Branch Pro vs Steelcase Series 1: Which to Buy (2026)
Buy the Branch Pro: at the same price, it has lumbar depth adjustment and forward seat tilt, and neither is listed for the Series 1. The Series 1 is for sitters over 275 lb and for anyone who wants 12 years of Steelcase parts and labor coverage instead of Branch’s 7.
Branch Pro vs Series 1 at a Glance
| Spec | Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro | Steelcase Series 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$499 (Branch direct and Amazon) | ~$499 (Amazon) |
| Arms | 5D (arm width, height, pad width, depth, pivot) | 4D (height, width, depth, pivot) |
| Adjustment points | 14 | Not listed as a count |
| Lumbar | Two-way adjustable (height and depth), fully removable | Height-adjustable with fixed firmness; no depth adjustment is listed |
| Seat height | Adjustable, range not listed; tall cylinder option for users over 5’11” | 15.5″ to 20″ |
| Seat depth | Adjustable, range not listed | Adjustable slider, range not listed |
| Forward seat tilt | Yes | Not listed |
| Tilt | Tilt and tilt tension; no degree range published | Weight-activated synchro-tilt with boost setting and upright lock |
| Back / materials | Materials: performance mesh, vegan leather, boucle, leather | 3D Microknit or Air Back mesh, LiveBack flexor system |
| Weight capacity | 275 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Chair weight | 42 lbs | Not listed |
| Warranty | 7 years | 12 years, multi-shift, 24/7 parts and labor (Steelcase Limited Lifetime) |
| Headrest | Optional add-on, two-axis adjustment | Optional add-on |
| Certifications | BIFMA (275 lb rating, per Branch) | BIFMA Level 3, CarbonNeutral product certification |
Lumbar and Arms
On the Pro you can push the lumbar deeper into your lower back, slide it up or down, or take it off the chair. The Series 1 lumbar adjusts for height and has fixed firmness, and depth is not among its adjustments.
On the arms, the gap is small: the Pro adds pad width to the four adjustments both chairs share.
Checking Fit Before You Order
Measure from the floor to the back of your knee and hold it against the Series 1’s published seat height before you buy. Branch publishes no seat height range for the Pro, but it sells a tall cylinder as a separate add-on for users over 5’11”. If you’re in that height group, order it with the chair.
Neither chair has a stated seat depth range, so set the slider in your first days and check that the seat edge supports your thighs without pressing behind your knees. On a Pro bought from Branch, do that inside Branch’s return window.
Returns
A Branch direct order of the Pro carries a 30-day return window, with a flat $40 return shipping fee per chair deducted from the refund. Branch covers return shipping only for damaged items reported within three days of receipt. If those terms matter to you, buy the Pro from Branch directly.
Alternatives
Branch Pro vs Series 2
Steelcase gives the Series 2 seat depth slider 2.75 inches of stated travel but offers no headrest for it, and it costs more than either chair on this page. The Series 1 vs Series 2 comparison covers the Steelcase-only choice.
Branch Ergonomic Chair vs Series 1
Branch’s standard Ergonomic Chair saves about a quarter of the Pro’s Branch direct price and gives up both of the Pro’s extras. Its removable lumbar adjusts in height, and its 3D arms move in height, width and pivot.
Gesture vs Series 1
The Gesture publishes a seat depth of 15.75″ to 18.5″ and has 360-degree arms, at about three times the Series 1’s price.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more detail on each chair: Branch Ergonomic Chair Pro full review · Steelcase Series 1 full review · Branch vs Series 1 · Branch Pro vs Series 2