Are you looking for new banquet chairs for your facility? Two top-selling stacking banquet chairs to consider are the Access and Essential II Banquet Chairs by MityLite. Both chairs are sturdily built with a metal frame, stack 10 high, and are padded and upholstered for comfort, so they may look similar on the surface. However, there are several key differences between these stacking event chairs that can help you make the best decision for your venue.
Although classy, the Access Banquet Chair is a lower-priced chair with fewer customization options than the Essential II. Upholstery options for the Access chair are pared down to three fabrics, which helps keep the price low.
The Essential II Banquet Chair can be made with thousands of fabrics to match the style and tone of a particular property. There are also many more frame color choices with this chair, as it is available in 15 finish colors compared to just one for the Access Banquet Chair.
When it comes to choosing between the MityLite Access Banquet Chair and the Essential II Banquet Chair, several key factors come into play.
Key factors to consider when choosing between banquet chairs.
- Price
- Customization
- Durability
- Comfort
Price: Access Is the Winner
The MityLite Access Banquet Chair is a budget-friendly event chair, making it an attractive choice for those looking to save money. It’s approximately half the price of the more sumptuous Essential II Banquet Chair.
However, the Access chair lacks many features that guests appreciate. It doesn’t have as comfortable a seat or backrest as the Essential II, which may leave guests feeling stiff and uncomfortable after long meetings. Additionally, the Access chair has limited customization options, which could be a downside for those looking for a more personalized touch. With the Access Banquet Chair, you have just three popular fabrics to pick from for the upholstery.
Customization: Essential II Is the Winner
On the other hand, the Essential II Banquet Chair shines in terms of customization with over 1,000 fabric options and over a dozen frame finishes to choose from. This allows for greater flexibility in matching the event chair to different design schemes and style preferences.
The Essential II has several upscale back styles to select from: the Oval or the Shield. And since it’s a popular chair for banquets and meetings, the Essential II is available with either an event pitch back (104 degrees) or a dining pitch (98 degrees).
With either chair, you can upgrade to Customer’s Own Material, which is a fully custom option, but it does add significantly to the price of each chair.
Durability: It’s Close, but the Essential II Wins
The Essential II Banquet Chair features a lightweight aluminum frame, while the Access Banquet Frame is built with a steel frame. Both frame materials are well-suited for commercial use.
The Essential II Banquet Chair’s slightly superior construction means its frame has a 12-year warranty, while the Access Banquet Chair has a 7-year frame warranty.
We use the same powder coating process on both chairs—spraying a coat of paint that’s cured onto the chair in an oven for rugged, 20+ year durability. Both are sturdy and easy to move around, and both types of frames support up to 1,000 pounds (453.6 kg).
The fabric you select will affect the stacking banquet chair’s overall durability. Look for fabric with a high rub count (30,000 or double rubs or higher). Care for upholstery regularly and remove stains quickly.
Comfort: The Essential II Wins
When it comes to comparing comfort between the Essential II and the Access, the Essential II Banquet Chair takes first place. It features our patented FormFlex™ seat base topped with the highest-grade foam cushion. In addition, the Essential II is just a touch wider on this seat than the Access, which creates a more comfortable seating experience.
The Final Take
Ultimately, both the Access and the Essential II are high-quality commercial banquet chairs that can complement your property. The Essential II, as part of the MityLite Comfort Collection, is a higher-end chair that will last longer and provide more comfort for your guests but comes with a higher price tag. The decision between the two chairs will depend on your priorities — whether it’s budget, comfort, or customization options that matter most to you.
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Products Featured in This Article
Access Banquet Chair
3 Chair Back Styles
Essential II Banquet Chair
2 Chair Back Styles
