Buying the best recliner for seniors is an investment. And since there are dozens of recliners in the market at any given time and personal considerations to take into account, sorting through the products can be overwhelming.
If you’re shopping around for a recliner to give to your elderly mom, dad or any other friend or family member in their golden years, you’ll soon realize that the best recliner in the market isn’t necessarily the best recliners for seniors.
Older people requires supportive components in a recliner, such as footrests, backrests, power lifts, massage capabilities, heating, double cushioning, or other features designed to provide elderly users with a completely comfortable and safe experience every time they hop onto the recliner.
We’ve done hours of research to filter out regular recliners to the best recliners for seniors. Of course, your preferences and health conditions may still vary, so we’ve included several models to accommodate most needs. Check them out below:
Best Recliners for Seniors
BEST OVERALL: Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift Oversized Recliner
Highlights
- Dual motor, power lift chair recliner
- Designed, built and shipped from Ashley Furniture Industries
- Extra spacious and perfect for lounging
- Remote-controlled
The first thing you notice about Ashley Yandel’s Power Lift oversized recliner is that it is one gorgeous-looking recliner. Available in luscious dark brown (Saddle) and black, the Signature Design recliner checks all the right features suitable for people with mobility issues.
The Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power Lift oversized recliner measures 35 inches wide by 40 inches deep by 42.5 inches height. It has a 20-inch seat height and extends to 69 inches long when fully reclined. You can say it was designed for the ‘big and tall’ market, but if you love spacious seating, you’ll love this too!
While it does look like leather (or the plastic-like faux leather), this recliner actually uses a super-soft, leather-looking cloth material. The difference is that this poly-fiber fabric won’t make you slip like leather does.
The chair arrives with everything you need (tools, chair, remote and guide) out of the box. Once assembled, you just need to seat and touch a button, which pushes you back to a better position while elevating your legs. There combination of thick cushioning, soft upholstery and high back allows for easy lounging. And since Ashley Yandel’s Power Lift recliner is able to recline flat, you can sleep on it as well.
PROS
- Easy-to-assemble
- Sturdy construction
- Fits most doorways (30 inches or wider)
- Control chair and footrest are separately
- No noise during operation
- Spacious side pocket
CONS
- No waterproof capability
- Not much add-ons like USB port or cup holders
MOST SPACIOUS: Esright Massage Recliner Chair
Highlights:
- Heated PU leather
- Supports up to 300 pounds
- 360-Degree Swivel, Remote controlled
- Designed with ergonomic support
Ideal for seniors who love naps, this comfy power-lift recliner was built to support users with mobility issues. It is designed with a CARB Certified Board and sturdy iron frame, and fully-padded high-density foam.
What makes this recliner stand out from the rest is that it is pretty spacious (it can accommodate people weighing up to 300 pounds), but you wouldn’t notice it because it can easily hug the wall perfectly.
For something that’s built with several components and a significant weight, it’s a pleasant surprise that you can assemble it all within 10 minutes. The sitting area measures about 16 inches wide by 21.5 inches deep, but since the armrests can compress, bigger users can still squish into the seat.
Operating the massage and heat features involves a remote control. Here you can control 8 vibrating massage nodes for the back, lumbar, thigh and legs. You can also control 5 massaging modes, two vibration intensities, and the heat control for your lumbar.
PROS
- Relaxing massage features
- Assembles in less than 10 minutes
- Space-saving design
- Comes with two cup holders
- Side pocket perfect for TV remote
- Breathable leather upholstery doesn’t make you sweat
CONS
- Footrest and backrest controlled together
BEST FOR ACHES & PAINS: U-MAX Massage Recliner Power Lift Chair
Highlights
- Designed with massage and heat function
- 2 separate remotes
- Solid construction with comfy padding
The U-MAX Power Lift recliner chair may look like any ordinary recliner, but it was actually built to address aches and pains quite uniquely.
It has heat function for the lumbar part and four strategically-located massage spots to focus on the back, lumbar, thighs and legs. And if you enable the massage feature, you can choose from five modes (normal, auto, pulse, wave, and press), so you can receive the type of massage you physically need in your current situation.
Design-wise, the U-MAX Massage recliner is made with an electric-powered, lift mechanism, PU leather upholstery, and extra-thick foam for the armrest, bad and head. The recliner function does work, lifting the user up and down smoothly.
The only downside to this recliner is that it can only recline to 130 degrees.
PROS
- Effective massage and heating functions
- Comfortable and padded PU leather
- Handy side pocket and cup holder
- Comes with two remote controls
- Quick to assemble
CONS
- Not ideal for tall users
BEST IN CUSHION: CANMOV Power Lift Recliner Chair for Elderly
Highlights
- Gorgeous chocolate-brown (and camel) color options
- Extremely soft and comfortable
- Accommodates up to 300 pounds
For those looking for a comfortable seat without any fuss, this gorgeous brown CANMOV power lift chair was designed especially for you. It’s as simple as they come, but it works exceptionally well in power-lifting users up.
One thing you’ll notice with CANMOV’s recliner chair for elderly is its stunning upholstery and overstuffed built-in pillows for the back, armrest and seat. Both colors (the deep chocolate and lighter brown camel variation) are good-looking and offer anti-skid feature. It also has a wide side pocket for the remote and other important things.
As for operation, the chair reclines far enough, but it doesn’t go completely flat. The upside is that the comfort level of this recliner is high and you don’t really need to it flat to sleep comfortably in it.
PROS
- Reclines effortlessly
- Easy-to-use remote with 2-button control
- Extremely comfortable cushions
- Useful side pocket
- Sturdy metal mechanism
CONS
- No cup holder, massage, and other advanced functions
- No separate control for back and footrest
Baby Relax Rylan Swivel Glider Recliner Chair
Highlights
- Compact and modern design
- Heavily-padded cushions
- High-quality upholstery
Baby Relax, makers of modern baby room furniture, added this comfortable “Rylan” recliner that you can easily squeeze into a wall. It was designed so new mothers and grandparents can have proper seating (or even a napping station) while babysitting.
This square-shaped, powder-gray (or beige) recliner is perfect for recliner newbies. Assembling Rylan is quick and hassle-free. Operating the recliner (and the lever hidden on one side of the seat) should be straightforward since it was designed to let you switch from one position to the next without any help.
There’s a lever hidden by the side of the seat, which you just pull to pop the hidden footrest up and then use for resting your tired feet. The arm rest is wide enough to provide ample support.
PROS
- Smooth and comfortable seat
- Easy-to-clean fabric
- Very quick to assemble
- Compact design makes it ideal for corner spots
CONS
- Won’t fit bigger users (up to 225 lbs weight limit)
- No leg pull out
- Not ideal for napping
Flash Furniture Contemporary Multi-Position Recliner
Highlights:
- Look and feel of classic recliners
- Comfortable design
- Leather upholstery
- Gorgeous mahogany wood base
If you’re looking for a classy recliner with an old school vibe, this contemporary multi-position recliner from Flash Furniture is not only handsomely designed, it is also a very comfortable chair.
Available in beige, black and two brown variations, the Flash Furniture recliner was designed with a separate ottoman so you could bring your weary feet up anytime. It’s got padded seat, plush armrest, built-in headrest and comfy foam all over.
This Flash Furniture piece proves that a senior-friendly recliners can be both comfortable and stylish thanks mostly to the mahogany wood base on both the recliner and ottoman.
As for operation, the Flash Furniture Contemporary Multi-Position Recliner has a unique swiveling motion combined with the movement akin to a traditional reclining lawn chair. It isn’t as smooth as higher-priced recliners, but it works like a charm.
PROS
- Soft and durable foam with LeatherSoft upholstery
- Spot-clean dirt
- 250-pound weight capacity
- contemporary design
CONS
- Using lever of recliner may have a learning curve
JC Home Menet Swivel Glide Recliner
Highlights:
- Comfy design
- Two reclining positions
- Comes with fabric upholstery
If you’re a fan of homey furniture, this JC Home Menet Swivel Glide Recliner definitely fits right in. Underneath, it was built with a steel base and 350-degree swivel and gliding mechanism, topped off by leather upholstery and upper fabric upholstery made of a polyester and soft rayon blend.
Although this recliner looks like a standard single couch, it wasn’t built as so. When you assemble this chair (it’s easy because the back snaps into place), you’ll be able to feel the solid seat cushions, the coils that provide stability and support, and the gliding mechanism that moves side-to-side and 360 degrees.
At first look the recliner may look small, but this actually feels sturdy and can fit bigger or taller people nicely. And because the recliner can easily be popped from the side lever
PROS
- Stylish white and grey print
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy base (steel with leather)
- No noise swivel
CONS
- Scrollwork print isn’t for everyone
- May be too stiff for other users
How We Picked the Best Recliners for Seniors
Recliners have been known to provide comfort after a day’s work. But like any other chair, the best recliners for seniors are not the same as recliners made for the younger crowd. Some special considerations are needed when shopping for senior-friendly recliners, such as:
- Power-lift and mobility issues – Mobility issues are unfortunately normal in old age. Even the simplest getting up from a chair can be extra challenging for our elders. A recliner with power-lift capability provides assistance to seniors, so they could go in and out of the chair on their own.
- Upholstery and other materials – Itchy upholstery wouldn’t work for older folks. Pick a chair with breathable fabric and materials that would provide comfort and enough sturdiness to keep the recliner stable. Some recliners feature memory foam as part of the headrest, others have specially-designed footrest to keep feet warm.
- Comfort features – No recliners for seniors should exist without a stable and comfortable footrest. A properly-designed footrest not only providers a person comfort; it also encourages proper posture and improves circulation. Make sure to check how the footrest is folded or unfolded, and if it is user-friendly.
- Technology – If you’re giving the recliner to someone who isn’t technically savvy, always choose function over style. Massage and heating technology, for example, could be beneficial for the senior who may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Bluetooth-enabled chairs may not be really helpful, but USB slots would.
- Accessories – What does a person like added? Extra padded headrest? Cup holders? Side pockets for the remote control? Although there are recliners that are equipped with almost all accessory ever created, they’re only going to matter if the one sitting on it will utilize them.
- Proper size – The size of your recliner could make or break a person’s seating experience. If you’re sitting on a chair that’s too small for you, then it is virtually impossible to get comfortable on it.
Not all recliners are equally attractive, functional or comfortable, but if you learn what parts and features to find, you might just be able to find one that’s perfect for a loved one in his/her twilight years. This guide showcases some of the best recliners for seniors, but you have to take into consideration the person going to sit on the recliner when shopping for the right one.