This Product |
Steelcase Leap |
Steelcase Series 2 |
Herman Miller Sayl |
Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh | |
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $969 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $1,299 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $819 USD List Check price at Amazon UK | $1,150 USD List | $180 USD List Check price at Amazon UK |
| Overall Score | 74 | 89 | 79 | 76 | 57 |
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| Bottom Line | A chair designed for adjustability and comfort for the 9-5 worker | Our favorite year after year, this is one of the highest performing chairs on the market | This chair boasts both comfort and high-quality features, though there is room for improvement in terms of providing additional adjustment options | This chair earns high style points and also offers great levels of adjustability and comfort | It's not fancy, but this is our favorite budget-friendly chair for the money |
| Rating Categories | X-Chair X2 K-Sport... | Steelcase Leap | Steelcase Series 2 | Herman Miller Sayl | Modway Articulate E... |
| Comfort (50%) | 7.3 | 8.7 | 7.7 | 6.7 | 6.0 |
| Adjustability (35%) | 8.0 | 9.1 | 7.6 | 8.5 | 5.5 |
| Durability (10%) | 6.0 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of Assembly (5%) | 7.3 | 10.0 | 9.7 | 10.0 | 5.7 |
| Specs | X-Chair X2 K-Sport... | Steelcase Leap | Steelcase Series 2 | Herman Miller Sayl | Modway Articulate E... |
| Seat Pan Adjustment? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Lumbar Support? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Option available | Yes |
| Adjustable Lumbar Support? | Yes | Yes | Option available | Option available | Yes; the backrest moves up and down |
| Recline Lever? | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Tilt Limiter? | Yes | Yes; 5 stop points | Semi; Upright back lock, Full recline with weight activated tention + boost, Full recline with weight activated tention | Yes; 3 stop points | Yes; locks you into a position |
| Armrest Width Adjustment? | 2" rotation, 2' front to back movement | Option available | Option available | Option available as a third-party upgrade | No |
| Swivel Armrests? | Yes | Option available | Option available | Option available as a third-party upgrade | No |
| Armrest Depth Adjustment? | Yes | Option available | Option available | Option available as a third-party upgrade | No |
| Tension Knob? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
The X-Chair X2 K-Sport stands out for its class-leading adjustability. The user-friendly adjustability helps individuals fine-tune the chair to support ergonomic positioning. You can adjust most of the chair and upgrade it to include lumbar massaging.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
Office workers can spend 8-10 hours a day sitting in their chairs. Considering that is a third of your day, a chair must be comfortable and supportive to avoid back pain and other discomforts. As such, comfort is our primary metric within this review. We evaluated the comfort of the backrest, seat, and armrests. Additionally, our test team evaluated how long they could sit in each chair without experiencing discomfort or restlessness.
We haven't just tested office chairs. To see our favorites across multiple categories, see our best chair review.
The X2 K-Sport is suited to provide all-day comfort. Our test team could sit in this for 8 hours, with breaks throughout the workday. The various adjustments help fine-tune the ergonomics of the seat and backrest to customize your comfort.
The standard mesh-based seat was wide enough for one of our 5'5" testers to sit cross-legged. If you prefer a wider seat, a 20.5" option is available as an upgrade. The standard seat also provides ample room to minimize the amount of contact you will have with the outer frame of the seat. Frame contact is a common problem with mesh-style chairs, and the X2 minimizes this issue. The taut mesh seat offers plenty of support and structure for long-lasting comfort. While it's not inherently soft, it supports the body well.
The mesh of the backrest is almost identical to that of the seat. Our test team found it quite comfortable and supportive for extended periods. The lumbar support is robust and effective. That said, lighter-weight testers noted the lumbar support was a bit too pronounced. Additionally, the armrests of the X2 leave something to be desired. They are too firm to be comfortable for even short periods, and the plastic-like texture is generally unpleasant when used with short sleeves.
Adjustability
The adjustability of a product plays a large part regarding individualized comfort. For this metric, we evaluated all the mechanisms that help a chair fit your body. The degree of adjustability is one of the best features of the X2 K-Sport.
The X2 has adjustable seat height, recline, backrest height, armrest movement (four-way), headrest, tension control, and tilt with free locking positions. Each adjustment uses a convenient and sleek tab that offers an adequate range, offering a highly customizable experience. However, the degree of adjustability takes a while to dial in to suit your base preferences.
The seat on the X2 can slide to adjust to different sitting or reclining positions to fit your mood. The backrest height is easy to adjust and covers a wide range. However, when you move the chair, you can accidentally raise the backrest height. The armrests can easily adjust in four directions. The movement range makes the armrest more comfortable than its materials and firmness suggest.
The tension control and tilt lockout adjustment are incredibly easy to access and use. The tension knob is efficient, and each rotation produces a noticeable change in resistance. The tilt lockout function also allows you to stop in almost any position and maintain movement in a reduced range.
The headrest was the most disappointing adjustment due to the overall difficulty of use; it requires a decent amount of force to move up and down. We often moved the entire backrest up when attempting to adjust the headrest.
Durablitiy
The build quality of the X2 is impressive. The mesh, metal, and plastic components use high-quality materials and inspire confidence. Scouring the internet for durability issues didn't leave the test team with much to be concerned about. Several reviews mentioned wobbly armrests, stuck levers, and hydraulic failures. Fortunately, the reviews were more isolated instances and didn't lead to any themes regarding durability issues.
Ease of Assembly
Setup can frequently be a distinct point of frustration with office chairs. Fortunately, the X2 is easy to set up with user-friendly instructions and packaging. The chair is shipped mostly disassembled and took us 20 minutes to assemble for one person. The impressive build quality of this chair lends to its higher weight; certain individuals may find assistance helpful.
Should You Buy the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Mgmt?
The X2 is recommended for individuals looking for maximum adjustability and all-day comfort. It's a worthy investment to bring your home office to the next level.
What Other Office Chairs Should You Consider?
If you're looking for another highly adjustable and comfortable chair, check out the Steelcase Leap. If you need a more affordable option without sacrificing long-term comfort, the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh is one to consider.
