Best Riser Recliner Chairs 2023

Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

The best riser recliner chairs are comfortable to sit in and easy to use. Find the perfect chair to relax in using our top picks and expert advice

Riser recliner chairs (also known as reclining chairs) offer a choice of seating positions to maximise your comfort. By allowing you to get into and out of a chair without assistance, they also help you maintain independent living.
Whether you need a riser recliner for mobility reasons or simply to enjoy leaning back and putting your feet up at the end of a long day, it’s worth taking time to choose the best model for your needs.
In this guide, we’ll cover our top recommendations, how much you can expect to pay, key features to look for and where to buy a riser recliner chair.

Video: how to buy the best riser recliner chair

Do I need to buy a riser recliner chair?
Not sure if you need a riser recliner chair yet? Use our simple checklist below to find out.
* Do you ever have difficulty or require help getting up out of a chair?
* Do you sometimes find it difficult to sit down on a chair or sofa?
* Have you been advised by your doctor or nurse to elevate your legs when sitting down?
* Do you tend to sit for long periods in the same chair?
* Do you experience chronic pain and need to change your sitting position to get more comfortable?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you would probably benefit from using a riser recliner chair. However, as everyone’s needs are different, there are a few other things to consider.
We’ve also tested mobility scooters from CareCo, Livewell, Pride and more, so see our round-up of the best mobility scooters

Do I have enough room for a reclining chair?
Riser recliner chairs are heavy and take up a lot of room, so you need to identify a permanent position for it and measure up carefully before you buy.
You’ll also need to allow for a gap behind the chair, so it can recline fully without any obstructions. As a general rule of thumb, make sure there’s at least a 60cm/24in space, but for more exact measurements you can check in our riser recliner reviews under the tech spec ‘space required behind chair’.
If you’re short on space, choose a wall-hugging riser recliner chair instead. They’re designed so you only need minimal clearance space (as little as 10cm/4in).
For more information on arranging furniture and other safety aspects, read our guides on staying independently at home

How much does a good riser recliner chair cost?

You can get basic riser recliner chairs for as little as £350, but the cheapest models are likely to be single-motor models that don’t let you control the back and footrest independently.
Typical prices for dual-motor riser recliner chairs range from £500 to upwards of £2,000, but don’t assume you need to spend a fortune to sit in comfort.
Our cheapest Best Buys start from less than £1,000 – and we’ve found some riser recliners costing nearly twice as much that performed averagely in our tests.
The price you pay might also depend on the features and fabric you choose, as well as which company you buy your chair from, so it’s always worth shopping around.

Getting financial support to buy a riser recliner chair
If you need a riser recliner chair because of a medical condition or to help you live independently at home, you might be eligible to get one through your local authority.
Different local authorities have different rules around what they will pay for, but your first step should be to contact your local council and book an assessment. You can find out more in our guide to financing care at home.
If you have a mobility problem and you need special equipment to live independently you may also qualify for VAT exemption. Visit the HMRC website for more information on VAT relief for disabled people.

The best riser recliner chair features to look out for

Once you’ve found a comfortable chair that’s the right size for you, ask yourself these questions to help you choose the most suitable functions:
* Leg rest Choose a dual-motor riser recliner if you want the leg rest to rise automatically as you recline.
* Battery If there’s a power cut, a back-up battery will let you move back to a neutral or standing position.
* Anti-crush This will help to prevent accidents if pets or small children get underneath the mechanism.
* Chair shape Some recliner seats and backs are designed to remain fixed in position as you recline. This can reduce the risk of friction or other damage to your skin as the chair moves.
* Built in support or pressure-relieving These might help if you have a serious back problem or medical condition. We also recommend seeking the advice of an independent adviser to assess your particular needs before buying. Head to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists to find a registered therapist in your area.
* Full recline Although some chairs allow you to lie completely flat, they’re not really intended for sleeping in for extended periods. If you have difficulty getting into bed, you should consider buying an adjustable bed or specially designed chair bed in addition to a riser recliner chair.
See our adjustable bed buying guide for expert tips and advice

Can you adjust the height of a riser recliner chair?
Height adjustments of riser recliner chairs can be quite limited.
Some models enable you to adjust the height by a relatively short distance of 10cm or so, but if this is something you’re interested in be sure to discuss this with your brand of choice while shopping around.
You can also buy furniture risers at many stores, which are solid structures that can lift the height of a chair, but it’s important to check that they’re both compatible and safe to use with your model before buying.
Bear in mind that some brands offer a more bespoke design service for riser recliner chairs, so this might be an option worth exploring if height is a concern.

Problems caused by ill-fitting riser recliner chairs

A comfortable chair will have support in the right places. For example, extra padding at the bottom to support your lower back, and at the top for your head. The chair should be soft, but not so soft that you can feel the frame.
It’s also important to make sure the chair’s measurements are a good fit for your body. Think about:
* Seat height If a chair’s too high, your feet won’t be able to touch the floor and this will put too much pressure on your back. If it’s too low, your legs won’t be fully supported and the backs of your thighs could start to ache.
* Chair width A riser recliner chair that’s too wide won’t properly support your sides and back, and you might feel less secure in the chair.
* Seat depth If the seat’s too deep, you won’t be able to sit with your back fully supported down its length. Often, people who have made this mistake stuff cushions behind them, but this doesn’t provide even support.

Trying out riser recliner chairs
Try out as many chairs as you can. A mobility shop should have staff who can advise you on all kinds of equipment, including riser recliner chairs, as well as models you can try. This can be a good way of exploring what features would suit you.
Disabled Living Centres (DLCs) are also worth a visit. Most are charities and may not sell the chairs, but they’re a good place to start to understand the range and styles offered, and to test out recliners on loan from manufacturers.
It’s important to remember that most chairs will feel comfy when you first sit on them, but might not feel the same after a few hours, so it’s wise to check that the retailer has a good returns policy.
Whichever retailer you choose, check it’s accredited by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). BHTA members have to abide by a code of practice, approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

Where to buy a riser recliner chair
To make sure you’re buying a riser recliner chair that’s well built and safe to use, only shop with trusted sellers online or in store.
For more details on shopping online safely and arranging refunds for faulty equipment, see our online shopping advice.
* CareCo sells a wide range of riser recliner chairs, both with single and dual motors. Prices start at just under £500 and you can upgrade to a chair with an in-built massager, if you like.
* Fenetic Wellbeing has a wide variety of chairs in different materials and colours. Prices start at around £500.
* HSL Chairs offer home visits and a free brochure with fabric samples, as well as a ‘seven-point seating assessment’ to determine your needs.
* Willowbrook stocks riser recliner chairs that are manufactured in the Midlands. It offers a range of different contemporary fabric designs and extras, including built in reading lights.

Buying a riser recliner chair through a home visit

Some retailers offer a home service where a sales representative arranges a visit and brings a chair sample for you to try.
You should expect the rep to show you ID on arrival, and it’s best to try and set a time limit for the visit so that you’re not left exhausted at the end of it. If you do buy, insist on written information and a cooling-off period.
It’s an idea to have a friend or relative with you for an appointment like this, so they can provide support if needed, and you can discuss your decision with them before you buy.

Buying a riser recliner chair through a catalogue
If you’re buying online, it’s probably because you know you want a certain off-the-peg rather than bespoke model.
When you’re buying online, check the company’s returns policy and, in particular, who is responsible for the cost of removing and returning the chair should you decide it’s not for you. You can check what your rights are under the Distance Selling Regulations.

Hiring a riser recliner chair or buying second-hand
It’s possible to pick up a second-hand riser recliner chair from private sales websites such as eBay.
Remember, there’s no guarantee that the chair is the right fit for you, though, so it’s best to follow the same steps as if you were buying new. It’s also possible to hire a chair from specialist companies such as Mobilityhire.com.

How to care for and maintain your riser recliner chair

A riser recliner chair is a big investment, it’s a good idea to keep it in the best condition possible. You can do this by:

Protecting the fabric of your riser recliner chair 
Spray the material with a protective spray to repel liquids and reduce the risk of staining if you spill your cup of tea on it.
It’s also a good idea to place a light throw over the arms and across the top of the back of the chair where your head will rest, so that this can be washed every now and again.
Also bear in mind that upholstered chairs placed near windows will eventually start to fade, particularly if they get a lot of direct sunlight, so work out where best to keep yours.

Cleaning the covers of your riser recliner chair 
The way you clean your chair will depend on what it is made of, for example if it’s made of leather or suede, so follow individual manufacturer care instructions for how best to clean.
Some riser recliner chairs come with removable seat or armrest cushion covers, which make them much easier to wash. Some also come with a cleaning package, which provides you with all the specialist products you’ll need to clean your chair.
For really tough stains or badly ripped fabric, we’d recommend you use a professional furniture cleaning service or upholsterer.

Maintaining the electrics of your riser recliner chair
Where possible, try to ensure you plug the riser recliner directly into the mains and not an extension lead, so you don’t risk overloading plug sockets with too many electrical items.
Don’t put anything underneath your riser recliner chair as objects may become trapped, although some chairs do come with an anti-trap mechanism to prevent this.
If your chair comes with batteries, make sure you recharge them as needed or have replacements on hand.
How we test riser recliner chairs: we go further than anyone else when it comes to testing them.