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Fractal Design

Fractal Design Refine (Mesh): the downsides first

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#6 of 8
$$$Ergonomic meshScore 3.5/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available

PCMag's Herman Miller alternative is sleek, easy to build and well warrantied, but Tom's Guide found weak lumbar support and a shallow seat that left a 6-foot-3 tester sore after 2-3 hours, and PCMag says the mesh feels plasticky.

Top complaints

  • Shallow seat pan

    Tom's Guide's 6-foot-3 tester got sore legs after 2-3 hours and some numbness at the back of the thighs, even with the seat slid forward.

    Source: Tom's Guide review
  • Mediocre lumbar support

    Tom's Guide says the back feels mostly flat even at the strongest setting and the knob is on the back of the chair. PCMag says it lacks the contouring support of Herman Miller chairs.

    Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag review
  • Plasticky feel, low weight limit, loud arms

    PCMag says the mesh and frame feel plasticky and the 275-lb limit is modest. Tom's Guide calls the headrest cheap-feeling and the arm-height adjustment agonizingly loud.

    Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide review

What owners love

  • Clever, easy assembly

    PCMag says built-in mounting points and brackets mean no balancing parts; Tom's Guide built it in about 20 minutes alone.

    Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide review
  • Great armrests and secure headrest

    Tom's Guide found the soft, sturdy arms painless for long periods. PCMag calls the hook-on headrest the most secure it has seen in years.

    Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag review
  • Comfortable for PCMag; good warranty

    PCMag found it comfortable after weeks of use and notes a 5-year frame and 3-year upholstery warranty, longer than most gaming chairs' two years.

    Source: PCMag review
Good for
  • A minimal, office-friendly look
  • Soft, sturdy armrests
  • Easy one-person assembly

Scores (tap for why)

  • Long-session comfort3.0
    Why 3.0?Comfortable for PCMag, but Tom's Guide's tall tester got sore after 2-3 hours from the shallow seat.
    Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide review
  • Adjustability3.5
    Why 3.5?Seat slide, sliding headrest, height-and-depth lumbar, 4D arms and 13 lockable recline angles to 125 degrees (PCMag, Tom's Guide); the lumbar knob is awkward to reach.
    Source: PCMag review, Tom's Guide review
  • Materials (peeling, heat)3.0
    Why 3.0?Nylon-reinforced mesh breathes but feels very plasticky (PCMag); no leatherette to peel.
    Source: PCMag review
  • Assembly4.5
    Why 4.5?About 20 minutes alone with built-in mounts and brackets; arms not pre-installed (Tom's Guide, PCMag).
    Source: Tom's Guide review, PCMag review
  • Durability & warranty3.5
    Why 3.5?5-year frame / 3-year upholstery warranty and no creaks in testing, but a light polymer frame and 275-lb limit (PCMag).
    Source: PCMag review

What experts say

  • PCMag: 4.0/5 Editors' Choice, 'Best Herman Miller Alternative': comfortable and cleverly designed; the mesh feels plasticky and the weight limit is low.
  • Tom's Guide: Not picked ('also tested'): easy to build with great arms, but mediocre lumbar, a cheap headrest and an uncomfortable, shallow seat.
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If that catch is a deal-breaker

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