Some of my best sleep was on a reclining sofa in my best friend’s living room. Add a cozy comforter and a memory foam pillow, and you’ll be counting sheep in no time.
Recliners are also great if you’re short on space for overnight guests. It’s like having your own personal bed but in the living room. I will note that they’re not as sleek and firm as a traditional couch, but their fluffy, marshmallow-like cushions are next-level comfort.
With the sales of reclining sofas estimated to grow by $8.47 billion by 2028, we researched the best models on the market along with some editor favorites. Our picks include modern sectionals and loveseats for small spaces, all at a reclined angle.
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Best For: Those looking for a modern and reasonably priced reclining sofa.
Recliner sofas can be quite costly, ranging anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000. However, this quality two-seater from Ashley, which we tested, is less than $800 and is durably constructed with metal-reinforced seats and foam cushions wrapped in a breathable polyfiber.
You’ll have to recline the seats manually with the side pull tab, but on the bright side, you’re not restricted to a wall outlet with this model. Plus, you don’t have to worry about purchasing pillows right away. This sofa also comes with two accent pillows, so you’ll be ready to go.
Whether you’re looking for a recliner sofa with a modern, streamlined appearance or a quality one under $1,000, consider opting for Ashley’s Danum Manual Reclining Sofa.
Dimensions: 40 x 87 x 41 inches | Weight: 219 pounds | Upholstery Material: Polyester | Reclining Mechanism: Manual | Seats: Two | Max Recline Angle: Not listed
Other Options We’re Eyeing
If the above pick isn’t quite your style or fulfills your level of comfort, we’ve handpicked two other options that may fit the bill. They’re both three-seater reclining sofas; one is powered, and the other is manual. And the best part is that these durable picks are under $1,000.
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Best For: Those households short on square footage.
Our editor tested this Wayfair three-seater in her TV room and says it’s the closest thing to a movie theater recliner, comfort-wise. And with a width of 79 inches and a 65-inch fully-reclined depth, it’s perfect for small spaces.
While the sofa is on the compact side, it’s spacious enough to where you don’t feel crowded with the person next to you. Our editor, her husband, and dog were able to lounge comfortably. Its faux leather material is also great for households with active kiddos and pets.
What Our Editor Says
“I like the cozy seat, the neutral color, and the compact design that stills allows for two adults to sit comfortably.”–Dena Ogden, associate editor
Per our editor, the Ilkeston Manual Recliner Sofa feels reasonably sturdy but not quite as “beastly” as your grandparent’s decades-old recliner.
Dimensions: 41 x 79 x 37 inches | Weight: 140 pounds | Reclining Mechanism: Manual | Seats: 3 | Max Recline Angle: 160 degrees
Other Options We’re Eyeing
The West Elm Shelter Motion Reclining Sofa and La-Z-Boy’s Maddox are two modern options that are also small space friendly. If leather isn’t quite your speed or you want a recliner with a more sleek appearance, we highly recommend checking out these contenders.
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Best For: Those who don’t want to be restricted to a wall outlet.
Manual reclining sofas may be old school, but you can place them wherever you’d like without being restricted to a wall socket. This oversized three-seater has a shiny silver side lever and a middle seat that drops to a table and cupholders.
The sofa is made with a sturdy hardwood frame and high-density, fiber-wrapped cushions that’ll make you feel like you just fell back into a bed of marshmallows. It even has cushiony headrests.
The Damen Reclining Sofa comes in light gray and charcoal. We wish it came in more colors, but the gray is neutral enough to match various decor and color schemes.
Dimensions: 40 x 87 x 41 | Weight: Not listed | Reclining Mechanism: Manual | Seats: 3 | Max Reclining Angle: Not listed
Other Options We’re Eyeing
Our team has had their fair share of testing manual recliners. They may not be loaded with powered features, but there are options, like Lark Manor’s Anirudh, whose middle seat can fold down to two cupholders and a flat space for your snacks or remote.
Our other pick, the Lawrence Reclining Sofa and Loveseat, is a great option if you’re looking to fill your living room with a complete set.
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Best For: The minimalist who prefers a more luxe reclining sofa.
Our eyes were immediately drawn to this leather sofa. Unlike most manual reclining sofas, powered models usually have a more modern and sleek appearance. This stunner has the coziness of a recliner with the traditional, streamlined couch appearance.
This three-seater Castlery recliner gives you plenty of lounge space with a 129.9-inch width, extra-wide armrests, and large seats. But what we love most about this sofa are its headrests that adjust to 16 angles.
While we love the top-grain leather material, the Jaron Recliner Extended Sofa is also available in a performance dune fabric that’s 100 percent polyester and spill-resistant.
Dimensions: 45.3 x 129.9 x 30.3 inches | Weight: 352 pounds | Reclining Mechanism: Power | Seats: 3 (two reclining) | Max Reclining Angle: 180 degrees
Other Options We’re Eyeing
Similar to the Castlery Jaron Recliner Extended Sofa, the Pottery Barn Ultra Lounge Reclining Sofa is ultra sleek with a streamlined appearance that doesn’t look too far from a traditional sofa when not reclined.
However, if you’re looking for a powered reclining sofa that’s a bit more affordable, consider Raymour & Flanigan Skye Power Reclining Sofa. It’s a wall-hugger recliner that’s extra cushiony and ultra soft.
Editor Tip
If you choose a powered reclining sofa, make sure you have an electrical outlet nearby and think about where you’ll stash the cord out of the way. We recommend investing in a cable organizer for a decluttered space.
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Best For: Those who want a pillow-soft sofa that’s still supportive.
When upright, this recliner looks like your typical modern sofa. It’s the perfect option if you don’t like the traditional recliner appearance.
Like our best-powered pick, this sofa is ergonomically designed with headrests that adjust as you recline and can extend up to 1.5 inches in height. However, the real standout feature is its oversized pillow cushions that are filled with a down and sponge mix.
The Provision Pillow Back Reclining Loveseat also features hidden USB ports, so your phone doesn’t have to be charging across the room. This sofa is as modern as it gets.
Dimensions: 37.40 x 84.24 x 35.82 inches | Weight: Not listed | Reclining Mechanism: Power | Seats: 2 | Max Reclining Angle: 145 degrees
Other Options We’re Eyeing
If the pillow-back design isn’t your cup of tea, consider these two modern picks from West Elm and AllModern. Both are durably constructed. The Leo Motion is made with a solid and engineered wooden frame with semi-firm seat cushions.
The AllModern Bayne Reclining Sofa has a kiln-dried hardwood frame that supports up to 900 pounds. It only comes in two colors, but we’re obsessed with its sleek, rounded edges and deep seat cushions.
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Best For: Households with a lot of floor space to cover.
I’ve personally lounged on the Scandinavian Designs Ryden Reclining Sectional for the entire Super Bowl game and still didn’t want to get up from it. It’s by far the most comfortable sofa.
The cool thing about modular sofas is that you can place each piece where you like and customize it to your living room layout. The Ryden Modular Reclining Sectional has two powered reclining seats with adjustable headrests, a corner seat that fits two, and one armless chair.
Along with its extreme comfort, I love its power console that features a flat wireless surface to charge your phone, hidden cupholders, two three-prong outlets, and USB ports. Unfortunately, this sectional only comes in light beige, but it’s a color that’ll complement most interiors.
Dimensions: Left and Right Armchair: 43 x 44 x 30 inches, armless chair: 43 x 34.75x 30 inches, corner: 57.5 x 57.5 x 30 inches, power consol: 40.5 x 13 x 24.75 inches | Weight: Not listed | Reclining Mechanism: Power | Seats: 5 (2 reclining) | Max Reclining Angle: Not listed
Other Options We’re Eyeing
The Scandinavian Designs Ryden Reclining Sectional may be too large for some living spaces. If you’re looking for a sectional that’s a bit more space-friendly, consider West Elm’s Harmony Modular Reclining Sectional. This three-piece sectional includes one arm chaise, one power recliner, and a non-motion seat. The sectional is ultra-plush and deep-seated.
Our other pick is Pottery Barn’s Tucker L-Shaped Reclining Sectional. It has a sleek, modern appearance and comes in 54 color and fabric options. But, instead of your typical sectional with a chaise, it comes with two powered recliners: one on the far left and the other on the far right.
How We Picked the Reclining Sofas
We’ve tested a dozen loveseat and chaise recliners at The Spruce. Using our testing experience, we were able to handpick the best reclining sofas from a few Spruce favorite brands.
We considered a few things, including the sofa’s material and durability, how plush or firm the cushions are, and the reclining mechanism and how far back it goes. We also included our one tested, reclining sofa, the Ashley Danum Manual Reclining Sofa.
What to Look for in a Reclining Sofa
Think About Size and Reclining Distance
The size of your reclining sofa should complement the size of your living space. The average size of a standard reclining sofa is around 80 to 120 inches, like most of the picks on our list.
These sofas are usually wider than standard sofas because they are often constructed with two to three different pieces, says Jenon Bailie, merchandising and design director at Room & Board.
It’s also important to consider the sofa’s design and how far it extends from the headrest to the footrest.
Research Reclining Mechanism
As you can probably tell by the picks in our guide, there are two types of recliners: manual and power. One requires you to recline the sofa using your hands and strength (manual), and the other reclines with the push of a button.
- Manual reclining sofas: Reclining sofas, like our best value pick and the Value City Damen Reclining Sofa (our best manual pick) require you to manually extend the legs and backrest by pulling a tab or lever on the side of the sofa.
- Powered reclining sofas: Powered models, like our best modern and sectional picks, are controlled by a control button on the handrests or on the interior of the sofa’s arm. This sofa type is either battery-operated or plugged into a wall outlet.
Opt for Standout Features
When a sofa has unique features like a wireless charging station, like our best sectional pick, or adjustable headrests with 16 angles, like the Castlery Jaron Recliner Extended Sofa (our best powered pick), it makes it stand out from the rest. Standout features are also usually the deciding factor of why you’ll choose one product over the other. These are the same features that helped us narrow our list of the best reclining sofas.
One More Thing
Reclining sofas aren’t cheap, so in order to keep them in tip-top shape and extend their longevity, we recommend doing weekly cleanings. For fabric reclining sofas, consider investing in an upholstery cleaner.
If you have a leather recliner, we recommend snagging a bottle of our favorite leather cleaners. This will condition the leather and help keep its original shine. You can also never go wrong with a good handheld vacuum to suction the crumbs between the tight seat cushions.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Kenedee Fowler is a writer for The Spruce. She has written dozens of home guides, like the best leather sofas and the best sleeper sofas. For this guide, Fowler recounts all of the times she’s lounged on reclining sofas, with one of them being our best sectional pick. Using her experience and our recliner testing experience, she researched and handpicked the best reclining sofas on the market.
