Today we will review in detail the Atlas Suspension Headrest, arguably, the best headrest for the Aeron ever created. The NonEssentialists will review each aspect of the headrest from appearance & build quality, features/adjustability, installation, and comfort. We will also discuss why you may want to have a head rest, and reasons why you may not. We want to make sure you understand the pros and cons of altering the Aeron.
What is the Atlas Suspension Headrest?
The Suspension Headrest is the new release from the manufacturer “Atlas.” Former Herman Miller employees are the masterminds behind Atlas . Both designers, Robert Beck & Dennis Foley conducted their R&D in a fashion they learned from their work at Herman Miller. The developing engineer holds 17 different patents with Herman miller and the designer worked side by side with both Bill Stumpf & Don Chadwick, the designers of the Aeron. The headrest was designed so well that Herman Miller said it is the only headrest they recommend for bid specs. It is also the only headrest that does not void the warranty on your chair.
The original Atlas was released in 2013, however, they were always working with suspension materials and knew that with the correct design it would evenly disperse head & neck support. It took them years of development, but as Joe Parr said, “the essence of the Aeron chair’s design is serving the human body, which we’ve obsessed over matching.” Joe was hired to help design a headrest that matches the Aeron’s seamlessly while offering the most comfortable option available. Continue reading to see how well they did!
Appearance & Build Quality
The new suspension headrest leaps above the competition in terms of appearance and design. It is the only headrest that looks like it belongs on the Aeron from the factory.
The first major difference between the Atlas Suspension and the competition is the mesh materials. The Engineered now H3/H4 are made with a similar mesh material. The biggest problem with these headrests is you don’t need to look too closely to realize that it is an aftermarket headrest. Second problem with the Engineered Now headrests is that they have a very unsightly mounting system that just looks clunky. The Aeron has a very clean minimalistic mid century modern design flare that doesn’t mesh well with these head rests.
What you get with the Atlas Suspension is a mesh material that almost flawlessly matches the “Pellicle” material used on the Aeron. The pattern on the headrest is almost an exact match for the pattern on the Aeron itself. This fact makes this headrest the only choice, in my opinion. You also get a design that is much more in touch with the original Aeron’s. Softer curves and no thick plastic hinges here. Nothing but sleek curved metal used to slide the headrest back and forth as well as up and down.
Some people have asked me if my hair ever gets stuck in the mesh, and I can say no. The quality of the mesh is on par with “Pellicle” and feels at home and equally as comfortable. Not only does the suspension material have good build quality, but the whole headrest is done perfectly. The color of the plastic matches the coloring perfectly and feels sturdy. The way in which the position adjustments glides feels perfectly engineered.
Atlas Suspension Headrest 
Atlas Suspension Headrest
Features
What I love about the new Suspension headrest is the simplicity of it. The key features of the new Suspension headrest is that the material resembles the actual Herman Miller “Pellicle” almost perfectly, not just in appearance but in a comfort aspect as well. It is not too taut to feel cheap and uncomfortable. However, it is just loose enough that when you lay your head on it it sinks in and feels like it is floating in the material. It is a really nice feeling to be able to lean back while on a long phone call and relax without your neck getting warm or sweaty. Other than this particular material and the design, it only features a few simple adjustments.
Adjustability
This is where Atlas really got the headrest right. They only allow you to slide the headrest forwards and backwards as well as up and down. You don’t have to keep fiddling with different angles or anything else to get the right fit. The shape of the headrest once at the right vertical & horizontal position takes care of the rest. Very easy to set and forget once you screw the tension screws down to prevent any further sliding.
Atlas Headrest Height Adjustment 
Atlas Headrest Depth Adjustment
Ease Of Installation
If I am able to install this with ease, then I am confident that anyone can. I am probably one of the least “handy” guys out there when it comes to putting things together. All you have to do is slide the headrest onto the back of the Aeron and screw down a clamp with the included allen wrench. Once the headrest is attached and tightened on, you can screw on the cover that covers the headrest attaching to the mount. All in all it takes 5 minutes or less, and no tools are required!
Comfort
You may have been able to tell by how I have spoken about this headrest, but I believe it is the best addition you can give an Aeron. When you lean back to take a few minutes to think, or to answer a longer phone call, there is no place more comfortable to rest your head than on one of these new suspension headrests.
Also, with the prominent rise of laptops, more and more people are resorting to leaning over. The average head is approximately 8 lb. and causes strain on your neck on top of putting pressure on spinal disks. Surprising to most, the average office workers spend nearly 1,800 hours in their office chairs, this is a problem that is widespread. Some people may suggest reclining back, however, you still have to balance your head in a different manner, see the picture below for an example of what this looks like.
However, if you have the Atlas Suspension, it allows your neck to relax since the design is built to support the weight of the head while forming a healthy cervical curve for your neck. This results in the the Aeron and Atlas Suspension combo to support your spine in a similar neutral position to standing.
One of the biggest problems I have with headrests is that it is difficult to wear my HD800s while reclined. As a big audiophile, my headrest has to allow me to use headphones of different shapes and sizes. I can report that while it doesn’t work perfectly for the largest of headphones like my Audeze LCD2CC & HD800, it still gets the job done. For my head size/shape, I was able to get comfortable and lean back to listen to some music and clear my mind or read a book especially with smaller over the ear cans.
. 
Why You Want A Headrest
Depending on what you do, there are a number of situations where it would make sense for you to invest in a headrest. For me, I often recline in my chair when I am on the phone. In some cases, between working on projects to take a second to relax and gather my thoughts. However, these are not the only activities where individuals often recline and would benefit from a headrest.
For individuals who spend a great amount of time reading, listening to music, or typing often lean back while working. However, headrests are not designed to be used all of the time. Most people actually work sitting up, or even leaning forward, so don’t think that you constantly need to be using it.
For those using a headrest while sitting up, it can help remind you to not hunch over causing you to scrunch your shoulders increasing the pressure on your back. Comfortable head rests can help remind you to keep your head up and have good posture can help reduce back, neck and shoulder pain.
The Main Reason You Don’t Need A Headrest
One of the key reasons to not get a head rest is if you are the type of person who doesn’t like to recline while working. If you prefer to keep an upright posture, you will find that you will rarely use the headrest. While it may be beneficial when you do decide to twist your adjuster and allow yourself to recline, if this only happens once or twice a day for a minute or two, there are probably better things for you to spend your money on as the base Aeron itself is quite comfortable to lean back in.
Are There Any Alternatives?
There are a handful of alternatives to the new Atlas Suspension headrest, however, I cannot personally recommend them over the Suspension however feel free to use them as guidance for further research before making your final decision.
The first competitor for the Suspension headrest, is the original cushion headrest from Atlas. While it has been considered the premier headrest by multiple other reviewers, the new Suspension will likely take over the title as it becomes more popular. It is however, less expensive. Not only that, but you can get it in both a very comfortable cloth, but also leather. This is really your only option if you want a quality cloth/leather headrest for the Aeron.
Your second alternative is the Engineered Now H3/H4 systems. These were the main offerings before Atlas stormed the Aeron aftermarket scene. With that being said, I believe their design doesn’t mesh well with the Aeron’s simple and curvy lines. The functionality is fine, you can even tilt these headrests. The problem comes from the fact that the mesh doesn’t match and the aesthetics don’t go with the Aeron. The adjustability of the Suspension headrest is superior despite it being limited to two axis.
Recent Comments