Are you dealing with back pain and want a recliner to help ease the pain?
You’re in the right place!
In this ChairAdviser.com guide, you’ll learn:
- What to look for when buying a new recliner
- What features are important for back pain
- Our reviews of the top 12 best recliners for back pain
- And much more!
Although we live in a world divided by opinions and ideas, the one thing everyone would agree on is that back pain is the worst.
It takes a huge toll on your body and curbs the amount of work you can do.
You feel too heavy, and it gets increasingly difficult to move around. Even sitting feels like torture in situations like these. So what do you do?
Well, the obvious thing to do would be to see the doctor and make certain changes in your lifestyle. This would include getting something that can soothe the pain when you sit, and that’s where recliners come in.
Other than the luxury factor, recliners can help a lot with back pain simply because they are plush and go back all the way.
There is a lot to choose from, though.
Some models have an inbuilt massage function that can massage the different parts of the body, including the back.
Some even come with beer holders and storage facilities where you can store up to two beer bottles and keep them chilled as well!
How good would that be?
Imagine getting yourself a recliner for back pain and getting extra facilities.
No one should sit on the idea of buying a recliner, as there is nothing that can go wrong with this decision unless you live in a very cramped single room with no space to spare whatsoever.
Now, coming to our picks for the best recliners for back pain, we went through almost all available recliners in stores and online to bring you the absolute best. We tested their durability and spent hours sitting on them so that we can know about their ergonomics. And, here’s the outcome of it the only guide you’ll ever need to buy the perfect recliner for your constant backaches. Moreover, we have tried to pick the recliners in almost all the price ranges, so if you’re looking for a recliner on a budget, then we have top picks for that as well!
So without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Recliners for Back Pain - Top Picks of 2021
1. Homall Recliner Our Top Pick
Homall has become a household name, and it’s killing the furniture game, from its exciting array of gaming and office chairs. Now, it seems that Homall is making waves with its recliners too. After reading countless positive reviews of it, we were intrigued to know if it was one of the best recliners for back pain; was it a hype train that everyone was hopping on, or was there any real substance to this recliner? We were excited to find out for ourselves to ultimately help you decide if this recliner is for you or not.
Right off the bat, the Homall recliner is a very well-built recliner with a firm steel frame of 3mm thickness. Kudos to that, the recliner can easily take loads of up to 265 lbs. and is perfect for people up to 6’2″, when it’s reclined with the footrest open.
It has a high-quality PU leather upholstery, with a high-density double-thick cushion that is highly resilient and easy to clean. The leather is skin-friendly, and the overall styling of the chair is modern and stays clear of the “old man’s chair” template. Much to our surprise, it does look exactly like it does in the pictures!
The Homall Recliner can be reclined from 90°-180°, which makes it perfect to nap, watch movies, or play games. The mechanism is buttery smooth, and you won’t hear a creak making it one of the best zero gravity recliners for back pain right now. The footrest is also perfectly padded to relax your thighs and calf muscles. Moreover, its feet have non-marking pads, which make sure that the floor isn’t scratched when moved.
The recliner has a slightly curved shaped back with inbuilt lumbar support, which makes it a good choice if you have lower back pain. Note that its lumbar support is not the most effective, but it certainly is the best you can get for the price. If you have light back pain, then this recliner could make it disappear. If you have intense back pain, we would suggest you check out other recliners on this list.
Overall this Homall recliner is an absolute steal for the price of just $139.99. We haven’t even come across a recliner from IKEA that could stack up to the quality and price that the Homall recliner offers!
If you are working with a tight budget but still need a great recliner to ease your back into, then this Homall is your best bet!
2. Devoko Adjustable Single Recliner For Budget Buyers
This particular recliner always manages to fool people with its premium quality finish. Almost no one would guess that it costs near $100 (often discounted under $100).
It has PU leather upholstery, as you would expect from a budget recliner like this, but it feels very comfortable. The build quality is also quite good and offers good stability overall. The frame is wooden, which makes it heavier, and sturdier. The reason why we recommend it for back pain sufferers is its backrest consists of two separate pillows. They are extremely comfortable and support the whole back, shoulders, and neck quite nicely. Moreover, the back of the recliner can be adjusted between 90° to 180° so that you can find the right comfort for yourself. It also has a footrest, and it is spacious and comfortable.
It ships pre-assembled and only takes a 3-minute setup time. It can accommodate people with weights up to 275 pounds, which is a lot for a recliner priced under $100.
Overall, this Devoko recliner is the best option if you want a recliner that costs under $100. It’s the cheapest recliner you would probably find anywhere, and since it provides decent comfort, we think it will be a good option for people who have occasional back problems.
3. La-Z-Boy Jasper Recliner A Comfortable Splurge
If there’s a superstar among recliners, it would have to undoubtedly be a La-Z-Boy recliner. La-Z-Boy has set the gold standard of what recliners are supposed to be for style and comfort. In both these departments, the La-Z-Boy’s Jasper recliner blows a good chunk of the competition out of the water!
The Jasper is one of the best La-z-boy recliners for back pain, and it’s also comparatively affordable, as far as the prices of La-Z-Boy recliners go. At least to say, we were excited when this came to us, and we got to testing just as soon. Comfort is the name of the game for La-Z-Boy. From the flared pillow arms, stitched pillow back cushion to the well-designed lumbar support, the bliss you feel when sinking into one of these reminds you why it is one of the best recliner manufacturers out there.
Your back is well supported by the ultra-plush seats that sit on the high-grade foam seat cushion. The retention on the foam is praise-worthy, and this helps maintain comfort and appearance. The flat head cushion doesn’t move as you recline, which is great attention to detail.
One thing that sets the La-Z-Boy apart from the rest of the competition is the customization made available to the customer; you can choose for the recliner to be power or manual or even add a 360° swivel base. You can upgrade the handles or change the leather to a more durable fabric. One can even upgrade the cushions to the La-Z-Boy’s aero foam memory cushions.
The customer support is also one of the best we’ve seen so far, and the assembly is as easy as it can get (we were done and resting within 5 minutes).
Truth be told, there wasn’t anything that we dislike about the Jasper. However, for a sticker price of $659.99, it’s better it be that. We would not say that it’s well worth the money you spend, but the build quality and fit, and finish of the recliner are unlike any other recliner on this list. So, it’s made to last, and the after-sales service of La-Z-Boy is also praise-worthy. If money is not a problem for you, then this is the best la-z-boy recliner you can get if you have back pain.
Want your back to be treated the way it deserves to be? Then the Esright Massage recliner has got you covered! With 8-vibrating massage modes, a heating function for the lumbar and a 140° recline function, the Esright Massage Recliner lives up to its claim of being a “massage recliner to relax the body” an understatement if you ask me!
The Esright Massage Recliner has a wide sitting base and durable PU leather covering the back and the armrest for optimal comfort. The cushioning is perfect and even long hours of sitting will not leave the chair looking deflated. Speaking of looks, the chair looks just as premium as it feels and the faux leather design looks suave and exquisite.
The sturdy design of the recliner includes 2-cup holders and extra storage bags to store in your magazines. However, it’s the 5-relaxing functions that set the Esright Massaging recliner apart in its segment. It comes with massaging and heating functions that can be activated using the remote controller. At the same time, you can recline the chair and retract its footrest to give complete relaxation to your body.
There are five control modes and two intensity levels to have perfect heat massage therapy for your back. During our test, our backs melted like a stick of butter on a hot pan and we were smiling ear-to-ear. To say the least, we were very happy with the heating and massage functions that this recliner provides. The 360° swivel and rocking function is also good added features for easy movability.
It is perfect for those up to 6″ in height and it can take a maximum weight of up to 300lbs. The customer service was prompt, and the assembly was done sweat-free in a mere 5-minutes. All the parts came well-packed and the instructions to assemble them were clear to understand.
One qualm that we had regarding the recliner was the difficulty in pushing the leg rest back down easily, and locking it into place. You might have to push down hard, but probably after repeated usage, the mechanism will loosen a bit. The elderly and those with weak leg muscles, best beware.
Apart from that minor inconvenience, the Esright Massage Recliner is an absolute joy to sit in. If you can spend up to $300, then this Esright recliner is a solidly built recliner with excellent back support and features to instantly relieve you from back pain.
5. Signature Design by Ashley Furniture
When we were testing out this recliner from Ashley Furniture, we no doubt had our expectations quite high since it’s another recliner on our list that costs above $500. To our surprise, though, this Signature Design by Ashley Furniture Recliner exceeded our expectations, and we think it’s the best option for elderly or disabled people with back issues.
The first thing that caught our eye was the lovely saddle brown upholstery. It’s made up of poly-fiber material, which feels like leather, but it’s smoother and also way more durable than any type of leather out there.
The built of the recliner was another highlight; the design was sturdy, and the frame never once budged or creaked. Also, I cannot stress this enough, the recliner is extremely comfortable to sit!
Its lumbar support pillow snugs the lower back part of the body, and its soft seat, headrest, and armrest put you in the utmost comfortable position. As mentioned earlier, it is a perfect choice for elderly or disabled individuals with serious back issues. It is generously sized and completely dual-motor controlled right from the recline of the back to the extension of the footrest (both can be controlled independently) using a hand control power remote.
The movement that its motors provide is also slow and steady, and there are no jerks or quick motions during transitions. Ashley Furniture even gives a 5-year warranty for the motor, so it’s indeed made to last.
At the price of about $600, this is not the recliner that would get a place in every home, but it is a definite recommendation from us if you want a $2000 chair at a quarter of the price.
6. MCombo Electric Power Lift Recliner
The Mcombo Electric power lift recliner is ideal for those who have mobility issues or are recovering from surgery. People with chronic back pain can be included in this group as well. What a typical chair can’t provide, the MCombo electric lift recliner can.
The power lift assistance allows the chair to assist the user to stand up easily without adding any strain to the knees or the back. The counter-balance lift mechanism raises the entire chair steadily from a seated to a vertically upright position all with a press of a button on the remote control.
The lift motors are also very powerful and don’t feel flimsy. Moreover, its motor is TUV certified, meaning it operates without making much noise.
The recliner comes with durable material and overstuffed pillowtop arms to make resting on it bliss. The velvety-soft cloth material feels great against the skin. The recliner stays stable while movements and its mechanisms are fluid-like with no sudden or jittery motions. Everything is slow and steady like it should be for people who have recently undergone surgery.
The MCombo Recliner also comes with a few creature comforts, such as USB charging ports and a 2 cup holder on either armrest. It even has sleeves on the sides for storing magazines.
The only drawback that we found regarding the chair was that it isn’t comfortable for tall people. If you are above 6′, you are better off looking for other alternatives on the list.
All of the controls of the recliner, right from the raising of the footrests to the reclining of the back, can be done using the remote control settings.
For the price that’s just a little bit less than $500, this is a comfortable power lift recliner that offers more features than some of the other options on the list that costs more. Overall, we think it’s a perfect addition for people recovering from surgery and those with chronic back pain. If you are within the 6-feet mark, then the MCombo is another excellent recliner that fits the purpose.
7. Flamaker Power Lift Recliner for The Elderly
To be honest, we didn’t expect much from this Flamaker’s recliner, but to our surprise, it turned out to be a hidden gem that should definitely be considered if you suffer from chronic back pain.
When we got our hands on it, the first thing we noticed was how sturdy and well-built the recliner was! Its heavy-duty construction and stable metallic frame were immediately agreeable amongst us. The power lift and recline mechanism made full use of this stability, and I have to say it moved buttery smooth. With a touch of a button on the remote control, the recliner lifts up and down, and rises to an upright position to allow for easy standing up without putting strain on the knee and back.
You can recline all the way back to a cozy position if you’re watching TV or catching a nap. The footrest can also be extended or retarded as per your command.
It also comes with a massaging function with five adjustable modes and two intensity options, which is highly effective to relieve back pain. You can also set the massage timer function to 15, 30, or 60 minutes. If massaging does not please you enough, then you can turn on the heating function in conjunction with it. It heats up the lower back part to ease out the stiff muscles and improves blood circulation. It works like a charm to relieve even the harshest of back pain problems.
Apart from that, it has comfy thick padding on the headrest, back, and bottom seat, and there are also pockets and cup holders on either arm. It has a PU leather upholstery which is smooth and gives off a classic-esque look that is clean. The PU leather upholstery is also easy to manage. If you spill something on it, then it can be wiped easily with a clean dry cloth.
However, it can accommodate people with height up to 6 feet only. If you are taller than that, then you can sit on the recliner comfortably, but if you plan to sleep on it, then its footrest might fall short for your legs. So overall, the Flamaker Power Lift Recliner is an amazing addition to your living room. For this price, the recliner over-delivers, in our opinion, and we certainly couldn’t be happier with its heat massage function.
8. Best Massage Recliner Chair Budget Recliner with Massage
If you are on the lookout for an inexpensive recliner that comes with massaging function, then you might find what you’re looking for with this recliner from BestMassage. Yes, that’s the name of the brand, but who cares. Its massage function works fairly well for the price, and it’s comfortable enough to support your spine if you have back pain.
The recliner is modern in its design and by no means looks like a grandpa’s chair (if you were expecting it to be from its price). Its PU upholstery feels good to touch, and its hardwood frame is well put together, but it’s not as strong as the metal-reinforced frame available on some of the recliners in the $200 price range. The recliner is comfortable to sit in with a plush seat and backrest, but if you are big and tall, then you’re better off passing this recliner as we feel its frame wouldn’t be able to bear a lot of weight.
But, we like this recliner because of its massaging function. First of all, it’s not common for a recliner under $200 to have a massaging function, so we appreciate BestMassage including it in their recliner. We also didn’t have many expectations from its massage features. However, this recliner got good reviews from verified purchasers on Amazon, so we had to consider this recliner for our list. So, it comes with an eight-function massaging system with variable intensity settings. The massage from it was decent but nothing to praise; we felt the massaging to be uneven, and one of the nodes felt harder than the other. You can reduce the intensity to fix that, but that reduces the intensity of the other node as well. This could be just our unit, and your unit may not have this problem.
But, what surprised us is, it certainly works. If you have back pain that you think is still in starting stage, then this budget recliner can make it disappear.
The chair arrives dismantled, but its assembly is very easy and hardly takes 10 minutes. That about wraps up the BestMassage Reclinerâ€â€the low-priced massaging recliner if you’re not in a place to spend.
Our word of advice would be, if you have chronic knee or back issues or are old, then we highly suggest you save yourself future inconveniences and look for other recliners on this list.
9. Giantex Recliner Best for Petites
If you’re on the lookout for a comfortable recliner for a studio apartment or small spaces, then the Giantex recliner meets the criteria. At first glance, the make of the recliner is classic and elegant, and it can gel beautifully in living spaces and even offices. Its fabric upholstery is also of high quality and feels smooth to touch, and it even has side pockets on each arm.
With that being said, it is understandable that this recliner is designed for people below 6 feet. If you’re 5’5″ or shorter, then this is the perfect chair for you in all honesty. If not, then it is suggested you check others on the list.
Although not a La-Z-Boy or a Serta, its build quality is decent enough, and it feels like it can take a lot of beating. Its high-density, sponge-lined sofa provides great back support as it’s slightly curved to match the natural shape of the spine. Moreover, its curved armrests also feel great, especially when sitting with the backrest pushed back.
This Giantex recliner also comes with the massage function, and it feels very similar to the previously mentioned BestMassage recliner. It also has two vibrating nodes, but on this recliner, both the vibrators work in tandem to give the perfect back massage.
The massaging settings are exactly the same, with eight different modes and three intensity levels. In fact, the remote controls are also exactly the same. Seems like it has been sourced from the same manufacturer. However, the frame on this recliner is made from steel, and that makes it more rigid (and expensive as well) than the above-mentioned BestMassage recliner.
Overall, it is a decent chair to sit in for a few hours if you are taller than 6 feet, but if you are petite, then this is probably the best option for you. We like it most due to its value for money prospect. It’s affordable and still offers a pretty well-built recliner with highly desirable features like massaging.
10. Jummico Recliner An Affordable Bet
Another well-made recliner that we were hearing about a lot and wanted to test out for our readers. Although it may look exactly similar to some of the recliners we have mentioned earlier, everything from the feel of its upholstery to the steel frame inside is different.
We loved its high-quality breathable fabric upholstery. It is comforting, and its soft pillows at the back make you hug this recliner. Both pillow and seat have a sufficient amount of padding, and its armrests also feel very comfortable.
The push-back design of the recliner allows for up to 165° recline, which is not the best in class, but it’s good enough for resting for few hours. If you want a recliner to sleep at night, then this is not the one. Its footrest, however, is plenty big and since the recliner has a steel frame, it feels sturdy as well.
At this price, you can’t expect any massaging or heating function, but looking at the build quality and overall comfort that this recliner delivers, we think it’s a no-brainer choice if you want a no-nonsense recliner to fix your bad back.
11. Flash Furniture Recliner with Ottoman Footrest
This is the only recliner that comes with an ottoman footrest on our list, and it’s from the very well-renowned furniture manufacturing company Flash Furniture.
The manufacturer has been setting a standard on affordable and well-designed office chairs for quite a while now, and our experience with their recliner was no different.
We indulged ourselves in the multi-positional level recliner, and we couldn’t help but realize how luxuriant the entire affair was! The plush arms, soft leather upholstery (faux leather), and the 3″ thick seat padding invited you to a heavenly siesta. The integrated headrest was sufficient and gave lovely neck support.
The lumbar support was just right, and the infinite adjustments from the recline mechanism ensured that I could pick the right angle for myself. The angling back was smooth, and while angling forward, we felt the chair snap back into place rather than a controlled and gradual movement. A 360° smooth ball-bearing mahogany wood base swivel is an aesthetic highlight on the recliner.
The ottoman footrest comes with the same wood base as the recliner and comes beautifully padded to ensure you can take the weight off of your feet. We loved the Beige faux leather option; the mahogany wood base mixed seamlessly with the beige painted wall in our office and was an instant hit in terms of appeal. If it doesn’t please you, it comes in 3 other color options.
The recliner is not as light as other options on the list, but it can be moved easily, and it even features scratch-resistant feet.
Overall, this Flash Furniture recliner feels like a great deal. It comes from one of the most trusted furniture manufacturing brands in the US, and for the price of around $300 with an ottoman included, it offers a great value.
However, if you suffer from severe back pain, then we suggest you try out the recliner with a built-in footrest because we think this may not prove as effective as those types.
12. Comhoma Leather Reclining chair
If you’re looking for a recliner that’s comfortable, loaded with features, and still does not cost you an arm or leg, then this Comhoma leather reclining chair is another excellent option for back pain.
It costs around $300, and for the price, you get a very comfortable recliner that features probably the best massage system you can get at this price. It has four different massaging areas, which start from the high-back area to the thighs. It is highly adjustable as per your comfort, with five different massaging modes and four intensity levels. That’s not it. It also has heated lumbar support!
Apart from that, the recliner itself is also very plush with a soft seat, back, and extra padded neck rest and armrest. It also features swiveling function with a manual recline (up to 150°), and it also has a pretty spacious footrest.
All in all, from features and comfort, this Comhoma recliner looks pretty good to us, and we think it would help a lot in easing out the back problems. However, its build quality is not as we would expect from a $300 recliner. Although its frame is built out of metal and feels sturdy, there are some quality issues like, when swiveling sometimes, it makes noises. Apart from that, when you retract the footrest, you hear some squeaking. It could be fixed by applying little lubricating oil to those parts, but we have tested many $300 recliners and have never experienced such quality issues.
Nonetheless, it’s still an excellent option. Its highly effective massage system compensates for its every other shortcoming.
That’s all!
These are our most recommended recliners for back pain right now. We have tried to cover every price range and have also considered different type of back pains and what causes those back pain while picking the recliners for this list. Apart from that, we also did all sorts of build quality, comfort and features check to see if it provides enough value for the asking price. After considering all that, we evaluated above-mentioned 12 recliners that we think are best for people having back problems.
We are pretty sure that you’ll find the recliner in our list that would help you to get at least some relief from your back pain.
We hope that the extensive research that we did to create this guide would help you to buy the best recliner for back pain. Keep checking this page for updated options as we regularly update all our buying guides.
