There are two types of recliners: those where the cat sits in the seat, and those where the cat sits on the headrest. The Flexispot XRC5 (not an affiliate link) is the former. And let me tell you, the orange cat knows best.
Delivery & Assembly
The recliner arrived in two large boxes: one for the seat portion and one for the backrest. I can't provide a firsthand account of the assembly process because my spouse put it together quickly while I was away on a business trip. This was surprising, considering she doesn't enjoy assembling IKEA furniture (perhaps she was just motivated to get rid of the big boxes). Or maybe it was some deep-seated desire to conquer the beast before it conquered our living room.
Remote
The XRC5 includes a wired remote, which tucks away neatly into a side crevice, controlling the heating and back massage functions. Thankfully, there's an outlet close to where we set up the chair. While there are many combinations and timing options for the different massage zones, I don't use this feature often, as it has more of a vibrating effect rather than a deep tissue massage. I wasn't disappointed, since I knew this wasn't that type of chair. Plus, my kids and their friends seem to enjoy the massage feature. On the other hand, the heating function is something I'll be using more regularly as we roll into winter. Nothing like a good roast to keep the bones from freezing.
Comfort
In terms of comfort, this Flexispot recliner is pretty nice. It offers decent lumbar support, and I can sort of sit in it with a small child beside me, although it works better if they sit on one of the wide armrests. For taller folks, a note: this recliner is more suited for napping than watching TV. I'm about 6 feet tall, and my head is at a slight angle when reclining—even though our TV is mounted high above the fireplace, it's still a bit too steep for comfortable viewing. But for naps? It's fantastic. I mean, we're talking drift-off-into-the-void levels of comfort here. This works well for us, as our other recliner fits me better for TV watching.
Notes
I'm a fan of the side pocket for holding books, especially since our space doesn't accommodate a side or coffee table. The power adapter is 12V @ 1A. One minor issue: the chair's height off the ground is unfortunately just right for our old Roomba 670 to get stuck under. To solve this, we usually just spin the chair around to face the wall, keeping the robot from getting trapped and ensuring it completes its job. It’s like the chair and Roomba are locked in some kind of passive-aggressive domestic Cold War.
Thanks to Flexispot for sending in a review unit.