4

Steelcase Leap Review

Nikshep Myle Avatar
Updated Feb 6, 2024 4:14 PM

True Score

88
88
5

Experts

88
738

Consumers

Product Awards

Top 5

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Steelcase Leap shines with all-around adjustability with configurable lumbar support, top-tier build quality, and excellent ergonomics, but it doesn’t ship with a headrest by default.

$126.95

We’re reader-supported. Commissions finance our mission. Our ‘True Score‘ system independently powers ratings. Learn more

Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Steelcase Leap is a high-end office chair first announced in 1999, and it is available in a wide range of color options. Weighing only 65 pounds, the Steelcase Leap is lighter than some of the best office chairs on the market, and its lumbar support mechanism allows for adjustment of both height and firmness to help maintain good posture.

The chair can be used by heavy-set individuals weighing up to 400 lbs, and in terms of adjustability, its armrests can be moved up, down, forward, back, or left and right for optimum comfort. Owners will also be able to configure the seat depth and back tension.

Best For

  • Scoliosis

  • Short People

Consensus

our Verdict

Despite its simple yet modern design, the Steelcase Leap office chair offers good comfort and adjustability. It doesn’t ship with a headrest by default, but it has 4-way adjustable armrests that can pivot 30 degrees in and out and are height adjustable by 4”. However, as a fully cushioned chair, it doesn’t offer the same breathability as mesh-backed chairs. Still, the Steelcase Leap arrives fully assembled (in some regions) for added convenience, and its height and depth adjustable lumbar support (which is height adjustable by 5”) makes it a good pick for users who have back problems.

The chair also has impressive build quality courtesy of the high-end materials used, and the thick cushioning isn’t too soft or too hard. It is also favorable for tall users thanks to its gliding seat, and the armrests also have a soft, plastic covering that feels good to rest your elbows on.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Exceptional adjustability and ergonomics
    • Almost every aspect of this office chair is adjustable so that owners can customize it to their specific requirements. The seat height, depth, recline, armrests, and back support are all adjustable.

    • The seat height is adjustable by 5”, the seat depth by 3”, the back support (lumbar height) by 5”, and the armrest height by 4”.

  • Adjustable lumbar support
    • The Steelcase Leap’s lumbar support is adjustable in both height and depth. Height is adjustable by 5”, and it also has a LiveBack that moves in accordance with the individual’s posture.

  • High-end materials
    • The Steelcase Leap feels premium courtesy of the high-end plastic materials and parts used. It is also a sturdy chair if its 400 lbs weight capacity is anything to go by.

Reason to Avoid

  • Does not ship with a headrest by default
    • Buyers will have to pay more to have the Steelcase Leap ship with a headrest.

Steelcase Leap Specs

Adjustable ArmrestsAdjustable Armrests4-Dimensional
Armrest Height MaxArmrest Height Max31"
Armrest Height MinArmrest Height Min22"
Backrest HeightBackrest Height‎10.25"
Backrest WidthBackrest Width18"
Frame ConstructionFrame ConstructionMetal and Plastic
Has FootrestHas FootrestNo
Head PillowHead PillowNo
Head RestHead RestAdjustable Head Support
Lumbar SupportLumbar SupportAdjustable
Piston TypePiston TypePneumatic Cylinder
ReclineReclineYes
Seat DepthSeat Depth15 – 18"
Seat Height AdjustmentSeat Height Adjustment15.5 – 20.5"
Seat Padding MaterialSeat Padding MaterialFoam
Seat WidthSeat Width19.5"
UpholsteryUpholstery3D Knit, Fabric, Leather, Vinyl
Weight LimitWeight Limit400 lbs
Wheel TypeWheel TypeCasters

All Specs

Test Results

Max Recline (Degrees)0
Min Seat Height (Inches)0
Max Seat Height (Inches)0

Like what you’re reading? Get trustworthy, transparent product reviews and the latest tech news delivered to your inbox every morning.

Product Comparison

Steelcase Leap Review

True Score

88
82
81
90

Ranking

#

4

/

31

#

15

/

31

#

18

/

31

#

3

/

31

Market Context

The Steelcase Leap is a high-end office chair first announced in 1999, and it is available in a wide range of color options. Weighing only…

The Steelcase Leap is a high-end office chair first announced in 1999, and it is available in a wide range of color options. Weighing only 65 pounds, the Steelcase Leap is lighter than some of the best office chairs on the market, and its lumbar support mechanism allows for adjustment of both height and firmness to help maintain good posture.

The chair can be used by heavy-set individuals weighing up to 400 lbs, and in terms of adjustability, its armrests can be moved up, down, forward, back, or left and right for optimum comfort. Owners will also be able to configure the seat depth and back tension.

The Steelcase Leap offers dynamic lumbar support, while the Steelcase Amia has height-adjustable lumbar support. The two are also different in that the Leap has…

The Steelcase Leap offers dynamic lumbar support, while the Steelcase Amia has height-adjustable lumbar support. The two are also different in that the Leap has a “Natural Glide System” where the seat slides forward when leaning back, while on the other hand, the seat on the Amia does not. Feel free to check out what else the Steelcase Amia offers in our Steelcase Amia review.

The Steelcase Leap’s lumbar support system is more adjustable than the one on the Steelcase Gesture, but on the other hand, the armrests on the…

The Steelcase Leap’s lumbar support system is more adjustable than the one on the Steelcase Gesture, but on the other hand, the armrests on the Steelcase Gesturer are also more adjustable than those on the Steelcase Leap. Also, the Gesture’s 70-pound weight makes it heavier than the 65-pound Steelcase Leap.

The Steelcase Leap is quite different from the Hag Capisco in terms of design, as the former has a full-size backrest, while the one on…

The Steelcase Leap is quite different from the Hag Capisco in terms of design, as the former has a full-size backrest, while the one on the Capisco is relatively narrow. Also worth noting is that the Leap has armrests that the Capisco does not and that the Capisco has a saddle seat, which is different from the typical seat design on the Steelcase Leap. Finally, the Hag Capisco has a 300-pound limit, which is slightly lower than the 400-pound weight capacity of the Steelcase Leap. We’ve also covered the Hag Capisco in our Hag Capisco review if you’re interested. Still, if you’d want a more executive-styled, PU leather office chair, our AmazonBasics Big Tall Executive Chair review might be useful.

Adjustable Armrests

4-Dimensional

4-Dimensional

Yes

No

Armrest Height Max

31"

11.25

32"

n/a

Armrest Height Min

22"

7.25"

22"

n/a

Backrest Height

‎10.25"

21.25"

24"

18.1"

Backrest Width

18"

18"

17"

23"

Frame Construction

Metal and Plastic

Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Nylon

Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Nylon

Steel and Plastic

Has Footrest

No

No

No

No

Head Pillow

No

No

No

No

Dig Deeper

Steelcase Amia Review →

Steelcase Gesture Review →

HAG Capisco Review →

All Stores

Updated every 24 hours

  • $126.95

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

  • $1,299.00

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes

Score Card

E

Expert Score

88

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

88

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

88

Expert Scores

  • Techgear Lab
    78.7

    Category Trust Rating

    89
    Finishing at the top of the group, the Steelcase Leap is our favorite office chair… Read More

    By:

    David Wise
  • Tom’s Guide
    64.25

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    The Steelcase Leap is an excellent office chair with good lower back support. Read More

    By:

    Mike Prospero
  • Techradar
    51.4

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    There’s a lot of substance when it comes to the Steelcase Leap office chair, with… Read More

    By:

    Ben Mansill
  • The Tech Reviewer
    51.1

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    Steelcase’s Leap V2 office chair isn’t a cheap purchase, but the high-quality build, ergonomic design,… Read More

    By:

    Colt Agar
  • Wired
    26.4

    Category Trust Rating

    70
    Sitting and writing and blogging and researching all day requires support, and we don’t mean… Read More

    By:

    Daniel Dumas

Customer Scores