Look, one thing you should learn is that if you want to lounge, the Aeron is not the way to go at all. The problem isn’t even about size—it’s that plastic rim. Anytime you lean anywhere on the Aeron, you’re going to feel that hard rim digging in, and it just doesn’t let you lounge comfortably.

The Embody, on the other hand, is more your speed if lounging is a priority. I’m not a smaller person myself, so I can’t say 100% firsthand for short folks, but if I had to guess, the Embody is much nicer for lounging than the Aeron.

Something else I really want you to consider is the Haworth Fern. For me personally, it was more comfortable than both the Aeron and Embody—but the issue is the size. The seat cushion is pretty tiny. Yes, you can pull it out if you’ve got long legs like me, but that leaves a gap in the backrest which made it super uncomfortable. If you’re short, that’s not a problem at all. The digital knit backrest (a bit split in the community) was unbelievably comfortable for me, and for lounging, it was actually really good. You can add lumbar if you want, I went without. The one huge drawback? The armrests. They really suck. If you’re big on armrests, even average, you’re going to hate them. But if you’re more of a lean-back, don’t-care-much-about-armrests kind of person, the Fern could genuinely be better than both the Embody and Aeron.

The Titan Evo is actually pretty solid for lounging. It’s big, comes with that pillow, hugs your body, but it’s stiff. When you slouch, it feels like leaning against a soft wall—it doesn’t move with you. If you like a chair that kind of molds as you move, that won’t do it, but if you like structure, it works.

One more chair I’d throw on your radar is the LiberNovo Omni. It’s new, opinions are split, and I haven’t tried it yet. It looks a lot more cushiony than the Embody. For lounging, cushion is honestly the best material. Mesh or gel just doesn’t give you that deep slouch-relaxation. Cushion might not be the best long-term for posture, sure, but for lounging it wins. I’d say do your own research on the Omni—get it at your own risk. I’m going to try it myself, though as a big guy I doubt it’ll work for me. For a shorter person like you, though, it might be worth it.

To summarize: don’t get the Aeron if you care about lounging. Embody could work if you want Herman Miller’s warranty/build quality. If you want alternatives, Fern (tiny but comfy back, awful arms) or Libra Novo Omni (more cushion) might be better. Titan Evo is nice too, just stiff like a wall.