The results you’ll see below are based on consultations with 4 furniture repair experts and statistical modeling of over 1300 user reviews of the recliners.

About 8 months ago the experts helped us make the initial picks of 17 products. We then analyzed all the user experiences and used that data to get to the quality ratings you’ll see below.

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This guide is split into 3 sections – click one of the buttons below to skip to the section you’re interested in.

Best reclining sofa / Best recliner for back pain / Best recliner for heavy people

According to the user satisfaction ratings, this is by far the best reclining sofa.

Best reclining sofa - Homelegance bonded leather

Homelegance was also one of the first brands our panel of furniture repair experts mentioned. What they stressed is the fact that it’s one of the brands with the lowest %s of malfunctions – whether it’s the classic mechanism or the power sofa (it comes in both versions).

The firmness and loft are in the medium range and what we’ve seen is that 92 % of satisfaction with the comfort.

More info:

Materials:

Leather (PU, bonded)

Percentages – Polyester (74), Leather (18), Cotton (10)

Width of the seat: 21 “

Colors available: black and brown

Design of the armrest – rolled with tufted channels and nail accents on the side

Height of the armrest: 25 “

Mechanism – double-reclining levers for the classic and power mechanism for the power recliner

Dimensions: 90 x 38.5 x 40 “

Also available: chair and loveseat in matching colors

Best recliner chairs – Merit Glider Club & Esright Ergonomic

The “race’ was too close for us to pick only one recliner – both the Merit and the Esright ended up with pretty much the same ratings overall.

The choice between the two will come down to your preference – the Merit is more of classic and it’s a “beast" in terms of comfort and size.

On the other hand, the Esright is the obvious pick if additional features like massage and heating are a factor for you.

Let’s take a moment to analyze what the two recliners have to offer.

Merit Glider Club

The overfilled baffles for the back make it unparalleled in terms of balancing support, comfort and value for money.

We’ve seen products with similar features, frame and material quality cost 300-400 % more than the Merit Glider.

The depth and width of the seat is (21.75 x 22.5m x 19.5 “) is at the sweet spot to accommodate most body frames – including people on the heavier side. The height of the sit is 36 “.

The recline mechanism is classic – meaning that the footrest comes up as you tilt the back. The mechanism is easy to unlock and lock back into place just by pressing your legs against the footrest.

Bottom line – if you’re not looking to spend a fortune on a recliner, the Merit Glider will exceed your expectations.

Best recliner for back pain and top value for money – Esright Ergonomic Heated Massage Chair

When we started working on this guide about 8 months back and we saw this Esright on the list that our furniture repair consultants put together we didn’t think it will find it’s way to our top picks.

Why?

Because when we see the word “massage" we expect a hair that costs thousands.

That’s why we were taken aback by the price – it’s a fraction of what similar chairs cost. And that’s not an exaggeration – chairs with a heating and massage features go for 500-800 % more than this Esright.

The reason behind it is that most of these high-end models come in classic leather, while this Esright is PU. The good part about PU is that, if well-made like it is with this chair, it looks and feels just like real leather and it’s more durable, resistant to stains and spills and easier to clean.

For us, as well as most users we talked to, the point about it not being real leather is moot. In fact, we’d choose this Esright over the crazy expensive leather models even if they were much closer in price - if you ask us, this Esright is THE best recliner for back pain.

Bottom line

There’s no better recliner for people with back pain out there. The one-piece arched design of the back-rest relieves the muscle tension along your spine and the nerve pressure that’s the cause of back pain in a vast majority of cases.

Add the massage and the heating feature (5 control modes and 2 levels of intensity) and you’re left with one question, “How in the world is the price tag so low?"

Best recliner for heavy people – The Stallion 500

People on the heavier side HAVE TO be extremely picky about what they spend their money on.

In these 8 months of putting this guide together – we’ve seen it all. Most products that claim to be heavy-duty had with no clear substance behind the claims…majority not even listing the capacity of the chair.

That’s what different about the Stallion 500

The 500 in the name stands for the capacity of 500 lbs and it’s by far the highest we’ve seen.

More importantly,we were able to confirm the claims by sifting through every experience of users we could find. The Stallion 500 is THE best recliner for heavy people, and the "race" is not even close.

If recliners were people, the Stallion would be the Hulk.

Reference info about choosing the best reclining sofa:

For most homeowners, one of the costliest items they purchase is the sofa. This single item of furniture must be durable, attractive, and comfortable. It also has to be ageless, able to “go with the flow" when decorating tastes change. The choice becomes even more difficult when you are looking for a living room sofa with multiple uses, such as a sleeper sofa or reclining sofa. With that in mind here are some guidelines to help you make your ultimate decision.

Fitting a Reclining Sofa

The foremost requirement for a reclining sofa is that it fits. It should fit the room, certainly, but it should also fit the person who will be sitting in it. Sit in the chair for at least 5 minutes in the showroom. Your feet should reach the floor to ensure comfort. Does the headrest push your head forward when you are in an upright position? Are there bumps in the padding or upholstery? When the recliner is fully extended, does it still fit your body? There should be proper lumbar support when reclined, as well as support for your lower legs and comfortable positioning of the headrest.

Choosing Foam

Foam density is a major indication of the comfort and durability of any piece of furniture. Foam density also affects how well the cushion keeps its shape. Upholstery foam ranges in density from 0.9 to 2.5. For a recliner which will see a lot of use, look for a foam density rating of no less than 1.9. This will be more comfortable, and the recliner sofa will keep its shape better than less-dense foam.

Frame and Structure

It is really easy to overlook the need for a good structure. Shoppers get caught up in upholstery fabrics, styles, textures, cost, and colors, and forget to look under the sofa.

If possible, look at the underside of the sofa. If the salesperson won’t turn the sofa over, ask to see the print materials for the furniture. Here are some things to watch out for:

“Solid wood" and “Real Wood"

These are designations that can be used for press-board. This is simply sawdust and wood chips that have been suspended in glue and pressed into the shape of a board. The end result is a weak plank with no wood grain running through it. There is no inherent strength to the plank, so screws will strip out of the board. In addition, this type of board is not strong enough to stand up to the rough life of a recliner. Pressboard is soft and fragile, breaking down over time.

Fasteners

Take a look at the fasteners that hold all of the mechanisms together. Are they plastic or metal? Plastic screws will break from the constant movement of the mechanisms of a sofa recliner. The screws, themselves, should be substantial rather than small.

Hardwood

The frame of the sofa should be made of solid hardwood such as birch, poplar, or oak. It is more expensive, but at least the sofa will last until you are sick of it, instead of breaking down before you have it paid off. Hardwood runs about $1000 more than the cheap stuff.

Plywood

The next top choice for frame materials is plywood. High-quality plywood is made of layers of wood glued and pressed together. These layers run in alternating directions, and can produce a nice, strong product. If you can see the edges of the plywood, look for “voids." These are what appear to be holes in the edge of the plywood, and indicate poor quality construction. This is the type of plywood used to frame houses. You want furniture-grade plywood. Good plywood construction will cost about $300 more than the base rate.

Warranty

You have probably had the experience of an item breaking the week after the warranty runs out. But, look for a reclining sofa with a warranty, anyway. Look for a warranty that will cover manufacturers’ defects and defects in materials for at least 3 years.

Upholstery

Now that we have the structure chosen for the new recliner sofa, let’s start choosing the upholstery.

Color

The first thought that comes to mind is that you may want the sofa to “match" something else in the room. If this is the case, most decorators advise you to select something in a neutral color. This will make it easier to change your decorating style or color theme.

Fabric

Most families, these days, move toward durable, washable fabric such as microfiber. This fabric is resistant to punctures and doesn’t scratch. A reclining sofa with microfiber can be very comfortable.

Printed upholstery fabrics vary in durability and thickness. In general, decorators suggest that you select a pattern that will not dominate the entire room. A small to medium print is preferred. Printed fabric also tends to hide small indiscretions that stain upholstery.

Leather

If you have allergies to either the environment or your pet, you may want to go with leather upholstery. There are many kinds of leather, with different levels of comfort available. Some leathers are so soft they scratch easily and look “used" rather quickly. Others are such thick leather that there is little flex or comfort offered. Do your research on different types of leather so that you will find one that is comfortable yet durable.

There are 8 types of leather used in upholstery. The top 3 picks are:

Full Grain Leather: The most expensive, it is the least processed leather. It will be stiff at first, but soften with use.

Top Grain Leather: Very similar to full grain, this leather is buffed, making it softer from the outset.

Split Grain Leather: When the top layer is removed from a hide to make top grain furniture, the lower section of the hide is used for split grain upholstery. It is harder to the touch and harder to maintain. Don’t confuse the texture with full grain leather.

Special Features

There are many different features available in sofa recliners. Some of them have flaps on the side which you pull out to activate the mechanism. Others have levers for the same purpose, or simply respond when you push back on the armrests. Still others have electric motors that recline the chair.

In keeping with the electronic theme, you can also find reclining sofas with built-in heating pads. Some models have laptop plugs and USB charging stations built in.

There are also the options that have storage built into the arms or center console. You can buy them with cup holders and remote caddies. Other sofa recliners have articulating headrests and offer your choices in reclining positions.

Cost

Reclining sofas vary in cost according to construction quality and fabric. Technically, a sofa has 3 seat cushions, while a loveseat has 2 cushions. Reclining sofas may be full-reclining, meaning that the middle seat is also a recliner, or it may be dual-reclining, meaning that only the two cushions on the ends are reclining seats. The two models on the ends will be operated with a flap-lever, a handle-lever, or a power switch, while the middle recliner will be operated by pushing on the back of the sofa. All of these features will affect the cost of the sofa.

Best Power Recliners

Power recliners are those that have buttons on the side rather than levers. They are operated by electricity. Power buttons will add about $200 to the cost of your recliner sofa.

Microfiber Upholstery

A microfiber full recliner sofa will cost between $1,300 and $1,500. These will be manual recliners with the inset flap-lever for operation. Some will have the handle-lever action. More intricate stitching will add to the expense of the sofa. For example, a sofa stitched with the details of an automotive bucket seat will add another $200 to $300 to the recliner sofa cost.

Leather-Look Upholstery - PU leather

You can upgrade to a leather-look recliner sofa for $200 to $300 more. However, while modern leather-look fabrics look and feel nice, they dry out and become stiff and cracked after a few years.

Leather Upholstery

It is uncommon to find an entire sofa upholstered in leather, since it is so expensive. Usually, you can find a leather recliner sofa that has leather seats, but vinyl has been used on the sides. This reduces the expense of the sofa. A sofa made with these materials will cost about $100 to $200 more.

Upscale models

Upscale models that are made with hardwood and metal mechanisms rather than plastic cost between $1,000 and $3,000 more.

General Cost

So, in general, the prices a leather/vinyl full-reclining sofa will range anywhere from $500 and a couple of thousand. For our top picks, we included the category rating of value for money, which means that our top-rated models are in the lower range of the price range.

If you want a durable piece with hardwood and metal, rather than particleboard and plastic, you will pay between $1,900 and $2,700 for a microfiber piece, and $2,800 to $4,100 for a leather, fully automatic recliner sofa.

Your quest for a good reclining sofa is fraught with peril. Don’t settle for the pretty, “real wood" model on the showroom floor.

FAQs about the top picks:

About the best reclining sofa

How far does it recline?

It’s not full-reclining, it goes back to about 7-10 % incline.

Assembly and size on arrival

It arrives in a big box including all the pieces needed for assembly:

The couch base (about 24 “ wide), backs of the chairs (three of them for the classic size), and the two sides. So, there should be no problem getting it through the width of average doors (30-33 wide doorways and up)

What if I have a narrower doorway?

If your doorway is especially narrow (like 28"), it can still pass. Some of the screws do stick out and you might have to remove those to fit it through.

Is it easy to assemble?

It shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes to assemble – you just slide the parts as described in the instructions.

Is it any good for tall and heavy people?

The leather is PU, so it’s heavy duty and more durable and resistant to damage and scratches. The loft and the density of the foam is solid enough to be comfortable for a people on the heavier side. However, the frame is not sturdy enough for and we’ve seen reports from heavy people that it gives in fast under weights over 300 lbs.

You can see our pick of the best recliner for heavy people here.

For tall people – we measured the dimensions between the bottom of the seat to the top of the head cushion and it’s about 28 “. The headrest cushions are broad enough to be comfortable for people of different heights, including tall.

If in doubt, measure the distance between the bottom of the seat to the to of the head rest of the couch/sofa chair you have and compare that to the 28 inches we mentioned for this sofa.

Is PU leather real?

No – PU leather is faux. It’s made from splits of the hide and then finish with polyurethane to make it more durable. It performs very well in water-resistance and fading tests. The main advantage of the PU is that any accidents and spills are easier to clean.

And of course, there is the fact that PU items are much cheaper.

How does PU look?

If made well, PU passes the look test…we dare to say that even professionals working with leather can’t tell the difference without examining it closely.

Is the inclination of the loveseat the same as the chair?

Yes, the inclination of all the items is the same as it comes close to a full flat position, which makes it good to sleep on.

Does the loveseat come with ports for USB?

No, there’s no port to be used for plugging in a USB.

What is I have a cat, how does the PU hold against the claws?

PU is a durable material, more so than real leather. But with cats that are aggressive to furniture you are likely to see some scratch marks. It’s very unlikely that your pet can do any significant damage, but as far as the scratches go – yes, you might see some marks with prolonged use.

If that’s your main concern, click here to read our top picks among cat-proof couches and sofas - https://thesleepstudies.com/cat-proof-couch/

How far should I place it from the wall?

The manufacturer recommends about 12 inches of clearance between the unit and the wall. The clearance is needed so that you can comfortably use the inclination angles without damaging the walls or the sofa.

Manual vs. power?

Based on what we’ve seen, it’s the experience of most owners that the manual levers are very easy to use and most of them don’t think that the power option justifies the extra cost.

Final thoughts

It did take more than we expected to complete this guide, but now that we have it, we believe it's the most complete source of information to help you choose the best reclining sofa for your money as well as the top options for heavy people and those with back pain issues.

The last point we'd like to make is that we update our picks quarterly or bi-monthly, depending on whether we see any significant signals or red lights about changes in quality of the products.

We do it to make sure that what you're reading stays relevant.

The Sleep Studies Team