American Freight Recliner Buying Guide

We have a pretty simple test for a recliner: if you sit down, put your feet up and immediately start thinking about where the remote is, you're headed in the right direction.

Comfort comes first, but today's recliners can do a whole lot more than lean back. You can find manual and power reclining, rocking and gliding motion, adjustable positioning, charging ports, cupholders, storage, heat and massage, and even power lift chairs designed to help you get in and out of the seat more easily.

And sometimes the right answer isn't a recliner chair at all. If everybody in the family wants the good seat, a reclining sofa, loveseat or sectional might make more sense.

Before you start comparing all those features, think about three things: who will use it, where it will go and how you actually want to relax.

OUR TIP: Don't pay for every bell and whistle just because it's available. Pick the features you'll use every day. That's where the value is.

1. Start With Comfort

You can compare features all afternoon, but none of them matter if the chair isn't comfortable.

When trying a recliner, pay attention to how your whole body feels, not just whether the seat cushion is soft. Your feet should feel supported when the footrest is up. Your head and neck should sit comfortably against the back. Your lower back should feel supported, and the seat shouldn't make you feel like you're climbing out of a hole every time you stand up.

Seat height and depth matter too. A deep recliner can feel wonderful to someone who likes to curl up, but it may be uncomfortable for a shorter person whose feet don't naturally reach the floor. A taller shopper may want a higher back, deeper seat or longer footrest.

If you can, sit in the recliner the way you would at home. Recline it. Put your feet up. Sit upright again. Try getting in and out of it a couple of times. You are buying a chair for real life, not a 30-second test drive.

2. Manual vs. Power Recliners: What's the Difference?

A manual recliner usually operates with a handle, lever or push-back mechanism. You use your body and the chair's mechanism to move between sitting and reclining positions.

We like manual recliners for shoppers who want something straightforward. There is no motor to operate and, depending on the design, you may have more flexibility about where the chair sits because you don't necessarily need a nearby electrical outlet.

A power recliner uses an electric motor to move the footrest, back or other adjustable parts of the chair. Instead of pulling a handle, you use buttons or controls to find your position.

The big advantage is control. A manual recliner may have a few natural stopping positions, while power can let you make smaller adjustments until you find the position that feels right.

Some power recliners also include additional powered features, which may include an adjustable headrest or separate footrest controls. When more than one reclining function can be adjusted independently, you may see terms such as dual power.

OUR TIP: Think about where the furniture will sit before choosing power. Check the specific product's electrical requirements and make sure your room has a practical place to plug it in without creating a cord problem.

3. Don't Stop at the Recliner Chair

Here's something families sometimes figure out five minutes too late: everybody wants the recliner.

If you're creating a living room or media room where several people regularly watch TV, movies or sports together, take a look at the whole reclining-furniture category before deciding that one chair is enough.

A reclining sofa can give multiple people a place to stretch out while keeping the familiar footprint of a sofa.

A reclining loveseat can be a great fit for two people, and some designs add a center console with storage and cupholders.

A reclining sectional can combine larger-scale family seating with reclining positions, consoles, storage or other features depending on the model.

That can make a lot of sense in a media room. Instead of adding one feature-packed recliner next to a stationary sofa, you can create a room where several seats are designed for lounging.

Browse current Recliners, Sofas, and Loveseats to compare the different ways you can build the room.

4. Think About the Features You'll Actually Use

This is where reclining furniture has gotten fun.

Depending on the model, today's recliners and reclining furniture may include features such as:

• USB charging ports
• USB-C charging ports
• Power outlets
• Cupholders
• Center storage consoles
• Drop-down tables
• Power footrests
• Power headrests
• Rocking or gliding motion
• Swivel bases
• Heat and massage
• Lighting
• Storage compartments

Not every product has every feature, so always check the individual product description.

For a media room, we especially like thinking about the little conveniences that keep everybody in their seat. Cupholders give drinks a home. A storage console can hold remotes and chargers. USB or USB-C ports can keep a phone or tablet powered without running another cord across the room. A drop-down table can give you a handy surface for snacks, devices or whatever else seems to accumulate during movie night.

But it still comes back to how you live. If you never charge a device from your chair, don't make USB ports the reason you spend more. If you always have a drink beside you, cupholders may be worth having. If the whole family is constantly hunting for the remote, that center storage console suddenly starts looking pretty smart.

OUR MONEY-SAVING TIP: Separate your list into must-haves and nice-to-haves before you shop. Comfort and fit belong at the top. Then spend on the features that will make your everyday routine better.

5. Consider Rocker, Glider and Swivel Recliners

Not every recliner just sits there until you lean it back.

A rocker recliner combines reclining with a rocking motion. A glider recliner moves back and forth in a smoother gliding motion. A swivel recliner lets the chair rotate, and some chairs combine more than one type of movement.

These can be great choices when the chair has more than one job. Maybe you like gentle movement while reading. Maybe the chair needs to turn between the television and the rest of the room. Maybe you want a comfortable place to relax without reclining every time you sit down.

Just remember that moving furniture needs room to move. Check the clearance around the chair so a swivel, rocker or glider isn't constantly meeting a wall, table or somebody's shin.

6. A Recliner Can Be a Smart Nursery Chair, Too

A good recliner is not just for the living room. If you are setting up a nursery, a glider, rocker or swivel recliner can become one of the hardest-working chairs in the house.

• Get Comfortable: New parents may spend a lot of time in that seat, so we recommend shopping for comfort first. Look for supportive arms and back cushioning, a seat that feels good when you are sitting upright, and a height that makes it easy to stand back up.
• Get a Chair that Rocks: A smooth gliding or rocking motion can be helpful when soothing or feeding a baby. A swivel base can also be convenient when you want to turn toward the crib, side table or another part of the room without moving the whole chair.
• Stay Charged Up: Power reclining can be especially handy when your hands are full. Depending on the model, features such as USB or USB-C charging can also keep your phone within reach during those long stretches in the chair.
• Be Ready for Spills: Look for a fabric and color that fit your household and follow the product care instructions for cleaning. Only count on stain resistance when the specific product says it offers that feature.

For nurseries, we suggest prioritizing smooth, quiet motion and comfortable support over heat and massage. Those extras can be nice, but they would not be at the top of our nursery list. A recliner is seating for the adult. Always follow current safe-sleep guidance for infants and use an appropriate infant sleep surface rather than a recliner or upholstered chair.

7. Lift Recliners Can Add Comfort and Assistance

For seniors, people with limited mobility or anyone who finds getting in and out of a traditional chair difficult, a power lift recliner is worth considering.

A lift chair uses a powered mechanism to raise and tilt the seat forward, helping bring the user toward a standing position. Many lift chairs also recline, so the same chair can be used for sitting, relaxing and putting your feet up.

We recommend shopping for a lift recliner a little differently than a regular recliner because the movement itself is part of the reason you're buying it.

Pay attention to:

• How high and how far forward the chair lifts. The final position should help the person using it transition comfortably toward standing.
• Lift speed and smoothness. Faster is not automatically better. The movement should feel comfortable and controlled to the person using the chair.
• Reclining positions. Check whether the chair reclines and how much positioning control it provides.
• The controls. Buttons or a remote should be easy for the intended user to understand and reach.
• Seat height and depth. The chair still needs to fit the person comfortably when used as a regular seat.
• Foot and leg support. Make sure the footrest supports the user appropriately when reclined.
• Extra comfort features. Some models may offer heat, massage or other powered features.
• Room and power requirements. Check the product dimensions, required clearance and electrical setup before bringing it home.

American Freight carries power lift chairs, including select models with features such as heat and massage. Features vary by product and location, so compare the specific chair details to the needs of the person who will use it. A lift recliner is furniture with an assistive feature. If someone has specific medical, mobility or fall-risk needs, their healthcare professional can help determine what type of assistance is appropriate.

8. Measure the Recliner in Both Positions

Don't just make sure the recliner fits when it's closed. Make sure it fits when somebody is fully stretched out watching a three-hour movie.

Measure the width and depth of the chair, then look at how much room it requires when fully reclined. Make sure the footrest won't run into a coffee table, fireplace, TV stand or walkway.

You also need space behind many recliners for the back to move.

Some models are designed to require less wall clearance and may be described as wall-hugger, wall recliner or zero-wall designs. Those can be useful when you are trying to fit reclining comfort into a smaller living room, but check the individual product specifications rather than assuming every recliner works close to a wall.

And don't forget the trip into the room. Measure doors, hallways, staircases and tight turns along the delivery path.

Before purchase, review American Freight's Delivery and Pickup details and use the Store Locator to find the location most convenient for you. Product availability, pickup and delivery options can vary by location.

9. Choose Upholstery for the Way Your Household Lives

A recliner should look good, but remember which chair tends to become everybody's favorite. That means the upholstery may see a lot of use.

Think about kids, pets, snacks, drinks and how often the chair will be used. Fabric can give you a soft, comfortable feel and comes in plenty of colors and textures. Leather-look upholstery can create a different appearance and feel. Whatever you choose, follow the care instructions for the specific product.

Color matters too. A recliner doesn't have to match your sofa perfectly. We would rather see the room coordinate than force everything to be identical.

If you're adding one recliner to existing furniture, look at the room's overall color palette, scale and style. Sometimes a complementary chair looks more intentional than trying to find an almost-but-not-quite match for an older sofa.

10. Build a Media Room Around Comfort and Convenience

If you're shopping for a media room, this is where we give you permission to have a little fun. This room has a job: make people want to sit down and stay awhile.

Reclining sofas, loveseats, sectionals and chairs can create a comfortable setup for movies, gaming and sports. Features such as cupholders, storage consoles, charging ports, power outlets and drop-down tables can make the room easier to use without adding another piece of furniture for every little need.

Think about sight lines to the television, too. You don't want one giant recliner blocking the view from another seat. Leave walking paths open, and make sure fully extended footrests aren't crossing the main route through the room.

OUR TIP: Design the room for a normal Tuesday night before you design it for a big game party. If the people who live there are comfortable every day, you're doing it right.

11. Decide What Is Worth Paying For

Recliners can range from simple manual chairs to power models loaded with convenience features. The most expensive chair isn't automatically the best chair for you.

Start with the basics: How comfortable is it? Does it fit the person using it? Does it fit the room when fully reclined? Do you prefer manual or power operation? Then look at the extras.

If you use a charging port every night, that's useful. If a power headrest helps you get comfortable while watching television, that's useful. If a lift mechanism helps someone get in and out of the chair more comfortably, that's much more important than a feature you'll use twice and forget about.

That's how we suggest thinking about value. Pay for the comfort and features that improve the way you actually live.

Flexible payment options are available; learn more about our financing options. Products, features and availability may vary by location.

Ready to Put Your Feet Up?

Choosing a recliner gets much easier once you stop asking which chair has the most features and start asking which chair fits you best.

You should be comfortable sitting upright and reclined. The chair should fit the room without blocking the walkway. And if you are spending extra for power controls, charging, cupholders, storage, heat, massage or another feature, make it something you will actually enjoy using.

Sometimes that's a simple manual recliner. Sometimes it's a power recliner with all the conveniences. Sometimes it's a lift chair that makes sitting down and standing up easier. And sometimes you look around the living room, realize everybody wants to recline, and decide it's time to start shopping reclining sofas instead.

That's the nice thing about having options.

OUR TIP: The best recliner isn't the one with the longest feature list. It's the one everybody races to sit in first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recliners

What is a power recliner?

A power recliner uses an electric motor to adjust the chair's reclining position. Controls vary by model, and some power recliners allow separate adjustment of features such as the footrest or headrest.

What is the difference between a manual and power recliner?

A manual recliner is operated mechanically, often using a handle, lever or push-back motion. A power recliner uses an electric motor and controls to change positions. Power models can offer more precise positioning and additional powered features, while manual models provide a simpler setup.

What is a dual power recliner?

Dual power generally means two powered functions can be adjusted independently. The exact functions can vary by product, so check the specific recliner's description and controls.

What is a lift recliner?

A lift recliner, or power lift chair, uses a powered mechanism to raise and tilt the seat forward to help the user transition toward a standing position. Many lift chairs also recline for relaxing.

Do lift chairs recline?

Many power lift chairs also have reclining functionality, but the available positions and controls vary by model. Check the individual product specifications before purchasing.

What is a wall-hugger recliner?

A wall-hugger or wall recliner is designed to recline while requiring less space behind the chair than many traditional reclining designs. Required wall clearance varies by product.

What is a glider recliner?

A glider recliner combines a reclining seat with a smooth back-and-forth gliding motion. Some recliners may also rock or swivel depending on their design.

What should I look for in a nursery recliner?

Start with comfortable upright support, smooth rocking or gliding motion, easy operation and an upholstery choice that works for your household. Swivel motion, power recline and USB or USB-C charging can also be convenient depending on the model.

How much space does a recliner need?

That depends on the recliner. Measure its width and depth when closed and check the product dimensions or clearance requirements for the fully reclined position. Also leave enough room for people to walk around the extended footrest.

Are power recliners worth it?

A power recliner can be worth considering if you value more precise positioning or powered features. A manual recliner may be the better value if you prefer simplicity and do not need those extras.

Can I get a reclining sofa instead of individual recliners?

Yes. Reclining sofas, loveseats and sectionals can provide reclining seating for multiple people and may include features such as consoles, cupholders, charging ports, power outlets or drop-down tables depending on the model.