4 Best Lift Chairs For Big And Heavy People (Up To 500lbs)

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There’s something about a recliner that just makes you feel at home. Unfortunately, if you have trouble standing up, it can get way too literal as your recliner becomes un-leavable.

After my brother had his hip replaced he spent several weeks in his power lift recliner. He ate in it, slept in it, and spent the balance of his time reading, whittling, and watching TV.

If you have trouble getting to your feet, a lift chair can be an absolute godsend.

However, whether you’re big and heavy, just had surgery, are elderly, or just want one for ease and comfort, finding a chair that is suitable for overweight people can be extremely difficult.

A lift chair that can’t lift my weight isn’t of any use at all. Not to mention that it’s likely dangerous and unstable.

If you, like me, need a lift chair suitable for big and tall people (or just big people in some cases) then I have done the legwork for you.

Here are 4 of the best oversized lift recliners on the market:

Golden Technologies Comforter PR531-T28 Extra Wide 28 inch Tall PR-531 Heavy Duty Dual Motor 500 lb....
Mega Motion NM7001-CDV-A01 Vance Ultimate Power Recliner Chair, Cafe Finish, Designed for The 5'8"...
Used Like New Lane Boss (Extra Large) Big Man Power Lift Recliner with Duo Motors (Control Foot and...
MCombo Large Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair with Extended Footrest for Big and Tall Elderly...
Brand
Golden Technologies
Mega Motion
Lane
Mcombo
Weight Capacity
500lbs
500lbs
450lbs
320lbs
Seat Width
28"
27"
25"
22"
Cover Material
Fabric
Fabric
PU/Poly
Faux Leather
Heat/Massage?
Golden Technologies Comforter PR531-T28 Extra Wide 28 inch Tall PR-531 Heavy Duty Dual Motor 500 lb....
Brand
Golden Technologies
Weight Capacity
500lbs
Seat Width
28"
Cover Material
Fabric
Heat/Massage?
Mega Motion NM7001-CDV-A01 Vance Ultimate Power Recliner Chair, Cafe Finish, Designed for The 5'8"...
Brand
Mega Motion
Weight Capacity
500lbs
Seat Width
27"
Cover Material
Fabric
Heat/Massage?
Used Like New Lane Boss (Extra Large) Big Man Power Lift Recliner with Duo Motors (Control Foot and...
Brand
Lane
Weight Capacity
450lbs
Seat Width
25"
Cover Material
PU/Poly
Heat/Massage?
MCombo Large Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair with Extended Footrest for Big and Tall Elderly...
Brand
Mcombo
Weight Capacity
320lbs
Seat Width
22"
Cover Material
Faux Leather
Heat/Massage?

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Best Lift Chairs For Big & Heavy People – In-Depth Look

Golden Technologies Comforter – Best 500lb Capacity Lift Recliner

Golden Technologies Comforter PR531-T28 Extra Wide 28" Tall PR-531 Heavy Duty Dual Motor 500 lb. Weight Capacity Power Lift Chair Recliner - Sandstorm Tan Fabric - in-Home Delivery and Setup

If you need an extra-wide lift recliner, this is literally the widest chair available. It measures a full 28″ between the cushions (the average recliner is 17-20″).

Not only does it provide the width for obese people, but it has the capacity to match. Its sturdy steel frame grants it a maximum weight capacity of a whopping 500lbs!

In general, I think that lift chairs are actually some of the best recliners even for big and heavy people that don’t need help standing. Their stability, heavy-duty frames, and extra comfort features mean that they’re both comfortable and durable.

And this chair is the best of the best.

The catch, of course, is that to get the best you have to pay the price. This chair is significantly more expensive than the other chairs on the list but is made in the USA of extremely high-quality materials.

If you or a loved one need as much width as possible and don’t want to make any concessions, this is the lift chair for you!

As you should expect from a chair in the price range it does come with some extra perks. In-home delivery and set-up, for example, are extremely helpful if you don’t have someone to help you carry the chair into your house and set it up (it weighs over 100lbs).

It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty on the frame (both chair and lift frame) and the recline mechanism as well as a three-year warranty on electrical parts.

What’s not to love?

Mega Motion Ultimate Power Recliner – Lift Chair With Wide Seat

Mega Motion Easy Comfort Superior 3 Position Heavy Duty Big Lift Chair 500 lb Capacity Chaise Lounge Recliner - Walnut Brown Fabric

Mega Motion is a well-known company that specializes in providing products to make big and heavy people’s lives easier. Especially heavy people who find daily functioning a bit harder due to their weight, physical limitations, age, etc

In fact, their parent company produces mobility scooters, rehab products, etc. So it would be safe to say they know what they’re doing! In this case, they have knocked it out of the park with their Easy Comfort Lift Recliner

Check out some of its highlights:

Weight Capacity: If you’re shopping for big and tall lift chairs on the market, 500lbs is pretty much the highest weight capacity you’ll find and this chair is right there with them! This chair, however, is 1″ narrower between the armrests than the chair above so keep that in mind if you need as much space as possible.

Multiple Positions: Recliners typically have anywhere from 1 to infinite positions. While we aren’t lucky enough to get an infinite number of recline positions here, we do get 3: upright, partially reclined, and fully reclined. I would never own a chair without a partial recline function (that’s the way I watch TV and movies) so this one is still near the top of my list!

Tons of Extra Features: If you need a lift chair temporarily, you can find many that will do the trick. However, millions of Americans end up using a power lift recliner long-term which means that they’ll want some extra features. This recliner has the all-important battery backup as well as a holder on the side for magazines and books so you could just stay in this chair forever!

And possibly my favorite feature: comfortable fabric! I don’t love sitting on leather, vinyl, and even faux leather seats. Peeling my skin off a sweaty leather mess during the summer has never been enjoyable. If you are one of the leather-loving crowd, then more power to you, but for me and my house we’ll stick with the extreme comfort of fabric, just like Mega Motion did here.

Lane Boss Big Man – Best Lift Recliner With Heat and Massage

Lane Boss (Extra Large) Big Man Power Lift Recliner in Turbo Espresso with Duo Motors (Control Foot and Back Rest Separately) with Heat and 6 Motor Massage. Free curbside Delivery.

When it comes down to features and smart design, this chair is the Boss, literally. The “Boss” is one of Lane’s flagship lift chairs and it shows in all aspects of its design.

This chair’s size and lift capacity make it an excellent choice for big and tall people who struggle to get back on their feet after sitting for a while

And it doesn’t feel like a hospital chair either. In fact, this is one of the most comfortable recliners you can find, never mind that it is capable of lifting up to 450lbs!

It also has a backup battery system. So not only can it put you back on your feet, but it also will make sure you never get stuck in your chair if it somehow loses power.

If you are of the big and tall variety, you’ll enjoy this chair as much as I did when I tested it. When fully reclined, it is nearly the length of a queen bed (76″ compared to a queen bed’s 80″)! If you spend a lot of time snoozing or sleeping in your recliner, this can be a huge benefit for you.

One of the best features is that it has dual motors, meaning you can control the back and leg rest separately. Want to sit upright but rest your feet? Put up the feet! Want to lean back to stretch out your back? You can do that too! What else could you expect from one of the best recliners for big and heavy people?

If you’re put off by the thought that this chair has no side storage, think again! The arms are both hinged and open up to reveal compartments in the arms. A good place for remotes? A receptacle for contraband snacks? You decide!

A major problem with spending long periods of time in a recliner (especially after surgery) is that you start to have sore spots and circulation issues. This chair is equipped not only with a heat function but with six motors that provide massaging so you can relax long-term.

All in all, I feel that you’d be hard-pressed to find a lift chair that is capable of supporting heavy people while providing this level of comfort in an affordable price range.

Mcombo Large Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair – Best On A Budget

Mcombo Large Electric Power Lift Recliner Chair with Extended Footrest for Big and Tall Elderly People, Hand Remote Control, Lumbar Pillow, Cup Holders, USB Ports, Faux Leather 7426 (Blue)

If you are a heavy person who needs a power lift recliner that fits within a tight budget, Mcombo has a great option for you!

While it doesn’t have quite the same capacity as the above chairs, its 320lb weight limit will be sufficient for most overweight people.

If you are one of the people who need to use a lift chair for a limited period of time (and can’t find a used option) then you should save yourself some money and buy this one!

As an added bonus, it comes covered with faux leather (in a huge variety of colors) which is both long-lasting and extremely easy to clean.

It’s not as wide or quite as heavy duty but it has excellent reviews. The people that use it love it!

Finding a heavy-duty lift chair that can handle big and tall people is no longer the task that it was! When I was a kid and we have to buy a high-weight capacity couch for my Aunt we had to drive all over town to find one that worked. Now, shopping online has made it a breeze!

7 Features To Look For In A Heavy Duty Lift Recliner:

As you probably know, finding furniture for overweight people can be difficult. However, since we literally wrote the book about it (okay, it’s an article) I figured that we could share a few things on the topic.

If you want to find a lift chair near you (shopping locally is great) then there are a few specific things you should be looking for:

1. Dual Motors

If you want the back and leg rest of your chair to operate independently then they’ll each need their own motor. Dual motors are typically a sign of a high-quality chair and will result in your being much more comfortable.

2. Durable Fabric That Cleans Easily

If you are going to be spending a lot of time in your lift chair you need to be sure that the fabric is hard-wearing (but comfortable) and that it can easily be wiped off. Typically this means that you should be looking for PU or leather lift chairs. There are also heavy-duty fabric options if you prefer is for your comfort but they will be more difficult to clean.

3. Battery Backup

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a lift chair without a battery backup but, if you do, leave it where it is. Not having a way to get out of the chair in the event of a power outage is not only a bad situation to be in but it’s usually a sign of an inferior chair that was designed without much thought.

4. Storage Space

If getting into and out of your chair is a chore, save yourself the necessity and find an option with built-in storage space. I prefer recliners with book pockets and storage under the arms but you’ll have to figure out your own preferences. If you find a chair that you love without much storage you can also put a side table next to your chair for water, remotes, books, etc.

5. High-Density Padding

Overweight people tend to compress furniture padding much more significantly than the average person. This leads to a slew of complaints on the furniture market to heavy people that there was a bar/support that poked them in the back/leg/ankle. Finding an overstuffed recliner with high-density padding will keep this problem at bay.

6. Infinite Recline

While most power recliners have an infinite recliner feature, be sure to find one that does. If you have a recliner that has only a limited number of recline angles you may be stuck sitting or lying in a way that causes you pain. Having an infinite number of angles to recline at (along with dual motors) allows you to find the (hopefully) pain-free sweet spot.

7. Wall-Saving Feature

I’ve yet to see any truly wall-saving power lift recliners (meaning that they can be pushed up against the wall) but be sure to check how much clearance you’ll need. I’ve seen numbers vary from 5″ to 20″ so if you don’t have space, double-check!

Conclusion

That’s really all there is to it! Lift recliners are not overly complex machines. However, if you have a few more questions (as many readers did) here are some of the most frequently asked ones that we’ve seen:

Do Lift Recliners Rock or Swivel?

Many lift recliners can rock. However, due to the need for stability in the base, there are several models made (particularly high-capacity models) that do not rock. Very few lift recliners swivel. Be sure to check with the manufacturer before purchasing.

Do Lift Chairs Work When The Power Goes Out?

Most life chairs are equipped with a battery backup. The battery backup system is typically two 9V batteries and is meant to be used only in emergencies.

How Much Do Power Lift Recliners Cost?

The average power lift recliner costs between $400 and $1500. The factors that most strongly affect the price include weight capacity, fabric, number of motors, and accessory features.

Can You Convert Your Recliner Into A Lift Chair?

There are kits available that allow you to convert almost any recliner into a lift chair. There are two types of conversion kits: ones that go under the chair to lift the entire chair, and those that replace the seat cushion and lift only the person seated.

Should You Rent Or Buy A Lift Chair? (Cost Difference)

If you need to use a lift chair for a short period of time then renting one can be a cost-effective alternative to buying. The average cost to rent a lift chair is between $50 and $250 per week with the average for a heavy-duty, infinite recliner position, lift chair coming in at $150. Many rental facilities charge a one-time set-up fee but offer significant discounts for month-long rentals.

I hope that was helpful in finding a big and tall lift chair that will fit your needs! While there are very few lift chairs on the market that will truly support a 500lb capacity we’re happy to have brought you the best of the best!

So take a seat and relax!

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