BIFL for <$200? No. I got a used Aeron for ~$350 right at the start of the pandemic. I expect to pass that on to my kids one day.

I've gone through 4 cheap chairs in a dozen years. I too wish I had bought Hermann Miller aeron for about the same money. None fit right or alleviated back pain.

Steelcase are the best (better than overhyped Hermann-Miller, I used to have an Aeron) but certainly not at that price, even used. Think closer to $1000. I bought my Leap in 2008 and it’s still going strong, though the upholstery is stained. I had to replace the gas cylinder at the 12 year mark, a $100 part I changed myself.

Check out /r/OfficeChairs/

The Aeron chair. I got mine when it was 10 years old, with 1 year left on its warranty which came in extremely handy. It must be over 20 years old now, with no problems since that repair.

I missed the $200 thing, but mine was free, so... You can get them used for a lot less than new, and as long as it is within the warranty you should be good to go. It's also worth waiting and saving up for it.

Check with your local university surplus store.

The thing about the Aeron chairs is… you can typically find lightly used chairs for fantastic prices. They last forever (if you take care of them) and I love mine. I think it’s 12 years old?

Would you say you're hard on chairs? I'm still using the office chair I bought at least 15 years ago. I use it daily, for hours at a time. It still looks newish. I took the arms off so it slides under my desk. I don't know the brand.

Herman Miller Mirra 2

Can buy an Aeron for ~$200, too if a bit lucky.

Or a Leap 2.

Any suggestions on where to look for a used one?

Are looking ebay, facebook market place to find these?

Thanks I'll check that subreddit

Thanks for the info. I'll try to find a used one. Any suggestions where to look for used?

Seems Aeron is a very popular recommendation. Any suggestions where to look for used?

Found mine on Craigslist.

Craigslist type websites, office closing auctions/sales.

I got an amazing Leap 2 for some $250, about 4 years ago, but it took me a few weeks of daily refreshing my local second hand online marketplace.

When I was searching I’ve seen cheaper ones as well, just in a worse condition (mine was like first or second private owner with leather finish, so higher value). Especially at an office demobil store.

[deleted]

The only used furniture store I know of which sold them closed down a few years ago.

Also, there are three sizes of chair, so make sure it will fit you.

Yes, look for one under your budget. At under $200, you are a beggar not a chooser, so even if it smells like a wet dog with sketchy stains, buy it.

Used Herman Millers are such a great deal but honestly, I feel like Aerons are slightly overrated compared to their other styles (and thus also prized higher on craigslist and fb marketplace). I currently use a Mirra (fully loaded from marketplace at $100) and a Sayl before that (total lucky find on the street), both are great.

I know alot of people are suggesting aeron. And it is a great chair. But it is definitely more work oriented. Hard to slouch or sit cross legged in it. I recommend the staples 'Hyken' mesh chair. And its in your price range

All these are great recs. See if there's an office liquidator in your area. They're often hidden away in industrial areas, but if you can find one that's open to the public they're a great alternative to Craigslist.

Check out crandall office too. They buy used chairs (10+ years old), clean and refurbish them to mend the foam and replace all the upholstery. Each chair is then warrantied for another 12 years through them.
You can probably get Steelcase chairs cheaper on craigslist/fb marketplace/furniture liquidators, but remember that they will need to be cleaned.
If you go marketplace route, don't discount the steelcase drive. It's now discontinued, but I've done my entire PhD in that chair. It has been in use since 2002 and aside from fabric rips, there's no problem with it. The rest of the floor is outfitted with them and are no worse for wear after 20+ years. You can maybe find this for $10-$120 used, but know that there is limited options for parts replacement. If I could have found one, I would have used it for my home office.
For modern chairs from Steelcase, my recommendation is the Amia chair (not air) which has good structural integrity, modest height but not intensity lumbar support, and adjustable recline tension. The leap is a very common recommendation, but tends to have a stiffer seat, more adjustable lumbar support, and a bit more available angle of recline. I'd avoid the Gesture, series 1, series 2, or other models from Steelcase, but YMMV.
At crandall or BTOD, you're likely to pay 4-600ish for a refurbished Amia. If you buy online, only buy from these two. Madison Office Furniture looks cheap, but their "Open Box" deal is referring to the fact that the chair/parts making the chair have been out of a box before. Typically for 10+ years... The misleading representation should tell you all you need to know on them.