Key takeaways
- Manual recliners are simple and need no outlet; power lift chairs tilt forward to help you stand.
- Size the chair to the main user: seat height to the back of the knee, seat depth to the knee, width hip to hip.
- Standard recliners often need 12 to 18 inches behind them; wall-hugger designs need about 3 to 8 inches.
- Check the weight capacity and the fully reclined length before you order.
Recliners range from simple lever chairs to power lift models that help you stand up. The best choice depends on who will use the chair, how easily they get up from a seat and how much space you have. This guide explains how each type works, how to size a chair to the person using it and what to measure at home.
How each type works
A manual recliner reclines when you pull a lever or handle, or push back against the backrest. It has no motor, so it works anywhere in the room without an outlet. It does take some arm and leg strength to open and close.
A power recliner uses a motor and a button or remote. It moves smoothly and can usually stop at any point, which makes it easier to find a comfortable position.
A power lift recliner, often called a lift chair, adds a lift motor in the base. At the press of a button, the whole chair rises and tilts forward to bring you close to standing. It then lowers you gently back into the seat. Lift chairs usually come in three types:
- Two-position: reclines part of the way, good for sitting up, reading and watching TV.
- Three-position: reclines further, almost flat enough to nap. The footrest rises as the back reclines.
- Infinite-position: the back and footrest move separately and the back can recline fully.
| Feature | Manual recliner | Power recliner | Power lift recliner |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it reclines | Lever, handle or push-back | Motor, button or remote | Motor, button or remote |
| Needs an outlet | No | Yes | Yes |
| Helps you stand | No | No | Yes, tilts forward and up |
| Effort to use | Some strength needed | Very little | Very little |
| Best for | Dens, flexible layouts, simple needs | Easy, precise adjustment | Anyone who finds standing up difficult |
Who should choose a lift chair?
A lift chair is built for people who find it hard to get up from a regular chair, such as older adults, people with knee or hip problems or anyone recovering from surgery. It can also make sitting down safer because the chair meets you in a raised position and lowers you slowly.
If standing up is not an issue, a manual or power recliner is usually the simpler choice. It has fewer moving parts, and manual models are more flexible about where they go in the room.
Keep safety in mind with any lift chair. Small children and pets can get under the base when the chair lowers, so check the floor before you press the button. If a lift chair is for a medical need, it is a good idea to ask a doctor or physical therapist which features matter most.
Sizing the chair to the person
Recliners and lift chairs are not one size fits all. A chair that is too tall leaves your feet dangling. One that is too short makes standing harder and puts pressure on your knees. Lift chair makers often group chairs by user height. The ranges below are from one major lift chair maker. Other makers size differently, so treat them as a starting point and check each product's measurements.
| Chair size | Typical user height |
|---|---|
| Small or petite | About 5'5" and under |
| Medium | About 5'5" to 6'0" |
| Large | About 5'10" to 6'2" |
| Tall | About 6'2" and over |
Weight capacity matters too. The same maker rates most of its standard sizes for up to 400 pounds and its wide models for 500 to 600 pounds. Capacities differ between chairs, so always confirm the rating listed for the exact model.
How to measure the user
Have the person sit in a chair they find comfortable, with their back against the backrest, and take these measurements:
- Seat height: floor to the back of the knee. Compare it with the chair's seat height.
- Seat depth: back of the chair to the back of the knee.
- Seat width: outside of one hip to the outside of the other.
- Back height: seat to the top of the head, so the head rests on the chair when reclined.
Wall clearance and floor space
A standard recliner tilts back into the space behind it, so it often needs about 12 to 18 inches between the chair back and the wall. A wall-hugger recliner slides the seat forward as it reclines. Power wall huggers often need only about 3 to 6 inches, and manual ones about 4 to 8 inches.
Also plan for the space in front of the chair:
- Fully reclined length: check the product page for the chair's length when fully open, then add a walkway at the foot.
- Lift motion: a lift chair tilts forward, so leave a clear area in front and avoid placing a coffee table right at the footrest.
- Power: plan the chair near an outlet so the cord doesn't cross a walkway. Some power models offer a battery backup for power outages, so check the listing if that matters to you.
Heat, massage and swivel rockers
Heat and massage are common extras on power and lift recliners. Heat is usually focused on the lower back, and massage may cover the back, seat and legs. Check where the heat and massage zones sit, how many settings there are and whether the controls are easy to read and hold, especially for older users.
Swivel rockers are recliners that turn and gently rock. They are popular for nurseries, reading corners and open rooms where you want to face different directions. Because they rotate, they need clear space all the way around. If standing up is the main concern, a lift chair is the better fit.
Upholstery
Fabric, leather and faux leather all work on recliners. Fabric feels soft and warm and comes in many textures. Leather and faux leather wipe clean easily, which helps in homes with pets or young children. Whatever you choose, check the care instructions on the listing, and think about how the arms and footrest will hold up to daily use, since those areas get the most wear.
Which should you buy?
- Choose a manual recliner if you want a simple chair, need to place it away from an outlet and have no trouble standing up.
- Choose a power recliner if you want easy, precise adjustment but don't need help standing.
- Choose a power lift recliner if getting up from a seat is difficult or tiring, or if you want to plan ahead for changing mobility.
- Choose a wall-hugger design of any type if the chair must sit close to a wall.
Browse our recliners and lift chairs and compare the seat height, seat depth, weight capacity and reclined length with your measurements. If you're planning the whole room, our sofa size guide covers walkways and layout.
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Frequently asked questions
How much space does a recliner need from the wall?
A standard recliner often needs about 12 to 18 inches behind it. Wall-hugger models are designed to sit closer, usually about 3 to 8 inches, depending on whether they are power or manual.
What is the difference between a power recliner and a power lift recliner?
A power recliner uses a motor to recline and return upright. A power lift recliner also has a lift motor that raises and tilts the whole chair forward to help you stand.
How do I choose the right size lift chair?
Measure the user's seat height (floor to back of knee), seat depth (chair back to back of knee) and hip width, then compare them with each chair's specifications. Feet should rest flat on the floor when sitting upright.
Is a lift chair safe around children and pets?
Small children and pets can get under the base when the chair lowers. Always check that the area around and under the chair is clear before using the controls.
