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Recliners have come a long way from the beast your granddad sat in. These days, you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort, as there are tons of attractive options that may change the way you think about this type of seat. Some resemble copies of designer chairs and others prioritize ergonomics. There are also recliners with power-lift bases to help you get on your feet.
Finding the best recliner for you involves considering how much space you have, personal aesthetics, and mobility needs. Of course, price is always a factor, too. Whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly addition to your space or thinking of splurging on a leather-upholstered chair, read on for the best recliners to kick back and relax in.
For more ways to upgrade your living space, check out our picks for the best couches, storage ottomans, and futons.
The Best Recliners
- Best Overall: Andover Mills Leni Standard Recliner
- Best Value: Latitude Run Kanajah Power-Lift Recliner
- Best Traditional: Skye Microfiber Power Recliner
- Best Midcentury Modern: AllModern Teasley Recliner
- Best Power-Lift: Best Choice Products Electric Power-Lift Recliner Massage Chair
What to Consider
Type
Manual recliners are either push-back or lever-operated. Push-back models require you to lean backward forcefully to engage the reclining mechanism, and this can be hard for some people to do. Lever-operated models have a handle on the side that engages the recline, making them easier to use.
Manual recliners are less expensive but typically have just two or three fixed reclining positions. Power recliners are controlled by buttons on the side of the chair or a remote control and require an outlet. While they’re generally pricier, there are plenty of affordable power recliners that cost less than $500.
Size
In addition to the dimensions of the chair, manufacturers typically list back and front clearance measurements for their recliners. When reclined, these chairs need additional space around them so they don’t hit the wall or other furnishing. Back clearance can be anywhere from a few inches to 2 feet or more, which can impact how you arrange furniture in your living space.
If you want to place your recliner up against a wall, a “wall-hugging” design doesn’t require back clearance. Instead, the back of the chair slides forward when reclined. However, this means they require more forward clearance.
Special Features
Lift-Assist
Some power recliners have a feature called lift assist, which raises the chair off the ground and tilts the seat forward. This feature is designed to help you stand up more easily, as recliners are often quite deep. And it’s a useful mobility aid.
Layflat
If you plan to use your recliner for sleeping, a layflat model reclines all the way back to 180 degrees.
Massage
Some power recliners have massage modes incorporated into their seat or back cushions, operated via the chair’s remote control. There are generally multiple settings and massage intensities, and some chairs also have a heated lumbar area for additional muscle relaxation.
USB Port
Power recliners often have a USB port on their control panel for charging devices like a smartphone or tablet.
Cup Holders
Some chairs have built-in or hidden cup holders. Built-in cup holders are generally toward the front of the armrest, while hidden ones pop out of the front of the arm and tuck away when not in use.
How We Selected
To find the best recliners for your home, we looked for both manual and power models, evaluating top-rated products on factors like their materials, construction, features, and upholstery options. We aimed to offer a mixture of more traditional recliners, with highly padded arms and wide seats, as well as more modern choices that would blend in with contemporary decor. Finally, we took our own experiences with many of the furniture brands into account, prioritizing retailers that offer free (or at least low-cost) shipping, good customer service, and solid warranties on their products.
Pros
More than 30 upholstery options- Foam filling with springs for added comfort
- Stain-resistant fabric
Cons
- 15 inches of clearance needed to recline
This elegant recliner is an excellent value for upgrading your space, and it comes in more than 30 upholstery options. Covered in a durable, stain-resistant polyester fabric, it features a solid manufactured wooden frame, rolled arms, and turned legs in dark espresso for a classic look.
The Leni is a push-back manual recliner—which means no power cords running across the floor—and there are three recline positions for relaxing, with a maximum angle of 140 degrees. It supports up to 300 pounds, but keep in mind that it requires 15 inches of clearance behind the chair to fully recline, so you can’t place it against a wall.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 41.5 x 33.5 x 36 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Polyester |
| Frame | Solid and manufactured wood |
| Base Type | Legs |
2
Best Value
Latitude Run Kanajah Power-Lift Recliner
Pros
- Massage and heat functions
- Includes lift assist for help getting up
- USB port for charging electronics
Cons
- Back and footrest don’t work separately
If you want a recliner with a lot of features—but don’t want to spend too much—this classic faux leather design is worth a look. The Kanajah has lift-assist and several massage functions, as well as a heated lumbar area. Additionally, the chair has a USB port for charging electronics and built-in cup holders.
This recliner has thick padding on its back and arms, and it’s covered with a faux leather finish that comes in three colors. Its weight capacity is 330 pounds, and its stain-resistant fabric makes it easy to maintain. The main downside is that you can’t operate the footrest independently of the back.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 41 x 35.5 x 29.1 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Faux leather |
| Frame | Manufactured wood |
| Base Type | Metal |
Pros
- Faux leather or fabric upholstery
- Swivel/gliding base
- 350-pound weight capacity
Cons
- Lumbar pillow doesn’t come off
If you don’t like the plush, oversize look of traditional recliners, this chair has a more contemporary design. It has clean lines and a minimalistic silhouette, and you can choose between faux leather or fabric upholstery in several colors.
This power recliner leans back to angles between 90 and 135 degrees, and the base also swivels and glides, making it a popular choice among parents who need a chair for the nursery. It has a higher-than-average weight capacity of 350 pounds. And it’s even Greenguard- and Oeko-Tex-certified, which means it’s been tested and proven free of any potentially harmful chemicals.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 35.8 x 32.3 x 39.8 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Faux leather or fabric |
| Frame | Wood |
| Base Type | Metal swivel |
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Pros
- Extra padding on arms and back
- Wall-hugging design
Cons
- Only one color available
This power recliner has a traditional oversize look with ample padding on the arms and back. It’s covered in a soft gray microfiber fabric, and you can adjust the angle of the back and footrest using the power controls on the side of the chair.
If you want place it against a wall, this recliner is a good choice, as it has a wall-hugging design that doesn’t need any clearance behind it. The only downside is that there’s only one color option, but it’s neutral enough to blend in with most decor.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 41 x 39 x 42 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Polyester microfiber |
| Frame | Furniture-grade wood |
| Base Type | Metal |
Pros
- Modern and simplistic design
- Two-tier footrest
- 350-pound weight capacity
Cons
- Cushion is fairly firm
With its rich look and midcentury modern design, this vegan leather recliner could easily be mistaken for a vintage piece. The details are fantastic, including a two-tier footrest, angled legs and curved arms, and a padded headrest.
Its frame is a combination of solid and manufactured wood, and there’s a foam-and-coil seat cushion. Its manual design pushes back to two positions with a maximum 150-degree reclining angle and comes in five color options.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 42.5 x 30 x 34 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Vegan leather |
| Frame | Solid and manufactured wood |
| Base Type | Legs |
6
Best Power-Lift
Best Choice Products Electric Power-Lift Recliner Massage Chair
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Pros
- Power lift to easily switch reclining modes
- Massage and heat settings
Cons
- Oversize design may not suit all tastes
You’ll never want to leave this recliner that doubles as a massage chair. It has power-lift functionality, so you can easily transition from a reclining to sitting position and then get on your feet.
The remote lets you switch between the three massage and two heat settings, and the recliner features side pockets so you can store magazines, books, and remotes. Plus, there’s a USB port to conveniently charge your electronics.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 38 x 33 x 40 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Polyester |
| Frame | Engineered wood |
| Base Type | Steel power-lift |
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Pros
- 350-pound weight capacity
- Heated massage settings
- Hidden cup holders
Cons
- Assembly required
This power-lift recliner has an extra-large padded seat that’s ideal for lounging at the end of a long day. That seat, which is covered in a soft velvet upholstery, is more than 24 inches wide—for comparison, most other recliners have a seat width between 20 and 22 inches. Additionally, this chair can support up to 350 pounds.
In addition to its oversized form, this recliner comes equipped with several sought-after features. It has multiple massage settings and a heated lumbar area, as well as a USB port and cup holders that pop out of the front of the arms. It even offers lift-assist if you need help standing, making it beneficial for those with limited mobility.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 41 x 40.2 x 37.3 in. |
|---|---|
| Upholstery | Velvet |
| Frame | Solid wood |
| Base Type | Metal power-lift |
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
Amber Joglar
Digital Content Producer
Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
