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

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

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For over 90 years, La-Z-Boy has created stylish and long-lasting recliners for many families to enjoy. There’s a reason why La-Z-Boy has remained a popular brand for so long, and it is because of its recliners.

From modern to traditional to even secret recliners, La-Z-Boy knows how to make a recliner look enticing.

Take a look at the Stratus, for example. Ghada Shaheen, a design consultant at La-Z-Boy Cyrville, tells us that “Even when it isn’t on our salesfloor, people still ask about the Stratus when they look at our recliners online.”

Not only is the stratus great as a rocking recliner, but it is also offered as a wall recliner. Stick around to learn about the Stratus Recliner, from its features, size, options & upgrades, and cost, to ultimately decide if it is the right recliner for you!  

In This Article…

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

Unique Features

First, let’s take a look at some unique features that this recliner has.

Designed for taller users, the Stratus recliner is built on a high scale. It’s so high that it elevates you to the stratosphere! Okay… maybe not that high, but it does elevate your comfort and style to a whole different level.

The Stratus Recliner features a tall foam back, padded arms, and a tall base for oversized luxury. Stratus’ deep bucket seats allow the user to sink into the cushions, contouring your body with an extra layer of high-density foam wedges for extra support when you sit or recline.

The Stratus also has a closed chaise design, meaning the footrest does not have an open gap with the fabric of the recliner.

Users can effortlessly recline by pulling on the convenient handle located on the outside arm to raise the legrest. 

Ghada mentions there are two recliner options that customers can choose from. You can either choose the Stratus Rocking Recliner, which gives the user the ability to rock in a smooth and graceful motion when not reclined, or the Stratus Wall Recliner, which can be placed mere inches away from a wall with still being able to recline fully.

Size & Dimensions

As mentioned before, the Stratus is built with a taller scale in mind, with Ghada mentioning that this recliner is one of La-Z-Boy’s taller recliners.

“The only other recliners that are built with a taller base and extra foam padding are our lift recliners, which makes this recliner very unique,” she says.

This means that the Stratus would work better in a more open-concept space, with as much room as possible.

To ensure that Stratus’ large frame can fit in your space, be sure to Measure Your Room.

What’s more, the tall scale of the Stratus 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.

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 the Stratus 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.

Below is a breakdown of the Stratus’ size & dimensions.

Options & Upgrades

When compared to other La-Z-Boy products, Stratus 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 Stratus recliner has 7 select fabric covers that are chosen to compliment its unique frame. In fact, the Stratus has one of the more large select fabric selections at La-Z-Boy. 

Further, Ghada says that Stratus’ select leather options are limited to 2 select leather covers, as well as recycled leather. 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 Stratus’ 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.

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 Stratus is offered in specialty fabrics with unique features and benefits …

Stain 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.

Energy Restoration

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

Cushion Upgrade

At an additional cost, Stratus’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. 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 Recliner Furniture Collection catalogue.

Optional Swivel Base

If you're interested, the Stratus 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.

To learn more about our Swivel Chair options, check out our list of Swivel Accent Chairs.

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.

Power Upgrade with Adjustable Headrest

You can upgrade the Stratus 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.

Adjustable Lumbar Support

The Stratus can also 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.

Heat & Massage Upgrade

Additionally, the Stratus Power Rocking Recliner has an extra option to upgrade to Heat & Massage. This is something that the wall recliner does not provide.

Customers can enjoy this incredibly comfortable chair with two heat settings and three massage speeds. 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 legrest.

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

Cost

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

While the cost of the Stratus 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.

*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 June 15th, 2023. Contact your local Ottawa or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

Warranty

The Stratus is covered by La-Z-Boy’s Limited Lifetime Warranty. This warranty covers the repair or replacement of the frame, spring systems, and mechanism, given that they are quality-crafted and built for long-lasting comfort.

For full details of the Limited Lifetime Warranty, check out this full La-Z-Boy warranty breakdown.

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 period of time.

To further protect your purchase, La-Z-Boy Ottawa & Kingston offers an extended warranty plan at an additional cost. To learn more about the Extended Warranty Plan and if it’s right for you, take a look at this article.

Customer Reviews

The Stratus 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 Stratus Recliner Right For You?

Now that you know everything you need to know about the Stratus Recliner, is this the right furniture item for you? To answer this question, we must take a look at price, functionality, and style.

To begin, Ghada explains that this recliner might be considered more expensive than other recliners due to it being a bigger chair.

She says, “Even though it is considered mid-priced, it has a different level of mechanisms within the chair, which is why it’s built as a taller base.”

She also explains that this recliner is designed to seat bigger and taller individuals, meaning the mechanisms are different to balance the furniture so that it doesn’t accidentally fall over.

Even though this recliner is more expensive and bigger than others at La-Z-Boy, Ghada says it might be worth spending more money on your recliner in the long run. 

Buying expensive furniture is always an investment. However, spending more initially will save you more money down the road with fewer repairs or furniture replacements. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s furniture quality, check out the article, Is La-Z-Boy Furniture Good Quality?

Finally, in terms of style and functionality, this recliner might be more suitable for those who are looking for something more comfortable and plush. Some individuals might need a more comfortable recliner for sitting in for a long period of time 

After extensive surgery, for example, seats with an extra layer of padding can not only be comfortable seats but can also double as a place to rest.

If you’re looking for a comfortable and plush seat for medical or leisure reasons, this semi-pillowed style recliner is right for you!

You might also be looking for something that requires a furniture item for people with mobility issues. Although bigger recliners, like the Stratus, might work, sometimes, regular recliners won’t always do the trick.

If you’re interested in the Stratus but require a Lift Recliner, Ghada recommends the Astor Lift Recliner as a great alternative.

What's Next?

Now that you have a more knowledgeable understanding of the Stratus Recliner, you can confidently decide if this is the right recliner for you. 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 Stratus could fit in your home design. 

If the Stratus wasn't what you were looking for, take a look at some of our similar La-Z-Boy product reviews:

• Review of the Reed Recliner
• Review of the Vail Recliner
• Review of the Talladega Furniture Family

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