Choosing the best and most comfortable gaming chair is not easy. It should have an excellent build quality and an ergonomic design while focusing on personalisation and comfort. Today in our Fractal Design Refine Review, we will share a product that ticks all the boxes.
Refine is the first gaming chair that Fractal Design has produced. Like the company’s PC cases, this chair takes inspiration from modern gaming spaces and Scandinavian aesthetics. It integrates research-led ergonomic science and aesthetics that enhance gaming stations while suiting professional environments.
Fractal produced a superior gaming chair with top-notch comfort and ergonomic support using high-end materials. Its adjustability ensures all users can use this chair comfortably.
Is this chair ideal for your home office or gaming station? Our Fractal Design Refine Review will cover all the details you need to know before purchasing the product.
Fractal Design Refine Review – Design and Functionality
Fractal Design offers the Refine gaming chair in multiple variants, allowing users to choose between two elegant color options: off-white or dark.
The cover material also comes in a selection of three luxurious choices: breathable mesh, plush memory foam, or premium Alcantara fabric, catering to a range of preferences for both aesthetics and comfort.
For this review, we evaluated the dark mesh variant, which provides a blend of contemporary design and functionality.
Unlike many gaming chairs that are designed to mimic the aggressive, flashy look of racing car seats, the Fractal Design Refine chair stands apart with its sleek, minimalist appearance, resembling a high-end office chair.
Its design harmonizes particularly well with the understated yet refined look of Fractal Design’s PC cases, making it a natural fit for users who prioritize aesthetics without the ostentation common in gaming peripherals.
This chair’s subtle design doesn’t just blend into any setup—it enhances it. The neutral color options offer versatility, ensuring the chair can effortlessly complement vibrant, colorful gaming rooms, while also maintaining a professional presence in more subdued, work-focused environments.
From the moment of assembly, the Refine gaming chair makes a strong impression. Every component feels meticulously crafted, and the final product exhibits a level of sturdiness that speaks to its high-quality construction.
The frame, made from glass-fiber-reinforced material, is not only lightweight but incredibly durable, while the aluminium wheelbase ensures excellent stability and support, even during extended use.
Fractal Design has gone above and beyond to deliver a premium seating experience. The choice of high-end materials is complemented by a focus on ergonomic comfort, offering users superior support through a range of adjustable features.
From height and tilt to armrest positioning, the chair allows for a personalized fit, ensuring that users of all sizes can find the most comfortable position.
Whether you’re gaming for hours or working through a long day at the office, the Refine chair offers the ideal balance of comfort, durability, and style.
Nylon Reinforced Mesh
Fractal Design refers to the material used in their gaming chair as nylon-reinforced mesh, a specialized fabric designed for durability and comfort.
Unlike the traditional mesh seen in many office or gaming chairs, this material appears to be a hybrid of plastic and rubber, offering a unique texture and enhanced performance.
The mesh has a distinct rubbery feel, which serves multiple purposes. One key advantage is that it provides a non-slip surface, preventing users from sliding or shifting in their seat. This feature ensures a stable sitting experience, especially during extended gaming or work sessions.
Additionally, the material is built to withstand the rigors of daily use. It is tough, highly durable, and resistant to stains and spills, making it ideal for anyone looking for a low-maintenance chair that still offers premium comfort.
Spills can be easily wiped away, and the material resists accumulating grime, making it simple to keep the chair looking pristine.
Despite the rubbery texture, the nylon-reinforced mesh does not compromise on comfort. The mesh construction allows air to circulate freely, which helps to dissipate heat and reduce the buildup of moisture, keeping the user cool even after long periods of sitting.
This breathability makes it an excellent choice for those who live in warmer climates or who need to sit for extended hours, whether for gaming, work, or other activities.
The nylon fibres within the mesh add an extra layer of resilience. Unlike some cheaper mesh materials that can stretch or sag over time, the nylon reinforcement helps the material maintain its original shape, even after heavy use.
This durability ensures that the chair continues to provide firm, reliable support without losing its structural integrity, which is crucial for long-term ergonomic benefits.
Overall, the nylon-reinforced mesh strikes a balance between toughness and comfort, making it one of the best materials available for ergonomic seating. Its ability to offer long-lasting support, combined with its easy maintenance and breathability, makes it a standout choice in the gaming and office chair market.
Fully Adjustable
One of the most impressive things of the Fractal Design Refine gaming chair is its extensive adjustability, which significantly enhances comfort and usability.
During our testing for this Fractal Design Refine Review, we found that these customizable options provided a tailored seating experience, accommodating a wide range of body types and sitting preferences.
4D Armrests
The Refine gaming chair is equipped with 4D armrests, a standout feature that significantly enhances the chair’s ergonomic functionality.
These armrests offer a high degree of customizability, allowing users to adjust them in four distinct directions: up and down to match the height of your desk or table, forward and backward for optimal reach, side to side for precise positioning, and they can also rotate to change the angle of the horizontal plane.
This level of adjustability ensures that the armrests can be positioned to suit any sitting style or setup, whether for gaming, working, or general use.
One of the key advantages of these 4D armrests is the ability to achieve a perfect ergonomic alignment. Whether you’re typing, using a mouse, or gaming with a controller, having the armrests positioned at the correct height and angle can make a big difference.
By customizing the armrest height, you can ensure your arms rest naturally, which reduces the strain on your shoulders, neck, and wrists. This not only improves comfort but also prevents common issues like muscle fatigue or repetitive strain injuries, which are particularly common when sitting for long periods.
Additionally, being able to move the armrests forward and backward means they can be adjusted to match the distance from your desk or gaming setup, ensuring that your forearms remain supported whether you’re leaning in for focused work or reclining for a more relaxed gaming session.
The side-to-side movement allows for a wider range of body types to find a comfortable position, catering to users with broader or narrower frames.
The ability to rotate the armrests adds even more versatility, as it enables users to set the angle of the armrests for specific tasks, such as maintaining wrist alignment during extended typing or ensuring comfortable arm placement during gaming.
This small but significant adjustment can relieve pressure on your joints, making a noticeable difference in comfort during marathon gaming sessions or long workdays.
The 4D armrests on the Refine gaming chair provide users with an exceptional level of flexibility, allowing for a highly personalized seating experience. By offering such a wide range of adjustments, these armrests help reduce the strain on key muscle groups and joints, promoting better posture and overall comfort during prolonged use.
Whether you’re a gamer, a professional, or someone who spends a lot of time at a desk, the 4D armrests ensure that your chair adapts to your needs, not the other way around.
Refine Headrest
The headrest on the Refine gaming chair is another feature that enhances both comfort and functionality.
Crafted from high-quality memory foam, the headrest is designed to adapt to the unique shape of your head, offering personalized support. Memory foam is known for its ability to distribute pressure evenly, which helps relieve tension and provides a cushioned, comfortable experience, especially during long gaming or work sessions.
As the foam conforms to your head’s contours, it ensures that you can maintain proper posture, reducing the strain on your neck and shoulders.
One of the most convenient aspects of the Refine headrest is its vertical adjustability.
You can easily raise or lower the headrest to find the optimal position that suits your height and preferences. Whether you prefer it positioned high to support the upper neck or lower to cradle the back of your head, the chair can accommodate a wide range of user needs.
This level of adjustability ensures that the headrest provides ergonomic support for users of different heights, making it versatile enough for everyone in the household.
In addition to its adjustability, the Refine headrest also comes with a removable feature, activated by a simple button mechanism. This thoughtful design caters to users who may prefer a more streamlined chair without a headrest, or for those who simply want to remove it when it’s not needed.
This feature adds flexibility, allowing users to customize the chair based on personal preference. Whether you’re sitting upright and prefer a headrest for support or reclining for a break and opting for a cleaner chair design, the choice is entirely yours.
One great inclusion of the headrest is the removable fabric cover, which is fitted with a zipper. This allows you to easily remove the fabric for cleaning whenever necessary.
Whether you’re dealing with spills or just regular maintenance, the zipper makes it simple to keep the chair in pristine condition. The ability to clean the headrest cover is especially valuable for users who plan on long-term use, as it helps maintain hygiene and ensures the chair looks fresh even after extensive use.
The Refine’s headrest exemplifies both comfort and practicality, offering users a high level of customization and easy maintenance.
Synchro-tilt Technology
The seat and backrest of the Fractal Design Refine chair are equipped with synchro-tilt technology, a feature that plays a crucial role in enhancing both comfort and ergonomics.
This technology ensures that the seat and backrest move in unison with your body’s natural posture, providing seamless support as you adjust your position.
Unlike traditional chairs where the backrest tilts independently or the seat remains static, the synchro-tilt mechanism allows both the seat and backrest to adjust simultaneously, promoting a more comfortable and balanced seating experience.
When you recline, the synchro-tilt system ensures that the seat tilts at a slightly different angle than the backrest, creating a smooth motion that follows the curve of your spine.
This synchronized movement allows for a more natural recline, preventing awkward, forced positions that could lead to discomfort or strain over time. Whether you’re leaning back to relax or shifting your posture during long hours at your desk, this feature ensures that the chair supports you throughout, reducing the risk of pressure points and discomfort.
One of the main benefits of synchro-tilt technology is its ability to encourage better posture. By allowing the seat and backrest to move together, the chair helps maintain the proper alignment of your spine and pelvis, preventing slouching or hunching, which can often occur when sitting for extended periods.
This is essential for long-term comfort and maintaining the health of your spine, as poor posture over time can lead to back pain, neck strain, and other musculoskeletal issues.
Additionally, the synchro-tilt mechanism ensures that your body remains in an ergonomic position, whether you’re upright and focused on work or reclining during breaks. This continuous support is vital for individuals who spend long hours sitting, as it minimizes the risk of developing posture-related problems and contributes to overall well-being.
The synchro-tilt technology in the Refine chair enhances both comfort and ergonomics by allowing the seat and backrest to move together in a way that mirrors your body’s natural posture.
This promotes a more relaxed and supported sitting position, reducing strain and encouraging better spine health, making it an excellent feature for anyone who values long-term comfort and optimal ergonomic support.
Lumbar Support
Fractal Design has made sure to include exceptional adjustable lumbar support, which is designed to provide optimized ergonomic comfort for users.
This feature plays a crucial role in maintaining proper posture and reducing strain on the lower back, especially during long periods of sitting.
Unlike many chairs that come with fixed or minimal lumbar support, the Refine allows you to adjust both the height and depth of the support, ensuring a personalized fit that can cater to individual preferences and body shapes.
The height adjustability of the lumbar support ensures that it can be positioned exactly where you need it to support the natural curve of your spine. Whether you have a taller or shorter frame, you can easily raise or lower the lumbar support to target the specific area of your lower back that requires the most attention.
This helps to relieve pressure on your lumbar region, preventing common issues like lower back pain and discomfort, which are often caused by poor sitting posture or inadequate support.
In addition to height adjustment, the depth of the lumbar support can also be fine-tuned.
This means that you can control how much pressure or cushioning you want on your lower back, ensuring that the chair provides the right level of support without feeling too intrusive or too flat.
This level of customization allows the chair to accommodate a wide range of seating preferences, whether you prefer more pronounced support or something subtler.
During our testing, we found the adjustable lumbar support to be highly effective. The ability to tweak both the height and depth provided a tailored sitting experience, helping us maintain proper posture and feel comfortable even during extended use.
The lumbar support remained firm and consistent, giving us the necessary lower back reinforcement to avoid fatigue or discomfort after long hours in the chair.
The built-in adjustable lumbar support of the Refine chair is a key feature that enhances its ergonomic design.
By allowing users to personalize the height and depth of the support, the chair ensures that your back is well-cushioned and aligned, which is essential for long-term comfort and spinal health.
Ergonomic Seat Height and Depth Adjustment
The Fractal Design Refine chair allows you to customize your seat height and depth, ensuring that you can find the most ergonomic and comfortable position for your body.
This level of adjustability is crucial for maintaining proper posture and reducing strain, especially during long gaming or work sessions.
The seat height adjustment feature lets you raise or lower the chair to perfectly align with your desk or gaming setup, ensuring that your feet rest flat on the floor and your knees are at a 90-degree angle.
This helps to relieve pressure on your thighs and promotes better circulation, which is essential for maintaining long-term comfort and avoiding fatigue.
In addition to height adjustment, the Refine chair also offers seat depth adjustment. By sliding the seat forward or backward, you can fine-tune the distance between the seat edge and the backrest to match your leg length.
This ensures that you get optimal support for your lower back while keeping your thighs fully supported, preventing discomfort or strain on your knees and hips.
These customizable adjustments make it easy to find the ideal ergonomic position, whether you’re focused on intense gameplay or spending hours at the desk.
With the right seat height and depth, the Fractal Design Refine chair helps promote proper posture and enhances comfort, allowing you to stay focused and perform at your best.
Hubless Casters
The hubless casters on the Fractal Design Refine chair are designed to provide effortless movement across a variety of surfaces, enhancing the overall user experience.
Made from premium materials, these 65 mm hubless casters not only allow the chair to glide smoothly but also offer several practical benefits.
First, the materials used in the casters are specifically chosen to absorb shock, which minimizes the impact on both the chair and the user when rolling over uneven surfaces or transitioning between different floor types.
This shock absorption ensures a quieter and more comfortable ride, especially during long sessions of work or gaming.
The casters are also designed to help reduce noise, making them perfect for quieter environments like home offices or shared spaces. The smooth, silent rolling ensures that you won’t disturb others while moving around, adding an extra layer of convenience and discretion to your experience.
Another advantage of the Refine’s hubless casters is their floor-friendly design.
The soft polyurethane (PU) wheels are engineered to protect delicate flooring surfaces, such as hardwood, laminate, or tiles. This ensures that you can move freely without worrying about scuffs, scratches, or damage to your floors, allowing the chair to remain versatile and functional in any room.
The hubless casters provide a balance of smooth mobility, durability, and floor protection, making the Refine chair a great choice for users who value easy movement without compromising on comfort or care for their environment.
Key Features of the Fractal Design Refine
Many gaming chair manufacturers claim their products are durable and have excellent ergonomics. However, not all gaming chairs deliver what their respective companies promise.
What makes the first gaming chair from Fractal Design worth purchasing? Our Fractal Design Refine Review will discuss each feature to determine why it is a superior option.
Unmatched Comfort While Gaming
The comfort Refine offers is superior. It combines office-level ergonomics, top-notch adjustability, and a premium modern design in a single package.
Designed for Comfort
The adaptive mesh or foam cushioning of Refine offers long-lasting support and comfort. It also has a memory foam headrest and soft, padded armrests to give the best comfort while gaming and working.
Choose from Three Variants – All With a Refined Design
Fractal Design offers the Refine with three cover options: fabric, mesh, or Alcantara. These provide a clean, dynamic design to match your gaming station perfectly.
Ergonomic Motion of the Fractal Design Refine
The synchro-tilt mechanism of Refine lets you naturally recline since it moves with your body. Its lockable tilt and adjustable tension support the chair, keeping your back relaxed.
Designed for Gaming
Innovative features like 4D armrests, a height-adjustable headrest, and customisable height and depth let you find your best gaming position. The Refine ensures long-lasting comfort with its versatility.
Adjustable Lumbar Support
The Refine has built-in lumbar support for optimised ergonomic comfort. You can adjust its height and depth to get the best comfort for your back. This feature kept us comfortable when we sat on the chair.
Make Multiple Adjustments
All the adjustable parts of the Refine lets you enjoy your ideal gaming position while maintaining proper posture. These features made our gaming experiences enjoyable when we tested this chair for our Fractal Design Refine Review.
The padded 4D armrests are soft and comfortable. Plus, you can move it up and down, forward and back, or rotate it in and out for excellent support.
Aside from that, you can adjust the integrated lumbar support and headrest. You can easily slide the headrest up or down, and pressing a button allows you to remove it.
With the adjustable tilt tension, you can lean back while keeping your back supported. You can also choose from 13 positions to lock your recline.
In addition, Refine lets you adjust the height and depth of the seat, offering the most ergonomic experience.
Premium and Durable Construction
Fractal Design built the Refine with premium and high-quality materials to ensure its durability and longevity. This gaming chair has a glass fibre-reinforced frame and a sturdy aluminium wheelbase.
Smooth, Fluid Movement
The hubless casters of Refine are made from materials that reduce noise, absorb shock, and prevent floors from getting damaged. As a result, the Refine makes smooth, fluid, and seamless movement.
Five-year Warranty
Enjoy gaming on the ergonomic Refine with peace of mind since it has a five-year warranty on the chair construction. It also has a three-year warranty covering soft parts like upholstery, headrest, and armrest caps.
Specifications
- Frame: Glass fiber reinforced (20-30%) PP/PA
- Seat: Cold cured foam (Mesh: Mesh material)
- Backrest: Cold cured foam (Mesh: Mesh material)
- Headrest: Memory foam
- Wheelbase: Aluminum
- Casters: 65 mm hubless, soft PU wheels
- Gas Piston: 120 mm, Class 4
- Mechanism: Synchro-tilt
- Armrests: Plastic cover, aluminum mechanism, steel bracket
- Arm Caps: Soft PU foam with TPU cover
- Lumbar Support: Height and depth adjustable
- Fabric Options:
- Mesh: Nylon reinforced mesh
- Fabric: Woven non-organic fabric
- Alcantara®: Alcantara fabric
Adjustability
- Seat Height (from floor): 475 mm – 595 mm (Mesh: 490 mm – 610 mm)
- Seat Depth: 425 mm – 480 mm (Mesh: 450 mm – 505 mm)
- Armrest Height (from seat): 160 mm – 270 mm (Mesh: 145 mm – 255 mm)
- Armrest Width (armrest to armrest): 420 mm – 560 mm (Mesh: 430 mm – 560 mm)
- Armrest Rotation: ±15°
- Armrest Depth: 60 mm
- Lumbar Support Height Adjustment: 110 mm
- Lumbar Support Depth Adjustment: 20 mm
- Maximum Back Tilt: 125° (~130° under load)
- Tilt Mechanism: Donati Dynamic
- Back/Seat Tilt Ratio: 2:1
- Lockable Tilt Positions: 13
- Free Tilt: Yes
- Headrest Height Adjustment: 120 mm
Measurements
- Headrest Dimensions:
- Width: 210 mm
- Depth: 80 mm
- Height: 185 mm
- Lumbar Support Pad:
- Height: 110 mm
- Width: 260 mm
- Seat Dimensions:
- Width: 540 mm (Mesh: 550 mm)
- Depth: 460 mm (Mesh: 465 mm)
- Seat Width (between seams): 435 mm
- Arm Cap Dimensions:
- Length: 250 mm
- Width: 110 mm
- Backrest Dimensions:
- Height (from floor): 1340 mm – 1465 mm
- Height (from seat): 875 mm (Mesh: 860 mm)
- Width: 530 mm
- Caster Size: 65 mm
- Wheelbase Diameter: 700 mm
General
- Certifications: Bifma X5.1, EN1335-1, BS5852 OR CAL TB 117 + EN1021-1/-2
- Weight Capacity: 125 kg
- Warranty:
- 5 years (mechanical parts)
- 3 years (upholstery, fabric, and mesh)
- Recommended User Height: 1.65 m – 2.0 m
- Recommended User Weight: 60 kg – 125 kg
- Net Weight: 25.7 kg (Alcantara®: 25.8 kg)
- Gross Weight: 35.7 kg (Alcantara®: 35.8 kg)
- Package Dimensions (LxWxH): 107 x 68 x 39 cm
Package Contents
- Main Package: Seat base with synchro-tilt mechanism, backrest with built-in lumbar support, wheelbase, headrest, Large Accessory Box, Quick Start Guide, Designers’ Note with envelope
- Large Accessory Box: Gas lift, casters (5x), Small Accessory Box, armrests (2x), User Manual, Red Stop Note
- Small Accessory Box: Allen Key, 6 screws for armrest, 2 screws for backrest
Hands-on with the Fractal Design Refine
Assembling the Fractal Design Refine chair was a convenient and hassle-free process, much like what we’ve come to expect from Fractal Design.
The brand continues to deliver innovative features that make setup quick and straightforward, allowing users to focus more on enjoying their products rather than struggling with complicated assembly.
The instructions were clear, and each component fit seamlessly together, making the entire process smooth and efficient.
Once assembled, we immediately tested the chair by making the necessary adjustments to customize it for optimal comfort.
We were pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the chair felt from the moment we sat in it. One of the most impressive features was the nylon-reinforced mesh used on the seat and backrest.
Despite having a slightly rubbery texture, it remained soft to the touch and didn’t cause any irritation, even after long periods of use. This was a welcome surprise, as mesh materials in other chairs often lack the comfort or durability needed for extended gaming or office sessions.
Another standout feature was the absence of hard plastic edges around the mesh. Many gaming chairs suffer from uncomfortable plastic borders that can dig into your legs or back, but the Refine avoids this issue entirely.
Given that this is Fractal Design’s first foray into gaming chairs, their attention to detail and commitment to quality is evident, as the overall design feels polished and refined.
The recline function was equally impressive. The chair reclines smoothly and gives you a full range of recline, perfect for moments of relaxation. The recline lock worked flawlessly, keeping the chair securely in place once you find your desired position.
Additionally, the lumbar support was easy to adjust even while sitting, making it simple to find the most comfortable configuration for long sessions. This feature is especially useful for maintaining proper posture and preventing lower back strain.
Another feature that stood out was the 4D armrests. These armrests are incredibly versatile, allowing for rotation inward and outward, as well as up, down, left, and right adjustments.
This level of customization means you can perfectly position the armrests to suit your unique setup, whether you’re gaming, typing, or simply relaxing. The flexibility they provide makes the chair adaptable to a wide variety of uses and user preferences.
The seat base was just as comfortable as the backrest, with the mesh offering excellent support without feeling too hard or stiff. Unlike other chairs where the seat padding can become uncomfortable after prolonged use, the mesh material in the Refine offered consistent comfort throughout both gaming and work sessions.
All of the chair’s adjustable parts worked flawlessly, just as Fractal Design advertised. Although we noticed some minimal rattling in the adjustable components, this did not detract from the chair’s overall performance.
Importantly, none of the parts felt wobbly or insecure; everything felt sturdy and well-constructed, giving us confidence that the chair is built to last for the long term.
The synchro-tilt technology also performed exceptionally well, providing unparalleled comfort. The seat and backrest moved together in harmony with our body’s movements, offering continuous support no matter what position we were in.
This feature greatly enhanced the ergonomic design of the chair, ensuring that the user is supported and comfortable at all times, whether sitting upright or reclining.
The Fractal Design Refine chair delivers superior quality in every aspect. It combines unmatched comfort, ergonomic features, and versatile adjustment options, all housed in a robust and elegant design.
The attention to detail in its construction ensures it will fit seamlessly into any setup, from vibrant gaming environments to professional office spaces.
Fractal Design Refine Review Summary
The Fractal Design Refine is a remarkable gaming chair that combines high-quality construction with top-tier ergonomic features. Its sleek, minimalist design sets it apart from traditional gaming chairs, making it a perfect fit for both professional and gaming environments.
The nylon-reinforced mesh, 4D armrests, and synchro-tilt technology contribute to a personalized and comfortable experience that adapts to various body types and preferences.
Throughout our testing, the chair consistently delivered superior comfort, with easy adjustability for height, recline, lumbar support, and armrests. The memory foam headrest and durable frame ensure long-lasting support, while the quiet hubless casters provide smooth mobility on different surfaces without damaging floors.
These features create a well-rounded seating experience for users who spend extended periods sitting.
Despite minimal rattling in the adjustable components, the chair feels solid and well-built, reflecting Fractal Design’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The chair’s adjustability and ergonomic design make it suitable for long work or gaming sessions, helping reduce strain and discomfort.
Overall, the Fractal Design Refine offers unmatched versatility, comfort, and durability, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to elevate their gaming or office setup.
