Lift Chair FAQs
What type of Lift Chair Should I look for?
There are 3 main types of lift chairs (also called power lift recliners):
- 2-position
- 3-position
- Infinite Position
2-position lift chairs only have basic lift and recline functions. They cannot be customized in any way. 3-position chairs can fully recline. Infinite position chairs have 2 motors, allowing them to be customized to any position the user desires.
The longer you need a lift chair for, the higher up you should go. Short-term recoveries can be comfortably aided by 2- or 3-position chairs. Longer recoveries or chairs for regular use should almost always be infinite-position.
What Fabric Types Should I look at?
Most of the major lift chair manufacturers offer regular and premium fabrics. If you are not worried about spills due to dexterity issues or incontinence, the choice is yours—get whatever fabric you like the look and feel of.
If you are concerned about spills or minor scratches due to pets or grandchildren, premium fabrics are a great place to start. Golden’s Brisa fabric or Pride’s Ultraleather both offer easy to clean surfaces that are scratch-resistant.
Any incontinence issues should be addressed by liquid-resistant fabrics. Liquid-resistant fabrics differ from manufacturer to manufacturer but are always available. These fabrics repel most liquids, allowing for easy cleanup.
What Chair Size Should I Get?
This is a tricky question to answer, as every lift chair manufacturer has different recommended heights and weights on a per-model basis. There are, however, a few things you can garner regarding height just by sitting in a chair.
If your head falls in the center of the top cushion of a chair, that chair is a good fit. If your head falls significantly under the top cushion, that chair is too big. And if your head is way over (or doesn’t even touch) the top cushion, that chair is too small.
The ‘cushion rule’ also works for power lift recliner footrests. If your ankles and feet are just hanging over the very end of the footrest, the chair is a good fit. If your ankles and feet are not hanging over the end of the footrest, the chair is probably too big. And if your ankles, feet and more are hanging over the footrest, that chair is too small.
There is more to figuring out if a chair is perfect for you than these steps, but they can help lead you in the right direction. Most lift chair manufacturers have sizing on their websites, so you can check there for exact fits.
Should I Rent or Buy a Lift Chair?
The answer to this question all depends on how long you need the chair. For less than 2-3 months, a rental is a fine option. 3+ months of needing a lift chair for recovery is a time period where a lift chair purchase should be considered.