ProtoArc EC100 ergonomic chair review

The ProtoArc EC100 is an ergonomic office chair designed for all-day comfort without breaking the bank. I’ve had the opportunity to review the best chairs for years, and many of them are getting expensive. ProtoArc, while I didn’t know them very well before this chair, has created a quality chair that is easy to set up, comfortable, and good-looking for the more palatable cost of just under $200.

ProtoArc’s focus for the EC100 is lumbar support, breathability, and a great cushion, all in a budget chair far more accessible than some bigger-named companies we’ve reviewed in our round-up of the best office chairs.

ProtoArc EC100: Price and Availability

The ProtoArc EC100 has excellent build quality for a mere $189 and is sold on Amazon, ProtoArc’s website, and a handful of other retailers. ProtoArc runs occasional discounts.

At the time of review, the red and black colorways were sold out, but the grey option is still available (as you’ll see in the photos since I have the grey color).

Lastly, the EC100 comes with ProtoArc’s fair but not amazing two-year warranty and a 30-day return policy.

ProtoArc EC100: Unboxing & first impressions

The ProtoArc EC100 was an effortless and straightforward assembly. It took around 20 minutes to complete, and the parts were clearly labeled.

Everything was neatly packed in the box, so nothing got damaged in transit, and every piece felt well-built, making me feel confident that this chair wouldn’t just break right away.

My first impression of this chair was that it was a good mix between premium and budget. It has a sturdy base, quality parts, and a decent design. It fits the design language of other ergonomic office chairs I have tested. Further, after assembly, none of the pieces bolted together felt loose, which is another good sign of a quality design. The mesh back is lightweight and highly breathable, which I love, and the seat cushion is relatively thick and well-padded.

ProtoArc EC100: Design & build quality

One of the best things about the ProtoArc EC100 is that I can recommend it as a great option to most people. This is partly because of the budget-friendly price tag and partly because this chair is designed for individuals 5’3″ – 6’5″ with a weight range of 90lbs to 280lbs. That’s a huge range I’m not sure I’ve seen before.

While in use, the sturdy and high-quality frame is sleek and provides the support needed. The EC100’s mesh back is breathable, keeping users cool during the day and helping cut back on getting sweaty while cocooned into an old leather-style chair.

The cushion has a spring enhancement, providing better pressure distribution, according to ProtoArc. I like to see it as feeling like there is support to my support, providing a comfortable seat, but also feeling like I’m not going to sink into memory foam or a soft cushion — it feels like I have something holding me up as well. ProtoArc also claims that this spring-enhanced seat cushion provides better pressure distribution, making you feel more comfortable for longer. Pairing this with another feature that ProtoArc boldly proclaims is the Ergonomic S-shaped backrest, which is supposed to help with spine alignment. Lastly, add those features to the 7-position armrest, and you get a highly customizable, ergonomically comfortable, built-for-all chair at a great price, too.

ProtoArc EC100: In use

My team and I have had this chair in our rotation since September 2024. Yes, that’s been a while. However, this chair has worked its way around and into the perfect desk setup for this kind of chair. Since this chair is highly flexible, I wanted to pair it with an equally flexible desk since it is highly adaptable. So, I paired it with a desk that works as a hot desk right now, easily able to run any computer setup or even frequently running an iPad Air setup.

This chair is frequently used by individuals who are around 5’5″ and are under 150lbs and those who are above 6 feet and are just over 200lbs. What’s impressive about this chair is that it feels (or so I am told) just as comfortable to both ends of the spectrum. The lumbar support is firm but not too firm, the seat cushion is relaxed, and the armrests are nice and adjustable. However, one thing I have noticed is that the seat cushion is comfortable, but it is less breathable than if you have full-mesh chairs. If you run pretty warm during the day and want something to help keep you cool, this can do it for your back, but it may be too warm for your… lower half of your body…

Another thing we noticed compared to other chairs is that while many can choose where to click into place at a few options while reclining back, this chair can only sit up, lay back, or have tension in between, with no other locking positions. Most of the time, this is fine, and we don’t notice, but in the few times one of us has wanted to lock it back, it’s a bummer that we only have two options.

ProtoArc EC100: Final verdict

The ProtoArc EC100 is a budget-friendly ergonomic chair designed to fit a wide range of heights and weights while staying comfortable and adjustable. While it’s not perfect, it’s a fantastic option for those who need a chair for a hot-desk situation, want a chair for their home office, or if you are simply in the market for a chair and don’t want to break the bank.

For more office essentials, we’ve tested the best standing desks you can get right now.