IKEA Pöang Chair Review
- Product:
- IKEA Pöang Chair (company site)
- What's Good:
- Strong, cheap (~$250 CDN), comfortable bounce.
- What's Bad:
- A little too reclined for working with a laptop.
When we moved into our new office last fall, I suddenly had a whole room to myself with plenty of space for a little lounge area. I had a nice coffee table to work with, but I needed some simple chairs that would be comfortable to work from with a laptop. The IKEA Pöang chairs have fit the bill nicely. If you're visiting our office come upstairs for a test-drive.
The obvious attractions of these chairs (as for most IKEA stuff) is the innate Scandavian sense of style and the cheap price. Their shape is really attractive and they're very functional. The wood frame has a nice natural give to it so you kind of bounce comfortably but not too much. The wide wood of the arms also hads the nice side effect of being the perfect shape upon which to place a coffee.
There's no IKEA near where we are, so I had my brother pick them up in Ottawa and drive them out here when he visited. As opposed to buying the cheaper Alm covers as requested (the one in the photo above), he picked up the more expensive grey canvas type covers. The extra expense was worth it as the chairs don't really feel like cheap IKEA furniture with the nicer fabric. I think the total cost with chair and cover (they're sold seperately) was about $250 each.
The covers are interchangeable and there are quite a few options to choose from including leather. We haven't had to yet, but I guess if something gets spilled on them (Garrity I'm looking at you) we could easily replace the cover without replacing the whole thing.
Overall, the chairs escape that feeling with some IKEA furniture that you pay for what you get. They feel like they'll last for quite some time and 8 months after they were purchased they still look like new.
My one complaint about the chairs is that they're slightly slung too far back to work comfortably with a computer on my lap. I find I have to lean my neck forward a little too much to see the screen. I guess they're not really office chairs, as such, so I shouldn't expect too much in this regard. That said, this complaint is only minor and I do frequently still start my morning working from one of the chairs.
In conclusion: great chairs, I'm very pleased. I'll reiterate my offer to come test-drive them for yourself here at our office.
Comments
Cyn - April 26, 2004 11:10 pm
Not good for putin' but great for reading and watching the tv.
Rob - April 26, 2004 11:58 pm
We nearly bought one of those last year when furnishing our apartment, but I hesitated because it looked so fragile. Does it feel secure? The unipod-leg snapping in the front isn't an active concern?
Daniel Burka - April 27, 2004 2:04 am
Seems strong so far guys. No shakes or wiggles at all. Sturdy as new. I'll update if they start to fail.
Will Pate - April 27, 2004 3:20 am
Sitting in the chair is one of my favorite perks of visiting the slicedome. They seem well suited to a conversation because you're reclined enough to be comfortable, yet still upright enough that your head is naturally on level with others.
Nicholas O'Leary - April 27, 2004 10:11 am
I've had a Pöang chair for about 2 years now, I highly recommend them. I definitely recommend getting the Pöang footstool as well - its makes working on the laptop much more comfortable, not to mention dozing in the afternoons.
Charlie - April 27, 2004 4:45 pm
Dan, don't forget that Rob puts a hell of a load on a chair, might be best for him to just stick with the floor ;)
Jenn - April 28, 2004 12:25 pm
I bought a Poang three years ago for my bachelorette pad. My boyfriend spends days on end crashing at my place. He's a 6'5" footballer who probably tips the scales at 285lbs. He throws himself in and out of the chair and each time I'm petrified it will snap. Hasn't yet!
Dave - April 12, 2006 11:33 am
Hi There. I finally assembled my chair. My whole familly has owned one at one time or another. It is so comfortable and lasts forever. I have had serious back problems before but work from this chair with laptop every night with no problems. I like it very much. get it!
Paul - January 23, 2008 4:13 am
how is the height on the back of these chairs? i'm about 6'1" and i like to rest my head on the back of the chair. otherwise, these chairs look pretty attractive.
Jim - February 26, 2008 2:33 pm
I just bought the chair and stool. It seems real nice and comfortable, however if in it for a few hours my lower back aches a little where the crossbar is located.
OP - April 7, 2008 3:17 pm
Can anyone comment on the durability of the footstool? I'm scared if someone sits on it, it will break, but it comes with a 25 year warranty, so it can't be that weak.