Best riser recliner chairs 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

Riser recliner chairs (also known as reclining chairs) offer a choice of seating positions to maximise your comfort. By allowing you to get in and out of a chair without assistance, they also help you maintain independent living.

Whether you need a riser recliner for mobility reasons and to elevate your legs, 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. 

Alternatively, head straight to our riser recliner chair reviews

Best riser recliner chairs

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Table last updated July 2024

Video: how to buy the best riser recliner chair

Watch our video to find out about the different types and how they compare, plus useful features you might want to consider.

We've also tested mobility scooters from CareCo, Livewell, Pride and more. See our round-up of the best mobility scooters for more information

What should I look for in a riser recliner chair?

Here's the seven key features you might want to consider to help you get the most out of your riser recliner chair: 

• 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.
• 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 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 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.
• Waterfall back rests - unlike a standard back rest, waterfall back rests provide a tiered layer of padding that will give you more support.

3 riser recliner chair mistakes to avoid

• Wrong seat height - measure the chair to check it will be a good fit for your body. If a chair is 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. Some chairs have an adjustable height feature. 
• Incorrect chair width and depth - 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. 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. Look out for bespoke chair-making services if your height or size is a big concern.
• Not enough room - riser recliner chairs are heavy and take up a lot of room, so you need to identify a permanent position for yours. Measure up carefully before you buy to ensure it will fit and ensure there's plenty of clearance space behind it so it can fully recline. As a rule of thumb, you'll need at least a 60cm/24in space unless it's a wall-hugging riser recliner chair which will need as little as 10cm/4in. For more exact measurements you can read our riser recliner reviews under the tech spec 'space required behind chair'.

Best rollators and mobility walkers - see which ones aced our tests for adjustability, manoeuvrability, walking and comfort

How much should I pay for a recliner chair?

You can get basic riser recliner chairs for as little as £300, but the cheapest models are likely 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 comfortably.

Our cheapest Best Buys start from less than £900 – and we've found some riser recliners costing nearly twice as much that were average 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. 

See our advice on walking sticks to find out the choices available and help you find a walking aid that's the right height

Can I get help 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. Our guide to care needs assessments tells you all you need to know. You can also find out more in our guide to financing care at home.

If you have a mobility problem and 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.

Trying out riser recliner chairs

Try 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. 

Most chairs will feel comfortable when you first sit on them, but might not feel the same after a few hours, so check the retailer has a good returns policy. 

Whichever retailer you choose, check it's accredited by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). BHTA members must abide by a code of practice, approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

See our adjustable bed buying guide for tips and advice about the different types and how much you can expect to pay

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, 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 reading lights.
• Grosvenor Mobility provides free home demonstrations and its assortment of models comes with onsite and offsite repairs as part of their warranty.

Buying a riser recliner chair through a home visit

Some retailers will get a sales representative to bring a chair sample to you. They will show their ID on arrival and should provide written information and a cooling-off period.

Buying a riser recliner chair through a catalogue

This is best if you want an off-the-peg rather than a bespoke model.

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 see 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, so it's best to follow the same steps as if you were buying new. You can 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. To keep it in the best condition we'd advise taking the following steps.

Protect the fabric 

Spray the material with a protective spray to repel liquids and reduce the risk of staining if you spill your cup of tea.

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 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.

Clean the covers

How 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 specialist cleaning products and accessories to help you effectively clean your chair. 

For really tough stains or badly ripped fabric, we would recommend you use a professional furniture cleaning service or upholsterer.

Maintain the electrics 

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 come with an anti-trap mechanism to prevent this. 

If your chair has batteries, make sure you recharge them as needed or have replacements on hand.

How we test riser recliner chairs: find out what our robust lab testing involves and how we go further than anyone else when it comes to testing them