Manual TV recliner VS Power Recliners: Everything You Need to Know

Shopping for a TV recliner can feel daunting. Should you pick a manual recliner or a power recliner ? Well, each has its advantages and disadvantages, so there isn’t a clear-cut choice.

In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about both types of TV recliners to help you make an informed decision when choosing one. Let’s dive in!

Manual TV recliner

Manual recliners are the original TV recliners. They’re operated with a handle or lever, which is usually located on the left or right side of the chair. To recline, you simply pull the handle or lever and lean back.

However, some manual recliners don’t have handles or levers. On these models — commonly known as push-back recliners — you’ll need to use your body weight to push back on the chair and recline.

Manual recliners are available in various upholstery options, such as leather, fabric, and polyurethane. Some models also come with swiveling, gliding, or rocking capabilities for users looking for a wider range of motions.

Advantages of manual recliners

Here are some pros of manual recliners:

• Inexpensive: Since they lack electrical components, manual recliners typically cost less than power recliners. They are also cheaper to operate because they don’t use electricity.
• Compact: Manual recliners are usually lighter than power recliners since they don’t have motorized parts. As a result, they are easier to move around. Plus, they can go anywhere in your home because they don’t need to be placed near power outlets.
• Low maintenance costs: Due to their lack of electrical components, manual recliners are typically cheaper to maintain than power recliners.
• Speed: Manual recliners recline faster than power recliners. This quality can be handy if you often need to get up quickly to answer the door.
• Flexible styling: Some manual recliners don’t have a “recliner-like” appearance, making them easier to blend in with other furniture.

Disadvantages of manual recliners

Here are some cons of manual recliners:

• User effort required: With a manual recliner, you’ll need to exert some effort to adjust the chair to your desired position. This downside may make a manual recliner unsuitable if you have mobility challenges.
• Limited features: Most manual recliners don’t offer as many features as power recliners, such as massage and heat functions, adjustable power headrests, and USB ports.
• Limited positions: Manual recliners generally offer a limited number of reclining positions. While the limited number of recline options may be sufficient for some people, they may be inadequate for others.

Power recliners

Power recliners — sometimes called electric recliners — require electricity to operate. These recliners use an electric motor to recline the backrest and raise the footrest with just the push of a button on the chair or remote control. Like manual recliners, they also come in various upholstery options, like leather and fabric.

Advantages of power recliners

Here are some pros of power recliners:

• User-friendly: Power recliners are generally easier to use than manual TV recliner . All you have to do is push a button, and the chair will do the rest for you. This feature can come in handy if you have mobility challenges because you’ll be able to easily enter and exit the chair.
• Multiple positions: Power recliners offer various reclining positions. Unlike manual recliners that offer limited reclining positions, electric motors provide more flexibility when choosing positions, so you can press the button on the chair to raise or lower the backrest or footrest to a precise position you desire.
• Durable: Power recliners tend to have a longer lifespan than manual recliners because their smoother movements reduce wear and tear on the chair.
• Extra features: Power recliners offer several additional features for extra comfort and convenience, such as massage and heat functions, charging ports, and power adjustable head and footrests.

Disadvantages of power recliners

Here are some cons of power recliners:

• Expensive: Power recliners generally cost more than manual models.
• High-maintenance costs: Power recliners are costlier to maintain because their electrical parts may require servicing from time to time. Additionally, some models use batteries that need to be replaced every so often.
• Reliance on electricity: Although some electric recliners use batteries, some models need to be plugged into a power outlet. This downside limits where they can be placed. Additionally, because some models need to be plugged into power outlets to work, you won’t be able to operate them if there’s a power outage.
• Bulky: Power recliners are typically heavier than their manual counterparts, making them more difficult to move.
• Slow recline: Power recliners don’t recline as fast as manual models. However, if you prefer a gradual decline due to mobility issues or age, this may not be a dealbreaker.
• Limited styling options: Many power recliners tend to have a “recliner-like” appearance, which makes blending them in with other furniture trickier.

Verdict: Which is the best type of recliner?

When choosing between a manual or power recliner, there isn’t a right or wrong choice. Ultimately, the right TV recliner for you will depend on your lifestyle, preference, and budget.

If you’re looking for an affordable, compact, and easy-to-maintain recliner, you’ll want to opt for a manual recliner. Manual recliners don’t come with many bells and whistles and require a little effort to operate, but if these aren’t dealbreakers, a manual recliner may be suitable for you.

On the other hand, if you have mobility issues, a power recliner may be better suited for you. This is because power recliners are easy to operate and offer various recline positions for extra comfort and greater mobility.

Plus, power recliners are durable and have several sophisticated features, making them an excellent investment if you want something with extra creature comforts. However, they tend to be pretty bulky and need to be located close to power outlets, so they may be unsuitable for you if you have limited space.

Finally, remember that once you’ve selected a recliner type, you’ll need to pick a recliner suitable for your body type because an ill-fitting chair could negatively impact your health.