The Best Recliners for Every Style & Budget
If you want a comfortable seat that you can kick back and relax in, a recliner chair is an obvious choice. You might think that all recliners are bound to be an eyesore in your home, but many of today’s models look like regular armchairs—proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. Recliners also have benefits aside from comfort: “Sitting in a recliner decreases the constant tension our muscles may go through from prolonged sitting, standing, and walking,” says Dr. Darsh Shah, DO, a PM&R physician.
To find the best recliners, we researched dozens of options and narrowed down our picks based on both style and technical details. We also considered factors such as the mechanism for reclining and the type of base (like a glider or a rocker). For expert input on the benefits of sitting in a recliner, we spoke to Dr. Shah and Dr. Brynna Connor, MD, a healthcare ambassador for NorthWestPharmacy.com. We also spoke to furniture expert Aaron Masterson, founder of Local Furniture Outlet, about what features to look for in a recliner.
Design Within Reach Flight Recliner at Design Within Reach
$2,577
Ashley Furniture McClelland Oversized Recliner at Ashleyfurniture.com
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It swivels, glides, and has power recline.
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It's made to order, so it'll take several months to arrive.
There's something extremely comforting about sinking into a traditional recliner, letting the chair envelop you as you kick your feet up. Unfortunately, many traditional recliners were all about comfort and not at all about style. But luckily, times have changed—and the Pottery Barn Ayden Recliner is proof. Thanks to its supportive cushions, this recliner is both extraordinarily comfortable and neatly tailored so that it looks more like a classic armchair than a recliner. Even better? This chair swivels and glides, giving you tons of options for movement, and it reclines at the push of a button.
We especially appreciate that this recliner can be upholstered in one of 47 different materials, which range from a stone-colored heathered chenille to navy performance velvet. Having such a wide range of stylistic fabric choices makes this chair extra versatile. As you're deciding where to place your recliner, keep in mind that you make sure it has at least 25 inches of clearance between it and anything behind it (like a wall) when it's in the reclined position.
Type: Glider and swivel | Material: Basketweave, boucle, linen, velvet, chenille | Mechanism: Power
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It reclines 180 degrees, so you can lie entirely flat.
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It has a narrow design, which might be uncomfortable for some people.
If you want the comfort of a recliner without the high price tag, this affordable option has you covered. It reclines manually to an impressive 180 degrees for a full lie-flat experience. So if you're the type of person to fall asleep in a recliner, this might be one of your favorite options out there—who needs to transition into bed when you can nap this comfortably in a chair?
Between its upright or flat-bed position, this budget-friendly recliner locks at a midway point for more casual use, like watching a movie or playing a game. The chair is upholstered in faux leather made of polyurethane, and it comes in seven colors, including various neutrals and a fire-engine red. One important thing to note: The recliner is on the narrower side and is only designed to hold 265 pounds, so it's not the most inclusive.
Type: Standard | Material: Faux leather | Mechanism: Manual
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