What type of driver are you?
Do you like to adjust every setting, shift the gears yourself, and feel every bump in the road? Or, like most drivers today, do you lean toward the ease and convenience of an automatic?
With many years of experience in the industry, our National Sales Manager in New Zealand, Andy McRobbie, has noticed a parallel between cars and office chairs. Just like choosing between a manual and automatic, your ideal office chair often comes down to how much control you want and how hands-on you like to be.
Some people want to customise every aspect of their desk chair and lock in their ideal position. Others prefer a chair that moves with them, automatically adjusting to every stretch.
At Buro, we take the time to understand how you work so we can support you throughout your workday. So, let’s take a look under the bonnet moulded foam seat at two popular chair mechanisms — three lever vs synchro chairs — to help you find your perfect match.
Ergonomic chair mechanisms: what they are and why they matter
While the technology varies across models, chair mechanisms control how your chair moves. Essentially, the right mechanism helps your chair work with your body, not against it.
But just like with cars, there’s no single “best” option when it comes to ergonomic chair mechanisms — it all comes down to what you want.
Three-Lever
Synchro Mechanism
The three-lever mechanism is like driving a manual car
With a three-lever chair, you can adjust the seat height, seat tilt, and backrest tilt independently, which is great if you like to fine-tune every detail. Set your chair into the perfect position, then leave it be.
Not sure if this is you? Think about your ideal car. Do you enjoy the driving experience of shifting gears and making adjustments? If so, you might be a three-lever chair adjustment type.
(Want the skinny on levers, mechanisms and more? Our blog on ergonomic office chair adjustments breaks it all down.)
The Buro Roma Three-Lever High Back is fully customisable and offers a soft padded seat; an extremely popular model that will get you through a long workday in style and comfort.
If you’re on the shorter side, the smaller back height of the Buro Roma Three-Lever Mid Back might make it a better fit.
Go automatic with synchro mechanism
Here’s the catch: many users don’t know how to adjust all three levers correctly. And if a three-lever chair adjustment isn’t set up well, it won’t provide the support it’s designed for.
That’s where the benefits of a synchro mechanism chair come in:
- Effortless support. The seat and backrest tilt together to follow your body’s natural movement. Just set the height and seat slider, then let the chair do the rest.
- Intuitive movement. It responds as you shift, stretch, or lean throughout the day, providing support without constant adjustments.
- Posture-friendly all day. Start upright in the morning and shift to a more relaxed position by afternoon? No problem. The synchro mechanism moves with you.
- Less mental load. Just like driving an automatic car, synchro chairs take one thing off your mind, freeing you up to focus on the work that matters.
What is the best ergonomic chair mechanism?
If you value customisation and control (and love a good gearbox), a three lever might suit.
If you want simplicity and comfort, the synchro mechanism shines. It’s slightly more expensive, but easier to use without the need for ongoing manual adjustments.
So, which one is more popular? Well, the Buro Roma 3 Lever High Back is our best-selling chair, but Andy McRobbie (National Sales Manager and creator of the car-chair analogy) has noticed that when demonstrating both types of chairs, about 70 percent of the time, customers prefer the natural movement that a synchro chair provides.
The Buro Elan is a synchro superstar, promoting active sitting and better posture without you needing to give it a second thought.
There’s the Buro Mentor, whose Dynamic Intelligence™ seating technology lets this chair intuitively respond to your weight and organic movement.
The Buro Mantra is built for focus and comfort, with a breathable mesh back, soft foam seat, and a synchro mechanism that adapts as you work.
An ergonomist weighs in on the three-lever vs synchro chair debate
Ergonomist Andrew Wilson has worked closely with Buro since 2018, and two things stand out to him. “First, the seats on the Buro Metro, Buro Metro II and the Buro Roma are the most comfortable seats I have ever seen in a commercial range of office seating.”
Second? Synchro chairs are making significant gains, especially newer models that use weight-sensitive mechanisms.
“The Buro Dynamic Intelligence™ mechanism in the Buro Mentor is a design breakthrough. Finally, the synchro chair is reaching its full potential.”
The Buro Dynamic Intelligence™ mechanism in the Buro Mentor is a design breakthrough. Finally, the synchro chair is reaching its full potential.
While three lever chairs offer a wide range of adjustments for people with particular postural needs, users need to have a strong understanding of ergonomics and the motivation to set their chair up correctly. Otherwise, you need a staff member with the know-how and willingness to help everyone else with their settings.
Newer synchro chairs, on the other hand, automatically adjust to the user’s weight and movement, which promotes good posture and leads to less joint pain, muscle fatigue, and better circulation.
Need help choosing?
Whether you’re a hands-on manual type or ready to cruise in comfort with a synchro mechanism, the key is finding a chair that supports how you move, focus, and work best.
Our team is here to guide you. Get in touch to find your perfect fit or explore our full range of ergonomic chair mechanisms to see what drives your comfort and performance.
