Are you thinking about purchasing a brand new office chair, but you’re sure about which one to choose between, Steelcase Series 1 vs. Amia? If that is the case, then you’ve come to the right place.Â
Today, I am going to be comparing and contrasting the various features and aspects of, arguably, two of the most popular office chairs that Steelcase has ever made. And those two chairs are, of course, the Steelcase Series 1 and the Steelcase Amia.
The main differences between Steelcase series 1 and Amia are in the design and pricing. Steelcase Amia has an overall better design and features. However, the pricing of the series 1 is cheaper and more competitive than the Amia chair.
In this article, I will be taking a closer look at both of these amazing office chairs and comparing them against each other to help you decide which one to choose between the series 1 and Amia chairs.
Steelcase Series 1
The Series 1 is Steelcase’s most popular and best-selling office chair to date. And the reason for that is simple; it’s the least expensive office chair in Steelcase’s lineup of popular ergonomic chairs.
The best part about this chair is that it provides excellent ergonomic value at a fraction of the price of premium, high-end office chairs.
Here’s an overview of the Steelcase Series 1 office chair:
- Dimensions: 23.75â€D x 27â€W x 41.25â€H Â
- Overall Height: 36.5â€-41.25â€
- Adjustable Seat Height: 16.5â€-21.5â€
- Suitable User Height: 5’2″ – 6’7″
- Seat Depth: 15.5â€-17.75â€
- Arm Height: 23â€-32.5â€
- Weight Capacity: 400 lbs.Â
The ergonomic features of the Steelcase Series 1 chair include four-way/4D adjustable armrests. These armrests are quite similar to those of Steelcase Amia and Leap. It also features seat height and depth adjustment.
One of the pet peeves that we have with this chair is that it does not have a multiple tilt lock system. That means you’ll only get the upright recline from this chair.
This chair ensures that you get a comfortable seating experience throughout the long and arduous work hours at the office.
Pros Of The Steelcase Series 1 Office Chair
- Ergonomics: The Series 1 model comes with 4D armrests, adjustable seat depth, adjustable lumbar support, as well as the pneumatic height and reclines tension adjustment.
- Back Support: This chair provides all-day comfort to the users as it has a flexor system in the backrest. This mechanism conforms to the user’s body movements and provides spine support.
- Quality and Durability: No other office chairs in this price range can be the Steelcase Series 1 in terms of durability. It can withstand 24/7 use while providing maximum comfort. It has a weight capacity of 400 lbs.
- Seat Cushion: The Series 1 features a proprietary seat cushion technology that leverages built-in air pockets. These air pockets conform to your movements and reduce pressure.
- Armrest Adjustability: The armrests of this chair can be raised up or down. And you can also pivot it in or out. They can also be shifted in all directions. This way the armrests provide support to your arms and shoulders and let you be in a relaxed position.
Cons Of The Steelcase Series 1 Office Chair
- Shaky Armrests: Some customers of this chair have complained that the armrests of this chair are a bit wobbly. They are also a bit wide,, and so some users may not like them.
- Recline Settings: Although Series 1 features three recline settings that can be adjusted using a dial, this feature is quite limited, and you might not be getting the right amount of recline.
Steelcase Amia
The Steelcase Amia Chair is built for those hard-working individuals who usually lose track of time while working. It features a versatile and sophisticated design, and this comfortable task chair is ideal for adding some flair to your workspace.
The Steelcase Amia actually comes in two different models. And they are the Steelcase Standard Amia and the Amia Air.
Here’s an overview of the Steelcase Amia office chair:
- Dimensions: 25†x 27†x 42.5†(DxWxH)
- Overall Height: 37.25″ – 42.5″
- Overall Width: 19.25â€
- Overall Depth: 15.5†– 18.5â€
- Lumbar Height: 6.25″ – 10″
- Weight Capacity: 400 lbs.
- Arm Height: 7.25â€-11.25â€
- Seat Height: 16″ – 21″
- Suitable User Height: 5’0″ – 6’6″
The Steelcase Amia is the type of office chair that can be used anywhere at any time. Whether it’s a conference room, home office, or your very own personal workstation, the Steelcase Amia will fit into any work environment.
This chair is quite similar to the Leap V2 model in terms of comfort. This chair features a backrest that has live lumbar support.
It also has a robust construction while having a modern and minimalist exterior design. Its height-adjustable lumbar support lets the user fine-tune it as he/she sees fit.
Pros Of The Steelcase Amia Office Chair
- Comfort: Although the Steelcase Amia model lacks some features of high-end Steelcase chairs, such as the Leap, it’s remarkably comfortable.
- Usability: This chair can accommodate a variety of users. It features a contoured back and height-adjustable lumbar support.
- Live Lumbar Support: As mentioned before, the live lumbar support of this chair allows the backrest to conform and flex according to the user’s natural spine curve.
- Variable Back Tilt: You can use its back lock system to lock it at an upright position or make it lean forward.
- 3D Armrests: The armrests of this chair can be adjusted in all three directions, and you can also pivot it for about 30-degrees in both directions.
Cons Of The Steelcase Amia Office Chair
- Lack of a Headrest: The Steelcase Amia does not come with a headrest like some of the other Steelcase models, such as the Steelcase Gesture.
- Recline Issues: Although this chair allows the user to adjust the recline, the recline position may not be suitable for you.
Comparison Between Steelcase Series 1 and Steelcase Amia
By now, you should have a clear idea of the general settings and features of both Steelcase Series 1 and Amia office chairs. We’ve already gone through their strengths and weaknesses.
Nevertheless, we have to take a deeper dive into their various features and compare them side by side to get a good grasp of which chair is the best out of the two.
Ergonomic Features
Ergonomic Features of Steelcase Series 1 At a Glance:
Adaptive Seat
Series 1 is known for this feature. It allows the seat cushion to adjust according to the user’s unique body shape.
Adjustable Seat Height & Seat Depth:
The seat depth and height of this chair can be easily adjusted. You can adjust the seat depth to a range of 2.5â€.
This chair has an adjustable seat height of 16.5″ – 21.5″. So, you can also adjust the seat height to a range of 5â€. It involves a pneumatic adjustment mechanism.
Adjustable Lumbar Support:
If you want to have additional lower back support, then this feature will come in handy for you. You can adjust the lumbar support of this chair to a range of 2.25â€.
4D Armrests:
The armrests of this chair can be adjusted in terms of height, width, and depth. You can adjust the arms to about 2â€, and the pivot can be changed 40-degrees in or out.
Ergonomic Features of Steelcase Amia at a Glance:
Flexible Seat Height & Seat Dept:
Just like the Steelcase Series 1, the Amia model also has adjustable seat height, depth, and lumbar support adjustment.
The seat height can adjust within a range of 5â€. And the seat depth can be adjusted within a range of 3â€. The lumbar support has a range of 3.75â€.
Live Lumbar Support
As mentioned before, the LiveLumbar support feature of this chair is able to adapt itself to fit the user’s needs.
Advanced Synchro-Tilt Mechanism
This feature allows the chair to move while maintaining perfect balance. If you lean back in this chair, the seat rises to make sure your feet stay on the floor.
3D Armrests
You can adjust the 3D armrests of this chair in 3 directions. You can also adjust its pivot 30-degrees in or out.
Pricing
This is one of the biggest differentiating factors between the Steelcase Series 1 and the Amia. The base price of the Steelcase Series 1 is $422.92. It’s one of the best affordable office chairs you can buy right now.
Steelcase Series 1 currently sells at $467.60 on Amazon. As this price fluctuates a lot, you can check the latest price on Amazon by clicking here.
As you might’ve guessed, the Steelcase Amia is significantly more expensive than the Steelcase Series 1.
The price is going to vary wildly depending on how you configure the chair. The base price of the Amia model is $645.54. Steelcase will let you upgrade the upholsteries, adjustable arms, and frame.
I have found a great Steelcase Amia Chair deal on Amazon. Its current price is $645.54, and You can check the most updated price on Amazon by clicking here.
So, basically, if you are willing to spend some extra cash to get a premium office chair, you should go with the Steelcase Amia. And if budget is a major concern, then the Steelcase Series 1 should be your first choice.
Design & Comfort
The Steelcase Series 1 is greatly admired by its customers for its excellent, user-friendly design. And its ergonomic features are also fantastic.
This chair is an entry-level option with a minimalist design. But, it does provide great value for the money. Despite having a straightforward design, it has plenty of adjustable features that are capable of accommodating all users.
Furthermore, the Series 1 also comes in a wide variety of materials and design options. For instance, it comes in 11 knits, flexor/lumbar colors. You’ll get to choose from a multitude of fabrics, shells, and finishes.
The Steelcase Amia also comes with a lot of ergonomic features. It has LiveLumbar technology that can dynamically shift and flex as you move.
It also features an advanced synchro-tilt mechanism that allows you to fine-tune its recline settings. This chair also has a contoured back design that is ideal for all users.
The Steelcase Amia was designed by the Steelcase Design Studio in collaboration with the industry expert Thomas Overthun.
Personally, I love the design of Steelcase Amia. However, series 1 has a minimalist design that looks better in a minimalist office environment.
Build Quality & Durability
The Steelcase Series 1 has a slim design, and its lightweight design makes it easy to move this chair around. But don’t let that fool you into thinking that it has a fragile build.
On the contrary, this chair is quite well-built, and it can withstand a large amount of weight.
Both Steelcase Series 1 and Amia chairs have premium build quality; both have 400 lbs of weight capacity which says a lot about durability.
In general, an office chair goes through the 20 BIFMA stand tests to determine whether it’s suitable for sitting. Steelcase went above and beyond that by performing a total of 80 tests on this chair at higher weight capacities. This way, Steelcase ensured the highest quality standards.
Steelcase is known for the solid construction of its products. And that’s also the case when it comes to the Steelcase Amia.
Its build quality is compared to that of high-end office chairs. All of the materials used to build this chair are of higher quality, and they fit nicely together. This chair is also pretty long-lasting.
We’ve even talked to some customers who have been using their Steelcase Amia models for more than 15 years.
Let’s check out the warranty of These Chairs at a glance:
| Model | Warranty Period |
| Steelcase Series 1 | 12 Years |
| Steelcase Amia | 10 Years |
Weight Capacity and Size
Please have a look at the following table to get an understanding of the sizes of these two models:
| Features | Series 1 | Amia |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Size | 23.75â€D x 27â€W x 41.25â€H | 25â€D x 27â€W x 42.5â€H |
Steelcase Series 1 Vs. Amia: Which One is Better?
Ultimately, the office chair you choose will depend on which features you prefer and which price range you’re comfortable with.
Both the Steelcase Series and Amia have interesting features and quirks to make them worth considering.
| Features | Steelcase Series 1 | Steelcase Amia | Which One is Better |
| Lumbar Support | Adjustable | Adjustable | Steelcase Amia |
| Armrests | 4D Arms | 3D Arms | Steelcase Series 1 |
| Adjustments | 4 different adjustments | 4 different adjustments | Tie |
| Warranty | 12-years of warranty | 10-years of warranty | Steelcase Series 1 |
| Build Quality Score | Score: 8/10 | Score: 9/10 | Steelcase Amia |
| Design Score | Score: 8.5/10 | Score: 9/10 | Steelcase Amia |
The Steelcase Series 1 comes in various designs and colors. It also has all the adjustable features that you may ever want from an office chair.
I would suggest you go with the Steelcase Amia office chair as it has overall better features and design.
The Steelcase Amia is incredibly versatile, highly adjustable, and, last but not least, comfortable. If you want the top-of-the-line office chair with all the bells and whistles at the right price, then the Steelcase Amia is the one you should choose.
Yet, if you have budget constraints you can buy the Steelcase Series 1. It is an excellent choice for its price range.
Related Questions
Does Steelcase Amia Recline?
Yes, the Steelcase Amia does recline. It features a reclining mechanism that allows the user to recline the chair however they please. Other than that, it features an upright lock position and reclines tension adjustment.
Is a Steelcase Chair Worth It?
Out of all the chairs that we’ve reviewed on this site, the Steelcase chairs were our favorites. These chairs get full marks in terms of ease of assembly, quality of the materials, and build quality. Furthermore, these chairs come with a lifetime warranty that gives them some high marks.
In short, if you’re searching for an excellent office chair at the right price, Steelcase is the way to go.
Recommended Article: Are Steelcase Chairs Worth It?
Does the Steelcase Series 1 Have a Headrest?
The Steelcase Series 1 does not come with a headrest by default. But it does provide you with the option to add a nice headrest that will bring in a new level of style, comfort, and performance to this outstanding ergonomic chair.
You could also attach a coat hanger to the Steelcase Series 1 task chair.
Final Thoughts
That’s all for now, folks! We’re delighted to see that you’ve stuck with us to the very end. Hopefully, now you have all the information you need to choose between Steelcase Series 1 vs. Amia.
I am definitely not saying that one is good and the other one shouldn’t be considered. I’ve tried my best to lay out all the important aspects of these two excellent Steelcase office chairs in front of you.
Now it’s time for you to make the right choice. Till next time!
