Which? Don’t Buy riser recliner chairs

If you choose a riser recliner chair on a whim, you risk ending up with one that doesn’t work as well as it should. To help you shop savvy, we reveal the models to avoid — and why. 

Which? expert reviews are based on a range of tough lab tests. Paying attention to the features that matter the most, we rate each riser recliner chair on how comfy it is, whether you'll feel supported in it and how intuitive the accompanying handset is.

Our scores clearly separate the riser recliner chairs you should avoid from those we name among the best riser recliner chairs.

See all the riser recliner chairs we've named as Don't Buys.

What makes a Don’t Buy riser recliner chair?

We’ve tested riser recliner chairs from major brands including Celebrity, Sherborne and Pride Mobility, covering a wide range of price points. There are some great models out there, but there are also some flawed ones we wouldn’t recommend letting anywhere near your lounge.

As well as being uncomfortable to sit in, our selection of Don’t Buy riser recliner chairs can have fiddly and confusing controls. Plus, they won’t make you feel very secure as you adjust your position.

The best, on the other hand, make it easy to lean back and put your feet up. You won’t have any major issues with the remote control, and you’ll be happy to spend the afternoon relaxing in your chair while reading a book or catching up on your favourite television programmes.

Unique riser recliner chair testing by Which?

We’ve tested lots of the most popular dual-motor riser recliner chairs – these let you operate the footrest and back independently of each other to help you find the most comfortable sitting position.

Our in-depth testing means we can confidently recommend the riser recliner chairs that will be a great addition to your home.

• Our panel of testers make more than 100 checks on each chair, including how comfortable it is in both the sitting and reclining positions.
• Our tests include a speed check, where we record how long it takes to get from the reclined position to standing.
• We look at how easy it is to use the riser recliner chair, including whether the remote control is simple to understand and operate.

Join Which? to see all the riser recliner chairs we've named as Don't Buys.