Affiliate Disclosure:This Old House’s Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services. To support this business model, This Old House may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website.
A good recliner can last for years. However, there are thousands of options available, and narrowing it down can be tough. To help you select the recliner that’s right for your living room or den, our team researched the best recliners on the market today.
Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Recliners
- Best Features: Mcombo Electric Power-Lift Recliner Chair
- Best Protection: Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power-Lift Recliner
- Most Decorative Chair: Waldo Tufted Wingback Recliner
- Best Glider: Babyletto Sigi Electronic Power Recliner & Glider
- Best Pockets: Esright Massage Recliner Chair
Compare Top Recliners
| Product | Color Options | Material | Extra Features | Weight Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mcombo Electric Power-Lift Recliner Chair | Four | Cloth | Two USB ports, two side pockets, two cupholders | 320 pounds |
| Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power-Lift Recliner | Two | Leather-like upholstery | One side pocket | Not listed |
| Waldo Tufted Wingback Recliner | Five | Microfiber | Pinned trimming, a button-tufted backrest, and a winged back | 300 pounds |
| Babyletto Sigi Electronic Power Recliner & Glider | Three | Polyester | USB port | 300 pounds |
| Esright Massage Recliner Chair | Two | Upholstery | Massage, rocking, and swiveling function, four side pockets, two cup holders | 300 pounds |
| Product | Color Options | Material | Extra Features | Weight Capacity |
Best Features
Mcombo Electric Power-Lift Recliner Chair
- $579
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes in four colors
✔ Made from a durable cloth material
✔ Has a counterbalanced lift mechanism
✘ Not as comfortable for tall people
✘ The USB ports only work for low-power devices
Key Features
- Comes in four colors
- Made from cloth
- Has a lift mechanism
- Comes with two USB ports, two side pockets, and two cupholders
- Has a weight capacity of 320 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Those who left positive reviews of this product said that it was easy to use. Several reviews also pointed to the effectiveness of its lift mechanism. However, some reviewers said that this recliner was made with cheap material and was smaller than expected.
Best Protection
Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power-Lift Recliner
- $597.74
- $1,022.56
- 42% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a corner-blocked frame with a metal-reinforced seat for durability
✔ Has a leather-like appearance
✔ Can control the footrest and backrest separately
✘ The material can make users hot
✘ Some customers had issues with the controls
Key Features
- Comes in two colors
- Made from leather-like upholstery
- Has a left mechanism
- Comes with one side pocket
- Includes a one-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Fans of this recliner said that it reclined quietly, was helpful for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility, and was roomy. However, other reviewers said that its controls stopped working after a short period of time.
Most Decorative Chair
Waldo Tufted Wingback Recliner
- $549.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has rounded front feet for a stylish look
✔ Is larger than other similarly priced chairs
✔ Made from durable microfiber
✘ May be too firm for some customers
✘ Doesn’t include additional features, such as cup holders or pockets
Key Features
- Comes in five colors
- Made from microfiber
- Has pinned trimming, a button-tufted backrest, and a winged back
Customers Are Saying
Those who enjoyed this recliner said that it had a unique design, quick assembly, and high-quality build. However, those who didn’t like this product said that it was uncomfortable to sit on and that its legs didn’t stay in place.
Best Glider
Babyletto Sigi Electronic Power Recliner & Glider
- $1,199
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has storage pockets on either side
✔ Made of soft, water-resistant fabric
✔ Includes a USB charging port
✘ The heating and vibration options can’t be used concurrently
✘ Some color options have a high price point
Key Features
- Comes in three colors
- Made from polyester
- Comes with a USB port
- Has a weight capacity of 300 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who gave this recliner a positive review liked that it was comfortable, reclined quietly, and its durable, stain-resistant material. However, we also found some customers were disappointed that this chair did not swivel, while others had issues getting the USB-C port to work properly.
Best Pockets
Esright Massage Recliner Chair
- $249.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Includes two cup holders
✔ Has a durable metal frame to support up to 300 pound
✔ Has a thick padded headrest that’s made from high-density sponge
✘ Comes in two boxes that may separate in transit
✘ The footrest can be difficult to latch dow
Key Features
- Comes in two colors
- Made from upholstery
- Has a massage, rocking, and swiveling function
- Comes with four side pockets and two cup holders
- Has a weight capacity of 300 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Those who left positive reviews said that this recliner was easy to assemble, had a comfortable backrest, and offered relaxing massage settings. However, other customers said that its return latch broke easily and that its seat didn’t hold as much weight as advertised.
Buying Guide to Recliners
Buying a recliner is a major purchase, as it will be used frequently by you and your family. Consider these factors before deciding which recliner is right for you.
Weight Capacity
Choose a recliner that everyone in your household can sit in comfortably. Most recliners can hold 300–350 pounds. However, check the weight capacity provided by the manufacturer to make sure before deciding on a chair.
Style
Recliners come in many styles to match any room. For example, straight-back recliners with angled edges are popular for a modern room. Meanwhile, recliners for formal living rooms often feature a winged back and a leather or faux leather material.
Size
Take measurements of the room where you’re looking to add a chair and make sure that the recliner you’re considering will fit within that space. It’s also important to ensure its size matches with those who will be sitting in it the most. For example, small recliners may be too short for taller people to sit in.
Additional Features
Most recliners, including the ones in this review, have additional features that improve their convenience, comfort, and user experience. Common extra features include:
- Swiveling, rocking, massaging, and lifting functions
- Cup holders
- USB chargers
- Storage pockets
Frequently Asked Questions About Recliners
Can recliners cause back pain?
Sitting in a recliner for hours at a time without taking breaks can cause back pain. However, most recliners come with lumbar support to prevent long-lasting back pain.
How long do recliners last?
While it depends on how well you care for your chair and how high-quality the chair is, most recliners should last years or maybe even decades. To ensure that your chair lasts as long as possible, look for models with high-density foam fillings and hardwood frames.
How far from the wall does a recliner need to be?
A recliner typically needs to be at least one foot from the wall to ensure it doesn’t cause wall damage when it’s fully extended.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.