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Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh Review

A decent chair with the headrest removed, but a pretty average chair even at that, and only suitable for shorter folks
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union & scale flexfit hyken mesh office chair review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   Union & Scale
By Benjamin Hickok and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jul 12, 2023
45
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#13 of 15
  • Comfort - 50% 3.3
  • Adjustability - 35% 5.8
  • Durability - 10% 5.2
  • Ease of Assembly - 5% 6.9

Our Verdict

The Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken is an attractively priced office chair. Unfortunately, this task chair wasn't up to the task and was rather unimpressive when compared to the best office chair models available on the market today. While our test team felt that this chair might be well suited to populating an office meeting room (where meetings are somewhat brief), it does not offer an adequate level of comfort to allow you to focus more deeply on work if you are going to be seated for longer periods of time.
REASONS TO BUY
Armrests move up and down
Removable headrest
Good lumbar support
REASONS TO AVOID
Uncomfortable
Durability issues
Poor headrest
Short seat pan

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
Awards  Best Buy Award Best Buy Award   
Price $300 List
$194.79 at Amazon		$819 List
$772.00 at Amazon		$180 List
$139.43 at Amazon		$97 List
$83.99 at Amazon		$40 List
$39.98 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
45
79
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31
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Without the headrest, this chair is decent but still average, and it is only suitable for individuals shorter than 5'7"This chair boasts both comfort and high-quality features, though there is room for improvement in terms of providing additional adjustment optionsIt's not fancy, but this is our favorite budget-friendly chair for the moneyWith this model, you get what you pay for, which isn't muchThis chair provides acceptable performance, especially for its price, but if you're after all-day comfort, we would recommend purchasing a premium model
Rating Categories Union & Scale FlexF... Steelcase Series 2 Modway Articulate E... Amazon Basics Class... Furmax Office Mesh
Comfort (50%)
3.3
7.7
6.0
4.0
3.0
Adjustability (35%)
5.8
7.6
5.5
4.9
3.0
Durability (10%)
5.2
8.9
4.5
2.9
3.0
Ease of Assembly (5%)
6.9
9.7
5.7
6.3
5.0
Specs Union & Scale FlexF... Steelcase Series 2 Modway Articulate E... Amazon Basics Class... Furmax Office Mesh
Adjustable Seat Pan Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Adjustable Lumbar Support Option available Yes Yes; the backrest moves up and down Yes Yes
Adjustable Armrest Width Option available Option available No Yes Option available
Recline Lever No No Yes No No
Tilt Limiter Semi; Upright back lock, Full recline with weight activated tention + boost, Full recline with weight activated tention Yes; only locks in the upright position Yes; locks you into a position Yes; 3 stop points Semi; Upright back lock, Full recline with weight activated tention + boost, Full recline with weight activated tention
Swivel Armrests Option available Option available No No Option available
Armrest Depth Adjustment Option available Option available No No Option available
Tension Knob No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lumbar Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The FlexFit Hyken Mesh is an affordable model but falls short of the top office chair models on the market. While suitable for short office meetings, it lacks the comfort necessary for optimal focus and the ergonomic support for an average day at work.

Performance Comparison


union & scale flexfit hyken mesh office chair review - this is a fairly average, if not unimpressive chair that is poorly...
This is a fairly average, if not unimpressive chair that is poorly suited for an 8 hour work day.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


In our review process, comfort takes precedence, as it is the most important aspect of an office chair. Unfortunately, the FlexFit Hyken earned one of the lowest scores received by any of the products in our test lineup.

In our first set of evaluations, we looked at the seat. The FlexFit Hyken was less than impressive and earned a below-average score. A shorter seat pan was one pain point for this chair, and while the mesh is initially comfortable, ours immediately started to change to the shape of the person testing it, staying permanently deformed after use. Both the back and armrest comfort also leave much to be desired.

This model features adjustable height arms, but lacks the incredible adjustability of the most premium models our team tested.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Beyond an unimpressive level of comfort across these major components, we evaluated the comfort of the included headrest. Unfortunately, this headrest proved to be far from ergonomic for every member of our test team and only provided moderate comfort for a shorter 5'4" team member.

Lastly, we considered the number of hours we could sit without discomfort, and our test team determined that it would be reasonable to endure up to three hours of sitting in the FlexFit Hyken, but it is not a chair that you would want to spend longer durations in.

union & scale flexfit hyken mesh office chair review - the head rest on the union & scale flexfit hyken isn't particularly...
The head rest on the Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken isn't particularly comfortable, nor is it well suited for taller people.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Adjustability


We evaluated the all-around adjustability of each chair in our second major test metric. Looking at the FlexFit Hyken compared to other chairs, we scrutinized the adjustability of the seat depth, backrest, armrests, and reclining position, considering both the extent and degree of adjustability. This model earned a below-average score for lack of the adjustability seen in more premium chairs. In particular, the Hyken only has four positions for lumbar adjustments, a tilt lock that only locks in two positions, and armrests that are limited to height adjustments only. The uncomfortable headrest is adjustable but difficult to move to an ergonomic position for all testers over about 5'4".

A tilt lock is a feature typically seen on more premium chairs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Durability


This metric focuses on the construction quality and sturdiness of each chair. We look for signs of wear and tear or significant damage throughout our testing process. We also consider user reviews, especially if there is a trend, and the length of any included warranty to calculate scores.

The FlexFit Hyken Mesh performed poorly in this regard too. Beyond a relatively high percentage of broken components reported in 1-star user reviews, we experienced our own durability issues. Our team encountered what seems to be a common issue of staples pulling out, a weakened or failing gas cylinder, a break in the backrest bracket, and the mesh of the chair deforming. If longevity is a concern, this would be a model to pass on.

union & scale flexfit hyken mesh office chair review - the mesh materials look fine at first glance, but the staple holding...
The mesh materials look fine at first glance, but the staple holding the material to the seat plastic started to back out during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Assembly


Our final major metric tested the effort required to put each chair together before you can start using it. Some office chairs come almost entirely assembled, but the FlexFit Hyken is not one of them. Fortunately, assembly isn't too difficult, but it will require a little more than 20 minutes of your time and a bit of patience.

Assembly involves placing a gas cylinder and then mounting casters, arms, backrest, headrest, and the base. All the hardware is conveniently labeled for each step, making it easy to select and place hardware in the appropriate locations. That said, the hardware seems cheap and mass-produced, and some screw posts weren't entirely straight. A packing oil or residue also contributed to some difficulty threading screws, as it built up on the threads into a thick gunk.

Putting together the FlexFit Hyken isn't difficult, but is still a less-than-average experience, especially when compared to some of the most premium chairs that come almost completely assembled.

union & scale flexfit hyken mesh office chair review - poor ergonomics, comfort, and a lack of adjustability make this...
Poor ergonomics, comfort, and a lack of adjustability make this chair better suited for an office meeting room, where chairs won't be used for very long durations.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh?


We carefully research which chairs to purchase before putting them through our extensive testing, only selecting the most promising models, so it is rare that we ever end up with a bad product. With that said, the Union & Scale is not a bad chair, but it's not nearly as impressive as other top-tier models. Other affordable models offer a greater level of comfort and value and would be worth considering over this one.

What Other Office Chairs Should You Consider?


At a similar price point to the Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken, we'd suggest looking at the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh, which provides far greater comfort and subsequent value. Or, if your budget allows you to spend more on an entry-level premium chair, take a good look at the Steelcase Series 2. However, if you can afford it and are seeking the ultimate office chair money can buy, check out the Steelcase Leap. Its premium price offers premium features and comfort that can't be found in any other chair we've tested.

— Benjamin Hickok and Austin Palmer
 
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