How to choose a lift chair
Every chair in this collection is a power recliner with a motorised lift: the whole seat tilts forward to help you stand up and sit down. Beyond that, the chairs differ in how they recline, how they are sized and what comfort options they include. Features vary by model, so use the five checks below and confirm the details on the product page.
1. Pick the recline type
- 3-position: the back and footrest are linked and move through upright, a TV recline and a lounge position. Pride describes its Genesis LC-150 as a traditional three-position recliner whose back and chaise work in tandem, and its Evolution LC-435 as a three-position recliner with an enhanced three-position experience in the Petite Wide, Small, Medium and Large sizes. Golden's Comfort Zone 1 range is its 3-position group. Browse the 3-position lift chairs.
- Infinite-position: the back and footrest move independently, so the chair stops at any angle. Pride's wording for its VivaLift models is that infinite positioning enables the backrest and footrest to operate independently. Browse the infinite-position lift chairs.
- Golden MaxiComfort and Twilight: Golden's MaxiComfort positioning system is engineered to eliminate the gap between the back and seat, with a four-way motion seat box for infinite positions. Comfort Zone 5 chairs add Golden's patented Twilight Tilt, which Golden describes as designed to elevate your feet above your heart. See Comfort Zone 5, Comfort Zone 4 and Comfort Zone 2.
- Pride VivaLift Tilt: on the VivaLift Premier PLR-5900, Pride's VivaLift Tilt reclines the chair into a position where the knees are elevated above the heart, which Pride calls a zero-gravity sensation. See the Pride VivaLift chairs.
- Not every chair offers every position. Zero-gravity and tilt positions are found on the infinite-position models only, and only on the models that list them. If you have a medical condition, ask your clinician which recline positions are appropriate for you; we describe what each chair does and leave medical advice to your clinician.
2. Get the size right
Fit matters more than features. Golden's sizing guide asks you to measure outside hip to outside hip (seat width), the bend of the knee to the floor (seat height) and the back of the chair to the bend of the knee (seat depth), and gives these general height ranges: Petite Small and Small for people 5'5" and under, Medium for 5'5" to 6'0", Large for 5'10" to 6'2" and Tall for 6'2" and over, with Wide versions of several sizes. Golden calls the table a general guideline, not a guarantee of fit. Pride publishes a height recommendation for each LC-435 size: Petite Wide and Small for 5'3" and under, Medium for 5'4" to 5'9", Large for 5'9" to 6'0", XL and XXL for 5'8" to 6'1".
Each product page lists the seat width and seat depth of every size, and most also list a recommended user height. If you are between sizes, call our West Columbia, SC showroom and we will size the chair with you.
3. Check the weight capacity of the size you choose
Capacity is rated per size, not per model, so read the rating next to the size you are ordering:
- Pride Evolution LC-435: 400 lb in Petite Wide, Small, Medium and Large; 500 lb in XL (25.5" seat); 600 lb in XXL (29" seat). The 600 lb rating applies to the XXL only.
- Pride Genesis LC-150: 325 lb in Small (20" seat) and Medium (22" seat).
- Golden: most sizes are rated 400 lb; the Comforter PR-531 Petite/Small is rated 300 lb; the Comforter medium-wide and tall-wide sizes 500 lb; the Cloud PR-510 and PR-511 medium-wide and the MaxiComforter PR-535 large-wide sizes 600 lb (the MaxiComforter medium-wide is 500 lb). Golden's Heavy Duty collection is built for people weighing up to 600 lb.
4. Decide on heat, massage, fabric and power backup
Heat and massage are included on many infinite-position chairs but not all of them, and in the 3-position range only the Golden Comforter PR-531 offers them. Pride's VivaLift Premier, for example, lists three heating pads and an air-bladder massage system. Fabric and colour choices are shown on each product page. Pride lists an integrated battery backup for power failures on the LC-150 and LC-435; ask us about battery backup for other models.
5. Delivery, setup, returns and financing
Lift chairs ship by freight with free curbside delivery in the continental US, and White Glove in-home delivery is available where the product page lists it. Because they are large freight items they are generally non-returnable once shipped, so size carefully and ask us before you order. Financing is available with Bread Pay™ (with approved credit), and we sell directly: no insurance approval is needed and we do not bill insurance. Need a chair for a short time? See lift chair rentals in the Columbia, SC area.
Compare the collections
3-position · Infinite-position · Heavy duty · Golden Technologies · Pride Mobility · Lift chair accessories · Hand remotes · Lift chair parts
