Turnstone by Steelcase Buoy, Scarlet Fabric, Grey

Color	Grey
Frame Material	Plastic
Seat Material Type	Plastic
Brand	Steelcase
Seat Height	22.75 Inches

18" diameter upholstered cap - available in 6 fabrics to add color to your space
Built-in handle - used to adjust height and easier to carry
Plastic canister - easy cleaning and maintenance
Pneumatic cylinder height adjustment - 5 1/2" range to fit all sizes
Curved base - rocks to encourage active sitting

From the manufacturer

Features and benefits

18 inches diameter upholstered cap
built-in handle - used to adjust height and easier to carry
pnuematic cylinder height adjustment - 5 1/2 inches range to fit all sizes
curved base - rocks to encourage active sitting
plastic canister - easy cleaning and maintenance

Buoy

A unique riff on the stool with dozens of uses, Buoy embodies the spirit of turnstone. Smart, portable, colorful, fun, and slightly askew, Buoy stands at a slight 5 degree angle. Tilt even further —up to 12 degrees— to lean into your work. Change the seat height up to five inches with a quick lever pull. Travels well, works everywhere.

Build your Buoy

Designed for today’s movers and shakers, Buoy is a seat that’s as active as you are. Personalize your Buoy with a color combination that’s just for you. So go ahead, have a seat—Buoy is a moving experience.

As active as you are

Moving is good for you, which is why Buoy swivels, turns, tilts, and moves up and down. It’s active sitting that keeps our bodies active and our minds sharp. So go ahead, have a seat. With six bold colors, and endless ways to personalize, Buoy is a moving experience.

Sitting. it's only the beginning

After researching multiple small businesses, we noticed something: people are mobile, even when seated. Whether you’re a knee bouncer, a pencil tapper, or you’ve got jazz hands, Buoy lets you move freely. So feel free to pull up a seat. Or lean in. Or hunker down. Mobility matters.

Style Name:Scarlet | Color:Grey

Turnstone Buoy by Steelcase has five Inch of height adjustability and the freedom to wobble, swivel and tilt make Buoy an instant classic. Grab this active seat and go when creativity demands portability, or stay put at your desk for high focus tasks. You'll love the sleek style and simple lines of turnstone's modern take on a seat.

Q:

Does the height adjustment go up or down from desk height? Thank you!

Answer: The chair's height range is large. I'm 5'3'' and the lowest height allows my feet to sit flat on the ground with knees bent 90 degrees. With that in mind, I'd say that the chair's height ranges from well below normal desk height to well above desk height. With my shortness, I have setup my desk at below 'normal' and can comfortably sit with my feet on the ground.

Answer: yes. it is adjustable.

Q:

Is it possible to add caster wheels to the bottom of this stool? I'm looking for something more than the "doctor's office stool".

Answer:

Answer: No, adding casters would not be practical, or perhaps not even possible. The base of this is concave, not flat. The stool rocks back and forth and sitting on it closely resembles sitting on an ergonomic balance ball. It helps with better posture and core strength. Even if casters could be added, they would erase the stool's movement and the benefits to posture and core.

Answer: No. Even if you could figure out a way to do so, it would ruin what is great about this chair, that it moves and tips with you. I use mine in the office, without a plastic mat under it, and it slides rather easily. Now I'm not sliding all over the office, but it is somewhat mobile as is. You should see if anyone near you sells these, so you can try one out. That's what sold me.

Answer: No, there is nothing on the bottom of the "buoy" to attach casters to.

Q:

What shade of grey is the main body, not the fabric or base? It looks light in the pic. Trying to match a steel case desk

Answer: Hello,

Q:

What is the weight limit for the Buoy?

Q:

I'm highly sensitive to strong glues & flame retardants in upholstery of traditonal chairs (new or used). Does this have a "treated fabric" smell?

Answer: I, too, am highly sensitive to chemical smells. Although this chair came wrapped in plastic, which would trap in any smells, I did not notice any even when I first opened it.

Answer: I've had mine a while but don't recall any smell at all

Answer: I didn't smell any off-gassing smell,

Q:

Does this chair have a weight limit? I am 5'10 and about 280

Answer: max weight 250 lbs. I'm getting this for my daughters birthday. I found the specifications. minimum height 17.25" Max height 22.75" the diameter of the seat is 18"

Answer: I don't know the answer to your question. I might suggest contacting Steelcase. 1.800.516.3454

Answer: you will be fine at that.

Q:

The ad says "5 1/2 inch range" and "22.75 inch seat height". Am I correct that means the range is 17.25 to 22.75 inches from the floor?

Q:

Does it smell?

Answer: Seriously?! No, it does not smell.

Answer: Not at all.

Q:

How tall can it expand to?

Answer: Approximately 22 inches.

Q:

Does it have storage space inside?

Answer: Hi, no unfortunately our Buoy do not have have storage space inside. If you want to know more details about the product you can contact our product specialist at +1888-783-3522 option 1. Thank you!!

Answer: Hi C.,

Answer: No, there is no storage space inside.

Answer: No storage, and the worst stool I have ever sat on. I returned mine after a couple days.

Answer: No, as the base is a rocker...

Answer: No it does not.

Q:

Is there a warranty?

Answer: yes these have the Full Steelcase Factory warranty when ordered from BACKSTORE

Answer: Ours are many years old and the warranty may have changed. Sorry I can't help.

Q:

Anyone played pc game on this at home?

Answer: No. But I think it would work

Q:

Can you take the seat off and reupholster it?

Answer: Hi Virginia,

Answer: Nope, you may not require to do it. If you want you may tighten a cover to the seat.

Answer: Not easily. You would have to be creative

Q:

Howdy! I have a stealcase leap v2 chair and I"m looking for a decent ottoman/hassock to put my feet up. Is the fabric top sturdy enough for feet? thks

Answer: It's very sturdy...I weigh 200 pounds and sit on this all day. Keep in mind the base is rounded, so it would be more of a foot rocker than a foot stool.

Answer: This buoy stool could possibly be used as an ottoman in a pinch. However, the top is a thinner fabric pad which may not be very comfortable. Additionally, the stool rocks and rotates which would probably not provide a lot of stability for use as an ottoman.

Answer: The buoy is study enough for feet, depending on the feet. If you have some dirt road,backcountry, toe nail tapping across the tile as go feet, seek alternative coverings. If you do have these feet and still want to enjoy the sweet swivel action of the buoy,put down a throw pillow 1st.

Q:

Is the grey body color a dark blue grey or a warmer taupe color grey?

Answer: Hi SKR,

Answer: Neither. It’s dark grey or space black

Answer: grey

Q:

Are there replacement cushions available?

Answer: No, the cushions are not available anymore as a replacement part.

Answer: I don’t know if replacement cushions are available. I have 3 of them for over 3 yrs now and they are still like new! I love them!

Q:

Does it work on carpet?

Answer: Hi Gus

Answer: Yes it mill work on carpet.

Answer: Yes, it works on carpet.

Answer: I prefer it on carpet versus our LVP flooring. If there is any dirt between the solid floor and the bottom of the buoy chair, you may hear a small grinding noise.

Answer: yes you can use on the carpet. BACKSTORE

Answer: Yes. I have no problem with mine on a carpeted surface.

Answer: Yes, mine are in my classroom and it’s carpeted.

Answer: Yes

Q:

What is the maximum weight recommended?

Q:

Which fabric grade is the licorice, graphite and tornado?

Answer: The fabric grade is durable and excellent...however there is very little padding, and the product is uncomfortable...I am looking for an appropriate seat cushion to use with the product...

Q:

I just got the chair, is anyone else experiencing a squealing noise when you swivel ? I am using it on carpet

Answer: HI Omar, I have been using the Turnstone for almost 2 years now. Never experienced any noise.

Answer: No. I am not hearing any noise when the chair swivels.

Answer: I'd be happy to help you out with that question! Buoy shouldn't make any noise, so you need to contact Amazon Customer Support. Please let me know if you have any other questions or comments.

Answer: We have at least 30 in our school and no, there should be no squealing noises. There should be no noise at all.

Q:

Where is this product made?

Answer: The design probably came out from the big brains in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The rest of the materials came from the blood,sweat and tears(also the broken plastic pens and pencils lost in the design battle of this majestic piece).

Answer: Made in Michigan, USA.

Q:

I have laminated floor the plastic in the bottom will damage my floor ?

Answer: I can’t answer with 100% certainty, but I would think that as long as you keep the bottom clean so nothing can scratch the flooring, it should be fine. You could also get some inexpensive little rugs to put under the stools.

Answer: Not sure. I have mine on office type low nap carpet. It scoots just fine on carpet though. So I would say you would be fine.

Lawman : Not bad

This is an attractive and well built unit, however I do think it's a little overpriced. I have back problems and it does help my back sometimes. It doesn't help as much as I thought it would. It is not being sold as a back saving device so I don't want to knock it for that; just letting other back sufferers know that this might not be the solution.

Daniel Avila : Simple, transportable, comfy, effective

I love this chair! Simple, transportable, really cool looking, different, comfortable, and, most importantly, great for my back. In my old life using regular chairs, I had to deal with a lot of lower back pain and was developing bad posture. I experience no pain sitting in this chair. I love the fact that it rocks, allowing me to move comfortably while maintaining good posture. Simple yet effective. I actually feel that I have been a little more productive as well, since I'm not constantly caving into my chair anymore. I highly recommend this stool.

Aurora Farqueson : Love this chair !

Wonderful product ! Really comfortable and helped posture and core strength.

jason lee lazarus : Love this chair!

well designed,
requires a small effort that is an easy transition
has helped me correct/improve posture for my lower back troubles...
recommended!

Real Deal with Bill McNeal : Love it so much, I own 2

I love this thing. It's comfortable, stylish and well made. Note that it does take time to build up endurance to being able to sit without slouching for extended multi-hour sessions. One aspect that I love about the Buoy is that it easily swivles, allowing you to turn from side to side. That's Handy for when someone walks in the room behind you and you want to turn and face them.

Catharine : Sturdy and well made

You do have to get used to sitting on it as it’s a bit wobbly for first time users. Once you are comfortable using it, it’s very convenient. I use it in my sewing room since it takes up very little space.

Kilimats : prime time not quite there

Not ready for prime time

Love mine but few things come in the way to make the experience overall not so great

1- the cushion is too thin, the only way to not feel numb on the butt is to constantly rock the chair back and forth, i simply added a cushion on top, helps but would rather keep the chair as is since i love the design
2- only one handle? moving the chair is awkward and hard while seating on it, you need to stand up and grab the handle on one side and put your hand flat on the other, second handle hellooo ??
3- Expensive?
4- Too expensive !
5- No really :( it should be around $100 not double that !!!

Debbie Herman : Wiggle and Work

I LOVE these chairs for my classroom! The kids can move and work all day long. The fact that they can be adjusted makes them even better as students can use them at their individual desks or my teacher table (which is higher than their desks). I just wish I could afford more of them.

LBLI : Great for balance but so uncomfortable.

I have to edit this review after living with this for a while. Because of the minuscule padding, as I already shared, I added my ergonomic back cushion on top of this and over time for whatever reason it caused major back pain, the first I've had in months!!

So it can't be used for longer than 20 minutes without the cushion and can't be used long term with the cushion, therefore it's useless and a complete waste of money! Watch for it on eBay and yes I'm angry and disappointed but being tactful here.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

Design 4 stars
Functionality 4 stars
Comfort 1 star

The pros: At 6' 3 it adjusts well for me. Simple and clean design, doesn't knock you out but looks good enough.

The cons: With less than 1/2 an inch of padding this is the worst thing I've ever sat on! Literally 15 minutes later I was starting to feel uncomfortable so I had to put my my memory foam cushion on it, which not only ruins the aesthetic but makes me regret paying $230 for this.

I won't ever buy another.

Scott Roberts : Who doesn't love a Buoy

These are the best wobble chairs ever. Not only are they durable, but the hight is adjustable. I'm a middle school teacher, and I've spend my own money to get these chairs for my classroom. Heck, I even sit on one at home I love them so much. They're very durable and people of all ages love sitting on them.

Sean Lee : Fun!

Very fun!

Martin W : Great for active sitting; could use more padding

I'm using this as my primary office chair, sitting many hours on some days. It works infinitely better for me than a balance ball, which I've also tried. It turns from side to side easily and rocks ("wobbles") in every direction in a easy natural way, so I can vary the angle of the seat from time to time, or even move/rock continuously as I work. That keeps my back flexible and my circulation moving. It's easy to slide around a bit on the carpeting to move closer or further from my desk, or left and right as needed. The pneumatic height adjustment has a good range, typical of an office chair, and feels solid and smooth (as one would expect from Steelcase). It's also a bit springy, so there's a bit of elastic bounce when sitting down, which also reduces strain. It's an attractive, minimalist modern design.

The one flaw or limitation is that the sitting cushion itself is somewhat thin. I put a folded cotton meditation mat on top to add to the padding, because if I sit on only the chair's cushion for several hours, my sit bones start to get sore. While the pneumatic lift has some springiness, the seat top or cushion itself would benefit from some additional springiness. Adding the meditation mat is an acceptable workaround for me because of the benefits and quality of this "wobble chair," but it does subtract a bit from the cool aesthetics of the chair.

CBS : The chair is totally fine. Well constructed and good looking

The chair is totally fine. Well constructed and good looking. I have issues in that I am too low compared to my built in desk which is admittedly very very high.. I have used it about 4 times and unfortunately it doesn't work for me. Past the time for returns so if someone wants it email me at cstack000@hotmail.com and I will sell it to you for $99. Again. perfect chair, bad desk.. ;(

Dana D. : Great chair! Height adjustable and promotes good posture by ...

Great chair! Height adjustable and promotes good posture by engaging core muscles (no backrest). Rocks in all directions to keep your body moving and help with balance. Nicely made and seems rugged.

Amazon Customer : Fun, bright colour!

This chair took a week or two of getting used to as I’ve been (knowingly) sitting incorrectly at a desk for years. I found that I was able to gradually increase the amount of time in the buoy chair versus a regular office chair and now use it for a full day. In fact, I recently spent a few hours in a regular office chair and found myself getting shoulder pain when I reverted back to my old ways! I did not order an extra seat cushion but am considering it. The active nature of the chair forces you into a better sitting posture but the seat itself is quite hard when sitting for extended periods. So far it’s helped me to remember to get up every now and then and take a break! I am using a mat under the chair to avoid scratching the wooden floor.

Tee : Spin me right round baby, right round.

Spin me right round baby, right round. Is what my (11yr old) autistic son said after sitting on this. I originally bought this as my computer chair, but it has since been taken hostage by my children. We all love the fact that the bouy allows us movement. However, it has become a highly fought after territory:whom can take over the buoy by rocking the other off, who can make it lean the farthest without falling off while being pulled at and most importantly who can push the other off without being noticed. All this happens while I fondly look on at once was my seat of calming luxury..Only having sat on this one once, I can say that it was a fidgety persons dream seat. I can go up and down, also rock..chefs kiss of excellence. Yet, if you may be +6ft tall it maybe a little uncomfortable. Or if your booty be banging, it might be a hangin.

Emma Bennett : Superb Office Chair Alternative

As an office assistant, I tried this chair that a co-worker bought. I LOVE IT! I bought one for myself even after discovering the hefty pricetag, because I loved it so much. For some reason, and I don't know why, but this puts no pressure on my lower back and sacro-iliac joint, which normally sitting for prolonged periods causes me pain here. I have tried a gym ball as a seat before, but found it was too distracting for the office for me. This is more like a stool; it has a flat top for stability, but curved bottom for movement. It is adjustable in height. I get some pretty weird looks, but it doesn't bother me, because at the end of the day, I feel so much better than had I been sitting in a normal chair.

The only con? Heavy and awkward to carry; does not roll. And I did tip over backward once, while testing my limits on it.

George : A great chair for those who know how use it...

What do I mean by the title:

First, let me explain what this chair is and what it is not.
This chair is meant to be used a working/office type of chair. It is meant to help correct posture and force you to sit up straight by using the buoy-like base as a method for balancing your position on the chair and engaging your core and back muscles. This is great for folks who are posture-conscious and also want a stylish, conversation-starter type of chair in their home or workspace. It is especially useful for those who understand that sitting is something that should be done for a few hours at a time - it is a chair, not a LayZBoy... Keep in mind that the chair is fairly lightweight, has a handle that gives it around 5” or so of additional height and works well both on carpet and hard floors.

Now, what it is not: In order to use this chair properly, you must understand that it is not a typical office chair or seat. It is meant to be used for a few hours at a time. The reason I say this is because like most ergonomic chairs, they are designed to purposely become uncomfortable if your posture begins to degrade. If you have trouble adapting to posture to begin with, this chair may not be for you. I have found that the best way to use this is to sit towards the edge of the chair, upright and adjusted so your feet are comfortably flat on the floor. In my opinion, due to the angle of the seat and your upright position, after prolonged sitting, it should not feel comfortable anymore. This FORCES you to either get up, move around and readjust your sit. While I do actually enjoy this fact about this chair, I’ve noticed that the times I am stubborn enough to remain sitting, it can cause some discomfort in my tailbone. This is mostly due to the fact of actually sitting perfectly upright, and the lack of movement in my glutes and legs causes restlessness and discomfort. If you were to sit back in the chair as they would in a standard desk chair (lumbar sinking into the bottom of the chair), you’d probably notice immediately how hunched over and uncomfortable you’d feel in this chair.

TL;DR
With all of this said, this is why I like and dislike this chair. It is a stylish and unique “ergonomic” chair that is intended for those who understand that it is not meant to be sat in for hours at a time. I give it 4.5/5 stars for the sole fact that I wish the pad could be a bit better for those with tailbone pain.

CBS : The chair is totally fine. Well constructed and good looking

The chair is totally fine. Well constructed and good looking. I have issues in that I am too low compared to my built in desk which is admittedly very very high.. I have used it about 4 times and unfortunately it doesn't work for me. Past the time for returns so if someone wants it email me at cstack000@hotmail.com and I will sell it to you for $99. Again. perfect chair, bad desk.. ;(

Steven Hoober : It is an office chair. That's important to know.

NO ONE explained what this is very well. Most important: it is an office chair. It is not some crazy gimmick with marketing by Steelcase, but is clearly made by them, designed by them, by the chair-design team. For example, the height adjustment: pull a lever in that little handle on the side. Hydraulics go up and down like: an office chair!

This means two things:
• It is pretty well engineered, and I expect it to last.
• You can justify the cost in the way an office chair costs.

Since it has no rollers, no back, and no arms, I say it's about the same quality/feature set as a $3-400 task chair. Not a $900 one, either, have no doubts. It has the typical fabric and finish for the rest of the chair for a good $3-400 task chair. Which is good, makes it a good deal. But be aware of that when making decisions, when placing with other office furniture, or you have to justify it to the real estate team; it's inexpensive, not cheap.

Notes, good or bad otherwise:
- It has one handle. Often, would be good to have two
- The handle needs to be in front. If it had two, then sides would be fine, but there's nowhere else to grab it, and no scooting it forward without using the handle. Put it in the front to pull forward when you sit down
- There's no way to tell where the handle IS from the top, or most other angles. Get used to finding it before you sit down
- No wheels. Put it where you want it, and it will wobble, but not move from there.
- It bounces every so slightly. Like a task chair. The hydraulics do this, and it is a good thing. Not like a ball or similar chair, but it is not a rock.
- Seat padding is minimal, but in entirely adequate. I suspect poor posture exacerbates the padding feeling bad, but your back will give out before that really matters.
- It wobbles a lot. The product photos aren't kidding. It is probably 10° to each side if you let go. If anything, this is not quite enough for me, as I tend to move about a lot as I work, even drawing and typing. So far, I try not to let it rest on the limits, but hold off, or just scoot the chair that way for a while.
- Since it has no wheels, when you scoot it, you are scraping. Get a chair mat or your floor will probably suffer
- Dark fabrics are... like any task chair. Will show dirt easily. Arms and backs on task chairs hide this from casual passers-by. Not here! I'd pony up for a different seat, or keep cleaning stuff around so no one thinks you are a dirty person.
- The color matters. There's a lot of the cylinder base, so figure out what it will look like in the office. I think it works best to coordinate with what file cabinets or other low furniture it will share the space with. Yes, we have green, but if yours are beige, don't worry about the chair being boring, it will match better if you get the beige chair. I wouldn't get black; I worry about tripping over one in the night.

UPDATE: Nothing to report. 10 months on, it works the same as the day I bought it. Which is thrilling to me! The last several non-chairs have broken, leaked or otherwise become unsuitable by now. As stated above, it's an office chair, with a strange design. But is at least as sturdy as any of them.

Seat fabric has stood up better than expected. I think the shape has less exposed so if you eat/drink in it, not as much falls in there. Also, it wobbles, so (working from home) the cat doesn't sleep on it at night, etc.

It didn't work well on a slippery chair mat. Would sometimes disconcertingly slip away while getting on or off, and generally moved too easily. I settled on a small IKEA rug. From the children's department, where they have more grip than others. Works great. Suggested.

UPDATE: With everyone working from home, I just shared this, noticed my review and wanted to say: still awesome after almost exactly two years of using it a lot, every single day. No changes. No visible wear, nothing. I expect this to last decades.

laurel dasso : Couldn't love it more

I ordered this in black/black, and then immediately regretted not ordering grey/grey. It arrived 2 days earlier than promised, in the grey/grey combo. If I hadn't been regretting my original color choice, I might have been upset but I was SO happy when I opened it and it was the grey/grey. As for the stool, it's fantastic. I ordered it for long days at my sewing machine and it's exactly what I've been needing. Movement, low profile, tilts forward to keep me from having to hunch over my machine. SO much more comfortable than a saddle stool or an office chair. I would imagine that if you have wood floors this might not be the seating for you, but if you have tile like I do (or short carpet maybe?) then give this a try. My back feels better already.

David Barker : Super comfy

Hated it at first but now i really like it

David Barker : Super comfy

Hated it at first but now i really like it

Amy Coffer : Works great for my short size!

With my being only 5'3" tall, most desk chairs, even expensive ones, do not adjust to something that is comfortable for me. This chair has been the only exception! It has completely relieved my leg pains and mild back pains that I was having with more traditional desk chairs. I also greatly enjoy the ability to swivel and rock gently without making any noise. This noiselessness makes it easy to fidget and engage core muscles without disrupting my coworkers in our bullpen. Adjustable height of Buoy, , leaves my knees at a perfect 90 degrees at the lowest height. I've found that even though most desks are too high for me, this chair enables me to adjust the chair height to fit most desk heights; I just need to rock forward a little bit more on the Bouy to be able to keep my feet flat on the ground. I originally used this chair at work for 4-6 hours a day and found it took 3-4 days for me to adjust to it. The first few days using the chair I would switch between the Buoy and a regular desk chair. After adjusting to it, I liked it enough to buy one for my home office as well!

Tee : Spin me right round baby, right round.

Spin me right round baby, right round. Is what my (11yr old) autistic son said after sitting on this. I originally bought this as my computer chair, but it has since been taken hostage by my children. We all love the fact that the bouy allows us movement. However, it has become a highly fought after territory:whom can take over the buoy by rocking the other off, who can make it lean the farthest without falling off while being pulled at and most importantly who can push the other off without being noticed. All this happens while I fondly look on at once was my seat of calming luxury..Only having sat on this one once, I can say that it was a fidgety persons dream seat. I can go up and down, also rock..chefs kiss of excellence. Yet, if you may be +6ft tall it maybe a little uncomfortable. Or if your booty be banging, it might be a hangin.

brigett florentine : Amazing. Helix bad back, core strength and posture. Better than a desk chair.

I say for hours on one of these at the Cumming Hyundai in Georgia. It was very comfortable, my kid enjoyed it. It is great for posture, bad backs and strengthening your core. I now have one at my desk and I’ve st my dressing table.

Nicholas S : Amazing chair, but It showed all Black and when ...

Amazing chair, but It showed all Black and when it arrived it was Canary. Sat on it and decided, I didn't care about the color this things amazing!

Psychdoc : This chair is a delight and was worth the money

Blows all other chairs I've used out of the water. Definitely makes sitting a fun activity. You don't need back support with this thing because it ergonomically integrates your core muscles to do their job, WITHOUT causing fatigue. Your body was made for this chair. Just make SURE you get that round pillow that you can also buy on Amazon, or your bootie will fall asleep. I'm using it in my telecommuting job.

George : A great chair for those who know how use it...

What do I mean by the title:

First, let me explain what this chair is and what it is not.
This chair is meant to be used a working/office type of chair. It is meant to help correct posture and force you to sit up straight by using the buoy-like base as a method for balancing your position on the chair and engaging your core and back muscles. This is great for folks who are posture-conscious and also want a stylish, conversation-starter type of chair in their home or workspace. It is especially useful for those who understand that sitting is something that should be done for a few hours at a time - it is a chair, not a LayZBoy... Keep in mind that the chair is fairly lightweight, has a handle that gives it around 5” or so of additional height and works well both on carpet and hard floors.

Now, what it is not: In order to use this chair properly, you must understand that it is not a typical office chair or seat. It is meant to be used for a few hours at a time. The reason I say this is because like most ergonomic chairs, they are designed to purposely become uncomfortable if your posture begins to degrade. If you have trouble adapting to posture to begin with, this chair may not be for you. I have found that the best way to use this is to sit towards the edge of the chair, upright and adjusted so your feet are comfortably flat on the floor. In my opinion, due to the angle of the seat and your upright position, after prolonged sitting, it should not feel comfortable anymore. This FORCES you to either get up, move around and readjust your sit. While I do actually enjoy this fact about this chair, I’ve noticed that the times I am stubborn enough to remain sitting, it can cause some discomfort in my tailbone. This is mostly due to the fact of actually sitting perfectly upright, and the lack of movement in my glutes and legs causes restlessness and discomfort. If you were to sit back in the chair as they would in a standard desk chair (lumbar sinking into the bottom of the chair), you’d probably notice immediately how hunched over and uncomfortable you’d feel in this chair.

TL;DR
With all of this said, this is why I like and dislike this chair. It is a stylish and unique “ergonomic” chair that is intended for those who understand that it is not meant to be sat in for hours at a time. I give it 4.5/5 stars for the sole fact that I wish the pad could be a bit better for those with tailbone pain.

laurel dasso : Couldn't love it more

I ordered this in black/black, and then immediately regretted not ordering grey/grey. It arrived 2 days earlier than promised, in the grey/grey combo. If I hadn't been regretting my original color choice, I might have been upset but I was SO happy when I opened it and it was the grey/grey. As for the stool, it's fantastic. I ordered it for long days at my sewing machine and it's exactly what I've been needing. Movement, low profile, tilts forward to keep me from having to hunch over my machine. SO much more comfortable than a saddle stool or an office chair. I would imagine that if you have wood floors this might not be the seating for you, but if you have tile like I do (or short carpet maybe?) then give this a try. My back feels better already.

Megumi Aldrich : Great product for collaboration

I used to use it at office but I decided to buy it for my own!
Great chair for work at home and really cool product.

Sean Lee : Fun!

Very fun!

Catharine : Sturdy and well made

You do have to get used to sitting on it as it’s a bit wobbly for first time users. Once you are comfortable using it, it’s very convenient. I use it in my sewing room since it takes up very little space.

Psychdoc : This chair is a delight and was worth the money

Blows all other chairs I've used out of the water. Definitely makes sitting a fun activity. You don't need back support with this thing because it ergonomically integrates your core muscles to do their job, WITHOUT causing fatigue. Your body was made for this chair. Just make SURE you get that round pillow that you can also buy on Amazon, or your bootie will fall asleep. I'm using it in my telecommuting job.

Kim Conner : DURABLE & GREAT FOR REDUCING BACK PAIN!

I'm a graphic designer, so I spend a lot of hours in front of the computer. I bought a buoy chair a few years ago for my office and have used it every day ever since. I feel like it's helped my posture and I have a lot less back pain. My recent purchase was actually for my brother. My buoy chair is still in great condition even after heavy use and several years later. It's a little pricey, but it's really durable and has reduced my back pain. It also just looks cool! It's definitely a conversation piece that everyone wants to take for a spin.

Mary : I like how the stool rocked back and forth and moved ...

I like how the stool rocked back and forth and moved with my movement, but the rocking made it move across the slick floor at work. I had to keep dragging myself back over in front of my monitor. Also, there was not much padding. It was okay for about 20 minutes, but after 12 hours at work my butt was so sore. I sent mine back.

Kilimats : prime time not quite there

Not ready for prime time

Love mine but few things come in the way to make the experience overall not so great

1- the cushion is too thin, the only way to not feel numb on the butt is to constantly rock the chair back and forth, i simply added a cushion on top, helps but would rather keep the chair as is since i love the design
2- only one handle? moving the chair is awkward and hard while seating on it, you need to stand up and grab the handle on one side and put your hand flat on the other, second handle hellooo ??
3- Expensive?
4- Too expensive !
5- No really :( it should be around $100 not double that !!!

Curt Mader : Great stool for active sitters

This stool is great if you are an active sitter like I am. You can find a balance point if you need to sit still for a bit or you can wobble like crazy! The only downside, and others have mentioned this too, is that the cushion is way too thin. I lasted for about a week with the original cushion before my butt was sore that I couldn't take it anymore. I bought a memory foam cushion for it an it is much more comfortable now.

JGH : Awesome chair!

It's funny, because I previously owned a Knoll Chadwick office chair, which really messed up my lower back. My Knoll chair replaced my ergoErgo stool, which helped to build my lower back muscles and was better for me overall. The problem with the stool is that it deflated. Now I own and love the Turnstone Buoy, best of both worlds! It keeps me moving, has relieved my lower back pain, and it's a lot of fun to spin around on. It won't deflate either!

amazonin' : If you have looked this far then just buy it!!!!

I have had this chair for over a year now and I still love it!!!! the padding is thin as others have said, but it does remind you to get up and move or stretch!!!! That's the whole point of this "chair" is to keep your muscles moving and balancing. I have bought Serta Brand chairs for the rest of the office, but I would never give this seat up! I purchased the "Blue Jay" style direct from the manufacturer, not Amazon. The construction is also second to none...

Amazon Customer : Sturdy, versatile, fun to use- a great solution for active sitters.

I decided to switch my regular office chair with one of these and it's doing wonders for my posture and hip/back pain. It's not difficult to balance on, so sitting on it for extended periods of time isn't a struggle. The rocking motion actually makes it more comfortable for me to sit at my desk and work because I'm not forced to be stationary. It does gently exercise your core muscles- not enough so that sitting on it becomes a workout, but it's noticeable after a few days. It's very easy to sit on- there's even enough space for me to sit cross-legged.

I only wish there were multiple handles. One on each side would be perfect for carrying and I wouldn't have to reach around the entire thing looking for it. The fabric of the seat is also pretty commercial-feeling- like a chair in your dentist's waiting room. There's not much padding either, so I'm probably just going to find a cushion that will fit on top.

It's a great chair, though. It doesn't feel cheap despite being plastic and I love that I can move it around for different activities. It's exactly what I was looking for.

AZBryan : Love it!

A friend has had one for years and when it was time for a new office chair, I knew I wanted to try this. Takes up so much less space. Takes a little getting accustomed to, but all good after a couple days.

Amy Coffer : Works great for my short size!

With my being only 5'3" tall, most desk chairs, even expensive ones, do not adjust to something that is comfortable for me. This chair has been the only exception! It has completely relieved my leg pains and mild back pains that I was having with more traditional desk chairs. I also greatly enjoy the ability to swivel and rock gently without making any noise. This noiselessness makes it easy to fidget and engage core muscles without disrupting my coworkers in our bullpen. Adjustable height of Buoy, , leaves my knees at a perfect 90 degrees at the lowest height. I've found that even though most desks are too high for me, this chair enables me to adjust the chair height to fit most desk heights; I just need to rock forward a little bit more on the Bouy to be able to keep my feet flat on the ground. I originally used this chair at work for 4-6 hours a day and found it took 3-4 days for me to adjust to it. The first few days using the chair I would switch between the Buoy and a regular desk chair. After adjusting to it, I liked it enough to buy one for my home office as well!

Turnstone by Steelcase Buoy, Scarlet Fabric, Grey - review and price compare 2025

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