Front view of a Humanscale Smart Ocean task chair featuring a black mesh backrest and a blue fabric seat cushion on a light gray background

Diffrient Smart

Design by Niels Diffrient

A Smarter Way to Sit

A sleek, control-free silhouette defined by clean lines and a contemporary edge.
    Profile view of a man reclining in a Humanscale Diffrient Smart Ocean task chair showing how the arms move with the backrest, featuring a blue textile seat and black frame

    Instantly Tailored Support

    Niels Diffrient replaced the usual levers and tension controls with a mechanism that uses body weight to adjust the recline. As the sitter changes position, the chair responds—maintaining steady alignment without manual settings.

    Patented Form Sensing Mesh™

    Inspired by clothing design and combined with low stretch mesh, Smart's mesh backrest ensures a personalized fit and maximum adaptability. Unlike traditional single-paneled mesh chairs, our tri-paneled Form Sensing Mesh takes on the exact shape of the sitter's back, as if it were made for them. Perfect for dynamic workspaces, Smart promotes balanced movement for enhanced comfort throughout the day.

    Arm Support That Moves With You

    Just like the human body, Smart's arms are attached to its back, so they move with you as you recline.

    Durability With More Comfort

    Multi-layer construction provides a softer surface and greater durability than standard arm pads. Tested to perform under continuous use.
    Person adjusting Humanscale Liberty Ocean black mesh chair with Kvadrat upholstery.

    Made With up to 4.2 lbs of Ocean Plastic

    By removing and upcycling harmful fishing nets from the ocean, Humanscale helps restore delicate ecosystems.
    Back view of a Humanscale Diffrient Smart Ocean chair with mesh backrest

    Certified to 400lbs

    Far exceeding almost all other chairs. this means every part is stronger, less likely to fail, and will last for decades of heavy duty use.

    Clean Gas Cylinder

    Our cylinders are cleaner and more reliable than conventional cylinders. Unlike other chairs, our patented design seals grease in the lower unit to protect both user and chair.

    300+ Upholstery Options

    Smart comes in over 300 beautifully curated colors, so you can find the perfect shade to express your unique aesthetic.

    The Design Story

    A New American Classic.

    Designed by Niels Diffrient.

    Recognized as the father of ergonomics, legendary designer Niels Diffrient focused on the human experience to inspire innovative products. He revolutionized task seating by inventing a chair that adjusts to the sitter, rather than making the sitter adjust to the chair.
    Industrial designer Niels Diffrient seated on a Humanscale Freedom Saddle stool with a high cylinder and footring, working at a large drafting table on a chair design sketch

    “You'd never know that this sleek ergonomic office chair started its life in the sea.”

    “The chair has a minimalistic look but when you look into it you understand how much technology and how much work was, put into this chair to make it look so elegant and at the same time to be comfortable.”

    “The chair has the ergonomic virtues of the best office seating but its slim lines and optional aluminum trim give it a less corporate look, making it a strong candidate for the growing numbers of people looking to improve [their] home workspace.”

    Our Plan for the Planet

    From supply chain through production and use, we are invested in environmental stewardship across the globe.

    Explore Sustainability

    • Planet Positive

      Planet positive products go beyond neutrality, creating benefits in carbon, energy, and water around the world. Our mission is to leave the world better than we found it, better for you.

    • Healthy Materials

      We evaluate and verify materials used in our products to ensure that they are healthy for people and planet.

    • Transparency

      We publish our sustainability efforts, and have them verified by third party auditors, so our customers can make informed decisions.

    Diffrient Smart is Planet Positive. Made with ocean plastic (in the Smart Ocean model), post-consumer recycled content, and produced in TRUE Zero Waste facilities, it's also free from harmful chemicals. Every chair contributes to a healthier planet—positively impacting energy, water, and carbon with each unit produced.

    6.7 kg CO2e

    Climate Positive 
    Each Smart Ocean Chair has a net benefit of 6.7kg CO2 eq, or what a car emits over 15 miles. We sponsor handprinting projects that have carbon benefits, such as the installation of solar panels at nonprofits across the country.

    18.1 Gallons

    Water Positive 
    Each Smart Ocean Chair has a net benefit of 18.1 gallons of water. We sponsor handprinting projects that have water benefits, such as refurbishing wells in rural India to provide safe drinking water ito vulnerable communities.

    23.8 kWh

    Energy Positive
    Each Smart Ocean Chair has a net benefit of 23.8 kWh of energy. This amount could charge 4,000 smartphones. We sponsor handprinting projects that have energy benefits, such as distributing energy efficient light bulbs to subsidized housing.
    Solar panels on a rooftop with a clear blue sky

    1.85lbs

    Ocean Plastic 
    Smart Ocean is made using 1.85lbs of upcycled fishing nets. By removing and upcycling harmful fishing nets from the ocean, Humanscale helps restore delicate ecosystems. Discarded fishing nets are widely regarded as the most harmful type of ocean plastic as they can "ghost fish" for years, damaging delicate ecosystems and the marine animals that inhabit them.

    59%

    Recycled Content 
    Smart Ocean is made with 34% post-consumer and 25% pre-consumer recycled content.

    100%

    Red List Free 
    Smart Ocean is vetted for over 20 harmful chemical classes to ensure it is safe over the course of its life cycle. It is free of all chemicals on the Living Future Institute's Red List and has received a Declare Label by third party auditors, verifying all materials that go into the product.
    Close-up of green leaves with water droplets

    *Data will vary depending on configuration