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A Review of the La-Z-Boy James Power Recliner

July 4, 2020

A Review of the La-Z-Boy James Power Recliner

What could be easier than putting your feet up? How about doing it at a touch of a button embraced in comfort? 

 

Find out more about the James Power Recliner and why it made La-Z-Boy Ottawa and Kingston’s top five best selling power recliner list. Determine whether the James’s features and benefits are the right fit for you to upgrade your comfort.   

 

As inventors of the reclining chair back in 1927, you can rest easy knowing your power recliner possesses 90 years of innovative design experience. They provide the smoothest, most secure motion and offer unmatched comfort in every position at the touch of a button.

 

Introduced in 2014, the James Power Recliner offers a perfect blend of comfort and function, with a casual family-friendly style that looks right at home in any décor.  The James is also La-Z-Boy’s top-selling motion style second only to the Trouper.

 

Teba Asfur is a La-Z-Boy design consultant at our Cyrville, Ottawa location.  She confides learning a new third language since joining the La-Z-Boy team during her in-depth product training two years ago. This knowledge, combined with her interior design background, has helped her fit a multitude of customers to their perfect recliner.

 

The James recliner is a medium-sized chair with an inviting bucket style seat.  The chaise leg rest, Teba explains, supports for a wide range of body heights.  She also highlights the James family of products comes stocked on our floors in Renew™ fabric.  It is very durable, comfortable, and a highly tested performance fabric, an excellent option for families or households with pets.

 

In this Article...

 

  1.  Unique Features
  2. Size & Dimensions
  3. Options & Upgrades
  4. Cost
  5. Warranty
  6. Customer Reviews
  7. Is the James Power Recliner Right For You?

Unique Features

 

Comfortable, cool and laid back, the James power recliner style looks as good as it feels. It features single-needle topstitching and pillow top arms that pamper you in softness. Plus, the bucket-style seats and chaise legrests cradle you in support. 

 

With the James power rocker and wall recliner, use the side-mounted 4-button control panel to recline and raise your feet independently.  This provides a wide range of relaxing positions. There’s even a built-in USB port to power your phone or tablet. 

 

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The James is also offered as a silver power lift recliner. Power lift recliners are a comfortable and practical answer for people as they age or to anyone that requires assistance getting in and out of a chair. 

 

Furthur, the James is available as a loveseat and sofa. If you'd like to learn more check out this review article. 

 

Size & Dimensions

 

At La-Z-Boy, we believe there is a ‘right’ chair for everyone considering body dimensions.  Make sure the James seat height, depth and width are made explicitly for you.

 

The James is thirty-nine inches across from outside arm to outside arm with a tall back of 42.5 inches. It can accommodate a wide range of heights from 5’5” to 6’3” and up.

While your height can be a considerable factor, it is important to note that height guidelines are NOT set in stone. The way you sit in a furniture item can drastically affect how someone might find a seat comfortable.

 

Ultimately, we recommend always coming in for a sit test to see if you think the James is comfortable for your body type. To learn more, take a look at How to Find a Recliner That is The Best Fit For You.

 

James Recliner Dimensions (Inches) 

 

Rocking/Wall Recliner Weight: 84 lbs

Body Depth: 38 in.


Body Height: 42.5 in.


Body Width: 39 in.

Seat Depth: 21 in.


Seat Height: 20 in.


Seat Width: 21.5 in.

 

 Options & Upgrades

Recliner options are easy add-ons for minimal up-charges and a great way to make sure you are getting one that is precisely right for you.

Fabric & Leathers Options

 

La-Z-Boy has over 800 fabrics and leathers to choose from, making the experience of personalizing your furniture seemingly endless.

 

The James recliner has 5 select fabric covers to compliment its unique frame. Select fabrics are included in the starting price of the James recliner.

 

Non-select fabrics or leathers will incur an additional cost.

 

In addition to the fabrics offered, there are also 2 select leather and 4 select faux leather options. You can learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Leather Selection by checking out this article.

 

Leather options - even select leather - will always increase the overall cost. Ultimately, the choice of choosing fabric or leather is up to you.

 

Please note that this article's leather or fabric options may be discontinued or unavailable without prior notice. We recommend contacting your local Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store by phone or in-person to confirm availability. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by any changes to our upholstery selection.

 

In addition to the cover options mentioned above, the James is offered in specialty fabrics that offer unique features and benefits…

Stain Resistant Covers

 

Innovative iClean technology surrounds each fabric fiber, creating a barrier that repels spills before they turn into stains.

 

Pet Friendly

Tested and formulated to withstand the scratches and wear that a pet can cause, to ensure a durable and easily washable fabric. 

 

Antimicrobial Covers

 

Antimicrobial properties surround each fiber to protect against mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria. 

 

Performance

 

Superior stain and fade resistance properties make these fabrics easy to clean and incredibly durable.

 

Eco Friendly

 

Conserve Sustainable Fabrics are soft, durable, and made from recycled water bottles.

 

Energy Restoration

Restore by Nanobionic® features a mineral-based fabric coating that transforms natural body heat into energy using infrared technology.

 

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Cushion Upgrade

 

At an additional cost, James cushions can also be upgraded to include firmer cushioning, meaning over time, your furniture will remember your unique figure and enhance the comfort of your furniture.

 

This could be a great option for people with mobility issues, allowing you to get in and out of your furniture more comfortably.

 

For more information view our Motion Furniture Collection catalogue and our in-depth Review of La-Z-Boy’s Chair and Sofa Seat Cushions.

 

Optional Swivel Base

 

If you're interested, the James rocking recliner is available with a swivel base for an extra cost. La-Z-Boy's swivel bases provide a 360-degree rotation, allowing you to easily turn and face any direction.

 

You can also upgrade your swivel base into a power swivel recliner, which can recline at the touch of a button. The power swivel base, however, only rotates 165 degrees to prevent the power cord from getting tangled within the furniture frame.

 

Wood Finish

James wood base finish can also be customized. Any recliner item comes in one of three finish options:

 

  • Brown Mahogany (Base Price)
  • Coffee (Additional Cost)

Power Upgrade with Adjustable Headrest

 

You can upgrade all James recliners to power. 

 

Unlike manual furniture that uses a handle or latch, power recliners come with a control panel or a wireless remote for easy reclining at the touch of a button. You can also adjust the headrest support with this convenient feature.

 

The adjustable headrest allows you to move the head of the recliner from 0-55 degrees, giving you more range of motion with your reclining positions.

What’s more, the recliners have USB ports next to the control panels to charge your electronic devices and two memory settings that allow you to save any of your favourite relaxing positions. This way, you can easily recline back to the position you favour quickly and accurately. 

 

All power upgrades can be cordless, thanks to our rechargeable battery pack. With this, you can place your power recliners anywhere without worrying about plugging them into an electrical outlet.

 

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Adjustable Lumbar Support

 

The James can further be upgraded to include adjustable lumbar support for an additional cost when choosing the power option.

 

Like the headrest feature, you can control the lower lumbar area of your recliner with the wireless remote. In this case, the lumbar support can expand 3 inches out or deflate to perfectly match the unique curvature of your lumbar spine. 

 

To help you decide of the headrest & lumbar upgrade is right for you, check out the Review of La-Z-Boy Power Recliners with the Headrest & Lumbar Feature.

Handle Options 

 

To add more style to your La-Z-Boy manual recliner, you have the option to customize the length and material of the convenient reclining handle.

 

At an extra cost, you can opt to elongate the handle if you find it too short for your comfort. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of materials for the handle, including wooden, brushed nickel, or matte black. The chrome handle can also be elongated, matching the wooden one in size.

 

What’s more, for all left-handed users, you can change your handle from the standard right side to the left. This also comes at an additional cost.

 

Heat & Massage Upgrade

 

The James Power Rocking recliner is the only frame that can be upgraded to include Heat & Massage.

 

Customers can enjoy this incredibly comfortable recliner with two high & low heat settings and six motor-massage settings for their back and thighs. 

 

PowerReclineXR® is also included in this upgrade, which lets the user experience full reclining comfort in any position, thanks to an independently operating back and leg rest.

 

To learn more, check out Review of the Heat & Massage Upgrade at La-Z-Boy.

 

Battery Power Packs

 

Add a battery pack to your recliner and place your furniture anywhere! This lithium-ion battery pack provides about five days of cordless operation when fully charged. Battery pack not available on lift chairs.

Cost

 

The James power recliners fall within the mid-price range at La-Z-Boy.

 

The cost of the James power rocking recliner has a starting price of $1,559.  The James power wall recliner starts at $1,629. 

 

While the cost of the James Recliner is considered quite standard at La-Z-Boy, it is important to note that La-Z-Boy furniture is considered more expensive in the market.

 

This cost is reflected in the quality of materials and craftsmanship of our products. 

 

With this, the investment tends to be worthwhile if you are looking for long-lasting furniture.

 

Please note that La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change without notice. Information is current as of June 8, 2023. Contact your local Ottawa or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

 

Warranty 

 

The James Recliner is covered by a limited lifetime warranty at La-Z-Boy in order to ensure the protection and satisfaction of your investment.  

 

The Limited Lifetime Warranty covers the repair or replacement of the frame, spring systems, and the mechanism, given that they are quality-crafted and built for long-lasting comfort.

 

While still quality-crafted, other aspects of the product, such as fabrics, leather, and cushions, are not meant to last a lifetime. These parts are still covered by the La-Z-Boy Manufacturer’s Warranty for a given period of time.

 

To further protect your purchase, La-Z-Boy offers an extended warranty plan at an additional cost.

 

 

Customer Reviews

This power recliner currently has a 4.7 star rating in North America:

Star - Review
I have had my james power rocker recliner for four year now. It is by far the best chair on the market today. The positions can be set by the sitter, not the chair. Footrest and backrest can be operated independent of each other. The definition of comfort. I just looked at the frame. Not one crack, misalignment, or bent spring. My only gripe is that the chair is set too far back in a reclining, not sitting position, in the neutral mode. “  GARY L. 

Star - Review
We had orginally bought another recliner from a different store and returned it after 2 weeks. The arm fell off!!! The lazyboy recliner has the quality we were looking for as well as comfort. IT rocks too, which is a huge bonus!!  Karen G.

Star - Review
Love this. I got the full power package and upgraded to memory foam. I also upgraded to the renew material. Chair is extremely comfortable and looks beautiful. I purchased the complete living room set, sofa, loveseat and 2 recliners. Upgraded to memory foam in recliners only and wish I had done it on all pieces. You can tell the difference. Pieces are fine but with the upgrade they are great. Only had this a month, so I hope it holds up well.
Delivery was great. Fast and professional.
”  Mary R.

 

Is the James Power Recliner Right For You?

 

When considering the James Power Recliner, several factors come into play. Firstly, its size versatility caters to a wide range of individuals, typically spanning from 5 feet to 6 feet in height, with the ultimate comfort dependent on personal preference when experiencing the recliner firsthand. 

 

However, it's worth noting that the James Power Recliner exudes a more traditional style. If you lean towards a sleek and modern aesthetic, we recommend exploring our alternative recliner collections.

Furthermore, the James Power Recliner falls within the mid-price range, offering a balance between quality and affordability. While it may not be considered budget-friendly for some, our furniture financing option provides an avenue to make the purchase more manageable.

 

Lastly, the recliner provides a wide range of fabric and leather options, allowing you to customize it to your specific taste and seamlessly integrate it into your existing decor.

 

By considering these factors—size suitability, style preference, pricing, and customization options—you can determine if the James Power Recliner aligns with your individual needs and desired style.

 

What's Next?

 

The power recliner is about your lifestyle.  The desired escape for the way you work.  Beneficial relief for the way you play.  And a fitting reward for the way you rest. 

 

The James Power Recliner is a great style option!  It’s aesthetically clean lines and tailored look fits most body types. Teba describes the James recliner’s style as transitional and not overly stuffed so it is well suited for most home décor.

One size does not fit all when it comes to comfort. The quality, style and variety La-Z-Boy has to offer will ensure you find the perfect match for your needs. We are happy to help you navigate all the options and tailor a recliner that is just right for you!

 

Our Recliner Buyers Guide outlines everything you need to know before you purchase your new recliner. Or contact us at any one of our Ottawa and Kingston La-Z-Boy locations for more information. 

 

We also provide a complimentary in-home design service if you need help designing a room worthy of your new power recliner. Together with our design experts you’ll make a floorplan, select furniture and accessories and combine colour, fabric and leather to bring your vision to life.

 

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Last Edited On June 22nd, 2022

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