What do you think of when you hear the word “recliner”? Many of us imagine the pillowy, cloud-like comfort of Dad’s well-loved (and well-used) La-Z-Boy chair growing up. Remember the comfy old recliner in the den by the TV or fireplace? You know, the one with the giant lever that you repeatedly used to fling the reclining footrest in and out like you were bull-riding in some adolescent rodeo. Shhh, don’t tell Dad though – he still doesn’t know!
However, the world of reclining furniture is changing. Over the last couple decades, power recliners have been steadily increasing in popularity. While there are still plenty of traditional manual and push-back recliners on the market, the vast majority of reclining furniture being manufactured today is powered.
But why is that the case? What are the key differences between manual and power reclining furniture? Is manual or power reclining better? Are manual reclining mechanisms truly outdated, or are power recliners just a fad? Finally, what does this manual vs power recliner clash mean for consumers?
Join us for a dive into the pros, cons, benefits and drawbacks of manual reclining and power reclining furniture. By the time you finish reading this short article, you’ll know the answers to the questions above, and know which recliner is a better fit for you, your home, and your lifestyle!
Manual vs Power Recliners
First, let’s define what we mean by “manual vs power recliners”. For today’s discussion, we are talking specifically about the reclining mechanisms themselves, not “recliners”. While recliners, or reclining chairs, certainly came first, these days many sectionals, sofas, couches and loveseats also have reclining features. For that reason, conversations about manual vs power reclining mechanisms must include these other kinds of reclining furniture too. At some furniture stores, this furniture is also called “motion furniture”, you know, because it moves.
Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, shoppers ask us about the manual vs power recliner comparison on a daily basis. The vast majority of shoppers know about manual recliners and how they work, but have concerns (and a few misconceptions) about power reclining chairs, sofas, loveseats, etc. As a result, we thought it would be useful to break down the pros and cons of each.
The Pros & Cons of Manual Reclining Furniture
As we stated above, most of you reading this don’t need a long explanation about what a manual recliner is, or how it works. So we’ll keep it short. Manual reclining furniture is strictly mechanical, and is usually either operated with a lever, or with a gentle backwards push by the user. That’s it.
These are the tried-and-true designs many shoppers are used to when it comes to reclining furniture. The reclining mechanisms are relatively simple, and unlike power recliners, there’s no power source required. Additionally, entry-level manual recliners are typically a couple hundred dollars less than entry-level power recliners, although both types are available at a variety of price points.
The primary trade-offs are that there are far fewer features available on manual reclining furniture, and that there is a limited, preset number of reclining positions. For instance, your manual recliner may only have fully-open and fully-closed positions, or perhaps a third setting in-between.
For those with mobility issues, manual recliners also take more strength and flexibility to open and close the footrest. They are also noisier to operate than power reclining footrests. Lastly, the mechanism can be noisy and may eventually loosen, especially when used roughly. The result is a “jerky” or “sloppy” motion that can develop over time.
Manual Recliner Pros
- No power needed
- Simpler mechanism with fewer breakable parts
- Manual recliners are typically less expensive
- Lighter weight, and sometimes less bulky
Manual Recliner Cons
- Far fewer features available
- Limited number of reclining positions
- Noisier to operate reclining mechanism
- Requires more strength and mobility to open/close
- Over time, mechanism can loosen or become “sloppy”
The Pros & Cons of Power Reclining Furniture
The benefits of power recliners over manual recliners are numerous. First, there is no limit on how many reclining positions there are. Set it exactly how you want – and leave it there! Additionally, there are a ton of optional features that are only available with powered models. This includes everything from adjustable headrests and lumbar support, to heating, to “zero gravity” settings, to massage, to lighting and USB charging ports.
However, have you heard of the term “familiarity bias”? It is a phenomenon where people have strong preferences for things they know and are familiar with. Reclining furniture is no exception. “Well, that electric motor is just one more thing that can break.” While this common-sense objection is somewhat true, our experience is that power recliners aren’t inherently any less reliable. They merely have different points of failure than manual recliners do.
It is true that motors can fail, however power recliners don’t tend to have as many issues with sloppy joints or broken brackets because the mechanism operates more slowly and consistently. Think of it this way – do you have a strong preference for manually-adjusted seats in your car? Or do you trust your power seats to work reliably?
That isn’t to say that power recliners don’t have legitimate drawbacks. They do need power to function, which may also dictate where you can place your furniture due to outlets in your home (There are battery packs available that will allow you to “float” your power reclining furniture in a room, however). Also, the barrier to entry is indeed higher with power recliners, meaning that they are a bit more expensive.
Power Recliner Pros
- Infinite number of custom reclining positions
- Loads of additional features from USB charging ports, to massage and heat functions, to lift features, “zero gravity” settings, lighting, and adjustable headrest, lumbar and footrest
- Optional features like lift, massage, heat and “zero gravity” have numerous health and medical benefits including improved circulation, reduced back pain, spinal decompression, etc.
- Requires no strength or flexibility to operate
- Mechanism is very quiet
- Reclining mechanism is more consistent and durable
Power Recliner Cons
- Needs power to function
- Heavier to move due to motors
- Slower deployment of reclining mechanism
- Typically more expensive than a manual recliner
Manual vs Power Recliner: Which Is the Better Fit for You?
The unlimited number of reclining settings and wealth of optional features are clearly the main reasons why power recliners are slowly taking over the reclining furniture market. For this reason, we think that power recliners are the better option for most furniture shoppers. Especially for those who have health issues or limited mobility.
However, there’s still a place for manual recliners too. The lower price point and simplicity are great selling points for those who want a comfy chair or sofa without all the extra bells and whistles. Between all of these manual vs power recliner pros and cons, which type of reclining furniture do you think is best for you?
Shopping Reclining Furniture? Time to Take the Next Step on Your Journey to Comfort & Relaxation!
Now that you know which type of recliner is right for you, you’re ready to start looking! Regardless of whether you’ve chosen a manual vs power recliner, sectional, sofa, or loveseat, it’s incredibly important to have the peace of mind that comes with a solid manufacturer’s warranty.
Make sure you’re adequately prepared (and protected) by reading our guide to reclining furniture warranties! Remember, our own commitment to your satisfaction extends beyond these manufacturer warranties. Check out our own warranty page here for the details.
If you’re ready to try some manual recliners, power recliners, or other reclining furniture for yourself, we’d love to help you right here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet. With well over a dozen different reclining furniture brands, we have one of the largest selections of manual and power reclining furniture in Georgia. Come see our recliner experts at our Acworth, Dallas/Hiram, or Rome, GA furniture stores today!
