Steelcase Leap vs Humanscale Freedom Task Chair
Two of the ergonomic office chairs in our best ergonomic office chairs: herman miller, steelcase, haworth & more comparison, lined up spec by spec. Every figure comes from the manufacturer pages linked below, and the scores use the same published formula as the full ranking.
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Best for: 4D arms, height-adjustable lumbar, 400 lb
Check price at AmazonBest for: Self-adjusting recline, 400 lb, 15-year warranty
Check price at AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
Green marks the better published figure. "Not listed" means the manufacturer doesn't publish it.
| Spec | Steelcase Leap | Humanscale Freedom Task Chair | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight capacityThe heaviest user the maker rates or warranties the chair for. Anything above 400 lb scores the same as 400 lb. | 400 lb | 400 lb | 25% |
| Warranty lengthYears of coverage on the chair's frame and mechanism, as the maker states it. | 12 yr | 15 yr | 20% |
| Seat depth adjustmentHow far the seat slides front to back. A fixed seat scores 0; longer travel fits more leg lengths. Metric figures converted (25.4 mm = 1 in). | 2.95 in | 2.45 in | 15% |
| Maximum seat heightFloor to top of seat at its highest, with the standard cylinder. Taller users need more. | 21.3 in | 20.25 in | 10% |
| Minimum seat heightFloor to top of seat at its lowest. Shorter users need less to keep feet flat. | 16.1 in | 16.125 in | 10% |
| Armrest adjustmentsThe number of directions the armrests move (4D = up/down, forward/back, side to side, pivot) as the maker labels them. Unlabeled arms score as the lowest figure. | 4 D | Not listed | 10% |
| Adjustable lumbarYes when the maker lists lumbar support you can adjust (standard or as an option). | Yes | Not listed | 5% |
| Forward tiltYes when the maker offers a forward seat tilt, useful for upright, task-focused work. | Not listed | Not listed | 5% |
| Seat height | 410–540 mm (16.1"–21.3") | 16.125"–20.25" | info |
| Usable seat depth | 415–490 mm (16.3"–19.3") | Not listed | info |
| Arm height from seat | 160–260 mm | Not listed | info |
| Width between arms | 410–510 mm | Not listed | info |
| Weight | Tested to 400 lb (EU shop lists 150 kg) | Not listed | info |
| Seat depth | Not listed | 17.4"–19.85" | info |
| Warranty | Not listed | 15 years; fabric, cushions, arm pads, casters 5 years | info |
| ErgoPick score | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 100% |
Where each one comes out ahead
Steelcase Leap
Better published figure on: Seat depth adjustment, Maximum seat height, Minimum seat height.
What we like
Watch out for
Humanscale Freedom Task Chair
Better published figure on: Warranty length.
What we like
- Top warranty length in this comparison (15 yr)
Watch out for
- Lowest maximum seat height in this comparison (20.25 in)
- Armrest adjustments not published by Humanscale
Verdict
Both are rated 400 lb. Freedom has the longer 15-year warranty; Leap has more seat travel and height, plus 4D arms.
- Steelcase Leap: Steelcase: Leap cut sheet
- Steelcase Leap: Steelcase Shop: Leap
- Humanscale Freedom Task Chair: Humanscale: Freedom Ocean Task Chair