Steelcase Think vs. Leap: Comparison 2024

Steelcase is that one brand of office chair that is equipped with top-notch features and improved adjustability. With the brand’s consistent launches, the one that stood out was the Steelcase Think and Steelcase Leap. With multiple similar features, assessing Steelcase’s Think vs. Leap can be pretty confusing, but there are a few remarkable differences that make one better than the other.

If you are wondering which one of the two office chairs is a better option, I am here to give you a quick comparative analysis of the two.

Table of Contents

• Steelcase Think vs. Steelcase Leap – Features
  • Steelcase Think
  • Steelcase Leap
• Steelcase Think vs. Leap – Comparison
  • Material
  • Design
  • Comfort
  • Features
  • Adjustability
  • Price
• Conclusion

Steelcase Think vs. Steelcase Leap – Features

With the standard introduction out of the way, it is time I walk you through the features of both these office chairs before we dive into a comparative analysis of the two.

Steelcase Think

• It supports up to 400lbs weight capacity.
• It comes with adjustable height and seat-depth.
• The seat-width in this is 20.25 inches.
• It provides added lumbar support.
• It is designed with 4D adjustable arms.
• It allows up to 116-degree recline for a comfortable backrest.
• The seat material is made with 3D knit and leather.
• It assures 8+ hours of recommended usage.

Steelcase Leap

• It supports up to 400lbs weight capacity.
• Even this one comes with adjustable height and seat-depth.
• The seat-width is 18 inches.
• It provides lumbar support along with adjustable back tension.
• It features a 4D adjustable armrest.
• It allows up to 120 degrees reclination.
• The seat material is a mixture of fabric and leather.

Steelcase Think vs. Leap – Comparison

With the basic features out of the way, the next thing up for discussion is the comparative analysis between the two. It will give you a better understanding of these office chairs’ quality and help you choose the best one according to your needs. 

The comparison will be based on the following categories:

• Material
• Design
• Comfort
• Features
• Adjustability
• Price

Material

The unique thing about both these office chairs is that they provide material options. It means that you can choose between different types of material variants, depending on your budget and comfort. 

The Steelcase Leap is available in two different material options – fabric and leather. So, if you want a more luxurious feel to your workspace, the leather variant can work well. In case you prioritize comfort more, pick the fabric variant.

In Steelcase Think, the chair is available in three material options – fabric, leather, and 3D mesh. The 3D mesh is the best option for users who tend to get hot quickly and sweat more. The mesh back enhances air circulation, reducing the excessive humidity while sitting on the chair for hours in the end.

Design

With the material out of the way, the next factor to focus on is the design. Steelcase is known for its innovative designs, and both these chairs feature that streak of innovation. 

The Steelcase Think has a minimalistic and comfortable design with adjustable back support and lower back support. Both the backrest and seat width is wider in this one, enabling the user to have a comfortable sitting experience for over 8 hours. The outer backrest shell’s design is also different in this one with the flexible plastic grids and the 3D mesh back for enhanced air circulation.

On the other hand, the Steelcase Leap features a tall and wider backrest but in a much narrower design. The chair’s nylon material makes this durable and easy to move around without the risks of scratches. It has an open grid on the lower back region, allowing better air circulation.

Comfort

Coming round to the comfort, several factors need looking into. From the adjustable design to the foam padding in the chair, a few things determine the level of comfort in the chair.

The Steelcase Think has a pretty standard design with adjustable lumbar support and adjustable arms that allow users to have a comfortable sitting experience for hours. The only drawback to this chair is the limited reclination, so if you want to stretch your lower back, it wouldn’t have the needed flexibility. The plastic grids on the back sometimes dig into the skin, making it uncomfortable and painful to sit through for more extended periods.

The Steelcase Leap is a much better option when it comes to comfort. Even with the thin padding, the foam’s quality is durable and conforms to the shape of the body for sitting for longer hours. It is designed with the LiveBack technology that allows a more flexible and comfortable movement. The adjustable armrests also contribute to the comfort of sitting on this chair.

Features

The majority of the features in these two chairs are similar to what we mentioned in a previous part of the article. 

While Steelcase Think features a standard semi-adjustable design, the Leap is designed with more useful and flexible adjustability options. The recline and tension knob in this one comes with four recline positions. The chair lacks a midpoint recline position and doesn’t have the standard 4-way adjustable armrest design available in the Steelcase Leap.

If you are particular about adjustable seat height and multiple reclining positions, the Steelcase Leap is your safest bet. This one comes with all the necessary flexible options to the tee. It comes with the recline and back tension with adjustable levers for more specific functions. It also accommodates five different reclining positions, which again is a reason enough for making the purchase. 

While it is designed with all fully adjustable features, the one thing that doesn’t change shape is the backrest. But, the backrest is pretty tall, so not having a flexible option doesn’t affect the chair’s quality.

Adjustability

While we have discussed all the basic adjustability features, let me give you a quick rundown of the functions and features that are adjustable. The height-adjustable of the Steelcase Think ranges between 16.5″ to 21.5″ while that in the case of Leap is 15.5″ to 20.5″.

As for the seat depth, the Think’s seat depth ranges up to 18,” and Leap’s seat depth ranges up to 18.75″.

The adjustable back tension and the Leap’s adaptable lumbar support is much better than the Steelcase Think. It gives you an option to adjust your chair and have the freedom to move it according to your needs. The tension adjustment is only available in Steelcase Leap that conforms according to the lower back’s firmness.

The chairs also come with adjustable armrests, mostly known as the 4D armrests, allowing a more comfortable sitting experience.

Price

Last but not least in the list of comparisons is the price point. Office chairs are not cheap, so is the case with these two chairs from Steelcase. Given how famous the brand is, it is not surprising that both these chairs are relatively expensive.

The Steelcase Think is a cheaper variant than Leap, mainly because it is designed with more adjustability options. 

Including add-ons like casters, headrest, materials, allowing you to customize the option according to your needs.

Conclusion

With all the necessary information and comparison out of the way, it is time to share which one of the two is a better purchase. I would suggest you opt for the Steelcase Leap instead of the Steelcase Think, primarily because of the varying adjustable options that it comes with. If you don’t want to compromise on the comfort and ease of use, this is one of the best options. But, given that Leap has more adjustability options, it is not surprising that users prefer this over the other option.