The Office Master OM5 Evolved takes the original OM5’s self-weighing movement and gives it a more adaptable seat and back-support system. The appeal is straightforward: less time tuning recline resistance, with more attention available for the parts of fit you actually need to set.
It is still a distinctive chair. Its movement will not feel identical to a conventional locked-back task chair, and the polymer, mesh, and executive-back versions offer different experiences. This review explains the current design and the tradeoffs that matter when choosing a configuration.
The movement is the main reason to consider it
Body-Activated Motion uses a self-weighing mechanism to respond to the sitter and the way the backrest is loaded. A conventional chair often relies on a tension knob to balance recline resistance. The OM5 takes a different approach, so moving between an upright working position and a more reclined position can feel less like operating a control.
The important distinction is between movement and fit. The chair does not automatically determine your preferred seat height, depth, arm position, or lumbar setting. Those are still personal adjustments. A self-weighing mechanism can simplify use without making the dimensional fit irrelevant.
Virtual Pause is also different from a mechanical tilt lock. The supported pause comes from how the mechanism responds to the user; it is not a promise that the back is physically locked at any angle. If you prefer a chair that stays firmly in one selected recline position, that difference is worth experiencing before purchase.
What the Evolved design adds
The current OM5 and OM5-EX listings describe bilateral lumbar adjustment, 2.5 inches of seat-depth adjustment, and a tool-free, field-removable seat. The lumbar controls offer a way to tune lower-back contact, while the seat slider helps match the sitting depth to your legs.
The removable seat is useful from a maintenance perspective as well as a comfort perspective. It provides a clearer route to replacing the seat assembly when appropriate, rather than treating the entire chair as disposable. Compatibility still depends on the exact model and generation.
These changes are the reason an older OM5 review should not be used as a specification sheet for a new Evolved chair. Earlier color-based names such as OM5-B and OM5-G do not describe the full current range, and older extra-tall dimensions should not be carried over to the new models.
Polyflex or mesh?
The standard OM5 and higher-back OM5-EX use a flexible polymer back. It has a clean visual profile and a different contact feel from a upholstered backrest. Optional back treatments and finishes should be checked against the selected model.
The OM5-MH uses a high mesh back. It is the version to compare if back ventilation is a priority or you prefer mesh contact to polymer. Both styles use an upholstered seat, so the back material alone does not determine how cool or soft the whole chair will feel.
Neither material is inherently the better ergonomic choice. The chair should support the user comfortably while allowing the tasks and movements the workstation requires. That is a more reliable comparison than assigning comfort based on appearance.
Options that make a practical difference
- Seat upholstery: choose by feel, appearance, and documented cleaning requirements. Fabric grade alone is not a durability score.
- Arms: compare the actual adjustment directions and range of the selected kit. Arms that are easy to fit to the desk are more useful than an impressive feature count.
- Headrest: confirm availability and placement on the exact backrest. It is an optional fit preference, not a requirement for everyone.
- Casters: match the floor and intended use, including any effect on seat height or weight rating.
- Cylinder: choose a usable seat-height range rather than the largest amount of travel.
The product page is the right place to check current option availability. Descriptions of older MR or RP arm packages, past frame colors, and previous accessory combinations may not represent every configuration offered today.
Build, use rating, and warranty
OM Seating currently lists the OM5 work-chair series at 350 pounds, subject to the selected configuration. A rating is a design limit, not a statement that the dimensions will fit every user below it. Seat width, usable depth, arm spacing, and height are separate checks.
The family has a limited lifetime warranty on specified structural components. Upholstery, foam, consumables, and some supplied materials have separate coverage or exclusions. The current manufacturer warranty explains those distinctions. It is more precise to check that document than to say the entire chair is covered for life.
Where it fits well—and where another chair may suit you
The OM5 is a strong candidate for users who enjoy changing position and want a responsive recline without repeated tension adjustments. The model choices also allow the same movement concept to be used with a mid-back polymer, high-back polymer, or high mesh design.
A more conventional multi-function chair may suit someone who wants independently fixed seat and back angles. A different chair may also be more appropriate when an unusually low seat, very narrow arm spacing, or a particularly large seat is the first requirement. Those are fit needs, not shortcomings that a self-weighing mechanism can solve on its own.
Questions about the current OM5
Does it need adjustment when another person uses it?
The recline mechanism responds to the new user, but seat height, seat depth, lumbar settings, and arms may still need to change. Shared use does not remove the need for individual setup.
Is the Evolved chair the same as the older OM5?
It carries forward the movement concept, with updated features and model choices. The exact current dimensions and parts should be checked rather than inferred from an older model number.
Is assembly time guaranteed?
No single time estimate applies to every order or configuration. The included instructions and supplied components are the useful guide. Assistance is available if a part or assembly step is unclear.
View the current OM5 Evolved and its options, or ask us to compare it with the chair you use now.
