EC300 Review: I like it!
First, full transparency: I was provided the chair to review at no cost. I was not given any parameters from the company for the review other than to provide my honest opinion on form, function, and the chair's affect on my body. I intend to be unbiased, but it's necessary to disclose these details.
I've had the chair since May 2, 2026 and have used it as-is for the entire time.
About me:
I'm 6'3" (190-ish cm)
225lbs (102-ish kg)
I'm long in the torso, so my spine is essentially a clothesline masquerading as a flag pole. Prior to my WFM job, I have spent over a decade as a professional chef and over a decade as an outside salesperson which involved some moderate-heavy lifting, so my lower back, neck, and shoulders have seen some serious road time.
My work day ranges from 6-10 straight hours of desk time.
The chair I was using prior was a generic pseudo-ergo desk chair with no adjustables other than height. I have some experience with other more-mainstream chairs as well as store-brand chairs (staples, office depot, etc). My goal however was not to try to compare apples to apples and instead just put this chair through its paces to give a solid review. Lets get into it.
Seat Cushion:
In the very beginning, I found the cushion to be fairly stiff. I was worried I was going to eventually need a supplementary memory foam ergo cushion. Over time, however, I'm finding the cushion to be very comfortable to sit in over long periods of time. It leans on the firm side of soft, but has some give while still feeling supportive, not too soft. I did not want a chair with springs in the cushion construction, and this foam cushion feels great, and not at all cheap. I'm pleased with it. (I've used the forward-backward seat adjustment all of one time. I honestly forgot the chair has this feature until writing this.)
Lumbar Support:
This is crucial for me. As I sit throughout the day, and my spine seemingly compresses from the morning into the afternoon, being able to feel supported is very important. I want to be able to lean back into a stretch to help alleviate pressure. That said, I'm finding the adjustable support in this chair to accomplish that fairly well. Combined with the head rest, and locking the back into a moderate tilt, I'm able to sit back into the seat without feeling as though the support is pushing my lower back into my navel. The mesh is firm but forgiving and soft to the touch. The levels of adjustment available are adequate for my needs, although I had a bit of a learning curve with the adjustment, as if you adjust too much the locking mechanism will release. I'd think it was sound then lean back to find the support would slide down. Once I got a feel for the number of "clicks" I can move the lumbar support before the lock releases, it's intuitive. The paddles for adjusting are not in an awkward place, so adjusting is fairly comfortable.
Seat Back:
Like the lumbar support, the overall mesh is comfortable but supportive. I like the ergonomics, as in I don't find the shape to "crunch" my shoulders in, nor to I feel like my upper back is forced into a hyperextension. Rolling my shoulders back isn't obstructed by the frame. As my shoulders tend to roll in throughout the day, my upper back still feels supported and comfortable against the mesh. The tilt adjustments took a bit of getting used to, but not much different than other chairs I've tried. The "drop" is smooth, not jarring. Could this degrade over time, possibly.
Headrest:
Not too much to say here. It took me a short while to find the adjustment of the headrest that I felt cradled my neck near the base of my skull without too much stiffness or with making my chin touch my neck. Once I found the sweet spot for me, it feels supportive and comfortable to let my head lay back if I'm taking a call or just settling back to stretch.
Armrests:
The armrests are adequate. The cushion is stiff with a small amount of give. It's not "hard" but I do have to adjust my arm/elbow from time to time to remain comfortable. My biggest issue here is the lack of adjustment; I really want/need a more-4D range of motion, and maybe even another point of height to allow my arm to be more level with the desktop. Being able to move the cushion forward or to cant the position would be ideal. I would probably add a supplemental form cushion for height as well as comfort. The armrests are my least favorite part of the chair.
Wheels:
Again, not much to say. I wish all chair makers put more thought and consideration into their stock wheels. These are fine, not better or worse than any other model I've tried. The rolling is moderate on my hardwood floor, and not too much worse on the rug I keep under the chair and desk. I can see myself changing out the wheels for a "skate" style wheel.
Construction/Material Quality:
Each part arrived individually-bagged and the box (though roughed up by FedEx) was packed securely with all cushions/pads facing inwards to protect from any external damage. Unpacking was simple, the instructions were clear, and any/all tools and hardware was included.
The legs/stem base are metal and feel solid. the gas cylinder is as well. Seated, the chair feels very sturdy. Most of the primary frame is heavy plastic, and while there is s small amount of "wobble" to some of the armrest connections, I find the overall feel to be sound.
Overall Opinion:
I wanted to dislike this chair. I have to say however that for the advertised price I think it is an extremely good value. Even in the plastic components, and considering the price, nothing about this chair feels "cheap". Having spent a month in this chair, I can confidently say that I recommend it, especially as a value-buy. Is it a $900 chair selling for under $300 USD? I don't think so. But I truly feel as though, if you are someone who won't/can't spend upwards of $400-$1000 USD on a top-brand office chair, I would give the ProtoArc EC300 a serious look. In my opinion, this chair over-delivers for the price, and I'm honestly looking forward to continuing to wear it out!
TL;DR: After a month of serious use, for the price, I give the ProtoArc EC300 a solid 8.5/10!