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Steelcase · Office Chairs

Steelcase Amia

Designed by Steelcase Design Studio with Thomas Overthun of IDEO · Steelcase

Budget-conscious ergonomic buyers.

$1,099 – $1,511

  • Up to 400 lb
  • 12-year warranty
Check price on Amazon
Check price at Steelcase ↗

From 67 user reviews

Summary

A well-built, adjustable Steelcase task chair that users often buy used or refurbished.

Best for

  • People who want height-adjustable lumbar support with a spring-loaded feel.
  • Average to larger builds; Steelcase rates it to 400 lb.
  • Buyers who want 4D arms and 3" of seat depth adjustment as standard.
  • Those looking for long service; Steelcase gives a 12-year warranty.

Good to check first

  • Steelcase lists no headrest for Amia, so pick another chair if you rely on one.
  • The seat is on the firm side for some users; try one if you like soft cushions.
  • Shorter sitters: set the seat depth to its 15½" minimum and check knee clearance.

The trade-off

Durable and simple to adjust, with fewer settings and a firmer seat than the Leap.

Value check

Lists from $1,099 at the Steelcase Store; users often find good value in used units.

Price
$1,099 – $1,511
Load capacity
400 lb
Warranty
12 years

From 67 user reviews · updated Oct 4, 2026

What Steelcase highlights

  • LiveLumbar

    Spring force in the lumbar area supports the lower back, and its height adjusts. Steelcase includes height-adjustable lumbar as standard.

  • Flexible seat edges

    The seat foam has flexible edges and adaptive bolstering. Steelcase describes this as a pressure-free sit.

  • 4D arms

    The standard arms adjust for height, width, depth and pivot. Height-only arms and an armless version are also offered.

  • Manual recline

    You set the recline resistance yourself, and the back can lock upright. Steelcase calls this total control over the level of resistance.

  • Zero-foam arm cap

    The arm caps use flexible fins instead of foam. Steelcase says they are more durable than before and fully recyclable.

As described by Steelcase on its official pages; not a Chairpedia assessment.

What users say

Most-mentioned topics

  1. 1. Price and value40 mentions · 83% positive
  2. 2. Adjustability29 mentions · 62% positive
  3. 3. Back support27 mentions · 70% positive
  4. 4. Comfort25 mentions · 88% positive
  5. 5. Build quality21 mentions · 90% positive
  6. 6. Seat17 mentions · 59% positive
  7. 7. Breathability13 mentions · 100% positive

What users repeat

  • Users often report years of use with no sagging or mechanical wear.
  • Users often recommend buying used, refurbished or at liquidation sales.
  • Users often say it takes a week or two to find the best settings.
  • Users often praise the mesh back for staying cool.

Pros

  • Build quality and durability · 19 liked
  • Comfortable for long work sessions · 22 liked
  • Lumbar support that can be positioned precisely · 19 liked
  • Mesh back stays cool · 13 liked

Cons

  • Seat feels too hard for some · 7 raised
  • Armrests lack forward-back travel or do not go low enough · 11 raised
  • Lumbar feels too sharp or sits wrong for some · 8 raised
  • Full retail price feels steep to some · 7 raised
Inside 67 user reviews →

Who it suits, who it doesn't

  • Suits average to larger builds: heavier users and those around two hundred forty pounds reported the chair handled their weight without strain over many hours daily
  • Less suited to petite users: one person around five feet four inches found seat depth too long and lumbar positioned wrong for a shorter torso, even at minimum settings
  • Less suited to taller users: someone around five feet eleven inches reported the backrest left the upper spine unsupported when reclining

Where users disagree

  • Seat firmness

    One side: many appreciated the firm, supportive cushion that holds shape and suits varied postures

    Other side: some found it too hard and preferred softer padding or considered switching for more cushioning

  • Comparison to Leap

    One side: several felt the Amia was more comfortable and better value than the Leap with similar quality

    Other side: others noted the Leap offers more sophisticated adjustments and lumbar, making it worth the premium for long hours

Users who switched

  • From Leap V2 → To Amia: one found the Amia more comfortable out of the box with less back pressure and better long-term seat comfort, despite fewer adjustments Comparison
  • From gaming chair → To Amia: Multiple home workers reported positive experiences with daily comfort and temperature regulation compared to leather
  • From Sihoo mesh chair → To Amia: preferred the Amia's softer seat pan and moderate lumbar over all-mesh designs
  • From Amia → To another chair for petite users: returned it after struggling with seat depth and lumbar position for a shorter torso
  • From Amia → To Gesture: one long-time Amia owner found the Gesture's seat softer and armrests smoother, but missed the Amia's superior lumbar support Comparison

Detailed topics

  • Armrests lack forward-back adjustment or don't lower enough · mentioned in about one in six counted discussions
    What users did: one owner considered buying upgraded arms separately; others adjusted workstation height
  • Backrest reclines too far without a lock · a handful mentioned this
    What users did: no fix reported
  • Plastic creaking when reclining · one early Amia Air tester noted this
    What users did: no fix reported
  • Used chairs arrived without advertised features or needed cleaning · two resale buyers mentioned this
    What users did: one bought missing arms separately, another cleaned thoroughly on arrival

Topic notes

  • Price and value: Many found excellent value when buying used or refurbished, with enthusiastic reports at lower price points. Several noted full retail felt steep, though some who paid full price felt the quality justified the cost. Liquidation sales and refurbished dealers were frequently mentioned as smart purchasing routes.
  • Adjustability: Owners appreciated the range of adjustments, particularly lumbar and seat depth, calling controls intuitive. A handful noted armrests lacked forward-back movement or couldn't lower enough for drafting tables. Some smaller users struggled to dial in the fit despite the options.
  • Back support: The LiveLumbar system drew frequent praise for adjustable lower back support that owners could position precisely. A few found it too sharp or aggressive, and shorter-torso users reported it hit the wrong spot despite adjustment.
  • Comfort: Most described the chair as comfortable for long work sessions, though a minority found the seat too firm or preferred softer cushioning. Several mentioned an adjustment period of a week or two to find optimal settings.
  • Build quality: Durability was consistently praised, with multiple owners reporting five to fifteen years of use with no wear, sagging, or mechanical failures. The mesh back was noted to maintain tension without stretching.
  • Seat: Opinions split: some loved the firm cushion and large surface that accommodated varied positions, while others found it too hard. A few smaller users experienced pressure behind the knees even at minimum depth.
  • Breathability: The mesh back was frequently praised for staying cool during long sessions and preventing sweating, particularly appreciated in warm offices or during summer months.

After long-term use

After a year or more

Long-term owners from two to fifteen years consistently reported no degradation in mesh tension, cushion shape, or mechanisms, with many calling it still like new.

Only users describing six months or more of use.

Before you buy

Fit (official)

  • Seat height 16"–21" (standard cylinder).
  • Seat depth adjusts 3" (15½"–18½").
  • Rated to 400 lb.

Delivery and setup

  • Weighs 48.4 lb (store listing).
  • 12-year warranty on parts and labor.

Sources: Steelcase Store, Amia ↗ (checked Oct 11, 2026) · Steelcase, Amia and Amia Air ↗ (checked Oct 11, 2026)

Check price on Amazon

Versions and options

  • Headrest option
  • Arm options

Specs

Size and fit
Seat height
16–21 in
Seat depth
15.5–18.5 in (39.4–47 cm)
Seat width
19.375 in (49.2 cm)
Load capacity
400 lb (181.4 kg)
Adjustments
Recline
Seat-to-back angle 100°–120°
Arms
Standard 4-dimensional arm support; options: height-adjustable arms, armless
Lumbar support
Standard height-adjustable lumbar included with Amia and Amia Air with 3D Microknit back
Headrest
None listed among official options
Build and warranty
Warranty
Steelcase Limited Lifetime Warranty – 12 years, multi-shift, 24/7 parts and labor
Chair weight
48.4 lb (22 kg)

About Steelcase

Founded
1912, as the Metal Office Furniture Company
Based in
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

The company started in Grand Rapids in 1912 making metal office furniture. It took the Steelcase name on December 1, 1954.

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Questions

How much does the Steelcase Amia cost?

It costs $1,099 – $1,511 at the US Steelcase Store, depending on configuration, checked Sep 2026.

What is the Steelcase Amia's weight capacity?

It is rated for 400 lb in chair and stool, according to Steelcase's official specifications.

Does the Steelcase Amia have a headrest?

No. Steelcase does not offer a headrest for the Amia.

What do owners say about back pain with the Steelcase Amia?

Back pain comes up in 7 owner review summaries. These are owners' own reports, not medical findings.

Where can I buy the Steelcase Amia?

You can buy it from Amazon or the US Steelcase Store. Check the configuration, price and return terms before ordering.

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Specs and prices come from the brand sources listed under Specs and next to the price; User Insights link to their originals. Confirm the exact configuration, seller and price before buying. Editorial policy

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