When it comes to the Amia, it is the most underrated chair within the Steelcase line up and potentially the most underrated chair in the high-end seating portion of the industry. This underdog has a lot more to offer than you might expect at first sight. There are a lot more great features than the chair is given credit for. In this post, we’ll outline exactly why the Amia deserved more acclaim than it typically gets.
To be honest, when I first saw the Amia, I wasn’t that impressed. The chair appears very basic. However, after a year of testing and using the chair, I was won over to the point that I now use the Amia as my daily driver.
Full Disclaimer: We are an office furniture dealer and sell some of the Steelcase ergonomic chairs we review. To learn more about the products we sell, our review process and why you can trust us, please visit: Why we’re different. Who is BTOD.com and The Breakroom Blog?
Steelcase Amia Review 1 Year Later Links
1. Steelcase Amia 2025 Price
Unfortunately, the price of the Amia has recently increased. The configuration that we will be discussing includes carpet casters, base upholstery, and four-way adjustable arms. This model retails for $1000. If you want to save a little money, you can go with the Amia Air, which features a different style back and costs $851. We also offer a fully refurbished Steelcase Amia starting at $519.99.
2. Amia Build Quality
One of the best features of the Amia is that it features that same high level of build quality that you would get with the Steelcase Leap, which costs an extra $300. The Amia incorporates the same components for hundreds less. In fact, we purchase both the Amia and Leap chairs in bulk for our refurbishing process. This means sometimes we are dealing with chairs that are 10+ years old and both models come into our warehouse looking basically the same when it comes to wear and tear. In this case, a lower price doesn’t equate to a lesser build quality.
3. Ergonomic Adjustments
The Amia comes with most of the adjustment features that you would expect from a high-end chair. Again while the chair appears to be relatively basic, this actually by design. Steelcase wanted to hide some of the functionalities so that the chair didn’t look too over the top. To give you a better idea of how the chair works, we will run through the adjustment features.
First, the Amia of course offers the standard seat height adjustment capability. The seat has a range of 16” to almost 21”. This means that the chair can comfortably fit people that range in height from 5’ to about 6’5”.
The seat slider adjustment allows the chair to be customized to fit shorter or longer legs. This is a key component of ergonomic chairs that helps to provide the proper fit.
One of the reasons why the Amia is more affordable than other Steelcase products is because it includes a simpler tilt mechanism. With the Amia, you can lock the chair in an upright position or release the back so that you can recline freely. There is also a tension knob on the side of the chair so that you can adjust how much effort it takes to recline the seat back.
Personally, I don’t lock the chair and I prefer to be able to float freely because it promotes more movement in the chair. I tend to dial up the tension so that I can move around, but I am not rocking back too easily. This provides a nice middle ground when it comes to reclining.
We’ve already mentioned the four-way adjustable arms and this is one the greatest strengths of the Steelcase line. You can adjust the height, width, and depth of the arms and also pivot them at the right angle. This wide range of adjustments will accommodate practically anyone and provide exceptional comfort.
The last major adjustment feature is the lumbar support. It is height adjustable using two handles on each side. Again, this seems like a simple adjustment, but it is actually quite elaborate. Steelcase uses a live lumbar support system that moves both the lower support and the upper back support. This is truly a unique feature that helps to set the Amia apart from the rest of the field.
4. Overall Comfort
We have over 100 different chairs at our office, including the most expensive high-end chairs, and the Amia is hands down the most comfortable. When we begin to assess comfort, the first thing we look at is the seat. Admittedly, seat comfort is a subjective thing based on user preferences. The Amia has a thinner seat pad by design, which is common among high-end chairs. To me it offers the right amount of support in the places that need it most, including the tailbone region. In fact, I think it is softer and provides more give than the Leap, which I also spend a fair amount of time in.
Another feature that the Amia shares with the Leap and is unique to these two chairs is the flexible front edge of the seat. This flexibility eliminates pressure points, encourages better blood flow, and provides more movement.
One of the more surprising aspects of the chair when it comes to comfort is the backrest. Typically, I prefer a more aggressive lumbar support. I feel like it forces me to maintain better posture and it is something that I have used for many years.
With the Amia, you will definitely notice the support and appreciate the intuitive design. As mentioned before, the lower lumbar support along with the upper backrest really create a higher level of comfort. Some things you will notice as you sit in the chair is that the live lumbar support adapts and adjusts with you and the seat back has flexibility so that nothing about the chair is restricting you. The design is actually allowing you to move more freely in the chair.
When it comes to arm pads, it doesn’t matter how many adjustment options you have if the arm pads just aren’t comfortable. The Amia arm pads offer just the right amount of softness while also eliminating any hard edges.
5. Warranty and Returns
Just as a note, the Steelcase warranty and return policies vary based on location. It is a good idea to look up the details for your location to avoid any surprises. If you’re inside the USA, Steelcase will cover the product for a period of 12 years. They offer a 14 day window for free returns through the Steelcase Store.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, I can’t say enough good things about this chair. To me, it is one of the best chairs on the market. However, the only way to find out if you agree is if you have the chance to sit in one yourself. When you do, I think you will agree that the Amia is an underrated chair that deserves its dues.
Additional Steelcase Resources
