The catch
Steelcase Leap
A padded back traps more heat than full mesh does, and for some users the seat starts to feel firm after several hours.
Side by side
Steelcase Leap vs Series 1: Leap brings lumbar tuning, Series 1 makes a shared small desk easier
Quick verdict
Long sessions, stronger lumbar tuning and a more substantial seat are what justify upgrading to Leap. Series 1 is the better call when space, lighter weight and quick shared-desk controls count for more.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The catch
Steelcase Series 1
Next to Leap, the narrow back and thinner seat feel less substantial once sessions get very long.
Steelcase Leap
- Why pick it
- Eight hours or more in the chair
- Lumbar firmness has to be adjustable
- The catch
- A padded back traps more heat than full mesh does, and for some users the seat starts to feel firm after several hours.
Steelcase Series 1
- Why pick it
- Your workstation is small
- The chair changes hands often
- The catch
- Next to Leap, the narrow back and thinner seat feel less substantial once sessions get very long.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money
What this page compares
Is Leap’s deeper comfort worth stepping up from Steelcase’s compact entry model?
This one comes down to back and seat first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Day to day
How each one fits your routine
Automatic recline is worth something different when two people share a desk
In a household where the chair changes hands several times a day, a quick reset routine helps. Series 1’s weight-responsive recline means you rely less on picking a new manual tension setting, though seat depth, height and arms still need checking. Choose it if this shared-desk routine comes first. Choose Leap if one main user wants more direct control and is willing to tune the settings.
Where this comes from
Series 1 documents a recline mechanism that responds to weight. Leap provides manual recline and lower-back controls as separate adjustments. Automatic recline doesn't set the seat or armrests for you.
Spend on the control that solves a real fit problem
Seat-depth adjustment and multidirectional arms are already on both, so neither requirement is enough to justify stepping up to Leap. Leap's more specific advantage is changing lower-back firmness on its own, once the height and seat settings are right. Pick Leap if that pressure preference is still unresolved. If Series 1 fits once you use its available adjustments, the extra control is optional and not a sure improvement for a longer workday.
Where this comes from
Series 1 comes with adjustable lumbar, seat depth and 4D arms. On top of that, Leap has a separate lower-back firmness adjustment. The comparison singles out the control that is left over, rather than tallying every adjustment a second time.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Most of my workday is spent sitting
Steelcase Leap lists “LiveBack with lower-back firmness control” for back, while Steelcase Series 1 lists “Compact flexor back with adjustable lumbar”. For back, this affects body support and how well the adjustments suit you. A feature list cannot replace checking the comfort yourself.
- Steelcase Leap
- Better fit
- Steelcase Series 1
- Depends
I need lower-back support I can adjust
You can reposition or tune the lumbar support, so where it touches your back depends less on a single fixed body shape.
- Steelcase Leap
- Better fit
- Steelcase Series 1
- Good
I like a padded seat
Steelcase Leap lists “Thicker and more supportive” for seat, while Steelcase Series 1 lists “Thinner and more compact”. For seat, this affects body support and how well the adjustments suit you. A feature list cannot replace checking the comfort yourself.
- Steelcase Leap
- Better fit
- Steelcase Series 1
- Depends
I need flexible arm support for my keyboard and devices
Armrests that move in several directions keep your elbows supported whether you are typing, using a mouse or holding a device.
- Steelcase Leap
- Good
- Steelcase Series 1
- Better fit
Having parts covered long term matters
Coverage from the manufacturer is unusually long, within the stated limits on user, shift and upholstery.
- Steelcase Leap
- Good
- Steelcase Series 1
- Better fit
At times I sit cross-legged
With a fairly open seat and arms that move, there is more space for the occasional cross-legged posture.
- Steelcase Leap
- Better fit
- Steelcase Series 1
- Depends
Option A
Steelcase, Grey Fabric
Leap
Cushioned and highly adjustable, with a flexible back, lower-back firmness set separately and a fit range with a proven all-day record.
- Best for
- Eight hours or more in the chair
Facts we checked
- Back: LiveBack with lower-back firmness control
- Seat: Thicker and more supportive
- Setup: Typically arrives assembled
- Recline tension and lower-back firmness each have their own adjustment on the Leap.
Option B
Steelcase, Onyx with lumbar support
Series 1
A compact task chair that brings Steelcase ergonomics together with 4D arms, adjustable depth and recline that responds to your weight.
- Best for
- Your workstation is small
Facts we checked
- Back: Compact flexor back with adjustable lumbar
- Seat: Thinner and more compact
- Setup: Ships ready to assemble
- The Series 1 reclines in response to your weight, and its seat depth and arms adjust.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Steelcase Leap | Steelcase Series 1 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back | LiveBack with lower-back firmness control | Compact flexor back with adjustable lumbar | For back, this affects body support and how well the adjustments suit you. A feature list cannot replace checking the comfort yourself. |
| Seat | Thicker and more supportive | Thinner and more compact | For seat, this affects body support and how well the adjustments suit you. A feature list cannot replace checking the comfort yourself. |
| Setup | Typically arrives assembled | Ships ready to assemble | How many steps fall to you and how much happens automatically both come down to this. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Steelcase Leap
- The specific Grey Fabric listing on Amazon might come from a third-party seller, so confirm the chair is new and that warranty eligibility holds.
With Steelcase Series 1
- Leap gives you separate recline tension and stops to set directly, while the weight-responsive recline here gives you less direct control.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the office chairs we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steelcase Leap |
|
| |
| Steelcase Series 1 |
|
|
Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Steelcase Leap
Eight hours or more in the chair
See price & reviews on AmazonSteelcase Series 1
Your workstation is small
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
We may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases. How we make money