{"id":92705,"date":"2018-08-23T05:19:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T05:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/?p=92705"},"modified":"2026-06-08T01:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T01:07:22","slug":"herman-miller-aeron-vs-steelcase-leap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arielle.com.au\/herman-miller-aeron-vs-steelcase-leap\/","title":{"rendered":"Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap: Ultimate Showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 11<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

I work 10 hours each day. But I refuse to spend this time in a cheap, uncomfortable office chair. While the best office chairs<\/a> may seem expensive at first glance, a $2,500 Herman Miller Aeron<\/a> or a $1,800 Steelcase Leap<\/a> will last 10-12 years, which means I’m paying about $200 annually for premium seating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s peanuts. Most people spend 10X more on fancy coffee and avocado toast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying a budget office chair<\/a> is false economy, as you’ll have to replace it within 2-3 years. And you won’t be able to resell it easily. <\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now that I’ve (hopefully) convinced you that “expensive” office chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron and the Steelcase Leap are great value, let’s decide on: which should you buy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t have the time to read the whole review? See the table below for the TLDR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Above: I bought both chairs with my own money. I used each in my home office for the past 3 months, switching between them multiple times per day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Criteria<\/th>Winner<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Seat Comfort<\/strong><\/td>Steelcase Leap<\/td><\/tr>
Armrest Comfort<\/strong><\/td>Herman Miller Aeron<\/td><\/tr>
Aesthetics & Design<\/strong><\/td>Herman Miller Aeron<\/td><\/tr>
Lumbar Support<\/strong><\/td>Steelcase Leap<\/td><\/tr>
Backrest Comfort<\/strong><\/td>Steelcase Leap<\/td><\/tr>
Recline Comfort<\/strong><\/td>Herman Miller Aeron<\/td><\/tr>
Build Quality<\/strong><\/td>Herman Miller Aeron<\/td><\/tr>
Pricing<\/strong><\/td>Steelcase Leap<\/td><\/tr>
Warranty<\/strong><\/td>Tie<\/td><\/tr>
Assembly<\/strong><\/td>Tie<\/td><\/tr>
OVERALL WINNER<\/strong><\/td>See “My Verdict” Below<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Seat Comfort.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Above: Steelcase Leap’s seat base looks gentle and inviting – because it is.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The biggest difference between the Aeron and the Leap V2 is the seat base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leap’s seat flexes. It will move with you as you shift position or move your legs, contouring to the shape of your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pad is forgiving and slightly tilted up at the edges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Important!<\/h3><\/div>

Reddit is full of people who say that the Leap is excessively firm, alleging their butts are permanently sore. This is a load of BS. I’m willing to wager that these people have previously sat in cheap gaming chairs or soft recliners. Remember – real ergonomic chairs are firm<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Aeron’s bucket seat, meanwhile, is tough. Rigid. Unyielding. Its aggressively sculpted sides keep you locked in (and prevent you from sitting cross-legged).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both seats are very comfortable but offer very different seating experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the Leap is like a gentle parent who gently nudges you toward better posture, the Aeron is like a military drill sergeant who knows what position is best – and dictates it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re a car person, this analogy will make more sense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n