In this blog we compare the most popular chairs in the world. The Herman Miller Aeron and Steelcase Leap are flagships of the two largest office furniture manufacturers worldwide.
Which office chair suits you best depends on your preference for office chairs. In this blog we will explain the differences between these two chairs.
If you're looking for a chair with a high build quality, either chair will do. These high-end brands do not source mass-produced components from the factory to manufacture their seats. As a result, the level of detail in the components is usually higher. Looking first at the Herman Miller Aeron Chair, this chair is currently manufactured in the USA. The Aeron is made of high quality steel, cast aluminum and plastic components. When you feel the components of the Aeron, you can confirm that it is of high quality. There are no loose or ill-fitting parts and everything moves smoothly when you sit in the chair. The Aeron is covered with beautiful mesh.
The Steelcase Leap chair has a completely different look and feel. The construction is made of high quality plastics. Steelcase deliberately chose a design made of plastic, which allowed them to keep their chair light and flexible. Creating an ergonomic seat that allows for movement is at the heart of the Leap V2's design. All of the Leap's plastic components are of the highest quality, fit together nicely and contain no loose protruding parts.
The reach of an office chair is one of the most important aspects for good ergonomics. We feel that the aeron chairs have a limited range as they work with length class and do not have adjustment options that can change the range. As a result, the aeron chairs are also not suitable for flexible working. We mainly miss the seat depth adjustment and the reach of the armrests. Both adjustments would make the chair more accessible to a wider audience. The Steelcase Leap V2 does have those missing setting options.
The Leap does a great job meeting almost every area of adaptation, with a clear focus on the 5th to 95th percentile of the population.
The Leap V2 fits almost everyone. The seat depth adjustment function is essential to fine-tune the adjustment to different body types. Some users have shorter or longer legs and it is important to adjust this part correctly for a good ergonomic posture.
Seating comfort is one of the most important things about a chair, and that's something we try to explain through our blogs. The Aeron is a chair you love or it's a chair you hate. The Steelcase Leap V2 is much more consistent and people always find this chair to be good and comfortable. The Steelcase Leap V2 is also known as the best chair on the market.
The seat of the Herman Miller Aeron chairs is upholstered in the well-known Pellicle mesh upholstery, with a hard outer frame design. The Pellicle mesh feels nice and soft and gives a little when you push it. The Herman Miller Aeron offers a firm seating experience. The frame of the chair can cause problems to the body if you have not chosen the right size for your body. Before purchasing an Aeron, we always recommend that you speak to one of our sales representatives.
The seating experience of the Leap chair is quite different from that of the Aeron. The Leap V2 has a padded seat that collapses according to your body weight, reducing the pressure on your legs.
The Steelcase Leap V2 scores high on seating comfort. For many people, the leap is a safe choice for sitting comfortably without trying the chair first.
The Aeron chair is upholstered in the same Pellicle mesh as the seat. The shape of the backrest provides natural support for the lumbar support and the mesh offers great support.
The backrest experiences of the Leap chairs are good because the chair has the ability to move with the user while seated. This movement forms the basis of the Liveback technology of the Leap V2. There are two different adjustments for the leap's lumbar support system namely a lower tension adjustment and a lumbar position adjustment. Both functions work ideally and allow you to properly adjust the chair to your back.
The arms of the Herman Miller Aeron are attached to the back of the chair. This ensures good arm and shoulder support. If you like to lean back in your chair, the aeron is ideal, because the armrests move with you. The armrests of the Aeron are nice and soft, so if you prefer this type of armrest, you will probably prefer the Aeron.
The wide adjustment range on the Leap seat arms is nice, but the armrests aren't as plush as on the Aeron.
There are many ways to design an ergonomic chair and these two chairs are good examples. Both seats are ergonomic seats, but the Leap seat is significantly more adjustable than the Aeron.
Although the Herman Miller Aeron chair is an ergonomic chair, it is not a widely reclining chair. The Aeron is available with 3D arms, seat height and forward tilt adjustment. There is also an option to add two different lumbar supports. It unfortunately lacks three important functions: arm width, seat depth and back height adjustment. Each is important if you want to tailor your seats to your body.
The Leap chair is the exact opposite, with all the available ergonomic adjustments you'd expect in a chair. The Leap V2 only lacks the height adjustment of the backrest. Seat height and depth adjustment, adjustable lumbar support and 4D arms are all available on the Leap chair. As a result, the Steelcase Leap V2 is better adjusted to your body.
Both the Herman Miller Aeron and Leap V2 are iconic ergonomic chairs and top most lists for the best office chairs. What's best for you will depend on your preference for things like upholstery type, ergonomic adjustments, and budget. The Aeron is why mesh seats have become so popular and if it fits your budget, probably the best you can buy on the market. If you are looking for a more traditional ergonomic office chair, the Leap gives it a modern twist with a more active sitting experience.
