Branch Ergonomic Chair vs Pro: Which Should You Buy?
The Pro has 14 adjustment points to the standard chair’s 8, and it costs roughly a third more at Branch direct.
Branch sells two ergonomic chairs under nearly the same name, and the price gap between them is the first detail most buyers notice. The standard Ergonomic Chair has 8 adjustment points, 3D arms, and a lumbar support that moves up and down. The Pro has 14 adjustment points, 5D arms, and a lumbar that moves in height and depth. Both lumbars are removable.
Both chairs carry a 7-year warranty and a 275-pound weight capacity, and both hold a 4.0 out of 5 in their full SeatedLab reviews. The purchase decision therefore rests on whether the Pro’s extra controls justify the extra money for the way you sit.
Seat depth does not separate them. Branch lists a seat-depth adjustment on both chairs, though it does not publish the travel range for either one.
Buy the standard Ergonomic Chair if 8 adjustment points and a height-adjustable lumbar cover what you need. It has the lower price at both retailers and shares the Pro’s warranty and weight capacity.
Buy the Pro if you want deeper lumbar and arm control, or a forward seat tilt. Buyers over 5’11” also get Branch’s tall cylinder option.
Choose the Standard Chair or the Pro?
Choose the standard chair if you…
- Want the lower price of the two
- Are comfortable with 3D arms (height, width, pivot) and a lumbar that adjusts in height only
- Have no use for a forward seat tilt
Choose the Pro if you…
- Want a lumbar that adjusts in depth as well as height
- Want 5D arms, which add pad width and depth
- Want a forward seat tilt, or a tall cylinder for heights over 5’11”
Standard Chair vs Pro at a Glance
| Spec | Branch Ergonomic Chair | Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $369 Branch direct / $389 Amazon | $499 Branch direct / $499 Amazon |
| Adjustment points | 8 | 14 |
| Arms | 3D (height, width, pivot) | 5D (arm width, height, pad width, depth, pivot) |
| Lumbar | Height-adjustable, fixed firmness, removable | Two-way adjustable (height and depth), fully removable |
| Forward seat tilt | Not listed | Yes |
| Tall cylinder option | Not listed | Yes, for users over 5’11” |
| Seat depth adjustment | Yes (range not published) | Yes (range not published) |
| Weight capacity | 275 lbs | 275 lbs |
| Warranty | 7 years | 7 years |
| Dimensions and weight | 25″W x 24″D x 38-42″H, 42 lbs | 42 lbs; dimensions not listed |
| SeatedLab rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
How They Compare
The Standard Chair Costs Less at Both Retailers
At Branch direct the Pro costs roughly a third more than the standard chair. On Amazon the gap is a little smaller, because the standard chair is priced slightly higher there. Branch direct is the primary buy path for the standard chair, and the Pro is priced the same at both retailers.
The extra money buys six more adjustment points and two more arm axes. It also adds a second lumbar direction and a forward seat tilt. Warranty length and weight capacity do not change, so the premium pays for adjustability alone.
14 Adjustment Points Against 8
The point count is the widest gap on the spec sheet, and most of the added points sit in the arms and the lumbar. The Pro also adds a forward seat tilt, and Branch offers a tall cylinder for users over 5’11”. No matching option is listed for the standard chair.
Both chairs adjust seat depth, according to Branch. Branch does not publish the travel range for either chair, so seat depth is not a point of difference between them.
3D Arms vs 5D Arms
The standard chair’s 3D arms move in height, width, and pivot. The Pro’s 5D arms add pad width and depth, which give more control over where the arm pad sits under the forearm.
Height Only vs Height and Depth
The standard chair’s lumbar adjusts in height and has a fixed firmness. The Pro’s adjusts in height and depth. Both lumbars are removable, so depth adjustment is the difference. Depth adjustment changes how far the support presses into the lower back, which a height-only design cannot do.
The concept behind these controls is covered in Office Chair Lumbar Support, Explained.
Same Rating, Same Coverage
Both chairs are rated to 275 pounds and carry a 7-year warranty. Branch lists the standard chair at 25″W x 24″D x 38-42″H and 42 lbs. Buyers near or above the weight rating should look at chairs built for higher capacity, such as those in Best Office Chairs for Big and Tall.
Final Verdict
The two chairs share a warranty and a weight rating, and both score 4.0 out of 5 in their reviews, so the choice is adjustability against price.
Choose the standard chair if…
The lower price matters and the standard chair’s 8 adjustment points fit you.
Choose the Pro if…
You want deeper lumbar and arm control, or a forward seat tilt.
Buyers on a tighter budget can start with the standard chair. Buyers who already know that a height-only lumbar or 3D arms will fall short of their fit should go straight to the Pro.
Keep Reading
- Branch Ergonomic Chair Review. The full review of the standard chair
- Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro Review. The full review of the Pro
- Branch Ergonomic Chair vs Branch Verve. The standard chair against Branch’s Verve
- Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro vs Branch Verve. The Pro against Branch’s Verve
- Branch vs Steelcase Series 1. The standard chair against a Steelcase at a higher price
- Branch Pro vs Steelcase Series 2. The Pro against a mid-tier Steelcase
- Best Office Chairs. The full guide to ergonomic chairs at every price