Review of the La-Z-Boy Neal Recliner: Rocking & Wall Recliner

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***Please note that the Neal Recliner is currently discontinued. If you like this review, take a look at some similar review articles.*** 

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Some recliners may be too small, and some might be too big, but others can be juuuust right. Depending on your body shape and size, there is a recliner out there that best compliments you. 

If you are a tall person, it might be difficult to find a recliner that supports your long body type comfortably. Not to worry, at La-Z-Boy, we have large-scale recliners perfectly suited for tall individuals.  Take the Neal Recliner, for example.

When discussing the Neal Recliner with Mary Lee Smyth, an interior designer at La-Z-Boy Kingston, she tells us that it is “for all the big guys and the big gals.”

With this being said, size is only one part of the equation. Is the Neal the right recliner for you? 

Stick around to learn more about the Neal Recliner, like unique features, options & upgrades, cost, and customer reviews.

In This Article…

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

Unique Features

There are many unique features that the Neal Recliner has to offer.

Built with a neat and tailored look, the Neal is one of our bigger recliners at La-Z-Boy. 

Mary Lee mentions that it comes standard with many of our popular “tall” enhancements, including a tall base, elongated handle, deep chaise seat, high-density foam and a newly updated design that features an extra-long legrest.

Mary Lee also mentions its channelled cushioning. “There are three different puffy sections in the seat, which cuddle your body. The round pillowy arms also help relax those hard working arm muscles.”

Simply use the convenient handle on the outside arm to raise the legrest for reading, relaxing or watching TV. 

The Neal Recliner comes as a rocker or wall recliner. The Rocking Recliner allows you to rock in a smooth and graceful motion, while the wall recliner can be placed mere inches away from a wall while still reclining fully.

If you want to learn more about the difference between a Rocker Recliner vs. a Wall Recliner, check out this article.

Sizes & Dimensions

As mentioned before, the Neal Recliner is built on a taller scale, with Mary Lee mentioning that this recliner is one of La-Z-Boy’s larger recliners.

“Both the height and width of the recliner are very large, meaning anyone with a bigger or taller body size will fit comfortably on this recliner,” she says.

More specifically, the tall scale of the Neal is meant for those between the heights of 6’3” and up. If you want to learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Recliners for Tall People, check out this article.

Ultimately, we recommend always coming in for a sit test to see if the Neal 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.

In terms of space, the Neal would work better in an open-concept design, with as much room as possible. To ensure that Neal’s large frame can fit in your space, be sure to Measure Your Room.

Below is a breakdown of Neal’s size & dimensions.

Options & Upgrades

When compared to other La-Z-Boy products, Neal has plenty of options and upgrades to choose from. Always remember that all options and upgrades will increase the price of your furniture. 

Fabric & Leather Options

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

The Neal recliner has 10 select fabric covers that are chosen to compliment its unique frame. In fact, Neal has one of the more large select fabric selections at La-Z-Boy. “It comes in almost every colour except for orange,” Mary Lee says.

Further, Mary Lee says that Neal’s select leather options are limited to 2 select leather covers, as well as recycled leather, full leather, and leather match. You can learn more about La-Z-Boy’s Leather Selection by checking out this article.

These select fabrics do not have an additional fee to the starting price. Should you choose to purchase any fabrics or leathers that are not included in Neal’s select fabric selection, you will be subjected to an additional fee. 

Leather options, even select leather, will always increase the overall cost. Ultimately, the choice of choosing fabric or leather is up to you if you’re willing to spend extra cash on leather products.

In addition to the cover options mentioned above, the Neal is offered in specialty fabrics with unique features and benefits …

Statin Resistant Fabric

Innovative iClean Technology surrounds each fabric fibre, creating a barrier that repels spills before turning into stains.

Pet-Friendly Fabric

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

Antimicrobial Fabric

Antimicrobial properties surround each fibre to protect against mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacteria.

Performance

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

Eco-Friendly

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

Cushion Upgrade

At an additional cost, Neal’s 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.

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

*Please note that reclining furniture purchased before January 2021 had the option to upgrade to airform™ cushions.  This cushion includes a two-inch layer of premium quality memory foam added on top of the standard foam base within the seat, chaise, and leg rest of the unit.

Power Upgrade

Both Neal recliners have the ability to be upgraded to power. Instead of using a handle or a latch, like on the manual furniture, the power furniture has control panels on the side of each furniture piece, allowing you to recline at the touch of a button.

The rocking and wall recliners have a side-mounted 4-button control panel that reclines in multiple positions. Each power upgrade also has USB ports next to the control panels to charge your electronic devices.

If you are unsure of how to use the Neal control panels, check out La-Z-Boy Power Furniture: How to Use the Control Panel & Remote. 

Additionally, all power upgrades have the option to be cordless, thanks to our rechargeable battery pack. This allows you to use your power recliners anywhere without worrying about plugging them into an electrical outlet.

If you would like to learn more about battery packs, read this review of the rechargeable battery pack offered at La-Z-Boy.

Adjustable Headrest & Lumbar Support

Both Neal power recliners can be further upgraded to include adjustable headrest support. 

With this, you can adjust the headrest with a power tilt to cradle your head and neck with the handy wired remote. 

Adjustable lumbar support is also offered for Neal power recliners. In this case, the lumbar support can expand or deflate to perfectly match the unique curvature of your lumbar spine. 

What’s more, the recliners each have 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. 

To learn more about the headrest & lumbar upgrade, check out the Review of La-Z-Boy Power Recliners with the Headrest & Lumbar Feature

Cost

Regarding cost, the Neal Recliners fall within the mid-high price range at La-Z-Boy.

Mary Lee says that this recliner is considered more expensive “because of the amount of puffy cushioning and its abnormally larger size. This is especially true when comparing its leather counterparts.”

While the cost of the Neal recliner is considered a little over 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.

To learn more about the Cost of a Recliner, check out this article.

*All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. We aim to update all cost-related articles twice per year. This article was last updated on September 7th, 2022. Please visit lzb.com and select an Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store location to view the most up-to-date pricing. 

Warranty

The Neal is covered by La-Z-Boy’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, which 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 cushion, are not meant to last a lifetime. However, these parts are still covered by the La-Z-Boy Manufacturer’s Warranty for a given time.

To learn more about the warranty at La-Z-Boy, take a look at the article Are La-Z-Boy Recliners Guaranteed for Life?

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

Customer Reviews

The Neal is enjoyed by many La-Z-Boy customers. This table shows how our customers have rated each piece of furniture out of five.

Star ratings can only tell you so much. Here are some reviews from satisfied customers …

Is the Neal Recliner Right For You?

Now that you know everything you need to know about the Neal Recliner, the question still remains if this recliner is the right one for you. To help answer this question, we must consider your budget, functionality, and style preferences. 

First, as mentioned before, the cost of this recliner is more expensive because of its size and extra use of materials. This impacts the price greatly and offers more long-lasting comfort to you and others.

Purchasing higher-quality furniture is an investment that lasts much longer than less expensive furniture items. If you are willing to invest in your furniture, the Neal might be the right choice. In contrast, if you prefer affordable furniture that will be replaced in a couple of years, the Neal may not be right for you. 

In terms of functionality, this recliner is best suited for larger rooms and not small spaces. Further, the size of the Neil is most comfortable for tall individuals. If you are looking for Recliners for Small Spaces or for Short People, take a look at these articles.

When purchasing a recliner, or any furniture item, it is important to see how your body fits into that furniture item. If you purchase something too big or too small for you, you will not feel as comfortable or satisfied sitting in your seat. 

By looking at the review section of this article, you can see that some customers were not satisfied because they bought a recliner that was too big.

Further, Mary Lee mentions that she finds people who do physical labour for a living fall instantly in love with this big recliner. “Since construction workers carry their weight more on the shoulders and have a generally bigger build to them, this recliner provides them with the right amount of comfort that ther recliners might not be able to.”

Lastly, referring to style, Mary Lee says that this recliner is the perfect Modern Recliner for anyone looking for a bigger furniture piece. The Neal is also very reminiscent of the Greyson.

“The Greyson Furniture Family also has channelled cushions in the seats, but the Neal does not have much of a European style of design like the Greyson, which is where they differ,” Mary Lee says.

If you’re looking for a modern recliner that still has plush cushioning, this recliner might be right for you.

What's Next?

Now that you have a more knowledgeable understanding of the Neal Recliner, you can confidently decide if this is the right recliner for you. That said, Why not discover this recliner and our other furniture families in person?

You can start shopping by visiting one of our local showrooms located in Ottawa or Kingston. You can also schedule a visit online before coming in.

Our design consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. Take advantage of our interior design services to see how the Neal could fit in your home design. 

If the Neal wasn't what you were looking for, take a look at some of our similar La-Z-Boy product reviews. You can also take a look at our comparison article of the Neal vs the Astor Recliner.

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