Steelcase Series 2 Review
This is a comfortable chair with premium features at an approachable price, but could offer more lean back adjustments
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Benjamin Hickok ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ July 12, 2023
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
RELATED: The Best Office Chairs
Our Verdict
With its top-notch quality and ergonomic design, the Steelcase Series 2 chair provides exceptional support and comfort for extended periods of sitting. Not only is it highly adjustable, but it also offers remarkable value for its approachable price, earning it a spot among our top recommendations. While we wish there were more adjustment options regarding leaning back, this is a good option for those who aren't willing to spend more on the most premium chairs available. For a fair price, you get a well-made product from a dependable name in the industry. Compare it to top competitors in our review of office chairs.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Steelcase Series 2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best for Most People |  Best Buy for Back Support | Best on a Tight Budget |  Best for Unconventional Sitting | |
| Price | $819 List Check Price at Amazon | $389 List Check Price at Amazon | $170 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $170 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $110 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This chair boasts both comfort and high-quality features, though there is room for improvement in terms of providing additional adjustment options | High-performance adjustability, comfort, and ergonomics without the high-performance price | This chair offers high-end features where they count most — for your back and bottom — without the high-end price tag | It's not fancy, but this is our favorite budget-friendly chair for the money | Great for anyone with unconventional sitting preferences and who is also shopping on a budget |
| Rating Categories | Steelcase Series 2 | Branch Ergonomic | SIHOO M18 Ergonomic... | Modway Articulate Er... | EDX Armless Criss Cr... |
| Comfort (50%) | |||||
| Adjustability (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Assembly (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Steelcase Series 2 | Branch Ergonomic | SIHOO M18 Ergonomic... | Modway Articulate Er... | EDX Armless Criss Cr... |
| Comfortable Hours | 8.00 hrs | 8.00 hrs | 7.00 hrs | 8.00 hrs | 6.00 hrs |
| Manufacturer Weight Limit | 400 lbs | 275 lbs | 330 lbs | 331 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Measured Points of Adjustment | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Measured Tilt Limiter Stopping Points | 2 | None | None | None | None |
| GearLab Assembly Time | 3 min | 12 min | 16 min | 10 min | 22 min |
| Adjustable Lumbar Support | Option available | Yes | Yes | Yes; the backrest moves up and down | No |
| Tension Knob | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Lock | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lumbar Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Seat Pan Adjustment | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Steelcase Series 2 is a great mid-range chair that provides the features, quality, and comfort you'd expect from a more premium-priced chair. While there are more comfortable chairs for those who are required to spend more than eight hours a day sitting in an office, this model is more than sufficient for those who can limit their office sitting time to normal usage during a 40-hour work week.
An approachable chair with premium features, usually only seen on the most premium priced models. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
The Series 2 provides suitable comfort for the regular eight-hour workday. It is more comfortable than the Series 1, with better and somewhat firm foam padding. The give and resistance didn't generally feel quite as comfortable as some other options, but we don't think you'll be disappointed, especially if you like a slightly firmer seat pad. The Series 2 excelled in back comfort. It features adjustable lumbar support, which provides more than adequate back comfort and support. The armrests were among the most comfortable.
The lumbar adjustment could be a little easier to fine-tune, and the padding is firmer on the Series 2 than on other Steelcase models. The Amia, a sister model, features softer padding, making it more comfortable. The backrest tension on the Series 2 lacks sufficient resistance for those weighing more than 170 pounds.
The Series 2 is a capable and comfortable office chair, and a great value. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Adjustability
The armrests offer movement inward and outward, forward and backward, up and down, as well as pivoting. The seat pan has an adjustable depth that is easy to reach and adjust to the most ergonomic position.
The adjustable width, height, depth, and pivot of the arm rests on this chair make it adaptable, and comfortable to virtually anyone. Credit: Abriah Wofford
A range of adjustments makes the Series to a comfortable chair for a wide range of a people. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Assembly
The Series 2 arrives almost completely assembled and requires little work to put together. You simply need to put in the gas cylinder and slide on the seat pan. All told, this takes just a couple of mintues of your time. Even the least mechanically inclined person can expect to spend more time breaking down the packaging than assembling the chair itself.
This model provides suitable comfort for the typical 40 hour work week. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Steelcase Series 2?
Whether you should purchase a Series 2 office chair depends on your specific budget, needs, and preferences. While there are more comfortable and more expensive options available, the Series 2 is a high-quality and ergonomic chair that provides excellent support and comfort for extended periods of sitting. It is highly adjustable and provides great value at the price point, making it one of our top recommendations.
What Other Office Chairs Should You Consider?
While comfortable and a great value, the Steelcase Series 2 still may not be quite as affordable for those on a tight budget. For those on the tightest of budgets, you may want to look at the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh. It is a fraction of the cost of most chairs we tested and offers a reasonable level of comfort. Of course, if you demand the most premium office chair on the market today and you are not limited by budget, you need to look no further than the Steelcase Leap. It is the best office chair that our team has tested to date.
—Benjamin Hickok and Austin Palmer
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