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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. Tilting Lift Recliner
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
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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
Here's the seven key features you might want to consider to help you get the most out of your riser recliner chair:
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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
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 .
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
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 .
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.
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 .
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 .
A riser recliner chair is a big investment. To keep it in the best condition we'd advise taking the following steps.
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.
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.
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
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