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Recliners Shopping Guide:



Everybody loves a good recliner. Whether you need a gaming chair, chair for lounging, or something that can handle your back pain, a good recliner is more like a throne than just a chair. A good recliner has solid materials and reliable construction that will last for years to come.

There are a lot of recliners out there so we have put together this buying guide on what to look for in a recliner. Before buying, make sure to consider the following features.

Type of Recliner

There are 5 major kinds of recliner chairs, differentiated by recline mechanism.

• Pushback recliners: the simplest kind and recline by holding onto the arm and pushing back against the body of the chair. These types of chairs do not have levers and they are operated solely by bodyweight. Pushback recliners tend to be among the smaller variety of recliners.
• Lever recliners: probably what most people think of when they hear the term “recliner.” Lever recliners have a lever on the side of the chair you pull on to recline. Sometimes the “lever” might be a small recessed handle on the side of the chair. These chairs can lock into place and they can be put back to normal by leaning forward.
• Power recliners: electrically powered and recline at the touch of a button. These kinds of recliners are typically more expensive and come with extra features like memory settings, multiple posture positions, and even massage capabilities.
• Lift-chair recliners: fully automated power chairs recommended for those with mobility issues. Lift-chair devices are usually very expensive and are primarily offered as therapeutic, rather than recreational, devices.
• Wall hugger recliners: the seat moves forward when reclining so the recliner does not hit anything behind it. Wall recliners are a good option if you are limited on space and want something that can sit flush to the wall.

Material/Fabric

Perhaps the most important thing to first look at is the upholstery material. One reason why so many people like recliners is because of their plush and durable upholstery. Two of the most common upholstery materials for recliners are leather and polyvinyl.

Leather is very durable, soft, and breaks in well. Leather will increase in quality as it ages and will retain its luster even with frequent use. The potential downsides with leather are the potential for water damage and the fact that leather can be pricey.

Polyvinyl is durable and cost-effective, though it can have problems with breathability and won’t last as long as quality leather upholstery.

Microfiber upholstery is also becoming a more common option. Microfiber is exceedingly soft and gets softer the more you use it.

Make sure to get a recliner with high-density foam cushions. These are the best cushions for recliners as they keep their shape over time instead of compressing. Despite what you may think, memory foam makes a poor recliner cushion material.



Size

What good is a recliner if it can’t even fit in your sitting room? Different style recliners have different sizes so you need to be conscious about picking one that will fit. Traditional high back recliners usually take up the most space while more modern designs have trim angles and corners. Wall hugger recliners are usually the smallest kind of recliner as they are designed to be more space-conscious.

Durability

No recliner is a good one if it only lasts for a few months. If you are going to be using your recliner on a daily basis then you need something that will stand the test of time. Key build features of the frame to look out for are whether it has 4 sides, what material the base is made from (e.g. wood, plastic, metal, etc.), and how evenly cushioning is distributed over the seat bed and back of the chair.

Other Features

Keep an eye out for any unique features too. For instance:

• Heat & massage options
• Extendable handles
• Swivel base
• USB and power options
• Cupholders
• Side pockets
• Extra-long recline handle
• Removable and washable cover
• Warranty or money-back guarantee



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