6 Best Lay-Flat Recliners – Get the Pressure Off Your Body!

Our detailed reviews of the five lay-flat recliners from such brands as Irene House, Catnapper and more. Which one will suit your needs best?
By
Robert Bernal
Robert Bernal
Research Writer
Robert is a professional writer who creates incredible science fiction short stories. When not writing about the alien invasions, he focuses on some more trivial topics maki read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
William Barnett
William Barnett
Expert Consultant
William is a top sales manager in one of the local furniture stores, which sells recliners among others. Like nobody else, he knows what specs to look for to fulfil each cli read more
Last updated: September 11, 2023
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That heavenly sensation of sinking into a plush lay-flat recliner is an experience we would recommend for every human, chiefly because it is very good for your health. Reclining in a zero-gravity position takes the tension and pressure off your body and allows it to recover and rest.

However, finding the best lay flat recliner is a bit like getting a prescription – you have to think about what your body needs, special features available, and what you can afford.

Our panel of expert reviewers spent hours researching and testing some of the best lay-flat recliners. We checked special functionality such as power lift and massage, quality construction for durability, upholstery material, among many others.

While we believe that finding the best recliner chair is a personal decision, we know that these qualities can help determine functionality and value for your money. Read on to find out which among these top-rated recliner chairs best meet your needs and budget. Of more than 10 lay-flat recliners reviewed, here are our top five picks. We took the liberty of rating them based on their functionality and quality to help you choose the best ones.

Quick Summary

  • "This fantastic power lift chair is best suited for elderly people thanks to its advanced dual-motor functionality and accurate control for reclining."
  • "This top-grade recliner chair features an authentic Italian leather sitting surface, high-end construction and unique Comfort Coil technology."
  • Best Massage Recliner: Right Electric Power Lift Recliner
    "The chair is our best massage recliner because it is versatile and easy to use. The control button on its arm transitions it between reclining, lifting, and sitting easily. You can also quickly stop at any in-between position you desire."
  • "This is an excellent recliner that is comfortable and inviting, yet also features some high value extras that are a surprise at this price point."
  • "This is an affordable power lift recliner that features independently powered back and foot rests, stand-up power assist functionality, vibrating massage, and heating."
  • "This amazing recliner features unique heating and vibrating massage functions, great for anyone who experiences chronic back and joints pains."

Top 6 Lay Flat Recliners Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2452 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.8
Features
  • Dimensions: 31 x 36 x 42 in.
  • Seat dimensions: 22 x 21 in.
  • Seat height: 19 in.
  • Material: leather
  • Weight capacity: 300 lbs.

Other features: soft full-filled back, big size storage bag, 4 buttons hand controller, extending footrest

What makes the Irene House recliner chair so fantastic is that it is designed for users who are elderly, invalid, or with decreased mobility. This chair is meant to help users feel comfortable without being swallowed in it, but anyone taller than 5’8” and heavier than 200 pounds might find it a bit constricting.

As we have discovered from other users, this chair is best suited for elderly people who will benefit the most from the advanced dual-motor functionality. It allows accurate control for reclining and helping them stand up with the power lift, which we found to be very gentle but firm. The quality of the motor controls is emphasized by how silent and smooth their operation is even when lifting a heavy person, and you get a hand controller with four buttons to command all these functions.

What we liked:

What we loved most, though, is that you can adjust the leg rest independently of the backrest. That’s something many recliners don’t have but which allows for a much wider range of comfortable recline positions whether you’re reading, watching TV, napping, or simply passing the time. The high-density sponge padding and fiber cushioning are also perfect for both support and soft comfort, especially given the overstuffed back and lumbar cushions. Even with the PU leather topper, this is the perfect recliner chair to sink into and relax the body.

What could be better:

Our main problem with the Irene House Dual OKIN power lift recliner is that the hand controller is very simple, having only arrows for up and down functionality. Having preset positions such as zero-gravity, injury recovery, reading and so on would have been a big help. As it is, it takes time to get used to the Up/Down buttons which have no words at all, just symbols. Plus, there’s that little problem of size as we have already mentioned.

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6975 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.8
Features
  • Dimensions: 42 x 44 x 45 in.
  • Seat dimensions: 20 x 23 in.
  • Seat height: 21 in.
  • Material: PU leather, memory foam
  • Weight capacity: 250 lbs.

Other features: integrated USB charging port, individually pocketed coil seating

If you’re that person who is willing to pay to get the best, this is the recliner chair for you. Everything is top grade, from the authentic Italian leather on the sitting surface to the power recline functionality and plush padding.

Catnapper has been compared with La-Z-boy mainly because of the sheer comfort and high-end construction of both brands of recliner chairs. Of all Catnapper models (which are named after people and places), the Boyd is unique because it is of its premium design and genuine leather upholstery.

What we liked:

However, what impressed us most is Catnapper’s unique Comfort Coil technology consisting of pocketed coils encased in Cool Gel memory foam. These provide far superior comfort and support than memory foam or plush cushioning – we know because we have tested all of them. Together with the power recline functions with infinite positions, this is the perfect chair in which to read, watch TV, nurse a baby, or sleep. And yes, the recliner function includes a powered leg rest.

What could be better:

The Catnapper Boyd is built around a strong steel frame, so together with its tough leather upholstery and individual pocket spring cushioning, it should last a very long time. Unfortunately, this is what makes it a pain to break in. Just like a new mattress, the memory gel pads and pocketed springs require some time to get used to. The recliner position can feel hard instead of that “sinking” feeling you would expect from a plush-padded chair. That is not a deal-breaker, though a few extra inches of soft cushioning couldn’t hurt.

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2415 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.6
3
Best Massage Recliner

Right Electric Power Lift Recliner

Features
  • Dimensions: 36.25×35×41.75 in.
  • Seat dimensions: 22×21 in.
  • Seat height: 19.5 in.
  • Materials: PU leather with sponge upholstery, wood frame, steel base
  • Weight capacity: 330 lbs.

Other features: 2 cup holders, USB, 4 side pockets, 8-point vibration massage system with remote control, 5 vibration modes, 2 levels vibration intensity, 1-year warranty

The Right Power Lift recliner is a prime option for seniors as it can help them stand up or line down smoothly. The massage recliner packs a punch with numerous comforting features, a durable steel frame, and an electric power lift mechanism. Its design is attractive, and its soft brown microfiber can blend with any décor style in the bedroom, living room, or office. Plus, the fabric is treated to prevent pilling and felting and is incredibly easy to clean.

The chair is our best massage recliner pick because of its versatility and ease of use. The control button on its arm transitions it between reclining, lifting, and sitting easily, and it can quickly stop at any in-between position you desire.

Just like the Maxxprime and Catniper power lift recliners, the Esright power lift chair is best suited for the elderly and anyone with reduced mobility. Its 8-point vibration massage system, 5 vibration modes, and 2 vibration intensity levels bring relief to sore muscles. Moreover, its backrest is heated to provide even more relaxation and pain relief. You also get added convenience with the integrated USB charging panels and 2 side pockets where you can keep your snacks or personal effects.

    Why are we impressed?
  • We found the chair's durable and soft microfiber upholstery incredibly appealing. We also loved how easy it is to assemble and its multiple comforting and convenient features.
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • We thought the chair's headrest could be more padded. Plus, we noticed the chair is not suitable for tall users. Only 5'9" tall people can fit on it, and it doesn't recline all the way flat for sleeping in a flat position.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5414 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.4
Features
  • Dimensions: 40 x 43 x 43 in.
  • Seat dimensions: 20 x 22 x 23 in.
  • Seat height: 22 in.
  • Material: polyesther
  • Weight capacity: not specified

Other features: attached back and seat cushions, corner-blocked frame with metal reinforced seat, comes in 3 colors

Tall people have a hard time finding a recliner chair that suits their height perfectly. The Signature Design by Ashley Ludden Ultra Plush Manual Rocker Recliner is a perfectly big and tall chair that can accommodate virtually all human body sizes. Its fully reclined length is 70 inches, which is plenty of room to sprawl on.

The chair boasts an ultra-plush upholstery with a handsome texture that looks and feels great. It comes in three different colors, so you can pick one that will be easy to integrate into your aesthetics. Its divided bustle design and puckered stitching also give it a touch of style. Further, the recliner chair offers unmatched deep-cushioned comfort with high-resilience foam cushions. With an effortless one-pull motion you will be able to ease back into the chair and relax.

Besides its stylish design and plush upholstery, the Signature Design by Ashley Ludden Ultra Plush Manual Rocker Recliner has more notable details in its build. Its frame features corners that are glued, blocked and stapled. Its cushion cores are made with low-melt fiber which is wrapped over high-quality foam. The chair requires some assembly but it is nothing complicated as the installation instructions included are pretty straightforward.

    What makes it special?
  • We liked that the chair has ample space for sprawling even in its fully reclined position. We also loved its high-quality build and the premium comfort its build materials offers.
    What cons did we find?
  • We noticed the chair has some smell, probably from one of its construction materials that may take some time to fade away completely.
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3796 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.2
Features
  • Dimensions: 35.5 x 35.8 x 41.3 in
  • Seat dimensions: 21 x 23 in.
  • Seat height: 20”
  • Material: PU leather, memory foam
  • Weight capacity: 330 lbs.

Other features: massage function, heating system, dual motor, USB

The Mecor Power Lift recliner is a top-rated product, so our 9.2 rating is purely for objective reasons. Unlike most of the others on our list, it isn’t padded as generously as we might have liked. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t comfortable – on the contrary, it is one of the most feature-rich lay-flat recliner chairs we reviewed. It is a dual motor recliner with independently powered back and foot rests, stand-up power assist functionality, vibrating massage, and. heating.

The Mecor Power Recliner is the kind of chair that would be just as useful in a care home as it would be in a typical living room. It is a very versatile and modern piece of furniture, and we find that it is one of the best lay flat contemporary recliners around. Functionally, it comes with a heating function and 8 vibrating nodes to massage various points in the body such as the lumbar, thighs, back, and legs.

What we liked:

With all these premium features, the one thing that immediately stands out is that the Mecor Power Recliner offers incredible value for money. With its price, it compares favorably to many others that cost well over $1,000. It’s not just about the massage functions – the chair also offers dual motor recline and power lift functions with independent footrest and backrest adjustment. In terms of design, we liked that it has a sturdy metal and metal board frame upholstered with surprisingly good quality PU leather.

What could be better:

The one thing that peeved us out with this chair is the upholstery. It is padded as well as it should, even though we concede that it is meant to be a different, more contemporary design compared to the plush models on this list. This is not an easy chair to take long naps in, especially because the back has no lumbar support. You will need a separate lumbar cushion to avoid back pain and discomfort, which is why we only gave this chair a 9.2 in spite of its amazing features.

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2166 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.7
9.0
6
Features
  • Dimensions: 42 x 29 x 33 in.
  • Seat dimensions: 21 x 22 in.
  • Seat height: 18 in.
  • Materials: PU leather
  • Weight capacity: 330 lbs.

Other features: cup holder, USB charge port, UL certified, massage and heat

The Maxxprime recliner and massage chair is highly underrated, yet it has some of the best features on our list. It has the same amazing OKIN motors that made the Irene House our top pic, but it also has unique heating and vibrating massage functions. It even has the same dual motors that enable independent adjustment of the backrest and footrest independently when you want to watch TV, read, or simply relax.

Like the previous option, the Maxxprime Power Lift Recliner chair is also best suited to users who are either elderly or have reduced mobility. While the lift function is firm and gentle, it is designed to be slow to give the user enough time to get steady on their feet; anyone else would be frustrated by the slow speed. Another reason for this is that this chair is quite short, so anyone shorter than 5’8” will have to deal with their feet hanging off the edge.

What we liked:

We did love that this chair has vibration and heating features. Anyone who experiences chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis will find it a lifesaver. It’s not a proper massage chair, but it is a significant help. Add to that the accurate and smooth controls of the OKIN dual motors and power lift assist and you have the perfect recliner for seniors.

What could be better:

Aside from the fact that this chair is on the short side, we really didn’t like the PU leather material. It looks good and is easy to clean, but in our experience, it to be sweaty and doesn’t age well. We prefer genuine leather or soft fabric, or top-quality PU leather at the very least. Note to Maxxprime: if you could design the footrest to be extensible, you could make the chair perfect for tall and big people, given that the chair is already rated for 330 pounds.


Things to Consider

Lay-flat recliners are complicated chairs that require some technical know-how when it comes to choosing the right one. For example, what size of recliner will suit you? What about the proper range of reclining motion? You will learn about these and other technical details in this lay-flat recliner buying guide.

Benefits of Lay-Flat Recliners

6 Best Lay-Flat Recliners - Get the Pressure Off Your Body!

The ability to get off your feet, kick back your recliner, and relax has immense benefits. For one, it takes the weight off your body’s support system and relieves tension. This can be very beneficial to alleviate pain in the joints and muscles. It also helps to improve circulation, which is why some people may find it easier to sleep in a lay-flat recliner than on a bed.

For seniors, invalids, and those with mobility impairments, the best lay-flat recliners with lift-assist are especially helpful because they help them to get on their feet. Other functions such as heating and massage are fantastic extras but not necessary for a recliner.

Features to Consider When Purchasing a Lay-Flat Recliner

Type

There are many types of recliners.

  • Push-back recliners with manual recline
  • Power recliners with push-button electric controls
  • Typical rocker recliners
  • Glider recliners; these move along an arched path as opposed to rockers
  • Lift recliners have a lift assist function for elderly people to help them get out of the chair to an upright position
  • Swivel recliners

In this case, lay-flat recliners are designed to recline to an almost flat position so that you can sleep in them. Many also tend to be power recliners and come with lift assist, but not always.

Design

There are plush recliners like the Catnapper Cloud 12, and there are contemporary designs such as the Mecor power lift. Some are designed to save on space by being wall-huggers, while others are sofa recliners due to their lavish design. Most importantly, some recliners are designed to accommodate large and heavy users.

Upholstery Material

6 Best Lay-Flat Recliners - Get the Pressure Off Your Body!

Upholstery material is critical. Leather is known for its unbeatable durability, beauty, and ease of maintenance. Fabric upholstery tends to be very soft and cozy, but it is difficult to clean if it gets sweat or spills on it. PU leather is a common material, but it needs to be high-quality with no VOCs for health reasons and be relatively long-lasting. However, higher quality upholstery generally demands higher prices.

Overall Dimensions

Lay-flat recliners generally tend to be big, but the overall dimensions will tell you how much space they take. Transportation isn’t generally an issue because it comes in parts to be assembled at home, but those with limited space might need to consider smaller chairs such as the Mecor as opposed to big ones such as the Maxxprime or Catnapper Boyd.

Seat Dimensions and Height

By comparing two seats such as the Irene House and the Catnapper Cloud 12, you can see the difference and importance of specific seat and height dimensions. The Irene house has a seat measuring 18 ½” W x 21” L while the Cloud 12’s seat measures 20” W by 23” L, making the Irene House perfect for larger users and the best for big people. The Irene House is 36” tall while the Cloud 12 is 45” tall, which also shows that tall users are best suited for the latter.

Reclining Angle

The range of reclining angles is very important. A good lay-flat recliner should reach at least 1750 when fully reclined, while a lift-assist chair should make a positive angle of at least 0450.

While some low-quality recliners have preset positions already locked, the best recliners allow you to lock in the chair at any angle you wish.

Weight Capacity

The recliner chair of your choice needs to have a higher weight limit than the weight of the user to avoid accidents and ensure durability.

Ease of Assembly

Most recliner chairs are transported in separate parts for portability, but that means assembly can be a headache. Unless you are very handy with tools and machines, it’s best to go for the recliners that have minimal assembly requirements.

Most of the components such as motors should be pre-assembled, and you should get detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to put together the chair. If you can afford it, opt for white-glove service to have the chair installed upon delivery.

Warranty

6 Best Lay-Flat Recliners - Get the Pressure Off Your Body!

Recliner chairs are expensive, but they also tend to be fragile. To make sure that you get your money’s worth, you should have a minimum 2-year warranty on the electronics and at least 5 years on the frame. The best warranty or protection plan also covers labor and replacement for the first few months of service to make sure that you don’t get stuck with a lemon.

Extra Features

Extra features such as massage functions (vibration, heating), inbuilt speakers, remote holder, and elaborate recline control are all fantastic. However, they are not strictly essential and they add significantly to the overall cost of the chair. If you want high-end functionality, be prepared to splash $1,000 or more on a proper massage chair.

FAQ

Is it OK to sleep in a recliner every night?

Sleeping in a recliner is safe so long as you have proper back support. Most recliners offer more support than a standard bed, which could make it easier for those with back pain, sleep apnea, and other conditions to sleep better.

How do you know what size recliner to buy?

The right size of a recliner chair is determined by the width and depth of the seat, as well as the height of the recliner. Measure an existing chair in your home to find the best range for the intended user.

Where should your head be on a recliner?

Your head and shoulders should be slightly lower than the top of your recliner, so that only the back of your head touches the seat. In this position, your neck is perfectly aligned with your spine. If you require more support, you can add an additional neck cushion, but don’t let your head loll back over the top of the recliner.

Our verdict

Whether you want to buy a recliner chair for yourself or for a loved one, it is important to conduct extensive research to ensure that you find a chair that best fits your needs. It’s size, design, and features should be just perfect to ensure maximum benefits.

These five best lay-flat recliners we have reviewed caught our attention as being the best in their categories, and they should definitely be on your list. For example, our Editor’s Choice is the Irene House Dual OKIN Motor Lift Chair due to its perfect motor control for recline and lift assist capabilities.

Our Premium Pick is the Catnapper Boyd, which tops the list due to its deluxe quality construction, comfort, and durability. Finally, our Best Value choice is the Mecor Power Lift Recliner due to its affordability and impressive range of extra features.

Whichever one you choose among these or others on our list, be sure to test it extensively during the one month return period. A lay-flat recliner chair is a significant investment in your health and wellness, so take your time to find the best fit.

9,8
Total Score
Irene House Dual OKIN Motor Lift Chair - Editor’s Choice
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