If you are looking for the best office chair on the market and don’t know what to choose, meet the Steelcase Amia, one of the most underrated office chairs that surprisingly not many people know about.
While Steelcase Leap or Gesture often steal the spotlight, the Amia quietly delivers exceptional comfort, durability, and ergonomic support at a price that makes it a serious contender for the best office chair in its category.
For this review I tested the chair for over 100h looking at Its build quality, comfort, adjustability, and overall performance to see how it stacks up against other premium office chairs.
Here’s my full breakdown of the Steelcase Amia and why it might be the best chair on the market in 2025.
What We Like
What We Don’t
Delivery and Unboxing
Steelcase is known for its high standards in packaging and delivery, and the Amia is no exception. The chair arrived in excellent condition, delivered by Rhenus without any damage to the box. I particularly liked that they allowed me to choose the delivery date and time at no extra cost, making the process much more convenient.
The chair came fully assembled and was securely packed in a heavy-duty box to prevent any damage during transit. One thing to note is that you may need a second person to move the box, as it is quite heavy—so be mindful of your back.
A major advantage, as I mentioned earlier, is that the Amia requires no assembly. Unlike many high-end office chairs, such as the Hinomi X1 or Hbada E3 Pro, which often involve time-consuming setup, the Amia is ready to use straight out of the box. This is a great benefit if you prefer to avoid the hassle of assembling furniture.
My first impression upon unboxing the Amia was how solid and well-built the chair felt. As soon as I placed my hands on it, it felt premium, with a sturdy frame that had no creaks or weak points. The overall weight of the chair added to the sense of durability.
Design and Build Quality
The Amia doesn’t scream for attention like some flashy gaming chairs or other ergonomic office chair. Instead, it offers a sleek, professional aesthetic that seamlessly blends into any workspace.
The chair’s minimalist design makes it an excellent choice for corporate offices, home workstations, and creative studios alike. It delivers a premium look that feels modern and sophisticated while maintaining a strong focus on functionality.
While customization options vary by country—with the U.S. offering the most variety—the chair still provides a good selection of adjustable features to accommodate different user preferences. From various upholstery choices to multiple frame finishes, Steelcase ensures that users can personalize their chair to match their workspace aesthetic and ergonomic needs.
One thing I would personally like to see improved is equal customization options for all customers, regardless of location, rather than having availability depend on the country. However, this is not a major drawback, as the chair still offers a solid range of choices in most regions.
Moving forward, the fabric version I tested is not only soft and breathable but also resistant to wear and tear. Even after long hours of sitting, it doesn’t trap heat excessively, ensuring all-day comfort.
The chair is built with reinforced steel and high-quality plastic, creating a structure that feels incredibly solid and durable while supporting up to 400 lbs. This makes it suitable for a wide range of users, from petite individuals to those who need extra support.
Even after constant use, the chair remains in excellent condition, the seat cushion retains its structure, the armrests stay sturdy, and all adjustable features function just as smoothly as they did on day one.
Ergonomics and Comfort
Starting with ergonomics, the Steelcase Amia features a LiveLumbar™ support system, which provides dynamic back support that adjusts to your movements. Unlike traditional fixed lumbar supports, this system flexes with your back, offering consistent comfort throughout long work sessions.
Personally, I like it, but some people may find it a little aggressive, as there’s no in-and-out adjustment to fine-tune the depth of the support. This means that while the lumbar support remains effective, it might feel too pronounced for users who prefer a more subtle or customizable experience.
Where the Amia truly shines is in its seat design, which ranks among the best on the market. The seat is well-padded with adaptive foam, providing exceptional comfort by evenly distributing weight and reducing pressure points.
Its ergonomic contouring ensures a balanced mix of support and softness, making it ideal for long hours of sitting. Unlike some chairs that rely on firmer foam or thinner padding, the Amia’s seat delivers a plush but supportive feel, maintaining its shape over time without bottoming out.
From my own experience, this is one of the few chairs where I don’t feel the need to constantly shift my position to stay comfortable. I tend to get restless after sitting for long hours, but the Amia’s seat provides enough cushioning to stay comfortable without feeling like I’m sinking in.
The slight waterfall edge at the front of the seat is another detail I appreciate—it really helps reduce pressure on the back of my legs, which is something I’ve struggled with in other chairs.
Adding to the comfort, the seat depth adjustment allows users to customize leg support, ensuring proper circulation and reducing strain on the thighs. This is particularly beneficial for users of varying heights, as it helps maintain an ergonomic knee position, preventing discomfort during prolonged use.
The 4D adjustable armrests are really nice as well, providing a good range of movement in height, width, depth, and pivot angle. However, after testing the Steelcase Gesture’s armrests, I can say the Amia’s fall a bit short in comparison.
The Gesture’s armrests are in a league of their own, offering even greater flexibility and range, particularly for people who frequently switch between different postures and work setups. That said, this difference is reflected in the price, as the Gesture is notably more expensive.
For most users, the Amia’s armrests will be more than enough, as they still surpass the quality of what you’ll find on most office chairs in this price range. They feel sturdy, adjust smoothly, and provide good support for extended use, making them a solid choice for anyone who prioritizes ergonomics without stretching their budget to Gesture levels.
One thing where this chair falls short, and something I would personally love to have, is a headrest. While this comes down to personal preference, I’m 6’5”, and for me, a headrest would make a noticeable difference in long-term comfort.
The Amia is designed to provide excellent back support, but some users—especially taller individuals or those who prefer additional neck and head support for prolonged sitting sessions—might feel that a headrest would improve the experience.
For those who primarily sit upright while working, this won’t be an issue, but if you like to lean back occasionally and give your neck some support, it’s something to consider.
Performance Over Time(100h update)
After using the Amia for over 100 hours, I can say that it holds up exceptionally well under daily use.
The seat cushion maintains its shape, the armrests remain firm and responsive, and all adjustment mechanisms work flawlessly.
There are no creaks or loosened parts, which speaks to Steelcase’s commitment to durability and quality. I’ll be back with another update at the 300-hour mark to see how it continues to perform over extended use.
Value for Money
When it comes to premium office chairs, the Steelcase Amia sits in a competitive space, often overshadowed by its more famous siblings like the Steelcase Leap and Gesture. However, after testing the Amia, it’s offers exceptional value for its price.
While the initial cost may seem steep compared to budget office chairs, the Amia is an investment rather than an expense. Many cheaper office chairs tend to lose their cushioning, develop creaks, or show signs of wear within a year or two.
In contrast, the Amia is designed to last well over a decade with consistent use. Steelcase even backs its confidence in the product with an impressive 12-year warranty, which is a rare find in the office chair market.
Compared to higher-end alternatives like the Steelcase Leap or Herman Miller Aeron, the Amia offers many of the same benefits at a lower price point.
You still get superior support, an adjustable seat depth, 4D armrests, and a durable frame, making it an attractive option for those who want premium quality without paying top-tier prices.
Is It Worth It?
If you’re looking for a high-performance office chair that provides premium comfort and adjustability without breaking the bank, the Steelcase Amia is absolutely worth it.
It’s one of the best value-for-money chairs in the mid-to-high-end category, delivering many of the ergonomic benefits of pricier models at a more accessible price.
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