yes, you can rotate them out to give yourself some width at each tip, but it’s not the same. My elbows feel a little pinched when using them.
3 Reasons To Avoid The Sihoo M57.
In the interest of balance, I want to share some of the downsides of the Sihoo M57 office chair.
Admittedly, it feels as though I’m nitpicking here. While the chair isn’t perfect, it’s pretty damn near close for the price.
Allow me to don my dirt-tinted glasses for a moment.
1. Tension Adjustment Is Hard To Reach.
The backrest can be locked in one of three positions: sitting/tasking, semi-recline, and recline.
Many chairs provide more recline positions, and I’m so used to having mine calibrated at a particular level.
Above: The tension knob is sandwiched between the seat pan and the optional footrest.
Also, the location of the recline tension adjustment knob is a pain, especially if you opt for the chair with the footrest included (which blocks access to it from the front).
It’s right under the chair, so you must dismount, get under it, and twist.
Upmarket chairs allow you to do this without having to play musical chairs.
Then again, it’s a $340 chair, so maybe I’m being a little harsh.
Important!
The 50cm max seat pan height may be limiting for taller users. If you’re above 190cm, you may want to look elsewhere.
3. The Warranty Period Could Be Longer.
The Sihoo M57 only comes with a measly one-year warranty but mechanical parts are covered for three years.
It’s highly unlikely the integrity of the frame will ever cause you any problems, but it always offers peace of mind when a good warranty is offered.
Important!
Chairs like ErgoTune and Steelcase offer 10- and 12-year warranties, but they cost 2X and 3X more. That’s the risk you must weigh up when purchasing a budget chair.
How The Sihoo M57 Stacks Up.
We evaluate all office chairs using 5-point criteria, adjusting the scores for the price to ensure fairness.
| Ergonomics | 4/5 |
| Comfort | 4/5 |
| Aesthetics | 4/5 |
| Build Quality & Warranty | 4/5 |
| Cost | 4.5/5 |
| OVERALL | 4.1 |
My Verdict About The Sihoo M57.
The Sihoo M57 is a pleasant (and rare) surprise.
It’s stylish, comfortable, robust and without any nasty habits. The armrests are a winner, while the headrest is something I can learn to live with.
Is it the best office chair to buy when Australia is on the brink of a recession? I think so.
But even if the economic outlook was sunny, do you need a more expensive chair?
Parting with thousands of dollars on a Herman Miller seems unnecessarily indulgent when you can purchase such a cost-effective alternative as the Sihoo M57.
Yes, I understand the Cosm is a statement piece, while the M57 isn’t. These chairs cater to very different crowds.
Still.
You can be reasonably well off financially and choose to sit in a Sihoo – because you’re saving for something far bigger – like a Porsche 911 GT3. But that’s a story for another day.
Tommy
Cody says:
Hi,
Do you know 9am HOME standing desks?
I want to know how about their desk.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Cody, I’ve never seen them before but I took a quick look for you and I’m 90% certain it’s another Jiecang desk. You can tell by the design of the feet and the lowest height (60cm). Desky, Omnidesk, Stand Desk are all pretty much the same.
Cody says:
Which one do you mean? Pesk or Robin series? I am interested in their Robin series, it looks unique and beautiful. I can’t find anyone like it in Desky.
Steven McConnell says:
I was talking about the Pesk Series. Robin series does look attractive and unusual, but I’m usually not a fan of tubular legs as they tend to be more prone to wobble. I can’t say whether this is the case in this instance, as I haven’t physically tested the desk myself. The 10 year warranty is reassuring, however. I wish they offered a risk-free trial to let you test out the legs!
Cody says:
Thank you very much, Steven; I will take your comments into consideration.
Erin says:
Do you know much about Kangadesks? There are Australian as well.
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Erin, its another Jiecang standing desk. Same as Desky, Omni, Stand Desk etc. The design of the feet and 60-125cm height range gives it away. The desk appears to currently be currently on sale for $299, which is an absolute steal and I’m wondering why they’re selling their stock at 1/3 of RRP. Regardless, even if they’re about to go bust, I’d still buy one at that price.
EDIT: Be careful. Fakespot showed these warnings while browsing their website: “Multiple eCommerce scam experiences detected, Poor customer service”
Suzy says:
Hi – given all the desks are so similar, is it possible to mix a desk from one brand with a drawer accessory from another? I don’t like the UpDown desk metal drawer (hangs very low so likely to impede leg space) but don’t mind the Desky one – can these be mixed and matched?
Thank you for the reviews! Super helpful.
Steven McConnell says:
Yes, it’s possible to play switcheroo. But you may want to consider that UpDown design is curved, so it will hurt less if you do jam your thighs into it. Desky’s meanwhile, is quite angular. Pro tip: you can also find a bunch of inexpensive slimline desk drawers on Amazon.
jason says:
I’ve spent far, far too much time agonising over which desk to get haha, definitely more than a week. Very happy that you’ve added the omni-desk to your catalogue. That was the one I was considering the most untill you came you with a review saying that it was more wobbly!
Anyways, do you have an opinion on the new updown desk KLIK Series? Its advertises to be significanlty ligher while having better (on paper) specs
Thanks!
Evelyn says:
Hi Steven, great blog post – thank you! I’m also wondering whether you have any opinion or insights on the new UpDown Desk KLIK series…they come at $100 more expensive (for the same size/table top) but seem to be ‘better’ according to the UpDown website.
Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Evelyn, thanks! I will have a full review of the KLIK up around February 2025. It’s not necessarily a better standing desk – but it is lighter, less bulky and promises easier assembly.
Ben Clements says:
Hi. I’m interested to know more about whether I actually could fit the Desky cable management system in the Omnidesk? I’ve had a look at the omnidesks in person at the showroom and it looks like their cable management trays screw on (vs the clip in at the edges of the desk with the Desky tray). The desky system also has the power plugs that snap into place in the tray.
So I’m curious to know if you have you tried it, and if so how did you do it please? Or is your thinking that you’d just buy the power boards and plugs from Desky and rest them in the Omnidesk tray?
I’m stuck, because I prefer the Omnidesks but I really love the idea of a single power lead!
Thanks
Steven McConnell says:
I just had a new Omnidesk delivered to my house. Give me about two weeks to assemble it, test it out and report back.
Sunni says:
Thanks for your very helpful (and funny) review. I used the information to to buy a Desky standing desk in record time – no consumer agonising for weeks, as is my usual practice. It has a pneumatic up/down mechanism, so lets see how that goes.
Steven McConnell says:
Ha! You’re welcome, Sunni. Glad I helped you cut down on the agonising. The pneumatic mechanism is an interest choice – let me know what you think of it?
Amber says:
Hi Steven,
Really great and insightful review. It was refreshing to see something that wasn’t filled with ChatGPT affiliate link garbage!
I’m curious about your opinion on L-shaped standing desks? I know that Desky, UpDown and a few other retailers offer these types of desks and I would assume they are more strong and stable, but I’m not an expert and I can also imagine the opposite being true due to the irregular shape. I’ve been looking at these types of desks because I think their shape suits my space the best. Do you have any knowledge on this or do you only have experience with regular rectangular shaped desks?
Steven McConnell says:
Thanks, Amber. Did you know that I have a L-shaped standing desk review? Search for “arielle best corner standing desks” and you’ll find it.
Melissa says:
Hi Steven great article thank you!
I’ve spent way to much time on this, and I’m now leaning towards the Artiss thanks to your review.
I’m wondering if you have any insight into ergonomic chairs for the home office also?
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Melissa, thanks! The Artiss is a great budget pick. I’ve written numerous ergonomic chair reviews – Google “arielle best ergonomic office chairs” to find them 🙂
tania says:
hey are there any other manual desks apart from the ikea ones you don’t recommend, that you would recommend? I prefer the idea of not needing electricity to move between stand up and sit down but maybe that doesn’t really exist?
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Tania, all of the premium brands (UpDown, Desky, etc) offer a manual crank model. Definitely the way to go if you want to avoid electronics. But TBH I suggest you reconsider. Electronics are very reliable these days – and hand-cranking your standing desk is more annoying than you’d expect.
Adam says:
Hi, do you know much about the UpDown Klik vs Pro system?
Steven McConnell says:
The company has shipped their new Klik standing desk to me yesterday. Stay tuned!
Scott Long says:
You mention in your review of the Up Down Pro that you would get the cable holes and grommets done, but it looks like your (very pretty) Messmate desk doesn’t have them. Is your recommendation a hindsight reflection, or did you choose not to spoil the look of the desk with the grommets? Without the grommets can you can still run the cables behind the desk and into the cable management tray? Cheers!
Steven McConnell says:
Scott, I said in the review that grommets and holes are a great idea, not that I have them. They’re less important if your standing desk faces a wall. But if you have an open-plan style home office like mine, they’ll make your workspace look much cleaner. PS You can still run cables into the tray without the holes and grommets – the cables will simply run behind the desk.
Isaac Jenkinson says:
Hello,
Have you had a chance to try the new UpDown Lyft model? Curious about its stability vs the pro.
Steven McConnell says:
Isaac,
Not yet. On first glance, it looks like a budget alternative to the “big brothers”. It’s probably pretty good (UpDown has a reputation to maintain), but I’m of the opinion that buying cheap means you pay more in the long term. I’d save up another few hundred bucks and get the Pro. You can often get a melamine or bamboo-topped model on sale for around $900.
David says:
This is a great site and will help me decide on which desk to buy. Have you heard any good/bad reviews about the Blacklyte Atlas Lite or Ergo-Rise II from BDO furniture?
Steven McConnell says:
David, thanks for the kind words. Never heard of the Atlas Lite until you mentioned it. Looks like a decent gaming desk that borrows heavily from Secretlab Magnus – but why not just buy a real Magnus instead?
As for the Ergo-Rise – looks like a decent desk, but its height controller is outdated. The best standing desk brands have upgraded to OLED controllers.
Ben says:
Thank you for writing this review Steven; really helpful to break through the BS.
By any chance have you used or hold an opinion on Vertilift desks?
Steven McConnell says:
You’re welcome. God, I haven’t even heard of them – but thanks for the heads-up. There are too many standing desks on the Australian market. Obviously I haven’t used these in person, but I’m almost certain they’re yet another Jiecang variant (i.e., frames are identical to Desky). You can tell by the identical max and min heights, as well as the design of the foot.
Eloise says:
Hey Steven, I was recommended the Alwyn or Octavia (Living Fusion) 140cm sit and stand desks from Temple and Webster which don’t even get a mention in your review. Would you bother with any of their brands ? (I may have dodged a bullet by finding your review!)
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Louise, I haven’t had first-hand experience with the T&W standing desk (must add one to my list!).
However, I had a look through the specs for you.
It doesn’t look too bad, actually – considering the price. If you can’t stretch your budget to ~$950 for an entry-level UpDown or Desky, this could be a good option.
Jordan says:
Hi Steven, Thanks for the review! I am starting out with a home office set up and need a new chair and sit stand desk. I’m a student but I prefer to buy things I know will last, but I don’t have too much experience with sit stand desks. I initially thought to buy the Artiss but have considered buying the Acacia UpDown Pro+ so I know it lasts and I don’t have to buy another desk in a couple of years. Is it worth the price jump for me? Thanks!
Steven McConnell says:
Hi Jordan, the Artiss and the UpDown desks sell at two very different price points. If you have the budget, I suggest you stretch to the UpDown standing desk – you won’t regret it.
jason says:
I know you’ve disqualified the flexispot e7 pro so the e7 max plus would probably also be disqualified, but a quad motor 4 column desk frame at a prices competitive with UpDown desk is incredibly tempting. Plus 15 year warrenty (if the company lasts that long)
Have you had a chance to take a look? Its like half the price of the desky quad!
Steven McConnell says:
Hey Jason, great observation. I haven’t included quad standing desks here because they’ve traditionally attracted a niche consumer – someone who needs to place a tonne of gear on the desktop and doesn’t mind paying 2X the usual price. But Flexispot’s sharp pricing on their quad desk certainly changes things. I haven’t seen one in the wild yet – but the specs look promising.
Steven