Last year, I got the chance to plop my butt down in the Sihoo Doro C300 ergonomic chair for a while, and it proved that when it comes to ergonomic chairs, you get what you pay for, and was a great value even with a $300 price tag. Now, Sihoo is back with a Pro model that sports a nip here and a tuck there in the hope that the new version is “better in every way.” The Doro C300 Pro is definitely an excellent ergonomic chair, but the cost seems designed to compete with other high-end chairs rather than resulting from its improved features. It's great but it won't make sense for most people compared to the C300.
Specifications
- Current Price: $699.99 (Amazon, Sihoo)
- Fabric: Mesh seat with PU coated armrests
- Armrests: 6D coordinated armrests
- Maximum Load: 136kg (300lbs)
- Net Weight: 25.1kg (55.34lbs)
- Warranty: 3 years with 30-day free returns
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro - Unboxing And Assembly
The Doro C300 Pro is one of Sihoo’s new ergonomic chair designs for 2024. Based on the Doro C300 that was released in 2023, the C300 Pro keeps all of the previous selling points of the C300 and adds in some of the upgraded features you will find on Sihoo’s premium ergonomic offering, the S300 (be sure to check out my review).
The Doro C300 comes completely unassembled, so you’ll have to put the thing together before you take a seat. Even so, getting the C300 Pro put together is a pretty easy affair. Weighing in at over 60 lbs, the hardest part may be getting the oversized box from your front porch into your house.
Upon opening the box, you’ll find all of the components sealed in plastic and tightly packed in cardboard to keep everything safe and secure during shipment. The tilt mechanism is already bolted to the underside of the seat, but everything else must be put together.
When it comes to the screw set included with Sihoo chairs, there are two things that stand out. The first is that all of the included screws have a uniform head size, so the only tool you need is the Allen T-wrench that is included in the packaging. A regular L-wrench is also included, but the T-wrench gives you that extra torque and ease of use that makes putting everything together so much easier.
The second thing to note is how well the hardware is packaged. Instead of little bags for every type of screw, Sihoo packages everything on a single cardboard card. It is labeled with the screw size and what it is used for, with each set of screws placed next to any washers that are needed.
The instruction manual contains step-by-step diagrams that come in multiple languages. The diagrams are clearly labeled and are very easy to follow. Following the instructions, I had the chair assembled in about 45 minutes. Each component is well-crafted, and every screw hole lined up perfectly for a snug fit.
Sihoo Doro C300 Pro - Upgrades
At first glance, the Doro C300 Pro looks just like the base C300 model. Upon a closer look, you’ll find that Sihoo has made some relevant upgrades, some big, some small, to make the C300 Pro an all-around better chair.
The Doro C300 Pro has the same general design as the C300, keeping the same overall shape, five-point base, and frame as the original chair. It also has a waterfall seat cushion and three-piece back support that includes the main backrest, separate dynamic lumbar support, and adjustable headrest, all of which are made from a durable yet flexible mesh like you’d find on the C300.
Side by side, the C300 Pro (white) and C300 (black) look almost identical
Although the two chairs' designs look identical, a tape measure reveals several minor modifications. The C300 Pro's seat cushion is a quarter of an inch wider and now has an adjustable depth of 16.81” - 17.76”. Although the seat's curvature has been modified to give a slightly shallower feel than the original, the C300 Pro still has a waterfall shape that keeps the front of the seat from digging into your legs. All of these changes are minor adjustments, but when added up, the extra space is noticeable for someone with a larger frame.
A major improvement on the Doro C300 Pro is the seat adjustment apparatus. While nothing revolutionary, you are able to control all of the mechanical adjustments on the C300 Pro with a single lever. By pulling up on the lever, you release the height lock, and rotating the lever forward allows you to adjust the seat depth. Finally, rotating the lever backward releases the backrest lock, allowing you to freely move the backrest from 105 degrees to 135 degrees. You can also lock the seat in the upright, mid, and fully reclined position.
By far, the armrest is the biggest upgrade on the Doro C300 Pro. The original C300 armrest had three-dimensional movement - up/down, forward/backward, and a horizontal swivel. The armrest on the C300 Pro can also be flipped upward by up to 35 degrees; I found the regular “flat” position the most comfortable. More importantly, the rests can also be moved outward by just over three inches, giving more space for someone with a wide in the mid-section. However, I have the same complaint about the upgraded armrests as I did with the original. Once you get the armrests set where you want them, there isn’t any way to lock them in place, so I still have to readjust them almost every time I sit down.
Sometimes, leaving things just as they are is the best move, and Sihoo has done that with the C300’s backrest. Other than minor adjustments to sizing, the backrest, lumbar support, and headrest have remained the same. That isn’t a bad thing, though. The three-piece unit provides support from the base of your back all the way through your head, and you can manually adjust the position of the back and headrest to suit your particular frame size. And just like the C300, the dynamic lumbar support on the C300 Pro ensures firm yet comfortable support on your lower back.
Overall, sitting in the Doro C300 Pro is a dream. The mesh fabric provides plenty of support without all of the sweatiness of a leather gaming chair. All of the adjustability options of the C300 Pro allow you to comfortably sit for hours on end while you game away. I even took the C300 Pro to work, where I sit for eight hours a day. It is way more comfortable than my basic office chair, and its high-tech look gets plenty of attention from everyone else in the office.
Final Thoughts
The Doro C300 Pro is more of a design refresh than a Pro model upgrade. Plainly put, at more than double the price, nothing about the Doro C300 Pro would make me choose it over the Doro C300.
The improved tilt mechanism is slightly easier to use and allows for a larger recline angle, but it isn’t a game changer. The improved range of motion with the 6D armrests is much better than what you get with the old armrests, but Sihoo still hasn’t solved my main complaint with last year’s model - the armrest needs a locking mechanism! And the other minor design changes - especially the adjustable seat depth - all give a little more seat space for a larger person, but they do very little to improve the overall comfort of the chair.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes. Some articles may contain affiliate links and purchases made through this will result in a small commission for the site. Commissions are not directed to the author or related to compensation in any way.
