We see this decision come up frequently — usually when a family member’s mobility has changed and they’re trying to figure out whether a lift chair is necessary or whether a better recliner would solve the problem.
The answer depends on two things: what’s actually making it difficult to get up from a seated position, and how that’s expected to change over time.
What a Recliner Does
A recliner reclines — it moves the backrest back and the footrest up, allowing a person to sit at an angle ranging from upright to fully flat. Getting out of a recliner requires the user to return the chair to its upright position (via a handle for manual recliners, or a button for power recliners) and then push themselves to standing using their own leg and arm strength.
A good power recliner makes the transition smoother — the chair returns to upright at a consistent pace without physical effort from the user. But the standing motion itself still requires the user’s physical capability.
What a Lift Chair Does Differently
A lift chair adds a powered lift function that tilts the entire chair forward and upward — effectively moving the user to a near-standing position. From there, they push off and stand with significantly less demand on their hips, knees, and core than standing from a standard chair.
The practical difference: a user who can stand from a standard chair but finds it painful or effortful may get three to five more years of independence from a lift chair compared to continuing with a standard recliner. A user who can’t reliably stand from a standard chair without assistance needs a lift chair, not a better recliner.
Manual vs. Power Recliner — The Middle Option
Some customers who don’t need a lift function but find manual recliners physically demanding benefit from a power recliner without the lift mechanism. Power recliners return to upright at the touch of a button, eliminating the side-handle push that can be difficult for users with limited hand strength or shoulder mobility.
If the difficulty is getting the recliner to return to upright — not getting out of it once it’s there — a power recliner may solve the problem without the cost of a lift chair.
Sizing: The Variable Everyone Underestimates
Both recliners and lift chairs need to fit the person using them — and this is where we see the most consequential decisions made incorrectly.
For recliners: The seat height should allow feet to rest flat on the floor. The seat depth should allow the back to contact the backrest without sitting forward. The armrest height should allow relaxed arm positioning without shoulders raised or elbows hanging.
For lift chairs: All of the above apply, plus the seat width matters for the lift function specifically. A seat that’s too wide means the user can’t push off the armrests effectively during the standing transition. La-Z-Boy and Ultra Comfort both produce lift chairs in multiple seat width configurations. We size the user before we recommend a chair.
Our Honest Recommendation
If getting up from a chair is becoming difficult, don’t wait until it becomes impossible. A lift chair purchased while someone still has partial standing capability gives them years of safe, comfortable use and maintains independence. A lift chair purchased after a fall or hospitalization is a catch-up measure rather than a prevention measure.
We carry lift chairs from Ultra Comfort and La-Z-Boy in our Sikeston showroom. We’ll ask about the person who will be using the chair before we show you a single option — the right chair is a function of their specific body and mobility situation, not a generic recommendation.
Call (573) 471-3585 or visit 950 S Kings Hwy, Sikeston, MO 63801. Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.