Updated on July 7th, 2023 at 05:39 pm
I needed an extra piece of furniture for my living room – something functional and comfortable. A friend suggested I get a rocker recliner. But since I’m a big man, I went searching for the best heavy duty rocker recliner.
Rocker recliners are like traditional recliners, but with a rocking motion. They come in different options: manual or power and rocking, gliding, or swivel motions. With so many mechanisms and capabilities available, choosing the best recliner can be a challenge.
To lighten your load, I’ve prepared a list of heavy duty rocker recliners with high weight capacities that’ll not disappoint. From my list, the Signature Design by Ashley Bladen Contemporary Rocker Recliner steals the show.
Best rocker recliners
Ashley Bladen Recliner
Ashley Furniture prides itself in building quality, stylish and valuable furniture. The Bladen Rocker Recliner is not an exception. It’s plush and comfortable. At 42” W x 40” D x 40” H, it’s large enough to accommodate big men. It also has a corner-blocked frame and metal reinforced seat that supports a weight capacity of up to 300 lbs.
Its comfort comes from the thick foam cushion used on the arms and back. The cushion is wrapped in leather that’s soft to the touch, resistant to cracks, and easy to clean.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to assemble the Bladen Rocker Recliner once it’s delivered. Luckily, the installation process is simple, and the experience is made even easier by detailed instructions. I only had to slide the back into place and screw it on the frame. Speaking of which, on the side, there’s a pull tab that easily triggers the reclining motion.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- The leather doesn’t peel
- Doesn’t stain easily
Cons
- The footrest releases with some force to it. Be careful with pets and children when reclining.
- Manual recliner
Lane home furnishings 4501-19 torino rocker recliner
If you are one of those who loves to sleep on the sofa, you’ll love this rocker recliner. It’s covered in thick foam on the arms, back, and footrest for ample comfort, and with the extra tall backseat, it reclines to a whopping 79”. This is almost as long as a king-size mattress. The Torino Rocker Recliner external measurements are 40” D x 44” W x 48” H, and the seat width is 25”. Of course, as a big guy, you’ll have a lot of wiggle room.
Moreover, Lane used the comfort King Recliner mechanism coupled with 7-gauge steel to support up to 500 pounds. For added strength, they used a hardwood frame and added bolts on the arms. All this hardiness is upholstered in chenille – a beautiful fabric that resists wrinkling and piling. Unfortunately, the fabric absorbs stains and spills fast and can be difficult to clean. For wine lovers, the wine red variation would be great.
Pros
- Durable frame
- Supports 500 lbs weight
- Has spring coil cushion
- Big and tall recliners for tall people
Cons
- Fabric color fades under direct sunlight
- The footrest lever is in an awkward position
GDFStudio Merit Black Leather Recliner/Glider Chair
If you’d like a premium big man recliner, this is it. This oversized glider recliner measures 42.50” D x 39” W x 39.75” H, and the wide seat dimensions are 21.75” d x 22.50” W x 19.50” seat height. It’s made from wood and PU leather. Though PU leather gets cold during winter, it doesn’t fade or crack easily. It has a silky look, is easy to clean, and is available in many colors, including red. I especially love that it makes the glider recliner resistant to pet hair.
Great Deal Furniture added a dual function operation to this chair. This way, you get to elevate your feet and recline at the same time. Since it’s a glider recliner, the rocking motion is gentler and more soothing.
Pros
- Supports 300 lb weight capacity
- Available in multiple colors
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Firm back which is perfect for those with bad backs
Cons
- Hard to push the footrest down
Nurture& The Glider
This is an unconventional chair recliner to have on this list. Nurture makes some of the best oversized glider recliners for nursing mothers. However, it also passes as one of the best recliners for big men. The Glider has a small form factor, but this doesn’t mean it’s weak or uncomfortable. Instead, it has superior construction that’s strong enough to support a nursing mother and the baby. You’d think since the arms are thin, they are hard – but they aren’t.
It has a power recline feature that reclines you to the perfect position with a touch of a button. Moreover, it has adjustable head support that offers a perfect mix of alertness and comfort. Unlike other recliners on the list, it has a built-in USB charger to keep your devices fully charged as you sit back and relax.
Pros
- Liquid repellant fabric
- Super comfortable
- Beautifully blends with the décor
Cons
- Doesn’t rock when reclined
JC Home Chair Theater Glider 360 Degree Swivel
I was extremely pleased with this oversized swivel rocker recliner chair. It arrived disassembled, but it was pretty easy to put together. It reclines with ease though it takes some leg strength to click the footrest into place.
The breathable polyurethane fabric gives it a premium look at an affordable price while making it easy to clean. The foam on this chair is firm, and the metal swivel structure helps to support 300 pounds. Though it’s an oversized recliner, it’s pretty lightweight and simple in design.
Pros
- Affordable
- Strong and durable
- Swivel action
- Small form factor
Cons
- Isn’t a wall-saver
- Takes a lot of strength to push the footrest into place
IOMOR Rocker Recliner Chairs
What stood out about this rocker leather recliner is the heavy-duty steel-reinforced frame and backrest, which makes it durable, and the solid wood frame for stability. Together, these features allow the recliner to support up to 300 lbs.
The backrest reclines to 145 and 110 degrees to accommodate different postures for optimal comfort. Moreover, the overstuffed back and headrest make it easier to watch tv and sleep comfortably. The stuffing is done with a high-density sponge which adds to the support and comfort. The upholstery is leather which is soft and highly protective.
Pros
- Two reclining positions
- Assembly takes 30 seconds
- Has a small footprint
- Supportive
Cons
- Sits a little low for a big and tall recliner
Christopher Knight Home Edwin Bubba Microfiber Gliding Recliner
This Christopher Knight Recliner is oversized and the perfect example of a comfortable rocker recliner for heavy people. It’s soft and comfortable on every surface, courtesy of cozy microfiber used as filing. On the exterior, the microfiber is held in place by polyester, and the legs are plastic. Of course, plastic isn’t the ideal material to use, but it feels solid.
When upright, the recliner is 38.25” deep x 38.50” wide x 39.50” high, and when fully reclined, it’s 64.25” deep x 38.50” wide x 30.25” high. You will have to assemble it once it’s delivered, but it’s nothing you cannot do with their step-wise instructions. Though oversize, it only has a 250 lb capacity.
Pros
- Plush cushioning
- Oversize
- Lightweight
Cons
- Plastic legs
- Doesn’t rock when reclined
Mecor Massage Recliner Sofa Leather Heated Chair Lounge
This rocker and swivel recliner offers value for money. The swivel mechanism is smooth, albeit slow. It might be a good idea to position it where you can look in different directions. Aside from this, it has a massaging mechanism that’ll work wonders on your upper legs and lower back. You can adjust the settings to match your needs.
Even better, the recliner is heated and will keep you warm throughout winter. As for cushioning, the Mecor Massage Recliner has a firm back that offers great support and comfort.
Pros
- Reclines to 1600
- 2 cup holders
- Side and front pouches
- 360 degree swivel seat
Cons
- The side pocket is only on one side
- The footrest isn’t heated
And the best rocker recliner is…
Ashley Bladen Recliner
After trying out several rocker, swivel, and glider recliners, the above came out on top. However, the Signature Design by Ashley Bladen Rocker Recliner takes the crown on many fronts. It has reinforced construction to support the extra weight; it’s plush and durable, courtesy of the faux leather upholstery.
See other top recliner reviews here:
- Lane Stallion big man
- Power recliners
- Recliners
- Cuddle recliner
- Big and tall recliners
- Couch recliners
- Heavy duty recliners
- Oversize recliners
- Mega motion easy comfort
- 500 lbs capacity
- Serta 650 horizon recliner
What is the most durable recliner?
Durability depends on the material used to make the reclining mechanism, the frame, and the upholstery. In this light, the Signature Design by Ashley Bladen Rocker Recliner is the most durable. It has a metal reinforced seat and corner-blocked frame and faux leather upholstery resistant to peeling.
Do they make recliners for heavy people?
Yes, they do. Many heavy weight capacity recliners have a weight limit starting from 250+ lbs. Other oversize recliners like the Signature Design by Ashley Bladen Rocker Recliner, Lane Torino Rocker Recliner, and the Mecor Massage Recliner Chair have a maximum weight capacity of 300 lb, 500 lb, and 400 lb, respectively. Fore more information check out the rest of Extra Large Living.