REASONS TO BUY
Decent performance for the price
Mesh backrest
REASONS TO AVOID
Wobbly
Back tensioner is difficult to release
Furmax Office Mesh Review
You'll want to consider if the affordable price of this model is worth its lower-tier performance
Credit: Furmax
RELATED: Best Office Chairs of 2023
Our Verdict
While we are always on the lookout for a good deal, the Furmax Office Mesh is not a chair we would recommend if you're after all-day comfort. Far and away the most inexpensive option in our fleet, it's a lower-tier model that can be purchased at an insanely low price point. While it is wobbly and its comfort level cannot compare to the premium models, this is to be expected. This basic model lacks padding on the armrests; the backrest is lacking lumbar support, and other than a knob that adjusts the back tension, no other component is adjustable. While the setup is a bit more involved and time-consuming to put together, there are no other comparable models when it comes to the price point.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Furmax Office Mesh | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $55 List $40.99 at Amazon | $329 List | $493 List $399.00 at Amazon | $175 List $158.99 at Amazon | $90 List $89.71 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Decent performance for the price, mesh backrest | Great value, durable, comfortable | High adjustability, adjustable lumbar support, comfortable backrest | Inexpensive, relatively comfortable, and adjustable | Inexpensive, good-looking, user-friendly instructions |
| Cons | Wobbly, back tensioner is difficult to release | Looks aren't universally appealing | Thin plastic lumbar support, seat cushion foam prone to flattening | Durability could be better | Limited adjustability, poor material, seat compresses |
| Bottom Line | You'll want to consider if the affordable price of this model is worth its lower-tier performance | Pairs exceptional comfort and durability, at a price you just can't beat | A decent chair in the mid-range arena; it offers above-average performance for comfort and ease of use and an excellent price point | This is our favorite budget-friendly chair for the money | This model is best for short work sessions as it prioritizes price and aesthetics over long-term comfort and durability |
| Rating Categories | Furmax Office Mesh | DXRacer Racing Series | Hon Ignition 2.0 Task | Modway Articulate E... | Amazon Basics Class... |
| Comfort (50%) | |||||
| Adjustability (35%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Ease of Assembly (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Furmax Office Mesh | DXRacer Racing Series | Hon Ignition 2.0 Task | Modway Articulate E... | Amazon Basics Class... |
| Seat pan adjustment | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Adjustable lumbar support | No | Yes; a movable pad | Yes | Yes; the backrest moves up and down | No |
| Lumbar support | Yes | Yes; a removable movable pad | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recline lever | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Tilt limiter | Yes; only locks in the upright position | Yes; only locks in the upright position | Yes; 3 stop points | Yes; locks you into a position | No |
| Armrest width adjustment | No | Option available | Yes | No | No |
| Swivel armrests | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Armrest depth adjustment | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Tension knob | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Furmax Office Mesh is not the best office chair in our fleet, but it certainly is one of the most affordable. While it lacks premium construction, lumbar support, and adjustability options, it does present acceptable performance at a price that is hard to beat.
Performance Comparison
The Furmax is affordable but provides a lower tier of comfort.
Credit: Laura Casner
Comfort
The lumbar support on this chair is more or less non-existent. There are two strips of plastic that run down the back but they aren't connected and do not cover the space where your spine rests. The armrests are made of hard plastic and have no padding. One redeeming quality is the mesh back backing; it keeps your back from overheating, and as one tester put it, it feels like it's "hugging your back."
The Furmax provides minimal lumbar support.
Credit: Laura Casner
Adjustability
There is a knob to adjust the tension of the backrest but that's where the adjustability ends. The knob is also directly under the center of the seat; this means that all but the lankiest armed people will need to get off the chair to make adjustments. All aspects of this chair are fixed in place. The backrest can be locked into an upright position but not at any other level of tilt. The seat pan has no ability to be moved and the armrests are directly attached to the backrest; when you lean back, the armrests come with you. However, it may be that adjustability is not an important factor in your purchasing decision.
This chair only allows you to lock the back tilt in the fully upright position.
Credit: Laura Casner
Durability
Sometimes, you get what you pay for; as is the case, there are consumer reports of this chair experiencing issues. Due to the nature of the design, if an arm breaks, the backrest is fully destabilized, rendering the entire chair fully useless. This chair wobbles and creaks from the get-go, which raises long-term longevity concerns.
When sitting in this chair, the mesh backing provides a "hugging" sensation.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ease of Assembly
In the scheme of things, this chair isn't difficult to assemble, but it is one of the more time-consuming. Each screw requires a washer that is fickle to get on and keep in place while screwing the pieces together. It is helpful and recommended in the instructions to partially tighten most of the screws in the armrests before going back to crank them all down. The instructions are clear and easy to read but some of the screws were only a few millimeters different in size and unlabeled, which made distinguishing between them a bit of a challenge.
The knob that controls the back tension is difficult to reach while seated.
Credit: Laura Casner
Value
The Furmax is sold for an exceptionally low price; with that low price comes a lower tier of performance. If you are absolutely on a low-cost budget and need an office chair, this might be just the ticket.
Conclusion
The Furmax Office Mesh scores low when it comes to comfort; it lacks back support and adjustability and is one of the more time-consuming chairs to assemble. However, keep in mind that the chair is considerably more affordable than many of the options in our fleet. This chair is a decent budget option; but, if you can afford to do so and expect to spend all day in your office chair, we recommend looking elsewhere.
The Furmax provides decent performance, especially for its price.
Credit: Laura Casner
—
Buck Yedor
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