By Anne Holub | Updated Jan 4, 2022 11:59 AM

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A power recliner offers relaxation in ways not even the most comfortable couch can provide. With motorized manipulations, power recliners include options to achieve ideal positioning and can take stress off your back, legs, and neck. Depending on your needs, these chairs may be able to recharge electronics, massage your tired muscles, or even tilt and raise the seat to help you get up safely.

There are many different styles and extra options to consider when shopping for a power recliner. In order to weed through the possibilities, the following curated list of some of the best power recliner chairs around today can be a helpful starting point for that next major furniture purchase. Read on to learn about some important features to consider when searching for your perfect power recliner fit.

Power recliners can be excellent options for premium relaxation. But before deciding on a new recliner chair, consider and compare some key features first. Beyond the type, size, upholstery, and other details, power recliners need access to a power outlet to operate. Therefore, they’ll likely need to be situated near a wall with a convenient power source.

Power recliners come in many different designs to fit a range of tastes and ergonomic requirements. While all power recliners need to be plugged into a power outlet to operate, some come with (or can accommodate) a supplemental battery pack so they can operate temporarily during a power outage.

There are big and tall styles along with chairs that allow users to rock or swivel as needed. Especially helpful for elderly users or those with limited mobility, a lift chair recliner tilts its seat to help the user get up or sit down more easily in the chair. If looking for a chair to share with the whole family that has lots of reclining or power chair options, consider a recliner sofa or a seat-and-a-half power recliner.

Because power recliners use a motor (or series of motors) to recline, they offer more options than a traditional manual recliner chair. Oftentimes the head, neck, and back positions can be adjusted, as well as the leg and foot positions.

Since power recliners’ adjustments are made with electronic buttons, users are not limited to a set number of positions. They can usually be adjusted in multiple ways for individual users’ comfort. Some models of power recliners also offer adjustable head and lumbar area support. The best power recliners allow reclining back to a comfortable and supported position and can even make good spots for napping.

In addition to traditional recliner features, some power recliners offer motorized adjustments. Some come in designs referred to as “wall huggers” or “wall recliners.” Instead of moving backward to recline, the chair moves forward to recline, allowing the chair’s base to be placed closer to a wall.

Power recliners take up about the same amount of space as a normal recliner or stuffed armchair. Before searching for a new chair, it’s important to determine who will be using the chair, where the power recliner will be placed, and how much space is available.

The best size options can depend on the space limitations in the room or the size of the user. Modern power recliners offer different models for “big and tall” users that can accommodate heavier weights or taller users with additional cushioning or extended chair sizes.

Some models of power recliners can also fit into smaller spaces without sacrificing comfort. These power recliners for small spaces can be great for smaller rooms or for moving the chair through narrow hallways or stairways. Carefully measure the intended space, as well as necessary entry doorways, hallways, and staircases, before making a final decision on a power recliner to ensure it can easily be installed in the space.

Beyond price and style, space is probably one of the biggest considerations for a power recliner. Measuring the intended spot for the chair and comparing it to chair measurements will help narrow the options. Most recliners fall into one of three sizes, and require the following space:

For all chairs, 5 inches between the top of the chair when fully reclined and the wall or any nearby furniture is needed to provide the appropriate head clearance. Remember to also measure doorway width, as enough space is needed for chair delivery.

Upholstery options for power recliners vary seemingly infinitely. There are options for different fabric styles, from leather and fabric to synthetic materials that are great for repelling spills and stains. Often brands offer custom fabric choices, so it’s possible to match unique style preferences or match the chair to existing furniture in a home.

Many of the best power recliners also offer luxurious leather material options, as well as synthetic materials and eco-friendly fabrics. Consider the style of the home and all the potential users for the chair when deciding on a fabric. Some fabrics can be cleaned more easily or wiped down when spills or pet messes occur, while many fabric treatments offer stain resistance or even antimicrobial features. If there is a specific need, talk to a furniture dealer about cleaning options, and compare potential repair costs for specific types of power recliner materials.

While many reclining positions are available with the press of a few buttons, there are also many other conveniences to consider. Some power recliners come with additional options such as built-in cupholders, spaces to hold remotes or reading materials, or massage and heat functions. One of the most unique aspects of a power recliner is the customizable features offered with some models.

Because power recliners require electricity, many now come with convenient USB outlets for charging smartphones and other devices. These power chairs can also come with optional massage and heat functions for ultimate relaxation. Finally, power recliners can swivel, rock, or even tilt and lift to help a user sit or stand up more easily.

With so many options to consider, it feels like power recliners are available in a seemingly endless number of options. From big and tall to cushy and small, there’s an ideal power recliner for most every space and user. The recliners included in the top picks list all share motorized convenience and customized comfort, and make up some of the best power recliners in specific categories.

Affordable and oversize for comfort, the Cranedall oversized power recliner comes with plenty of bonuses and won’t break the bank. The chair’s contemporary and overstuffed style gives lots of plush for a family room. The chair’s Easy View headrest allows for effortless TV watching even while reclining back.

The attached back and seat cushions with durable contrast stitching and high-resiliency foam cushions mean if the kids are vaulting over the chair to see who claims the most comfortable seat, they won’t easily damage it. For an extra bonus, this wall-saver style only requires 3 inches between the back of the chair and the wall.

The Mcombo Electric Power Recliner 7050 has the convenience of motorized recliner positions with a healthy serving of bells and whistles. Adjust the headrest and footrest on the recliner chair, and soothe sore muscles with massage and heat functions while sitting or reclining. Keep drinks handy with two integrated cupholders, and place remotes in the front or side storage pockets while charging smart devices with the two built-in USB ports. While it has a lower price tag than the average power recliner, there are limited customizations: the chair only comes in polyester material, but there are several possible color options available.

With this power recliner chair’s dual motors, users can adjust the footrest and back independently for ultimate comfort. This power lift chair recliner offers easy sitting for those with limited mobility, like the elderly or others with physical limitations. The lift chair’s simple operation makes it easy to adjust. There are multiple options to customize the seat, footrest, and back, so the power recliner chair can be set for ideal personal comfort.

Power lift recliners aren’t just for use by the elderly, who may need a more reliable way to sit or stand up from a soft seat. They can also be helpful during times of recovering from injury or as an investment in a piece of furniture that can be used for decades.The Yandel Power Lift Recliner also comes with a backup battery system in case of power outages.

This heat and massage recliner by sumyeg is upholstered in durable corduroy, which means that it feels like sitting inside a comfortable fall outfit. Offering massage functions in four locations—calves, thighs, lower back, and shoulders—this power recliner chair’s channel-style pillow design cradles the body like a hug. Side pockets arrange reading material or remotes to keep them in easy reach.

Adding in the timer-driven heat functions, this power recliner with massage functions may become the most desired seat in the home for lengthy relaxation sessions. With its motorized lift chair function, it also can help when it’s time to get up.

Part of the Lane Home Furnishing ComfortKing collection, this Maximus-style power recliner offers power recline options that include choices of fabrics, including leather. Built on seven-gauge steel reclining mechanisms and drop-in coil seating, this pick for best big and tall recliner comes with reinforced arms with steel frame supports. These big and tall power recliner chairs are designed to hold up to just about anything.

The Maximus offers power rocker recliner, power wall-saver, power wall-saver heat and massage, and power rocker/recliner heat and massage versions. Shoppers can get just the amenities they’re after with a strong power recliner at the base of it all. The full-body recline feels like a king-size bed—perfect for the king or queen of the castle.

This chair might be the family room’s new favorite control center. It has cupholders, armrest storage compartments, a USB charging port, and an adjustable headrest. With a bold nailhead design on durable faux-leather upholstery, this power recliner is commanding while still soft enough to spend an afternoon bingeing an entire season of a favorite show, gaming, or catching a full day of playoffs.

With one-touch power controls on the side, easily adjust the chair from seated to reclining positions with one hand. Motorized controls also lift and lower the footrest, enabling maximum comfort after a long day. To outfit the home theater room with this power recliner, grab one for every member of the family, or choose the sofa or loveseat versions to sit closely together.

The Palliser leather power recliner offers the luxurious feel and durability of real leather (with partial leather options for the cost conscious). Customize the upholstery with various grades of leather in this sumptuous power recliner, choose a blend of leather on main chair touchpoints such as the armrests and the seat, and “color match” leather on larger sections like the sides and back. Make it truly customized with a choice of chrome or wooden legs to match existing decor.

When it comes to lying back, get the most relaxing recline with “zero gravity” power recline options, named for its similarity to how astronauts are positioned in rockets. Zero-gravity chairs are noted to be great for tired or swollen feet, legs, or backs. Zero gravity also has claimed benefits for circulation, lymphatic drainage, and even lessening anxiety. Adjust the seat to the perfect degree with an adjustable headrest pillow and a one-touch power recline mechanism.

To fit big comfort in a small recliner, consider a “wall hugger” model that doesn’t need a lot of space behind it. After all, power recliners don’t have to be the biggest piece of furniture in the room. Once the chair is inside, maneuver it easily, assemble it quickly (specifications estimate 15 minutes for assembly), and lean back and relax.

This power recliner offers a narrow seat width of just 22 inches and is ideal for more petite users, according to specifications. The footrest offers a chaise pad for excellent comfort when reclining back. Power recline using the discreetly placed one-touch buttons on the inside of the arm rest beside the convenient USB charger.

While the needs of power recliner users can vary, for most typical users in average-size homes, a worthy choice is the Cranedall Oversized Power Recliner. This chair is built for a long and comfortable winter hibernation. For an affordable power recliner in small spaces and small apartments, consider the Carson Carrington Wall Hugger Recliner with USB Port.

While reviewing the best power recliners, the first factor that comes to mind is size. It’s also one of the more variable traits among the power recliners on the market. From seat widths for various hip sizes to chair widths that impact delivery, it’s a smart idea to do a lot of measuring before purchasing a power recliner.

Price is another key factor we considered, as a power recliner can easily cost more than a large couch. Durability can drive up prices, so how much does longevity matter? A higher price tag doesn’t always reflect a more premium upholstery material (such as leather), but most leather options came with longer warranty and repair contracts through the manufacturer.

We curated a durable group of power recliner chairs and tried to bring forward the best of what’s available today. Both typical overstuffed models as well as sleek modern designs are included in the list. There is a range of sizes included on this list, as recliners need to match the user, and one recliner definitely does not fit all.

A power lift chair or recliner is an armchair that can lift at an angle to help the user get seated or stand up.

With proper care and maintenance on motorized parts, power recliners can outlast manual models. Performing regular cleaning of the base and underneath the chair helps keep the power mechanism operating correctly and prevent overheating. In addition, keep the chair in a warm and dry room, avoid damage to the power cord, and plug the chair directly into a power source to ensure optimal operation. Check the chair’s specific manufacturer’s instructions for regular cleaning and maintenance instructions. With regular care, a quality power recliner can last between 10 and 20 years.

A power recliner needs electricity of some type to operate, either from an electrical plug or a supplemental backup battery pack (for temporary use during power outages).

Sleep in a recliner can relieve muscle tension when fully horizontal, but limit sleeping in a seated position (not fully reclined) in order to prevent blood clots.

Sleeping in a recliner chair can feel pleasant when in a fully horizontal position, as it can take pressure off of sore backs, improve blood circulation, and improve digestion and breathing.

A good quality recliner, one with luxury materials such as leather upholstery and durable metal motor mechanisms and frames, can cost between $800 and $2,000 or more, depending on the chosen options.

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