Are Fjords Recliners Worth It? A Buyer's Guide

Last updated: June 2026

Yes, Fjords recliners are worth considering for anyone who sits and relaxes daily and wants a chair that lasts. Made in Norway by Hjellegjerde, Fjords recliners are built on engineered steel frames wrapped in dense cold-cured foam, and nearly every model uses the Active Release System, which adjusts the headrest and neck angle automatically as you recline. They come in two broad styles — swing relaxers that swivel, glide, and rock, and more traditional reclining chairs — in both manual and powered versions, and in two sizes so the chair fits the person. With a 10-year warranty on the steel frame and mechanism, they sit in the mid-to-upper range of recliners and are built to outlast cheaper alternatives. If your priority is back and neck support over the lowest price, they earn their place on the shortlist.

If you're still deciding on the brand overall, start with our Fjords brand guide. This guide focuses specifically on the recliners.

What types of Fjords recliners are there?

Fjords recliners fall into two main families, and knowing which one you're looking at makes shopping much simpler:

• Swing relaxers. These are the signature Fjords design. A single chair swivels, glides, rocks, and reclines, with the seat following your movement continuously rather than locking into fixed stops. Models like the Oslo, Venice, Madrid, Atlantis, and Stockholm belong to this family.
• Classic reclining chairs. The Classic Comfort range offers more traditional recliner silhouettes with the same internal engineering and the Active Release System, some with an adjustable head pillow.

Manual vs. powered Fjords recliners

Within either family, you choose how the chair reclines:

The top motorized models use a three-motor system that controls the recline, footrest, lumbar support, and headrest independently, with a USB port near the controls. Manual versions are simpler and have fewer components that can eventually need service. If you want cord-free placement away from an outlet, ask about the battery-pack option, which some powered models offer.

How do you choose the right size?

Most Fjords recliners come in a small and a large size built on different frame dimensions, not just a different seat cushion, so a taller or larger person and a smaller person can each get proper support. Many models also have an adjustable headrest for further fine-tuning. When you plan your space, leave clearance behind the chair to recline fully — swing relaxers can need roughly 14 inches from the wall, depending on the model. If two people will share the chair regularly, sit in both sizes before deciding; the difference is noticeable.

What is the Active Release System?

It's the feature that defines how a Fjords recliner feels. As you lean back, a built-in mechanism tilts the headrest forward so your neck stays supported instead of falling back with the chair. There's nothing to operate — it responds to your body. Combined with the dense cold-cured foam molded around the steel frame, it's why Fjords recliners are often chosen by people looking for everyday back and neck comfort rather than an occasional nap chair.

Are Fjords recliners worth the money?

Fjords recliners cost more than entry-level recliners, and the reasons are in the construction: a steel frame instead of a wood-and-staple one, foam at roughly 3-pound density versus about 1.8 for standard upholstery foam, and a 10-year warranty on the frame and steel mechanisms. Those are the parts that fail first on cheaper chairs. Fjords is most often cross-shopped with Stressless, another Norwegian maker; both are well built, with Stressless offering a wider customization range and Fjords frequently chosen for value and more compact sizing. As with any recliner, the deciding factor is how it fits and feels when you actually sit in it, which is the one thing no spec can tell you.

Shopping Fjords recliners at Retreat Home

We carry the full range of Fjords recliners, including the motion-focused Relax Collection and the Classic Comfort chairs. Most are made to order in your choice of leather or fabric, so you can configure a chair to your room, and we also keep a selection of in-stock models ready to ship sooner. If you're in northern Wisconsin, the best way to choose between sizes, the swing relaxer and classic styles, and manual versus power is to sit in them at our Hayward showroom.

Frequently asked questions

Are Fjords recliners worth it?

Yes, for buyers who value daily comfort and longevity. Fjords recliners use steel frames, dense cold-cured foam, and the Active Release System, and carry a 10-year frame warranty, which is why they outlast and outperform entry-level recliners.

What is the difference between a Fjords swing relaxer and a regular recliner?

A swing relaxer swivels, glides, rocks, and reclines in one chair, with continuous motion that follows your body. A classic Fjords recliner has a more traditional reclining design with the same internal engineering but less of the swivel-and-glide movement.

Do Fjords recliners come in different sizes?

Yes. Most models are offered in a small and a large size built on different frame dimensions, and many have an adjustable headrest, so the chair can fit the person using it.

Are powered Fjords recliners better than manual ones?

Neither is better outright. Powered models add motorized recline, power lumbar and neck support, and USB charging, while manual models are simpler with fewer parts and often a fuller 360-degree swivel. The choice depends on the features you want.

How long do Fjords recliners last?

Fjords warrants the steel frame and mechanical functions for 10 years and foam and wood components for 5 years. With normal use, a Fjords recliner is built to last many years beyond typical entry-level recliners.