Sihoo’s Newest Mesh Chair Brings Excellent Ergonomics and Adjustability

Memory foam gaming chairs are facing increased opposition from mesh rivals. While many mesh options look more appropriate for offices, they are becoming common in gaming rooms. Manufacturers like Sihoo wisely target a wider audience with chairs built with this breathable material. The Doro C300 Pro has a futuristic design that enhances a gaming setup while offering the advanced ergonomics of the best office chairs.

The Doro C300 Pro is an evolution of the C300 we previously reviewed. Sihoo’s less expensive chair earned high marks for comfort, but the Pro boasts even more adjustability, like 6D armrests. When offered a chance to test the C300 Pro, I wondered how else Sihoo could improve on an overall impressive chair with a few nagging issues.

Packaging and Installation

The Sihoo Doro C300 Pro ships to buyers in a large, hefty cardboard box. Smaller parts like the wheels and gas lift are stored at the top of the packaging. The backrest and seat base are found below, well protected by molded cushioning. Solo installers shouldn’t attempt to move the parts collectively up a flight of stairs, as the box weighs more than 60 lbs.

Installing the Doro C300 Pro was a mostly frustration-free process. Sihoo does an admirable job of separating the screws and washers into individual sections in the installation kit. The manual describes nine steps, with large enough pictures to avoid time-consuming mistakes.

One advantage is that the tilt base is already attached to the bottom of the seat. However, the first step involves assembling the base with the provided leg tubes. Many chairs come with the base pre-assembled, but the premium chrome look of the base makes the effort worth it. The armrests, which unusually attach to the backrest rather than the seat base, also must be first connected to brackets.

The C300 Pro is quite heavy-duty, so elevating the seat base helps considerably when attaching it to the backrest. Fortunately, the backrest slides into a backplate to keep it in position, so one person can complete this step.

After fiddling a bit with screws and washers, the armrests were secured to the chair’s frame. The rest of the assembly was smooth sailing, which included positioning the adjustable headrest above the backrest. The total installation time was around 45 minutes, which is typical unless you purchase a pre-assembled Herman Miller chair.

Design

Available in white or black, the C300 Pro has futuristic styling appropriate for modern offices or for placing in front of gaming desks. Branding is minimal, with a subtle Sihoo logo on the back frame and a tag on the right side of the backrest. Its Y-shaped exposed frame makes the biggest statement when glancing at the backside of the chair. The lack of thick memory foam cushions leads to a sleek-looking piece of furniture.

Above the seat, the C300 Pro is divided into adaptable lumbar support, a backrest, and a headrest. The less squarish shape of the backrest and single-piece lumbar cushion make it appear less aggressive than the Sihoo Doro S100.

The chair includes a waterfall-shaped seat cushion, providing more support for dangling legs. As mentioned in our review of the C300, a common complaint with the less expensive version was the somewhat stingy width of its seat. With the Pro model, Sihoo has widened the seat base slightly and flattened its shape, making it feel more roomy for larger workers and gamers.

Silver accents on the wheelbase and below the armrests give buyers a taste of a luxury chair. Even though considerable hard plastic is used in its construction, there are no creaks or signs of shoddy craftsmanship when sitting in the C300 Pro.

Adjustments

Especially when significantly discounted, the C300 Pro is as advanced an ergonomic chair as you can find at its price point. The only component that lacks adjustability is the lumbar support, with other chairs like the Titan Evo having knobs to alter the pressure on lower backs. Instead, the cushion on the C300 Pro automatically shifts as postures change.

Despite all the available adjustments, occupants fine-tune the chair’s fit mainly through a single lever underneath the right side of the seat. Pushing the handle forward expands the seat depth up to about an inch. That may not seem impactful, but combined with the wider seat, the C300 Pro now accommodates more occupants.

Rotating the lever upwards raises or lowers the seat from 18.11 to 22.32 inches. Finally, moving the handle backward reclines the backrest from 105 to 135 degrees. I experienced the same issue with the S100, where the backrest seemed to get stuck fully reclined. Fortunately, I quickly pulled the handle backward again while resting all my weight on the backrest, and it sprung forward.

Although the lumbar support may remain mainly fixed, the entire backrest moves upwards and downwards from 44.72 to 50.91 inches. Consequently, even taller users can find a sweet spot for supporting their lower backs. The headrest is also more adjustable than often seen. Like the backrest, it can be moved upwards to suit shorter and taller owners. It also rotates as heads press against it, which is a nice touch, but does make a very loud clicking noise.

The C300 Pro’s 6D armrests are one of its more noteworthy features missing from similarly priced competitors. Of course, they can move up and down, but the armrests also slide back and forth and move inwards and outwards. More unconventionally, it’s possible to adjust their angle upwards to 35 degrees. However, because the armrests are affixed to the frame on the back of the chair, they are already highly adaptable. When reclining, the armrests move at the same angle as the backrest. If you enjoy reclining during evenings, that’s a definite advantage, as arm support feels more natural.

Sadly, the 6D armrests suffer from the common problem of moving too easily when brushed against. That’s more of a problem with the C300 Pro, because the added range of motion makes it challenging to remember a desired position. For whatever reason, manufacturers find it difficult to implement locking mechanisms on highly adjustable armrests.

Comfort

The C300 Pro’s extensive adjustments result in a more comfortable sitting experience. Still, how the mesh chair’s breathable material is received will affect overall impressions. Like most chairs in the category, the C300 Pro has a hammock-type feel, but with more support. It’s bouncy enough to put minimal pressure on joints, but sufficiently firm to encourage healthy postures. Without memory foam that loses its form over time, the C300 Pro is more likely to maintain its shape. The fabric also avoids being overly scratchy, even if it’s difficult to match the smoothness of PU leather.

Gamers accustomed to sitting in well-padded seats are the toughest audience to convert to mesh seat bases. Even so, with the sensation of being suspended in mid-air, hips, legs, and backsides never feel sore after spending long hours in the C300 Pro. The material’s porous nature has obvious benefits, especially in warm and humid climates.

Moving around in the C300 Pro, I had the impression that the entire chair was bending and flexing accordingly. This is especially apparent when reclining, which can be attributed to the chair’s Auto-Harmonic Tilt Design, a feature popularized by Herman Miller. With a wider seat base and armrests that move in every conceivable direction, the C300 Pro never felt overly confining. On the other hand, even after adjusting the seatback height and seat base, the lumbar support is noticeable when leaning backward. If buyers prefer more control over how lower backs are supported, they may opt for chairs that use pillows or knobs to adjust intensity.

Final Thoughts on the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro

The ergonomic gaming chair market is so crowded that it’s difficult for any contender to stand out. Nevertheless, the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro offers adjustments like 6D armrests typically only found on the priciest options. It has a sophisticated look that suits gaming setups and office spaces, plus it is built to withstand heavy use.

With the Pro model, Sihoo successfully addressed many of the C300’s drawbacks. A wider seat base with more adjustability makes the C300 Pro practical for larger and taller buyers. Its 300-lb weight capacity seems justified, and during testing, I had no reason to believe owners would have to rely on its three-year warranty.

Finding a perfect chair is impossible, and the C300 Pro has a few familiar annoyances, like armrests with minds of their own. The chair faces intense competition from office and gaming chair manufacturers at its regular price. However, with regular discounts, the C300 Pro’s ability to adapt to any sitting position gives it tremendous value.

The Sihoo Doro C300 Pro is not the only versatile ergonomic mesh chair at a mid-range price. We reviewed the Autonomous ErgoChair Pro and found it’s highly adaptable to any preferred posture. Also, unlike most mesh chairs, it offers a choice of a foam seat or alternate fabric backing. The AndaSeat X-Air Pro is newer to the market, but has features similar to those of the C300 Pro, adding an unusual customizable backrest. Finally, the Doro C300 is a budget alternative that small and medium-sized buyers should find as comfortable as the Pro version.

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FAQ

Q: What are the disadvantages of a mesh chair?

Some gamers prefer the more luxurious feel of chairs with thick memory foam backrests and seats. Also, mesh chairs can be more difficult to clean, with debris getting stuck in the porous mesh fabric.

Q: Do mesh chairs sag over time?

While mesh chairs generally hold their shape longer than memory foam alternatives, they aren’t immune to wear and tear. Mesh with less tension may eventually stretch and become less supportive.