It isn’t hard to understand why fans of classic design would want to find the best replica Hans Wegner shell chair on the market.
Imbued with a unique design, it’s not only a beautiful chair, but an iconic piece that’s comfortable, classic and timeless.
But while it’s still popular today, it was actually somewhat alienating when it was first released in 1963.
Designed by one of the most prolific Scandinavian designers, Hans J. Wegner, the distinctive curvature and wing-like seat of the famous original shell chair offered a whimsical seating solution that was too edgy for some.
(Today names like Wegner and Arne Jacobsen are lauded for their contributions to Danish design, but in the ’60s their sense of adventure was a little too design-y for some.)
Eventually people realized that in addition to looking incredible, its high quality padded seat cushions and unique position actually make it an incredibly comfortable chair that cradles and supports the human body.
It took its rightful place as one of the most famous designs of the 20th century when the modern shell chair went into mass production in the 1990s, and you can still get the iconic chairs from the Carl Hansen company.
The only downside? At more than $3,000, the original chairs cost more than most of us spend on rent each month.
Fortunately, today a number of brands offer shell lounge chair replicas that look just as good as the original design, but come at a much more affordable price.
To help you find one that fits your budget, in this post we’ve rounded up some of the best replica shell chairs on the market.
Our Top Picks↓
Here’s a quick summary of the best options, based on our research.
To learn more about each chair’s pluses and minuses, you can use the Table of Contents below to jump to a specific model (or just scroll down if you prefer).
- Best Overall: Interior Icons
- Best Value: Sohnne
- Most Color Options: Kardiel
- Best on Amazon: Belleze
Who Wrote This Article
Irreverent Gent Founder and Editor-in-Chief Dave Bowden has been both a service journalist and fan of mid century design for more than a decade.
His style advice and shopping recommendations have been featured in a wide range of publications, including The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, and Men’s Health, among others.
How We Created This List
Fidelity to
Original Design
Materials &
Construction
Online User
Reviews
To us, the best shell chair replicas are not only well made and well priced, but come in a variety of color options and have received positive reviews online.
To that end, we took a close look at each chair’s aesthetic to see how it compares to Wegner’s original, looked closely at the materials and fabrics used to make each chair, and considered how many different color options each one offers.
Finally, we read through each chair’s user reviews to see what people said after buying and trying each one, and compared all of the above to each chair’s price point to assess how much value they offer for the money.
Check out our product review and round-up policy to learn more about how we find, rate, and review products.
The Best Hans Wegner Shell Chair Reproductions to Buy Online
Breaking Down the Best CH07 Shell Chair Replicas on the Market
Overall Best Shell Chair Replica ↓
Interior Icons
Features:
- No. of Color Options:
- Base: 3
- Fabric: 1
- Dimensions: 35″ W x 29.1″ D x 29.5″ H
Why We Like It:
This model from Interior Icons has all the hallmarks that make the Wegner original such an iconic piece of furniture.
It has the same fluid cures that make sitting in it such a comforting experience, while design hallmarks like the arched legs and handsome leather seat help it stand out aesthetically from other side chairs, making it a perfect addition to a stylish home.
And in terms of fidelity, its seat height and other dimensions are all within about an inch of the original’s, making this one of the most faithful reproductions on the market.
But what I really like about this model is the quality of its materials.
The wooden frame is made from sturdy walnut-laminated plywood, while the seat cushion is covered in genuine aniline leather sourced from Bolzano, Italy, both of which give it a durability that should help it stand the test of time, all for just a fraction of the price of the original.
Why Some Might Not:
At less than $1,000 this model is way cheaper than the original, but it’s also the most expensive one on our list.
In my opinion, the quality of the materials is enough to justify the price tag, but if you’re on a really tight budget then Interior Icons might not be the best place to turn.
Promising Review:
I’ve always admired this chair, but wasn’t sure about comfort. Then I sat in one in a waiting room. Far more comfort than expected, so I went home and ordered one. The quality is excellent. The wood is sillky soft-feels like a hug when you sit in it!
– Lorri D.
Best Value-for-Money ↓
Sohnne
Features:
- No. of Color Options:
- Base: 3
- Fabric: 1
- Dimensions: 36.2″ W x 32.6″ D x 29.5″ H
Why We Like It:
Sohnne’s shell chair replica is a close runner-up to the Interior Icons model listed above in terms of style, comfort, and quality.
Its design has the same floating lightness of Wegner’s original accent chair, a seven-layer plywood frame that provides stable support, and a seat cushion injected with high-density polyurethane (the same stuff that’s in memory foam) that offers a ton of comfort.
The plywood, leather, and seat cushion are all made from the same materials that Sohnne uses in their Eames chair replica, which I’ve tried firsthand and was quite impressed by.
And this one is an absolute steal:
Despite being a well-made and faithful replica, it’s priced at less than $400, making it the second-cheapest chair on our list.
Why Some Might Not:
Like the Interior Icons model above, this one doesn’t come in many colors—the only seat cushion color available is black, but you can choose from three different colors for the wood base.
Promising Review:
What a spectacular chair! It’s important to me that these chairs are just like the originals and am not disappointed. There are so many cheap and awful versions around and I have no hesitation in recommending Sohnne.
– Agnes S.
Most Color Options ↓
Kardiel Leather Replica Shell Chair
Features:
- Color Options:
- Base: 1
- Fabric: 13
- Dimensions: 36.2″ W x 29.5″ D x 29.5″ H
Why We Like It:
This high-quality reproduction from Kardiel nicely combines the timeless design of the classic piece with high-quality materials and a pretty affordable price tag.
The curved form of the seating shell is made from a sturdy walnut plywood frame, which combines with the high grade padded cushion for a statement piece that’s almost as eye-catching as the original.
And if you’re looking for more color options than the two models above offer, you won’t be disappointed.
Kardiel allows you to create custom orders by choosing from 13 varieties of fabric and colors (four of which are made from 100% genuine Italian leather upholstery), giving you the ability to create some pretty unique furniture pieces.
Why Some Might Not:
The only real knock here is the price tag, which is almost as high as the Interior Icons model above.
It’s still significantly cheaper than the original, but on the higher end as far as replicas go.
Promising Review:
I feel like a rockstar when I sit in these chairs and sip a craft cocktail – and so do my guests.
They are comfortable and so very stylish!
– Elizabeth G.
Best Shell Chair Dupe on Amazon ↓
Belleze
Features:
- Color Options:
- Base: 1
- Fabric: 2
- Dimensions: 35.4″ W x 28.54″ D x 29.1″ H
Why We Like It:
This model on Amazon doesn’t quite match the three above in terms of overall quality.
But what it might lack in pedigree it makes up for in both price and convenience.
It’s the cheapest model on this list, making it the best option if you’re strapped for cash, and it’s available with either a black or white seat cushion.
Plus it’s on Amazon, so you get an easy ordering process, quick delivery, and free shipping if you have Prime.
Why Some Might Not:
When it comes to furniture you tend to get what you pay for, so the trade off for the great price is that the materials used here are cheaper than the models above, and the construction likely isn’t as solid.
Promising Review:
The quality of the chair is amazing. My significant other is very particular about materials and she even was impressed at the build quality for the price.
We liked it so much we ordered a second one!
– Ashwin
Did you know…?
The shell chair (which is also sometimes called the smiling chair) is just one of the many contributions Hans J Wegner made to living room furniture and lounge areas.
Considered the master of the chair, Wegner designed more than 500 unique chairs, including the wishbone chair, the peacock chair and many more,with more than 100 of them going into mass production.
Two More to Consider ↓
The three models above offer the best value, variety, and fidelity to Wegner’s original shell chair, but they’re not the only ones available online.
The chairs below provide some different colors, options, and price points that make them worth considering.
Let’s Make Memories*
*Yep—that’s what the brand’s called. I wish I were joking.
Features:
- Color Options:
- Base: 2
- Fabric: 7
- Dimensions: 34.6″ W x 17.7″ D x 30.3″ H
Why We Like It:
This is another model available on Amazon, but whereas the Belleze model above only gives you two color options to choose from, this one gives you seven options for the cushion color and two for the base.
It’s also one of the only models, along with the Kardiel chair above, to offer colors other than black and white leather (or faux leather) for the seat cushion.
Why Some Might Not:
The reviews for this one aren’t as strong as for the Belleze model above, but the price was quite a bit higher.
Aron Living
Features:
- Color Options:
- Base: 1
- Fabric: 2
- Dimensions: 36″ W x 33″ D x 30″ H
Why We Like It:
This model from Aron Living has a breezy lightness thanks to the combination of a white leather seat cushion and lighter wood color.
It’s only received one review on Amazon, which is why it didn’t rank higher, but the reviewer said she was pretty happy with the overall quality given the price.
Why Some Might Not:
That one reviewer was pretty happy, but not totally happy. She points out that while the Amazon sales page claims the seat cushion uses genuine leather, she thinks it’s actually “synthetic vinyl.”
So if you’re looking for real leather you might want to consider one of our top three choices above.
More Resources ↓
More Stylish & Affordable Replica Furniture:
- The (Absolute) Best Wishbone Side Chair Replicas
- The Best Eero Saarinen Tulip Table Replicas
- The 5 Best Womb Chair Replicas
- The 19 Best Charles Eames Lounge Chair Replicas
- The 5 Best Wassily Chair Replicas
- The Best Arco Lamp Reproductions
- The Best Hans J Wegner Flag Halyard Chair Dupes
- In-Depth Sohnne Eames Lounge Chair Review
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