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Stressless Recliners vs. La-Z-Boy Recliners: Which Living Room Chair is Right for You?

Written by Jennifer Maxwell | Jan 5, 2021 5:00:00 AM

Are you looking for a comfortable reclining chair? Perhaps you've looked at manufacturers like Stressless furniture in Ottawa, or our La-Z-Boy furniture stores in Ottawa, but are not sure which one to choose.

 

When shopping for recliners, people often ask us, “What are the differences between Stressless and La-Z-boy recliners?” After all, both retailers offer high-quality products. If your goal is to make your next purchase a staple in your home, you’ll want to make sure you make the right choice.

 

There are a lot of La-Z-Boy recliner chairs, as well as Stressless recliners available, but which one is right for you? 

 

This article will compare two popular brands, Stressless and La-Z-Boy. We’ll outline the cost, features and benefits of both so that you can understand the differences before you shop.

 

Brief Descriptions of Each Retailer

 

Before we describe what each retailer provides regarding living room furniture, let’s retailer as a whole.

What is a Stressless Chair?

 

The Stressless chair designed by Ekornes and Manufactured in Norway is based on Norwegian styles with a simplistic, minimalist flair. The reclining chair and ottoman have an open feeling with a swivel base.

 

Stressless furniture offers a variety of styles, each available in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Accompanied by a separate ottoman, the chair's lumbar support is activated by manually adjusting the headrest, which can be locked into position for added comfort. 

 

Certain styles feature an integrated leg rest in medium and large sizes. Moreover, Stressless Furniture offers a wide array of leather and fabric cover options that can be customized to suit individual preferences.

What is a La-Z-Boy Recliner?

 

La-Z-Boy Recliners is an iconic North American brand. La-Z-Boy is widely known as the inventor of the recliner chair, back in the 1920s. There are various styles available, from the most traditional to quite contemporary. The recliners can be manual or power-controlled. 

 

The manual chair reclines up and down and provides independent leg and back reclining. It uses a three-position footrest and ratchet system to recline back.

 

The power chair can move you into multiple positions. Press a button to move the leg rest up and press another, so the headrest goes back.

 

The look is customizable with over 800 fabric and leather options.


 

 

Stressless Chair vs. La-Z-Boy Recliner: What's the Difference?

 

Both La-Z-Boy and Stressless Furniture in Ottawa carry a wide range of home furniture. 

 

While La-Z-Boy is primarily known for its exceptional living room furniture, Stressless offers a similar range of furniture and household items, as well as other things La-Z-Boy doesnt carry. For this comparison article, we will focus on Stressless and La-Z-Boy’s living room collection.

 

Stressless Recliner Chair

 

In terms of their singular seating, this furniture manufacturer offers a more contemporary minimalist design with a separate chair and ottoman. Among their 30 different Stressless recliners and office chairs, they also offer some integrated footrests on some of their recliners, too.

 

Within these chairs and recliners, a Stressless armchair also offers:

  • Soft plush cushioning
  • Patented glide and systems provide manual reclining functions
  • Full 360 swivel
  • Adjustable headrest
  • 100’s of fabric & leather covers

 

Aside from their recliners, Stressless sofas are also available, as well as ottomans and stationary chairs.

 

Most of their furniture styles revolve around a more modern-day approach. So, if you’re looking for anything traditional, you might not find it here.


La-Z-Boy Recliner Chairs

 

At La-Z-Boy, there are over 40 recliner chair options to choose from. You can choose from small recliners to large recliners, or even find something traditional or contemporary. Every end of the recliner spectrum is available at La-Z-Boy.

 

La-Z-Boy’s recliners are made with quality materials that will keep your loved one comfortable and restful for a long time. La-Z-Boy living room furniture also has upholstery fabric and leather programs available for anyone looking for higher quality material to help with longevity, cleanability and much more.

 

Depending on the frame, each power recliner chair can be upgraded to include either a headrest and lumbar or heat & massage. There are also power lift chairs available for anyone needing a little extra help when getting up from our comfortable selections.
 
 

Where it's Made?

 

Where furniture is made tells you a lot about a company. Let’s take a look at where La-Z-Boy and Stressless make their furniture items.


Where Are Stressless Chairs Made?

 

Stressless furniture from Canada is primarily manufactured in Norway by Ekornes ASA, the company behind the Stressless brand. Ekornes has been producing furniture since 1934 and is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail. 


While some components of Stressless furniture may be sourced from other countries, such as leather from Italy, the assembly and production processes primarily take place in Norway. This ensures that Stressless maintains its reputation for quality and reliability, with a focus on Scandinavian design principles and craftsmanship.


Where is La-Z-Boy Furniture Made?

 

La-Z-Boy Furniture in Canada is primarily an American furniture manufacturer based in Monroe, Michigan and produces upholstery furniture.

 

They also provide other labels such as Kincaid, American Drew and Hammary, dining, bedroom, area rugs, lighting and other accent pieces. La-Z-Boy furniture sells in thousands of retail outlets in the US and Canada. They hold US and international patents on more than 200 different styles and mechanisms.

 

La-Z-Boy periodically receives some products directly from Asia, including countries such as Thailand and China, where some alternative styles are available.

 

Check out this article to learn more about where La-Z-boy furniture is made.

 

Customization Options

 

Custom furniture is growing in popularity for homeowners nowadays. When it comes to customization options, there is a lot to discuss between La-Z-Boy Ottawa and Stressless Home Store.


Stressless Customization Options

 

Just like La-Z-Boy, Stressless recliner chairs are very customizable.


Stressless may not have as many fabric or leather coverings as La-Z-Boy, but they still have quite a few to choose from, which can certainly help personalize your reclining chair. 


However, reclining chairs at Stressless can be customized by the base, changing the structure of the chair completely. Customers have up to 7 different chair bases to choose from, which is something La-Z-Boy cannot customize.

 

Both recliner choices and office chairs also provide ergonomic support and proper back support. Each of them offers different kinds of comfort that should be tested by the consumer.

 

Furthermore, Stressless reclining chairs can also be upgraded to include power, and headrest & lumbar support, for added comfort. All of these upgrades, however, do come at an additional cost.


La-Z-Boy Customization Options

 

Similarly, upholstery furniture at La-Z-Boy is highly customizable.

 

With over 800 fabrics and leathers to choose from, there are many possibilities to make your furniture unique to your own personal style.

 

Aside from upholstery customization, La-Z-Boy living room furniture is also customizable in wood finish, nailhead trim, and welt trim, depending on the chosen frame. 

 

Further, reclining furniture items at La-Z-Boy have many available upgrades, such as power. With power, select models are available with additional upgrades, such as heat & massage, power lift options for recliners, and adjustable headrest & lumbar

 

It is important to remember that all upgrades at La-Z Boy come at an additional cost.

 

Learn more by reading Custom Furniture at La-Z-Boy: What to Expect?

 

Cost

 

Entry-level Stressless chair prices in Canada with a classic base start at approximately $2,400, along with an ottoman. The cost will increase up to $7,000 depending on the styles and options chosen.

 

The least expensive La-Z-Boy recliner starts at approximately $1,310. The cost will increase depending on the options and fabric chosen for the chair. 

 

For more information, check out the article explaining the Cost of a La-Z-Boy Recliner

 

*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 April 3rd, 2024. Please visit lzb.com and select an Ottawa or Kingston La-Z-Boy store location to view the most up-to-date pricing.

 

Warranty

 

Whether you shop at La-Z-Boy Ottawa or Stressless, there is no doubt that living room furniture is an investment.

 

Both furniture retailers offer a warranty with the sale of their products to help protect your investment.


Stressless Canada Warranty

 

Service plans for Stressless chairs in Ottawa will depend on the dealer from where you purchase.

The manufacturer’s warranty covers ten years on the internal mechanism. There are five years of coverage on the base, two years on LegComfort Battery and a year on leather and fabric upholstery.


La-Z-Boy Furniture Warranty Canada

 

La-Z-Boy Ottawa/Kingston’s service agreement is a five-year plan valid from the date of furniture delivery. This service offer is for the duration of the contract without additional charges to the original purchaser.

 

The LaZ-Boy manufacturer’s warranty covers a lifetime warranty on mechanical, springs assembly and frame. It covers 3 years for electrical components. One year on regular fabric and leather.

 

Delivery

 

La-Z-Boy and Stressless Canada both have different delivery services available for an additional cost. To learn more about these delivery fees, contact either retailer.


Stressless Delivery

 

Stressless chairs take about six weeks for specific colours. Otherwise, it will take 14 weeks to ship from Norway.

 

Once your Stressless recliner chair has been shipped, it will be delivered to any retail store that you purchased from. Because Stressless doesn't have a physical store, it must rely on other furniture retailers to do so for them. 

 

For example, if you purchase Stressless Chairs in Ottawa, you can find it either from Ormes or from any Upper Room location.


La-Z-Boy Delivery

 

La-Z-Boy recliners take a week or two for delivery if the chair you’re looking for is in stock. Otherwise, it will take eight weeks to ship from within North America.

 

La-Z-Boy offers a white glove delivery service that includes set up, assembly, rearranging furniture, and disposal of old furniture at an additional cost. 


At La-Z-Boy, local Ottawa & Kingston delivery costs $129.99, and out-of-town delivery costs $169.99. For an additional fee of $25 per furniture piece, we can assist with either moving out old furniture from different rooms or bringing it to the curb.


Additionally, we offer the option to dispose of any old furniture in a local landfill at an extra charge of $50 / per furniture seat. 


To learn more about delivery at La-Z-Boy, check out our delivery service page: La-Z-Boy Ottawa and Kingston Furniture Delivery Service.

 

 

Where to Buy (Ottawa & Kingston)

 

While La-Z-Boy has three furniture stores in Ottawa, you can find Stressless furniture in Ottawa at four locations. These, however, are found through other retailers.

 

Stressless Furniture in Ottawa


  1. 5470 Bank St. (Ormes Furniture)
  2. 545 W. Hunt Club Rd. (Upper Room Home Furnishings)
  3. 1344 Youville Dr. (Upper Room Home Furnishings)
  4. 255 Kanata Ave, Unit AA1 (Upper Room Home Furnishings)

 

La-Z-Boy Locations

 

  1. 8231-A Campeau Drive, Ottawa 
  2. 290 West Hunt Club Road, Ottawa 
  3. 1750 Cyrville Road, Ottawa

What's Next?

 

As you now know, there are many reclining chair options, each with its pros and cons. Whether you decide on Stressless or La-Z-Boy Ottawa, you now have the information needed to make an informed choice.

 

 

La-Z-Boy has over 90 years of experience in furniture. There’s a reason La-Z-Boy is the number one selling recliner in North America. The quality and variety of La-Z-Boy recliners will ensure you find the perfect match for your needs.

 

If you’re still not sure which one to choose, you can check out our recliners or contact us today. We’re happy to answer your recliner pricing questions at any one of our La-Z-Boy furniture stores in Ottawa or Kingston..

 

We know that functionality is essential in building a comfortable life, not just a stylish one. That is why we offer complimentary in-home design service should you need help designing the room of your dreams!

 

Related links:

 

Recliners: The definitive buying guide

Where is La-Z-Boy Furniture Made?

Recliners that don’t look like recliners