Update 2/19/24: We have updates this article to reflect a different set of specifications as provided by Sihoo. As the company has informed us, there are different specs based upon region, which isn't clear between sites this can be purchased at. This article now reflects US and EU specifications.
Last summer, I had the pleasure of testing out the Sihoo Doro C300 ergonomic chair. Once I was able to look past the sticker price, I found the C300 to be a dream to sit in, and I have been using it ever since. Sihoo has come a-knocking once again, this time with the Doro-S300, and they’re packing in even more ergonomic features than before. With space-age looks and a floaty feel that is out of this world, the Doro S300 is worth its sky-high price.
Specifications
Price: $799 (Sihoo)
Sihoo Doro S300 - Assembly
Although the Doro S300 doesn’t come fully assembled, once you have the components removed from the shipping package, there are just 6 steps and a mere 17 screws between you and a fully operational battle station, er, chair. Ten of those screws are used up assembling the five-legged base, with two screws used to secure each of the legs to the hub. After pressing the wheels into place, the gas lift drops right into the center ring of the hub.
Three more screws attach the backrest to the seat of the chair, which already has the “zero gravity” tilting mechanism bolted in place. After slotting the lift into place on the underside of the chair, the last four screws are used to attach the armrests. And voila, the Doro S300 is ready for use, all in under 30 minutes. Given the unique lumbar support and the multiple levers used to make adjustments to the chair, the setup could have been much worse if Sihoo had shipped the Doro S300 in a less completed state.
The partial assembly does have a tradeoff - the bulkier components require a bigger box, which leaves a lot of open space. The box didn’t fare well during shipping and arrived with a gaping tear on one side. Fortunately, none of the components fell out of the box, but the padding on one of the armrests was slightly damaged, leaving it with a slight crease in the padding.
Sihoo Doro S300 - Design and Features
Many gaming chairs tout ergonomic features, but it takes more than a high back and a lumbar pillow to provide a genuinely ergonomic experience. Ergonomics is all about support, and support isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. Sihoo knows this, and adjustability is the name of the game with their newest creation, the Doro S300.
The S300 is definitely more of an office chair than a gaming chair. Even so, the all-mesh surfacing and curvy structural components give it a high-tech aesthetic that will fit right in with any gaming setup. The mesh also provides a stretchy and porous seat pan that reduces heat buildup and ensures comfortable, non-pinching support even during extended gaming sessions.
The most eye-catching feature of the Doro S300 has to be its backrest and lumbar support. The backrest itself is a neck-high design with five level of vertical adjustment to ensure proper upper back support across different heights. Unlike the C300, the S300 has a built-in headrest instead of a separate unit. There isn’t much difference while sitting upright, but I prefer the extra support of a separate headrest while reclining.
Instead of the backrest extending all the way down to the seat, the bottom third of the backrest is replaced by two independent lumbar cushions. Unlike a conventional lumbar pillow or airbag that attaches to the backrest, each cushion floats on two springs attached to the chair's frame, giving them much more freedom to conform to your back. A gap between the two cushions eliminates any direct pressure on your spine, while their overall size and position create a large surface area to cradle and support your lower back. Finally, to provide an extra degree of support and comfort, a lever on the back of the cushions can be used to change the base angle of the supports to anywhere between 90 and 105 degrees.
The seat of the Doro S300 has the same waterfall shape as the C300, which once again helps relieve pressure on your upper legs. A new feature not found on the C300 is the ability to adjust the seat forward or backward 2.5 cm. It may not seem like a huge difference, but changing the position of the seat is definitely noticeable while sitting on the seat.
Like the lumbar cushions, the seat pan of the Doro S300 uses four small but strong springs for extra maneuverability and flex. The springs also allow the seat to move in coordination with the backrest when reclining, keeping the seat angled so that the edge doesn’t push into your legs.
Speaking of reclining, there is a knob on the seat mechanism to control the angle of the backrest. From a fully upright 98 degrees, the knob can be turned to three positions that serve as angle limiters - 100, 110, and 130 degrees, respectively. My only complaint with this is that the control knob only limits the range of motion and doesn’t actually allow you to lock the backrest at an intermediate angle. There is a second knob that controls the tension in the reclining apparatus. Still, even at its strongest setting, there isn’t enough resistance for the seat to hold me at any angle other than the three preset limiters.
Even the armrests on the S300 have upgraded adjustability compared to the C300. Sihoo has upped the adjustment options to six dimensions. Along with the forward/backward, horizontal angle, and height adjustments found on the C300, the armrests on the S300 can also be adjusted inward and outward by 8cm and angled vertically up to 35 degrees. Unfortunately, the one complaint I had with the C300’s armrests has carried over to this new design - without a locking mechanism, you have a limited number of preset positions in any dimension, and you’ll frequently have to reset them back in place when you inevitably knock them out of position.
Final Thoughts
Just like the Doro C300 reviewed last year, I have been delighted with the Doro S300 overall. Besides the slight damage caused by the loose packaging, everything about the S300 screams quality. The Doro S300 is a tinkerer's delight. Every surface can be repositioned so you can find the most comfortable sitting position possible. The soft mesh surfaces of the S300 provide the perfect amount of pressure for a supportive yet relaxed feel without the hotspots and sweating associated with faux leather gaming chairs.
If there is any major disappointment with the S300, it would be that the S300 has the same armrest issues as its predecessor. Building in a locking mechanism, or at least strengthening the soft ratchet positions, would eliminate the only frustrating flaw in the chair’s design.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.
