The best recliners are designed to provide a cozy and stylish spot to kick back and relax in your home. Whether you place one in a living room or in the corner of a bedroom, these furniture staples are tailored for long sessions of lounging, watching sports or curling up with a good book. Our top pick is the West Elm Harris Leather Power Recliner, for its elegant look and modern features, including a built-in USB charging port. But there are many others that impressed us, too. Here are a variety of choices to help you find the best recliner for your space and personal design preferences.
Designed for comfort and relaxation, a stylish recliner would make an ideal addition to any living ... [+] room or bedroom space. Power Lift Chairs For Elderly
There are a lot of options to choose from with these furniture pieces, including models with manual and power operation. Some are designed to effortlessly unfurl when the user leans back. Upholstery choices for recliners range from polyester to leather, and some models even feature a built-in massager, which commands a higher price point. Of course, the best recliner for you is ultimately one that meets your needs and works with your decor style. These are the top recliners on the market worth considering.
Type: Lay flat | Material: Leather | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies
Recliners might have a reputation for not being the most attractive chair, but West Elm’s Harris Leather Recliner changes that. Though it boasts recliner capabilities, it gives off the look and feel of a high-end chair. For example, it’s swathed in top-grain leather and surrounded by a durable pine frame. What’s more, this chair has spring seat support and a semi-attached cushion, so you can get around the edges to clean up wayward crumbs. The chair also kicks back to a range of angles with the help of a power button (in other words, no heavy leaning is necessary on your part). There’s even a USB port tucked inside the right arm for easy phone and tablet charging. Finally, the legs are removable, just in case you prefer less height.
Type: Wall hugger | Material: Faux leather | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies
Latitude Run’s recliner has so many additional features, it’s hard to believe you can snag it for under $150. The recliner has an adjustable backrest and footrest so you can kick back as needed, and the entire design is covered in faux leather—a cinch to wipe down. There’s really no need to stress about stains here. But the coolest thing about this chair is its massaging capabilities. Simply select your go-to intensity on the included remote, sit back, relax and enjoy. There’s even a timer in case you can’t be bothered to switch off the vibrations manually.
Type: Wall hugger | Material: Leather | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position
Want the look of a classic club chair but with all the perks of a recliner? Here it is. The Irving Recliner looks equally at home in an antiques-filled library or tucked into the corner of a modern living room. Its rolled arms and leather upholstery are classic design attributes, yet this model still feels cosmopolitan and contemporary. Choose from a huge range of colors, and prepare for a seat cushion with a firmer feel. To recline, simply push yourself back—it’s that easy.
Type: Push-back | Material: Performance, velvet, leather | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies
Recliners typically feature a standard look and feel that’s somewhat sturdy and square. But the BenchMade Modern Lilly Recliner Chair looks like a work of art thanks to its winged back and chic metal base. This chair has a hidden recliner feature—just lean back to activate the retractable footrest. Enjoy your choice of more than 120 performance fabric or leather upholstery options and choose from three leg finishes in polished nickel, burnished bronze or brass for a truly personalized recliner. BenchMade Modern offers a 30-minute consultation with one of its design experts if you’re having trouble choosing the right selection, as well as a 100-day trial.
Type: Lay flat | Material: Varies | Mechanism: Manual| Adjustability: Varies
The Ayden Recliner has a 360-degree swivel feature, which means you’re able to scope out everything happening in the room without getting up and actually walking around. It also features a classic style, with a minimalist seat and plush exterior that goes with practically any décor scheme. Select from a range of upholstery options, including several performance fabrics that can help to guard against future spills.
Type: Lay flat | Material: Polyester | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position
Gliders are great for everyone, but they can be particularly useful if you have little ones at home. The Piper Recliner, pictured here, is a modern-style glider that gently moves forward and back to help babies (and adults) relax. A hidden leg rest pops up when you lean back, allowing you to put up your feet or lay your entire body down for dozing. The whole thing is covered in durable polyester fabric to protect against stains.
Type: Wall hugger | Material: Polyester | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position
Most recliners take up a good amount of space, which can be problematic if you don’t have ample square footage in a room. This model, on the other hand, is just 27.5 inches wide, so it doesn’t have as massive of a footprint as some of its larger counterparts. It also features an easy “push-back” recline function and thick cushions. Meanwhile, the chair’s modern legs in an espresso finish add to its upscale feel. The Persaud is both chic and compact, making it ideal in spaces that have limited square footage.
Type: Wall-hugger | Material: Varies | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position
West Elm’s mid-century modern Spencer recliner has an enormous number of upholstery options—so many, that it might take you a minute—or 30—to figure out which is best for you. You can also choose from several different fabric types: tweed, slub, boucle, velvet, linen, twill, canvas and more. A push-back system lets you recline whenever the need strikes without having to touch a button or handle, and the chair’s sleek walnut accents provide a cool visual contrast.
Type: Wall hugger | Material: Performance fabric | Mechanism: Manual | Adjustability: Varies
Leave it to Amazon to offer up a quality recliner for just $110. The Jummico recliner features wide, curved armrests, a plump head and back and a thick padded seat to help you maximize your comfort. Several Amazon shoppers said they used this for home theaters, but it’s also a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. The recliner kicks back from 90 to 165 degrees, allowing you to get comfortable in a range of angles. While it’s not the fanciest or largest recliner on the market, it offers up enough options to allow you to recline when the need strikes.
Type: Lay-flat | Material: Microfiber | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies
Whether you suffer from back pain or just expect a little more out of your chair, this option from Raymour & Flanigan is an option worth considering. It’s like having a power lifter in your living room. It features a built-in USB charger as well as power head rest and power lumbar support, too. It’s made to be comfortable, but also designed to help you stand when you’re ready to get moving.
Type: Lay flat | Material: Performance fabric | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies
La-Z-Boy practically made recliners a household item, and the brand’s Pinnacle rocker is packed with great features that make it worthy of your favorite relaxation spaces. This chair has an unimposing style that fits into nearly any decor, along with a plush and cushy feel that creates a cocoon-like cushioning around you. A control panel raises and reclines your feet and, when you’re upright, you can rock in this seat. There are also different reclining options for your head and feet.
The Forbes Vetted editors, like all consumers, want products that look good, hold up over time and help make daily living a little bit more comfortable. To find the best recliners, we took our own concerns about comfort and furniture buying into consideration. When we evaluate products like best recliners, we evaluate the style, craftsmanship and functions that make these pieces of furniture ideal for using in our busiest and most personal spaces.
In addition to articles about how to find the best recliners, we’ve also written, researched and, in some cases, tested a slew of content related to improving our most used living areas. This includes input on the best vacuums for pet hair, the best reading chairs and the best tower fans to get air circulating.
We refresh this story regularly, and it was last updated January 2024.
To choose the best recliners, we spoke to a physical therapist for advice on elements that are important to seek out in a comfortable, ergonomic chair. We then looked at the most popular recliners on the market and analyzed them for elements like style, type, material, mechanism, adjustability and, of course, value. We also factored in reviews from real owners to get a sense of how these chairs perform in the real world, and how they old up over time. This list is regularly updated to ensure it features the best recliners available on the market right now.
To ensure you pick the best recliner for you, keep these factors in mind as you peruse your options.
The most common type of recliner is a lay-flat recliner, which are chairs that lean back to an angle where it feels like you’re laying flat (or nearly flat). Wall-huggers, on the other hand, kick back a little but not to the same degree as lay-flat recliners. Other types include rockers, gliders and swivel recliners. Within these styles, you also have the option to choose between a power recliner, which adjusts positioning with the push of a button, or a mechanical recliner, which requires you to pull a lever. Some recliners even come with extras like massaging features.
Recliners come in a wide range of fabrics including leather, twill and tweed. When picking out the right fabric for you, aesthetic is important, of course—though that’s not the only factor to keep in mind. If you plan on eating and drinking in your recliner, or if you have children or pets, you might want your chair to feature a performance fabric. Designed to withstand daily wear and tear, these materials are easy to clean in the event of spills or dirt, and they’re often tear- and stain- and scratch-resistant. If you want something resilient but aren’t drawn to performance fabrics, leather is an option for its durability.
The big draw of having a recliner is its ability to kick back, but there are a slew of mechanisms to choose from. Some chairs recline when you simply lean back, creating an effortless ability to ease into a more relaxed position, while others require some effort on your end. That may mean pushing a button to prompt your chair to mechanically raise your feet and lower your head (some let you do these elements separately), or pulling a lever to adjust your positioning.
Adjustability is important with a recliner, and not every seat has the same options. Some only have one reclining angle, while others give you several choices. Certain chairs allow you to adjust to the level that feels right for you. We like the West Elm Harris recliner, which adjusts with a push of a button and stops at the angle of your choosing. Worth noting: Some even have a lift feature to help you get out of your seat, which is a great element to consider for those who have bad knees or issues with mobility.
There isn’t one singular recliner that all chiropractors (or any type of medical professional, for that matter) believe to be better than the rest. “Recliners—and all chairs for that matter—are not one size fits all,” says Nancy R. Kirsch, Ph.D., interim chair of rehabilitation and movement sciences at Rutgers. “It is important to get the appropriate-size recliner to fit your body type and height.”
While Kirsch says it’s “critical” to choose a well-constructed recliner (she advises against overstuffed chairs and too much padding around the head), she adds you can take steps to maximize your comfort in a recliner. “If the chair does not have good lumbar support, the individual should insert a lumbar roll or a rolled towel into the space between the low back and the chair to improve alignment,” says Kirsch. She also recommends using the recliner’s built-in footrest: “Elevating your legs does decrease the stress on the tissues surrounding the spine.”
It depends. “A recliner may be an excellent seating choice for an individual with low back pain, permitting the individual to sit without putting undue stress on the structures that support their back,” says Kirsch. “A recliner chair relieves some of the pressure [on the back] and research has shown that reclining to about 135 degrees will reduce stress on the spine. But we have to be aware of our personal positioning to reduce the stress on our lumbar spine.”
Keep in mind, too, that sitting for long periods of time can actually make back pain worse, regardless of how comfortable or supportive the chair may be. Kirsch’s recommendation: Get up every 30 minutes and stand or walk around to change your positioning.
It’s generally considered safe to sleep in a recliner every night, so long as said recliner provides adequate head, neck and lumbar support. In fact, sleeping in a recliner can be beneficial to people who suffer from health conditions like acid reflux, sleep apnea and back pain. That said, if you’re thinking about making your recliner your permanent bed, consider consulting your doctor or another medical professional beforehand to get their recommendations.
We know that having a home that looks good and functions well is an important key to better living. Here are additional ideas for furniture to help you achieve beautiful, healthy and comfortable living spaces at home.
I'm a senior editor at Forbes covering venture capital and startups, especially in cloud and AI, out of New York. I edit the Midas List and Under 30 for VC, and created the Midas List Europe and Cloud 100 lists. I've written more than a dozen cover stories on business leaders including Marc Benioff, Patrick Collison and Melanie Perkins. Previously, I worked at Fortune and WNYC, and studied medieval history and archaeology at Harvard University. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Threads: @alexrkonrad. Email me: akonrad@forbes.com.
Follow Alex on Forbes and Twitter for more coverage of startups, enterprise software and venture capital.
I'm a senior editor at Forbes covering venture capital and startups, especially in cloud and AI, out of New York. I edit the Midas List and Under 30 for VC, and created the Midas List Europe and Cloud 100 lists. I've written more than a dozen cover stories on business leaders including Marc Benioff, Patrick Collison and Melanie Perkins. Previously, I worked at Fortune and WNYC, and studied medieval history and archaeology at Harvard University. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Threads: @alexrkonrad. Email me: akonrad@forbes.com.
Electric Chairs For Seniors Follow Alex on Forbes and Twitter for more coverage of startups, enterprise software and venture capital.