Page 3 - Usage Experience
Fractal Design specifies the Refine 2 as having 4D adjustable arm rests. The armrests have steel brackets and aluminum mechanisms, so they feel solid. The cover, bottom, and buttons are made out of plastic, while the top -- where it makes contact with your body -- are soft PU foam wrapped in a TPU cover. The arm rests slides front and back 6cm, slides out and in 43cm to 56cm armrest-to-armrest, toes in or out up to 20°, and can be adjusted up or down 140mm to 250mm from seat bottom. This flexibility is excellent, and all mechanisms are locked in place by default and only released by holding down a button to prevent accidental adjustments.
The Refine 2 features a Donati Dynamic tilt mechanism, and the back can be tilted up to 125°. The tilt position can be locked in place at a resolution of eleven distinct points. I find the resolution to be very good, since the range between each locking position is minimal. The back tension is adjustable by a knob, which you can see in the next photo. However, I feel like the design has room for improvement. In free tilt mode, the default back position is approximately 90°. I do not know anyone who sits perfectly upright, as that is quite uncomfortable. If you want the back to be tilted backwards slightly by default, which is a typical configuration, you will have to lock it in place by pulling the latch shown in the above photo. However, doing so also means you will lose the free tilt entirely. For comparison, my Herman Miller Embody -- which I consider to be the gold standard of office chairs, albeit at more than three times the MSRP -- is tilted backwards slightly by default, and the locking mechanism only restricts the maximum recline angle, not losing the ability to recline altogether. Furthermore, even at the lowest tension, I feel like the Refine 2 is still a bit high for easy back tilt.
Our photo above shows the right side of the chair, where the pneumatic lever for adjusting the height of the chair and the mechanical lever for adjusting the angle of the depth of the chair can be seen. Both levers are placed in a natural and easy to access location in my opinion. The Refine 2 features a 120mm Class 4 gas lift that can support users weighing up to 135kg or 297lbs. I am a nerdy Asian working in tech, so I am barely over the specified kilogram numerical value... if you change "kg" into "lb". Both levers are the exact same size and shape, so be sure to look at the marking on it before engaging.
The seat height can be adjusted from 49cm to 61cm from the floor, and the seat depth can be adjusted from 42.5cm to 50cm. Both are reasonable adjustments ranges, and having adjustable depth is uncommon, which is something I appreciate.
The Refine 2 has a tall back with a built-in adjustable memory foam headrest. The recommended user height is 165cm to 200cm, or 5'4" to 6'6". The headrest can be adjusted up or down 14cm, which allows perfect positioning if you are within the recommended user height range. I find the headrest to be comfortable, as I am within the recommended user height range, and the headrest is the right size and shape for me. That said, if you do not prefer having a headrest at all, you can take it out by pressing the button at the top and pulling it out, which is a flexibility I appreciate.
Here is a shot at the back of the chair. The Fractal Design Refine 2 has a built-in height- and depth-adjustable lumbar support. The lumbar support has a dual-pad design, and its height can be adjusted up or down 11cm and depth 2cm. I find this design to be intuitive to use and comfortable for users of different heights and preferences.
On a side note, the Refine 2's frame is built using a composite material, consisting of polypropylene and polyamide reinforced with 20% to 30% glass fibers by weight, making it feel strong and sturdy out of the box, and will likely remain so for years to come.
Lastly, we have the Fractal Design Refine 2 Fabric Dark my office. The base is made out of aluminum for maximum durability, and features Fractal Design's logo subtly engraved. The caster wheels are hubless 65mm soft polyurethane with steel ball bearings. They glide very smoothly over my LVP flooring.
In terms of seating comfort, the bottom is long enough to provide excellent thigh support, while the back is tall for great full back support, up to and including my head. The seat is ergonomically designed for a healthy sitting posture. The Refine 2's cold core foam is unlikely to flatten over time, kind of like your car, unlike the soft padding used in standard office chairs. The woven non-organic fabric is comfortable in use, appears to be durable, and somewhat spill resistant.
The biggest issue with the Refine 2 is the curved, concave seat base that presses against my outer thighs and sit bones, causing them to bear a higher load. I definitely felt the pressure on my sit bones if I sit on the Refine 2 for over an hour. For reference, my Herman Miller Embody has a wide, flat, and edge-to-edge support surface with what they refer to as Pixelated Support -- a system that adapts to your body to prevent pressure peaks -- and the difference is very noticeable. As aforementioned, I am in no way suggesting the Refine 2 should compete against a chair three times the MSRP, but I feel like even the Tesoro Zone Balance I reviewed in 2017 is much better in this regard. I still have the Zone Balance and use it at least a few times a week, so I was able to directly compare them rather than relying on memory. Thicker bolsters on both sides of the Refine 2 for better lateral support would be nice as well.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Assembly Experience
3. Usage Experience
4. Conclusion
