10 Reclining Sofas That'll Restore Your Faith in Reclining Sofas

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When did we get so stuffy? Why has the recliner gone out of style? No one is sitting stick-straight on French rococo sofas, but we've pretty much thrown out the classic American recliner. For some reason, the world is currently favoring contemporary, sharp-lined luxury sofas, mid-century accent chairs, and low-seating designer couches.

Listen, we're not the most die-hard patriots over here, but if we've ever gotten anything right in this country, it's comfort. And nothing—no standard leather sofa, no big sectional sofa, no futon, no outdoor sofa—will ever match the comfort of a big reclining sofa. Nothing will let you kick your feet up like a recliner. Even those extra deep movie night sofas fall flat in comparison.

But I get it. There's a taboo around reclining sofas, because the assumption is that they're ugly and that they look cheap. That's fair. When I think of reclining sofas, I think of this camouflage reclining sofa from Bass Pro Shops that my uncle owns. But these days, you can get a reclining sofa that looks so good you'd drop a month's worth of pay to acquire it. It's a weird market. So, as a service to you, we decided to wade into it, put our feet up, and test some sofas. After which, we whittled our list down to these. Behold, the 10 best reclining sofas that actually look good.

Enzo Reclining Sofa

That mid-life crisis will look a whole lot less sad and a whole lot more classy when you're perching on a sofa completely upholstered in leather. Leather, as a fabric, is the most durable and easiest to clean. West Elm's Enzo leather recliner sofa is all top-grain, and its design is not too bombastic: simple sharp lines and geometric composure to complement your otherwise busy room. There's also some neat feature, like storage spaces hidden within the armrests for organizing remotes, books, small gadgets, or hiding your... you know.

*Also available in non-leather and sectional styles

Tucker Leather Power Reclining Sofa

Of all the options on this list, this one looks the most luxe. If I weren't telling you right now that it's a reclining sofa, there's a good chance you'd never even know. It just appears to be a simple high-arm sofa with sharp, rectangular lines.

But, what we've got here as a near-perfect power recliner. It's done up in premium top-grain leather that will develop a wonderful patina overtime. The cushions are firm enough to support you without feeling rock-hard, and the high-armrests add a bit of sophistication to the sofa.

3 Seat Sectional

This whole category is occupied by some of the most comfortable sofas on the market. So for something to win the most comfortable award here, that means it's special. Homebody's recliner does it as a result of a combination of factors.

First, we've got the shape. It's not too upright, nor too laid back, and the mid-rise armrests are just right for people of most proportions. Then, the seats. They're wide and plush, giving everyone enough space to spread out and sink in. Lastly, the customizable reclining. You can choose between just one, two, three, or more recliners (!), which is a great compromise.

Frankie Reclining Sofa

A "Best Overall" category on a sofa seems a bit funny, given how subjective interior design can be. But for the combo of looks, price, and comfort, nothing is really going to beat this option from Z Gallerie. It looks good—simple and contemporary, able to fit any aesthetic. At juuuust under $2,000 it's not exorbitantly priced. And the two wide recliners are some of the most comfortable we've felt. It's everything you could need.

Frankie Reclining Sectional

If you've got a particularly massive living area, that same sofa comes as a massive five-piece sectional with three power recliners. If you want a sectional, but don't have enough space for the five-piece showstopper, a more standard four-piece sectional is also available.

Leo Motion Reclining 3-Piece Reversible Chaise Sectional (125")

Hey, just because you're buying a recliner doesn't mean you can't really go for it. Want a modern-looking centerpiece that also reclines? West Elm's got it. The Leo blew our minds. Up until the moment I saw it in person, I wasn't ready to believe this was a recliner. But let me tell you, it looks even better in the flesh, and it's so damn comfortable.

Leisure Recliner Sofa

For pure looks, we really like this option from Crate & Barrel. The armrests are straight and slim for some visual interest, but the actual seating area is pretty round and organic. Pair that with a neutral upholstery in a tactile bouclé fabric, and you've got a great looking sectional. Another plus on the practicality of this sectional: The back and footrest recline independently, with separate controls. You can really fine-tune an exact seating position that works for you.

Pearce Square Arm Sectional

Sectionals, the big-budget holdouts of luxury furniture, have even succumbed to the recliner. This Pearce sectional from Pottery Barn looks lovely, with an inoffensive shape. Since you can fully customize the shape of this sofa, and Pottery Barn has a massive catalog of swatches, it can work for many tastes and setups.

Evelina 77'' Pillow Top Arm Reclining Sofa

Never again accidentally dump a packet of honey mustard or a bottle of Mountain Dew all over your lap while attempting to get through jump scares in The Conjuring. Just put them in a cupholder, just like you'd do in an AMC theater recliner. Though, as a manual reclining sofa, the Evelina loveseat lacks a cool touchscreen control panel, as long as it can give you some room to wiggle, put down your popcorn and beverages, and squarely focus on can't-miss moments happening in the silver screen, it's worth a buy. This loveseat is also plush all around to bring you support and comfort.

Southgate Reclining Sofa

Sometimes, you've got to put things into perspective to see the beauty of it. Like for the Southgate, a standalone front shot of it against a white background just doesn't do the recliner couch justice. Actually placing it in a styled, organized room against a beige or warm-color wall will let it shine. The sofa also works great, with plumpness all over the place in feathery chenille fabric to make your time spent napping or lounging on it divine.

The Two Types of Reclining Sofas

• Manual: Sofas with manual reclining are old-school but intuitive, like the reclining seat in an airplane or car. There's a handle or lever that releases a spring which leans the back cushion backwards and raises the footrest. Manual reclining makes sofas cheaper, albeit less adjustable.
  
  

• Power: Reclining sofas powered by electric motor, like the seats at your local movie theater. You push the button and wait for the reclining angle you desire. No sweat. Power reclining sofas give you more control over the position, though they are often more expensive and need to be plugged into an outlet.

What to Look For in Reclining Sofas

• Size: Dimension matters a lot for sofas, but ultimately, it boils down to how many people you want to seat and where it'll be placed. A loveseat for the basement, or a whole four-seater sectional for the living room? Up to you. But for a reclining sofa, you'll want to add some space around it to make room for extended headrests and footrests.
  
  

• Upholstery material: It's just fabric, basically. And thankfully, quite a few reclining sofas we've reviewed here give you the option to customize or swap fabrics, in both materials—linen, velvet, bouclé, twill, etc.—and colors. But to give you a simple rundown either way, sofas can often come in the water-resistant polyester, the lush and long-lasting leather, and the raised and soft chenille.
  
  

• Features: Does it have cupholders? Or USB charging ports? Or hidden storage in the arms? Or pop-up headrests? Or come with throw pillows? Anything that'll give your ass and spine an easier time on the sofa is worth considering.

Why Trust Esquire?

Because, we are the go-to voices for luxury interiors. No one else tests as many furniture brands as us. No one tests as many sofas as us. No one comes close to us in mattress testing. For luxury furniture—especially if you're a man in search of some direction—we are the only voice you need to listen to.

More practically, we hit the showrooms, and we talk with brands. We've tried a bunch of these sofas in our homes. We've got good taste, and we know what materials and constructions are made to last the longest. We are your on-call internet interior decorators.

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