The Best Recliners, According to Experts and Reviews

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When it comes to unwinding at home, there’s nothing like a good recliner to get you into relaxation mode. Even with a no-frills manual recliner, you can experience the serenity of an elevated footrest and prime angling for watching TV, reading, napping, or lounging. The possibilities for comfort only go up from there, which makes purchasing one of our top picks for the best recliners a great investment for your living space.

To help narrow down the very best recliners on the market, Woman’s Day spoke with Betsy Helmuth, an interior designer and the owner of Affordable Interior Design.

To help guide your purchase, start by thinking about who in your household will be primarily using the recliner. For instance, power recliners can be easier to operate than manual recliners, and so would be the best choice for anyone in your home experiencing impaired mobility. There are also some chairs that offer therapeutic features, like heating and massage functions, which can be useful for those recovering from injury or with active lifestyles. On top of all that, you can also opt for add-ons like USB ports, storage space, and cup holders for extra convenience and comfort.

Read on to shop our top picks, as well as general insights and tips for recliner shopping. Once you’ve found the perfect recliner, you can also upgrade your sofa by checking out our guide to the most comfortable couches. Whether you’re looking for a budget sofa or dupes of trendy couches, we’ve got plenty of recommendations to guide your search.

Ayden Square Arm Upholstered Recliner

Pottery Barn's Ayden Recliner offers a winning combination of modern design, expert crafting, and various customization possibilities, such as power versus manual reclining and a choice between 48 fabrics. It glides and swivels as well, and it all comes at a fairly moderate price point compared to other picks on this list.

Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Dimensions: 29.5"W x 36.5"D x 40.5"H | Recline: 62.5"D

Piper Swivel Reclining Glider

If you want the best recliner for your money, consider a budget-friendly pick. Helmuth recommends this Wayfair recliner. Not only is the price right, but she loves the "rocking/ gliding function," which "makes it fun whether it's angled back or positioned straight up." Made with heathered polyester fabric, this chair comes in four neutral colors.

Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Dimensions: 39.25''H x 34''W x 30.5''D | Recline: 61.75"D

Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair

When you consider all the features of this power recliner, it's not hard to see why it's a customer favorite on Amazon with 2,800+ five-star reviews. It comes with a lift mechanism that assists users when standing up, eight vibrating points, lumbar heating, built-in USB charging ports, and cup holders. Plus, reviewers say it's easy to assemble and the faux leather material it's made with cleans easily while still being comfortable.

Weight Capacity: 320 lbs | Dimensions: 30.7"D x 34.6"W x 41"H | Recline: 140°

Wingback Glider & Recliner

If you're picky about recliners, PB allows you to choose between power and manual with this model, and offers up a whopping 155 color and fabric options with performance, pet-friendly, and GREENGUARD-certified features. On top of that, you'll find luxury details like a classic wingback design, an expertly crafted hardwood frame, and extra-thick padding.

Weight Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 34"W x 37"D x 41"H | Recline: 68"D

Laflamme Manual Standard Recliner

For smaller spaces, Helmuth recommends this sleek mid-century modern-style manual recliner, since many other recliners "are very bulky and take up a lot of room." She also likes that "this one combines leather and wood, making it more visually interesting" than the standard fare.

Weight Capacity: 330 lbs | Dimensions: 42.5''H x 30''W x 34''D | Recline: 54.5''D

Leni Wide Manual Standard Recliner

For a simple manual recliner that offers plenty of upholstery options, Wayfair customers love this chair, which has over 13,000 5-star reviews. The manual push-back design reclines at three angles, up to 140º, and the foam-filled cushions offer ample support.

Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Dimensions: 41.5'' H x 33.5'' W x 36' D | Recline: 63.5"D, up to 140°

Lennon Power Rocking Recliner

Anyone experiencing back pain will find sinking into this La-Z-Boy a heavenly experience, since it offers a range of features that can be tailored to help soothe specific aches. It includes a sculpted foam back, adjustable heating, three-speed vibration massaging, and the ability to recline and raise feet independently with the touch of a button. You can also customize the fabric with over 400 options.

Weight Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 30.5"W x 39.5"D x 43.0"H | Recline: 65"D

Gerard Power Lift Recliner

Not only does this comfy chair feature a power recliner, it also has power lift capabilities and a power headrest for finding the perfect relaxed position. One five-star reviewer wrote that it's "excellent for helping me get up from the chair after my recent knee replacement. Once I learned how to navigate the hand control, I was able to sit and lie down comfortably. Important as I have a bad back, and only sleep in a recliner!"

Weight Capacity: 350 lbs | Dimensions: 38"L x 41"W x 43"H | Recline: 73"D

Swivel Reclining Glider

This swivel recliner, which also glides, has over 1,500 five-star reviews from customers who used it in nurseries, living rooms, craft rooms, and more. Reviewers noted that it swivels and rocks silently, is very easy to assemble, and comfortable enough to nap in.

Weight Capacity: 250 lbs | Dimensions: 40''H x 30'' W x 39''D | Recline: 77" L

Babyletto Kiwi Electronic Swivel Glider Recliner

Designed with nurseries in mind, this chair smoothly reclines, glides, and swivels 270º. It's made with your choice of performance fabric that's water-repellent, stain-resistant, and durable, plus it has a built-in USB port for easy charging.

Weight Capacity: 275 lbs | Dimensions: 29"W x 36"D x 41"H | Recline: 65"D

Pelle Leather Reclining Accent Chair

Helmuth selects this chair as one of her favorite recliners due to its "sleek profile and leather upholstery," which is top-grain and comes in five different colors. Helmuth adds that it is "very forgiving of stains, while also being stylish," making it a versatile piece for homes where many people will use it.

Weight Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 31"W x 38.38"D x42"H | Recline: 68.25"D

Cavallo Recliner

This sophisticated recliner is made with your choice of 70+ premium fabric and leather options, including performance velvet, vegan pebbled leather, and Belgian linen. The seat and back cushions are beautifully grid-tufted, and it's also part of a collection with multiple sofa lengths, so it can match seamlessly with your other furniture.

Weight Capacity: 300 lbs | Dimensions: 39.25"W x 36.75"D x 39.5"H | Recline: 64"D

Newbury Recliner

With an elevated design inspired by a traditional club chair, this piece isn't obviously a recliner. It's made with premium details throughout like a kiln-dried wood frame, down-wrapped cushions, and solid wood legs for durability that makes this a sound investment if your budget allows.

Weight Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 29"W x 34"D x 39"H | Recline: 65"D

Harmony Modular Motion Reclining Sofa

Part of West Elm's ultra-soft Harmony collection, this modular sofa comes with your choice of two or three power recliners that attach together. You'll have a choice of 53 fabrics, and features like the kiln-dried wood frame and fiber-wrapped seat cushions indicate its level of quality and durability.

Weight Capacity: Not listed | Dimensions: 83.6"W x 41"D x 40"H | Recline: 180° lay flat position

What to look for when shopping for a recliner

There are some key features to keep in kind when shopping for a recliner.

• Comfort: Betsy Helmuth tells Woman's Day that her clients at Affordable Interior Design will "ask for a recliner because they want comfort." "That is the number one priority," she explains, "otherwise, they would be okay with a more stylish but less versatile armchair."

Knowing that comfortability is the main feature that sets recliners apart from other types of seating, she says this should always be at the top of your list when it comes to selecting the best recliner for your needs. Look for one with ample cushioning, adequate lumbar support, and a comfortable headrest.

• Materials and design: That said, Helmuth adds that you don't have to completely sacrifice style in order to get a comfortable recliner. She advises shoppers to "be discerning when choosing one," and to avoid options that are too bulky and can become "oversized eyesores." By taking time to research all the options and consider how they'll fit into your space, you'll be on your way to a recliner that's "both functional and attractive."

Popular materials for recliners include leather, fabric, or synthetic upholstery. Consider the durability, ease of maintenance, and aesthetics of the material. Leather recliners can be more durable but may be more expensive, while fabric recliners typically offer a wide range of colors and patterns.

• Size: Unlike a standard accent chair, Helmuth points out that "recliners require a range of motion," so you need to "be sure you can freely extend it." This means measuring out your space ahead of time to account for the recliner's upright dimensions, as well as the dimensions when it's fully extended. As you're doing this, Helmuth suggests checking "to ensure that you have enough room to push back the recliner without hitting a wall or obstructing a walkway."

Helmuth also recommends considering the height and length of a recliner before purchasing it because "ome recliners are short, which will not provide proper neck support when reclined." This is especially the case if you're tall, so you'll want to do your homework on the maximum height suggested for potential pieces. This can usually be found in the product specifications or in online reviews.

• Reclining mechanism: Recliners can adjust in several ways, including push-back, manual lever, or power. If you're getting a power recliner, Helmuth says that you should also consider where it will be plugged in. This way, you can avoid the frustrations of having to move your recliner if you love a spot in your home that doesn't have a nearby outlet. Additionally, Helmuth says to "be sure to place the piece in an area of the room where the cord will not pose a tripping hazard."

•Added features: After you've measured your home and determined where the recliner will go, you can start exploring other features. This might mean added mobility assistance, or, just fun add-ons for your lounging sessions, like built-in cup holders or USB ports.

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