Power Recliner Vs. Lift Chair

Differences

• If you only need a little help to raise and lower the footrest of a recliner, a power recliner provides the solution. You might have painful knee or hip joints, weak ankles or legs or had a recent illness or surgery, and a power recliner, which can recline and incline from a seated position to a slightly reclined or nearly prone position at the push of a button, makes operating the footrest much easier. For the disabled, elderly, obese or infirm person with limited mobility or special needs, lift chairs come in the basic, two-position option that lifts you from standing to sitting, back to standing again, and reclines to about a 45-degree angle. The three-position model also seats and exits you from the chair, but includes more reclining positions. An infinite-position lift chair has a footrest that operates separately for various prone positions, allowing a comfortable sleep and offering health benefits like increased circulation and back support.

Size

• Power recliners and lift chairs are available in several sizes to accommodate the petite, large or tall person. Choose the correct chair for your physical size -- bariatric lift chairs are available with weight capacities capable of supporting 700 lbs. The wall space required behind a lift chair can be as little as 4 inches or as much as 2 feet. The power recliner, as with manual recliners, might only need 2 or 3 inches of wall space to operate, as long as it does not have a swivel base.

Materials

• Both seating options are available in many fabrics, so choose a material that suits your needs and comfort level. If you will be using the chair for long periods, soft microfiber would provide additional comfort, but is easily stained. A vinyl or leather chair is easier to clean, but this material can be slippery and cold when you initially sit down, and these fabrics can become "sweaty” due to poor breathability. Treat all materials with a fabric protector or use a washable slipcover for hygienic purposes and added stain-resistance and comfort.

Price

• The power recliner and the lift chair vary in price starting around $400 and increasing to more than $2000, as of the date of publication. The more features a power-operated chair has, such as heat, massage, positions, build-ins, warranty, weight capacity and quality of construction, the higher the price. Medical billing might be available with either option. Check with your health provider or chair retailer for details.