If you've been searching for the perfect ergonomic chair and find yourself torn between the Aeron and Leap, you're not alone. These two chairs are among the most popular ergonomic options worldwide, representing flagship products from Herman Miller and Steelcase. While both are considered high-end, they're quite different. So, is the Aeron or Leap the perfect fit for you? Let's dive in to find out!
Aeron and Leap: Two Top Contenders
Both the Aeron and Leap chairs consistently land in the top 5 of overall ergonomic chair rankings. Before we compare them, let’s break down how each chair was configured for testing.
| Compare Projects | Winner |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Steelcase Leap. |
| Return Policies | Tie |
| Warranty | Tie |
| Assembly | Tie |
| Build Quality | Herman Miller Aeron |
| Scope of Users | Steelcase Leap |
| Seat Comfort | Steelcase Leap |
| Back Support | Herman Miller Aeron |
| Armrest Comfort | Steelcase Leap |
| Ergonomic Adjustability | Steelcase Leap |
1. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Pricing
Starting with pricing, the Aeron chair has a base price of around $920 but can easily be configured to over $1,300. Our test chair came in at approximately $1,275. On the other hand, the Leap Chair starts at $811 and was nicely configured for just under $1,000.
Winner: Steelcase Leap.
Ergonomic chairs of Herman Miller and Steelcase quality at one-third the price. Click to view catalog.
Ergonomic chairs of Herman Miller and Steelcase quality at one-third the price. Click to view catalog.
2. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Return Policies
It’s no surprise that two of the biggest names in office furniture also have the best return policies. Both the Aeron and Leap Chairs come with a 30-day, hassle-free, money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, simply reach out to the brand, keep your original packaging, and they’ll arrange for pickup and provide a full refund, as long as the chair is in perfect condition.
Winner: Tie.
3. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Warranty
Herman Miller offers a 12-year, no-exclusions warranty on all Aeron chairs, covering 24/7 use and up to 350 pounds on B and C size chairs. Steelcase offers a similar 12-year warranty with no exclusions, covering up to 400 pounds for the standard Leap chair and up to 500 pounds for the oversized version. Steelcase’s warranty allows them to repair, replace, or credit you for the chair at their discretion.
Winner: Tie.
4. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Assembly
If you dislike assembling furniture, both the Aeron and Leap chairs are great options—they arrive fully assembled. Simply cut open the box, roll out the chair, and you're ready to go!
Winner: Tie.
5. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Build Quality
Both chairs are known for their high build quality. The Aeron scored 95 out of 100, taking the top spot for overall build quality in 2019, while the Leap Chair followed closely with a score of 90. Both brands design specific components for their chairs, leading to a finer attention to detail and higher quality overall.
Winner: Herman Miller Aeron.
6. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Scope of Users
Scope of users is a crucial category, especially if you’re buying chairs for a large office or shared workspace. The Aeron chair scored 66 out of 100 due to its three different sizes, which don't allow one chair to fit everyone comfortably. In contrast, the Leap Chair scored second overall with a focus on fitting a wide range of users, thanks to features like adjustable arm width and seat depth.
Winner: Steelcase Leap.
7. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Seat Comfort
Seat comfort can be subjective, so we tested both chairs with nine different users. The Aeron’s pellicle mesh seat had a more varied response, scoring 74 out of 100, while the Leap Chair’s padded seat provided consistent comfort, scoring 85 out of 100.
Winner: Steelcase Leap.
8. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Back Support
Both chairs ranked in the top 5 for back support. The Aeron features a pellicle mesh backrest with the PostureFit SL system for lumbar support, while the Leap offers flexibility through its LiveBack technology and adjustable lumbar support.
Winner: Herman Miller Aeron.
9. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Armrest Comfort
Armrest comfort was another category where both chairs excelled, with the Aeron scoring 81 out of 100 and the Leap slightly better at 83 out of 100. The Aeron’s armrests are soft and squishy, while the Leap’s offer a wide range of adjustments.
Winner: Steelcase Leap.
10. Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap V2: Ergonomic Adjustability
Finally, we looked at ergonomic adjustability. The Leap Chair is significantly more adjustable, scoring 90 out of 100, while the Aeron scored 61 out of 100 due to its fewer adjustment options.
Winner: Steelcase Leap.
Conclusion: Which Chair is Right for You?
The Herman Miller Aeron and Steelcase Leap are two of the most iconic ergonomic chairs available. Which one is best for you depends on your ergonomic adjustment needs, upholstery preferences, and budget.
ZUOWE is a professional manufacturer and supplier of ergonomic chairs. With hundreds of years of experience in car seat research and development, we are fully capable of manufacturing 100% ergonomic chairs. In addition, our design company is IDEO Design Company (hermanmiller's Asari chair, Steelcase's exclusive industrial design company), which means that you can get ergonomic chairs comparable to Hermanmiller from us, but at only one-third of his price.
If you need, you can visit our ergonomic product catalog, or send us an email directly!
More blog content about Herman Miller vs Steelcase:
Aeron Vs. Leap: My Review After 3 Years of Use
Herman Miller Aeron vs. Steelcase Leap: Which is better?
Best Office Chair? Herman Miller Embody vs Steelcase Leap
Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Leap: Which Is Better?
More video content about Herman Miller vs Steelcase:
Herman Miller Aeron vs Steelcase Gesture -- Which is Better?
Aeron vs. Leap: My Opinion 3 Years Later
The TRUTH About The Herman Miller AERON Ergonomic Office Chair
