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Haworth Fern vs X-Chair X2
The Haworth Fern comes out ahead for most homes.
The verdict in 10 seconds
The Haworth Fern suits you if
- You sit at a desk for long hours and want a chair for the long haul
- You value a flexible, supportive backrest and very adjustable armrests
- You like choosing your own colors, materials and features
May not suit you if
- You're tall and need the deepest seat setting without a gap at your back
- You depend on a good, fully adjustable headrest
- You want a full mesh chair or a lower-cost starter option
The X-Chair X2 suits you if
- You sit at a desk most of the day and want firm lower-back support
- You enjoy fine-tuning a chair to fit your body exactly
- You want a premium mesh chair below top-tier designer prices
May not suit you if
- You're lighter and prefer gentle rather than pronounced lumbar support
- You want a soft, cushy seat and padded armrests
- You're on a tight budget or want cheap, easy returns
The short version
The Haworth Fern is the stronger all-rounder of the two. The X-Chair X2 is still the better fit if you sit at a desk most of the day and want firm lower-back support.
We researched 8 expert reviews, analyzed 2,612 owner ratings and comments across 9 sources for the two, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
See the evidence
The scoreboardProduct Review score 78 vs 67 · reliability 73 vs 100
| Haworth Fern | X-Chair X2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 78 | 67 |
| Experts | 89 | 78 |
| Owners | 69 | 40 |
| Reliability | 73 | 100 |
| Report problems | 11% | 0% |
| Evidence | 3 reviews · 158 comments | 5 reviews · 85 comments |
| Typical price | $1,105 | $799–$969 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 89 vs 78 · Owners 69 vs 40
Haworth Fern
X-Chair X2
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score
Haworth Fern
All 3 expert reviewers used the Fern hands-on and rated it highly (expert score 89 across 2 published scores), praising long-session comfort, adaptive back support, adjustable arms and a 12-year warranty. Owners are cooler (owner score 69 from 158 comments, 111 first-hand): 26% praise comfort and 14% praise back support, but 12% find it uncomfortable and 14% say it isn't worth the money. Failure-related mentions show up in 11% of comments, though only 3% describe the chair actually breaking, with smaller numbers citing armrest issues (5%) and squeaks (3%). The evidence on back problems specifically is thin, since no reviewer assessed it for particular conditions; also, a large Amazon listing matched to this product is a houseplant, so we left it out, and the remaining retail ratings are modest (4.21 stars from 48 at the brand store, 3.92 from 69 on Google).
X-Chair X2
Four of the five hands-on reviewers praise the X2's lumbar support, and all five highlight its extensive adjustability. Owners are cooler, though. Of 85 owner comments, 34% say it is poor value and 14% raise comfort complaints, while 11% praise back support and 12% praise comfort. No owners mention failures, but only 21 comments are first-hand, so confidence in the owner picture is low. The evidence on how well it fixes back pain specifically rests mainly on one three-week review.
Where each one falls shortThe most common complaints
Haworth Fern
- Very expensive for what some owners get
- Seat feels firm or uncomfortable to some
- Lumbar support is an add-on and the headrest is clumsy
X-Chair X2
- Expensive, with add-ons that add up fast
- Hard armrests and a tricky headrest adjustment
- Firm seat that some find uncomfortable
Quick answers
Which is better, the Haworth Fern or the X-Chair X2?
The Haworth Fern, for most homes. The X-Chair X2 is the better fit if you sit at a desk most of the day and want firm lower-back support.
Based on: Product Review score 78 vs 67.Which is more reliable?
The X-Chair X2. It's the least likely of the two to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 73 vs 100; problems mentioned by 11% vs 0% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
The Haworth Fern. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.
Based on: Owners score 69 vs 40, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The X-Chair X2 usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Haworth Fern $1,105; X-Chair X2 $799–$969.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.