The Best Recliners That Make It That Much More Enjoyable To Kick Back

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 chairs allow users to kick back in comfort and are designed to be frequent (read: everyday) 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 on the market.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / IMAGE: RETAILERS

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.

Best Recliner Overall

A Buttery Soft Recliner With A Hidden USB Port

MOST POPULAR

West Elm

West Elm Harris Leather Power Recliner

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.

Pros: 

• USB port
• Sturdy
• Hidden power controls

Cons:

• Limited upholstery shades
• Expensive

Best Budget Recliner

A Sleek And Modern Chair For Under $200

Wayfair

Latitude Run Faux Leather Massage Chair

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.

Pros: 

• Inexpensive
• Built-in massager
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Only two upholstery shades
• Footrest is too short for taller users

Best Leather Recliner

An Elegant Club-Style Chair With All The Perks Of A Recliner

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Irving Leather Recliner

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.

Pros: 

• Huge upholstery range
• Customizable
• Classic look

Cons:

• Pricey
• May take up to 12 weeks for delivery

Best Swivel Recliner

A Chic Recliner That Does A 360-Degree Swivel

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn Ayden Square Arm Upholstered Swivel Recliner

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.

Pros: 

• Large fabric selection
• Modern look
• Swivel feature

Cons:

• No leather option
• Needs ample space for full reclining

Best Gliding Recliner

A Modern Glider That’s Perfect For The Nursery

AllModern

AllModern Piper Swivel Reclining Glider

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.

Pros: 

• Inexpensive
• Comfortable gliding motion
• Hidden leg rest

Cons:

• Limited upholstery options
• Can be noisy when it moves to recline

Best Recliner For Small Spaces

A Petite Chair With 37 Upholstery Options

Wayfair

Andover Mills Leni Recliner

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

Most recliners take up ample space, to be sure—and that 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.

Pros: 

• Inexpensive
• Huge range of upholstery options
• Small in size

Cons:

• May be too small for larger users
• Only one recline option

Best Customizable Recliner

A Modern Style With Practically Limitless Fabric Options

West Elm

West Elm Spencer Recliner

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.

Pros: 

• Massive upholstery selection
• Modern look
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• One adjustment
• Small armrests

Best Recliner At Amazon

A Comfortable Chair That Won’t Break The Bank

Amazon

Jummico Recliner Chair

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. 

Best Massaging Recliner

A Recliner With All The Bells And Whistles

Raymour & Flanigan

Raymour & Flanigan Alec Power-Lift Recliner With Heat And Massage

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.

Pros: 

• Built-in massager
• Lift option
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• One color option
• May be too plush for some

Best La-Z Boy Recliner

A Classic Recliner That Doubles As A Rocker

La-Z-Boy

La-Z Boy Pinnacle Rocking Recliner

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.

Pros: 

• Comfortable
• Power features
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Pricey
• Style isn’t for everyone

How We Chose The Best Recliners

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.

What To Look For In The Best Recliners

There are a few important factors to look into when choosing the best recliner for you. Keep these in mind while you shop.

Type

Recliners come in a wide range of types. The most common type of recliner is a lay-flat recliner, which is a more traditional style. These chairs 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 extent as lay-flat recliners. Other types include rockers, gliders and swivel recliners. You also typically 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.

Material

Upholstery is important in a recliner. If you know you’ll eat and drink in your recliner, or if you have children or pets, it’s worth considering a performance fabric. These materials are designed to be easy to clean in the event of spills or dirt. However, recliners are available in a range of materials, including leather, twill, tweed and slub. Along with performance fabric, leather is considered one of the most durable types of upholstery you can get.

Mechanism

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. However, 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

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.

What Recliners Do Chiropractors Recommend?

The right recliner for you depends on a lot of factors, and it’s difficult for a chiropractor to recommend just one. “Recliners—and all chairs for that matter—are not one size fits all,” says Nancy R. Kirsch, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., interim chair of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. “It is important to get the appropriate-size recliner to fit your body type and height.” Some recliner manufacturers size their chairs by body type and, if you’re concerned if a recliner will be a good fit for you, it’s worth considering this feature, she says. While Kirsch says it’s “critical” to choose a good recliner (she recommends against overstuffed chairs and large padding around the head), she also says 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,” Kirsch says. It’s also a good idea to use the footrest. “Elevating your legs does decrease the stress on the tissues surrounding the spine,” Kirsch says.

Are Recliners Good For Back Pain?

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. But everyone is different. “Some find relief positioning themselves in a recliner but, for others ,the recliner may increase their pain,” Kirsch says. 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. In general, “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,” Kirsch says. “But we have to be aware of our personal positioning to reduce the stress on our lumbar spine.”

Who Makes The Best Recliners?

These days, you can find top-of-the-line recliners from a wide variety of brands and retailers. Our top pick overall, the Harris Leather Power Recliner, comes from West Elm, which also sells our favorite customizable recliner (the Andover Mills Leni Recliner). For more recliner options, check out Pottery Barn, Wayfair, AllModern or any other respectable furniture brand.

Is It OK To Sleep In A Recliner Every Night?

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.

Is A Leather Recliner Better Than A Fabric Recliner?

It all comes down to personal preferences. If you’re looking for longevity from your recliner, leather lasts a lot longer than fabric, as long as it’s 100% leather. Leather also ages beautifully, getting more buttery soft and elegant with time. While fabric requires a little more maintenance, it al lot cozier and comfortable to curl up against. You also get to choose from a lot more colors, patterns and prints, as opposed to leather that comes in just a handful of color variations.