EA217 Soft Pad vs EA117 Thin Pad: Which Eames Office Chair to Choose?

TL;DR

• The EA117 thin pad has taut, ribbed upholstery that sits close to the frame – sleeker, firmer, and more architectural.
• The EA217 soft pad has individual sewn-on cushions – softer, plusher, and more executive.
• Both share the same polished aluminium frame, five-star base, and tilt mechanism, so they adjust and sit at the same height.
• The EA117 comes from the 1958 Aluminium Group; the EA217 from the 1969 Soft Pad Group.
• Choose the EA117 for a crisp, modern desk chair, or the EA217 for a cushioned, executive feel.

The EA217 vs EA117 office chair question comes down to one thing: how much padding you want. Both are Eames office chairs built on the same elegant aluminium frame, and from a distance they look almost identical. Up close, one is lean and firm, the other soft and deep. This guide explains the difference, compares them side by side, and helps you pick the right one for your desk.

EA217 vs EA117: The Quick Answer

Both the EA117 and EA217 are Eames office chairs on the same polished aluminium frame, and the difference is the upholstery. The EA117 has a thin, ribbed pad stretched taut over the frame, which looks crisp and sits firm. The EA217 has individual cushioned pads sewn on between the aluminium rails, which looks plush and feels soft.

In short, the Eames soft pad vs thin pad choice is about feel and look. Choose the EA117 thin pad for a sleeker, more architectural chair with firmer support, or the EA217 soft pad for a deeper, more cushioned, executive chair. Neither is better overall – they suit different tastes and different rooms.

What Is the EA117 Thin Pad Chair?

The EA117 is an office chair from the Eames Aluminium Group, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958 for Herman Miller. Its defining feature is the upholstery: a single panel of leather or fabric stretched tight over the aluminium frame, with horizontal ribbed stitching, sitting close to the frame for a lean, clean profile.

This is the crisper, more architectural of the two chairs. The taut pad gives firmer support and a minimal look that suits a modern desk or a design-led office. You can read the full story of the range in our Aluminium Group history. Our Eames style EA117 chairs come in several colours, including below.

What Is the EA217 Soft Pad Chair?

The EA217 is an office chair from the Eames Soft Pad Group, added in 1969 as a plusher version of the Aluminium Group by Vitra and Herman Miller. It uses the same aluminium frame, but instead of a taut panel, it has individual foam cushions sewn on and separated by the aluminium rails, giving a deeper, more visibly padded seat.

This is the softer, more executive of the two. The extra padding makes it a comfortable choice for long sitting and for management or boardroom settings, where its more voluminous look reads as a step up. If a cushioned, dignified chair is what you want, see our soft pad chair EA 217 Collections.

EA217 vs EA117: Full Comparison

Here is how the two chairs compare on the points that matter, so you can see the EA217 EA117 difference at a glance:

Feature	EA117 (Thin Pad)	EA217 (Soft Pad)
Group	Aluminium Group	Soft Pad Group
Designed	1958	1969
Upholstery	Taut ribbed panel, close to the frame	Individual sewn-on foam cushions
Feel	Firmer, crisp, architectural	Softer, plush, executive
Frame	Polished die-cast aluminium	Polished die-cast aluminium
Base	Five-star castor base	Five-star castor base
Adjustments	Swivel, height, tilt lock and tension	Swivel, height, tilt lock and tension
Back height	Medium-high (EA119 is high-back)	Medium-high (EA219 is high-back)
Best for	Sleek modern desks	Executive and boardroom use

If you want a higher backrest instead, the same choice applies one size up, between the EA119 and EA219 – our guide on EA117 vs EA119 covers the low-back and high-back options.

How Are the EA117 and EA217 the Same?

Beyond the padding, the two chairs are built the same way, which is why they share a silhouette. Both use the same polished die-cast aluminium side frames, joined by aluminium crossbars, on a five-star swivel base with castors.

Both also share the same adjustments: swivel, height adjustment, a tilt lock, and a tilt tensioner you set to your weight. Both come in leather or fabric, in a medium-high back as standard, and both trace back to the same 1958 Aluminium Group design by Charles and Ray Eames. So whichever you choose, you get the same frame quality, the same mechanism, and the same clean lines – only the seat feel changes.

What to Look for in a Quality Eames Office Chair

Whichever model you choose, the same things separate a good reproduction from a poor one, so it pays to check the details before you buy. The frame and the mechanism matter most, because they carry your weight every day.

Look for genuine polished die-cast aluminium side frames, which feel solid and hold their finish, rather than thin plated steel. The chair should have a smooth gas-lift height adjustment, a proper tilt lock and tilt tensioner, and quality castors that roll cleanly. The upholstery should be full-grain leather or a hard-wearing fabric, evenly stitched, with the ribbed panel pulled tight on the EA117 or the cushions neatly sewn on the EA217. A seller who lists these details in writing, and describes the chair honestly as a reproduction, is the one to trust.

Which Eames Office Chair Should You Choose?

The right chair depends on your room and how you like to sit. Choose the EA117 thin pad if you want a crisp, minimal, architectural chair with firmer support, ideal for a modern home office or a design-led workspace. Choose the EA217 soft pad if you want a plusher, more cushioned, executive chair for long sitting or a management setting.

Both are excellent office chairs, and both cost far less as a quality reproduction than the €4,000-plus licensed original. Browse our full Eames-style office chair collection, or go straight to the ribbed thin-pad chairs or the soft pad chairs to compare finishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the EA217 and EA117?

The EA117 has a thin, ribbed pad stretched taut over the aluminium frame, giving a firmer, sleeker chair. The EA217 has individual sewn-on foam cushions, giving a softer, plusher, more executive chair. Both use the same frame, base, and tilt mechanism.

Is the EA217 or EA117 more comfortable?

It depends on your preference. The EA217 soft pad has more padding and feels softer, which many people prefer for long sitting. The EA117 thin pad is firmer and crisper. Both are comfortable, but in different ways.

Are the EA117 and EA217 the same size?

They are very close in size and share the same frame, base, and standard medium-high backrest. The EA217 looks a little more voluminous because of its thicker cushions, but the two sit at the same height and adjust the same way.

When were the EA117 and EA217 designed?

The EA117 is part of the Eames Aluminium Group, designed in 1958. The EA217 is part of the Soft Pad Group, added in 1969 as a more cushioned version. Both were designed by Charles and Ray Eames.

Which is better for a home office?

Either works well. The EA117 thin pad suits a minimal, modern home office and gives firmer support, while the EA217 soft pad suits those who want a plusher, more executive chair. Choose based on the look you want and how soft you like your seat.

Can you get the EA117 and EA217 in leather?

Yes. Both chairs are available in leather or fabric. A quality reproduction uses full-grain leather over the ribbed panel on the EA117 or the sewn-on cushions on the EA217, on the same polished aluminium frame.

Are the EA117 and EA217 good for all-day use?

Both are designed as working office chairs with a tilt mechanism you adjust to your weight, so they support you through a full day at a desk. The EA217 soft pad offers more cushioning for long sitting, while the EA117 thin pad gives firmer support. For very long days, add a footrest and take regular breaks as with any chair.

How much does an Eames office chair replica cost?

A quality Eames-style office chair replica costs far less than the licensed original, which runs to €4,000 or more from Herman Miller or Vitra. A good reproduction gives you the same aluminium frame and tilt mechanism at a fraction of that price.

Find Your Eames Office Chair

Whether you prefer the crisp EA117 thin pad or the plush EA217 soft pad, our Eames-style office chairs give you the polished aluminium frame and tilt mechanism of the original for a fraction of the price. Explore the full Eames-style office chair collection to choose your model, colour, and finish.