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For enhanced comfort while you’re watching a movie, reading a book, or simply lounging, a reclining sofa makes a worthy addition to your living space.
Because of their varying sizes, materials, colors, and more, the This Old House Team researched the best reclining sofas on Amazon.
Learn more about our top recommendations below.
Compare Top Reclining Sofas
| Product | Seats | Colors | Upholstery | Weight | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vonanda Sofa Bed | 1 | Blue, black, brown, dark grey, linen grey | Linen | 71 pounds | 37 x 27 x 32 inches |
| Signature Design by Ashley Reclining Sofa | 3 | Brown | Pleather | 309 pounds | 85 x 40 x 44 inches |
| Betsy Furniture Recliner Sofa Set | 5 | Beige, black, brown, grey | Leather | Not listed | 85 x 40 x 39 inches (sofa), 75 x 40 x 39 inches (loveseat) |
| Christopher Knight Loveseat Recliner | 1-2 | Dark gray | Microfiber | 91.3 pounds | 37 x 46.5 x 40 inches |
| Acme Furniture Zubaida Glider Sofa | 3 | Chocolate, gray | Microfiber | Not listed | 87 x 39 x 41 inches |
| Product | Seats | Colors | Upholstery | Weight | Dimensions |
Top 5 Reclining Sofas
- Most Versatile: Vonanda Sofa Bed
- Best Console: Signature Design by Ashley Reclining Sofa
- Best Set: Betsy Furniture Recliner Sofa Set
- Best Short Loveseat: Christopher Knight Loveseat Recliner
- Softest Material: Acme Furniture Zubaida Glider Sofa
Most Versatile: Vonanda Sofa Bed
Vonanda One-Person Sofa Bed
- $339.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a high-density sponge filling
✔ Includes a head pillow
✔ Fabric cover is highly breathable
✘ Lacks adequate support for prolonged use as a bed
✘ Fits only one person
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers were happy with the versatility of this reclining sofa bed, stating that it was a good value for the money. They included that it was an ideal piece of furniture for awkward areas, such as in the corner of a living room. Unhappy users had issues with comfort, sharing that it wasn’t cushioned enough. Users also reported that the bed sometimes collapsed on its own.
Best Console: Signature Design by Ashley Reclining Sofa
Signature Design by Ashley Reclining Sofa
- $2,331.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a one-touch electric reclining button
✔ Can use the light to see your phone and drink when watching a movie in the dark
✔ Made from faux leather, which is affordable, durable, and easy to clean
✘ Weighs over 300 pounds
✘ Needs to be plugged into a wall outlet to use the lights, outlets, ports, and buttons
What Customers Are Saying
The numerous color options, durable faux leather upholstery, electric reclining controls, and robust center console were features that many satisfied customers highlighted in their positive reviews of this power reclining sofa. While unsatisfied users thought the couch looked nice, they reported issues with its electronic components.
Best Set: Betsy Furniture Recliner Sofa Set
Betsy Furniture Recliner Sofa Set
- $1,649
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features center storage console with two cup holders
✔ Reclines to 160 degrees for full-body relaxation
✔ Available in several set sizes to accommodate small, medium, or larger rooms
✘ Requires a lot of assembly time
✘ Recline handle is manual
What Customers Are Saying
Users were pleased with the quality of these reclining sofas, noting that the bonded leather was noticeably nicer than faux leather. Many users also appreciated that this set had the capacity of a reclining sectional sofa without the bulk. However, other customers thought that the cushions were uncomfortable and unsupportive.
Best Short Loveseat: Christopher Knight Loveseat Recliner
Christopher Knight Loveseat Recliner
- $423.21
- $497.59
- 15% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features an integrated pillow for neck support
✔ Requires minimal assembly
✔ Cover is soft microfiber
✘ Legs are plastic composite
✘ One recline handle controls entire unit
What Customers Are Saying
Easy assembly was a common highlight in several positive reviews for this reclining loveseat. Other reviews mentioned its microfiber material, which felt comfortable and was easy to clean. However, some users found the loveseat to be too soft, which caused back pain from poor lumbar support.
Softest Material: Acme Furniture Zubaida Glider Sofa
Acme Furniture Zubaida Glider Sofa
- $1,056
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features an ergonomic and supportive design
✔ Includes a drop-down table and USB charging dock
✔ Pillowtop armrests double as headrests when laying down
✘ Cushions are quite firm
✘ Microfiber cover can be difficult to clean
What Customers Are Saying
The majority of customers gave this reclining sofa a four- or five-star rating, stating that it was comfortable, functional, and easy to put together. However, some customers said that the recliner cable broke easily and that the sofa wasn’t true to color.
Buyer’s Guide
Finding the best reclining sofa for your home depends on the size of your living area, the number of people you wish to seat, and other factors. To help you make an informed purchasing decision, we’ve outlined the most important elements to consider below.
Reclining Function
Reclining sofas use either a manual lever, handle, or an electric button to control the seat angle. Higher-end models may have a remote which typically offer users a broader range of reclining angles. Usually, each seat has a dedicated button, lever, or handle for independent control.
Material
Leather and microfiber are the most common sofa materials. You can also find reclining sofas that are made from other types of fabric or leather composite, including vinyl, polyurethane, and linen. The material you choose affects how much it costs, how you clean and maintain it, and how durable it is.
Seating Capacity
Most reclining sofas hold two or three people. Although more people may be able to squeeze onto the couch, each seat is only designed to support and recline one person. If you need more seating for family members or guests, you can find reclining sofa sets with a matching couch and loveseat.
Weight Capacity
With the sensitive reclining components that are embedded underneath the cushions, the weight capacity of reclining sofas is generally lower than that of normal couches. The weight capacity for each reclining seat usually ranges from 150 to 350 pounds. Consider the weight of the sofa itself to determine how difficult or easy it is to move.
Reclining Angle
Some reclining sofas lean nearly or completely flat, functioning as a futon or sleeper sofa. Others recline partially with a built-in footrest. Look for a diagram or specific angle to get an understanding of how far the sofa you’re considering reclines.
Additional Features
Reclining sofas may come with massaging, heating, or cooling seats.
Many three-person reclining sofas have a center seat that doesn’t recline but folds down into a console to provide the outer seats with cup holders, storage compartments, USB ports, and other amenities. If you plan to spend many hours on your reclining sofa watching movies or playing games, it’s worth looking for these additional features.
For additional comfort, consider a reclining sofa with manually adjustable headrests or power headrests.
Taking Care of Your Reclining Sofa
Whether your reclining sofa is made of bonded leather, full-grain leather, microfiber, vinyl, or another material, it’s worth taking proper care of this piece of furniture to enjoy it for many years to come. Below, we’ve outlined several maintenance tips to ensure the longevity of your recliner couch.
- Gently dust your sofa every week or two using a soft rag. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a gentle brush attachment to pick up pet hairs and food crumbs between the cushions.
- Don’t exceed the weight capacity of your reclining sofa. Doing so could stress the mechanical components of the reclining mechanism or cause other structural damage.
- Consider placing a slipcover over your sofa as an additional protective measure against scratches, spills, and other types of damage.
- Before vacuuming around your couch, fully extend the reclining seats to reach the debris underneath the footrests.
- Periodically lubricate the mechanical components of the reclining mechanism. Consult your owner’s manual for specific information on how.
- To minimize the chances of spills and stains, avoid eating and drinking on your recliner sofa. If you do eat and drink on it, make sure the seat is in its upright position.
- Leather does the best in climate-controlled rooms. Extreme changes in temperature and humidity eventually damage it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a reclining sofa last?
Depending on what your reclining sofa is made of and how well you take care of it, anticipate an average lifespan of 10 years. Reclining sofas with electric components rather than manual handles or levers may break down faster.
What is the best fabric for a reclining sofa?
If you want something that’s easy to clean, the best fabric material for a reclining sofa is faux leather or polyester. For a premium feel, choose a reclining sofa made of genuine or bonded leather. Microfiber and/or velvet are also good material options for a recliner that’s soft but fairly easy to maintain.
What is a push-back reclining sofa?
Instead of using a button, lever, or handle to recline, push-back sofas recline when you lean back in the seat.
Can I sleep in a reclined position overnight?
Yes. However, you may experience back pain or other complications. We recommend sleeping in a normal bed overnight and only using a recliner for a few hours at a time, making sure to get up and move around every now and then.
What is a zero-gravity recliner?
Recliners that are advertised as zero-gravity provide more support than ordinary recliners and other pieces of furniture. They allow the user to recline in multiple positions without adding extra pressure to the spine. Although zero-gravity designs are more common for chairs, they’re also available in the form of a couch or sofa.
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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.
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