Best Electric Recliner Chairs

The American living room wouldn’t seem right without one of those fancy electric recliner chairs in the corner. You probably have loving memories of your dad or grandpa sitting on this bulky eyesore. However, you must admit, it was the most comfortable place to be. You could have them straight up, or push them back and the footrest would pop out. Perhaps you even had a fancy manual recliner with levers and buttons to make it recline back. These chairs continue to be popular and are getting even fancier. There are several reasons you might want to get one. Let’s learn a bit more about this chair and take a look at the best electric recliners out on the market.

The Weird Story of the Electric Recliner Chairs

So, how did this power lift chair become a living room staple? Well, reclining has been the sitting position of choice for thousands of years. Archeologists have unearthed ornate chairs made for sprawling out from Ancient Egyptian tombs. Ancient Greek paintings display decadent scenes of gods and goddesses reclining on day beds called klines, and the Ancient Romans even preferred to eat in this position as beds circled the dining room table instead of chairs. Reclining was a symbol of luxury and power. Only a few had the time or a special piece of furniture for it. 

In 1790, the first power recline chair was invented by a dentist named Josiah Flagg to make his patients more comfortable. It also allowed him better access to their mouth. This was consequently modified and a footrest was added in 1832. These were just very basic and specialized though, and not meant for lounging.

The chaise longue, which is a chair meant for reclining, had already been popular in Europe for a long time. Around 1850 a new mechanical chair made an appearance and it could go from a normal one to a chaise longue, and could even lay flat like on a bed. Historians aren’t sure who the first owner was, but they do know that Napoleon III, nephew of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, had one and was a big fan of them.

For the rest of the 19th-century woodworking techniques became more advanced and mechanical. This allowed for all types of chairs that swivel, slide, and raise. Furthermore, with the effects of the Industrial Revolution, furniture started to become cheaper and more accessible to the general population. The Morris chair became one of the first padded, adjustable chairs working with hinges. It quickly became popular and soon people started referring to it as a “recliner.”

In 1928, American cousins Edward Knabush and Edwin Shoemaker patented the design of a simple wooden bench that was reclinable. With this prototype they started a small company called La-Z-Boy which would change the way Americans saw furniture, that is, comfort first. They’re the king of recliners and it’s quite common to refer to lift chairs as La-Z-Boys. 

 

This type of leather recliner became so popular that by the 60s they were popping up everywhere on television and in movies. Soon, this piece of furniture became a part of every set in American sitcoms and was always the seat of choice for dad after a long day of bringing home the bacon. 

This upholstered, padded, power recliner became a sort of throne — the place where dad could reign over their living room, sitting and relaxing all day without needing to move. As time went by, the chairs became more advanced, making it easier to recline and sit straight up again. This kind of momentum even made it easier to stand up for those with mobility issues. 

La-Z-Boys, big sneakers, comfortable windbreakers, the later part of the 20th century was all about convenience and comfort. This changed after the year 2000 when design and style became more important. This is probably a result of social media and everyone wanting to be just like Steve Jobs. The mighty recliner suddenly needed to compete with a minimalist designer stool.

Modern recliner manufacturers including the powerful La-Z-Boy have begun updating their chairs and working on designs that fit into the contemporary living room. However, they still strive to focus on comfort and convenience. Many of these new chairs include features such as massage mode elements, heating features for pain relief, food trays, cup holders, WiFi connectivity, USB adapters, and remote-controlled reclination. 

Best Electric Recliner Chairs

The clever design of the recliner chair makes it an appealing product. They have everything you need at an arm’s length, they’re incredibly comfortable, and nowadays even come in stylish designs. These are perfect for anyone who spends a lot of time in the living room reading, watching television, or playing video games. Now you can do these activities without sacrificing your back’s health. 

RelaxZen Longstreet Rocker Recliner

This recliner manufacturer was created to relax your body, calm your spirit, and focus your mind. This particular chair is upholstered with soft microfiber, it includes massage features and dual USB charging. It rocks, reclines, and massages you however you want. It makes it perfect for your living room or den. 

You can control the eight powerful massage motors with a remote control that’s easily accessible with a handy built-in side pocket, sending soothing vibrations to key stress areas. It targets 4 zones with five intensity levels and nine modes with mild lumbar heat. The foam density is soft on the back and seat. Furthermore, the surface is really easy to clean with a cloth. It contains two USB ports for you to charge your phone or tablet. 

Its heavy-duty construction can hold up to 300 pounds which makes it perfect for you to spend quality time with your child or pet. You’ll need to assemble it yourself but it’s easy, just put together the base, the back, the two arm pieces, and the electrical parts.

 

Esright Massage Recliner Chair

Bad posture and habits can cause a lot of back problems, but reclining always helps. Esright is a company dedicated to providing the best recliner to its customers. After doing a lot of studies, they designed this supremely comfortable recliner to prop up your feet and sit back and relax.

This chair is designed for elderly people who have trouble sitting, standing up, and getting comfortable in general. It has a power lift with a silent motor that pushes it entirely to help the senior stand up easily without adding any stress to their knees or back. 

It reclines 145 degrees back and you can easily adjust it or the lift with two accessible buttons. This recliner comes with eight vibration massage points and lumbar heating which is controlled by the remote control. These points target your legs, thighs, lumbar, and neck and come with two levels of intensity.

This chair contains four convenient side pockets which are also handy for storing away things such as the remote control, the book you’re reading, and to avoid wire entanglement. It’s upholstered with high-quality composite material and comes in a variety of colors so you can choose the one that goes best with your decor. It’s very easy to clean, you just have to wipe it with a cloth. 

The reliable steel frame under the chair is its biggest perk. It has an electric power lift that can smoothly and quietly adjust to any position you need. This means reclining back or pushing you forward to easily get up. Furthermore, it can support up to 330 pounds.

 

Canmov Power Lift Recliner

This overstuffed foam power recliner chair is functional for the elderly and people with limited mobility, with an electric-powered lift mechanism to lift you smoothly and safely. The remote control activates transitions between reclining, sitting, and lifting and can stop at any position in-between with ease. 

You can quickly assemble this chair and it comes with an easy-to-understand manual. Its durable metal frame gives this chair stability and strength, and the resilient microfiber upholstery stands up to regular use in your home while bringing ultimate comfort.

This chair is sturdy and comes with a sturdy metal base with a single motor mechanism for you to adjust it however you like with ease. You can lay back to take a nap, lift when you want to watch television or read a book, and tilt forward to stand up without any pain.

It features an overstuffed design with a high-resiliency foam backrest in supple polyester and is filled with a high-density sponge that is soft and odor-free. Furthermore, it’s anti-skid and very easy to clean with just a cloth. Its side pocket is the perfect place for you to store your magazines and remote control. 

 

ANJ Electric Recliner Chair

This recliner comes in a subtle smokey gray color with brass studs to match any color palette you’re using. It features an electric reclining system which you can smoothly control with two simple buttons. This makes it a great benefit for people that are physically challenged due to age or disease. 

Its overstuffed design on the head and back allows you to comfortably read a book, watch TV, and even sleep, all while providing extra support to your neck and back. ANJ claims and ensures you can use this chair exactly 25,000 times. 

You can be sure your phone or tablet will always be charged and within reach because you can connect them to the USB ports on the side of the chair and there’s also a cup holder. Furthermore, it’s upholstered with breathable leather that’s easy to clean with a cloth. This heavy-duty chair can support up to 300 pounds. 

 

Mcombo Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair Sofa

This company based out of Portland, Oregon, was founded in 2011 originally as an international trading company for a variety of product lines. During years of development, they built up their brand in many catalogs, including living room chairs, patio furniture, pet supplies, etc. They’re dedicated to providing the best power recliner to their customers, including these electric power lift recliner chair sofas. 

With power lift assistance and a counterbalanced lift mechanism, it pushes these chairs up to assist you to stand up easily without adding stress to your back or knees. They smoothly adjust to lift or reclining positions by pressing two buttons.

This version includes full-body vibration and lumbar heating. It does so with eight vibrating points around the chair and a lumbar heating point which has nine modes, and five intensities. You can set a timer for 10, 20, or 30 minutes. The heating function works separately.

They’re all comfortable and have durable upholstery. You can choose from a fabric or faux leather. The overstuffed padding and headrest give your back a sense of support. Furthermore, it has built-in springs in both the back and seat and cushioned arms to make them more comfortable. The fabric is silky and soft and doesn’t stick to your clothes. Meanwhile, the PU leather one is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

They include two USB ports to charge your devices at an arm’s length. Furthermore, you can place small items in the side pockets. There are two cup holders on each arm to best meet your needs. These chairs can recline up to 160 degrees back and can support up to 320 pounds.

 

Taking Care of Your Back

You can injure your back at any point in your life. However, the elderly are most prone to it due to the degeneration of the joints in the spine. Osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis are two of the most common problems they may experience.

Prevention

Your spine is the backbone of your body and puts up with a lot. As you grow and do more activities, it receives a lot of pressure and shock. This makes you lose about half an inch every 10 years and the inches decrease drastically after you turn 70. This is part of the natural process of aging but there are many preventative measures you can take to fortify your spine. Diet and nutrition take a big role in this regard, but so does your overall lifestyle such as having a comfortable electric recliner to sit on.

The way you move and sit, that is, your posture is important to how your back will turn out. Make sure you have a comfortable chair at work, especially if you have a job that requires sitting in front of a computer all day. Also, be sure to wear shoes with orthopedic support if you have to be on your feet for long periods. Remember your parents telling you not to slouch at the dinner table? Well, this wasn’t just about manners, but the sake of your back. Bad posture can weaken the muscles responsible for supporting this part of the body.

Regular exercise is also important for a healthy spine, especially with the sedentary lifestyle most of us have nowadays. However, you have to do it right. Otherwise, you’ll just end up hurting your back even more. Simple activities such as walking, standing up once in a while, or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, can make a big difference. You’ll be tempted to live in your electric recliner, which is great for your back, but too much of anything is bad. So, don’t be a lazy boy (or girl) and make the effort to get up and grab the remote.

What you eat, drink, and the minerals and vitamins your body receives will determine how quickly your spine deteriorates. First off, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial as being overweight can seriously strain your back. Your back is made of 24 small bones called vertebrae that are stacked on top of each other. Between each one is a soft disc to absorb physical impact. These are made of various proteins and collagen. Therefore, it’s important to eat foods that’ll promote their growth and regeneration. 

Collagen is best directly from the source, that is the bones and skin. Eating things like trotters, bone marrow, cracklings, or chicken feet might sound gross, but they can be delicious and won’t only benefit your back and joints but any part of the body that needs a boost of collagen such as your skin and hair. However, you can also just eat a balanced diet of meat and vegetables high in healthy fats such as Omega 3 and 6. It’ll be tempting to eat chips in your electric recliner but seriously, opt for popcorn with a little bit of butter and salt or kale chips.

Coping 

This method is for those who are already past prevention. Having a comfortable place to sleep and rest is crucial, which is probably why you’ve chosen to get an electric recliner chair in the first place. Investing in a comfortable mattress is going to be necessary as it can be counterproductive if you’re hurting your back while you sleep. However, you must continue to regularly exercise and have a healthy diet. Consult your doctor if you’re having back pain and they’ll give you the best method to follow.

The recliner chair has gotten advanced and seems like it’ll continue to be the centerpiece of the American living room. Whether it’s for an elderly family member, or just for some serious comfort, these are all great choices. The therapeutic massages and heating, the soft recline, and the push forward mechanism are all great treats for your back. Remember to complement them with a healthy lifestyle and get out at some point. Don’t worry though, these sturdy blocks will be there waiting for you upon your return.