A good desk chair is a constant companion for those of us who live at a computer. Having something that’s equal parts comfortable, functional, and easy to build is necessary when looking for something new to spend every day sitting on. Fractal re-enters the chair arena with the Fractal Refine 2, building on the foundation laid by the Fractal Refine. It’s really comfortable, with plenty of adjustable settings to get it just right. While there are some issues, the Fractal Refine 2 is a fantastic desk chair.
The Fractal Refine 2 comes in two colours, light and dark, with three different material types. The mesh model is mostly mesh, with both the back of the chair and the seat being a nylon-reinforced mesh and woven non-organic fabric lining the edges. The fabric is…fabric, while the hybrid has a mesh back and a fabric seat. The unit Fractal sent over was the Mesh Dark variant.
I’m generally someone who prefers fabric chairs, but the Mesh here does feel mostly good. It can be a bit rough if skin touches it, but not overly so. Compared to other fabric chairs I’ve used, the mesh is nice because of how breathable it is. I tend to run warm and have had issues with other chairs, but not once on the Refine 2. The mesh feels thick and premium, with absolutely no concerns of it ripping or tearing. The fabric that lines the edges also feels soft and pleasant to touch.
Putting the chair together is quick and painless. I had the entire thing assembled in less than 20 minutes, with a couple of bolts to screw in with the accompanying hex key. Pop the wheels on, insert the base, screw on the arms, slide in and tighten the back, and the Fractal Refine 2 is ready to go. The back is a bit tough to get in alone given that it is a bit heavy, but with some careful maneuvering or a helping hand, it’s in quickly.
“You can lean back quite far, making the Fractal Refine 2 a fantastic companion for watching movies or playing games.”
Let’s address this right at the top as we dive into the adjustability and positioning of the chair’s pieces. I’m 6 feet tall and about 220 pounds, so I fall on the larger side. My partner is on the smaller side, at about 5’2. The Fractal Refine 2 satisfied both of us, with one exception being the height of the seat. I was able to adjust the height easily, but for my partner, she was unable to touch the ground even on the lowest setting.
We were both totally comfortable otherwise, but for the shorter folks, your feet may dangle a bit. The recommended user height and weight range from 165 cm-200 cm and 60 kg-135 kg, so the chair does skew towards the average male.
On top of the chair is an adjustable memory foam headrest. It can go up and down with a push, settling into a nice position once moved. It’s well-sized, not too big that it pushes your neck to unnatural angles, but not too small that it does nothing at all. The headrest went high enough that it fit naturally where my neck and head fall, while also low enough to comfortably adjust to my partner. The back of the chair also has built-in lumbar support with adjustable pads that feel great to lean back against.
Continuing down the chair, the seat itself is quite large and can also be adjusted. It can slide in and out to allow for more real estate to sit on. At its fullest extension, I was even able to pull my legs up to sit cross-legged. Pulling it in is definitely better for sitting more upright with better posture, but extending it is better for times when you push back and relax.
The base of the Fractal Refine 2 chair also supports ergonomic reclining with a synchro-tilt mechanism. You can lean back quite far, making the Fractal Refine 2 a fantastic companion for watching movies or playing games. Once you kick back, you can also lock the position to stay comfy, and the armrests are adjustable in multiple directions. They can be pulled in towards the seat, or pushed out away from it. Each one can also be pulled further away from the back of the chair to extend, or retracted closer, and both can be set and locked individually. They’re capped with soft PU foam and a TPU cover that feels premium and sturdy.
For the wheelbase, the entire thing is aluminum. The frame is glass fibre reinforced and definitely feels sturdy and heavy. The wheels are hubless 65mm with soft PU wheels and steel ball bearings, creating a really smooth glide that’s no danger to the floor. Testing it both on carpet and on laminate floors, the Fractal Refine 2 glides effortlessly and quietly, despite its weight.
Overall, the Fractal Refine 2 is a fantastic desk chair at a solid price. The different variants offer users choice when it comes to colour and design. Even being on the larger side, I was always comfortable and found the appropriate settings for myself easily. My partner, despite not being able to touch the floor, also fell in love with the ergonomics of the design. The Fractal Refine 2 is a great new competitor in the desk chair space.
