Steelcase is a US-based company and one of the largest chair manufacturers. They build some of the best ergonomic office chairs that you will find in the industry. These chairs offer great value in seat comfort, design aesthetics, durability, and overall ergonomics.
Steelcase Leap V2 is the best Steelcase chair in terms of design, seat comfort, lumbar support, back comfort, ergonomic adjustability, durability, and price. If you are short in budget and still want to get the high-end chair from Steelcase, then Steelcase Amia would be a viable alternative.
Steelcase offers a lot of ergonomic office chairs with different designs, prices and adjustability. However, all of their chairs receive the same Steelcase warranty and return policy. Steelcase Gesture and Leap V2 is their current flagship model and is equipped with a ton of adjustability.
In this article, I will go through the ergonomic adjustability of popular Steelcase chairs and justify why Steelcase Leap V2 is the best overall chair. So, keep reading the post till the end, it will answer a lot of your questions, and you will know exactly what Steelcase chair you need.
Popular Steelcase Chairs
| Chair Model | Price | Tilt Mechanism |
| Steelcase Series1 | $492.00 | Weight Activated |
| Steelcase Series 2 | $599.43 | Weight Activated |
| Steelcase Amia | $707.00 | Manual Adjustment |
| Steelcase Think V2 | $788.40 | Weight Activated |
| Steelcase Leap V2 | $947.01 | Manual Adjustment |
| Steelcase Gesture, Licorice | $1014.61 | Manual Adjustment |
Steelcase Chair Tilt Mechanism
Steelcase chairs offer two types of tilt mechanisms with tilt tension adjustment and tilt lock option. With the same mechanism, all the chairs do not have the same function. With a high-end chair, you will get a high-end mechanism.
Weight Activated: As the name suggests, this mechanism works based on your weight. The chair will automatically adjust the recline according to your weight as you recline back.
This mechanism also offers an upright lock position and boost system that increases the recline tension by 20%.
Manual Adjustment: Steelcase offers this manual adjustment mechanism to high-end chair models such as Amia, Leap V2, and Gesture.
This manual adjustment includes free recline, multiple tilt limiting positions (multiple position locks), and tilt tension to increase or decrease the reclining resistance.
Steelcase Series 1
Series 1 is Steelcase’s entry-level ergonomic chair and is the least expensive model. Its current price is $492.00. If you are interested, you can check the most updated price on Amazon.
Features:
Series 1 offers standard ergonomic adjustability that you need for your regular office use. Such as you will get four-way adjustable armrests that have height, depth, width, and pivot adjustments.
The chair seat uses premium cushioning with built-in air pockets to reduce the pressure that comes from long-term sitting.
Seat edges are flexible like other Steelcase chairs that help you move your thighs easily, promoting better blood circulation. You can also adjust the seat pan depth of the chair.
The backrest of this chair features LiveBack technology that flexes with your upper body and helps in resting your back muscles. You will also get the height-adjustable lumbar support.
This chair comes with a weight-activated and recline boost option that offers tilt tension to increase or decrease resistance while reclining, and you can lock the backrest only in an upright position.
The base of this chair is durable enough to hold up to 400 lbs of weight.
Should you consider it?
Well, it’s an entry-level chair from Steelcase, but you get standard ergonomic features for regular use. This chair lacks multiple tilt lock mechanisms, lumbar depth adjustment, back height adjustment, forward tilt mechanism, and so on.
As the price of this chair is low, you won’t get the premium feel like other Steelcase chairs. It may feel a little bit cheap or flimsy.
However, this chair is equipped with ergonomic features that you will find on high-end chairs. Also, you will get 12 years of warranty with entire chair coverage. With that in mind, this chair costs only $36 each year. I would say Steelcase series 1 is worth its price.
If you have the budget for it, you should consider it.
Steelcase Series 2
Series 2 is a more upgraded version than series 1. Series 2 design is closer to the Steelcase Amia chair. The current price of this chair is $599.43. If you are interested, check the updated price on Amazon.
Features:
Steelcase Series 2 has similar ergonomic adjustments as series 1. Such as seat height, seat depth, four-way adjustable armrests. The back has the weight-activated recline option with a boost setting like series 1. You can only lock the backrest in an upright position.
This chair design is more premium than series 1. The four-way adjustable armrests have a wide range of movement and solid, consistent arm pads like premium Steelcase chairs.
The seat pad is firm and has a flexible seat edge; this seat pad is the most firm than any Steelcase chair. If you don’t like a firm seat, this chair might not be a good fit.
The backrest of this chair offers Air LiveBack technology that is flexible and flexes in two dimensions offering better support to your back when you move. You will also get the height-adjustable lumbar support to fit your lumbar properly.
Should you consider it?
Series 2 offers similar functionality as series 1 with an upgraded design and more premium build. The armrest is premium on series 2, which you will love and Air LiveBack technology for better back support.
You will get the 12-year warranty as any Steelcase chair. I like the design of this chair more than the series 1.
Steelcase Amia
Steelcase Amia is a great option in this list and offers premium design and comfort like high-end chairs. Currently, this chair costs $707.00 USD. If you are interested, you can check the latest price on Amazon.
Features:
The Amia chair offers all the ergonomic adjustments that I have mentioned on the Steelcase series 1 and series with high end components that have great build quality and put it to the top tier chair category.
This chair also features the four-way adjustable arm set that is widely popular on ergonomic chairs; arm caps are very comfortable, durable, and high-end.
The chair seat has well-padded cushioning that is not too thick or thin, but it’s a little bit soft. You will enjoy it if you like soft chair seats. This chair has a flexible seat edge just like the rest of the Steelcase chairs and you can fine-tune the depth of the seat as you like.
Amia has a manual tilt mechanism with an upright tilt lock option or a freely recline option. You can also adjust the back tension of the recline.
The backrest offers LiveLumbar technology that will fit your back properly, and it’s very flexible; you can move your back as you want, and this back will support you.
Although the lumbar system does not seem quite pronounced, you can adjust the lumbar support height that will offer you the best comfort.
The weight capacity of this chair is 300lbs.
Should you consider it?
Amia chairs offer high-quality components like high-end chairs with less price. This chair is well built, most comfortable, and backed by 12 years of Steelcase warranty.
If we do the math, you are paying only $59 per year for this chair which is literally stealing. You won’t get anything like this with cheap office chairs.
As mentioned above, if you are short on budget, this chair is the alternative option for leap v2. You should definitely consider this chair.
Steelcase Think V2
Think V2 is the most aesthetically appealing chair from Steelcase. It offers a great 3D knit fabric backrest for optimal comfort. Currently, Steelcase Think V2 costs $788.40. If you are interested in this chair, you can click here to check the updated price on Amazon.
Features:
This chair features exposed LiveBack technology to offer the better movement of your back while you are sitting. This technology provides excellent support in the middle of the back.
Think V2 offers weight-activated recline like series 1 and series 2 with an upgraded upright lock position and a midway lock position. You will also get the recline boost option to add more resistance while reclining.
The height-adjustable lumbar support is available that you can fine-tune according to your preference.
The seat of this chair is comfortable and has a flexible seat edge to relieve pressure from your thighs and allow you to move more easily while sitting. You will also find the four-way arm set adjustability like all the other Steelcase chairs.
The seat height is adjustable from 16.5″ to 21.5″ that will accommodate a person’s height ranging from 5’1″ to 6’7″. As you can see it accommodates a wide range of people.
The base of this chair is durable and has 300 lbs of weight capacity.
Should you consider it?
Overall, it’s a modern, aesthetically designed chair and the most appealing chair from Steelcase. However, the ergonomic adjustability is similar to the Amia chair but with a design upgrade and midway lock position.
I like the design of this chair, and it ships fully assembled and backed by 12 years of warranty from Steelcase. If you have the budget for it, you can consider this chair.
Steelcase Leap V2
Leap V2 is a flagship ergonomic chair from Steelcase and is equipped with a ton of adjustability. Currently, this chair retails at $947.01. If you are interested, you can check the latest price on Amazon.
Features:
Leap V2 comes with four-way adjustable arms with an extensive range of adjustability. These arms are better than any arms due to the large range of adjustability with their height, depth, width, and pivot adjustments. The arm caps are comfortable and soft; you won’t find any hard edges.
The unique feature of this chair is the backrest comfort that has a great natural curve to provide enhanced lumbar support and nice support all the way up through your mid to upper back.
You will also love the flexible plastic backrest that allows you to move, shift, recline, rock, and stretch your back. This chair is really going to give you the freedom of movement that is necessary for long hours of sitting.
Leap V2 also offers a great lumbar adjustment package with lumbar height and lumbar tension adjustments. This lumbar tension adjustment is not available on the other Steelcase chairs on this list.
The seat of this chair is one of the most comfortable seats from a Steelcase. Seat foam is about 2 inches thick, but its high quality will offer you great support while sitting for long hours.
This chair has a manual tilt mechanism to adjust the reclining tension and multiple tilt limiting positions. You can lock the backrest in five different positions, which is handy and not available on other chairs on this list.
The seat height is adjustable from 16″ to 21″, accommodating a person’s height ranging from 5’0″ to 6’6″.
The solid base of this chair has a weight capacity of 400lbs.
Should you consider it?
Leap V2 is a premium chair and backed by 12 years of warranty. This chair is so well built that after 15 years of use, it remains in good condition, just add a little love and they come out looking brand new.
These chairs have good durability and resale value. You are getting all the ergonomic adjustments that a chair should have for proper long time use.
This chair costs about a thousand dollars and many of us don’t want to spend that much on a chair. But Leap V2 is the best chair from Steelcase and has a good history. This chair will support you for many years, which a cheap chair would not.Â
I highly recommend this chair. If you have the budget for this chair, just go for it.
Steelcase Gesture
The Gesture is the most expensive model from Steelcase. The cantilever armrest really stands out with this chair. Currently, this particular chair costs about $1014.61. If you are interested, you can check the latest price on Amazon.
Features:
The Gesture comes with some advanced features such as cantilever armrests, an intuitive seat slider, and a modern design.
The armrests of this chair are four-way adjustable, but their range is wider than any chair. You can slide the armrests away for about 10 inches. It’s the best armrest on any chair in the industry. Arm caps are comfortable, soft to the touch, and do not have any hard edges.
The seat of the chair is comfortable and slightly sloped forward than leap v2. You can adjust the seat depth by turning the knob underneath the chair while you are sitting. How cool is that? The front seat edge is also flexible to release pressure from the thighs.
The backrest of this chair also features 3D LiveBack technology to flex and follow the natural movement of your spine. This technology offers constant support as you change your postures.
Lumbar support is well built, and you can adjust the height of the lumbar as your preference, but this chair does not have lumbar tension adjustment like leap V2.
The manual tilt mechanism will allow you to lock the backrest into four different positions. You can also adjust the recline tension to add more or less resistance while reclining.
You can adjust the seat height from 16″ to 21″, which can accommodate a person’s height ranging from 5’0″ to 6’6″. A wide range of people can use this chair in a variety of sitting positions.
Should you consider it?
Gestures offer the best adjustable arm set in any chair. The adjustments are easy to use, and seat sliders allow you to adjust the seat slider while sitting.
This chair comes in a thousand dollar price tag; if you choose the fully-loaded version, the price will increase.
You will receive 12 years of warranty with this chair. If anything goes wrong along the way, you can just let them know, and they will send you replacement parts.
This chair ships fully assembled so, you don’t need to put it together. Overall, it’s a high-end chair from Steelcase and equipped with amazing ergonomics and design. If your budget allows, you should consider Gesture.
Why is Steelcase Leap V2 the best?
All the Steelcase chairs offer similar functionalities, and with each chair, you get a few upgrades. I recommend Steelcase leap because it has a well pronounced backrest with a flexible upper back that follows your spine.
This backrest also has height-adjustable lumbar support and lumbar tension adjustment.
Lumbar tension adjustment is missing other Steelcase chairs. You also get five-position locks, higher than any chair on this list.
The seat cushion is the most comfortable of this chair and has other adjustments as well. Although this chair costs around a thousand bucks, you will get 12 years of warranty from Steelcase, and it has good resale value too.
So, Which Steelcase Chair is Right for You?
Steelcase chair come at different prices and offers upgraded features, design, materials, and comfort as the price increases. On a friendly budget, Steelcase Amia would be right for you. However, Steelcase Leap would be the best option for you if the budget is no issue.
If you look at the overall features of each Steelcase chair, you will find Leap has the most upgraded features than any other Steelcase chair.
You might be thinking, why not Steelcase Gesture is best among Steelcase chairs as it’s the most premium chair from Steelcase? Well, Gesture has no lumbar depth adjustment, and recline lock position feature also lacks behind Steelcase Leap.
Steelcase Leap also comes with better lower back support with lumbar height and depth adjustments, the seat is also comfortable for long hours of sitting. So, Steelcase Leap would be best if there is no budget constraints.
Related Questions
What is the most comfortable Steelcase chair?
Steelcase Leap V2 is the most comfortable Steelcase chair due to its pronounced back design and flexible backrest that offer support from the lower back to all the way up through the mid to upper back.
The seat foam is high-quality and about 2 inches thick, offering a comfortable sitting experience.
Are Steelcase Chairs Any Good?
Steelcase chairs offer premium quality design, material, and an enhanced sitting experience. Steelcase also offers 12 years of warranty for their chairs which ensures the longevity of the chair.
Not only that, premium quality Steelcase chairs have good resale value even after all the wear and tear, you just add a little love to it and it comes out looking brand new.
Steelcase chairs are good and worth the price it offers. If you would like to know about Steelcase chair’s worth, we have a dedicated article just for this topic, you can read it here.
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