My In-Depth NouHaus Review: Premium Furniture Designed for Comfort
As someone who has tested over 2000 office chairs, sofas and massage seats in my career, I‘m always on the lookout for quality brands that deliver exceptional comfort and support. Having struggled with back pain for years from cheap furniture, I researched NouHaus extensively before purchasing several pieces over six months ago.
So far, their emphasis on ergonomic design and customization has exceeded my expectations and relieved many of my aches and pains. Below is my hands-on NouHaus review after half a year of regular use.
Overview of NouHaus as a Brand
Founded in 2015 in California, NouHaus is a relatively young player focused specifically on premium seating. They manufacture all products in the USA and sell directly to consumers online. This allows them to offer high-end chairs, massage seats and modular sofas at prices up to 50% below competitors.
NouHaus carries over 100 different models organized into five categories:
Office Chairs – Featuring unique lumbar support systems and breathable mesh backs to promote airflow and comfort during long work days. I currently use the Ergo3D model (reviewed in-depth below).
Living Room – Modern and mid-century style sofas, sectionals, recliners and lounge chairs made with genuine top grain leather or fabric. All hand-assembled in Los Angeles.
Massage Chairs – Innovative massage chairs and ottomans with customized massage settings, heating and integrated Bluetooth speakers. My father owns the NouHaus Classic massage chair I‘ll be reviewing.
Bedroom – This newer category has adjustable bed frames, platform beds, mattresses and upholstered headboards. Just launched in 2021.
Gaming – Targeting esports enthusiasts and gamers, these chairs have racing-style designs and support up to 400 pounds. I don‘t currently own a Nouhaus gaming chair.
With free shipping in the US, a 100 night trial period and up to 12 year warranties, the brand clearly stands behind their workmanship. Next, I‘ll share my experience with two of their most popular items.
My NouHaus Ergo3D Office Chair Review
As someone working from home full-time since 2020, having an ergonomic office chair is mandatory for my back health. However, as a 6‘2" 205lb male, I need something larger than average that‘s still comfortable to sit in 8+ hours daily.
After almost two years of trial-and-error with various cheaper chairs that didn‘t fit right or provide adequate adjustability, I took the plunge and invested in the NouHaus Ergo3D Office Chair.
The NouHaus Ergo3D Office Chair in black leather
Why I Chose the Ergo3D
In my experience testing office seating, mesh-backed chairs tend to provide the most breathability and comfort for all-day sitting. The Ergo3D chair combines three key features I require:
- Adjustable Lumbar Support – A manual dial controls variable air pressure pads that conform to your lower back. This alleviates discomfort from poor posture.
- 135° Back Tilt – Rare ability to recline nearly flat for naps or to stretch the upper back. Locking positions at 45°/90°/135°.
- 3D Armrests – Easily slide armrests in any direction to perfectly align wrists and shoulders while typing.
It also works well for taller individuals with an ample 21.3" seat width and quality construction to support over 300 pounds. Assembly took me less than 30 minutes with the included tools.
Using the Ergo3D Daily
After five months of heavy use for 50+ hour work weeks, the Ergo3D holds up incredibly well. The mesh back remains taut and encourages good posture that you tend to forget about over time. Dialing in the lumbar support took some trial and error but makes a noticeable difference. I also tilt back during meetings or to take pressure off while reading reports.
The smooth-rolling casters work nicely on both hardwood flooring and carpet without catching. I prefer harder wheeled chairs and the base seems very sturdy so far. My only complaint is that the adjustable headrest doesn‘t stay locked in quite as tightly over time. A small issue for such customizable support.
Is the NouHaus Ergo3D Worth the Money?
At $399 (or $339 on sale currently), this chair costs a fraction compared to equivalents from Herman Miller or Steelcase that can run $1000+. If you require serious lumbar and posture support, the Ergo3D is absolutely worth considering. NouHaus cuts costs by selling direct-to-consumer and controls quality with U.S.-based manufacturing.
For me, the returns and warranty policy heavily factored into purchasing such an important chair unseen online. I‘m glad to report that after six months of rigorous use, it still looks and functions like new. My back pain has also noticeably improved after upgrading from my cheap Staples chair.
Reviewing the NouHaus Classic Massage Chair
To complement my Ergo3D office chair for work, I also convinced my parents to buy the NouHaus Classic massage chair for their home theater room. My dad in particular suffers from chronic back issues and needs effective relief. Here are his impressions after two months of ownership:
The NouHaus Classic Massage Chair in vintage leather
What We Liked About the Classic
As far as comfort, it fully reclines to a nearly flat 170 degree angle with an extending leg rest. Rare for a chair priced under $3000. My dad often falls asleep in it watching TV after a long massage session.
It also has a detachable pillow and lumbar heating pad. Combine that with the already generous cushions and it eliminates any pressure points. I tried it myself and was amazed how it nearly cradled my whole body.
We chose the upholstered vintage leather for an upscale look. Beautiful quality and seamwork that still seemed new after heavy daily use. All the tactile buttons were intuitive and tapping the zones starts or stops massages in that targeted area.
Massage Performance
Both my parents don‘t have experience with professional massages, so they can’t compare it directly. However, the chair offers very comprehensive coverage through the calves, back, neck and shoulders simultaneously.
The roller balls will detect trigger points and focus pressure there until releasing tension. My mom’s favorite feature is the adjustable width shoulder massage that perfectly hits either side of her lower neck. Something she hasn’t found in other chairs.
It comes programmed with three preset massages targeting different muscle groups plus full body relaxation. Each can be further personalized by tweaking direction, speed and width to your liking. My dad fine-tuned a lower back routine that gives better relief than his semi-weekly chiropractor.
Final Impressions: An Incredible Value Proposition
Costing hundreds or even thousands less than comparable models, the NouHaus Classic massage chair punches well above its weight class while retaining USA-based craftsmanship.
Between the generous warranty, risk-free returns and sheer effectiveness helping my dad’s back pain, this was an exceptional purchase for the money. It has quickly become my parents’ favorite piece of furniture by far. I give it my highest recommendation if you want an affordable, full-featured massage chair.
NouHaus Furniture: Quality Materials & Construction
A common theme across all NouHaus seating is the meticulous attention to detail with premium components and hand-assembled craftsmanship. Here are some standout aspects of their production process:
Steel Frames – The alloy steel used on chair and sofa frames meets or exceeds BIFMA standards for durability and weight capacity. This rigid base prevents sagging over years of use.
Leather & Fabrics – Only top-grain Italian leathers and solution-dyed synthetic fabrics resistant to fading are utilized for upholstery covers. Double-reinforced seams surpass 50,000 wear cycle testing.
Foam Cushions – High resiliency polyurethane and memory foams contour to your body profile. NouHaus engineers each density, thickness and layering order for ideal comfort and longevity.
This quality shines through across all product lines with very few defects reported even on cheaper models. Upholstery stands up to pets, kids and high traffic environments. If anything fails prematurely, their 5-12 year warranties have you covered.
Customization Available – Don‘t see your perfect fabric or color? NouHaus offers over 65 material types and frame finish options at no added costs. White glove delivery also includes professional assembly in your home.
Unboxing & Delivery Experience
Normally buying furniture sight unseen online worries me, especially large pieces like sectional sofas. However, NouHaus clearly outlines what to expect at each step from ordering to unboxing:
Order Confirmation – Choose white glove delivery at checkout for $199 flat fee anywhere in the continental USA. This was affordable for a large sectional. Otherwise standard ground shipping is free.
Assembly & Quality Checks – Their Los Angeles warehouse hand assembles and runs quality assurance testing before meticulously packing each order. All hardware and tools are included if you prefer self-assembly.
Curbside Delivery – 3rd party freight partners notify you for a 4 hour arrival window. They‘ll place items in your room of choice or garage for inspection before accepting delivery.
In-Home Setup– Optional for $89 flat fee regardless of order size, the delivery crew will unwrap, assemble in place and remove all packaging if desired. I chose this for my elderly parents.
The entire process took about two weeks from order to delivery, a bit faster than the stated 1-3 weeks. Everything arrived safely in pristine condition and setup went smoothly. NouHaus also followed up directly to confirm satisfaction.
Returns, Warranties & Other NouHaus Policies
Ordering furniture online flies in the face of traditional showroom experiences. But NouHaus comforted me by offering generous trial periods and Ironclad warranties rarely found from discount websites. Here‘s a overview:
100 Night In-Home Trial – After receiving your items, you have 100 nights to test NouHaus products in your environment. If unsatisfied for any reason, returns pickups are free in the continental USA.
Up to 12 Year Warranties – All chair/sofa frames have 10-12 year structural warranties and individual components like lumbar pads, casters and electronics get 2-5 years. Covers defects plus normal wear items like cushions.
My NouHaus office chair frame for example gets 12 years coverage. If anything fails prematurely, replacements parts ship quickly direct from their California warehouse. Companies offering this level of support believe in their quality.
There are some limitations though:
- Used products not in resalable condition may get 15% restocking fees. Inspect immediately and repack carefully if returning.
- Custom furniture orders are non-returnable. Suggest ordering swatches first.
- Warranties don‘t cover damage from improper use like standing on chairs repeatedly.
But protection for materials and workmanship defects remains very generous, especially at these affordable price points. NouHaus clearly wants customers for life by standing behind every piece.
Final Recommendation After 6 Months of Daily Use
I‘m tough on seating – putting chairs and sofas through hours of use daily by my entire family. That‘s why after testing budget options for years, investing in quality became a requirement for my home office and living spaces.
The NouHaus designs better supported my large frame and back pain issues. Their meticulous construction also resisted signs of wear despite frequent use by my wife and kids.
Moreover, the brand genuinely seems to value customer loyalty – offering customization options at no extra charge and policies like 12 year warranties rarely seen today.
If you want seating that stands the test of time with premium materials and made-to-last workmanship I wholeheartedly recommend NouHaus. Just be sure to measure your spaces carefully when ordering!
