If you are looking for a new piece of furniture to relax in, two popular choices are recliners and lift chairs. The problem is that on the outside, they look just about the same. However, there are some huge differences between the two. At Bayshore Medical Supply, located in Pasadena TX, we want to help you make the right decision, so we are going to break down the differences between a lift chair and a recliner and which is the better choice.
What is a lift chair?
While most recliners tilt back to allow the user to lounge, lift chairs go one step further by incorporating a built-in lifting mechanism. This allows the chair to raise the seat upwards and forward, making it easier for the user to sit down or stand up. For seniors or those with limited mobility, this can be a game-changer in maintaining their independence.
In addition to their lifting function, a lift chair also reclines like a traditional recliner. This allows them to provide lifting and reclining functions in one piece of furniture. Whether you’re seeking a chair to help you get in and out of your seat or one that will let you kick back and relax, a lift chair may be the perfect solution.
What are recliners?
Recliners are designed for comfort and relaxation. A recliner is an armchair or sofa that reclines when the occupant lowers the chair’s back and raises its front. It has a backrest that can be tilted back, and often a footrest that may be extended by means of a lever on the side of the chair or may extend automatically when the back is reclined.
The differences between a lift chair and a recliner?
It is true that Lift Chairs and recliners have different supports including adjustable lumbar support, headrest, and footrest. Both can include extra features like heat and massage. Yet that is where their similarities generally end. The big difference is what a lift chair can do that a recliner can’t. A lift chair is made for people who have trouble getting in and out of traditional chairs. They feature a built-in motor that slowly raises and lowers the chair, making it easy to get in and out without straining your back or joints. A traditional recliner, on the other hand, is simply a chair that reclines and allows the user to relax in a variety of positions, but it does not have a lifting mechanism.
Upholstery is another big difference between lift chairs and standard recliners. Medical lift chairs are made from materials, including the upholstery, that are made to last. Most buyers of lift chairs are buying it (or renting it) for heavy use. Most buyers of recliners are buying it in order to spend time relaxing.
Which is better, a lift chair or a recliner?
So, after a quick summary of each one, which one is better, and which one should you buy? The answer really depends on what you plan on using the furniture for. Either is an investment, so like any other investment, you need to think about the future. If you’re buying the furniture just to have a relaxing place to sit in front of the TV, then a recliner might be the best bet. However, if you are having mobility challenges that make it difficult for you to get up out of your chair, or to sit down from a standing position due to pain or lack of muscle strength, you should probably consider a lift chair.
Also, if you have medical conditions such as edema or have a prolonged injury to a weight-bearing part of your body that can make it hard to get up, a lift chair would be better for you than a recliner. This can be very important for seniors that want to keep some sense of their independence. Lift chairs are also a benefit to the caregivers as it is much easy to guide the patient from sitting to standing.
In the end, it all comes down to why are you looking to get the new piece of furniture and what do you plan to use it for. A recliner is built to mainly just help you relax, whereas a lift chair is essentially a piece of medical equipment designed to help with getting up from a seated position, as well as help with several medical conditions. Bayshore Medical Supply in Pasadena, TX carries Golden Technology Lift Chairs, America’s leading brand in lift chairs and is the leading Golden Technology Lift Chairs Dealer in Houston. At Bayshore, when you buy a lift chair from us, we can come to deliver it and set it up in your home for you. If you are unsure if you’re a good candidate, you can also call us at (713) 472-8585 or come visit us at 4205 Spencer Hwy Pasadena, TX 77504 and we can help you decide if a lift chair is right for you.
