Steelcase Series 2 Review

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.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Comfort is the paramount factor in our review process and is the primary aspect that people associate with office chairs. It held the greatest weight in determining the overall score of the Series 2 chair and was evaluated by our test team via an exhaustive process. The Series 2 received predominantly positive evaluations from our test team, earning it a great score for comfort and overall.

First, we evaluated and examined seat comfort. The Series 2 makes an improvement in this regard over the Series 1, with a more comfortable yet somewhat firm foam padding. Our team found the amount of 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 more firm seat pad. The Series 2 also scored well when we assessed back comfort. It has adjustable lumbar support, which members of our test team agreed provides more than adequate back comfort and support. Next, we specifically evaluated armrest comfort, and while the Series 2 got its lowest score on this evaluation, it still earned a score significantly above the average for the entire test lineup.

Finally, we seriously considered how many hours you can comfortably sit in the Series 2. For every chair in our lineup, we assessed whether it is better suited to a 45-minute call, a three-hour meeting, an eight-hour work day, or overtime with a work week greater than 40 hours. After completing all of our evaluations, we determined that the Series 2 provides suitable comfort for the regular eight-hour workday and would be more than adequate for regular everyday use.

With regard to comfort overall, our team collectively found the Series 2 to be a pleasant chair to sit in for the duration of a work day, although a few things kept it from being an amazing chair. 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 — which may be good for some, but we found the softer padding of a sister model, the Amia, to be more comfortable. Lastly, the backrest tension on the Series 2 is really light and does not offer great resistance for persons heavier than about 170 pounds, though it was more than adequate for the smaller, lighter-framed members of our test team.

Adjustability

We compared the Steelcase Series 2 to other chairs regarding all-around adjustability and determined whether the seat depth, backrest, armrests, and reclining position could be tweaked sufficiently to achieve a comfortable and ergonomic sitting experience.

An adequately adjusted office chair can significantly contribute to injury prevention and improved posture. Although office chairs can be costly, a highly adjustable model that can provide the correct ergonomics and comfort should be viewed as a valuable investment for the workplace and possibly your health. The Series 2 earned an above-average score for the group, only falling short of the most premium models in our test lineup.

The armrests offer a significant degree of adjustability, allowing for movement in multiple directions, including inward and outward, forward and backward, up and down, as well as pivoting. The Series 2 also features a seat pan with an adjustable depth that is easy to reach and adjust to the most ergonomic position for nearly any sized person.

Durability

For this metric, our team focused on the sturdiness and construction of each chair. We watched for signs of wear and tear as well as actual damage during our entire testing process. We also looked at the length of the included warranty term and to see if other users had common complaints, which we tried to validate or dispel in our tests. The Series 2 passed with muster, earning one of the better scores awarded to the products in our test lineup for this metric.

During our extensive investigation into customer feedback, we predominantly encountered favorable comments about this chair. However, a few negative reviews expressed concerns about broken or bent components. Although other user feedback identified isolated issues, our team did not encounter any significant issues overall, nor did we experience any of the issues mentioned in those critical reviews. Bottom line, the Series 2 is a well-made chair with high-quality, solid components like many other Steelcase models, some of which we've continued to use after testing for over a decade without issue.

Ease of Assembly

In our concluding evaluation of the Steelcase Series 2, we assessed the assembly process and the time required before the chair could be used once unboxed. Once again, this chair received an exceptional rating.

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.

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.

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