Desworthy Editorial Team
Desworthy editorial reviewer focused on ergonomic chair research, desk tech, affiliate disclosure, and practical UK home office buying decisions.
Last reviewed on by Desworthy Editorial Team.
Source information was checked on 7 October 2026. The editorial update date above does not mean prices, availability or retailer terms were checked again. Confirm those details with the retailer before buying.
The IKEA MARKUS is the better starting point if you want a padded seat, straightforward controls and can try the chair in an IKEA store. The M57 makes more sense when a mesh seat and manually positioned lumbar support are the reasons you are shopping. Do not pay its premium expecting a more generous warranty: MARKUS has the longer published guarantee.
- MARKUS Vissle Light Grey, article 505.218.61: £159 on IKEA UK.
- M57 Light Grey: £199.99 at Sihoo UK, £40.99 more before delivery or a code.
- MARKUS publishes a 47 cm seat depth and 46–57 cm seat height. Check those measurements before deciding that its simpler adjustment set is enough.
Last verified: 7 October 2026. The MARKUS figures below refer to the current Vissle Light Grey listing, not an older discontinued product URL.
What the extra money changes
| Detail | Sihoo M57 | IKEA MARKUS 505.218.61 | Buying implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selected UK listing price | Light Grey, £199.99 | Vissle Light Grey, £159 | M57 costs £40.99 more in this comparison |
| Seat construction | Mesh seat and back | Fabric-covered foam seat; mesh back | Choose the construction you prefer against your thighs |
| Lumbar positioning | Manual height and depth controls | Lumbar support; independent height/depth controls are not listed | M57 is the clearer option if you need to reposition the pad |
| Armrest controls | 3D height, depth and rotation | Separate armrest adjustment controls are not listed | M57 is easier to shortlist for a desk that needs pad repositioning |
| Published seat dimensions used here | Confirm exact UK seat measurements before ordering | 53 cm width, 47 cm depth, 46–57 cm height | MARKUS provides a useful fit benchmark |
| Published warranty/guarantee | Three-year limited warranty, subject to exclusions | Ten-year guarantee, subject to terms | Compare covered faults and claims routes as well as duration |
Sources: Sihoo M57, current IKEA MARKUS and Sihoo’s return/warranty policy. IKEA’s guarantee terms are linked from its product page.
Keep MARKUS if its fixed geometry already works
A chair with fewer controls can still be the right chair. If MARKUS supports your lower back, clears the backs of your knees and lets you work close enough to the desk, an M57 purchase needs a specific improvement to justify it.
An in-store trial is useful for the first two checks. Sit back, put your feet on a stable support and notice where the seat’s front edge finishes against your legs. Then reproduce your typing position. A comfortable recline in a showroom does not answer whether the armrests will meet your elbows at your own desk.
IKEA publishes a 110 kg test rating for this version. That figure is a product statement, not a promise that everyone below it will fit the seat or back. Seat width, depth and arm placement remain separate checks.
Buy M57 when its controls solve a known problem
The M57 gives you an explicit lumbar height/depth control and adjustable arm pads. If MARKUS’s support lands in the wrong place, those controls make M57 the more relevant candidate to try. If your problem is a preference for mesh under your legs, the seat construction also changes.
There is no comparable UK laboratory result in these sources proving M57 more breathable in use, more comfortable over eight hours or less likely to sag after two years. The construction is verified; the personal comfort result still has to come from using the selected chair.
If moving lumbar support interests you more than manual adjustment, compare the C300 and M57 before ordering. If the main constraint is total budget, the UK chairs under £300 guide puts both beside other current options.
Buying questions
Is IKEA MARKUS cheaper than M57 right now?
The named listings were £159 and £199.99, so MARKUS was £40.99 cheaper before delivery or codes. M57 Black was a different price. Compare the actual colour and delivery route you will order.
Does the ten-year IKEA guarantee make every repair free?
No. A duration is not the full policy. Read the product guarantee terms for covered defects, proof of purchase and exclusions; natural wear and accidental damage need separate consideration.
Does IKEA’s 365-day return headline mean a cash refund after assembly?
Do not assume that. Its UK return policy distinguishes product condition and may use an IKEA refund card for opened or assembled goods. Confirm collection charges and the relevant refund route.
Is M57 automatically better for a tall user?
No. A headrest, backrest and seat have to suit your seated proportions. MARKUS’s published dimensions are a benchmark, while an M57 buyer should confirm the relevant UK seat and headrest ranges. Standing height alone cannot establish fit.
Can I use this comparison to choose a chair for back pain?
Use it to compare controls and dimensions. Neither listing establishes treatment effectiveness. The HSE workstation checklist is a useful setup guide; persistent or worsening symptoms require appropriate clinical advice.
References
Sources were checked on 7 October 2026. Manufacturer and retailer figures are attributed to the exact linked versions. The £40.99 gap is £199.99 minus £159; it is a listing-price calculation and excludes delivery, returns and an unconfirmed code discount. No comfort score or lifespan was inferred from a warranty length.
For the current Sihoo route, see the M57 Light Grey offer.
Image credit: Sihoo, product photograph.
Note: This article is for reference only.