Exploring the main difference between recliner and sofa will point you to the right direction of what to invest in.
Let's dig into the detailed breakdown, from appearance to the inside structure, health benefits, and even the price. Read to the end to know whether a recliner is better than a sofa.
Knowing the differences between recliners and sofas aids in selecting the appropriate option
What Is A Recliner?
Recliner is defined as a special chair that people can lean back and relax in. It has a unique mechanism that allows users to stretch out their legs and rest. People often consider it a comfy chair that they can adjust to make themselves comfortable while sitting or even taking a nap.
What Is A Regular Sofa?
A regular sofa is a piece of furniture that people can sit on with other people. It is a big, comfortable chair that can accommodate more than one person, but you can’t change its reclining angle. Sometimes, people call it a family chair as it can hold up many members of your family.
You can relax, watch TV shows, or spend time with your family and friends. Normally, the type of chair has a soft cushioned seat and a backrest for support.
Difference Between Recliner And Sofa
|
Element |
Recliner |
Sofa |
|
Functionality |
Can tilt back/lean back, lie down & relax. |
Offer a space for multiple people to sit. |
|
Health Benefits |
Improve blood circulation and reduce back pain by supporting the back & leg. |
Support users to de-stress & relax by providing a place to sit comfortably. . |
|
Material |
Fabric (like cotton), synthetic fiber, or leather. Frame is a combination of solid wood, chip wood, and plywood. |
Velvet, fabric, or leather. The frames may be constructed from hardwoods. |
|
Size and Shape |
Versatile but typically has a more compact design than the sofa. |
Versatile and typically larger than recliners. |
|
Weight |
Around 50 to 300 pounds. |
From 100 to 1,000 pounds. |
|
Style |
Various |
Wide range, but it is more traditional than recliners. |
|
Price |
About $100 to $1,000. |
About $500 to $5,000. |
|
Maintenance |
Need more maintenance. |
Regular clean. Less maintenance than recliners. |
|
Versatility |
Taking a nap, watching TV, and reading. |
Socializing and relaxing. |
Functionality
You can sit in different positions with a recliner
The first difference between a recliner vs normal sofa lies in their function.
A recliner is to recline, tilt back/lean back/lie down, and relax in different positions. Users can stretch out their legs and rest, perfect for reading books, watching TV, or taking a nap.
A sofa is for several people sitting on it. You can not recline or lean back. It does not support you to relax your leg too. However, it is a good pick to relax or socialize with your family and buddies.
Health Benefits
With the extra support for the legs and back, the recliner helps to reduce stress, relieve pressure on the user's body, and increase comfort.
In addition, it aids blood circulation, decreasing the veins' pressure, and reducing swelling or discomfort in the legs. When the leg is lifted above our heart, it overcomes the force of gravity pulling blood downward, allowing blood to flow more easily toward the heart.
Even better, when you are relaxed, your body will produce more endorphins, making you feel more happy and positive. As a result, you can sleep easier.
For people with back pain, it supports your back by keeping your spine neutral. As such, joints and muscles do not live under pressure. But it has some cons too. Please look at our sharing about recliner chair advantages and disadvantages to understand more.
On the other hand, sofas may not offer outstanding reclining support, but it is still a good spot to sit & rest. It is a place to unwind and relax to release yourself from stress in life with your beloved members.
Sofas can accommodate many people at once
Material
Both are made from a combination of fabric, synthetic fiber, or leather and its hardwood frame. However, depending on the brand and type, it will differ in the quality of the material.
Some small notes you may want to take down include: Leather is durable and simple to clean but a bit pricey. Fabric, like cotton, is a wonderful choice for comfort and softness. When you want both comfort and durability, choose microfiber.
In general, the more you pay, the better quality you can get. It is true for both types of chairs.
Size and Shape
The two come in different shapes & sizes. However, overall, sofas are bigger than recliners. If your space is not big, a recliner may be a better option. Otherwise, sofas are an ideal solution.
Weight
Recliners are normally lighter than sofas. You can see it typically weighs around 50 or up to 300 pounds. Sofas are heavier at about 100 pounds or up to 1,000 pounds.
Why the difference? Because the recliner is often designed for one person's use, the size will be smaller. With not too heavy weight, users can easily move it around from one room to another.
Sofas, on the flip side, are larger because they are for many people. That is why it requires a more bulky construction for more space. You can hardly lift it by yourself and may need another hand to reposition it.
The weight difference greatly impacts maneuverability, transportation, or rearranging furniture in your living space.
Recliners are more compact and space-saving
Style
There are 3 styles you often encounter when it comes to sofas: contemporary, traditional, or modern. Recliners often come with a padded design at a footrest you can see when you extend to recline.
Meanwhile, sofas have popular styles, including loveseats and sectional or three-seater structures. They also vary in colors & upholstery fabrics that you can select to match your room decor.
Don't forget to check out the appealing collection of modern Italian sofas that COZY voted as most beloved to see why it is everyone's favorite.
Price
You will need to prepare from $300-$3000 for the sofas. The price will increase to $800 or $2000 if you expect a modern reclining chair.
Some other factors, for example, features and brand, also affect the retail price. The sofa can cost more compared to recliners as it is normally bigger, though it’s not always the case.
Maintenance
Sofas need more care and maintenance than recliners
You will not have to spend so much time refreshing your recliners as they have fewer crevices & moving parts. Regular spot cleaning is perfect. Just follow the guideline for recliner chair cleaning, and you will be fine.
Conversely, sofas are more demanding. Users must remove cushions, vacuum, and promptly handle spills or stains.
Versatility
Recliners are for reclining & relaxation purposes. While normal recliners provide the ability to recline and relax, electric recliner sofas take comfort to another level.
Although it is perfect in optimizing your relaxing time, it has limitations when it comes to socializing as it is not flexible for multiple people sitting.
Sofas offer more versatility since they can serve multiple individuals at a time. From that, it is the most excellent spot for lounging and socializing. With some customized sofas, you can even pull it out to sleep as a small bed.
Is Recliner Better Than Sofa?
There is no single correct or definitive answer to this question. It is all up to people's preferences: what you need and what makes you comfortable.
Besides, in the market right now, there is the appearance of a so-called recliner sofa and incliner.
The primary distinction between recliner sofa vs regular sofa is the recliner sofa allows you to lean back and stretch out. In contrast, a regular sofa is more simple and doesn't have this feature.
So, while a recliner is a single chair with a reclining function, a recliner sofa is a larger piece of furniture with multiple seats, including at least one seat that can recline.
These combined products also provide a seating arrangement for multiple individuals who can enjoy the comfort of reclining together. That’s why COZY decided to launch the recliner sofa collection that brings the best of both worlds to our customers.
These recliner sofas are made of high-quality material with added padding for more comfort. Their Italian design also breathes an elegant and luxurious touch into your room.
The main difference between recliner and incliner is the reclining level. A normal recliner can fully lean back, while an incliner lifts your feet but doesn't recline as much.
If you're seeking a chair that ensures optimal comfort for reclining, a recliner is an excellent choice. However, an incliner is a suitable option when you prefer a chair that offers exceptional comfort for sitting upright.
The choice between recliners and sofas boils down to your needs
Conclusion
We hope that the key difference between recliner and sofa will give you an idea about what fits you best. The recliner is more about personal relaxation, while the sofa is more about socializing. Both can give you distinct benefits.
All the collections at COZY always update the trend of the most modern furniture from high-class brands. You can explore two best-selling recliner models at COZY: Samoa 1 seater electric recliner sofa or Triumph 3 seater electric recliner sofa. Visit COZY showroom to experience and buy elegant furniture.
Showroom address: 370 White Horse Road, Nunawading, Vic 3131
Hotline: 1300 217 799
