Fenetic
Cullingworth
Test score
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In this article
Riser recliner chairs (also known as reclining chairs) offer a choice of positions to maximise your comfort.
By allowing you to get into and out of a chair without assistance, they help you maintain independent living.
Whether you need a riser recliner for mobility reasons, 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.
Read on to find out our top tips to getting the perfect riser recliner chair for your needs, or head straight to our riser recliner chair reviews.
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Simply put, this one of the best riser recliner chair we've ever seen. The handset is really easy to use, it makes position adjustments quickly, and our user panel found it very comfortable to sit in.
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This high-scorer moves smoothly, and you'll feel secure when getting in and out of it. The handset buttons are clearly labelled and intuitive too. Overall, it's one of the very best riser recliner chairs we've tested.
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The Fenetic Atlas has some fancy features, including a hidden drinks holder and wireless charging station for your smartphone. But these features need to be on a comfortable and easy to operate chair. Is the Atlas all form and no function?
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This chair has top-notch, easy to use controls with brilliant lumbar support. It's back-up battery leaves something to be desired, but apart from this it aced our tests. If the battery isn't a deal breaker this is definitely one to consider.
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This chair is comfortable, reclines faster than most of its competitors, and comes with a double back-up battery system, so you can rely on this chair in a power cut. The low seat height makes this less comfortable for taller people, but give this one a look if this doesn't apply to you.
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How we test riser recliner chairs - discover more on our independent lab tests
Not sure if you need a riser recliner chair yet? Use our simple checklist below to find out.
If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you would probably benefit from using a riser recliner chair. However, as everyone's needs are different, there are a few other things to consider.
How to care and maintain your riser recliner chair - make your perfect chair last longer
You can get basic riser recliner chairs for as little as £350, but the cheapest models are likely to be single-motor models that don't let you control the back and footrest independently.
Typical prices for dual-motor riser recliner chairs range from £500 to around £2,000 but don’t assume you need to fork out a fortune to sit in comfort.
Our cheapest Best Buys start from less than £1,000 - and we've found some riser recliners costing nearly twice as much that performed averagely in our tests.
The price you pay may also depend on the features and fabric you choose, as well as which company you buy your chair from, and it's always worth shopping around.
If you need a riser recliner chair because of a medical condition or to help you live independently at home, you may be eligible to get one through your local authority.
Different local authorities have different rules around what they'll pay for, but your first step should be to contact your local council and book an assessment. You can find out more in our guide to financing care at home.
If you have a mobility problem and you 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.
Riser recliner chairs are heavy and take up a lot of room, so you need to identify a permanent position for the chair and measure up carefully before you buy.
You’ll also need to allow for a gap behind the chair so it can recline fully without any obstructions. As a general rule of thumb make sure there's at least a 60cm/24in space, but you can check in our riser recliner reviews under the Tech Spec 'Space required behind chair'.
You can reduce the space needed by choosing a wall-hugging riser recliner chair. For more information on arranging furniture and other safety aspects, read our guides on staying independently at home.
Although some chairs allow you to lie completely flat, they're not really intended for sleeping in for extended periods.
If you have difficulty getting into bed, you should consider buying an adjustable bed or specially designed chair bed in addition to a riser recliner chair.
If so, you may want to consider a specialist chair with extra built-in support or one with pressure-relieving features.
Which? recommends that you seek the advice of an independent adviser to assess your particular needs before buying. You can find a local registered expert in your area on the College of Occupational Therapists website.
Once you've found a comfortable chair that's the right size for you, ask yourself these questions to help you choose the most suitable functions:
For more information read our guide on riser recliner features explained.
A comfortable chair will have support in the right places. For example, extra padding at the bottom to support your lower back, and at the top for your head. The chair should be soft, but not so soft that you can feel the frame.
It's important to make sure the chair's measurements are a good 'fit' for your body. Think about:
Just as you would with any other product, try out as many chairs as you can - there's nothing to stop you walking into several retailers to try out different chairs, even if you decide to have one built for you.
Disabled Living Centres (DLCs) are well worth a visit. These are a network of local centres that provide independent advice. Most are charities and may not sell chairs, but they're a good place to start to understand the range and styles offered, and to test out chairs on loan from manufacturers.
Some retailers may even come to your home, so it's worth exploring that as an option too.
It’s important to remember that most chairs will feel comfy when you first sit on them, but to be really sure about the comfort level you need to sit in one for about an hour.
As that's not very practical in a shop or showroom, the only way you'll really be able to tell is once you're using it at home. It's wise to check that the retailer has a good returns policy, so you can get a full refund should it prove unsuitable within a certain time limit, such as 28 days.
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, such as seeing if you want to pay extra for a waterfall back rather than a standard chair back.
If you've got a particular model of riser recliner in mind, the manufacturer should be able to give you the names of mobility shops that stock your chosen reclining chair.
Whichever retailer you choose, check whether it's accredited by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA). BHTA members have to abide by a code of practice, approved by the Trading Standards Institute. This means they should be clear about pricing and not pressure you into buying or sell you something unsuitable.
To find out whether a company is BHTA accredited, you can check the BHTA website. Alternatively, look for a membership certificate in the shop or a BHTA logo on the company’s website.
Manufacturers have to comply with British standards, which means that all riser recliner chairs sold in the UK have undergone testing for strength and stability, and should give years of continuous use. Most manufacturers will also provide a warranty.
Some retailers offer a home service where a sales representative arranges a visit and brings a chair sample for you to try.
You should expect the rep to show you ID on arrival and it's best to try and set a time limit for the visit so that you're not left exhausted at the end of it. If you do buy, insist on written information and a cooling-off period.
It's an idea to have a friend or relative with you for an appointment like this, so they can provide support if needed, and you can discuss your decision with them before deciding whether to buy.
If you're buying online, it's probably because you know you want a certain 'off the peg' rather than bespoke model. If you want to try a range of chairs before deciding - which we recommend you do - a disabled living or local equipment centre may be an option, depending on where you live in the UK.
When you're buying online, check out 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 check what your rights are under the Distance Selling Regulations on our Consumer Rights website.
It's possible to pick up a second-hand riser recliner chair from private sales websites such as eBay.
Remember that there's no guarantee that the chair is the right fit for you, though, so it's best to follow the same steps as if you were buying new. It's also possible to hire a chair from specialist companies such as Mobilityhire.com.
Wherever you decide to buy, it's worth taking a look at our reviews, as we test for comfort, whether you'll feel secure, ease of use, speed of operation and back-up battery, using a combination of lab-based and user tests - so check our riser recliner chair reviews before you buy.