Finding Your Perfect Fit: A Guide to La-Z-Boy’s Power Lift Recliner Lineup
La-Z-Boy Southeast | February 13, 2026
When it comes to power lift recliners, La-Z-Boy offers six distinct models across three performance tiers—each with its own personality and feature set. Think of it as choosing between a reliable sedan, a well-appointed mid-size, and a luxury vehicle. They’ll all get you where you need to go (comfortably seated and safely standing), but the journey differs considerably. Read more about our Bronze, Gold, and Platinum Series of Recliners.
The Bronze Power Lift Series: Solid Foundations
La-Z-Boy’s Bronze tier includes Jean, Billie, and Liam—three recliners that cover the essentials without overthinking it. These models feature a smaller seat scale, making them ideal if you’re working with a more compact space or prefer a snugger fit.
All three Bronze models require about 13 inches of wall clearance and support up to 300 pounds. You’re getting full recline capability, extended legrest positioning, and legrest safety features. Battery backup ensures a power outage won’t leave you stuck. The Bronze series keeps things straightforward and reliable.
However, what’s missing? Heat and massage features, independent positioning control, and the covered lift base that hides the mechanics.
The Gold Standard: Clayton Power Lift Chair
Sitting solo in the middle tier, Clayton represents the Goldilocks option—quite literally. This is where La-Z-Boy beefs up the capacity significantly, supporting up to 500 pounds while maintaining a full-size seat scale.
Additionally, Clayton includes everything from the Bronze series plus the features that make a real difference in daily comfort. Heat and massage? Check. Independent control over your backrest and legrest positions? Absolutely. The covered lift base keeps the look polished rather than mechanical. It requires 13.5 inches from the wall and offers a full-size seat scale for those who want more room to stretch out.
Clayton is the only model with heat and massage—if that matters to you, this is your tier.
The Platinum Power Lift Chair Experience: Pinnacle and Astor
Lastly, at the top of the lineup sit Pinnacle and Astor. They’re the only models offering true zero gravity positioning. The chairs distribute your weight more evenly and elevate your legs to heart level.
Subsequently, the Platinum series supports up to 350 pounds and requires just 11 inches of wall clearance—the closest to the wall of any series. All in all, you get all the Bronze essentials (full recline, extended legrest, legrest safety, battery backup) plus independent positioning, covered lift base, and adjustable headrest and lumbar support.
Surprisingly, Platinum models don’t include heat and massage. Instead, the focus here is on the zero gravity experience and precision adjustability. That’s what sets them apart.
Style-wise, the difference between Pinnacle and Astor comes down to styling and upholstery options rather than functionality.
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
Given these points, each model takes a different approach to the same goal: making it easier to sit down, stand up, and everything in between. Jean, Billie, and Liam offer practical efficiency. Clayton delivers heated, massaging comfort with serious capacity. And lastly, Pinnacle and Astor provide that weightless zero gravity experience.
Ultimately, the best choice isn’t about what’s objectively “better.” It’s about what matters most in your daily life. Capacity? Heat and massage? Zero gravity positioning? Start there.
Here is a great article about the benefits of power lift recliners:
To test out any of these power lift recliners, visit any one of our eight locations across NC, SC, and GA.
