Apart from being a super comfy addition to any home, the best recliner chairs are a must-have for people with back pain, sleep apnea, insomnia, and other health conditions that make sleeping in a bed difficult. They’re also great armchairs for anyone who dozes off in front of the TV now and then or wants to feel well-rested and at ease whilst sitting at home.
Whether you need a rise and recline chair to help with limited mobility, a supportive recliner to help alleviate a medical condition, or would just like a comfy reading chair or a place to snooze in your living room, we’ve found the best recliner chairs to have you relaxing in bliss.
When it comes to selecting the best recliner chairs for your home, there are plenty of styles for you to choose from. You can opt for a chair made from soft-to-touch fabrics, or perhaps you prefer the feeling of a leather (faux or real) recliner to kick back and relax on. Many chairs have different colours you can pick from too, so you can opt for greys, creams and browns for neutral décor or if you want to add a pop of colour to your living space, why not consider a red chair?
Best recliner chairs at a glance:
• Best recliner chair overall: More4Homes Caesar 10-in-1 Winged Recliner Chair – View on Amazon UK
• Best affordable recliner chair: Yaheetech Recliner Armchair – View on Amazon UK
• Best massage recliner chair: Hainworth Leather Dual Motor Riser Recliner Chair – View on Amazon UK
Whatever you're looking for in a chair, we've rounded up all the best recliner chairs that will keep you comfortable and help you feel supported, whether you're sitting back watching telly or reading a book, or catching 40 winks.
Best recliner chairs for sleeping and relaxing at home
Best recliner chair overall
Description
Not only does this More4Homes Caesar 10-in-1 Winged Recliner Chair look super padded and comfortable, but it's also fair to say it's got everything you need to sleep or lounge in a way that suits you. There's the classic recline to put your feet up, swivel to comfortably turn without straining your neck, and even the ability to rock to and fro to help you relax as you would in a regular rocking chair.
Customer review: "The chair is stylish looking, I am using it in a smallish room, and because of the swivel it fits nicely and I can turn the chair without having to move it. Easy to assemble, very comfortable, great support for your back and legs. The massage feels good if not a little noisy but not that it's too intrusive. The heating is brilliant, I found it very helpful with sciatica, very soothing. The rocking motion I love too. The company has a great customer service attitude, very fast and friendly with any enquiries. I would buy from this company again."
Pros
- Lumbar support
- Eight-point vibrational massager
Cons
- Manual recline takes a lot of effort to move
Best affordable recliner chair
Description
Some recliners, especially those with rise and recline, can cost a fortune and be out of the realm of your budget. But if you're looking for a comfortable chair to recline in, this modern, faux leather Yaheetech Recliner Armchair will do just that at less than £200. It's sturdy, robust, and has three relaxation modes, including sitting, having your feet raised, or lying flat for easy snoozing.
Customer review: "I've got arthritis and on a low income, so to find a recliner that fit my adapted front room, which came within 24 hours and I was able to set up myself, plus the colour brown - perfect along with comfort. A piece of heaven. Used all evening it helps me relax with less pain. Pray it lasts. The only thing was the arms can't handle much weight on it but overall a brilliant chair at a fantastic price... Still smiling."
Pros
- Great value for money
- Choice of three colours which is great for the price
Cons
- Some reviewers wished it was more padded
Best massage recliner chair
Description
Sink into this Hainworth Leather Dual Motor Riser Recliner Chair next time you want to catch a catnap. You can customise the angle of the back and footrest to your specifications, while the firm and supportive seat, armrests, and backrest let you rest comfortably - perfect for those suffering from medical conditions or circulation problems. A convenient side pocket stores your belongings — including the chair’s easy-to-operate remote control, which will come in handy when you’re ready to get up!
Customer review: "Bought this recliner chair for my husband who has just had a hip replacement and could not find a comfortable position for sleeping and sitting. The delivery of this chair was a dream. The two-man team arrived on time, unpacked the chair, assembled it just where we wanted it, and then checked the controls were working. When my husband sat in the chair he sighed with relief and said it felt like bliss. He found it comfortable for sitting and for full reclining. It is well padded all over including the footrests. It was also quite easy to move (on a hard floor). He is now sleeping happily for the first time since he came home from the hospital."
Pros
- Side pocket for storage
- Eight-point vibration massager
Cons
- Would be better to have just one remote for everything rather than two separate ones
Best recliner chair for head support
www.furniturevillage.co.uk
Description
Made of a luxuriously textured hopsack chenille fabric cover and a thick padded seat and arms, this Orlando Fabric Power Recliner Chair with Power Headrests from Furniture Village looks like a classic yet stylish armchair and has the added bonus of having a power headrest. At the push of a button, you can find the perfect position whilst the adjustable headrest ensures your head is supported and neck strain is reduced.
Pros
- Lumbar support
- In-built USB port so you can charge your devices from the comfort of your chair
Cons
- Few customer reviews
Best plush manual recliner chair
www.johnlewis.com
Description
If you truly want to sink into an armchair with your feet up, we have to recommend this John Lewis & Partners Camden Manual Recliner Armchair, which boasts contemporary, comfy furniture that looks extra soft and inviting. As part of their 'Design Your Own' service, you can customise everything from the colour to the shape - if you want more than an armchair, you can choose to have a reclining matching sofa or a snuggler for the perfect reading nook.
Pros
- Comes with a 15-year frame guarantee included
- Vast colour and material choice
Cons
- Delivery time frame is currently 10 weeks
Best rise and tilt recliner chair
www.dfs.co.uk
Description
We love this DFS Newbury Rise and Tilt Recliner Chair, not only because it provides all the support you need to truly relax, but because it has the most subtle lift-assist design we've seen. With most recliners when they lift, you can see the metal mechanism lifting the whole chair at an angle. However, the side pieces of this chair keep the mechanism concealed, making it a much more aesthetically appealing choice if this matters to you.
Pros
- 15-year frame and frame spring guarantee
- Pocket-sprung, foam-filled seat cushions
Cons
- No customer reviews
Best dual motor recliner chair
Description
Built with comfort and convenience in mind, the Lincoln Standard Riser Recliner Chair is an inviting addition to your living room that'll soon be your favourite spot to unwind. Its neutral colour design will complement most home styles and give an added cosiness to your living space. The electric rise and recline mechanism will be just what you need to get relaxing or up to your feet, and the dual motor gives you full flexibility over your chair's position (one motor controls the footrest, the other controls the riser functions). We challenge you to not doze off in this one!
Customer review: "At 85 years of age and with quite bad osteoarthritis, my mum struggled getting in and out of a regular chair. She was reluctant to try one of these chairs (no idea why) but now wishes that she'd bought one years ago. The chair rises to lift her to an almost standing position so that she can reach her walking frame. Easy to use chair. The back can be reclined independently so you don't have to have the footrest raised if you just want to recline the back (and vice versa). The chair was delivered in two parts and was easy to put together. I would highly recommend this chair and so would my mum. It looks very nice too and fits well with her room decor. Very pleased."
Pros
- Dual motor control
- Rise and recline function
Cons
- Some may prefer a darker fabric
Best for a roomy seat
www.argos.co.uk
Description
This rise and recline chair from Argos is not only a really affordable option for getting that unaided support but has a 98 per cent recommendation rate. We'd be silly not to recommend this ourselves! It's a bit bigger than some of the others on this list, but being more spacious, it's great if you'd prefer extra room. It comes with a higher user weight limit too. Push one button on your handset and the backrest gently tilts forward to help you to your feet.
Customer review: "This item is unbelievably fantastic for disabled people like me, from being exceptionally comfortable while laying down to helping someone get to their feet by rising all the way. Plus with it having a large user weight and an unbelievably fantastic price I can't recommend this item enough. Unbelievably fabulous product and price."
Pros
- Two-year guarantee against manufacturing defects
- Pocket-spring foam filling on seat and fixed cushions
Cons
- Some reviewers found it wasn't long enough at the footrest for them, so may be a better option for those who are petite
Best recliner chair for lumbar support
www.hslchairs.com
Description
The Aysgarth Riser Recliner will provide you with the best support to help your posture and any aches. The back of the chair has three-tier cascading waterfall cushions that are deeply padded to provide you with great lumbar support. It follows the contours of your spine and, of course, is super comfortable! HSL also use CleverComfort in each of their chair designs to make sure your chair is made to support your specific needs. This will help to relieve any discomfort you have while you sit or sleep.
Pros
- 25-year frame guarantee
- 5-year motor guarantee
Cons
- No individual product reviews
Our verdict: What is the best recliner chair on the market UK?
In our opinion, you can't go wrong with the More4Homes Caesar 10-in-1 Winged Recliner Chair. It's super padded and comfortable but it's also convenient with cup holders, storage pockets to hold your magazines and remotes, and a heated seat function, which is perfect if you have poor circulation or struggle in the colder seasons. However, to keep it looking its best, you'll probably want to invest in a good leather sofa cleaner.
If you're on a budget, Yaheetech Recliner Armchair on Amazon is also a great choice. It's got three relaxation modes so you can sit up straight, pop your legs up or simply lie flat. Available in six colours, it's a bargain for under £200.
Best recliner chairs FAQs
What type of recliner chair do I need?
Manual recliner
A manual recliner has a mechanism that you would instigate to recline and sit upright, using either your body weight or a lever. Some have additional recline that you can push back with your body weight to lie down, and more often than not, you'll need to kick the extended footrest back into position after use.
As it's user-operated, these will be the most affordable recliners for relaxing and sleeping.
Power lift assist recliner/rise and recline chair
A power lift recliner is an armchair that lifts and slants to help the user get in and out of a seated position. They also recline backwards into a lying-down position, perfect for snoozing and relaxing comfortably.
This type of recliner is best if you have mobility issues as it'll be able to support you going from lying down to standing and vice versa, without you having to put stress on any joints or ligaments. It'll do so gently and slowly so you'll be at ease throughout the entire process.
How to choose the best recliner chairs
There are so many riser recliner chair options to choose from these days, but how do you know which one will be the best one for your needs? With some help from Willowbrook Mobility Direct, we've put together things you should consider to aid the decision-making process.
Custom-made or non-custom-made chair?
One of the first things to consider when shopping for a reclining chair is whether to go for a custom-made or non-custom-made chair. A custom-made chair is made around your exact measurements; however, they are slightly more expensive as they’re designed specifically for you.
If you’re shopping on a budget, then a non-custom-made chair will be the way to go, but they have a one-size-fits-all design, so you will need to check the dimensions to ensure they’re wide and long enough for your body.
Single or dual-motor?
Next up, decide whether you’d like a single or dual motor chair.
Single motors work by lowering the backrest and raising the footrest at the same time. This is great for putting you into a comfortable relaxing position, which can help relieve back pain too. This type of chair is ideal if you plan on using the chair for general sitting activities but would also like the flexibility to lie back and sleep.
Dual motors, as the name suggests, are controlled by two separate motors which work independently of each other. This type of chair would be perfect for people who want to sit upright while reading or watching television but need to take the pressure off their legs and feet by keeping them raised.
Design and style
When choosing a chair for your living room, style is equally as important as comfort. You’ll want to choose one with a colour that matches your décor scheme and compliments the modern or traditional style of your home.
Recliner chairs offer a range of back styles, including button-back, slimline or waterfall, as well as armrest styles, such as a scrolled arm and wood finish. Make sure you take these features into consideration if the aesthetics of your chair are important to you.
The finishing details
Once you’ve decided on the design and style, the next thing to consider is additional features. You can get chairs with electric-powered massage and heat settings that will definitely elevate comfort, and you can also find ones that have storage pockets and USB power sockets, which are sure to come in handy.
Can I get a rise and recline chair on the NHS?
According to the NHS, your local council may be able to pay for mobility aids and equipment that costs less than £1,000. To see if you're eligible, you'll need to have a home assessment where other home adaptations may be recommended to you to help make your life easier.
Independence at Home also offers grants for disabled people and those with long-term illnesses, and if you're eligible, you can use this to help with the costs of a power lift assist recliner.
Am I eligible for VAT-free furniture?
If you are chronically ill or have a disabling condition that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, you may be eligible for VAT relief off of an electronically operated recliner. To meet these conditions, you'll need to confirm in writing, or your retailer may give you a form to complete. Please note that you don't qualify if you are temporarily disabled, or elderly but not disabled.
UK services for recliner brochures and support
If you feel like you need support in your decision-making for the best recliner for you and your home, there are some great mobility furniture services in the UK that can help you with the process. They can provide you with a free brochure and the option to try before you buy. They'll make sure you're getting the best for your individual needs and budget. Here are our recommendations.
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HSL - They offer free catalogue for delivery or download, free contact-free home visit, ergonomic chairs designed to last, express delivery available, and a 25-year frame guarantee on many of their products
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Oak Tree Mobility - They offer free brochures, made-to-fit chairs, £200 off when you trade in your old furniture, and a huge choice of fabrics to match the style of your living room.
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Willowbrook Mobility Direct - They offer free brochures, free quotes, bespoke furniture with a huge array of fabrics and leathers, and £250 trade-in on selected items.
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Grosvenor Mobility - They offer free brochures, free home trials, up to 660,000 configurations on a single chair, free delivery and installation.
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Rise + Recline - Chairs, beds, and sofas are available with rise recline from this brand. They stock various styles and designs including plus-size, offer delivery in 7-10 days and are made to fit for extra comfort. Various stockists to try and buy across the UK.
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The Mobility Furniture Company - This brand offers free brochures, free home trials, free removal of old furniture, hundreds of faux leathers and fabrics to choose from, 5-year warranty, and free fast-track service for those who need their chair urgently.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Yours, specialising in home décor, furnishings and appliances. Having worked commercially on Yours magazine and Yours.co.uk for the past six years, she's previously hosted Yours Live events and loves looking for home inspiration online.