1
Best Overall Reclining Sofa
West Elm Harmony Motion Reclining Sofa
Pros
Comfortable, cloud-like feel
Power recliner controls are not visible
Available in an array of colors and fabrics
Cons
Delivery may take a few weeks
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute rated West Elm's Harmony Sofa the best overall most comfortable couch, raving over the deep seats, soft upholstery and cloud-like feel. It's also the perfect RH Cloud couch dupe in terms of style and comfort. The popular sofa model is now available with power reclining seats and headrests, plus the controls are hidden to maintain a sleek style. To pair with your layout and home style, choose your desired width and fabric.
Listed dimensions | 83.6"W x 47"D x 38.6"H |
Listed upholstery fabric | Customizable |
Reclining abilities | Power |
2
Best Value Reclining Sofa
Raymour & Flanigan Southgate Reclining Sofa
Pros
Inexpensive
Comfortable, according to online reviewers
Cons
Some online reviewers find it difficult to put down the footrest
For those shopping on a budget, you can't go wrong with this stylish reclining sofa. Online reviewers are raving over the comfort, with one writing: "The reclining sofa is comfortable and a good value. Perhaps too comfortable in that I've managed to doze off unintentionally a few times." The chenille fabric is available in three colors: gray, mocha and chocolate. Just note, since these are manual recliners, you may need to put a little force into closing the footrests.
Listed dimensions | 87"W x 40"D x 40"H |
Upholstery fabric listed | Chenille |
Reclining abilities | Manual |
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3
Best Reclining Sofa for Small Spaces
Wade Logan® Annchen Club Recliner
Pros
Inexpensive
Easy to assemble
Ships fast
Cons
Could be more comfortable, according to online reviewers
If you're decorating a small apartment or house, this adorable recliner is a cute and affordable option. The button-tufted stitching and beechwood legs exude a modern appeal, while the polyester fabric is water resistant for longevity. According to online reviewers, it's great for small spaces and easy to assemble — one wrote it took only 20 minutes. This loveseat is available in dark blue, light gray, dark gray and white fabric — all of which ship fast.
Listed dimensions | 39"H x 48.75"W x 34"D |
Upholstery fabric listed | Polyester |
Reclining abilities | Manual |
4
Best Power Reclining Sofa
Pottery Barn Turner Power Reclining Sofa
Pros
Variety of color and fabric options
Available with or without center storage console
Power recliner is easy to use
Cons
Expensive
With its high back, thick arms and down-filled cushions, this stylish sofa doesn't visibly look like a reclining sofa. But with a simple touch of a button, each seat easily reclines. It's available as a loveseat or sofa, and you can choose whether you'd like storage in the form of a console in between each seat — hint: the consoles are perfect for a home theater! While this pick is a little expensive, it's comfortable and available in a ton of custom fabrics including chenille, velvet and bouclé.
Listed dimensions | 74"W x 40.5"D x 40"H |
Upholstery fabric listed | Customizable |
Reclining abilities | Power |
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5
Best Manual Reclining Sofa
Lark Manor™ Elida Reclining Sofa
Pros
Easy to assemble, according to online reviewers
Inexpensive
Cons
Only available in one fabric
Not only do the pillow top arms and tufted back give this sofa a traditional style, but all three seats recline manually. This stylish sofa under $1,000 is good quality and easy to assemble, according to online reviewers. The only downside? It's only available in gray fabric – luckily, it's super versatile.
Listed dimensions | 43"H x 88"W |
Upholstery fabric listed | Polyester |
Reclining abilities | Manual |
6
Best Reclining Sectional Sofa
Ashley Furniture Tambo Reclining Sectional
Pros
Comfortable and sturdy, according to online reviewers
Provides plenty of seating
Easy to assemble
Cons
Not the most sophisticated aesthetic
For large families, this faux vintage leather sectional provides plenty of space to spread out. It features plush cushions and wraparound pillow top arms, plus manual recliners, a center storage console and two cup holders. According to Ashley Furniture, it takes only five minutes to assemble. Most online reviewers agree it's comfortable and holds up to families with pets and small children. Plus, it's a great option for a living room corner.
Listed dimensions | 100"W x 87"D x 38"H |
Upholstery fabric listed | Polyester and PU (faux leather) |
Reclining abilities | Manual |
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7
Best Reclining Loveseat Sofa
Signature Design by Ashley Tulen Reclining Loveseat
Pros
Great size, according to online reviewers
Inexpensive
Cons
Could be more comfortable, according to some online reviewers
With a traditional silhouette and pillow top arms, this reclining loveseat is a stylish choice for smaller spaces. Most online reviewers found it to be good quality and comfortable, although some wish it felt more comfortable. To pair with your living room, the chenille upholstery is available in three neutral colors: gray, chocolate and mocha.
Listed dimensions | 40"H x 63"W x 40"D |
Upholstery fabric listed | Chenille |
Reclining abilities | Manual |
8
Best Reclining Sofa for Families
Crate & Barrel Leisure Power Recliner Sofa
Pros
Power controls are not visible
Modern aesthetic
Cons
Expensive
Crate & Barrel is a go-to destination for furniture that's modern, comfortable and family-friendly — and this recliner sofa is a great example. It provides the comfort of a traditional recliner but with a sleek silhouette. Power control buttons are located out of view, so guests will never guess it's a recliner until you reveal the surprise. It's also available as a four- and five-piece sectional (which are a bit more pricey, but great for large families).
Listed dimensions | 84"W x 46"D x 28.5"H |
Upholstery fabric listed | Not listed |
Reclining abilities | Power |
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9
Best Fabric Reclining Sofa
La-Z-Boy Hawthorn Reclining Sofa
Pros
Customizable
Soft and relaxed feel
Affordable price point
Cons
Not the most sophisticated aesthetic
A popular sofa brand among our survey panelists, La-Z-Boy sells an array of reclining loveseats, sofas and sectionals — so there's an option to complement every living room layout. The Hawthorn reclining sofa is affordable, comfortable and ideal for small spaces. Choose from one of their popular covers or customize your couch.
Listed dimensions | 83"W x 40.5"D x 41"H |
Upholstery fabric listed | Not listed |
Reclining abilities | Manual |
10
Best Leather Reclining Sofa
Ashley Furniture Edmar Power Leather Reclining Sofa
Pros
Features adjustable headrests
Includes a USB charging pot
Upholstered in genuine leather
Cons
Not many fabric or color options available
If you're set on a leather reclining sofa, Ashley Furniture sells a ton of great options like this modern pick. It features a power reclining sofa and adjustable headrest, plus a USB charging station, so you can truly lay on it for hours. The genuine leather sofa is available in chocolate or charcoal.
Listed dimensions | 88"W x 40"H x 39"D |
Upholstery fabric listed | Leather |
Reclining abilities | Power |
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What's worth considering when shopping for a reclining couch?
✔️ Type: Reclining sofas have either manual or power controls.
- Manual: For most manual recliners, you'll need to use your body weight to lean back and open the footrest. Manual recliners tend to be less expensive, but they don't offer as many capabilities as power recliners.
- Power: While power recliners tend to be more costly, they allow you to recline with a simple push of a button. The electric controls are easier to use, plus some sofas offer separate controls for the headrest and footrest, allowing you to choose your exact angle for lounging. Note most power reclining sofas will need to be plugged into an outlet.
✔️ Size: As with any sofa, it's important to consider the dimensions of your sofa in relation to your space — but with a recliner, there's the added factor of the size once the footrest is extended. Pay close attention to the sofa depth and the depth once reclined. Consider if you have a coffee table or other furniture in the living room that may be in the way when you want to kick your feet up.
✔️ Features: Some reclining sofas provide additional features, like cup holders, storage consoles, USB charging ports and sometimes even back massagers or heating elements.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As Good Housekeeping's associate lifestyle editor, Alyssa Gautieri covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she worked for various home publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com and Unique Homes Magazine, in addition to brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries. She covers home and furniture brands on a daily basis and is constantly hunting for fresh, unique and highly-rated products.
After extensive evaluations, the Good Housekeeping Institute recently revealed the best sofas of 2024, best sectionals of 2024 and the most comfortable couches — many of which are either found in this roundup or influenced our picks. Alyssa also consulted Lexie Sachs, executive director of strategy and operations at the GH Institute, for her professional opinion on the best materials and fabrics for couches, as well as her recommendations for the best couch brands on the market.

Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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