Hbada E3 Pro ergonomic chair review

The Hbada E3 Pro Ergonomic office chair is not just made for a little sit. Oh no, it is designed to provide comfort and support for extended periods, whether you're working or gaming - though of course, it's still good at those little sits too. After all, "sit well, stay healthy" is Hbada's mantra.

Released in September 2021, the E3 Pro originally cost $709.99, but has had what appears to be a permanent reduction to a more comfortable $509.99 price. This chair may seem like a decadent expense, but unlike a lot of the other so-called "ergonomic" chairs out there, it offers both decent lumbar support and a great footrest. It even comes in pink! That alone isn't enough to earn a spot on our best gaming chair guide but combined with all its other brilliant features it is.

This isn't Hbada's highest-tier office chair, as that honor goes to the E3 Ultra. However, the differences between the two are quite subtle, despite the pronounced $664.99 price gap. The main difference is that the E3 Ultra has 360° mechanical armrests instead of 6D armrests. But other than that, both chairs have an "auto gravity-sensing chassis" and high elasticity cushions (and of course, both are still very comfortable). The E3 Pro manages to tick almost all of the same boxes, but without the price tag soaring too high.

Specs

Assembly

The Hbada E3 Pro Ergonomic Office Chair was waiting on my doorstep after I returned from a very rainy trip to Greece. It arrived in great shape. It was neatly packaged with plenty of bubble wrap and smaller boxes to keep each part safe and secure. The screws were thoughtfully sorted into a labelled packet; each type was assigned a letter. The instruction booklet was tucked inside a sleek black envelope, adding a surprisingly classy touch to the unboxing. The materials used felt of good quality. So far, this chair was a massive thumbs up.

This chair was easy to assemble. However, it came with a Hex key and not too long into the build, I abandoned this and switched to a screwdriver as the Hex key just wasn't doing the job efficiently. Compared to the Sihoo S300 (read my Sihoo S300 ergonomic chair review for my full thoughts), which came with gloves and a T-wrench, it's a shame that the E3 Pro didn't do the same - especially since it's more expensive than the S300.

After switching to the screwdriver, the build got easier. Nonetheless, I was very pleased by the grooves in the footrest that enabled the screws to fit perfectly, which enhanced my building experience. Another satisfying moment was when the wheels clicked in seamlessly. Bolts come with split ring washers on them to help ensure the bolts don't work loose.

The assembly process wasn't without its bumps in the road, though. Some steps ask you to remove some bolts only to then refit them later, making me ask the question: why not just label the bolts and add them to the packet? I also spent a little while looking for a piece, which was in a box with the hydraulics. This caught me off guard for a minute, as it didn't seem like a logical place.

Design

The E3 Pro looks similar to a lot of other chairs on the market. It reminds me of the Doro C300 (and I've written a Sihoo Doro C300 ergonomic office chair review if you want more details). Both have mesh seats and backs, and the shapes are similar. The E3 looks modern if a little cluttered. It comes in three different colors: black, gray, and pink. Sadly, I didn't get to test the pink version, as I'm sure it would have been my my favorite. Its design is very versatile and would look good in most settings, both at home and in corporate spaces.

However, many elements set this chair apart from others on the market, with the most notable being the foot rest. It slides out and unfolds from underneath the seat, letting you assume many different leg positions. I love that this means you do not need any further sitting aids like a footstool, and because it just slides back under the chair, it keeps the chair and the space around it looking neat and tidy.

Less sucessful are the armrests. They raise nice and high, but do not go very low, meaning they may not slide under all desks.

This seat cushion mesh is made from a combination of "nylon and yarn" in a "16.5% breathable mesh," which we take to mean the breathable gaps cover a total of 16.5% of its surface. This breathability is fantastic for keeping you comfortable and cool even in the summer. The mesh is bouncy and comfy to sit on. However, if you're wearing shorts or are the kind of person who sneakily doesn't wear trousers to virtual work meetings (your boss will never know), it isn't as smooth on the skin as fabric or faux leather covers.

Another downside to mesh is that dust tends to accumulate on the seat frame and base below, rather than it just sitting on the seat surface where it can be easier to clean. It's not super tricky to reach and clean underneath but it's a small inconvenience compared to just vacuuming the seat's top.

Features

This chair has no shortage of nifty features. Its so-called "gravity-sensing chassis" technology amounts to the ability of the chair to recline as you lean back and tilt the seat along with you, giving you that sense of being fully supported as you lean back. With a maximum weight rating of 300lbs, it can also work for a wide range of sitters. As someone who literally cannot sit still, this feature is a big thumbs up. I can assure you, I have sat in every possible position in this chair, and overall, no complaints from me. Although cross-legged is a favourite position.

It has a T-shaped support system that provides support to the neck, waist, and shoulders, allowing painless extended sitting time. Three-zone elastic lumbar support with 8-way adjustable wrap-around waist support and floating wings rotate 40 degrees internally and externally. It has 4-degree lumbar support with 1-inch front / back adjustment and 1.6-inch up/down adjustment. When I say it's designed to fit your body, I mean it!

It also has a 4D Biaxial Adjustment Headrest. The frame rotates by 70 degrees, and the headrest tilts and rotates to 70 degrees. It can be adjusted up and down by 1.8 inches and can be moved forward or backwards by 2.2 inches. No matter how you sit in this chair, the headrest can be adjusted to provide the most effective neck support.

I already mentioned the 6D mechanical armrest supports for arm and shoulder relaxation, which is great, but lacking in lower settings. You can move them backward or forward 1.2 inches. (Hmm, but not left to right.) The rests even has a flip-up function and tilt adjustment- I don't know why you would want this function, but this chair has it! Better to have something and not want it, than to want something and not have, hey, filp-up and tilt fans?

This chair caters to different leg lengths with adjustable seating depth and offers a 140-degree decline, which you can lock in place at multiple different degrees by pulling the larger of the two levers back and forth. This office chair has an SGS-4 Gas cylinder, which is used for the gas lift mechanism. The benefits of Hbada using an SGS-4 Gas Cylinder are countless. Firstly, SGS is a globally recognised testing and certification company, meaning it has passed strict safety testing. Secondly, it has smooth and quiet height adjustment, and last but not least, this helps with durability and contributes to less wear and tear than other mechanisms.

Performance

I have often been told by my other half that I sit like a gremlin… hunched over the keyboard, with my legs to my chest. Or I fidget and shift my weight. I get up from my desk a lot. I basically cannot stay in one spot for too long. Everything about this chair allows me to sit how I want to, but also get the lumbar support I so desperately need.

When Hbada claims that the chair adapts to changes in the user's weight and posture, I have to agree. That being said, you might find yourself having to adjust the headrest or armrests, etc, should you dramatically change your stance. However, these adaptable features ensure you can sit in this chair for extended periods, and believe you me, I have.

Let's not forget the footrest, either. This is a game-changer and sets it apart from other similar chairs on the market. The footrest is so accessible. Throughout the day, I find myself bringing out and putting back the footrest (like I said, I cannot sit still). You don't even have to get up to bring out or put the footrest back. And boy, the footrest opens up a whole new world of ways to sit. One time, I tilted the chair all the way back and put my mouse on the armrest, keyboard on my lap, and worked for a solid hour. I guess you could give me the Sitting Innovation Award for this year, if it exists.

Alternatives

Final verdict

The Hbada E3 Pro Ergonomic Office Chair offers exceptional comfort, adjustability, and support, making it a standout choice for long sitting sessions, whether working, gaming, or relaxing. I even sometimes choose to sit in this chair for no other reason than the fact that it is comfy.

Crucially, its adaptive lumbar support, adjustable headrest, and retractable footrest all genuinely feel useful and add a huge amount of flexibility while keeping a reasonably sleek, modern design, even if I secretly wish I'd had the pink version to test.

Assembly has some minor quirks and the chair may gather dust but its overall ergonomic adaptability, its inclusion of a footrest, and its smooth reclining mechanism all combine to make it a really impressive chair. It doesn't come cheap but this chair delivers a highly customizable sitting experience that's reasonable value when set against its competitors.

For more ways to enhance your gaming and work space, why not check out our best gaming desk guide that features a wide range of high-end and affordable options that we've tested and can truly recommend.