Plenty of older adults fall asleep in a recliner, whether by choice or because lying flat is uncomfortable. The Sleep Foundation says sleeping upright is not inherently healthy or unhealthy, as long as you rest comfortably and get enough sleep, and that it should be a temporary measure until you can sleep comfortably in bed.[1]
This guide covers when sleeping in a recliner is reasonable, how to make it safer, and five recliners that are in stock on the web US.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical advice. If you regularly sleep in a recliner, or you wake up many times a night, tell your doctor, because they can check for health problems behind your sleep.
Sleeping in a recliner at a glance
- Some people find sleeping upright more comfortable with certain health conditions or while recovering from surgery, but it should be temporary.[1]
- If you find yourself sleeping in a recliner or waking up many times a night, talk to your doctor to rule out an underlying problem.[2]
- Older adults are most at risk of pressure sores, and Cleveland Clinic advises changing position every 15 minutes while seated.[3]
- Sitting for long periods can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, so move regularly.[1]
- Choose a lift chair if standing is hard. Medicare covers a seat lift only for severe arthritis of the hip or knee or a neuromuscular disease, with a doctor’s prescription.[4]
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Material | Dimensions | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watson & Whitely Genuine Lift | Power lift | Genuine leather | 40.6 x 39.4 x 43.3 in | Massage, Heat, Cup holders, Remote |
| 2 | MCombo Power Lift | Power lift | Fabric | 33.5 x 37.8 x 40.9 in | USB, Cup holders |
| 3 | MCombo 3 Motor Lay Flat | Power lift lay flat | Faux leather | – | Massage, Heat, USB |
| 4 | Korser Power Lift | Power lift | Chenille | 32 x 35 x 40 in | Massage, Heat, Cup holders, Remote |
| 5 | Tami Tami Dual Motor | Power lift lay flat | Plush fabric | – | Massage, Heat, USB, Cup holders |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Should You Sleep in Your Recliner?
Sometimes, and it should not be the plan for every night. The Sleep Foundation notes that muscles relax during sleep, especially in REM sleep, which makes it harder to stay comfortable in a seated position.[1] Family Doctor advises talking to your doctor if you are sleeping in a recliner, since health problems such as heart failure or kidney disease can make it hard to lie flat.[2]
- Blood Flow – Sitting for long periods can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, a clot in the thigh or lower leg. Move regularly and stay hydrated.[1]
- Skin and Pressure – Older and less mobile people are most at risk of bedsores, which come from prolonged pressure on the skin. Cleveland Clinic advises changing position every 15 minutes if you are seated, checking your skin and using foam cushions to ease pressure.[3]
- Sleep Quality – Waking up many times a night is common in older adults and is worth raising with a doctor.[2]
Our guide to recliners for sleeping and recliners for the elderly has more.
What Type of Recliner Suits Older Adults?
Look for features that make the chair easy to use and comfortable at the angle you choose:
- Lay-Flat or Infinite Position – A recliner that can go close to flat lets you choose the angle your doctor suggests. See our zero gravity recliners.
- Lift – A motorized lift gently tilts the chair forward to help you stand, so you do not strain your joints getting up.[4]
- Back Support – OSHA says a backrest should follow the natural curve of your spine and give adequate lumbar support. See our ergonomic recliners.[5]
What to Look For in a Recliner for the Elderly to Sleep In
- Size – The seat should be wide and long enough to hold you in a comfortable position. Check the weight capacity and the height range the chair is made for.
- Padding – Choose padding that is soft but not so soft that you sink in, with a cushion or built-in support for the lumbar area.
- Type – A lay-flat or infinite-position model suits sleeping, and a lift chair suits people who find standing up hard.
- Upholstery – Leather and faux leather wipe clean but can feel warm or cool against the skin. Fabric is softer and often more comfortable for sleeping.
How We Chose These Recliners
These picks come from research. We compared the makers’ specifications, the The web product pages and buyer feedback, and we checked that each pick is in stock on the web US. We did not test the recliners ourselves. Each pick is a power lift recliner, so no lever or pushing is needed.
We looked at these factors:
- Recline Range – How far back the chair goes and whether the angle can be set freely.
- Ease of Use – Whether the chair lifts and reclines with a remote or button.
- Features – Whether heat, massage, a power headrest and USB charging are included.
- Care and Assembly – Whether the cover wipes clean and the chair is simple to set up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Recliners for the Elderly to Sleep In
- Is it OK for an older person to sleep in a recliner?
The Sleep Foundation says sleeping upright is neither inherently healthy nor unhealthy if you rest comfortably, but it should be a temporary measure until you can sleep comfortably in bed.[1] Talk to your doctor if you do it regularly. - Does sleeping in a recliner cause blood clots?
Sitting for long periods can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis, so move regularly and stay hydrated.[1] - Can a recliner cause pressure sores?
Prolonged pressure on the skin causes bedsores, and older and less mobile people are most at risk. Cleveland Clinic advises changing position every 15 minutes while seated and checking your skin.[3] - Does Medicare cover a lift recliner?
Medicare’s seat lift rule covers the lift mechanism when a doctor prescribes it for severe arthritis of the hip or knee or a neuromuscular disease and it is medically necessary.[4]
Our Picks: Recliners for the Elderly to Sleep In
Here are five power lift recliners, from compact to extra wide. Each one is in stock on the web US.
We hope you love the recliners we recommend!
So that you know, we may earn a share of sales or other compensation from links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Watson & Whitely® - Genuine Lift Genuine Leather Lay Flat Lift Recliner
Currently unavailable
The Watson & Whitely Genuine Lift is a dual motor lift recliner in top-grain genuine leather that reclines up to 165 degrees.
- Two motors move the headrest and the recline on their own, with infinite positions up to 165° for reading, TV or lying flat.
- The cover is soft, breathable top-grain leather, and high-density foam keeps its shape.
- An 8-point vibration massage and full-body heating can be used separately or together.
- An LCD remote with marked buttons controls it, with a Type-C charging port on top and built-in cup holders.
- The chair measures 39.5 inches wide, 36.8 deep and 41.8 high, with a seat 21.8 wide and 23 deep, and it suits people from 5 ft 2 in to 6 ft 1 in. The backrest slides on with no tools, and installation service is not included.
2
MCombo® - Power Lift Fabric Lift Recliner
Currently unavailable
The MCombo Power Lift is a fabric lift recliner that raises you toward a standing position.
- A counter-balanced lift mechanism helps you stand up smoothly, and the buttons set any position up to a 140° recline.
- A 4.7 inch extended footrest supports your feet. It suits people between 5 ft 1 in and 5 ft 9 in.
- Two USB ports and cup holders keep a drink and your phone within reach.
- The fabric wipes clean with a dry or damp lint-free cloth.
- Assembly needs no tools and takes about 15 minutes. This model has no massage or heat, and it comes in 2 boxes.
3
MCombo® - 3 Motor Lay Flat Faux Leather Lift Recliner with Massage and Heat
Currently unavailable
The MCombo 3 Motor Lay Flat is a wide lift recliner with three motors and a power headrest.
- Three motors adjust the headrest, backrest and footrest separately, with infinite positions for reading, TV, napping or sleeping.
- The seat is 27.2 inches wide, with a power headrest that lets you look at the TV without straining your neck.
- Heat in the back and the seat works separately from the vibration massage.
- A 4.7 inch extended footrest suits people between 5 ft 7 in and 6 ft 2 in.
- The chair ships in 3 boxes and assembles without tools in about 15 minutes. The wood frame is FSC certified, and a 2-year limited warranty covers it.
4
Korser® - Power Lift Chenille Lift Recliner with Massage and Heat
Currently unavailable
The Korser Power Lift is a chenille lift recliner with massage, heat and a flip-top storage armrest.
- A smooth electric lift tilts the whole chair forward to help you stand, and a hand controller sets recline angles up to 165°.
- Massage and heat are built in.
- A flip-top armrest storage box, a side pocket and cup holders keep small items close.
- A wood and reinforced metal frame sits under plush chenille fabric.
- The chair ships in 2 boxes that may arrive on different dates, with an assembly manual and no extra tools needed.
5
Tami Tami® - Dual Motor Lay Flat Lift Recliner with Massage and Heat
Currently unavailable
The Tami Tami Dual Motor is a lift recliner that lays nearly flat, with a zero gravity position, massage and heat.
- Two motors move the backrest and footrest on their own, with infinite positions up to a 175° recline.
- A counter-balanced lift helps you get in and out, and a zero gravity position tilts you back with your legs raised.
- 8 vibrating points in 4 zones give a massage with 3 modes and 3 intensities, and a lumbar heating pad works separately.
- A multi-level manual headrest, 2 USB ports (Type-A and Type-C), 2 cup holders and side and front pockets are included.
- Pocket springs and high-density foam sit under OEKO-TEX certified plush fabric. The medium size ships in 2 boxes, assembles without tools in about 20 minutes and has a 2-year limited warranty.
Index Table: Recliners for the Elderly to Sleep In at a Glance
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watson & Whitely Genuine Lift - Genuine Leather Lay Flat Lift Recliner |  |
| Watson & Whitely |
| 2 | MCombo Power Lift - Fabric Lift Recliner |  |
| MCombo |
| 3 | MCombo 3 Motor Lay Flat - Faux Leather Lift Recliner with Massage and Heat |  |
| MCombo |
| 4 | Korser Power Lift - Chenille Lift Recliner with Massage and Heat |  |
| Korser |
| 5 | Tami Tami Dual Motor - Lay Flat Lift Recliner with Massage and Heat |  |
| Tami Tami |
Sources
- Sleep Foundation. Sleeping Upright: Is It Healthy to Sleep Sitting Up?. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- familydoctor.org (American Academy of Family Physicians). Sleep Changes in Older Adults. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Cleveland Clinic. Bedsores (Pressure Injuries). Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). National Coverage Determination: Seat Lift (280.4). Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Computer Workstations eTool: Chairs. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around Sleep Foundation, Family Doctor and Cleveland Clinic guidance, removed the claims that leg elevation reduces stress and inflammation or helps blood flow and that a recliner reduces spine pressure, the breathing-risk text, the highlighted line, first-person advice and the ‘feel confident’ wording, rewrote all five product notes, fixed the MCombo Power Lift specs (no massage or heat), and replaced the Sources with five on sleeping upright, older adult sleep, pressure sores, seat lifts and chairs
- Oct 2026: Replaced ABCASA Dual Motor Lay Flat Recliner (out of stock on the web) with MCombo 3 Motor Lay Flat Power Lift Recliner, and added Tami Tami Dual Motor Lift Recliner
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Irene House Lay Flat Recliner with Watson & Whitely Genuine Lift Recliner; Mcombo Infinate recliner with MCombo Power Lift Recliner; Korser Power Recliner with Korser Power Lift Recliner
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Mar 2026: Added Korser Power Recliner
- Feb 2026: Added ABCASA Dual Motor Recliner
- Jun 2025: Added Mcombo Infinate recliner
- Jan 2023: Added Irene House Lay Flat Recliner
- Nov 2022: Published
