Sofas are the heart of every living room, and nothing rivals reclining models when it comes to comfort, versatility, and impressing your in-laws (who can’t really be impressed, can they?).
Let’s be honest; reclining sofas are so great that you’d want to sit on one the moment you lay your eyes on it to relax, watch TV, or just read a book in peace.
There’s only one problem here: the market is flooded with products from different manufacturers, each of which claims to offer the top quality, which makes choosing the best reclining sofa seem like an impossible task. Worry not though, as we’ve already done the heavy lifting and chose the best products in this category so that you don’t have to. So, which is the best reclining sofa that you can get today? Here are our picks!
Best Reclining Sofa for Bad Back: Comparison table
Last update on 2023-03-26 at 15:57 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Seatcraft Omega Power Recline Multimedia Sofa
Our pick for the best overall reclining sofa is the Power Recline from Seatcraft, which offers an impressive set of features that cover everything you need in sofa, from aesthetics up to comfort.
- ✅ LEATHER GEL: Offers the look and feel of top grain leather that is both durable and elegant
- ✅ TOP-IN-CLASS COMFORT: Powered Headrests & Recline. Take your comfort to the next level with the push of a button
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Aesthetically-speaking, this sofa looks fantastic thanks to the leather gel cover, which, although being synthetic, does look and feel like real leather without the fancy price tag.
The Power Recline boasts an intuitive design. Rather than following the traditional continuous concept, this sofa acts as three seats attached together, which goes a long way in providing more comfort when you’re sitting upright. The only issue with this design is that it makes laying across the sofa trickier.
Thanks to the powered reclining feature, this sofa can be adjusted to a near-flat position, making it the best at what it does, which is – hey, surprise! – reclining. Additionally, the headrests are motorized and can be adjusted with the push of a button, which adds to the comfort offered by this sofa.
Other features that we like in this fine piece of furniture include the cupholders at both ends of the sofa and the impressive add-ons that you can find when folding the center seat, which includes extra cupholders, a charging station, a small table, and a set of LED lights that can illuminate the whole area. It’s like this sofa is specifically made so that you can impress your guests and watch movies in style.
Pros
- Motorized headrests
- Adjustable powered reclining
- Cupholders at both ends and under the center sea
Cons
- Pricey
2. Hogan Reclining Sofa by Ashley Furniture
While the Seatcraft Omega is aimed at features and functionalities, the Hogan Reclining Sofa is better suited for those looking for comfort above everything else. With soft and plush padding over the back and bottom and polyester cover throughout, not only is this sofa extremely comfy, but it’s also easy to clean and maintain.
- MODERN RECLINING SOFA: Brilliantly simple, this contemporary sofa has comfort beyond measure with textured microfiber; Pair with a white throw for a casual-cool finish that everyone will love
- PLUSH COMFORT: This couch provides the plush cushions and padding you crave; High-resiliency foam is wrapped in cozy polyester upholstery; Supported by a corner-blocked frame
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The Hogan Reclining Sofa sports a manual reclining mechanism that can be activated with a pull tab on either end of the piece. Thanks to its impressive design, each half of this sofa can be reclined or not independently of the other. Unfortunately, this sofa cannot be reclined all the way flat; neither can the reclining angles be adjusted. Nevertheless, it can be reclined enough for anyone to sleep comfortably on top of it.
Thanks to its large size, this sofa is suitable for tall people, eve, those over six feet tall. If you’re blessed with extra height (hey, how’s the weather looking up there?), you don’t need to worry about your feet falling off if you decide to go with this sofa. Additionally, thanks to the pillowtop arms, you can easily squeeze four or more people onto this sofa without discomfort on the ends. That’s a real game-changer on game nights (yep, pun intended).
Despite its many perks, this sofa does come with one downside, which is that the plush padding is prone to indentation and shape loss after around a year of use, which means that the sofa will look rumpled eventually, although the comfort aspect will remain intact.
Pros
- Each half reclines independently of the other
- Push padding throughout the sofa
- Comfortable for tall people
Cons
- Prone to indentation after a year of use
3. Divano Roma Furniture Recliner Sofa
The Divano Roma Furniture Recliner Sofa sits on the affordable side of the spectrum, making it the perfect piece of furniture for those on a tight budget and/or looking for a smaller sofa that can fit three people comfortably. Each side of the sofa features a pull-tab that you can use to recline the respective outer section. It’s worth noting that the middle seat cannot be reclined.
- Classic style oversize and overstuffed reclining sofa
- Featuring soft linen fabric upholstery with overstuffed back rest and arm rests for extra comfort
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Although not as premium as the other recommendations on our list, this sofa is covered with linen fabric, which is fairly comfortable and breathable, but hard to clean, unfortunately. The padding in the back and on the arms does make up for the fabric, but it’s still not as plush as the other products in our round-up.
Pros
- Affordable
- Fits three people comfortably
- Breathable and comfy linen fabric cover
Cons
- The linen fabric is hard to clean
- The middle seat doesn’t recline
4. Signature Design by Ashley (9520288)
With a comfort-driven, aesthetically pleasing design, the Signature Design Reclining Sofa by Ashley wins you over with a classy look that would look perfect in any room. Being overstuffed in all sections, this reclining sofa is exceptionally comfy without having users sink excessively into it, and you can easily lie and sleep on top of it either across or when reclined.
- MODERN SOFA RECLINER: This living room sofa is all about comfort. Handsomely built with long-lasting durability, plush support and contemporary style front of mind—how divine
- PLUSH SEATING: Comfy foam cushions are wrapped in supple DuraBlend, a faux leather upholstery. Pull tab reclining motion. Supported by a corner blocked frame and metal reinforced seat
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The DuraBlend faux leather cover is just the cherry on top, as it’s soft to the touch while being durable and classy-looking (though it can prove to be a bit clingy on hot days).
Just like the Divano Roma Furniture Recliner Sofa, this couch features three sections, where the outer seats can be reclined independently using a manual pull-lever mechanism while the middle section is fixed.
Something that we dig in this reclining sofa is the fact that it’s delivered assembled, which takes a lot of work off your back. Once it gets shipped to your house, place it where you want it, and you’ll be ready to use it right away.
Pros
- DuraBlend faux leather cover
- Delivered fully assembled
- Stylish and classy-looking
Cons
- The middle seat does not recline
5. Homelegance 3-Piece Reclining Sofa
If you have a large family, getting one of the above recommended products wouldn’t be a viable option, which is why we’re including this beautiful piece of furniture from Homelegance – the best reclining sofa for families and those who receive a lot of guests. Thanks to its bonded leather cover, this recliner looks classy and can add a nice touch to any living room and due to its size, this sofa can fit five people with ease.
- Bonded leather sectional reclining sofa (Model# 8411*CCCR) features fully reclining position
- Equipped with 2 cup holders console with lift up storage
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Each end of the sofa features a pull-lever that you can use to recline the respective seat. This couch also comes with a couple of cupholders with hidden storage spaces, though the same model may come without such add-ons at a cheaper rate.
When it comes to comfort, the Homelegance is not the best out of the reviewed batch, as the inner sections are not padded, and the arms at both sides of the sofa are a bit stiff compared to the other products on our “best reclining sofa” list. Furthermore, the leather cover is not that breathable, especially on hot days.
Pros
- Can fit five people
- Two cupholder sections
- Stylish leather cover
Cons
- Stiff arms
- Pricey
Choosing the Best Reclining Sofa – Buying Guide
Now that you’ve taken a look at our recommended products for the title of the best reclining sofa, it’s time to make your final choice and pick the next addition for your living room. To do, simply go through our buying guide, and the right option will be obvious.
How Does a Reclining Sofa Works?
Simply put, a reclining sofa is one that allows you to switch between sitting in an upright position and lying down with ease. There are two types of reclining sofas: manual and powered ones.
Manual reclining sofas are the ones that recline when you push a button or pull a lever, which is typically located at either end of the couch. Generally, manual sofas don’t offer much adjustability, allowing for only two positions: upright and nearly flat, which means that you can’t really fine-tune the recline to your favorite spot.
Powered recliners, on the other hand, leverage the power of a built-in motor to recline or lift you back up slowly. This type of reclining sofas is controlled by remote control (most of the time), which gives you the freedom to choose your own reclining angle for the best comfort.
What Features Should You Look for in the Best Reclining Sofa?
- Reclining Positions
Each reclining sofa has its own reclining positions. Some models recline the whole body, while others only lift up the feet. Although to each his own when it comes to the best angle, we can all agree that a fully-reclining model would be the best option for most people as it offers more comfort. The main advantage of feet-only recliners is the fact that they take less space, meaning that they’re a good option for those living in small apartments.
- Size
The size is another critical factor to consider when choosing the best reclining sofa (or any kind of couch for that matter). To determine the best size for your living room, you need to factor in the size of your living space, how many family members you’re expecting to use the sofa at the same time, and how many guests you get frequently.
- Material and Build Quality
The build quality and used material are critical factors to consider when getting any kind of product, not only the best reclining sofa. Why? Because the material is the feature that defines how comfortable the couch is and how stylish it looks, so make sure to pay close attention to the cover material before getting your wallet.
One of the most used materials in reclining sofas is leather, which, although classy, good-looking, comfortable, and durable, is pretty expensive, which is why most manufacturers use faux leather materials such as DuraBlend instead. Faux leather is also aesthetically-appealing, but it’s not very breathable and can become sticky on hot days.
Polyester is also a widely-used cover material that’s less expensive and more breathable compared to leather. Polyester is durable and comfortable, which is why many manufacturers choose it as their primary material.
Finally, linen fabric is another material that you can find in some reclining sofas, such as the one from Divano Roma Furniture that we reviewed above. Linen fabric is very breathable and soft, but it’s prone to stains and less durable compared to polyester and leather, which is why it’s less commonly used.
Besides the cover material, you should also consider the frame material, which is also involved in the durability of your new piece of furniture. Note that manufacturers differ less from one another when it comes to frame designs. Some manufacturers reinforce their recliners with metal on the back and footrests for added durability.
Both the cover and frame materials play a major role in dictating how durable a reclining sofa is.
- Extra Features
Gone are the days when sofas were used solely for resting and occasional sleeping in the living room. Today, they’re the lazy person’s station, which is why some models come with a plethora of extra features, such as cupholders and hidden storage in the arms, which can be pretty convenient in different occasions. Some models boast even more advanced features, such as LED lights and charging stations, which is the case for the reclining sofa from Seatcraft.
Of course, extra features come at extra cost, so make sure to decide whether such functionalities (most of which are gimmicky, to be honest) are worth the additional bucks you’re shelling or not.
Verdict
Recliners come in all kinds and shapes, which is why choosing the best reclining sofa for your living room can be quite an overwhelming task. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend hours upon hours researching and vetting products, as we’ve already done that for you. All you have to do now is go over our buying guide, pick your new reclining sofa, and relax while watching a movie!