~1.jpg&newwidth=80 "Jeanine Clancy")
Written by Jeanine Clancy, MEd, BSN, RN
If you are one of 50 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain, you understand the importance of pain management and relief. Having the comfort and support you need can make a world of difference in coping with painful chronic conditions.
Power reclining lift chairs are specialized supportive chairs that can take the pain from standing up and sitting for long periods. Lift chairs are designed to enhance mobility, comfort, positional variability, and safety getting in and out of the chair. Many chairs have additional features, including heat, massage, and positional memory, so you don’t need to change the setting every time. Here are some of our favorite power reclining lift chairs!
1. Best Overall: VivaLift! Radiance Series Power Lift Chairs
2. Best Faux-Leather: VivaLift! Atlas Series Power Lift Chair
3. Best Massage: First Class Sleep-to-Stand Lift Chair by Platinum Health
4. Best Options for Petite and Tall Users: VivaLift! Tranquil Series Power Lift Chairs
5. Best Overstuffed: Golden Technologies MaxiComfort Ultimate Recline Cloud Series Lift Chair
6. Best Oversized Heavy-Duty: Golden Technologies Extra Wide Bariatric Lift Chair - Comforter Series
7. Best on a Budget: Power Lift Chair Recliner by Vive Health
In addition to lifting you to your feet, another advantage of a reclining lift chair is the positional possibilities. When looking at models, consider whether the chair offers the following settings: 2-Position, 3-Position, Zero Gravity, Infinite Position, or Trendelenburg.
Since power reclining chairs are designed to deliver ultimate support and comfort, the upholstery material is a critical consideration. Most chairs have upholstery of either faux leather or fabric. Most brands also offer the choice between multiple colors, too.
Keep in mind that most power reclining lift chairs are designed for users with a height between 5’1” and 5’9”. Users taller or shorter than these ranges may need to consider specialized models that accommodate different heights. Pride Mobility is one great brand that offers the ability to tailor specifications on some of its models. Additionally, most chairs are available in multiple widths for a greater range of users.
Most power reclining lift chairs are designed to accommodate more weight than standard chairs, including standard reclining chairs. Most of the lift chairs on our list support between 350-400 lbs, although some specialized reclining lift chairs can support up to 700 lbs.
Many models offer additional comfort and pain management features, including massage and unique heating settings. These features can supplement therapeutic treatments for back pain or other chronic pain and may offer additional relief. Other convenient features to look out for include a USB charger, cup holders, and backup batteries in case of a power outage.
Check a product’s warranty before purchasing a power reclining lift chair since these are a significant investment. Most products’ warranties last between 1 and 7 years. However, there is wide variability in warranty lengths due to the range of special features available in power reclining lift chairs.
Earning the “best on a budget” badge is the Power Lift Chair Recliner by Vive Health. Despite the low cost, one of the most notable aspects of this chair is its special features: five massage modes target the upper back, lumbar region, thighs, and calves, making it an ideal option for anyone with underlying musculoskeletal tightness. It also has a near-flat recline option designed to safely and seamlessly transition users from sitting to standing.
Additionally, this lift chair supports up to 350 lbs, has a uniquely quiet motor, and is simple to assemble. This recliner is a great pick for anyone on a budget looking for a chair with optimal utility.
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Our sixth pick and the best heavy-duty wheelchair is the Extra Wide Bariatric Lift Chair - Comforter Series Recliner by Golden Technologies. This supportive, roomy chair supports up to 700 lbs and is an ideal candidate for bariatric users. The model is constructed with three motors, including independent motors for the footrest and backrest. This feature allows users to customize their reclining experience for added comfort and pain reduction.
The chair reclines 150 degrees, is available in 5 colors, has stain-resistant upholstery, and features a hand-stuffed back, a high-density foam seat cushion, padded armrests, and leg rest. It also has a backup battery for safety in a power outage.
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Coming in at #5 and our best “overstuffed” lift chair design is the MaxiComfort Ultimate Recline Cloud Series Lift Chair with Trendelenburg by Golden Technologies. This chair sets its unique features for cloud-like comfort, including an “overstuffed” padded design, a unique wide bucket seat to cradle the lower body, and well-filled armrests to support the arms and upper body. It is truly a one-of-a-kind lift chair!
The chair also features MaxiComfort Ultimate Recline Technology to enable users to move more seamlessly between a broader range of positions compared to most other chairs, including lifted, upright, sleep, zero-gravity, and Trendelenburg. If these features weren’t impressive enough, the chair is also a good investment: the frame, lift frame, and recline mechanism have a lifetime warranty.
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Our fourth-ranked lift chair and the best option for users outside the normal height range is the VivaLift! Tranquil Series Power Lift Chairs by Pride Mobility. If you are either shorter or taller than the average lift chair is built to accommodate, you might feel frustrated looking for options that are best suited to you. This product is a great option because it comes in four dimensions: petite wide, small, medium, and large/tall. All four designs support up to 400 lbs and have four positional options, including the ability to lie flat. It also has a unique USB option for easy charging and a backup lithium battery.
All four designs support up to 400 lbs and have four positional options, including the ability to lie flat. It also has a unique USB option for easy charging and a backup lithium battery. The chair is also available in multiple colors and is known for having top-tier comfort and support.
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Our third pick and best lift chair with a massage feature is the First Class Sleep-to-Stand Lift Chair by Platinum Health. It can accommodate up to 325 lbs but still allows for a 180-degree recline for users who want to lie flat for sleeping or resting. The chair also has a unique massage special feature for additional comfort, especially for those with back pain and built-in heating pads!
Another convenient feature is two separate motors that independently control the footrest and backrest, enabling users to customize their position. Finally, the lift feature allows users with mobility challenges to easily and safely transition from sitting to standing.
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The runner-up is the VivaLift! Atlas Series Power Lift Chairby Pride Mobility. If the chic faux leather look is your top priority but without some of the special features offered by the Radiance model, this is the chair for you. Like the Radiance model, this chair has four recline positions, including the ability to lay flat.
It also supports up to 400 lbs, features a backup lithium battery for emergency power in an outage, a built-in cup holder, a built-in USB for simple smartphone charging, and comes in three stylish faux leather colors.
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Earning the #1 spot and best all-around power reclining lift chair is the VivaLift! Radiance Series Power Lift Chairs by Pride Mobility. This chair has it all: safety, comfort, style, and unique features. One of the best aspects of the chair is its unique heating system; there are three heating pads in the shoulder, lumbar region, and saddle of the chair. In addition, the backrest and footrests can be operated independently to allow for more positional variability for enhanced customizable comfort. The chair also has a built-in wireless charging station for smartphones and a cup holder for convenience.
This high-end reclining chair supports up to 400 lbs, is available in 4 sizes, has four reclining positions (including a lay flat option), and has a lithium battery backup system in case of a power outage.
This lift chair features True-Infinite Positioning, which allows the backrest and footrest to operate independently. This feature enables you to lay in virtually any position. It also has programmable recline positions, so you don’t need to keep readjusting to find your favorite setting.
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A: There is a wide range in the pricing of power reclining lift chairs. Our favorite models range from about $550-$3,000, but the industry average for most power lift chairs is about $1,000-$2,000. The chair's costs depend on various factors, including sizing, customizable features, and special features like heated seats and massage capabilities.
A: Medicare Part B will cover some of the costs of a lift chair if your doctor has determined it is a medical necessity. A doctor might prescribe a lift chair if you have severe arthritis in the hip or knee or are entirely incapable of standing up from a chair. Medicare might not pay if you are in a wheelchair and can transfer from wheelchair to chair. You will have to speak with your insurance company to determine exactly how much Medicare (Part B or Part C) might reimburse you; many users report that the reimbursement is around $300. Check out Medicare’s article Will Medicare Pay for a Lift Chair? for more information.
A: Pride Mobility Lift Chairs are among the top products on the lift chair market for a reason. Their chairs are FDA Class II Medical Devices that are specially designed to help individuals who suffer from chronic or short-term mobility impairments. Their products are engineered to help people with limited mobility sit, stand, or recline in the chair without compromising their health, safety, and pain. In addition, many of Pride Mobility’s lift chair models have added features for enhanced comfort and stability, including massage capabilities and unique headrest and footrest support.
A: An infinite position lift chair is the most versatile lift chair on the market since it can recline completely back. In some cases, these chairs can even recline beyond the parallel position so that the user’s legs are elevated above the heart (called the “Trendelenburg” position), which can be helpful for individuals with leg swelling. In addition, infinite position lift chairs typically have dual motors that allow the person in the chair to control the footrest and the back (including the headrest) independently to maximize positions.
A: There are several potential health benefits to sleeping in a recliner, which includes reduction of acid reflux symptoms, reduction in sleep apnea symptoms, and reduction of back pain, to name a few. Others might simply prefer to sleep in a reclining chair due to increased comfort. The best type of chair for sleeping can recline fully, also called the infinite position lift chair. While some people might prefer to sleep with a slight incline, it’s best to have the option of lowering the chair parallel to the floor for added flexibility and comfort.
A: When discussing the potential benefits of a power reclining lift chair, you may hear “zero gravity.” This position refers to NASA's neutral body posture specifications that reflect a state of weightlessness and ultimately the lowest pressure on the spine. The head and legs are slightly elevated, with your bottom being the lowest point (imagine your body in a “U” position). This position is associated with this feeling of weightlessness and reduction of pressure.
A: We think our #1 pick, the VivaLift! Radiance Series Power Lift Chairs by Pride Mobility is the best overall choice for safety and comfort. This unique lift chair is available in 4 distinct sizes. It has 4 reclining positions, including a lay flat option, a lithium battery backup system in case of a power outage, four heating pads, and special features like a cupholder and a built-in smartphone charging station. It also has stellar customer reviews!
If you suffer from mobility limitations or have chronic pain, investing in the right power reclining lift chair could change your life. Poor ability to rise from a regular chair is associated with lower independence and lower physical activity for those with pre-existing mobility challenges. Promoting safe, frequent position changes, using a chair lift can allow you to regain a sense of vibrancy, mobility, ad independence.
We believe that our #1-ranked power wheelchair, the VivaLift! Radiance Series Power Lift Chairs by Pride Mobility is the best investment when it comes to power reclining lift chairs. It has four reclining positions, including a “lay flat” option, four chair size options, a heating system, and other special features like a cupholder and a built-in charging station for smartphones. Who could ask for more?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about the 7 Best Power Reclining Lift Chairs! For more information about reclining lift chairs, take some time to check out our reclining lift chairs for sale, and be sure to visit Caregiver University for more information about products and caregiver resources!
Jeanine has been a nurse for twenty-seven years with an extensive background in perioperative services, school/community health, quality/education, and leadership/administrative roles. Jeanine creates high-quality health content and is a mom (to 4 fabulous kids), dog mom, and avid hiker.
