The best recliners have been a staple piece of furniture in living rooms, family rooms, and dens for as long as we can remember.

It’s been the official “Dad’s Chair” in homes across the country since the La-Z-Boy company was founded in 1927, taking the reclining comfort of a dentist’s chair and putting it in your home. Minus the dentist.

However, if you still think of a recliner as the worn, cigar-smelling chair of your father and grandfather’s day, you haven’t been paying attention.

A whole new world of recliners has opened up the options. Today's best recliners seamlessly blended the classic comfort of traditional recliners with brand new amenities and technologies for a new generation of comfort.

Related: Best Sleeper Sofa

We've sorted through all the recliners on the market to bring you our picks for the best recliner. Choose one of these and you can relax in comfort for years to come.

The Christopher Knight Home 302045 Everette Power Motion Recliner is a sleek, more tailored version of the classic recliner. The leather upholstery has a soft, vintage look with handcrafted tufting. Plush back cushions for lumbar and neck support are paired with a firmer seat cushion. This chair was developed with ease in mind for elderly or mobility impaired users. The power recline features move the chair smoothly into recline position at the touch of a button, with no need to wrestle with levers.

The Christopher Knight Home 302045 Everette Power Motion Recliner comes equipped with a built-in USB port and a hidden sidearm storage compartment and two cup holders. It is built to be sturdy and durable with heavy-duty plastic legs. This recliner is a top pick for the elderly or mobility-impaired because of the effortless reclining function, and smooth return to an upright seated position.

The Christopher Knight Power Recliner is a stylish recliner that combines the best of a classic recliner with a modern make-over, resulting in a handsome, modern recliner with all of the desirable amenities. The hidden sidearm storage compartment is the perfect place to hide remotes, snacks, tissues, or your phone. This chair is ideal not just for the elderly, but also for younger users who enjoy a comfortable recliner with handy cup holders for serious binge-watching enjoyment.

This chair is perfect for any home and makes a wonderful gift for either an elderly loved one, or someone who enjoys a cozy chair for watching their favorite binge-worthy show or playing video games in comfort while their phone charges.

Key Features
  • Sturdy build
  • Designed with assistance in mind for mobility impaired
  • Built-in USB port
  • Side arm storage
  • Super strength plastic legs
  • Push button power recline feature
  • Handcrafted tufting
  • Vintage-look leather
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 32.7 x 39.8 x 41.7 inches
  • Weight: 93.7 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Christopher Knight Home
  • Warranty: 30 days
Pros
  • Smooth, touch button motion recline feature
  • Sturdy construction with heavy duty plastic legs
  • USB ports
  • Side arm storage
  • Dual cup holders
Cons
  • Slimmer lines and narrow seat may not suit everyone
  • Seat is firm

The Seatcraft Equinox Home Theater Leather Recliner is every binge-watcher’s dream. Ultra-comfortable, hand-selected, genuine top grain leather to cradle you in comfort while you watch your favorite show or enjoy family movie night.

Built-in wall-hugging styled to be a space saver, this recliner comes with power-operated recline functions as well as power-adjustable lumbar support and headrest, so you can customize your own comfort. A memory function keeps your perfect seating arrangement always at the tip of your fingers.

The Seatcraft Equinox Home Theater Leather Recliner is made with only top quality, grade 7000 leather for comfort and durability and is available in your choice of black, brown, or red.

This chair reclines to a 40-degree angle with footrests parallel to the floor, making this also an excellent place for a nap. Cool gel memory foam filling allows this recliner to conform to your body’s natural shape and keeps your chair temperature regulated during use.

The Seatcraft Equinox also comes with LED lighted cup holders and an arm-hidden storage compartment. Also, enjoy the built-in swivel side table to hold your popcorn bowl.

Built-in SoundShaker bass shakers in each chair, for movie-theater quality sound and vibration, so you feel the movie or video game action like never before. A built-in USB charging port has been added for ultra-convenience.

This chair is the absolute ideal in comfort and amenities for any serious movie watcher. While it's on the high end of the price range in its category, it makes a fantastic gift if you can bear to part with it once you’ve tried it.

Key Features
  • Hand-selected genuine top-grain leather
  • Powered recline and headrest and lumbar adjustment
  • Arm-hidden storage compartments
  • Built in SoundShaker bass speakers
  • Swivel tray tables
  • USB charging port
  • Cool gel foam filling
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 43 x 40 x 38 inches
  • Weight: 174 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Seatcraft
  • Warranty: Available through customer service
  • Brand: Seatcraft
Pros
  • Powered recline, headrest, and lumbar support
  • Arm storage compartments
  • Built-in swivel tray
  • Built in bass speakers
  • USB charging port
Cons
  • Bass speaker is pre-installed, but amplifier must be purchased separately
  • No instruction manual included

The CAMOV Breathable Bonded Leather Recliner is a traditional, classic manual recliner chair with a vintage look. It is covered with luxurious bonded leather that is soft and breathable. It has a comfort-friendly design with an overstuffed pillow headrest and lumbar support area.

High-density foam fill gives you the hugging cozy feel that you are looking for in a recliner. Reclines perfectly to allow for comfortable binge-watching, reading, or video game playing. Recline further for comfortable napping.

CAMOV is an eco-friendly manufacturer with a focus on designing comfortable living room furniture with excellent classic craftsmanship. It assembles easily and there is a Youtube video available to assist with assembly if needed.

The CAMOV has a simple, user-friendly pull-out lever to extend the footrest and activate recline feature in a slow, smooth motion. This is ideal for those who prefer a mechanical manual reclining system rather than electronic functions.

It has a sturdy wooden frame for durability. It is made to support up to 300 pounds, so it is comfortable for larger-sized people.

If you like modern features such as cup holders, USB ports, and built-in massage, this might not be the right recliner chair for you. The CAMOV Breathable Bonded Leather Recliner Chair makes a great gift for anyone who appreciates simple function, a clean, classic design, and a vintage look combined with modern comfort and reliability.

Key Features
  • Bonded leather with brass hobnail trim
  • Smooth manual recline mechanism
  • Overstuffed headrest and lumbar cushion
  • Wooden frame
  • Steel reinforced backrest
  • Vintage look
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 40.8 x 30.2 x 26 inches
  • Weight: 91 pounds
  • Manufacturer: CANMOV
  • Warranty: 1 year
Pros
  • Breathable bonded leather
  • Overstuffed cushion for lumbar support
  • Smooth manual recline mechanism
  • Durable wooden frame
  • Approved to hold up to 300 pounds
Cons
  • Strong smell upon opening
  • No lock in place feature

Recline in heated comfort with the MCombo Power Recliner Massage Ergonomic Vibrating Heated Recliner. This comfy recliner is faux leather with the look of real leather, but the durable and washable quality of faux leather. It can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

The MCombo recliner has two cup holders and handy side pockets for the storage of books, magazines, and newspapers. It has push-button power-operated reclining and footrest features. It comes in dark brown, creme white, black, red, and light brown, so it’s easy to match any decor.


The surprise bonus in this recliner is the built-in warming and vibration features. It offers the heating and vibration of massage chairs, but the attractive and traditional design of a recliner. Heating and vibration come in five intensities and nine modes.

The MCombo Power Recliner comes easy to assemble in three parts. No tools are needed. Just slip the three parts together, connect the cables for power functions, and you are ready to rest. The space-saving ergonomic design makes this chair suitable even for small spaces.

This is an ideal recliner for those who enjoy some massage features without the look of an actual medical-grade massage chair. This is a traditional recliner with bonus features for warming and vibration to soothe the user at the end of a long day.

This is an ideal gift for movie lovers and binge-watchers. Also great for older individuals who want a recliner but don’t want to maneuver difficult recliner levers.

Key Features
  • Power, button-touch recline feature
  • Includes heating and vibration
  • 140 degree recline
  • Durable faux leather fabric
  • Timing function for heating and vibration
  • Available in black, creme white, dark brown, light brown and red
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 30.7 x 34.6 x 41 inches
  • Weight: 90 pounds
  • Manufacturer: MCombo
  • Warranty: One year warranty
  • Brand: MCombo
Pros
  • Easy to assemble
  • Push-button power recline feature
  • Heating and vibration built in
  • Washable, durable fabric
  • Side and front pockets
  • Contains cup holders
Cons
  • Not a serious massage chair; this is a recliner with vibration and heat
  • Does not recline to flat position

The Pulaski 1985-178-083 Larson Theatre Recliner is an ultra-comfortable, movie theater-style recliner with many of today’s popular amenities. It has faux leather upholstery that is soft and breathable polyester and polyurethane mix for durability and easy cleaning. It has a slimmer, more tailored design for a sleek, modern look and movie theater-style appeal.

This chair smoothly reclines at the touch of a button to find your perfect position for binge-watching, movie watching, video game playing, or napping. With two cup holders and an attached swivel tray, you may want to hang out in this chair all day, and it’s comfortable enough in a reclined position to remain there all night.

The Pulaski Larson Theatre Recliner has hidden arm storage with 2 USB ports and an outlet. The swivel tray is ideal for dinner, popcorn, or snacks. Or turn your recliner into your workspace by using the swivel tray for your laptop with handy USB ports nearby to keep your devices charged. The swivel tray can be stashed away in the arm storage compartment when not in use.

The Pulaski Larson Theatre Recliner is an ideal choice for those who take their home entertainment environment seriously. It is a comfortable place to forget the stress of your day while getting comfortable to enjoy a movie and popcorn. This chair is a perfect gift for movie lovers or video game players. That’s if you can bear to part with it after you’ve tried it!

Key Features
  • Polyester and Polyurethane faux leather cover
  • Power recline feature
  • Built-in swivel tray
  • Arm storage
  • Two USB ports and one outlet
  • Cup holders
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 38 x 39.5 x 43 inches
  • Weight: 119 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Pulaski
  • Warranty: Details of coverage vary, depending
  • Brand: Pulaski
Pros
  • Swivel tray to hold popcorn or laptop
  • Hidden USB ports and outlet
  • Two cup holders
  • Can fully recline for napping
  • Maximum weight of 250 pounds
Cons
  • Complicated assembly instructions
  • Warranty is complex with many caveats

The Ashley Furniture Signature Design Yandel Power Lift Recliner is an excellent choice if you want a more traditional looking recliner, versus the modern movie theater type designs. It has a high back and sturdy corner-blocked frame. The Ashley is covered in faux-leather that looks real but is actually a more cozy and inviting thick poly fiber.

This recliner is designed for both good looks and comfort for individuals of all sizes with an extra-wide seat and high back. The seat is firm and metal-reinforced to maintain support and shape. It has nail-head trim and tufting with pillow-top armrests for ultra comfort.

It is available in saddle brown or black. The saddle-brown option is made to look like comfortably worn leather but has a softer, warmer feel.

The durable, generously sized seat fits most individuals comfortably. It has a firm feel, so this may not be your chair if you prefer to sink into soft cushions.

With the touch of a remote button, the Ashley Furniture Signature Design Yandel Recliner power lifts the user to a standing position, making it ideal for older individuals who may need assistance with rising.

Side pockets allow you to hold the remote and personal items, such as magazines and books. Another touch of a button will recline the chair and lift the footrest for lounging or napping comfort.

The Ashley Signature Design Yandel Recliner comes easy to assemble with instructions, hardware, and tools included. It is an ideal gift for movie aficionados or older individuals who need assistance to get to their feet from a seated position but prefers to remain independent.

Key Features
  • Dual motor lift chair recliner
  • Leather-look with cozy feel
  • Metal reinforced seat
  • Oversized seat for comfort
  • Power remote controlled
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 40 x 35 x 42.5 inches
  • Weight: 121 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Ashley Home Furnishing
  • Warranty: Additional cost for 5-year warranty
  • Brand: Ashley Home Furnishing
Pros
  • Faux leather look is cozy feeling poly-fiber
  • Oversized seat for comfort for any sized individual
  • Metal reinforced seat for durability and shape holding
  • Power operated by remote
  • Quiet motor operation
Cons
  • Foot rest may not be long enough for taller people
  • Seat is firm, so if you like a very soft seat, this one isn't for you

One of the best recliners in a stylish, airy design is the Newport Taupe Swivel Recliner by BenchMaster. It has a unique, updated appearance with a separate ottoman rather than an attached foot recliner. Both chair and ottoman feature a platform-style base with a round stand in beautiful solid wood.

The walnut finish contrasts with the light taupe cushions for a handsome, elegant look. The bonded leather upholstery with beautiful stitching and taupe cushions gives any living area a stylish look.

This recliner blends the best of both worlds with a 360-degree swivel feature like an office or gaming chair, and a 45-degree recline like the most comfortable living room recliner for relaxing, reading, and watching television.

It reclines easily with a simple pull-style reclining feature and smooth, fluid motion when it reclines. It has a solid wood construction, steel springs, and high-density foam cushioning with Dracon filling for medium-firm support.

The handsome ottoman is ergonomically designed with the ideal slant for relaxing, reclined comfort. Both the chair and the ottoman feature beautiful stitching with an envelope-style head cushion and comfortably padded armrests. The Newport Taupe Swivel Recliner by BenchMaster is one of the best recliners for an updated design, with an open, airy base and detached ottoman to give any room a stylish appearance.

Key Features
  • Lightweight recliner with 360-degree swivel and 45-degree recline
  • Includes slanted ottoman
  • Solid wood construction with walnut finished base and taupe bonded leather
  • Firm support with high-density foam filling
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 42 x 30 x 40 inches
  • Weight: 48.7 pounds
  • Manufacturer: Benchmaster’s Manufacturing
  • Warranty: 1 year
  • Brand: BenchMaster
Pros
  • Lightweight and easy to move
  • Swivels and reclines
  • Holds up to 300 pounds
  • Modern, trendy design with light, airy appearance
Cons
  • Included Allen wrench quality needs improvement
  • Some users find the seat too firm

SmugDesk makes one of the best recliners today for people of smaller stature or anyone of a weight up to 275 pounds. It features a smaller silhouette with a hardwood frame, high-quality PU leather in a beautiful tweedy gray color, and high-density sponge foam for plush, comfortable support.

A lower back cushion delivers superior support for the lower lumbar area, while the top back cushion provides upper back support in an upright position and a comfortable headrest in a reclined position. Best of all, this cozy, club-style recliner includes a 2-point massage function ergonomically placed to provide a comforting massage at the upper back and shoulder area to relieve tension.

This stylish recliner features a footrest with a dual-function foot extension for a 140-degree or 160-degree recline. Wide, curved, sofa-style arms and a convenient side organizer pocket are perfect for holding newspapers, magazines, books, tablets, and remote controls. An attached corded remote control allows easy operation of the chair’s massage function.

The SmugDesk Massaging Recliner offers comfortable support that’s ideal for relaxing at the end of a day. You can enjoy confidently reclining with the extra-wide base, designed for extra-secure stability during reclining.

This is one of today’s best recliners for beauty, design, and function, with extra support, stability, and comfort—as well as a bonus massage feature!

Key Features
  • Club-chair recliner with sofa-style arms and 2-point massage
  • Wide base design for steadiness
  • Dual-function foot extension
  • Solid hardwood frame and high-quality PU leather in tweedy gray
Specifications
  • Dimensions (Closed): 25.2 x 29.2 x 38.7 in
  • Weight: 275 pounds
  • Manufacturer: SmugDesk
  • Warranty: 12 months
  • Brand: SmugDesk
Pros
  • Wider base for stability for a more confident recline
  • 2 point massage function with handy remote control
  • Side storage pocket
  • Backrest with exceptional lumbar support
Cons
  • Maximum seat load is only 275 pounds
  • Armrest padding needs improvement

Recliners have always offered a unique comfort. The ability to adjust your chair from an upright seated position to a partially reclined position for relaxed reading or television watching, and then further recline for a nap, has always had its appeal. But newer recliners have had to adjust to the changing needs of the era.

Today you can buy one of the best recliners with hidden amenities such as USB ports, and side compartments for remotes.

Or, you can go a step further and furnish your family room with a chair that offers not only a comfortable recline but also heat and vibration for the ultimate in end-of-day relaxation.

Movie Theater-Style Recliners

If you are a serious binge-watcher or movie lover, you may want to purchase a movie theater-style recliner with all the bells and whistles.

Today’s movie theater-style recliners come equipped with lighted cup holders, swivel trays for snacking, and even built-in bass features for a full movie-theater sound and vibration effect.

Assistive and Accessibility-friendly Recliners

If you are interested in purchasing a comfortable recliner for an aging loved one, many chairs are now available that not only recline but also slowly move the user to a fully upright position, helping to assist with transitioning from a seated to a standing position.

This allows greater independence for the mobility impaired without sacrificing the classic look of a favorite recliner.

Different Types of Upholsteries and Features

Recliners are now available in many soft but sturdy upholsteries, including genuine leather, faux leather, and bonded leather blends as well as plush synthetics. You can find body-hugging memory foam or foam gel cushion options for the ultimate in seating comfort.

If you want the ease of reclining at the push of a button, many power options are available either on the chair or through attached remotes. Or perhaps you appreciate the classic mechanical lever-style recliner and prefer its simplicity over chairs that require cords and outlets.

Whatever your needs, you can now find the ideal recliner to suit your personal style, or for the perfect gift to give to a loved one, whether they are gamers, movie-buffs, or a beloved family member who simply deserves the best seat in the house.

Resources— Good Housekeeping, Ask Men

FAQ

Q: How much should I expect to pay for a good recliner?

A mechanical or manual recliner is one that is operated by means of mechanical levers. Depending on the quality of materials, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $600. A genuine leather recliner may cost a little more.

Power recliners offer special features such as lift, heat, and massage, as well as power reclining feature and footrest. They can range in price from $600 to $5000, depending on the included features and quality of materials and upholstery.

Q: Do power recliners break down more often than mechanical recliners?

Most power recliners have very reliable motors functions. It’s a good idea to check the warranty of a power recliner before you make a big purchase. A great warranty will typically indicate that a company stands behind their product and expects it to last.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanical recliners?

Simplicity is a big advantage of a mechanical recliner. You never have to worry about an electrical problem, motor failure, or power outage affecting your chair or your comfort. A mechanical recliner can be placed at any location in a room, whereas a power recliner needs to be placed near an outlet. A mechanical recliner is also lighter and easier to move than a power recliner.

The simpler mechanical features of a mechanical or manual recliner are easier to repair if there is a problem, and repairs will cost less with a mechanical recliner.

Cost is another advantage of a mechanical recliner. They typically cost much less than a power recliner.

One disadvantage of a mechanical recliner is that there are fewer numbers of reclining and footrest positions available with a mechanical recliner.

Mechanical recliners also require more strength to operate than an electric recliner. Closing the footrest can especially require significant force, making mechanical recliners more difficult to use, especially for the elderly or disabled.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of power recliners?

A power recliner is easier to use than a mechanical recliner, especially for the elderly or infirm, and in fact, some insurance policies will actually cover the price of a power recliner with lift features for those with disabilities.

The smoother functions of the power recliner means less wear and tear and generally a longer-lasting chair.

Power recliners have the advantage of being able to stay in any position within the entire angle of operation, allowing much greater personalization of the reclining and footrest settings. They also may have additional features, such as lift, heat, and message.

Some disadvantages of a power recliner are their heavier design that's more difficult to move, as well as the fact that they require a power outlet, which may limit the places you can place your chair. While some power recliners have battery back-up systems, a power outage may interfere in the ability to use a power recliner.

Also, electrical components are more costly to repair than mechanical functions if there is a problem.

Q: What features should I look for in a recliner?

Besides the obvious question of which style, fabric, and color would look good in your home, you should also consider whether a mechanical or power recliner would best fit your needs. Some people require a recliner with a lift feature to assist an elderly or disabled person to a standing position. You should also decide if you want a stationary chair, or one that rocks, glides, or swivels.

Wall-hugging is another important feature to look for if you have a smaller space. These are built to be able to recline even when placed close to a wall.

Other options for features and accessories are a matter of personal preference. Some power recliners come with built-in heating and massage functions. Others offer amenities such as lighted cup holders, built-in arm storage with USB ports for charging phone or laptops. Some also have detachable snack trays.

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