Two chairs dominate every serious conversation about ergonomic office seating in the UK: the Herman Miller Aeron and the Steelcase Leap V2. Both are rightly regarded as the gold standard of desk seating. Both cost well over £900 new. And both are available refurbished from us at a fraction of that price, with a 12-month warranty.
So which one should you choose? The honest answer is: it depends on how you sit, what you do at your desk, and what your body needs. Here’s how to decide.
The Herman Miller Aeron: Built Around the Mesh
The Aeron is the most recognisable ergonomic chair in the world. Its signature 8Z Pellicle mesh suspension eliminates the pressure points created by foam seats, distributing your weight evenly across the entire sitting surface. This makes it particularly good for users who run warm, sit for long periods, or experience discomfort at the base of the spine on conventional chairs.
PostureFit SL supports both the lumbar and the sacrum simultaneously. Most chairs support only the lumbar, leaving the pelvis unsupported. Supporting the sacrum allows the pelvis to adopt its natural forward tilt, creating the lumbar curve and preventing disc compression.
The Aeron also comes in three sizes (A, B, C) — a significant advantage over chairs that offer one size with adjustment. A correctly sized Aeron provides a fundamentally better fit from the start.
Best for: Users who sit for extended periods, those who run warm, people with sacral/lower back issues, buyers who want the most widely researched ergonomic chair available.
The Steelcase Leap V2: Built Around Movement
Where the Aeron is designed to hold you in an optimally supported static position, the Leap V2 is designed to follow you as you move. Its LiveBack technology — a flexible spine that changes shape as your posture changes — means the chair adapts continuously, rather than requiring you to stop and readjust.
The Natural Glide System is the Leap’s most distinctive feature. When you recline, instead of pushing you backward (away from your screen), the mechanism moves your body forward and down, maintaining your optimal working distance from the monitor. This prevents the forward head posture and neck strain that develop when conventional chairs recline.
The Leap V2 also offers lower back firmness control — allowing you to independently adjust how firm the lumbar support feels — which the Aeron does not provide.
Best for: Users who shift posture frequently, those with neck or upper back issues, people who work across multiple monitors, buyers who want maximum individual adjustability.
Side by Side
| Feature | Herman Miller Aeron | Steelcase Leap V2 |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbar support | PostureFit SL (lumbar + sacrum) | Adjustable lumbar + firmness control |
| Backrest | Fixed 8Z Pellicle mesh | LiveBack — moves with your spine |
| Recline | Standard tilt with limiter | Natural Glide System |
| Seat material | 8Z Pellicle mesh | Foam/fabric |
| Sizing | Three sizes (A, B, C) | One size, adjustable |
| New price (UK) | From £1,200 | From £950 |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the Aeron if you want the most widely researched chair in the world, run warm, or have sacral/lower back issues. Make sure you order the right size.
Choose the Leap V2 if you shift posture frequently, have neck or upper back issues, or want maximum individual adjustability.
Both chairs are available refurbished with a 12-month warranty and free UK delivery. See our refurbished Herman Miller chairs and refurbished Steelcase chairs collections, or browse all refurbished ergonomic office chairs.