Steelcase Think Review (2026)
The Think is a Steelcase task chair built on an integrated LiveBack flexor with height-adjustable lumbar. It is listed new on Amazon, and Crandall Office sells remanufactured V1 and V2 units for less than half that new price.
The Think pairs an integrated LiveBack flexor back with lumbar support that moves between 5.25 and 10.25 inches above the seat. Steelcase rates it for 400 lb. Seat depth adjusts from 15.75 to 18.75 inches, and weight-activated synchro recline runs from 96 to 120 degrees with an upright lock.
Buy it if you want a 400 lb rated Steelcase chair with adjustable seat depth and lumbar height, bought remanufactured at Crandall for less than half the new Amazon price. Skip it if you want a lumbar firmness adjustment, which the Leap V2 lists and the Think’s specifications do not.
Buy the Think if you…
- Want Steelcase adjustment ranges at a remanufactured price under half the new Amazon figure
- Want a LiveBack flexor back paired with weight-activated synchro recline
- Need a 400 lb weight capacity
- Want seat depth that slides from 15.75 to 18.75 inches to match your thigh length
- Want the lowest-cost remanufactured Steelcase chair at Crandall (the Think V1)
Skip it if you…
- Want lumbar firmness adjustment (the Leap V2 lists a firmness dial)
- Prefer a seat with adaptive foam bolstering that Steelcase describes as softer (the Amia)
- Want a new chair at a lower new price (the Series 2 sells new for well under the Think)
- Need a recline range past 120 degrees
Think at a Glance
The V1 and V2 share the same core geometry, so each figure below applies to both versions unless the row names one.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price (New, Steelcase Store) | ~$1,634 (default configuration) |
| Price (New, Amazon) | Steelcase Think on Amazon (~$1,193) |
| Price (Remanufactured V2, Crandall) | $519 Remanufactured Steelcase Think V2 at Crandall |
| Price (Remanufactured V1, Crandall) | $439 Remanufactured Steelcase Think V1 at Crandall |
| Arms | 4D (height, width, depth, pivot); height ~7″ to 11″, pivot 30 degrees |
| Lumbar Support | Integrated LiveBack flexor with height-adjustable lumbar (~5.25″ to 10.25″ from seat) |
| Seat Height | 15.5″ to 20.5″ |
| Seat Depth | 15.75″ to 18.75″ |
| Recline | Weight-activated synchro recline, 96 to 120 degrees, upright lock (V2 adds a boost tension setting) |
| Back Options | V1 flexible knit/mesh; V2 adds 3D knit, quilted upholstered, or classic upholstered |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs |
| Overall | 27″W · 21.75″ to 24.75″D · 38.5″ to 43.5″H; back ~25″ from seat |
| Warranty | Steelcase Limited Lifetime new (12-year); remanufactured units carry Crandall’s 12-year warranty (parts, original owner) |
What the Think Is
The Think is a Steelcase task chair built around an integrated LiveBack flexor, the same LiveBack family the Leap uses. The two chairs differ most at the lumbar: the Think’s moves for height between 5.25 and 10.25 inches above the seat, and the Leap V2 adds a separate firmness dial. Both carry a 400 lb rating, and the Think’s 15.75 to 18.75 inch seat depth range matches the Leap V2’s.
Steelcase still sells the current-generation Think new, and that chair corresponds to the V2 design. Crandall Office remanufactures both the V1 and the V2 and backs each with a 12-year warranty, at prices well under the new Amazon listing.
Adjustability and Fit
The Think’s 4D arms rise from 7 to 11 inches above the seat. The space between them spans 12.75 to 20 inches, so you can pull them in close for typing or set them wide, and each pad pivots 30 degrees with 3 inches of depth travel.
Seat height runs from 15.5 to 20.5 inches and seat depth from 15.75 to 18.75 inches. The lumbar moves between 5.25 and 10.25 inches above the seat, so you can set it where your lower back sits. Lumbar firmness control is not listed for the Think, while the Leap V2 lists a firmness dial.
The Back and Recline
The back is an integrated LiveBack flexor paired with weight-activated synchro recline, which sets recline resistance from your body weight. Recline runs from 96 to 120 degrees with an upright lock. The V2 adds a boost setting that raises recline tension by about 20 percent if the default resistance feels too light.
Seat padding and firmness are not listed for the Think. The Amia lists a flexible front edge and adaptive foam bolstering, and Steelcase positions it as softer than the Leap seat. If seat softness is your priority, the Amia is the chair in this group with a published softness claim.
V1 vs V2: Which Remanufactured Think to Buy
The V1 and V2 share the same chassis geometry, so every dimension in the spec table above applies to both. The V2 adds the boost tension setting and refreshed back options in 3D knit, quilted upholstery or classic upholstery. The V1 keeps the original flexible knit/mesh back.
At Crandall the V2 costs a little more than the V1, and both carry the same 12-year Crandall warranty. Pick the V2 if you want the boost setting or one of the newer backs. Pick the V1 if price matters more, since it is the lowest-cost remanufactured Steelcase chair Crandall sells.
Build Quality and Warranty
Bought new, the Think carries the Steelcase Limited Lifetime warranty with 12-year coverage. Steelcase rates it for 400 lb, the same 400 lb rating listed for the Leap V2, the Amia and the Series 2.
A remanufactured Think from Crandall carries Crandall’s 12-year warranty instead. It covers parts but not labor, applies to the original owner in the US only, and cannot be transferred. Crandall also offers free returns, which helps when you cannot sit in the chair before buying.
Buying the Think Remanufactured
A remanufactured chair from Crandall gets new-parts restoration and a 12-year dealer warranty. A used or as-is listing can come with neither, so check which kind a listing is before comparing prices.
The guide on whether to buy a refurbished office chair covers how to vet a seller. The best remanufactured office chairs roundup sets the Think beside other rebuilt chairs.
How the Think Compares
The table sets both Think versions beside the remanufactured Leap V2 and Amia at Crandall.
| Feature | Think V2 | Leap V2 | Amia | Think V1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Remanufactured) | $519 | $749 | $549 | $439 |
| Seat Feel | Not listed | Not listed | Softer than the Leap (adaptive foam bolstering) | Not listed |
| Back | LiveBack flexor | LiveBack | Upholstered or 3D Microknit | LiveBack flexor, knit/mesh |
| Lumbar | Height-adjustable | Height + firmness | LiveLumbar (height) | Height-adjustable |
| Arms | 4D | 4D | 4D | 4D |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs | 400 lbs | 400 lbs | 400 lbs |
| Best For | Boost tension, newer back options | Lumbar firmness control | Softer seat | Lowest-cost remanufactured Steelcase |
For deeper context: Steelcase Leap V2 review · Steelcase Amia review · Steelcase Series 2 review · Best remanufactured office chairs
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 400 lb weight capacity
- Seat depth adjusts from 15.75 to 18.75 inches
- 4D arms with a 12.75 to 20 inch span between them
- Lumbar height adjusts from 5.25 to 10.25 inches above the seat
- Remanufactured V1 and V2 cost less than half the new Amazon price
- V2 boost setting adds about 20 percent recline tension
Limitations
- No lumbar firmness control listed (the Leap V2 lists one)
- Seat padding: not listed; the Amia lists a softer seat
- Recline tops out at 120 degrees
- The new Amazon price is more than double the remanufactured V2
- Crandall’s warranty covers parts but not labor, and is non-transferable
Alternatives to Consider
If you want lumbar firmness control: Steelcase Leap V2
The Leap V2 adds a lumbar firmness dial to height adjustment and uses the Natural Glide System recline with a 5-position tilt lock. Its seat depth range matches the Think’s at 15.75 to 18.75 inches. Remanufactured at Crandall, it costs more than either Think version.
If you want a softer seat: Steelcase Amia
The Amia lists a flexible front edge and adaptive foam bolstering, and Steelcase positions its seat as softer than the Leap’s. It keeps a 400 lb rating and 4D arms, and its LiveLumbar adjusts for height over about 4 inches. Remanufactured at Crandall, it costs slightly more than the Think V2.
If you want a current chair at a lower new price: Steelcase Series 2
The Series 2 sells new on Amazon for a little over half the Think’s new Amazon price. It carries the Steelcase Limited Lifetime warranty with 12-year parts and labor, plus the Air LiveBack and 4D arms. Its seat depth slider gives 2.75 inches of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict
Buy it if
You want a 400 lb rated Steelcase chair with adjustable seat depth and lumbar height, bought remanufactured at Crandall for less than half the new Amazon price.
Skip it if
You want lumbar firmness control (the Leap V2) or a seat Steelcase describes as softer (the Amia).
Remanufactured, the Think V2 costs less than half its new Amazon price while keeping the LiveBack flexor and 4D arms, and Crandall backs it for 12 years. The V1 costs less again and is the lowest-cost remanufactured Steelcase chair at Crandall, though it gives up the boost setting and the newer backs.
The main gap is lumbar firmness, which the Think’s specifications do not list and the Leap V2’s do. For a wider search, the office chair buying guide explains each adjustment and the best office chairs guide ranks the field. The best remanufactured office chairs roundup covers other rebuilt chairs.