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"How do I choose the right Riser Recliner?" | Our Riser Recliner Shopping Guide

Choosing the right furniture for your living room can get pretty confusing. We're here to help; our riser recliner buying guide will give you all the information you need to shop like a pro.

9 October 2026 5 min read

There are many ways to style your living room, but when it comes to sofas and chairs, it can feel overwhelming to look for furniture that matches your home while suiting your comfort needs.

Adding a riser recliner to your living room adds style and luxurious comfort that'll last a lifetime. Riser recliner chairs remove the struggle of getting in and out of your chair while letting you recline and rest with your legs up.

But how do you pick the right chair? With so many models, fabrics, and features to choose from, it's important not to rush your decision.

In this guide, we'll be breaking down everything you need to know about riser recliners so you can shop like a pro.

Single Vs. Dual Motors

When buying a riser recliner chair, you can choose between a single motor or a dual motor. Each has its own benefits, but it's important to really understand what they do so you can pick the motor best for you.

Single Motor

A single motor means that just one motor controls both your chair's backrest and footrest. When you recline in your chair, the back will go down at the same time as your legs elevate.

This style of riser recliner is most suitable for people who need a hand getting up from their chair or finding a comfortable recline for relaxing. We wouldn't recommend this option for those who want their legs to be elevated while sitting upright.

Dual Motor

Dual motors mean that your chair is controlled by two separate motors: one powers the backrest, while the other powers the footrest. There are more positional options in a dual motor than a single motor; your comfort is truly endless.

We recommend dual motor riser recliners to anyone who wants a chair that elevates their legs while enjoying flexible comfort positioning. The only real downside of dual motors is their cost, so be sure to consider your budget when shopping for new furniture.

Cloud Zero

If you really want to make the most of your riser recliner, you could opt for a Cloud Zero motor.

Our Cloud Zero riser recliners feature three motors, controlling the backrest, footrest, and tilt, giving you unlimited seating positions and comfort.

We highly recommend Cloud Zero for those who want to make the most of their riser recliner. They're especially helpful for people with mobility issues such as poor circulation and arthritis. Again, much like dual motors, the main downside of these chairs is their cost.

Fabric Vs. Leather

So you've chosen your motors, but what materials will you choose: fabric or leather?

Fabric is breathable, keeping you warm in winter but cool in summer. It's a popular choice with our customers, and there are so many fabric colours and textures to choose from - great if you have a particular living room style.

However, fabric riser recliners are prone to stains, which aren't always easy to remove. If you're known for spills or have incontinence concerns, leather is the best choice for you.

Leather gives your living room a premium look, coming in several colour choices for you to choose from - they're also much easier to clean and maintain. Unfortunately, leather isn't as breathable as fabric and can feel cold in winter or sticky in summer.

Regardless, your choice of material ultimately comes down to personal style and comfort preference, but we do recommend that you look at colour swatches in person to get the best experience.

Chair Measurements

The style of your furniture is important, but so is your comfort. A poorly measured chair can be uncomfortable and even cause aches or poor circulation.

Most riser recliner models come in three sizes: petite, standard, and grande. When you shop with us at Solent Mobility Centre in Hampshire, we'll sort out your measurements so you know exactly what size fits best.

We always recommend trying out chairs before you buy them.

Common Mistakes

It's easy to get carried away while shopping for new furniture, and when you rush, more mistakes get made. So take your time and be aware of these common customer mistakes.

Forgetting Wall Gaps

Your riser recliner will need space, including room behind it to recline fully. Most models require at least 10- 15 cm between the chair and the wall, but you should always check with the model you choose.

Buying Based On Price

It's tempting to look at those cheap riser recliners on Amazon, but they won't offer you the same quality and support as a riser recliner from Solent Mobility Centre. Although our prices are higher, they'll be cheaper in the long term, as our chairs will last you a lifetime.

Our Offers

Unlike Amazon, our delivery standard is much more personal and saves you the hassle of setting up your furniture.

When you buy from us, we'll deliver your chair straight to you and set it up in your home with a quick demonstration of everything you need to know. No fuss, no hassle, just relaxation.

At the moment, you can save up to £200 on selected chairs from our riser recliner range. And when you purchase a chair, you'll get a FREE accessory pack at no extra cost.

How We Can Help You

You should be a riser recliner expert now, but if you do have any questions or enquiries, don't wait to get in touch. Our expert mobility team is always happy to help you.

Get in contact at 02392 009999 or send us an email at cs@solent-ltd.co.uk.

Free expert advice

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