Freedom Headrest
Freedom Task
Diffrient Smart
Liberty Task
Diffrient World
Trea
Diffrient Occasional
Liberty Side
Ballo
Saddle/Pony
Cinto

ABOUT OUR SEATING DIFFRIENT SMART

Quick Buy Customize Request More Information Back to Top

Diffrient Smart

(6)

The Diffrient Smart chair is an intelligent mesh task chair with a striking linear aesthetic that complements any environment. Engineered to provide automatic lumbar support for every user, as well as simplicity and ease of use, Diffrient Smart offers comfort, style and flexibility. Diffrient Smart was created by designer Niels Diffrient and, like Humanscale’s Liberty and Diffrient World chairs, uses Humanscale’s revolutionary Form-Sensing Mesh Technology and mechanism-free recline for perfect support for every user.

QUICKBUY MODELS START AT $1039

These best-selling models are available for faster delivery.

QUICK BUY CUSTOMIZE

Diffrient Smart

(6)

Quick Buy Customize

QUICKBUY MODELS START AT $1039

These best-selling models are available for faster delivery.

SMART OCEAN

Featuring the same timeless aesthetic, Form-Sensing Mesh Technology and seamless functionality as Diffrient Smart, Smart Ocean is the embodiment of our commitment to sustainable manufacturing. Humanscale has partnered with Bureo - an emerging venture developing innovative solutions to prevent ocean plastic pollution. Smart Ocean is built with recycled material that originates from Bureo's Net+Positiva program, which facilitates waste disposal points for plastic fishing nets off the coast of Chile and provides incentives for the collection of discarded materials. Smart Ocean is the first-ever task chair to incorporate recycled ocean plastics in its material composition and is also Living Product Challenge-certified.

Learn more about Smart Ocean

WATCH PRODUCT VIDEO

DOWNLOAD PRODUCT BROCHURE

Features

Ease Of Use

Featuring Humanscale’s weight-sensitive, mechanism-free recline, Smart automatically adjusts to the body weight of each sitter to provide perfect recline support. Using the laws of physics, all the user has to do is sit and the chair will provide the correct amount of tension for their shape.

Linear Visual Design

Free of manual controls, Diffrient Smart has a striking, sleek aesthetic, and its U-shaped back makes it the perfect fit for any high-design environment. With linear lines in the backrest and strong mesh for maximum support, it’s the ideal task chair for the modern, active workspace.

Tailored Backrest

To ensure every person who sits in Diffrient Smart would have perfect lumbar support, Diffrient created a tri-panel mesh backrest to automatically adapt to the user’s needs. Eliminating the need for complicated adjustments and external lumbar devices, Diffrient Smart uses Form-Sensing Mesh technology for easy, ongoing comfort.

RESOURCES

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

WATCH PRODUCT VIDEO

DOWNLOAD PRODUCT BROCHURE

DOWNLOAD INSTALLATION MANUAL

CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHAT WITH US Monday – Friday, 9AM – 7PM EST

CALL 1-800-400-0625

SHIPPING

QuickBuy models ship in 1-2 weeks. All other custom configured Seating products ship in 2-4 weeks.

WARRANTY

Seating – Industry-leading 15 Years, 24/7 Warranty
All Fabric/Cushions/Arm Pads – 5 Years, Single-Shift Warranty
Ballo Stool – 3 Years, Single-Shift Warranty

Maintenance should only be carried out by an authorized Humanscale representative. For all maintenance requests, please contact Humanscale at 1-800-400-0625.

RETURNS

Unfortunately we do not accept returns on any of our seating products. If, for some reason, you are not satisfied with the quality of the received products, deem them defective, or it was damaged in transit, please contact Customer Support at 800-400-0625.

PRODUCT CARE

To clean chair arm pads and bases use mild liquid soap and water. Gently wipe thoroughly with a soft cloth to remove dirt and stains. Dry gently with a dry soft cloth.

Download detailed leather care and stain removal instructions (PDF).

REVIEWS

REVIEWS

Minimalist Design with Maximum Comfort

Within minutes of switching my standard computer store desk chair with a Diffrient chair, the pressure in my back and shoulders went away! It's surprising that for such a simple looking chair, it provides the most comfort, quickly and instantly, since you don't have to spend time adjusting a bunch of knobs and levers. The mesh on the seat back conforms to your shape to give you the best lumbar support; being taller than average, its finally nice to have a chair with a lumbar support that sits in the correct spot! Due to its simplicity and ease of conformity, this chair is perfect for common area spaces, or co-working environments, where many different types of bodies would be sitting in it.

SHOW LESS

Candice A.

Amazing comfort

for those who sit in a chair all day.. There is no other chair...

SHOW LESS

Paul F.

Fantastic, durable and incredibly adjustable chair

This chair was well worth it. I purchased the higher chair that allows for vertical adjustments you can't find in another chair. The design is also a fresh modern look with a nice color accent.

SHOW LESS

Scott Z.

Most comfortable and high quality chair I ever had!

SHOW LESS

Mike K.

Just love it

Best office/task chair I've had the pleasure to sit in. Comfort, style, simplicity, colour, versatility - the arms even lower enough to play guitar comfortably. I couldn't recommend it more highly.

SHOW LESS

Greg W.

Great chair, comfortable, solid back support

I spent a lot of time researching which chair I wanted to get before I settled on the Diffrient Smart chair. I wanted a chair that was well built, comfortable, ergonomic, had adjustable seat depth and adjustable arm rests and a mesh backing. This chair suits all of my needs and has exceed my expectations in it's simple but effective design. The design is also sleek and beautiful. This is definitely not an ugly looking chair. I have an office chair at work made by rival Herman Miller that I've not been very fond of. My office chair has so many knobs and buttons, I feel like I'm operating a rocket ship just to be able to get comfortable in my chair. The Diffrient Smart chair is the complete opposite of my office chair, because it's simple. There is one knob to adjust seat height, that's it. If you want to recline, just recline. My back instantly feels comfortable and supported when sitting in this chair, and the 3D mesh backing makes my back feel cool, never overheated like in other chairs. The comfort of this chair is a big plus a well. I feel there are a lot of chairs out there that throw out comfort for ergonomics. Thankfully this chair does both. Overall, if you're looking for a well made, comfortable and ergonomic chair that you want to last a long time, look no further than this chair.

SHOW LESS

Josh T.

DESIGNER
DESIGN STORY

DESIGNER

Niels Diffrient

Niels Diffrient's designs are grounded in the philosophy that form follows function. His work has spanned generations, consistently looking past trends to reinvent the tools we use for daily living.

With an academic foundation in design and architecture and a degree from Cranbrook Academy, Diffrient channels his knowledge of engineering, architecture, and human factors into the creation of highly functional and aesthetically timeless designs.

From his early work with the studios of Eero Saarinen, Marco Zanuso, and Henry Dreyfuss to his current work with Humanscale, Diffrient's visionary talent has been widely recognized. Included among his many honors are the 2002 National Design Award from the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and the 1999 Chrysler Design Award. In recent years, Diffrient had focused his energies on designs for the office environment, particularly seating — a category in which he has pioneered numerous breakthroughs, from pneumatic cylinders for seat height adjustment to weight-activated automatic recline.

Niels Diffrient's designs are grounded in the philosophy that form follows function. His work has spanned generations, consistently looking past trends to reinvent the tools we use for daily living.

Design Story

"As a result of seeking a really good adjustable arm, I was led in a direction that would allow me to do that in the best mechanical and serviceable way. That led me to the dominant visual feature of the chair... the horseshoe shaped aluminum support."

Niels Diffrient, Designer

Following the success of Liberty and Diffrient World, Niels Diffrient developed Diffrient Smart to offer a chair with strong visual features. He wanted to create a task chair that was in line with Humanscale’s philosophy of designing seating that is simple, beautiful and effortless to use. Diffrient Smart has straight, bold lines and a timeless horseshoe-shaped aluminum support, so its suit any environment it is placed in.

DETAILS

TECH SPECS

Chair Width 26.5” Arms / 21” Armless
Base Size 26”
Seat Height Range 16.5” – 22.8”
Recline Range 18° recline + 8° backrest tilt
Chair Weight 34 lbs arms / 31 lbs armless
Stackable: No

RESOURCES

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

WATCH PRODUCT VIDEO

DOWNLOAD PRODUCT BROCHURE

DOWNLOAD INSTALLATION MANUAL

TEXTILES

Monofilament Stripe

Made specifically for our tri-panel, mesh-backed chairs, Monofilament Stripe has an elastic composition that achieves strength through its distinctive weave structure to provide unmatched support. Its classic stripe pattern is available in various striking colors.
Mesh | Designed by Elizabeth Whelan