7 Things to Check Before You Buy an Outdoor Recliner
Buyer's checklist · Published by Outdoor Nook, which makes and sells the recliners shown
An outdoor recliner is a big purchase, and you usually can't sit in one before it arrives. So the smart move is to check the details that decide whether you'll still love it in three summers. Here are the seven we'd check, in the order that matters, with what to look for and how our recliners answer each one.
Use it on any brand. If a seller can't answer one of these, that tells you something too.
1. Seat height and depth: can you get out of it, and do your feet reach?
Seat height decides how easy it is to stand up. Low seats look relaxed and are hard to leave. Ask for the number, not “comfortable height.” Our Keywest measures about 20 inches to the seat and 25.2 inches to the top of the arm, on a chair that is 27.55 inches wide and 43.3 inches tall.
Depth cuts the other way. A deep, high-backed seat is what makes a recliner feel supportive, and it means shorter sitters may want their feet tucked up. Ask for seat depth too: ours is 18.9 inches on the Keywest and Malibu II wicker models and 22 to 22.8 inches on the aluminum ones, so shorter sitters usually do better in wicker. Our fit guide for heights from 5'2" to 6'4" matches the numbers to your height. One owner said it plainly:
“Know that they are big. … I am a 5'6" woman and my feet don't touch the floor. Fortunately I like to have my feet tucked up under me anyway.”
2. The mechanism: what moves, and what it's made of
The recline mechanism is the part that takes the load every time you lean back, and outdoors it is also the part exposed to damp. Ours is zinc-plated, e-coated steel, a two-stage rust-resistant treatment made for outdoor use. Ask any seller what theirs is made of.
Ask how it moves, too. Ours are fully manual: no cord, no battery, nothing to plug in. Recline and the footrest extends. Each chair also swivels and glides. Here is how one buyer describes having all three:
“I can swivel Rock and recline all in one chair it's fabulous and it's worth the money.”
One honest limit: the recliner has a single, full-recline position. If you want a middle stop, know that before you order. One 4-star reviewer said just that:
“I would have given it 5 out of 5, but the recliner only has one reclining position. … it is comfortable and was easy to set up.”
3. The frame: rust-resistant aluminum, wicker or plain
Steel frames are the ones that rust outdoors. Every Outdoor Nook frame is rust-resistant aluminum. The wicker models (Keywest, Newport, Malibu II) have all-weather HDPE handwoven over the aluminum, and the aluminum models (Huntington, Shoreline) have a powder-coated finish, so the choice between them is about looks and upkeep, not strength.
Wicker needs an occasional rinse with a hose, and no pressure washers. Aluminum is a wipe-down. If you want the full comparison, we have a separate guide: Wicker or aluminum: 5 questions that settle it.
4. Cushions: foam, fabric and how they stay put
Cushions take the most abuse outdoors. Look for high-resilience foam (it springs back rather than pancaking), outdoor-rated fabric, and cushions that clip on so the wind can't take them. Ours use high-resilience foam and the seat cushion clips on; select models offer Sunbrella fabric. Owners mention the feel more than any other detail:
“The pads are supportive and conform beautifully to your body.”
“And I love that the seat cushion clips on - I don’t have to worry about the cushions blowing away!”
5. The cover: built in, or one more thing to store
A separate cover is the item most people mean to buy and never do. Ours is patent-pending and built into every recliner in this hub, so it is always there when the weather turns. For how the frame, cushions and cover cope with the elements, see Weatherproof Outdoor Recliners: What Survives Rain, Pollen and Wind.
“3) the selling point for me was the attached covers. The recliners have an attached pouch to store the cover. No longer do I have to have extra storage just to keep covers or walk them back and forth to the garden shed.”
Two practical notes from owners. The pouch stays attached to the chair, and folding the cover neatly takes one try to learn:
“Built in cover is so helpful. Took me a minute to figure out how to properly fold the cover for storage.”
6. Size: measure three positions, not one
A recliner takes three footprints: upright, footrest out and fully reclined. For ours that is about 30 to 32 inches deep upright, 54 to 56 inches with the footrest out, and 64.5 to 67 inches (about 5½ feet) fully reclined. Widths run from 27.5 inches (Huntington) and 27.55 (Keywest) to 28.9 (Shoreline), 30.7 (Newport) and 32.2 (Malibu II). Mark the three depths on the floor with tape before you order.
Owners with tighter spaces say it works:
“We have a small lanai and these big beautiful chairs are oddly a smaller profile than many others we have shopped.”
7. After you click Buy: delivery, assembly, returns, warranty
This is where a first online furniture purchase feels risky. Get the terms in writing. Ours: free delivery by FedEx to the 48 contiguous states, to your door or curbside, typically in 7 to 10 days; no tools, with the back sliding onto the base in under 5 minutes; a 14-day return window for a full refund with a free FedEx pickup (then up to 90 days with a 20% restocking fee); a 5-year limited frame warranty and 2-year cushion warranty.
Our guide to what to expect on delivery day covers the curbside drop, box weight and setup. Two owners tell you how it plays out when something goes wrong. A damaged box was replaced, and one chair that wasn't the right fit went back:
“The final box received was damaged in transport. I reached out to customer service, and they immediately sent me a replacement.”
“I ordered one, and it arrived, I put it together (easily!), and tried it out. It was nice, but not exactly what I was looking for. … I sent an email, and they responded in an hour and picked it up the next day!”
The scorecard: take it to any seller
Comparing ours with a big-box chair? Box-Store vs. Premium Outdoor Recliner: What the Extra Money Buys shows where the difference turns up.
Good to know before you order
- Delivery is free. We ship by FedEx to the 48 contiguous states, typically within 7 to 10 days. Assembly needs no tools: the back slides onto the base, and most people are done in under 5 minutes.
- You get a 14-day return window. Return an undamaged item in its original condition within 14 days of delivery for a full refund, with a free FedEx pickup. After that, returns are accepted up to 90 days with a 20% restocking fee. See our returns policy.
- The frame carries a 5-year limited warranty and the cushions 2 years, against defects in materials and workmanship, for the original buyer. Read the full warranty.
Choose your recliner
Pick the size that fits your space, then the finish that fits your house. Every guide in the series, from planning your space to choosing a model, is on our Recline & Relax hub.
Questions before you order? Call 1-800-296-0232 or email cs@outdoornook.com.
Quick answers
Can I try one before I buy?
Are the recliners powered?
Do they come assembled?
What if it doesn't fit my space?
Sources. Reviews: Outdoor Nook product and company reviews on Reviews.io (4.8 average from 540+ reviews); review themes from our own analysis of 635 reviews, October 2026; quotes retrieved September 2026 and quoted as written; excerpts are marked. Prices and specifications are from our product pages as of September 2026.
