Today’s Best Reclining Office Chair for Work, Gaming, & More

Today’s best reclining office chair is much different than the best chairs of yesteryears. Advancements in technology and a greater understanding of the human body at work have allowed for a heightened level of design. So, if you think all office chairs are the same, they aren’t. Office chairs are similar to mattresses. At first glance, mattresses look the same. Spend one night on a lousy mattress, and you will soon realize that looks can be deceiving.

Related: Today’s Best Office Chair For Back Pain

Office chairs also tend to look the same, but those who spend any time in them will realize quickly that some are more comfortable than others. If one-third of your day is spent at work, isn’t it essential to have a comfortable chair?

Best Reclining Office Chairs: 8 of Our Favorite Picks

How do you pick out an office chair? What features are available in an office chair? What are the best office chairs in which to nap? Read on to discover a descriptive list of today’s best reclining office chair.

1. Kadirya Office Chair

The Kadirya chair looks like a traditional executive chair. It is padded and has a high back. It features a waterfall seat edge so your legs can be placed slightly lower than your hips while seated. This is an important feature to look for because sitting this way takes pressure off your back.

Materials

The Kadirya chair is made from bonded leather. Bonded leather is also called reconstituted leather. Shredded leather fibers are mixed with a polyurethane binder that is embossed with a texture similar to leather. It is then backed with some sort of fiber or paper backer. Bonded leather is “real” leather, but does not come directly from an animal source.

The base for the Kadirya chair is made of heavy-duty nylon, and the nylon casters roll smoothly and offer great mobility while in the chair.

Measurements

The height of the chair can be adjusted between 18.9 inches and 21.9 inches. The depth of the chair is 28.3 inches, and the width is 27.4 inches.

The width of the back and seat are both 20.7 inches. The depth of the seat is 19.1 inches.

Reclining Angle

Do you need to take a serious break during work? You can lean back in this chair to a 120-degree angle. Since the Kadirya chair comes with a tilt tension knob, you will not feel as if you are falling backward as you recline. This tension knob is also vital if you plan to sleep in your chair. No one wants to wake up from a peaceful nap by flying forward in your seat.

Rotation

Like most office chairs, the Kadirya model rotates 360 degrees. This gives the user extreme mobility, especially since you can also glide smoothly from one location to another on the nylon casters.

Arms

Sometimes armrests get in the way, and many executive chairs are not constructed to allow the user to remove the armrests. This Kadirya model not only allows you to remove the armrests, but you can literally flip them out of the way. Tools are not necessary to make this adjustment. The armrests are padded.

Capacity

The maximum capacity of this chair is 250 pounds.

Color

If you purchase the chair through the Amazon listing, you can choose between black or brown. The black chair is entirely black. The brown chair seems to have lighter colored accents, and it does not look solid dark brown.

Warranty

Your satisfaction with this product is guaranteed. There is a risk-free 30-day return policy. The chair also comes with a one-year warranty that protects you from any defects in the construction.

It is worth noting that you can purchase a three or five-year accident protection plan for the Kadirya chair.

Assembly

The chair does require some DIY assembly. The manufacturer asks that you search LCH 1010 on YouTube.com to find video assembly instructions.

Other information

The Kadirya chair has received the BIFIMA certification. BIFIMA is an acronym for the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association.

Customers who purchase the Kadirya chair receive a pair of gloves for free as a gift.

2. Merax Reclining Office Chair

The Merax Portland technical leather executive chair is described as being appropriate for big and tall people. The word “napping” is also listed in the product’s description, so it is assumed that the chair reclines easily. Like the other chairs, this looks like a traditional padded, executive chair.

One thing that is unique about this particular chair is that it has a footstool built under the chair that can be pulled out and used when you recline. This is a unique feature for an executive office chair. Having a footstool would enable the user to nap comfortably.

Materials

The Merax chair is made of PU leather upholstery. PU (polyurethane) leather is also known as split leather. There is real leather in this upholstery, but it is a thin layer, and it is covered with polyurethane. The polyurethane is embossed to look like real leather (much as the bonded leather in the earlier example.) Neither bonded or PU leather is as durable as genuine leather products. The chair has a matte finish.

The PU upholstery covers foam cushions that fit around the head, back, lumbar region, legs, and arms.

Measurements

Users can adjust the chair’s height from between 41 and 44 inches. The back of the seat is 27 inches, and the seat is 20 inches. The width of the entire chair (including the armrests) is 25. 4 inches. The depth of the seat is 20 inches.

The footrest measures 8.3 inches by 4.4 inches by 13.4 inches. It is not clear how wide the chair is when the footrest is extended.

Reclining Angle

This Merax chair reclines 170 degrees. Since there is a footrest attached to the chair, one can lie on his side or back and achieve an almost recliner-like feel. The hydraulic gas lift height adjuster allows you to raise or lower your chair with ease.

This is one of the best reclining office chairs because it can lock in any position from fully upright to full back.

Rotation

Like most office chairs, one can rotate 360 degrees while sitting in the Merax chair. The chair sits on casters that can glide smoothly over carpet and hard floor finishes on floors.

Arms

The Merax comes with padded armrests. It is not clear whether or not the armrests can be removed or not. The photos of the product show the armrests in place.

Capacity

The weight capacity for this chair is 242 pounds. The chair is described as “heavy duty.” The listing also describes the chair as being able to withstand frequent usage.

Color

At the time of writing this, this chair only comes in black.

Warranty

The product listing does not mention what type of warranty comes with the chair. Customers may purchase a three or five-year accident protection plan for this product through Amazon.

Assembly

The Merax chair does require some assembly.

Other Information

While most office chairs provide some sort of lumbar support, the Merax chair allows the user to adjust the lumbar support cushion. The customer can raise or lower the support cushion to fit snugly in the curvature of his or her spine.

This chair follows all BIFMA standards. It also follows ANSI standards. ANSI is an acronym for the American National Standards Institute.

3. Merax Inno Series

Merax also manufactures the next best reclining office chair on our list.

Basic description

The Merax Inno Series high-backed executive chair is also described as a great chair in which to take a power nap. It also has a padded footrest.

Materials

The Inno is covered with PU leather and is described as soft and glossy.

Measurements

The Inno can be raised or lowered from between 44 inches and 46 inches. The back of the chair is 21 inches wide without the arms and 27.5 inches with the arms. The seat of the chair is 21 inches deep.

The footrest measures 9 inches by 14 inches by 5 inches.

When the Inno is fully extended, the height shrinks to between 26 and 28 inches, and the chair stretches to 68.5 inches (which includes the footrest as well.)

Reclining Angle

The Inno is the perfect napping chair because users can recline at 180 degrees. There is a tilt locking mechanism that allows you to lock the chair in place at your desired angle.

Rotation

Although the product description is not clear, it can be assumed that the chair can rotate 360 degrees. The chair sits on five metal casters. The wheels do not lock.

Arms

The armrests on the Inno are padded and not removable.

Capacity

The weight capacity for the Inno is 225 pounds.

Color

This reclining office chair comes in three colors: black, gray, or fir green.

Warranty

The warranty information for this product is not provided, but the listing states that customers who have a difficult time during assembly are encouraged to email the company. They promise that your email will be answered within 24 hours.

Customers can purchase either a three-year or five-year accident protect plan for this product through Amazon.

Assembly

Assembly is required for this product.

Other Information

Besides coming in three different colors, one of the other differences between this Merax product and the last one is that the lumbar support system tilts out from the chair and can be adjusted. Also, the previous Merax chair allowed users to customize the lumbar system, but only by changing the height of the pillow. The Inno series chair allows the user to choose the pressure of the lumbar support.

4. Hbada Reclining Office Chair 

This chair does not look like a traditional executive office chair. Instead of being made of a leather product, the chair is constructed with a mesh upholstery material. Also, this chair comes with a footrest.

Materials

The back of the chair is made of a black mesh material. It keeps you cool and comfortable during long sessions of work or during an afternoon nap. The seat seems to be made of a mesh upholstery fabric as well, but it is not breathable, as it appears to be covering a cushion.

Measurements

The Hbada chair can be adjusted from 17.3 inches to 20.5 inches. The seat area is 19.7 inches by 18.5 inches. The backrest is 22.4 inches by 18.5 inches. The overall size of the chair is 26.8 inches by 26.8 inches by 50.4 inches.

Reclining Angle

The chair can be reclined back to 130 degrees. A locking mechanism allows you to find the desired reclining angle and then lock it in place.

Rotation

The chair can swivel 360 degrees, and the casters make it easy to roll across the floor. The casters are described as “silent.” This is an important feature if you work in a tranquil environment.

Arms

The armrests are described as self-adaptive synchro armrests. It is unclear what this means, but while the armrests are padded, they don’t look as padded as some of the other chair models in this article. There is exposed metal on the arms as well.

It can be assumed that the armrests are locked into position and not removable.

Capacity

The Hbada chair is able to support up to 300 pounds.

Color

There are four color and style options to chose from when purchasing this product. One can buy a solid black chair with or without a footrest. You can also buy a black and white chair with or without a footrest.

Warranty

There is a 30-day risk-free warranty for this product. You will also receive a one-year warranty against any product defects from the company.

Customers may also purchase either a three or five-year accident protection plan as well from Amazon.

Assembly

The product requires assembly.

Other Information

Besides being made of mesh, this product also has some other unique features. The headrest looks like it is a separate piece that is attached to the chair. It can be adjusted to fit different heights and can turn 30 degrees as well.

The back of the chair has a different design than other executive office chairs. The design may look different because the back is made of mesh instead of covered with foam. The back design is described as “mecha.” Mecha is a noun meaning a large, armored robot. While this word is clearly explaining the design of the back of a chair, one can see how this chair back could be similar to a robot’s design.

As a company, Hbada specializes in environmentally friendly, minimalistic design. The company’s production lines are based in Germany and Italy.

This chair meets all the BIFIMA standards for reliability and sturdiness.

5. X Rocker Reclining Chair (ideal for gamers!)

Much like the last product, this chair does not look like a traditional executive chair either. It looks much more like a high-end gaming chair instead of an office chair. In fact, it even connects to your gaming system wirelessly.

Materials

The product description does not include what materials were used to produce this chair. One could guess that it is made with either PU leather or bonded leather.

Measurements

While there are no detailed schematics of this chair, the product dimensions are listed as 28.5 inches by 23 inches by 23.5 inches. The chair weighs 54.2 pounds.

Reclining Angle

While the product description says the X Rocker Pro Series chair can tilt and swivel, it is not clear how far back the chair can recline. From the photo of the chair, it seems as if there may be more flexibility on which direction you can lounge, but you may not be able to recline as far as the other chairs allow you to.

Rotation

Again, while listed as being able to tilt and swivel, it is not clear if the chair can rotate a full 360 degrees. The base of the chair does not look like a traditional executive chair’s base. There are no caster wheels at the bottom of this chair, so it does not glide across the floor.

Arms

The armrests for this chair are described as “gunstock arms.” The wide armrests resemble the stock of a handgun from the side view.

Capacity

There is no weight limit listed for this product.

Color

The chair comes in black if you order it through Amazon.

Warranty

There is no warranty information listed for this product. Customers are not able to purchase an extended warranty plan for this chair.

Assembly

It is not clear whether this product requires assembly or not.

Other Information

Since this is more of a gaming chair rather than an executive chair, it has many more capabilities. First off, the chair includes two speakers and a subwoofer. These speakers allow you to have a total sound immersion experience while you are gaming or listening to music.

The built-in radio wireless receiver and wireless transmitter work with any source with RCA stereo outputs. There are RCA cables included with the purchase of this chair.

The speakers are hidden in the headrest, and the subwoofer uses Audio Force Modulation Technology. This subwoofer will magnify the sound quality and intensify the listening experience.

The X Rocker chair can also be used to enjoy TV or movies as well. If you are really feeling crazy, you could even read a book in it.

While there are dials on the side of the chair, it is unclear whether those dials alter the tilt or rotation of the chair, or if they alter the sound coming from the speakers.

6. AmazonBasics Reclining Office Chair

This is a basic office chair, but it is still one of the best reclining office chairs. If you are looking for a basic chair, this could be the one for you.

Materials

The material for this chair is described as bonded brown leather and PVC.

Measurements

The measurements of this chair are 29.13 inches by 25.59 inches by 41.34 inches. The height also adjusts up to 45.08 inches. The chair weighs 35.3 pounds.

Reclining Angle

While we do know that the Amazon Basic chair reclines, it is not clear to what degree. There is a tilt-tension knob underneath the seat. Adjusting this knob allows you to make it easier or harder to rock back in the chair.

One would safely guess that this chair does not recline as far as the other chairs listed in this article. There is no mention of this chair being used to nap in, and there aren’t any photos of the chair reclining on the product page.

Rotation

The chair does rotate 360 degrees and has nylon casters that allow you to move the chair easily from one location to another. It is not clear whether the wheels lock in place or whether they move quickly across the carpet.

Arms

There are padded armrests on the chair, but there is also some metal exposed on the arms. The armrests do not look as if they are removable or adjustable.

Capacity

The chair has a maximum weight capacity of 250 pounds.

Color

The Amazon chair comes in black.

Warranty

This chair comes with a one-year limited warranty. It is not clear what is or is not included in this warranty.

One can purchase a three or five-year accident protection plan for this chair through Amazon.

Assembly

The AmazonBasics chair does require assembly. Instructions for assembly are included in the box.

Other Information

This is a completely basic chair. There aren’t any fancy bells or whistles.

7. Happybuy Reclining Office Chair

The Happybuy chair has more bells and whistles than the last product  This executive office chair also offers a footrest and reclines far back to provide you with a surface for power napping.

Materials

The HappyBuy chair is made of soft PU and mesh fabric. The filling is high-density cold cure foam. The chair sits on an aluminum base.

Measurements

The total chair height is between 47.25 inches and 51.18 inches. The backrest height and width are 28.74 inches and 18.9 inches. The seat pad depth and width are 20.87 inches and 20.87 inches. The footstool size is 9.45 inches by 14.96 inches by 3.15 inches.

The shipping weight for this chair is 49 pounds.

Reclining Angle

The reclining function on this chair is unique. While you are able to recline, you are not able to tilt. This means that it reclines from 90 degrees to 180 degrees, and it locks in at any of those angles. It does not slide from one angle to another.

Rotation

This chair offers a 360-degree swivel. It has five caster wheels that make it easy to move the chair from one location to another.

Arms

The armrest is covered with thick pads. The armrests are also adjustable. To change the angle of the arm cap, twist the arm cap either clockwise or counterclockwise.

The armrests can also be flipped up to get them out of the way.

Capacity

The heavy-duty gas lift can hold up to 308.65 pounds. That’s a pretty specific weight.

Color

The Happybuy chair comes in black.

Warranty

The warranty information is not covered in the Amazon listing. Customers may purchase a three or five-year accident protection plan from Amazon.

Assembly

The product does require some assembly. Customers receive an instruction manual with the chair and some related accessories. It is not clear what those related accessories could be.

Other Information

The chair comes with a built-in lumbar support and headrest pillow.

The main difference between this chair and the other executive chairs is that it does not allow you to tilt back continuously. You have to choose an angle and stick with it for the duration of your nap… I mean, work day.

8. Kadirya Reclining Office Chair

The last chair on our list of the best reclining office chairs is very similar to the first chair on the list, which Kadirya also makes. In fact, the chairs seem to look identical but have some differences.

The Kadirya chair looks like a traditional executive chair. It is heavily padded and has a conventional high back. It features a waterfall seat edge so your legs can be placed slightly lower than your hips while seated.

Materials

The Kadirya chair is made from bonded leather.

The base is made of heavy-duty nylon, and the nylon casters roll smoothly for great mobility while in the chair.

Measurements

The height of the chair can be adjusted between 18.9 inches and 21.9 inches. The depth of the chair is 28.3 inches, and the width is 27.4 inches.

The width of the back and seat are both 20.7 inches. The depth of the seat is 19.1 inches.

Reclining Angle

The Kadirya chair angles back to 120 degrees. The tension knob allows the user to adjust how easy it is “fall back” while sitting in the chair.

Rotation

Like most office chairs, the Kadirya rotates 360 degrees. This gives the user extreme mobility, especially since you can also glide smoothly on the nylon casters.

Arms

Sometimes armrests get in the way, and many executive chairs are not constructed to allow the user to remove the armrests. This Kadirya model not only allows you to remove the armrests, but you can literally flip them out of the way. The armrests are padded.

Capacity

The maximum capacity of this chair is 250 pounds.

Color

If you purchase the chair through the Amazon listing, you can choose between black or brown. The black chair is entirely black. The brown chair features some lighter colored accents.

Warranty

Your satisfaction with this product is guaranteed. There is a risk-free 30-day return policy. The chair also comes with a one-year warranty that protects you from any defects in the construction.

Customers may purchase a three or five-year accident protection plan for the Kadirya chair through Amazon.

Assembly

The chair does require some assembly. The manufacturer asks that you search LCH 1010 on YouTube.com to find video assembly instructions. It is not clear whether or not assembly instructions are included in the package.

Other Information

The Kadirya chair has received the BIFIMA certification.

Customers who purchase the Kadirya chair receive a pair of gloves for free as a gift.

Which best reclining office chair is really the best for you?

This is difficult to say. If you are a gamer, the clear choice from the list is the chair produced by X Rocker. This chair, which offers built-in speakers, will make you feel as if you are part of the action.

If you work in a hot, stuffy environment, you may consider purchasing the Hbada chair. This is the only one on the list that is made from mesh. The mesh allows air to circulate between you and your back.

If you would like a basic work chair, and you don’t plan on napping in it, consider purchasing the Amazon Basic chair. It provides you with a place to sit without all the frills.

For those of you who plan to rest or nap while at work, there is no other choice than one of the two Merax chairs on the list. Once you pull out the footrest that is stored under the seat of the chair, you will feel as if you are in a recliner. You can even lock the chair into this position, so it doesn’t move forward as you snooze.

As always, it is wise to read the certified reviews on Amazon before making a purchase.

Why would someone buy a reclining office chair? Chances are if you are in the market for one, you plan on resting during the workday. Studies have shown that this is not a bad idea.

Benefits of power naps (even in the office)

If you are feeling tired and sluggish in the afternoon, research shows that a quick nap may improve your alertness. Power naps, when done correctly, enhance your learning, prevent stress, boost your mood and creativity, and allow you to be more productive.

Sleep stages

Before you hire someone to build a shelf for you underneath your desk as George Costanza did in Seinfeld, it is essential that you understand a bit about the sleep cycles.

• Stage one of sleep is similar to a light rest.
• During stage two, you are unaware of surroundings, and you drift off into a deeper sleep. Your breathing and heart rate are regular. Your body slumps.
• Stage three and four are also called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This usually occurs 90 minutes after the first sleep stage.

Now that you understand the stages of sleep, it will be easier to understand the best way to use napping to increase productivity during the afternoon.

How to Nap

Simply stated, it is best to nap for 30 minutes or 90 minutes.

To make sure you stay in sleep stages one or two, set the alarm to wake you after 30 minutes. A 30-minute nap is a power nap. Resting this short amount of time will be beneficial for your productivity. After sleeping for 30 minutes, you should wake up feeling refreshed.

If a 30-minute nap doesn’t seem long enough, know that sleeping for an hour also has some benefits. Studies show that sleeping for at least an hour helps you better remember facts, faces, and names. The unfortunate side effect of sleeping this long is that you will experience some grogginess after waking up, and your productivity could suffer.

A 90-minute nap allows your body to sink into the third and fourth sleep stage. Your body becomes fully rested, and this improves emotional and procedural memory and creativity. It is easier to wake up from a 90-minute nap than a 60-minute nap. The only drawback to a 90-minute nap is that you are missing an hour and a half of work time. Who has time for that?

When Not to Nap

Although this is entirely dependent upon your lifestyle and schedule, as a rule of thumb it is best not to nap after 3 p.m. Napping in the late afternoon can affect your ability to sleep that night.

If you have insomnia, try to stay awake during the day.

Sleep is incredibly important. Our bodies don’t function well without it. One way to tell if you are sleep deprived is if you find yourself dreaming during a short nap in the middle of the day. If you are able to reach that sleep stage quickly, you may not be receiving nearly enough sleep at night.

Who Naps?

Apparently, more people nap than you might realize. One study showed that nearly one-third of adults in the U.S. take a nap on a typical day. How is this possible? Keep in mind that one-third of adults may include college students and retirees.

Where is the best place to nap?

Now that you are purchasing one of the best reclining office chairs, you will have the perfect place to take a quick siesta every afternoon. While you are waiting for your chair to arrive from Amazon, you can take a power nap in your car.

It is best to recline slightly while taking a power nap. Some would argue that sleeping in a recliner is better than sleeping in a bed.

Recliners vs. Beds

Recliners give your lower body some relief. Elevating your feet, especially above the heart level, allows your body to reduce the inflammation caused from being on your feet all day. This elevation helps you recover from fatigue.

Recliners also take the pressure off our backs and spine. This gives our core muscles a chance to relax and recover. While in a recliner, the blood settles into the muscles of your lower back. Increased blood flow allows those muscles to become stronger.

Those suffering from digestive issues such as acid reflux and heartburn may feel better by sleeping in a recliner. Sleeping in an upright position helps keep stomach acid down.

If you have ever had a stuffy nose, you know that sleeping in a recliner enables you to breathe better than lying flat in a bed. Those who suffer from sleep apnea or other breathing issues may find that sleeping in a recliner allows for you to get much better sleep.

Whether or not you are in search of a best reclining office chair or not, there are some general guidelines to help you pick out a work chair.

How to Pick the Best Reclining Office Chair (or any office chair)

• Lumbar support

Do you have back issues? Problems with neck pain? Do your legs become numb easily? Are you able to stand and sit with ease or do you have mobility issues?

Several of the chairs in this article offer adjustable lumbar support. Since every body is different, it only makes sense that being able to adjust that support would be a huge benefit. Some chairs allow you to raise and lower the height of the support and other chairs will enable you to increase or decrease the pressure against your lumbar. If you suffer from back strain or spend an inordinate amount of time in your chair, consider purchasing one with the most lumbar options.

Related: Best Lumbar Support Cushion For Office Chairs

• Height adjustment

When sitting for an extended period, it is best that your knees remain lower than your hips. For some, you are only able to achieve this position if you can adjust the height of your chair. Make sure this is an option when picking out your new office chair. Never fear. Every chair on this list allows the user to do this.

• Wheels

Some office chair wheels do not roll on carpet. Read customer reviews or the product listing to determine if the chair you are looking at has the capability to move across any surface.

Your chair’s wheels are also important if you work in a quiet work environment. While the squeaky wheel gets the oil, no one wants to be around that wheel. Some chairs are designed with quieter wheels than others. Check the product listings to see if your chosen chair is designed with quiet casters.

• Materials

Do you work in a warm environment? Are you always hot even when no one else is?

Do you feel uncomfortable and sleepy when you become hot? Do you sweat a lot? Consider picking a chair with a mesh back. Some seem to offer more airflow than other chairs. Avoid PU leather or bonded leather chairs if the heat is a problem for you at work.

Do you work in the medical industry? Make sure your chair’s materials can be easily cleaned. Choosing a chair covered in fabric upholstery is probably not the best idea if you work around sick people or kids. Instead, purchase a chair that can be wiped clean.

• Size

Measure the area where you plan to use your office chair. Look at the height of the desk. Make sure the arms of the office chair will be able to slide under your desk if you prefer to sit close to your workspace.

Office chairs come in a wide variety of sizes. There is no standard sized office chair. Make sure you buy one that fits with your desk.

• Style

If your job is customer facing, make sure your office chair reflects a professional work environment. A squeaky, ugly chair with worn-out upholstery may suggest that you are not functioning well as a professional and may discourage customers from hiring you for a job.

For many, how a chair looks is important. If you are an executive, you may want a chair that fits your image. A padded leather chair may be what you are looking for when designing your office. For some, you may be looking for a chair that comes in a particular color to match the theme of your room or company. Trendy companies may want to purchase trendy-looking chairs.

• Your habits

Do you sit at a computer most of the day, or are you most of the time “in conference” with other executives? Do you make some other repetitive motion such as assembling parts or do fine detail work? You need to find a chair that enables you to do your specific job well.

If you need to get close to your work, consider purchasing a chair that allows you to adjust or remove the arms. A chair’s arms can keep you from getting close to the item you are working on and may cause you to lean forward instead, putting unnecessary pressure on your back and neck.

Those who spend the entire day typing may also have issues with the arms on a chair. If your body type is wider than most, pay attention to the width each chair offers between the arms. There is nothing more uncomfortable than having to squeeze your arms in a seat and spend your day doing a repetitive movement such as typing.

Regardless of which chair you choose, make sure you are comfortable in it. Life is too short to sit in an uncomfortable chair.