Steelcase chairs have a long life, which is exactly why so many of them reach the pre-owned market when companies downsize, relocate or refresh. If you are shopping used, three names come up constantly: Leap, Think and Criterion. They are not interchangeable. Each one was built around a different idea of how people sit, and each ages in its own way.
This guide compares them the way a used buyer should: what each chair does well, who it fits, what wears out and what the warranty situation really is.
Quick comparison
| Leap | Think | Criterion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design idea | Highly adjustable back that supports the spine as you move | Simple, self-adjusting recline with few controls | Traditional, fully featured task chair with a substantial build |
| Adjustability | Extensive | Moderate | Extensive, older-style controls |
| Best for | One dedicated user who sits all day | Shared desks, hoteling and people who dislike knobs | Users who want a larger, cushioned seat and back |
| Look | Clean, upholstered back | Lighter, flexible back | Heavier, often high-back |
| Used-market watch-outs | Worn seat foam, arm pads, control function | Back flex and tension, arm pads | Mechanism wear, cylinder, parts availability |
Steelcase Leap
The Leap is known for its adjustability. The back is designed to flex and change shape as you shift position, so your lower back stays supported whether you are leaning in to type or reclining for a call. Many versions let you set lower back firmness and height, adjust how much force the back needs to recline, limit how far it reclines and slide the seat forward or back for depth.
A notable trait on many Leap chairs is that the seat moves forward slightly as you recline. That keeps your eyes closer to the screen and your feet planted, which people who recline while working tend to appreciate.
Who the Leap fits
- People who sit six or more hours a day at one desk
- Users who want to fine-tune support for back discomfort
- Offices standardizing on one chair for a broad range of body sizes
What to check on a used Leap
- Seat cushion firmness at the front edge, where foam compresses first
- Every adjustment control, one at a time, including seat depth and recline limit
- Arm pads for cracks or peeling
- Model generation, since features differ between versions
Steelcase Think
The Think takes the opposite approach. Instead of asking you to set a dozen controls, it responds to your body weight and movement to adjust recline tension. The back is flexible and lighter looking, and the chair has far fewer adjustments to learn. Later versions changed the back design, so two Think chairs can look noticeably different.
Who the Think fits
- Hoteling desks, flex areas and shared workstations where many people use one chair
- Users who never adjust their chair and just want it to feel right
- Offices that want a lighter visual profile across open plan areas
What to check on a used Think
- Recline feel with users of different sizes, to confirm the mechanism responds smoothly
- The back for stretched mesh or fabric and any loss of spring
- Seat height cylinder, which should hold position without sinking
- Which back style and arm option you are getting, so a set matches
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Steelcase Criterion
The Criterion is an older, traditional task chair that you will mostly find on the used market. It has a sturdy frame, generous cushioning and a wide range of adjustments for seat, back and arms, often in a high-back configuration. It feels more like a classic manager's chair than the Leap or Think.
Who the Criterion fits
- Users who prefer a larger, more padded chair
- Private offices where a substantial look suits the room
- Budget-first buyers who still want a well-built Steelcase frame
What to check on a used Criterion
- Tilt mechanism for looseness, noise or controls that no longer lock
- Gas cylinder, which may be the original on an older chair
- Upholstery seams and seat foam
- Whether the chair has all its original parts, since sourcing replacements for an older model can take longer
How condition grades apply to chairs
Every pre-owned chair from Office Station carries a condition grade. For seating, the grade matters more than cosmetics alone, because you interact with the chair all day.
- Grade A, like new: The best choice for a primary chair you plan to keep for years.
- Grade B, very good: Light signs of use. A strong value for most daily-use desks.
- Grade C, good: Visible wear. Consider it for guest seats, training rooms or occasional use.
Because manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, lean toward A or B for chairs that will see heavy daily use, and test controls before you commit whenever you can.
Choosing between the three
If you want maximum control over posture, start with the Leap. If you need one chair that works for whoever sits down, start with the Think. If you want a traditional, cushioned chair at a lower price and are comfortable with an older design, look at the Criterion.
Buying chairs for a whole floor? Pair them with workstations from used cubicles and ask about free space planning. Browse other brands and pieces on the pre-owned office furniture page. If you are replacing an old fleet of chairs in one of Office Station's markets, office furniture liquidation can turn what you have into a written net offer. For more buying advice, see the Office Station guides.
Ask about Steelcase chair availability
Frequently asked questions
Which is better used, the Steelcase Leap or the Think?
It depends on how you sit. The Leap offers more fine-tuning of back support and seat depth, which suits people who want to dial in their posture. The Think relies on a simpler, weight-responsive recline with fewer controls, which suits shared desks and people who never touch knobs.
Is the Steelcase Criterion still worth buying?
A Criterion in good condition can be a comfortable, substantial chair at a modest price. Because it is an older model, check the mechanism, cylinder and upholstery closely and expect replacement parts to be harder to source than for current models.
Does the Steelcase warranty transfer when I buy a used chair?
Generally, no. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized Steelcase dealer, and manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. The condition grade and your inspection are what you rely on.
What condition grade should I buy for a daily-use chair?
Grade A is like new, B is very good and C is good. For a chair you sit in all day, many buyers choose A or B so the mechanism and cushions have plenty of life left. Grade C can make sense for guest or occasional-use seats.
