We know Fractal Design primarily as a manufacturer of high-quality PC cases. In our test series, we have already been able to take a look at cases such as the Fractal Design North XL (review) or Fractal Design Pop XL Air (review), both of which won a Platinum Award. Now the Swedes have added a gaming chair to their product lineup. In the Fractal Design Refine test, we took a seat on the manufacturer’s first product and tell you whether not only the look, but also the seating comfort and ergonomics are right.
Technical data
| Model | Fractal Design Refine |
| Material/Technology | Frame: Glass fiber reinforced (20-30%) PP/PA plastic Seat: Fabric: Cold foam | Mesh: Mesh Backrest: Fabric: Cold foam | Mesh: Mesh Neck support: Memory foam Base: Aluminum Castors: Hubless 65 mm castors with soft PU plastic Gas pressure spring: 120 mm class 4 Mechanism: Synchro-tilt Armrests: Aluminum mechanism with steel bracket and plastic cover Arm pad: Soft PU foam with TPU cover Lumbar support: Height and depth adjustable Cover: Mesh: Nylon reinforced mesh fabric, Fabric: Woven, non-organic fabric, Alcantara®: Alcantara® |
| Adjustment options | Seat height (distance to the floor): Fabric: 475 mm – 595 mm | Mesh: 490 mm – 610 mm Seat depth: Fabric: 425 mm – 480 mm | Mesh: 450 mm – 505 mm Armrest height (distance to seat): Fabric: 160 mm – 270 mm | Mesh: 145 mm – 255 mm Armrest spacing: Fabric: 420 mm – 560 mm | Mesh: 430 mm – 560 mm Armrest rotation: ±15° Armrest depth adjustment: 60 mm Lumbar support height adjustment: 110 mm Lumbar support depth adjustment: 20 mm Max tilt angle: 125° (~130° under load) Free tilt function Yes Neck support height adjustment 120 mm |
| Dimensions | Headrest: 210 mm x 80 mm x 185 mm Lumbar support: 110 mm x 260 mm Seat: Width: 540 mm (fabric) 550 mm (mesh), depth: 460 mm (fabric), 465 mm (mesh) Seat width (seam to seam): 435 mm Armrest: Length: 250 mm, width: 110 mm Backrest: Height: 1340 mm – 1465 mm, width: 530 mm Castors: 65 mm diameter Base: 700 mm diameter |
| Maximum load | 125 kg |
| Body height | 1.65 m – 2.0 m |
| Product weight | 25.7 kg |
| Scope of delivery | – Seat with Synchro-Tilt – Backrest mechanism with integrated lumbar support – star base – Headrest – Accessory box (large) – Quick Start Guide |
| price | € 625.79 * |
Different versions with significant price differences
There’s no accounting for taste. Of course, the Fractal Design Refine is no different. Accordingly, the Swedes also offer their gaming chair in different versions. There are three different covers to choose from. Potential buyers can choose between fabric, mesh and Alcantara.
Both fabric and mesh versions are available in light and dark gray. The version with an elegant Alcantara cover, however, is only available in a dark version. Our test model comes in a light-colored fabric cover and, like the mesh version, costs just under 550 euros. The version with the elegant Alcantara microfiber fabric is significantly more expensive. It costs just under 900 euros.
Fractal Design Refine test: Unboxing and assembly
The Fractal Design Refine is delivered in a rather inconspicuous but large and heavy cardboard box. You should definitely organize support for the transport to the place of use. After all, the box weighs a whopping 36 kg. However, this is not only due to the chair itself, as a glance inside the box makes clear. Fractal Design also uses a lot of packaging material to reliably protect the individual components.
The manufacturer conveniently stows small components in a box so that you can keep an overview before assembly. Large elements such as the backrest, seat and base can be removed individually. The high quality of the components is noticeable as soon as you unpack them. While Fractal Design uses aluminum for the base, the seat and backrest are made of high-quality plastic with a glass fiber content.
Assembly is quick and uncomplicated. This is not only due to the very good assembly instructions. The manufacturer also includes the right tool in the form of an Allen key in the scope of delivery. You should start with the star base. This is where the five castors are clicked into place, which is quick and smooth. Then screw the backrest and armrests to the seat.
Once everything is secure, you can place the seat shell on the gas pressure spring of the base. We recommend that you set up the chair on the floor where it will be used. After all, it is quite heavy at 26 kg. Transporting it up and down stairs is correspondingly complicated and demanding on the back.
Fractal Design Refine test: design and workmanship
Once the finished chair is in place, one thing quickly becomes apparent: This piece of furniture is damn pretty to look at and doesn’t have much in common with a classic gaming chair. Rather, Fractal Design’s first work is reminiscent of a modern executive chair. At least in terms of its dimensions. Not only does it have a really large seat cushion measuring 540 mm x 460 mm. The backrest is also wide and high. And that brings a decisive advantage.
According to the manufacturer, the chair can be used by people between 1.65 m and 2 m tall and weighing between 60 and 125 kg. Anyone who is happy with the rather bulky but attractive appearance will have to look for disadvantages with a magnifying glass. The only thing I can think of is the heavy weight, which you hardly ever notice in practice thanks to the smooth-running castors. In terms of design, the Refine is surprisingly mature.
Fractal Design has dispensed with eye-catching contrast in the form of colored seams or even LED elements. Instead, the Refine is conspicuously inconspicuous, considering that it actually comes from a manufacturer of PC cases. However, if you take a closer look at the Swedish company’s cases, you can also see the design language here – modern restraint would probably be an appropriate description.
Meanwhile, the workmanship of the chair is of a really high standard. Not only did the fabric cover feel very good against the skin. The cold foam upholstery underneath also contributed to the seating comfort. The fact that Fractal Design delivers great quality here is obviously also known in the ranks of the Swedish manufacturer. It is not without reason that there is a full three-year guarantee on the upholstery and fabric cover. There is even a five-year guarantee for the base frame made of glass fiber reinforced plastic.
Fractal Design Refine test: seating comfort and ergonomics
Appearance and build quality may be important attributes of a gaming chair. But no matter how great they may be, if the ergonomics are not right, even the highest quality gaming chair is doomed to failure. Fortunately, this is not the case with the Fractal Design Refine. Quite the opposite. It’s so comfortable that after a day in the home office, you’ll want to stay seated for a round of gaming.
This is not only due to the comfortable upholstery, but also the adjustment options. Probably the most important setting is the seat height, which is adjusted using a lever on the right-hand side. Here you can choose between 475 and 595 mm. The seat depth can also be adjusted. A maximum of 480 mm and a minimum of 425 mm are possible here.
The chair’s lumbar support is designed to help you sit up straight by actively supporting the lumbar spine. This can also be adjusted in height and depth. The backrest not only offers lumbar support, but also a tilt mechanism. Its resistance can also be adjusted. Since we are in the upper class here, it is not surprising that the chair has a synchronized mechanism.
Here, the seat and backrest can be moved independently of each other to different degrees when the user leans backwards. As the whole thing is a matter of taste, the synchronous mechanism can also be deactivated as an option. Of course, the armrests are also adjustable. Their height can be adjusted between 160 and 270 mm. They can also be adjusted forwards and backwards by 60 mm.
It can also be moved outwards and inwards and the angle can be adjusted by 15°. Thanks to their padding, the arms rest very comfortably on the backrests. The headrest is also comfortably upholstered. The height of this can also be adjusted so that the back of the head always has optimum support. However, the thickness of the padding is definitely a matter of taste. It is a shame that there is no other, slightly thinner support. If you don’t like it, you can simply remove the headrest.
Conclusion
The Fractal Design Refine impresses in our test as a high-quality and comfortable gaming chair that is more reminiscent of a classy executive chair than a typical gaming model. The excellent workmanship and the simple, grown-up design stand out in particular. With variants in fabric, mesh or Alcantara, there is a model to suit every taste and budget. The rather heavy chair is easy to assemble thanks to the clear instructions and included tools, even if transportation is somewhat challenging due to the heavy weight.
Once assembled, the Refine scores with its generous dimensions, which make it accessible for users between 1.65 m and 2 m tall. In terms of ergonomics, the chair leaves nothing to be desired: Height-adjustable seat and armrests, an adjustable lumbar support and a synchronous mechanism that can be deactivated offer many customization options. The comfortable upholstery, including the removable headrest, also contributes to a pleasant sitting experience, whether in the home office or when gaming. With a warranty of up to five years, the Fractal Design Refine is a worthwhile investment for users who value design and comfort.
Fractal Design Refine
Design and processing
Equipment
Seating comfort
Price-performance ratio
94/100
The Fractal Design Refine is a successful debut from the PC case expert. We look forward to many more chairs from the manufacturer.
