Is the Fractal Design Refine 2 Gaming Chair Worth Picking Up?
I’ve been using the Fractal Design Refine 2 for the past month, both for everyday work and during long gaming sessions, and it has proven to be a very comfortable chair that is easy to live with. The Mesh version has been especially nice during extended use, as the breathable backrest and seat allow more airflow than a traditional foam-padded gaming chair. It provides supportive ergonomics without forcing you into a rigid seating position, while the synchro-tilt mechanism allows the seat and backrest to move naturally with your body when reclining.
Fractal Design has also made several meaningful improvements over the original Refine. The new dual-pad lumbar system provides two flexible contact points instead of one, allowing it to better follow your movements and distribute support across the lower back. The Mesh version also receives thicker lumbar foam and a smoother mesh material. Other improvements include a lower minimum headrest position, an increased seat-depth range, softer seat foam on the padded models, fully lockable armrests, smoother reclining, more stable seat adjustments, and upgraded casters with steel ball bearings. The weight capacity has also increased from 275 lbs to 297 lbs thanks to changes to the mechanism and gas lift.
One of the Refine 2’s greatest strengths continues to be its design. Rather than looking like a typical racing-style gaming chair, it has a clean, Scandinavian-inspired appearance that works just as well in a professional home office as it does in a gaming setup. The exposed backrest frame, subtle branding, and coordinated materials give it a premium look without being overly flashy. Fractal Design also offers the chair in Fabric, Mesh, and Hybrid configurations, with light and dark color options, allowing buyers to choose between cushioning, maximum airflow, or a combination of the two.
The Refine 2 is also very easy to adjust. Its paddles are positioned along the sides of the seat where they can be reached without getting out of the chair, providing quick control over seat height, seat depth, and recline locking. You can also adjust the tilt resistance, lumbar height and depth, headrest height, and the position of the 4D armrests. Once everything is dialed in, the chair does an excellent job of maintaining those settings, particularly now that the armrests can be fully locked in place. Even before you get to adjustment the chair itself is so easy to assemble, it should only take you about 15 minutes!
If anything I would have really liked to have seen some sort of foot-rest, especially have those longer chill sessions watching YouTube.
At $639.99 at our favorite online retailer, the Fractal Design Refine 2 is definitely a premium chair, but the build quality, extensive adjustability, refined appearance, and long-session comfort help justify that price. Fractal Design did not completely reinvent the original Refine; instead, it addressed many of the smaller issues that kept the first version from reaching its full potential. The result is a more polished, comfortable, and user-friendly chair that feels equally suited for productivity and gaming. Overall ThinkComputers gives the Fractal Design Refine 2 gaming chair a 9 out of 10 score and our Recommended Award!
Pros:
– Incredibly comfortable
– Clean Scandinavian-inspired design
– Breathable and supportive mesh construction
– New dual-pad lumbar support
– Convenient and easy-to-reach paddle controls
– The 4D armrests are now lockable
– Fabric, Mesh, and Hybrid versions available
Cons:
– Premium $639.99 price
– No foot rest