(Top 3) Best “TV Recliners” for Luxurious Lounging 2024

Recliners maximize your comfort level for viewing television and help you take a load off after  a long day. However, picking a recliner is not easy given the options available; today’s TV recliners range from simple to high-tech and flashy. 

The first step in buying a TV recliner is to figure out what you want your recliner to do for you. Do you want a massage? Do you want it to lift you? Maybe you’d like a powered chair or one that can also charge your phone? 

TV recliners set the tone of your room. They determine your television placement and your comfort level when enjoying that television. This ultimate guide to buying a TV recliner can help you choose the right recliner. 

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TV RECLINER – ULTIMATE BUYER GUIDE

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Consider Your Space

Choose a TV recliner that fits into your desired space. Before exploring your recliner options, consider how your recliner will fit into your room. Will your TV recliner be in an open family room or a closed-off room close to a wall? 

In a closed-off room, you need space to let out your recliner. Measure your room and pick your recliner to fit the dimensions. If your space is limited, there are recliners for small spaces. Tips on furniture placement can help you with this step. 

Choose Your Recliner’s Base 

A TV recliner’s base determines how your chair will recline and the movements it can make. Recliner bases come in several styles and a few different materials. Wood bases last longer than plastic bases. Determine how you want your chair to operate to help choose a recliner base. 

Power 

Power recliners offer push-button technology. Push a button to recline or sit up in seconds. Manual recliners require some physical movement to work. Power recliners do not. They are a better option for people who do not want to do any work or are physically impaired. 

Pros:

• You can upgrade power recliners to include a power headrest and an adjustable lumbar region. 
• You can find the ultimate position from head to toe with little effort. Press the dedicated button, and the whole chair will adjust. 
• Power recliners also offer perks like massage and heating. 

Cons:

• Power recliners need power. 
• You have to place it near an outlet. Therefore, your spacing options are limited. 

Why Consider a Power Recliner?

Power recliners help with mobility issues. Motorized chairs offer smoother movement and more back and leg options. 

Manual

Manual recliners have an easy-to-operate design. They just have a handle that lets you adjust your alignment. There are three general handle styles available: lever, D-ring, and flapper. Although each handle has slightly different specifications, they all perform the same function. 

• The lever handle is the traditional style. It is made from plastic, metal, or wood. 
• D-ring handles resemble the letter D. They function like a lawnmower handle and connect to a cable that opens up the recliner when pulled. 
• Flapper handles are modern, less noticeable handle options. The chair reclines when you use your finger to pull the flapper out. 

Some recliners are handleless and require you to push back to recline. Handleless recliners are called the pushback model. Most antique-styled recliners are pushback models. 

Pros:

• Manual recliners do not require wires. You can place it wherever you want in your room. 
• They are comfortable and easy to operate. 

Cons:

• Handles are prone to break, and the chair will not recline without a functional lever (unless it’s a pushback model). Learn how to fix a broken handle. 

Why Consider a Manual Recliner?

They are comfortable, can be placed anywhere, and are less expensive than power recliners. 

Swivel

Swivel base recliners come in manual or power versions. A swivel recliner offers even more movement, making it ideal for those with limited mobility or those who want snacks at hand without getting up. Swivel recliners feature a round-shaped base that optimizes left, right, and backward movement. 

Pros: 

• You can be on the move while watching television. 
• Swivel recliners are perfect for open rooms. If someone in the kitchen asks you a question, you can turn the chair around to face them. 
• Limited-mobility people may want to consider a swivel chair. 

Cons: 

• Swivel TV recliners are not the ideal choice for older people. They can be difficult to get in and out of for older people. 
• They may not be the best option for households with young children who like to play on them and may reduce their lifespan.
• Since they swivel, they can face any direction and may appear unkempt, creating an untidy atmosphere in the living space. 

Why Consider a Swivel Recliner? 

Swivel chairs are a fashionable addition to any space, but they have notable drawbacks for some households. However, the style might be one of the best for people with limited mobility. 

Rocking 

A rocking recliner is one of the most preferred TV recliner options, and one of the more versatile styles. It is also a perfect addition for a nursery or a den. Rocking recliners provide gentle rocking that is perfect for hours of comfort and relaxation. 

You can get a basic rocking recliner or a swivel glider recliner. A swivel glider recliner is a rocking chair with swivel capabilities that features smooth gliding rocking motion using the same rocking motion on guided rails. Swivel glider recliners require less space. They are the perfect option for watching television for a long time. 

Pros:

• Rocking chairs are also great for users with medical conditions requiring them to sleep in an upright position, such as sleep apnea or heartburn.
• They are versatile for people who find rocking relaxing.

Cons:

• Rocking chair recliners can be huge and require a lot of space to recline. 
• You can get stiff joints from sleeping in a recliner for too long. 
• Rocking recliners can move with the slightest bump. 
• Children also like to play with rocking recliners and may wear down the internal components faster. 

Why Consider a Rocking Recliner?

Rocking can help with restless leg syndrome which can occur when sitting for a long time. Plus, you get to rock while watching your favorite TV show. 

Power Lift

Power lift recliners are one of the best options for those who need support moving from sitting to standing. The recliner literally lifts you up so you can walk out of the chair. Plus, the one-piece design eliminates gaps, which provides full-body support in any reclining position. 

Pros:

• Great for people who have a hard time getting up from chairs. It is the perfect option for older people and people with injuries. 
• One-piece design provides more support and makes it more durable.

Cons:

• They can be expensive.

Why Consider a Power Lift Recliner?

For older people and those with significant mobility issues, a lift recliner can be beneficial. It puts less pressure on joints when trying to stand up while providing necessary support to those who might feel unsteady. It’s even easy to keep a cane or walker near the chair to support independence.

Choose Your Fabric

TV recliners come in a variety of colors and styles, but most manufacturers use three fabric types to cover the chairs. You can generally choose upholstery, faux leather, or genuine leather. 

Consider which fabric will provide the ultimate comfort while relaxing in your TV recliner without being too difficult to maintain. Don’t forget to consider the price because some fabrics are more expensive than others.

Upholstery

Upholstery fabric covers a range of choices, including cotton, velvet, microfiber, and synthetic fibers. These fabrics tend to be more breathable and comfortable against the skin. You can typically choose between standard quality and high-level upholstery fabrics.

Standard Fabrics 

Standard fabrics use a tight-woven high-quality material. This fabric does not get scratched easily, making it an ideal choice for houses with pets. Standard fabrics are less stain resistant than leather and other synthetic options. They also have a shorter life span out of all the fabric choices. However, they are the coziest and least expensive. 

High-level Fabrics 

You might want to consider high-level fabrics if you have pets and kids. High-level fabrics are durable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. 

High-level fabrics are breathable, soft to the touch, and very thick. Your comfort level will be high if you pick this fabric. Compared to standard fabrics, they are higher and better quality. 

Faux Leather

Faux leather offers many of the same benefits as genuine leather, but at a fraction of the price. It is easy to clean faux leather recliners with just water and a microfiber cloth. Unlike genuine leather, faux leather is less porous, which means spills and stains will not soak in as easily. 

If you pick faux leather, get polyurethane leather. Polyurethane faux leather has more layers than its counterpart, making it more durable.

Leather

Leather is the most durable and expensive fabric option. Leather TV recliners have a lifespan of 10-20 years. 

There are five types of leather: genuine, full-grain, top-grain, bonded, and bicast (sometimes listed as bycast). If you get leather dusty or stained, you can wipe it with a clean cloth to maintain its appearance. Leather is also smooth to the touch. 

Leather has a few cons. It can be cold in low-temperature indoor spaces. Leather can also cause sweating in high-temperature areas and be scratched. 

Choose Additional Features 

Recliners come with a wide range of low-tech and high-tech features and add-ons that can increase your comfort and accessibility, but also the price.

Cupholders 

One of the most useful low-tech features is a cup holder. Cup holders are convenient and offer uninterrupted television viewing time.  

Side Pockets for Storage 

Recliners can come with pockets on the side where you can store magazines, books, and newspapers. All your favorite reading material will be within your reach. 

In-Arm Storage

Some recliners come with a place for your remote. You will always know where you can find your remote. You do not have to keep looking for your remote on the cluttered coffee table, inside the couch cushions, or ask your family where it is if you keep it in the in-arm storage.

Heated Seating

To help reduce stiffness, get a TV recliner with heating options. You can heat your muscles so they will not become sore and stiff. 

Massage Capabilities

Massage capability is a luxury feature for power recliners. Massage your back and legs while you watch television. Most massage recliners come with various features. Have fun trying them when you watch your favorite show.

Outlet and USB ports

Some recliners come with an outlet. Some recliners offer only USB ports. However, some have an outlet for charging your laptop while you recline. You can charge all your mobile devices while you watch television or charge your laptop while you work. 

Modified Recline Angles 

Some recliners go beyond a simple kickback and offer additional reclining options to work in different spaces.

Lay-Flat Recliner

If you have room to accommodate the lay-flat design, you might want to consider it. This style can recline fully into a horizontal position, making it ideal for falling asleep to your TV as background noise.

Zero-Wall Recliners 

Zero-Wall recliners, also known as wall-hugger recliners, are a modern design that capitalizes on tight spaces. If you have a snug spot, like a tiny home, but can’t do without your TV recliner, this might be the choice for you. 

The chair can sit closer to a wall than other designs because it uses a track system. As you slide out to recline, the chair moves forward, taking you away from the wall. You don’t have to worry about comfort either, these chairs come with visible wood armrests or no armrests at all. 

Choose a Custom Option

You may have trouble finding the perfect TV recliner because it does not exist yet. You can customize your recliner to include out-of-the-box styling. Pick the reclining type and customize it with upholstery options and design style. 

If you cannot find the right recliner, check with your local furniture company to learn about how you can order custom recliners to fit your tastes and space.

Make Sure It Fits

Make sure your TV recliner fits your body type. The first step is to consider your height. The average TV recliner chair can accommodate a person with a maximum height of 6’3 but a minimum height of 5’4. 

When purchasing a chair, try it out first. Your knees should be angled at 90 degrees when you sit back into the recliner, and your feet must reach the floor comfortably. When reclining, your feet should not dangle in the air. 

When reclining in the chair, your shoulders should comfortably rest on the back cushion between the seams, and the headrest should support your neck. Also, make sure the back cushion provides lumbar support. 

Benefits of Recliners 

Recliners are the ultimate relaxation furniture. People enjoy spending hours reclining while watching television. What many do not know is that recliners are multifunctional in terms of benefits. Recliners provide several health benefits. 

Boost Circulation

Sitting all day in the same position can lead to blood clots, cramps, and swelling in your legs. Power recliners have an ergonomic design that improves blood circulation and soothes your mind.

Provide Pressure and Pain Relief

Your body is subjected to pain and anguish every day. It is simple to continuously strain your muscles, whether by over-exercising or sitting in the same posture for an extended period of time. By adjusting the pressure of your body weight, a recliner can relieve pressure on your body. Your body might relax and experience less discomfort as a result of pressure release.

Also, recliners are great after-surgery tools. If a person has had back surgery, a recliner offers comfort. When you sit in a recliner, your back is less stressed than when you sit in an upright chair. 

May Help Sleep Apnea

Sleeping in a recliner keeps your trunk upright and your airways open. People with sleep apnea or acid reflux use it to help sleep. 

May Soothe Aching Joints

TV recliners assist in properly aligning joints and easing discomfort brought on by stiff joints, regardless of whether you have arthritis or consistently ache joints.

Might Relieve Stress and Tension

Reclining chairs can reduce both physical and mental stress. Because the body naturally relaxes when leaning back, reclining chairs provide calmness of the mind and body. 

Cons of Recliners

TV recliners come with a few cons. They can be bad for posture. They can cause you to slouch or become hunched over if used too frequently. This may lead to back and neck pain. 

Other cons include potential health problems, including breathing problems, joint stiffness, deep vein thrombosis, and impaired circulation. 

In Conclusion

TV recliners come in multiple sizes, features, and functionalities. So picking your best option may be tricky. Hopefully, this ultimate guide to buying a TV recliner helped you narrow the field and find your perfect TV recliner. Remember to choose the best recliner based on comfort, appearance, durability, maintenance, and space. Enjoy your new TV recliner.