Best Recliners 2023

The best recliners are stylish, comfortable and built to last—which is why they’ve become a can’t-live-without living room staple over the past few decades. Much like our favorite office chairs, these stylish accessories allow users to kick back in comfort and are designed to be frequent companions. Whether you’re looking to watch the big game in a cocoon of comfort or want to invest in a solid reading chair for lazy Sundays at home, recliners are your absolute best bet. Our top pick is the West Elm Harris Leather Power Recliner, a handsome choice with a plethora of additional features (including a built-in USB), but we’ve included details on several other winning models ahead.

A wide range of upholstery options make it easy to find the best recliners for your particular décor ... [+] taste and lifestyle.

As is the case with most big-ticket furniture buys, you can expect to be faced with a fairly large range when it comes to shopping for the best recliners. Some are operated manually; others lean back with the simple push of a button. There are also a slew of different upholstery options to choose from—and for those with a little extra room in their budget, a built-in massager is always a possibility. Ultimately, the best recliner for you depends on individual needs—but our curated shopping list is a great place to start. Ahead, find the best recliners for 2023.

West Elm

Type: Lay flat | Material: Leather | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies

Recliners might have a reputation for not being the most attractive chair, but West Elm’s Harris Leather Recliner changes that. Though it boasts recliner capabilities, it gives off the look and feel of a high-end chair: It’s swathed in top-grain leather and surrounded by a durable pine frame. What’s more, this chair has spring seat support and a semi-attached cushion, so you can get around the edges to clean up crumbs. The chair also kicks back to a range of angles with the help of a power button (in other words, no heavy lifting is needed on your part). There’s even a USB port tucked inside the right arm for easy phone and tablet charging. Finally, the legs are removable, just in case you want less height.

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Wayfair

Type: Wall hugger | Material: Faux leather | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies

Latitude Run’s recliner has so many additional features, it’s hard to believe you can snag it for just around $200. The recliner has an adjustable backrest and footrest so you can kick back as needed, and the entire design is covered in faux leather—a cinch to wipe down. There’s really no need to stress about stains here. But the coolest thing about this chair would have to be its massaging capabilities. Simply select your go-to intensity on the included remote, sit back, relax and enjoy. There’s even a timer in case you can’t be bothered to switch off the vibrations manually.

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Pottery Barn

Type: Wall hugger | Material: Leather | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position

Want the look of a classic club chair—but with all the perks of a recliner? You found it. The Irving Recliner looks equally at home in an antiques-filled library or tucked into a modern living room corner. Its rolled arms and leather upholstery are classic, but still cosmopolitan and contemporary. Choose from a huge range of colors, and prepare for a loose seat cushion with a firmer feel. To recline, simply push yourself back—it’s that easy.

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Pottery Barn

Type: Lay flat | Material: Varies | Mechanism: Manual| Adjustability: Varies

The Ayden Recliner has a 360-degree swivel feature, which means you’re able to scope out everything happening in the room without getting up and actually walking around. It also just plain looks good, with a minimalist seat and plush exterior that goes with practically any décor style. Select from a range of upholstery options, including several performance fabrics that can help to guard against future spills.

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AllModern

Type: Lay flat | Material: Polyester | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position

Gliders are great for everyone—who doesn’t love that easy-going feel?—but they can be particularly useful if you have little ones at home. The Piper Recliner, pictured here, is a modern-style glider that gently moves forward and back to help babies (and adults) relax. A hidden leg rest pops up when you lean back, allowing you to put up your feet or lay your entire body down for a rest. The whole thing is covered in durable polyester fabric to protect against stains.

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Wayfair

Type: Wall hugger | Material: Polyester | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position

Most recliners take up ample space, which can be tricky. This model, on the other hand, is just 33 inches wide, so it doesn’t have as massive of a footprint as some of its larger counterparts. It also features an easy “push-back” recline, rolled arms and thick cushions. Meanwhile, the chair’s tapered legs in an espresso finish add to its upscale feel. The Leni comes in a whopping 37 different finish options, too, so you’re bound to find something you love.

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West Elm

Type: Wall-hugger | Material: Varies | Mechanism: Push-back | Adjustability: One recline position

West Elm’s mid-century modern Spencer recliner has an enormous number of upholstery options—so many, in fact, that it might take you a minute—or 30—to figure out which, exactly, is best for you. You can also choose from several different styles: tweed, slub, boucle, velvet, linen, twill, canvas and more. A push-back system lets you recline whenever the need strikes without having to touch a button or handle, and the chair’s sleek walnut accents provide a cool visual contrast.

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Amazon

Type: Wall hugger | Material: Performance fabric | Mechanism: Manual | Adjustability: Varies

Leave it to Amazon to offer up a quality recliner for a little over $150. The Jummico recliner features wide, curved armrests, a plump head and back and thick padded seat to help you max out your comfort. Several Amazon shoppers said they used this for home theaters, but it’s also a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. The recliner kicks back from 90 to 165 degrees, allowing you to get comfortable in a range of angles. While it’s not the fanciest or largest recliner on the market, it offers up enough options to allow you to recline when the need strikes.

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Raymour & Flanigan

Type: Lay-flat | Material: Performance fabric | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies

Whether you suffer from back pain or just expect a little more out of your chair, this option from Raymour & Flanigan can help. It’s like having a masseuse in your living room thanks to heat and massaging options that are controlled by a handy remote. The chair features a USB charger to fire up your devices, along with a streamlined profile that fits into most spaces. Performance fabric keeps you covered in the event of spills.

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La-Z-Boy

Type: Lay flat | Material: Performance fabric | Mechanism: Power | Adjustability: Varies

La-Z-Boy practically made recliners a household item, and the brand’s Pinnacle rocker is packed with great features that make it worthy of your space. This chair has an unimposing style that fits into practically any decor, along with a plush and cushy feel that creates a cocoon around you. A control panel raises and reclines your feet and, when you’re upright, you can rock in this seat. There are also different recline options for your head and feet.

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To choose the best recliners, we spoke to a physical therapist for advice on elements that are important in a comfortable, ergonomic chair. We then looked at the most popular recliners on the market and analyzed them for elements like type, material, mechanism, adjustability and, of course, value. We also factored in reviews from real owners to get a sense of how these chairs perform in the real world, and over time. This list is regularly updated to ensure it features the best recliners on the market right now.

To ensure you pick the best recliner for you, keep these factors in mind as you peruse your options.

The most common type of recliner is a lay-flat recliner, which lean back to an angle where it feels like you’re laying flat (or nearly flat). Wall-huggers, on the other hand, kick back a little but not to the same degree as lay-flat recliners. Other types include rockers, gliders and swivel recliners. Within these styles, you also have the option to choose between a power recliner, which adjusts positioning with the push of a button, or a mechanical recliner, which requires you to pull a lever. Some recliners even come with extras like massaging features.

Recliners come in a wide range of fabrics including leather, twill and tweed. When picking out the right fabric for you, aesthetic is worth considering, of course—though that’s not the only factor to keep in mind. If you plan on eating and drinking in your recliner, or if you have children or pets, you might want your chair to be swathed in a performance fabric. Designed to withstand daily wear and tear, these materials are easy to clean in the event of spills or dirt, and they’re often tear- and scratch-resistant. If you want something resilient but aren’t drawn to performance fabrics, leather is also known for its durability.

The big draw of having a recliner is its ability to kick back, but there are a slew of mechanisms to choose from. Some chairs recline when you lean back, creating an effortless ability to ease into a more relaxed position, while others require some effort on your end. That may mean pushing a button to prompt your chair to mechanically raise your feet and lower your head (some let you do these elements separately), or pulling a lever to adjust your positioning.

Adjustability is important with a recliner, and not every seat has the same options. Some only have one reclining angle, while others give you several choices. Certain chairs allow you to adjust to the level that feels right for you. We like the West Elm Harris recliner, which adjusts with a push of a button and stops at the angle of your choosing. Worth noting: Some even have a lift feature to help you get out of your seat, which is a great element to consider for those who have bad knees or mobility issues.

There isn’t one singular recliner that all chiropractors (or any type of medical professional, for that matter) believe to be better than the rest. “Recliners—and all chairs for that matter—are not one size fits all,” says Nancy R. Kirsch, Ph.D., interim chair of rehabilitation and movement sciences at Rutgers. “It is important to get the appropriate-size recliner to fit your body type and height.”

While Kirsch says it’s “critical” to choose a well-constructed recliner (she advises against overstuffed chairs and too much padding around the head), she adds you can take steps to maximum your comfort in a recliner. “If the chair does not have good lumbar support, the individual should insert a lumbar roll or a rolled towel into the space between the low back and the chair to improve alignment,” says Kirsch. She also recommends using the recliner’s built-in footrest: “Elevating your legs does decrease the stress on the tissues surrounding the spine.”

It depends. “A recliner may be an excellent seating choice for an individual with low back pain, permitting the individual to sit without putting undue stress on the structures that support their back,” Kirsch says. In general, she adds. “a recliner chair relieves some of the pressure [on the back] and research has shown that reclining to about 135 degrees will reduce stress on the spine. But we have to be aware of our personal positioning to reduce the stress on our lumbar spine.”

Keep in mind, too, that sitting for long periods of time can actually make back pain worse, regardless of how comfortable or supportive the chair is. Kirsch’s recommendation: Get up every 30 minutes and stand or walk around to change your positioning.

It’s generally considered safe to sleep in a recliner every night, so long as said recliner provides adequate head, neck and lumbar support. In fact, sleeping in a recliner can be beneficial to people who suffer from health conditions like acid reflux, sleep apnea and back pain. That said, if you’re thinking about making your recliner your permanent bed, consider consulting your doctor or another medical professional beforehand to get their thoughts.