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Steelcase Leap

Est. $870

Reviewed

June 2013

by ConsumerSearch

Best ergonomic office chair

Pros

Flexible seat back
Many adjustment options
Durable construction
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Bland design
Headrest costs extra

Where to Buy

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Our Analysis
Specs
33 Amazon Reviews

Bottom line

Some reviewers bemoan the conventional design of the Steelcase Leap, but most agree the chair hides a lot of innovative features beneath its unassuming exterior. Its LiveBack technology means the seat adjusts to the user, and owners praise its myriad other back-support options. A few reviewers say the chair is almost too adjustable, leading to endless tinkering in a quest to find optimum comfort. It's pricey, but the limited lifetime warranty may make it more palatable.

Comfort

"Adjustable" is an understatement. The Steelcase Leap comes with a breathable fabric seat and back, but customers have the option of upgrading to leather, vinyl or custom fabric options. A couple of reviewers complain that the seat cushion is too hard. Most owners say the chair's adjustability is where it shines, though a few say the options are overwhelming.

The LiveBack recline lets the seat back flex with a user's spine, and the Leap also offers adjustable lumbar support, upper-back force and lower-back firmness. A variable back stop allows users to set the recline angle in two positions. Seat height and depth are also adjustable, as are the pivoting armrests. A headrest (Est. $150) is optional.

Durability

Lifetime warranty is standard. With a weight capacity of 300 pounds, the Steelcase Leap can accommodate larger frames, but the company also offers the Leap Plus (Est. $1,289), which can handle up to 500 pounds. Owners report few durability complaints, saying the chair feels solid and materials are high quality. Steelcase backs the chair with a limited lifetime warranty. Few reviewers report interaction with Steelcase customer service, but the company actively responds to complaints and provides a question-and-answer forum on its website.

Where To Buy

Steelcase Leap Fabric Chair, Black

(33 reviews)
Buy new: $1,699.00 $889.00 11 Used & new from $549.00

In Stock.

Featured Stores	Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
	6,658 store reviews	In Stock.	$1,359.00	See It
			See All Stores

Our Sources

1. TheWirecutter.com

This comparison of the Steelcase Leap, Herman Miller Embody, Herman Miller Mirra, Knoll Generation, Humanscale Freedom and Ikea Markus praises the Leap as the best of the bunch. The reviewer praises the Leap's LiveBack recline, Natural Glide System and myriad of adjustability options, including lower-back firmness.

Review: Best Office Chair Is the Steelcase Leap, Kyle Vanhemert, Dec. 3, 2012

2. Lifehacker.com

LifeHacker.com readers pick their five favorite office chairs for this roundup, which looks at chairs from Herman Miller, Steelcase, Raynor and Ikea, and vote on their favorite. The Leap places fourth. The reviewer praises its relative affordability, durability and adjustability. The breathable fabric and back also earn kudos.

Review: Five Best Office Chairs, Alan Henry, Sept. 9, 2012

3. Amazon.com

Owners give the Steelcase Leap 4 out of 5 stars in about 30 reviews. Most praise the wide-ranging adjustability and back support in particular. Some reviewers find the number of adjustments overwhelming and say they can't find a combination that alleviates pain; others say the seat feels too hard and upright.

Review: Steelcase Leap Fabric Chair, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of June 2013

4. Mother Nature Network

This roundup looks at five chairs from Herman Miller, Knoll, Humanscale, Steelcase and Haworth, focusing on ergonomics and green features. It does not compare them. The Leap earns praise for its spinal support, recyclable content and materials that are free of off-gassing. However, the chair is not innovative-looking, the reviewer notes.

Review: 5 Ergonomic Desk Chairs That Are Good for Your Body and the Planet, Matt Hickman, June 11, 2012

5. About.com

This roundup looks at five popular office chairs from Steelcase, Herman Miller and Humanscale but does not compare them. The brief review notes that the Steelcase Leap has more traditional styling and praises the easy seat glide and flexible back, "letting you recline without having to pull away."

Review: High End Office Chairs, Abe Abbas, Not Dated

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