Few recliner brands are as popular as Catnapper and La-Z-Boy, though these two aren’t identical in what they have to offer. Both offer high-quality options but there are some notable differences to consider when deciding on a new piece of furniture for your home. To help you make your selection, let’s briefly compare Catnapper vs La-Z-Boy to see what each brand has to offer.
Catnapper has been in business for over 50 years and is dedicated to creating long-lasting, comfortable pieces. Their construction is top-notch, using steel for the frames, comfort coil seats, and superior reclining mechanisms. Though they have several features to pick from, their products are also quite affordable for those on a budget.
La-Z-Boy is one of the most well-known names in the furniture industry and has earned its reputation by creating quality pieces that last for years. They come with a wide range of features, with premium options available, though their products also include entry-level models for those looking to save some money.
| Catnapper Owens | La-Z-Boy Niagara Power Recliner | |
| Overall dimensions | 43 x 44 x 42 in | 39 x 41 x 41 in |
| Overall weight | 140 lbs | 92 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 250 lbs | 300 lbs |
| Seat to floor height | 20 in | 19.45 in |
| Seat dimensions | 22 x 20 in | 19 x 21.5 in |
| Height recommendations | 5.9-6.5 ft | 5.7-6.4 ft |
| Reclining angle | 160° | 140° |
| Warranty | 1-year limited | 1-year limited |
| VIEW ON AMAZON | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Before choosing a new recliner for your home, it’s a good idea to check out the brands and what they have to offer in terms of models and features. The following sections cover the Catnapper and La-Z-Boy recliners and what each brand has to offer.
Furniture can be expensive, no matter what type of furniture you buy. The higher the quality, the more furniture will cost, especially when purchasing from well-known brands. When buying Catnapper recliners, there are some entry-level models available, though these still cost several hundred dollars. For more than just the basic features, you should expect to pay well over a thousand dollars unless you want to wait for a sale. The Catnapper Owens recliner is no exception, though it has some great features that may be worth the extra cost.
La-Z-Boy recliners are also rather pricey, with even their cheapest models costing almost $1000. For those looking for upgraded features, like massage functions or powered mechanisms, the price jumps with each addition, so you could spend up to four times that price, depending on the features you’re looking for. The La-Z-Boy Power Recliner isn’t their priciest model, so it won’t cost a fortune, though the price is higher than a basic recliner.
Despite a company’s reputation, there could be issues with its products when it comes to parts of manufacturing. A good warranty ensures that if you get a faulty product, you can get it replaced, repaired, or refunded.
Catnapper’s warranty varies depending on what part of their recliner is having an issue. For instance, the recliner mechanism Trusted Source Seating in aged care: Physical fit, independence and comfort This article reports on a research study intended to provide a greater understanding of the needs of aged care seating users in context. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov , springs, and frame all have limited lifetime warranties that cover defective material or workmanship. The comfort coil seat cushions have a 5-year warranty, the power motors have a 3-year warranty, and the rest of the parts include a 1-year warranty. The upholstery fabrics and any damage from improper use have no coverage.
La-Z-Boy’s warranty also varies, depending on the parts and model of the chair you’ve purchased. For instance, most of their reclining mechanisms and parts offer a 1-year warranty, though a few have 3-year or lifetime warranties, depending on the type of mechanism. The frame, electrical, fabric, and cushions also vary, with 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and lifetime warranties offered for specific recliner areas. Be sure to check out what your chair has to offer before purchasing in case of issues after it arrives.

There are several recliner types available, so a brand that offers several options ensures that you’re getting exactly what you’re looking for. Catnapper has a wide selection of recliner options, including the basic models, rockers, swivels, gliders, power models, wall huggers, and push-back recliners. Many of these come in deluxe versions as well, adding massage, heat, or power mechanisms for added convenience, though these extras come at a higher cost. The Catnapper Owens is a power model, with lay fat, headrest, and lumbar functions, providing you with multiple comfort options.
The La-Z-Boy recliners also come in several styles and types. These include regular recliners, rockers, wall huggers, power, and gliding models. There are also high-leg and low-leg recliners available, so you can get exactly what you’re looking for. The La-Z-Boy Niagara is a power recliner, which features button controls instead of the lever for unlimited reclining options.
A recliner’s construction determines how well-made it is and how long it will last. Let’s compare La-Z-Boy vs Catnapper to see how these two brands differ.

The materials used for the outer covering of the recliner and the internal parts determine how durable the chair will be. The Catnapper Owens features a polyester cover that has a textured pattern that accentuates its look without sacrificing comfort. In the seat is a coil system surrounded by fiber and foam, both of which are designed to protect the coils while increasing durability.
The La-Z-Boy Niagara Power Recliner uses a Platinum fabric covering, which has a lustrous feel and detailed stitching. Beneath the fabric is double-picked blown fiber fill, with high-grade foam used for the seat cushions to retain their shape, even with regular use.
The frame is an essential feature to consider when buying a new recliner since this area determines how sturdy the chair is and how much weight it can support. Catnapper recliners all feature a steel frame, which is precision cut for the perfect shape and reinforced to increase durability. As well as the steel base and seat box, there is also a direct drive cross bar in the Owens model, which eliminates side-to-side tilting.
La-Z-Boy prefers to stick with wood for the frames of its recliners, though they don’t just choose any wood. They use only sustainable materials Trusted Source Textile Contact Dermatitis: How Fabrics Can Induce Dermatitis This review is a short update on textile dermatitis, both irritant and allergic, the present recommendations regarding patch testing when suspecting contact allergy and the advice to give to those allergic that will hopefully help the clinician in daily work. link.springer.com , including wood sourced from forestry programs that are well-managed and don’t contribute to deforestation. Instead, they stick with renewable, plantation-grown sources for over 74% of the wood used for their chairs, including the recliner frames. All of their recliners, including the Niagara Power Recliner, are designed for durability and long-lasting use.
The reclining angle of Catnapper or La-Z-Boy chairs determines how far back it can lean. There are a few options for chairs of this type, some of which only have a slight recline for a more comfortable position while others have a full lay-flat recline that makes them suitable for napping in as well as watching television, reading, or just relaxing with your thoughts.
The Catnapper Owens has a lay-flat design, which is activated using the buttons on the side of the chair. The power recline has a maximum angle of 160°, which allows you to lower the back as much or as little as you like for the perfect angle.
The La-Z-Boy Niagara Power Recliner has a similar feature, though it only reclines up to 140°. You can still lay back comfortably with this chair, though it may not be suitable for long napping unless you like to do so while somewhat seated.
The overall dimensions of any chair will tell you whether or not it will fit comfortably in the space you have available. The dimensions will also determine how well you’ll fit in the chair since the larger the chair is in height and width, the less chance there is that you’ll have to squeeze in or have your head hanging off the back. You may also want to check out the weight of the chair you’re considering since you may need to move it now and then for cleaning or relocating.
Catnapper has several size options available, depending on the type of recliner you’re looking for and the features you want added to your chair. The Owens model has overall dimensions of 43 x 44 x 42 inches, so it’s somewhat large. Though it may be a tight fit in smaller spaces, it gives you plenty of sitting room. This chair weighs about 140 pounds, which is quite heavy, so it won’t be easy to move if you’re on your own.
There are several size options for La-Z-Boy recliners as well, so you can pick the right one for the space you have available in your home. The Niagara Power Recliner is 39 x 41 x 41 inches overall, so it’s smaller than the Catnapper Owens by a few inches. With a weight of about 92 pounds, it is also easier to move around whenever needed.

Adjustments allow you to alter your recliner’s position, including the reclining angle and footrest, though some have a few extra adjustments for you to consider. Both the Catnapper Owens and the La-Z-Boy Niagara Power Recliners have adjustable features but they aren’t identical, so you may find one more pleasing to use than the other.
The Owens recliner features Power Lay Out for a fully reclined position, plus it includes a Power Headrest and Power Lumbar, so you can adjust both of these areas for the support and comfort you need at any given time.
Though the Niagara from La-Z-Boy lacks the adjustable headrest and lumbar functions, it does have a feature not found on the Catnapper model. This is the independent back and footrest options, which allows you to alter the recline of the back and height of the footrest individually. It also offers lumbar support, though it can’t be altered.
Even the best-made recliners aren’t always right for you, so it’s best to consider what these pieces of furniture are like when in use before spending your hard-earned money on one. Let’s compare Catnapper vs La-Z-Boy recliners to see what they have to offer.

Comfort is one of the most important factors to consider when buying any type of furniture and recliners are no exception. A chair that is hard and unforgiving isn’t one you’ll sit in more than once, so it’s essential to look into what steps recliner manufacturers have taken to ensure you’ll enjoy sitting in their models.
Catnapper recliners feature Comfort Coil seats, which include 50 heat-activated coils that are covered with foam and poly fiberfill for a combination of luxury and support. The Owens also features a thick, pillowy back and armrests for added comfort while you’re relaxing.
La-Z-Boy also prides itself on offering the highest comfort possible to its customers. Their chairs feature thick cushioning between you and the wooden frame. The Niagara includes pillow-top arms, though these aren’t as thick as those on the Owens, and a soft, yet supportive backrest that includes lumbar support.
Furniture often needs at least some assembly when delivered to your home, including recliners from both Catnapper and La-Z-Boy.
Thankfully, the assembly on these two brands isn’t all that involved, though you still need to be careful to avoid damaging them in the process.
Both the Owens and Niagara models are power recliners, so there are cords involved that need to be plugged in for the power features to work. The Catnapper comes in two pieces, the seat and the back, so before attaching them, you need to make sure the cord is out of the way. Then attach the back to the rest of the chair, plug it in, and it’s ready to go.
The Niagara is just as simple when it comes to assembly. The power cord is secured to the top of the frame at the rear of the seat, so you’ll need to cut the cable holding it in place. Then unwind the cord and move it out of the way before attaching the back of the chair to the seat area. Then plug it in and try it out.
The size of the seat on a recliner is another important factor since this tells you how much room the chair has to fit your body. The larger the seat, the bigger the area for you to fit into and the more comfortable you’ll be, even for smaller individuals.
The recliners from Catnapper vary in size, so you can pick the one you like best for the perfect fit. As for the Owen, its seat is about 22 inches wide and 20 inches deep, giving you plenty of room to nestle into it. It also has a height of about 20 inches, so it isn’t hard to lower yourself into it or get back out again without assistance.
Like Catnapper, La-Z-Boy recliners come with several size options to fit those with all body types. The Niagara Power Recliner has a seat with a width of 19 inches and a depth of 21.5 inches, so it isn’t far off the Owens’ dimensions. It also has a seat-to-floor height of 21.5 inches, so it’s not as close to the ground and may be slightly easier to get out of for those with mobility issues.

As we discussed above, the Catnapper Owens has several adjustable options, including the recline, headrest, and lumbar support. The controls for these adjustments are on the right side of the chair, within easy reach. There is also a handy instruction manual included with the Owens, so you can easily learn the controls to make adjustments for all of these areas quick and easy.
The La-Z-Boy Niagara Power Recliner doesn’t offer the headrest and lumbar adjustment options, but you can alter the reclining position of the back and leg rest independently, adjusting each one for the perfect position. The buttons for the power recline functions are located a few inches below the armrest within easy reach.
Cleaning a recliner isn’t necessarily an easy job since the material used can alter how quickly spills can be wiped up. Most fabric recliners include cleaning codes that tell you what type of cleaner to use. These include W for water-based cleaners, S for solvents, X for vacuum or dry brush, and W/S for both solvents or water-based products. If there is no code, stick with dry-cleaning solvents.
Both the Catnapper Owens and La-Z-Boy Niagara are fabric, so it may be best to use dry-cleaning solvents to avoid damaging the material. Test the cleaning product on a hidden area to be sure it won’t damage or stain the material. If it’s safe to use, then gently rub it on the rest of the fabric as needed to remove stains.
You can also quickly vacuum both recliners as needed.
La-Z-Boy is one of the most popular recliner brands on the market and has earned its reputation by delivering quality products that meet every need. They have a wide variety of recliner sizes and types available, many of which are customizable to ensure you’re getting the material and upgrades that you want. Though they cost a fair bit, each chair is handcrafted and made to order, so it’s created just for you.
Catnapper may not be as well-known as La-Z-Boy but they have earned their place in the furniture world. These chairs can be somewhat more affordable, depending on the type of recliner and the features you’re looking for. Though heavy, these chairs use steel for the frame instead of wood, ensuring long-lasting use, even when you’re reclining every day. Many of their models also have more than one option available, so you choose an upgraded model or a basic recliner to save a bit of cash.
Recliners are some of the best pieces of furniture on the market due to their comfort, versatility, and adjustable areas. Of course, not all brands are equal when it comes to the quality of their products, so it’s essential to take a look at what they have to offer before buying one. When comparing Catnapper vs La-Z-Boy, there are many similarities between the brands, as well as a few differences that may have you choosing one over the other.
Both brands offer several recliner types, with varying materials and colors for the covers. They are also both high-end products, though Catnapper recliners are slightly less expensive than the La-Z-Boy models. Catnapper chairs use steel for a more durable frame while La-Z-Boy sticks with sustainable wood. Most Catnapper models offer few upgrades or alterations while La-Z-Boy lets you customize your model, even allowing you to create your own for added convenience.