In this DXRacer vs. Steelcase Leap comparison, I will look at both types of chairs to help you understand which to get. These are two very different chairs with different design choices that lead to two different experiences, even if the companies behind the chairs share similar mottos and goals for a better ergonomic sitting experience. So which chair is better, and for whom?
For this article, I’ll be using the DXRacer Sentinel Chair and the Steelcase Leap V1 chair. The DXRacer Sentinel is fairly similar to what most would consider the quintessential “DXRacer chair experience” whereas the V1 Leap chair is the basic ergonomic offering from Leap (improved a bit in the V2 model with the sleeker design, but the main sitting experience is similar).
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DXRacer vs Steelcase Leap
Comfort – DXRacer vs Steelcase Leap
The DXRacer and Steelcase Leap have huge differences in how comfortable they are. The DXRacer has more of a relaxed comfort zone that lets you sit in the chair how you want, versus the Leap which has a specific yet adaptable sitting position that works best. Both chairs are very comfortable, but different.
The DXRacer chairs are very firm, and the padding is very supportive but not too hard. The materials used in the chairs (often leather or fake sturdy leather) feel great on your skin, and the recline options are plentiful. It’s a great lounging chair, and I liked the experience for watching movies and playing games with a controller (even in the front of the TV).The DXRacer also comes with pillows and a high back, whereas the Leap does not.
But the lumbar support pillow from the DXRacer didn’t feel useful or comfortable to me, but the headrest was nice. However, I found sitting that far back made my neck a bit stiff whereas the position in the leap didn’t so much. The Leap’s back support is curved, and the lumbar support is embedded into the back of the chair with an adjustable knob. I think the Leap’s back design is almost revolutionary since it holds my back PERFECTLY.

Using old jacket to protect against rough fabric of V1
The Leap is different since I prefer using it to actually getting work done and using keyboard + mouse since it doesn’t have as many wings on the side (some DXRacer models like the Boss series have fewer wings and ridges on the chair like a more traditional office chair) and it doesn’t require that I use the armrests whereas the DXRacer feels built to require armrests (the wings on the side of the chair force your arms forward a bit). If you aren’t using the armrests, you have to rest your arms on the colored piping of the chair which can get uncomfortable after a time.
The Leap is also much more cushioned and it feels softer when you sit in it, even if the material is also very sturdy and reliable. The DXRacer padding feels–well, more like a racing chair and the Leap feels more like a super high quality cushioned office chair.
One of my favorite things about the Leap is how the seat moves forward, and the back can hold itself up via tension. This means you can lean back to recline, or lean forward to incline and work. The DXRacer has a tilt function which is similar, but the angle of the backrest is locked, and you have to adjust it every time you want to change positions–which feels a bit stiff. But that also means that the DXRacer has better recline abilities which is why I like it for movies or controller gaming.
Build Quality – DXRacer vs. Steelcase Leap
Both the DXRacer and Steelcase Leap have great build quality. Each chair has great padding, and decent build quality, but there are a few differentiators.
The DXRacer is limited by the budget in some areas, and you will find a lot of the material on the chair is held together by staples, and the arms of the chair feel sub-par and cheap with their finicky locking and adjustment mechanisms. The recline switch and spring is SUPER strong and sometimes frighteningly so, so make sure to use the lever slowly.
The Steelcase Leap V1’s cloth is a bit scratchy since it feels wooly and is probably made that way for durability (I have permanently attached an old windbreaker to save my arms from getting a rash). This issue seems to be fixed in the V2 where the fabric is nicer, however. The DXRacer’s build materials and the fabric feels great on the body but can get a bit sweaty since it’s leather or fake leather (some DXRacer’s do use polyurethane, however).
The Steelcase Leap’s technology is more advanced with how the seat and back can be moved in sync automatically with your pressure on the chair. The Leap also has more adjustments like the angle of the seat, back tension (adjustable lumbar support in the V2), and the arms are more easily adjustable (but the DXRacer Sentinel does have 4D arms that can move forward and back, whereas this feature doesn’t exist in the V1, only side to side).
Each chair, however, is built like a tank and should last more a long time!
Style – DXRacer vs. Steelcase Leap
The Steelcase Leap has a cool back design, but everything about the chair just looks standard regarding how office chairs look. The V2 version of the Leap is improved since it’s sleeker, but depending on what you want for your interior design–choosing the Leap since it is just another office chair this could be a good thing.
The DXRacer Sentinel and most DXRacer chairs have a bigger and more bold appearance with bright coloring and high backs which give the chairs considerable size. These chairs seem huge especially if you get the bigger models like the Sentinel, Tank, or King series.
The DXRacer chairs have becoming a streaming/gaming icon, and for a good reason. The strong looking support, pillows, ridges, and wings, give the chair a formidable appearance. The Leap is also a well-known office chair icon, however, and the V2 looks very sleek in most offices, whereas the V1 looks more like a standard plain office chair.
Price – DXRacer vs. Steelcase Leap
This one is simple. The DXRacer Sentinel is around $450-500+ with tax, and a brand new Steelcase Leap is $900-1000 with tax. The Sentinel and other cheaper DXRacer chairs win here, but if you have the extra dough, you do get more adjustability, better technology, and a different experience.
Conclusion of DXRacer Vs. Steelcase Leap
I would choose the DXRacer if you like the look, are restrained by budget, or you are more of a “loungy” type of gamer who sometimes watches movies, uses controllers, or sleeps in their chair (not someone who sits super straight working at their desk).
If you are more of a “working” type like myself who works just as much as I game, uses keyboard + mouse heavily, and you have enough money to spend $900 on a chair that will last you 10 years or more, then consider the Steelcase Leap as a versatile powerhouse.
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Tom Spark is a chair researcher, VPN expert, and a geek product extraordinaire. When he’s not spell checking his articles with Grammarly, he’s playing video games, watching too much Netflix, and deciding if he likes his current chair or not.
Steve - May 4, 2017 @ 16:27
Great review! This is just what I was looking for. I’m deciding between the V2 and the DXRacer series. I’m probably going to go with the Steelcase, as it is more work-oriented. I was hoping that I could kill two birds with one stone by getting the DXRacer and using that for console gaming, as well. But I think I would be sacrificing too much adjustability. Reclining with tension is the main thing for me.
BTW you can score a V2 on Craigslist for around $250, if you don’t mind used.
Tom Spark - May 4, 2017 @ 17:02
Yeah I think that’s a good choice. That’s the deal breaker for me as well. DXRacers definitely have cool style though.
E-ROCK - October 6, 2017 @ 18:39
Yeah I am deciding between SecretLab Omega chair and a Steelcase Leap. I at least found a place I can get it in leather and with headrest for under $500, refurbished but new condition, 5 year warranty at least. I can get it 10 year warranty but no headrest for a little more. I am going with the headrest (though not the stock one I don’t think).
I ordered an Omega for my best friend and roommate so I will try it, but I already switched my order of 2 chairs and made a new one for 1 (had to do it before it got here). I hope I made the right choice.
I game, work, and watch movies all from here, so I am hoping it reclines enough to watch a movie, the Omega reclined 165 degrees, the Leap does what, 125? I am hoping that is enough, I kind of wish it went up to 135 as I hear that is an ergonomic degree to lean back. Too bad I can’t modify it (unless I can? I would have to see internal diagrams) to make it go further maybe on the last setting, or just move the settings further apart.
I am heavier right now, within weight limit, but not my skinny shape I hope to regain, but more muscular.
My best friend is a disabled vet with back issues but he told me he wanted the Omega even when I showed him the other.
I have some lower back stuff and I figured the lumbar would be great, I sat in a Humanscale Freedom chair and I liked it, it fit my back very well, so I figure I will like the Leap. My friend might like his just fine. I have a little time to decide as the company with the Leap is closed for a holiday.
What do you guys think? Can I recline enough, watch movies and game in my Leap? I feel like 15 more degrees might be ideal but not necessary. Other than that, I solve the headrest issue, and the real full grain leather should last a long time. It’s more cushiony, rather than stiff, well, I kind of like that too.
Thoughts?
Eric - November 1, 2017 @ 22:10
No reply?
I ended up getting my friend an Omega and me the steelcase leap v2 in leather with headrest. They both feel amazing. I need to try my friends more. Mine was supposedly lightly used but mint and the cylinder is touch ground and they are sending a new one/. The 3rd party headrest they just had 2 holes drilled inthe back and I screwed it in but it came off once when my friend bumped it, kind of shoddy. Not sure I am satisfied. I ordered a extra velour head pillow from secret lab to try to soften the headrest, but throwing my down pillow on it and reclining in the leap was actually nice to watch movies in. Hard to decide. I went to a chair store and really none of them felt as nice as either. Even the humanscale freedom with headrest I didn’t think was all that great comparatively. Now I am unsure, return what I got and get a secret lab omega? find some ergo chair with headrest I like? or just try to get them to come up with a better way to clamp on this headrest? tough decisions.
Tom Spark - November 5, 2017 @ 17:09
Hey Eric glad to hear you went with the Leap. I think it will last you for years. Most other chairs just aren’t simply built the same.
Eric - November 21, 2017 @ 21:55
Tom, let me know what you think:
I also wanted to mention the Concept Seating 3150HR, this is a 24/7 control room type chair.
I have one a rep is letting me use for a week or 2 (they actually brought it by my work since they sell to some agencies I work with).
It has a dymetrol suspension, which is like a fabric suspension instead of foam, but there is still foam in some areas of the seat. The back is foam and with an air lumbar. It has a locking tilt, the tilt with tension even on max setting is a bit loose. It has a lockout to lockout the most forward position. It is extremely heavy duty meant for up to 550lb and 6 years of 24/7 use, that’s just the warranty.
It is pretty nice but I am not sure I like it as much as the Leap.
The suspension evenly distributes pressure very well, I sometimes feel the leap could use a bit more of this.
Liquicell uses thin liquid filled membranes to do this, perhaps even better. ?
Here’s an e-mail I just wrote to some makers of some liquicell incorporating cushions:
”
I am hoping you can offer some advice.
I have a Steelcase Leap in leather (with headrest I am going to hold on with clamp since it’s 3rd party and not ideal but I digress). I like the chair but it could use more padding, I think, but it is pretty good ? It’s just foam on the back and seat.
I am trying a concept seating 3150 HR but it’s down at my work so hard to compare side by side. It uses Dymetrol (or ergo air suspension) which is some foam on top of fabric, a suspension fabric with microfilaments. It claims full elimination of pressure and that it increases blood and oxygen flow. I am wondering how Liquicell stacks up to Dymetrol / fabric suspensions that you basically float on. Not sure if that is considered “air” based on the liquicell materials I read.
I mean in that system it is a 1 way stretch material and the weight is evenly distributed. Can liquicell do this as well or better? With just some thin sacks of liquid (not even continuous as I see there are gaps).
Ideally I would line the back of the chair and seating pad with liquicell membrane, might not be an easy task would have to custom order it and have someone help me upholster it in there and know whether it should be right under the leather, between foam and leather, sandwiched between foam, etc. Maybe even liquicell OVER the dymetrol suspension but no room on this leap chair for that. I like the recline with tension and sliding seat pad (slides forward). The leap fits your back contour well, and has some tension adjustments.
The concept chair has way more padding on back and seat, and has an air lumbar. It requires clicking to lock positions, then a rock forward to unlock, and back. The tension is inadequate even on full so it must be locked. The leap can’t lock but that isn’t a huge deal, it locks the max recline.
Headrest is nice on this chair. It’s fake leather but lots of foam and well, very heavy which I’d have to get up 3 floors.
Not sure if I should go for this other chair down at my work and bring it here (not owned by my work) or keep the one I got here in my apt.
for reference:
Concept Seating 3150 HR, 6 month old demo model.
Steelcase Leap V2 Leather with Headrest (refurbished).
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Eric
”
Yeah, I think I will go with the Leap, though that concept chair has a very nice articulating cushy headrest that can be a neckroll, headrest, or out of the way. Despite the concept chair being more durable than the Leap, I think the Leap can last too and also the parts are replaceable likewise. The 3150HR is almost like a mini leather couch (mine is fake leather but still). My leap is in real leather. The upholsotery is also user replaceable on the 3150HR I believe. It’s like a 100lb chair, it’s heavy man.
With the seat pan all the way back, it is a little hard to click the lock button, then you have to rock forward a little and then back to release the back, not a huge deal but not as easy as just shifting a paddle. It’s nice that it locks. Fully reclined with the headrest and footrest it’s indeed very comfortable, maybe not quite recliner level. The Leap in full recline is decent, better with headrest, actually it needs it. I think the c/u clamps should work, and an extra cushion I got straps on to it.
Might be hard to add foam or liquicell, eh, it feels decent enough.
Thoughts?
Tom Spark - November 21, 2017 @ 23:58
Hi again Eric. Not to sure about that chair. Haven’t tried it out. But I do know that Steelcase chairs specialize in intuitive adjustment and ergonomics (the design is superb.) Other chairs might easily have more padding but the adjustments as well as the ergonomic shape never feels quite as good (IMO)…