REASONS TO BUY
Armrests move up and down
Removable headrest
Good lumbar support
REASONS TO AVOID
Uncomfortable
Poor headrest
Short seat pan
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
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Benjamin Hickok ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 7, 2024
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
RELATED: The Best Office Chairs of 2025
Our Verdict
The Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken is an attractively priced office chair. Unfortunately, this task chair fell short of expectations and proved to be 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 for 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.
Our Analysis and Test Results
While suitable for short office meetings, it lacks the comfort necessary for optimal focus and the ergonomic support for an average day at work.
This is a fairly average, if not unimpressive chair that is poorly suited for an 8 hour work day.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort
A shorter seat pan was one of the pain points for this chair, and while the mesh is initially comfortable, ours immediately started to conform to the shape of the person testing it, remaining 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.
Our testers agree that this chair is only comfortable for three hours. Few other chairs were this uncomfortable.
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
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
Ease of Assembly
Unlike some office chairs that arrive nearly assembled, the FlexFit Hyken requires more hands-on setup, taking over 20 minutes and a bit of patience. However, the assembly process itself isn't overly difficult.
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.
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?
The Union & Scale is not a bad chair, but it's not nearly as impressive as other top-tier models. In fact, our team encountered what appears to be a common issue: 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. Other affordable models offer a greater level of comfort and should be considered.
What Other Office Chairs Should You Consider?
At a similar price point to the Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken, we suggest considering the Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh, which offers significantly greater comfort and value. If you're looking for a highly adjustable chair in a similar price range, consider the Branch Ergonomic. 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.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Union & Scale FlexFit Hyken Mesh versus top competing products:
—Benjamin Hickok and Austin Palmer
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