Page 4 - Conclusion
After using the Fractal Design Refine 2 Fabric Dark daily for a few weeks now, how good is the chair? I do not expect it to compete against the Herman Miller Aeron and Haworth Very we have at work and the Herman Miller Embody I have at home, but this does give me a baseline understanding of what the best in the industry can offer -- and where the Refine 2 stands at a fraction of the MSRP. To start, the Refine 2's assembly process was straightforward and can easily be completed by one person in under 20 minutes. The massive set up poster was the icing on the cake. Feature-wise, I like how the Refine 2's seat is not only height-adjustable, but also depth-adjustable. The 4D armrest is well-designed, being able to be tuned in practically all directions, and are locked in place until you hold down a release mechanism button. The tall back with its sliding position head rest, which can be removed entirely should you prefer, and dual pad lumbar support with height and depth adjustments can accommodate people of different heights and preferences. The fabric quality in our particular variant feels comfortable and durable. There are a few things I would point out to improve the ergonomics and functionality of the Fractal Design Refine 2 though. First, the concave seat base causes my sit bones to bear a higher load, which can be felt after sitting on it for more than an hour. Second, the 90° standard back position is too aggressive. It is possible to tilt it back and lock it, but it will make you lose free tilt entirely. This brings me to the next point: The Refine 2 takes quite a bit of effort to freely tilt back even at the lowest tension setting. Lastly, thicker bolsters on both sides for better lateral support would be nice. At an MSRP of $640, the Fractal Design Refine 2 Fabric Dark is a quality product that comes in at a fraction of the price of the industry elites, but key improvements in ergonomics and functionality will take this chair to a different level.
Fractal Design provided this product to APH Networks for the purposes of evaluation.
APH Networks Review Focus Summary:
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks, but should be considered before purchasing.
6/10 means A product with its advantages, but drawbacks should not be ignored before purchasing.
-- Final APH Networks Numeric Rating is 6.7/10
Please note that the APH Networks Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other publications.
The Fractal Design Refine 2 Fabric Dark is a well-built gaming chair, but key improvements in ergonomics and functionality will take it to a different level.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Assembly Experience
3. Usage Experience
4. Conclusion
