Rocking Vs. Gliding Recliners: Which Option Is Best For You?

Living room furniture comes in all different shapes, sizes, and types. Attention to detail is required in order to design your dream living room.

If you’re currently designing yours, you may be struggling between getting a rocking recliner and getting a gliding recliner. While both are great options, both have their own set of weaknesses.

With pros and cons to both, there’s only one thing that truly matters: which option is best for you?

This article will walk you through the differences between rocking and gliding recliners to help you make a well-informed decision.

Coming Up…

• Rocking Recliners
• Pros of Rocking Recliners
• Cons of Rocking Recliners
• Gliding Recliners
• Pros of Gliding Recliners
• Cons of Gliding Recliners
• Which Recliner Is Best For You?

Rocking Recliners

Rocking recliners combine the comfort of a traditional recliner with the soothing motion of a rocking chair, providing a versatile seating option that caters to your relaxation needs.

These chairs offer the perfect blend of functionality and style, making them a popular choice for living rooms, nurseries, and other spaces where comfort is a priority.

Key features of rocking recliners include:

- Reclining Mechanism: Rocking recliners allow you to adjust the chair's backrest and footrest for customized relaxation. With the pull of a lever or push of a button, you can find your ideal seating position, whether you're sitting upright, partially reclined, or fully reclined.

- Rocking Motion: The rocker recliner has a gentle back-and-forth rocking motion provides a calming experience, perfect for soothing yourself or a baby to sleep, relaxing after a long day, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment.

- Comfortable Cushioning: La-Z-Boy rocker recliners feature plush, padded cushioning on the seat, back, and arms for optimal comfort. High-quality foam and fiber fill ensure that the chair retains its shape and support over time.

- Durable Construction: The best rocker recliner is built with a sturdy frame and high-quality materials to withstand daily use. Upholstery options include a variety of fabrics and leathers, each tested to resist wear and fading.

- Design Versatility: Rocking recliners come in a range of styles, from classic to contemporary, and can complement any decor. Whether you prefer a traditional fabric rocker recliner or a leather rocking recliner, there will be options that suit your preferences.

- Customizable Features: Some La-Z-Boy rocking recliners offer customizable options such as power reclining, massage functions, and built-in USB ports for charging devices, enhancing your relaxation experience.

A great example of a power rocker recliner is the Morrison Power Rocking Recliner W/ Headrest & Lumbar.

- Rocking recliners provide the ultimate in relaxation and style, making them a valuable addition to any room. Whether you're enjoying quiet moments alone or sharing a comfortable seat with a loved one, a rocking recliner invites you to unwind in style.

Pros of Rocking Recliners

Now that you know the features of rocking recliners, let’s get more specific by looking at the pros of rocker recliners.

Personalized Styling

With a rocking recliner, you have the ability to personalize your comfort. Whether it’s by customizing your material or by using the rocking feature, La-Z-Boy rocker recliners are versatile.

Power Upgrade

As opposed to a glider recliner, a La-Z-Boy rocking recliner features the power upgrade. Further upgrades are available when you choose a power recliner as well, such as headrest and lumbar support, and even the heat and massage feature.  

Cons of Rocking Recliners

Now that we have discussed the pros, we need to address the downsides of owning a rocking recliner.

Less Aesthetic Value

While La-Z-Boy does have visually appealing recliners such as high leg recliners and secret recliners, rocking recliners are generally more bulky and have less aesthetic value. If you are looking for furniture that fits in a formal living room setting, you will likely be better off with an accent chair.

Mechanical Issues

With rocking recliners, they require both rocking and reclining mechanisms and more parts that have the potential to present mechanical problems in the future. Issues such as faulty metal or broken springs are simply more likely to happen with a rocking recliner than they are with a stationary leather chair and a half.

Gliding Recliners

Gliding recliners offer a unique and smooth motion that combines the relaxation of a recliner with the gentle, gliding movement of a glider chair.

Key features of glider recliners include:

- Reclining Mechanism: Much like rocking recliners, these chairs allow you to adjust the backrest and footrest for customized comfort. With a simple lever pull, you can find your ideal seating position, from upright to fully reclined.

- Gliding Motion: The recliner's gentle gliding movement provides a calming experience similar to that of a rocking chair but with a smoother, more controlled range of motion. This feature is especially useful for soothing babies or enjoying a peaceful moment of relaxation.

- Comfortable Cushioning: La-Z-Boy gliding recliners are designed with plush cushioning in the seat, back, and arms to ensure optimal comfort. High-quality foam and fiber fill provide support while retaining the chair's shape and loft over time.

- Durable Construction: La-Z-Boy gliding recliners are built with sturdy frames and high-quality materials to withstand daily use. Upholstery options include a range of fabrics and leathers, each tested to resist wear and fading.

- Design Versatility: Gliding recliners come in various styles, from traditional to contemporary, and can seamlessly complement any decor. You can choose a chair that suits your personal taste and existing furnishings.

Pros of Gliding Recliners

Like we did with the rocking recliners, let’s walk through the pros of gliding recliners.

Personalized Styling

Similar to rocking recliners, getting a gliding recliner at La-Z-Boy South Texas enables you to change the fabric and leather types of your chair.

Ultra Comfort

With the motion of a gliding recliner, you’ll experience what true peace and comfort feels like in a chair. That’s why a glider recliner goes well in a nursery or just for your own comfort.

Cons of Gliding Recliners

After reading the pros of gliding recliners, we must discuss the cons of them as well.

No Power Upgrade

Unlike rocking recliners, La-Z-Boy gliding recliners are not available in the power upgrade. This also means that you can’t upgrade to add additional head and lumbar support either.

Limited Selection

While La-Z-Boy’s rocker recliner selection is ample, the gliding recliners are not the same. There are only 4 gliding recliners available at La-Z-Boy South Texas.

Which Recliner Is Best For You?

Now that you have an understanding of both rocking recliners and gliding recliners, hopefully you have a better idea of which recliner is best for you.

If you are looking for a motion recliner with the ability to upgrade to power, a rocking recliner is the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer the gliding motion and don’t mind a manual recliner, the gliding recliner is best for you.

Maybe you know which one is best for you after this article. If this is the case, come into your nearest La-Z-Boy store to sit in one yourself.

If you want more information, check out the best gliding recliners at La-Z-Boy South Texas.