LAST UPDATED: May 23, 2022
Sciatica or back pain is one of the most common causes of productivity loss worldwide. Studies show that sitting for long periods at home or work may cause chronic back pain and spine injuries.
People often seek medical treatments like surgery, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. There are also naturally occurring ways, such as healthy sleep, controlled diet & exercise, massage, and an ergonomic recliner with lumbar support.
Yes! Find a recliner like ES Power Lift Electric Recliner that supports your lower back and spine without allowing it to sink too deeply into the cushion.
Quick Stuffs tested 20+ recliners with different use cases and shortlisted the top 7 best recliners for back pain.
7 Best Recliners for Back Pain Sufferers
What Kind of Recliner is Good for Lower Back Pain?
Choosing the right recliner depends on the type of back pain you have. Traditional recliners are padded enough to support the lower back, but they may not be right for everyone. Select a recliner with features like a massage or heating function, power lifting, swivel, etc.
For example, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain, you might choose this recliner from MCombo with extra-ordinary lumbar support, so you don’t have a gap between your lower body and the chair as you elevate your legs.
For those concerned about muscle strain, we recommend this recliner from ESRIGHT with heat and massage function.
NOTE: Recliner chairs with gaps cause the body to sink into the space, further straining the back (in case of chronic lower back pain).
Best Recliners for Back Pain: Detailed Reviews
We followed our unbiased review policy to analyze each product with its features, specifications, ergonomic features, build quality, durability, and brand reputation.
1. ESRIGHT Power Lift Electric Recliner
BEST FOR: The ESRIGHT Power Lift Recliner is the best recliner for elderly back pain that helps seniors get up and lie down more easily. Its electrically powered lift system allows you to easily rely on it while reading, watching television, or napping.
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 330 lbs
The control button allows you to stop at any position in between reclining, sitting, and lifting using the remote control.
We found this recliner highly comfortable for supporting your neck, back, thighs, and legs at incorrect angles.
The 8-point vibration system and 5 modes make it ideal for those suffering from back pain, anxiety, fatigue, or who work long hours.
It is perfect for seniors between 5’1″ and 5’9″ and delivers exceptionally with a multitude of features.
With the outstanding UL-certified actuator-operated power lift feature and zero-gravity recline position at such a good price.
With a 150-degree recline, you can elevate your knees above your heart and evenly distribute your body weight. It feels like you are sitting on a cloud, and your body has no weight to carry!
The 2-in-1 work-screen lets you perform two tasks simultaneously while enjoying lumbar heating. Isn’t it great, fellas?
Using the cup holders and side pockets, you do not need to hold the cup or bottle until it is empty, giving you a chance to rest your hands.
Final Verdict: If you are looking for a power lift chair in your living room, bedroom, home theater, or even office, ESRIGHT is our #1 recommendation.
2. ESRIGHT Massage Recliner Chair
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 330 lbs
You get a remote controller with a 140° recline feature and a power cord for massaging function. The controller has 5 control and 2 intensity levels to your liking. However, it may take up to an hour to feel the heat.
As for the material, we found a soft and sturdy faux leather with an extra thick sponge that offers remarkable lumbar support. Whether working long hours, playing games, or napping, this can protect your back from pain and maximize your energy levels.
It took us hardly 5-10 minutes to assemble the whole set that comes with electronic automation so we could sit and relax without worrying about uncanny movements.
It automatically turns off the heating and massage after 20 minutes of use. This integrated safety feature prevents the chair from overheating.
Customers reported that the footrest is easy to close. However, it worked well when a full foot heel was applied.
Final Verdict: We give this recliner high marks for its wide sitting base and comfortable material, providing ultimate support for back pain and armrests. Furthermore, its massage function is heaven for blood circulation in sciatic patients, and its stylish color matches your home decor with ease of cleaning.
3. Comhoma Modern Ergonomic Recliner
BEST FOR: In our opinion, the Comhome Modern Ergonomic recliner is the ideal solution to avoid overstretching and back pain. Featuring an advanced, automated, and smooth 360° swivel, it becomes your favorite place to sit after long working hours.
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs
Compared with the Best Choice Products Executive Swivel Recliner, this one provides much more value for less money.
You can enjoy enough backward reclining and relax while putting equal pressure on your back and feet.
Like other recliners on the list, Comhoma offers a 151° of recline, rocking, 8 massage points, and 4 modes allowing full chaise seating.
You can improve blood circulation and reduce stress by placing your feet on a footrest while receiving an electronic message.
We were impressed with this chair’s push-back recline mechanism, which allows you to lean backward with your body weight by placing your hands on the armrests of the recliner and pushing forward on the arms.
Final Verdict: Lastly, it is spacious, soft-padded & cushioned for excellent back support while working, gaming, reading, or napping.
4. SMAGREHO Zero-gravity Recliner
BEST FOR: This recliner from SMAGREHO is the best back pain recliner with zero gravity.
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 300 lbs
Our experts recommend this chair because of its exceptional features that you do not see in chairs in this price range. At first, we thought there must be a catch since we weren’t expecting a full-functioning recliner for this price. NOT SO!
The highlight of this product is the zero-gravity feature, which is designed to relieve heart stress while lifting your feet above its level.
Additionally, it features an 8-point automatic massager where you can choose between 6 preset auto modes (forward & reverse) to get the most comfortable massage of your choice.
You can recline the chair at three different angles to adjust the depth of the massage to your preferences.
In addition to its stylish, breathable, and aesthetically pleasing design, it embellished the interior perfectly. High-quality faux leather makes this high-end recliner durable and long-lasting.
With 8 airbags inflating and deflating over the shoulders, arms, buttocks, legs, feet, back, and waist, the rollers help relieve tension and muscle stiffness.
While reclining or simply catching a nap, the armrest linkage system allows the user to place the arms in the most comfortable spot.
The recliner has good-sounding built-in speakers; you can also connect your cell phone wirelessly to enjoy a relaxing massage.
Our only complaint is the unreliable backrest. Although not a deal-breaker, it’s still noticeable at the moment.
Verdict: For us, it is a go-to recliner for back pain, especially for those who look for zero-gravity. It offers massive value for money after a busy session on this impeccable massage chair.
5. MCombo Electric Power Lift Recliner
BEST FOR: MCombo’s power lift sofa chair is ideal for people who have mobility issues, have recently undergone surgery, or have chronic back pain. You will find it very comfortable if you can’t sit in a traditional chair.
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 320 lbs.
With its counter-balanced lift mechanism and TUV-certified actuator, it assists the user to stand quickly without exerting too much pressure on their feet, legs, and backs. Remote control assistance allows you complete control over the modern time recliner.
Vibration is provided throughout the body, and lumbar heating through 8 vibrating points and 1 lumbar heating point. Massage phases can be set according to your needs with preset time frames.
The best part is that it also uses vibration separately for the heating function, making it safe for the elderly.
You can adjust the recliner to a seated or reclining position with the lighted buttons on the hand remote. This is extremely helpful for people with knee or neck surgery who can’t afford stretching or mobility.
Regarding decor, it comes with faux leather and has an easy-to-assemble wiring structure. This is the perfect addition to your living room with multiple color options.
It is easy to clean with durable upholstery along with superior aesthetics. You can clean the high-quality faux leather with a dry or damp cloth if you spill coffee on it.
Verdict: This petite size high-end chair provides excellent value for money. Our team tested on a large scale, and was able to get up and down from a chair very easily after my knee surgery. For the price, it’s a pretty good chair, especially since it’s a massage AND lift chair.
6. MCombo Recliner with Ottoman Chair
BEST FOR: MCombo Recliner with Ottoman Chair is the best ottoman recliner with lumbar support with a removable lumbar pillow and an ottoman chair designed specifically for movement and support back pain patients.
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 330 lbs
The recliner has thick padding and smooth lines to offer you an ergonomic angle, while the ottoman allows you to rest your legs while reclining.
During testing, the load-bearing capacity and swiveling base were excellent. Due to the 360-degree swivel and infinite adjustments, you will find it easy to maneuver.
With the lumbar pillow, this leather recliner is very comfortable for people who have sciatica and need some support for herniated disks or buttocks for a long time.
You get 3 massage points around the back, thighs, and lumbar with 5 vibration modes. The 6 massage nodes range from weak to strong to control intensity. Therefore you can enjoy full-body lumbar heating.
It also features high-quality faux leather, which can be cleaned once a week with a microfiber cloth or dish soap mixed with water.
Despite being fully ergonomic, the recliner does not recline to a flat position. Also, we do not recommend it for the elderly since getting up is not comparatively easy.
Verdict: This recliner is highly recommended because it is always beneficial to your health, style, and value to your daily life activities.
7. Homall Recliner Chair
BEST FOR: Looking for a wall-hugger recliner to relieve back pain? The Homall recliner chair is another living room chair for back pain issues in small spaces. One of the most noticeable features of this recliner is its additional padding, which makes it feel like a cloud for your tired and stiff body.
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 265 lbs
Despite lacking advanced features like vibration and heating, the Homall recliner has curved armrests, ample padding, and a sturdy upgraded footrest.
You can recline into three different positions using a lever while watching the screen or resting.
It is possible to exert enough pressure and keep the legs comfortable while reclining when you have an extra-padded footrest supported by a sturdy metal frame.
Homall offers a lifetime warranty for its damaged or missing parts and a full refund if the customer is unsatisfied with its performance.
The high-quality PU leather ensures the health of your skin and ensures that you can enjoy sitting on it all the time. It won’t irritate you or cause you to slip.
The foam-padded feet of this recliner allow you to move it anywhere you want without being hindered by its weight.
Verdict: It is a compact and classy piece of furniture that meets all your home decoration needs within this price range, except for a few minor issues. It lacks a few features that may benefit those with lower back pain and muscle stiffness.
How to Choose a Recliner for Lower Back Pain?
1. Should Fit your Size
Choose the right recliner for your body weight, height, headrest placement, and footrest placement based on ergonomics and compactness.
Taller persons often need more width than a standard chair due to a lack of head and neck support in standard sizes.
Similarly, shorter persons struggle with reaching the leg rest.
- Smaller Recliners are: 30 inches wide, 41 inches tall, and 36 inches deep.
- Medium Recliners are: 35 inches wide, 42 inches tall, and 38 inches deep.
- Gian Recliners are: 40 inches wide, 42 inches tall, and 40 inches deep.
Hence, always know the dimensions you require to relax properly.
Also, it is common for recliners to be much larger than other chairs in a room and can take up more space. They require a space of at least a foot between them and the wall so that the chair can fully extend.
2. Weight Capacity Should Meet your Usage
Usually, I didn’t pay attention to this factor, but when I had to move my recliner frequently around different rooms, I had many problems.
These recliners weigh quite a bit since they were built from steel, have swivel bases, and are ergonomically designed.
You should consider item weight based on your portable priorities.
Likewise, you must also check the maximum weight capacity of a particular item keeping your weight in mind.
3. Excellent Build Quality
The recliners in your living rooms are meant to be used frequently, so their frames should be durable and resistant to repeated uses.
Prevalent types of materials include:
- Leather
- Polyurethane Leather
- Microfiber
Recliners with leather upholstery are incredibly durable and easy to clean but touch some high price lines.
On the contrary, PU leather serves under the budget line but requires strict maintenance rules and is prone to get damaged soon. ESRIGHT Massage Recliner Chair is a perfect choice, with heated PU leather upholstery fulfilling the therapeutic needs.
The microfiber upholstery is perfect for furniture as it owns a velvety texture that ensures comfortable sitting. This material is durable, stain, and water-resistant making it ideal for frequent use.
4. Ergonomics Features Checklist
Recliners for back pain and sciatica must meet all the ergonomic requirements. Otherwise, they can be considered a good chair for normal use but not for such specialized conditions.
Reclining: The most highlighted feature is the number of reclining positions that a recliner offers. How quickly it switches from one to another reclining position adds up to the quality of the reclining feature.
Lumbar Support: Patients with lower back pain look for a recliner for spinal muscle support. So, a recliner with good lumbar support gets you some relief while sitting or napping on it. MCombo Recliner with Ottoman ensures excellent lumbar support with a fully padded backrest.
Heating: The recliners with heating therapy features are true to their name, a great relief for sciatica patients. Adding up to the effectiveness of the recliner chairs, this feature is a top-tier highlight of modern products.
Massaging: Recliners with massage points are good for relieving stiffness and pressure on the back, hips, and feet. A recliner with this feature is perfect for people with sciatica pain.
Swiveling: Prefer recliners like the ComHoma Modern PU Ergonomic Recliner have swivel functions that allow users to rotate the chair while seated up to 360-degrees using their feet.
Rocking: Both power rocker recliners and manual rocker recliners are equipped with rocking capabilities; to rock the chair, simply sit back, relax, and let it do its thing.
Zero-Gravity: In zero gravity chairs, the feet are elevated and aligned with the heart in a neutral posture. When a person reclines in a zero gravity chair, they feel weightless, releasing tension. What about giving a try to SMAGREHO Massage Chair Recliner?
5. Price/ Value
In back pain situations, everything depends on what your body demands. That’s the only factor determining how much you should spend on a particular recliner for back pain relief.
However, if budget isn’t a concern, picking up the leather upholstery recliner is a great choice.
The Homall Recliner Chair is the best pick for basic living room needs for budget-conscious people.
6. Must have a Warranty
Make sure you check the warranty because a full warranty covers the entire recliner, including every part for repair, for a year.
A money-back warranty allows you to get your money back if you don’t like the product or if it doesn’t suit your needs. For the limited warranty period, a few parts are covered.
7. Safety & Control Should not be Questionable
It is best to choose a recliner with a sturdy safety grid to prevent accidents. There shouldn’t be more than 5 inches between the footrest and the seat.
Also, check the control options when buying the recliner. Some traditional recliners require pulling a lever to operate. In contrast, today’s advanced recliner chairs can be operated using a remote control.
8. It Should be Easy to Assemble
Even though this isn’t the determining factor for quality, the assembly can be a tough job if you don’t have a detailed manual or if you don’t have experience doing it.
In the past, I have received a lot of recliners with inadequate instruction manuals that took me hours to assemble.
Verify the manual and estimated assembly time, or use an online support service to help you out.
Is it bad to sleep in a recliner every night?
Sleeping in a recliner is generally considered safe. People suffering from multiple sleep disorders and physical aches can choose the recliners for a good night’s sleep and short napping.
How can I stretch my sciatic nerve while sitting?
Following the simple method:
- As you sit in a chair, cross your sore leg over your other knee.
- Bend your chest forward while keeping your spine straight. Keep bending forward until you feel no pain.
- Keep this position for about 30 seconds.
- Extend your other leg similarly
Is it better to sit or lay down with back pain?
Sitting or lying down for a long period can make you inactive and even trigger a painful situation. Walking or even just a little bit of movement may help you improve faster.
Is a recliner chair good for pregnant sciatica patients?
Yes, recliners provide many benefits to pregnant women and nursing mothers. It is safe to sit or sleep on a recliner as long as you stay upright.
Who makes the best recliners for back pain?
ESRIGHT, COMHOMA, SMAGREHO, MCombo, and Homall are some of the leading recliner brands manufacturing high-quality products focusing on performance, ergonomics, and consumer needs.
What is the Best Back Pain Recliner for Me?
With its amazing set of features at an affordable price, we recommend the ESRIGHT Power Lift Recliner.
Try to live a healthy lifestyle, take short breaks, eat healthily, and recline in bliss!😊
Happy Buying!
