We bought and tested every headrest on the market so you wouldn’t have to waste your money on the wrong one. Short on time? Read the summary →
After evaluating value, comfort, ergonomics, durability, and every detail that matters, the differences were shocking—most simply don’t deliver.
Here are the top 3 Aeron Chair headrests that actually earned their place:
Aeron Headrest Comparison – Engineered Now versus Atlas
Here’s a short evaluation with some photos to illustrate the difference between the four most popular headrests.
They are the
- Atlas Aeron Headrest
- Engineered Now Headrests
- PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrest H3
- Atlas Headrest (Enhanced)
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This review should provide more insight to buyers to understand some of the critical differences and know what to look out for.
The following comparison is for the graphite version of the Remastered Aeron Chair.
Note that this slightly differs from the Classic Aeron version, which was discontinued for several years.
Classic and remastered difference
Brand introduction
Engineered Now has been around for almost a decade and was the first to release a fully adjustable mesh headrest for the Classic Aeron chair. It is clear that the inventor placed great emphasis on durability, functionality and adjustability—qualities that align with the original design philosophy of the Aeron, which was built to adapt and fit a wide range of users.
PosturePilot is a specialist headrest manufacturer based in Taiwan. As dedicated headrest producers, they supply high-quality products to many brands and offer the option to customise the materials used in production. For the Aeron headrests, they specifically sourced premium resins from Germany—pure and newly produced rather than recycled. This ensures stronger structural integrity and reduces the risk of toxic off-gassing that can occur from impurities found in recycled plastics.
Atlas was founded by a former Herman Miller designer. Although the company started later than Engineered Now, they have since released a version featuring suspension mesh, making them a strong competitor in the market. As a result, the headrest matches the chair aesthetically.
Size difference
Engineered Now offers two sizes: the H3 and H4. The H4 is approximately 20% taller and larger.
PosturePilot is similar to Engineered Now but only comes in the smaller H3 size and is currently only available for the Remastered Aeron.
Atlas offers one size only. The headrest is notably large—even bigger than the H4.
Comparison photos
Atlas compare HR03
Atlas compare HR04
HR04 compare HR03
Some users have noted that the rear of the Atlas headrest protrudes outward. This can be a concern in tight spaces, as it increases the overall footprint of the chair. Although the Atlas does allow you to adjust the depth of how far the headrest extends, in practice, most users will likely push it all the way back. This is because the headrest is quite large and, if positioned too far forward, can push the head into an uncomfortable position.
Ergonomic Head Support
The neck carries the head, and the muscles that support it originate from the neck and shoulders. Although it is called a headrest, the primary support should be directed at the neck. This allows the neck and shoulder muscles to relax while the head remains supported.
Some users position the headrest against the back of their head, which can place strain on the neck over time.
The material should be fully breathable and not too rigid, to avoid trapped heat or pressure points that can cause discomfort. For this reason, mesh is the most suitable material for a headrest.
Support difference
PosturePilot and Engineered Now share a unique design advantage: full adjustability. This allows you to position the headrest exactly where your neck needs support.
The mesh has a slight give to it, and this is by design. Rather than being rigid, it gently contours around your neck, eliminating pressure points and providing comfort over long periods. The curved shape also cradles your neck securely, preventing your head from slipping off—perfect for those quick power naps at your desk. The mesh feels slightly springy, similar to the suspension mesh found on the Atlas.
For the HR04, the curve is more subtle.
The Atlas cushion is wide and substantial, though the surface is flatter. It features what they call suspension mesh—slightly springy, not unlike the H3/H4.
At first glance, the Atlas’s larger cushion raised some concerns: would it suit users with a more petite frame? Remember, the headrest should curve behind your neck, not your head. In this regard, the PosturePilot and Engineered Now designs have an advantage—their smaller cushion is more likely to fit snugly and provide proper neck support.
The H4 sits between the Atlas and H3 in size. It offers excellent adjustability but rests at a taller height. We recommend the H4 only for users 180cm (5’11”) and above.
The verdict: Both the PosturePilot/Engineered Now and Atlas headrests are excellent products. However, the PosturePilot/Engineered Now edges ahead slightly on ergonomics—thanks to superior adjustability and a design that fits more naturally behind the neck.
Adjustments Explained
The PosturePilot/Engineered Now headrest offers multiple points of adjustment to achieve the perfect fit:
- Depth: Rotate and swing the headrest forward or backward, then lock it into position with the lever.
- Height: Slide the headrest up or down along the bar to match your seated posture.
- Angle: Tilt the cushion to align with the natural curve of your neck.
- Tension: Fine-tune the resistance by tightening the screws inside the cap.
This level of adjustability ensures the headrest adapts to you—not the other way around.
The Atlas headrest also offers adjustability, though with some limitations:
- Depth: Push or pull the headrest into position.
- Height: Slide the headrest along the bar .
- Angle: Rotate the cushion to adjust the tilt.
Important note: The two adjustment knobs allow you to control the resistance—these are designed to adjust tension, not to lock the headrest in place. This is intentional, allowing you to easily reposition the headrest while seated without needing to unlock anything.
Because the Atlas is larger and protrudes significantly, most users prefer to keep it pushed all the way back.
In practice, this limits the usable range of the depth adjustment.
While the Atlas covers the essentials, its larger size means less flexibility in depth positioning compared to the PosturePilot/Engineered Now.
Which has better adjustability?
All three headrests—PosturePilot, Engineered Now, and Atlas—allow you to adjust depth, height, and angle. However, the PosturePilot and Engineered Now offer greater adjustability overall, with more room for depth adjustment.
Key advantages of the PosturePilot/Engineered Now:
- Free-flowing design: The headrest moves naturally as you tilt the chair, adapting to your position in real time.
- Adjust while seated: All adjustments can be made easily without getting up—ideal for finding the perfect position on the fly.
- More fitting: The smaller cushion allows most users to fit comfortably behind the neck to provide the adequate support.
What about the Atlas?
The Atlas does protrude further, which initially raised concerns about pushing the head too far forward.
Will the headrest blend well with my chair?
All the headrests should blend well with the chair.
A note on the photos below: The headrests may appear slightly different in colour, but this is due to lighting and editing variations. As you can see in our earlier comparison photos, they look nearly identical in person.
Which is more durable?
From statistics, Engineered Now and the PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrest seem to have fewer technical complaints. That’s after almost 2 decades of selling. Reports of them failing is rare or never heard of, so we think they are hard to beat. Some complain that the tension might slip, but that can be easily tightened back using simple tools. Overall, they feel slightly more solid in the gears and the pivoting points. The issue of the tension slipping may also happen on the Atlas, it’s hard to tell which will be worse, but we believe the PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrest, should fare a little better in overall durability. We use the same headrest for the classic Aerons and they are still good after a decade.
Both use Nylon frames. Nylon is a very hard material that doesn’t easily corrode and has some form of self-lubricating properties. The chassis of your Aeron chair is mainly made of Nylon. PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrestedges the best in the material as the resins are sourced from Germany which has less impurities.
But there are far more complaints of the mesh or the gasket lining failing in the Atlas Headrest. The gasket lining coming off can probably be solved by cutting it, and then pushing the gasket back in. Unfortunately, nothing can be done for damaged mesh. The mesh is a hardy material but it can be damaged when harsh detergent high heat was used to clean the mesh. This damage will also occur on the Aeron’s mesh. This is considered wear and tear. On the other hand, the Engineered Now and the PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrest don’t seem to have the same issues as they seem to have higher chemical resistance.
Not only that, the PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrest also has an even higher resistance to chemical damages due to the use of pure and new resins.
If you do prefer the Atlas design, we will suggest getting the Atlas Headrest (Enhanced) made by a Taiwan manufacturer which has a reinforced mesh design that could withstand more damage.
Which is easier to install?
Both are relatively easy to install.
Installation for the Engineered Now is easier because there is only one screw to tighten.
For the Atlas, there are a total of 4 screws to be installed.
What’s the PosturePilot Ergonomic Aeron Headrest H3?
PosturePilot H3 Ergonomic Aeron Headrest
It appears that the Engineered Now headrest patent has expired. As a result, imitation versions have flooded the market—most originating from China. We have personally tested at least 10 from different factories. The results were mixed: some had a strong toxic odour, others felt flimsy, and many were ill-fitting.
Why we chose PosturePilot:
The best quality we found came from Taiwan, believed to be the original OEM manufacturer. They have addressed several known issues with the design. While their headrests cost more than other replicas, we believe the quality justifies the price.
Our exclusive upgrade:
To take quality even further, we specifically import pure, newly produced resins from Germany for our headrests. Unlike the recycled plastics used in cheaper alternatives, these resins offer:
- Superior structural integrity – built to last longer
- Reduced risk of toxic off-gassing – no impurities found in recycled materials
This version is exclusively available from us.
PosturePilot vs Engineered Now – can you tell the difference?
In terms of quality and feel, we cannot distinguish between the PosturePilot H3 and the original Engineered Now headrest. See the comparison photos below and judge for yourself.
Design improvements on the PosturePilot:
- Cushion pads – reduce the chance of scratching your chair during installation
- Improved adjustment rod – allows for better locking and stability
- Scratch-resistant design – the least likely headrest to mark your chair
The PosturePilot includes several refinements that address previously known concerns—some of which users consider critical.
A note on design updates:
PosturePilot headrests come directly from the production line. The manufacturer may make amendments over time for improvements or necessary adjustments. While we cannot guarantee the design will always remain identical, any changes are intended to enhance the product.
Please note: All comparison photos on this page are original and belong to us. If you see them used elsewhere without authorisation, we recommend avoiding those sellers.
We notice a better finish on the frame—a closer match to the original chair. The mesh is almost identical and matches the Aeron chair perfectly.
What’s the Atlas Headrest (Enhanced)?
We received reports that some versions of the original Atlas headrest experienced mesh tearing. To address this, we sourced an improved version from a Taiwan manufacturer.
What makes this version better:
- Enhanced weave pattern – provides slightly more comfort and better head support
- Reinforced mesh construction – significantly extends the lifespan of the headrest
- Perfect aesthetic match – the weave pattern aligns seamlessly with the original Aeron mesh
Premium materials, not recycled plastic:
Our version is made from pure resin rather than recycled plastic. This matters because:
- Better structural integrity – pure resin maintains its strength over time
- Greater durability – less susceptible to deterioration from environmental or chemical exposure
- Safer for you – recycled plastics contain mixed materials that can degrade and release toxic fumes over time
Will the headrest void my warranty?
From the investigation video below, it seems that only if the headrest does structural damage to the chair or mechanism will it be considered voiding the warranty. This includes drilling into the frame to secure the headrest, which none of the headrests mentioned on our website does. This includes the Engineered Now and Atlas headrests attached to the chair by tightening a bolt mechanism to secure them.
The new PosturePilot Ergonomic Aeron Headrest H3 even have cushion pads to reduce scratches. It is hard to find evidence that that headrest was ever attached.
Summary
Here can find our grading assessment below.
PosturePilot Ergonomic Aeron Headrest H3 (Most ergonomic and highest score, highly recommended)
The PosturePilot Ergonomic Aeron Headrest fares the best in ergonomic, durability and material.
Not only that, the extra cushioning reduces the chance of the headrest scratching your chair.
Comfort: ★★★★★
Adjustability: ★★★★★
Ergonomics: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★
Material: ★★★★★
Durability: ★★★★★
This is the first fully adjustable headrest originally designed in the USA. It remains the most ergonomic in feature with its high adjustability.
Comfort: ★★★★★
Adjustability: ★★★★★
Ergonomics: ★★★★★
Design: ★★★★
Material: ★★★★
Durability: ★★★★★
This is the original Atlas manufacturer but we seem to have the highest defect rates among them. The problem with the design is it protrudes the head too forward and lack of adjustibility which makes it not as ergonomic as we expected
Comfort: ★★★★★
Adjustability: ★★★★
Ergonomics: ★★★★
Design: ★★★★★
Material: ★★★★
Durability: ★★
Atlas Headrest (Enhanced)
The Taiwan-made Atlas Headrest corrects some of the usual issue with a more resilient mesh.
The main issue with this design is it protrudes out a bit more and is not as adjustable.
Comfort: ★★★★★
Adjustability: ★★★★
Ergonomics: ★★★★
Design: ★★★★★
Material: ★★★★
Durability: ★★★★
SUM UP
The verdict:
These are the best headrests available for the Aeron chair—each with its own strengths. The PosturePilot/Engineered Now edges ahead in adjustability and ergonomics, making it ideal for users who want precise positioning and adaptive support. The Atlas takes the lead in design and material quality, offering a seamless aesthetic match for those who prioritise looks and premium construction.
Which is better? That depends on what matters most to you.
Ready to upgrade your Aeron? Browse the product pages below for full details. We ship to most countries FREE of charge.
PosturePilot H3 Aeron Ergonomic Headrest (Most Ergonomic)
Atlas Headrest Enhanced (Best design)
Before you go and you own or buying a Herman Miller chair, read the following.
You may want to check out the wheels also known as casters.
They are the easiest part to fail in the chair and we have found the BEST replacements that last much better. It’s of the same same, not the roller blade wheels that increases the height by an inch or more. An inch higher could cause your legs unable to reach the floor for support and strain your back and thighs.
Look at these photo of the wheels shedding.
Check out what’s the best you can get to replace here:
Made in Germany Premium Hard Casters