Stressless Chair: A High Level Review of the Leisurely Stressless Recliners

The Stressless chair was first built by Ekornes furniture in 1971. It was designed to be the "ultimate" recliner, one that could provide comfort and support whether in the upright or reclined position. Today, the company still does a brisk business and has over 20 different models in its recliner line alone. 

You may have seen the infomercials or heard the hype but are still wondering if the Ekornes Stressless recliner is actually worth its $1299 and up price tag? Does the leather hold up? Is it made from high quality construction? Do they guarantee their product? For the answers to these questions and more, keep reading. 

Glide System

The Stressless chair uses gliding wheels to take the chair from an upright to reclined position and back again. Rather than springing you back and forth with a traditional lever mechanism, the chair simply relies on your body weight and cues to tell it when to sit up and to recline.

Rather than the forced, jarring feeling of your average La-Z-Boy, the Stressless wheels move smoothly and easily. That said, they make a subtle noise with every move and, if the chair isn't properly maintained and cared for, likely would become a louder problem later.

Comfort for Lumbar and Head

The lumbar and head support on the Ekornes recliner are designed to work in parallel, moving with you as you recline the chair. The headrest can both lay flat or stay up, depending on a simple, manual adjustment. 

That said, though the headrest is designed to lean back as you lean back your head, the springs are fairly strong and for those with weak neck muscles, it can often feel like it is forcing your head forward. The best solution is to keep the headrest reclined.

Customized Sizes

A major selling point for Stressless recliners is that some models come in two sizes - small and large. So, if you need to fit a small space or make room for a bigger person, Ekornes simply affords that flexibility.

Warranty

All Ekornes Stressless recliner chairs come with a 10-year warranty that covers all the metal mechanisms inside the chair. These include the head and lumbar springs, the chair frame and the gliding system.

The long 10-year warranty may seem very appealing, but customers should be forewarned that the warranty on the Stressless chair won't cover damage to the leather or wood components. Instead, owners will need to see a reupholstering or carpentry professional.