Every riser recliner uses one or more electric motors to lift the seat and move the back and footrest. On a standard chair, the choice between one motor and two is mostly about comfort and convenience. On a bariatric chair, built for heavier users, it also affects how the chair handles the load, how much control the user has, and how the chair copes with years of daily use.
Most bariatric riser recliners on the UK market are dual motor, but single motor models do exist and can suit some buyers well. This guide explains how each type moves, what the difference means day to day, the motor and footrest figures to check, and the questions worth asking suppliers so that the chair you choose suits the person who will be sitting in it.
How a single motor chair moves
A single motor riser recliner uses one motor to drive the whole mechanism. When the user presses the recline button, the back goes down and the footrest comes up together, in a fixed sequence. Pressing the other way brings the chair back upright and, at the end of the movement, tilts the seat forward and lifts it to help the user stand.
Because the back and footrest are linked, the user cannot raise the legs on their own or recline the back without the footrest coming up. The positions available are a set path from upright to fully reclined, with stops anywhere along it.
- Simple handset, usually two buttons.
- Fewer parts in the mechanism.
- Less control over individual positions.
How a dual motor chair moves
A dual motor riser recliner has one motor for the backrest and a separate one for the footrest. Each can be moved on its own, so the user can sit upright with the legs raised, recline the back with the feet on the floor, or choose any combination in between.
The rise function still brings the chair upright and lifts the seat to help the user stand. The handset usually has four buttons, or a pair of buttons for each motor, and some chairs add memory or one-touch return-to-upright functions.
For heavier users, splitting the work between two motors also means neither motor carries the whole job of moving the back and footrest. That is one reason dual motor is the standard set-up across most of the bariatric range.
Why dual motor is more common in bariatric chairs
Bariatric chairs are designed around higher loads, commonly from 25 up to 50 stone, and heavier footrests and backrests. Manufacturers tend to build the mechanism with two motors so each moving part has its own drive, which gives more control and spreads the work.
The other reason is fit. Larger users often find a particular sitting position more comfortable than the fixed path a single motor chair follows, and dual motor chairs let them find it. If the chair will be used for long periods each day, that flexibility matters.
Single motor bariatric chairs are less common, but they can suit someone who only needs a simple rise and recline action and prefers the simplest possible controls.
Whichever type you choose, two figures matter: the maximum user weight for the chair, and the maximum weight for the footrest. The footrest limit is almost always lower than the seat limit. On bariatric chairs it is typically somewhere around 20 to 25 stone, even when the chair itself is rated far higher.
That matters because the footrest carries the weight of the legs when raised, and some people rest heavily on it. Ask suppliers for both numbers in writing.
- Maximum user weight for the seat.
- Maximum weight for the footrest or legrest.
- The warranty period for each motor.
- Whether a battery back-up is fitted or available.
Our chairs by weight guide shows typical footrest limits at each rating.
Handsets, controls and ease of use
The handset is how the user lives with the chair every day, so it is worth checking it as closely as the frame. Single motor handsets are simple, with one button to recline and one to rise. Dual motor handsets have more buttons, which gives more control but can take a little getting used to.
Look for buttons that are large, clearly marked and easy to press. Some handsets have backlit buttons for use in dim light, and many chairs have a pocket or holder so the handset is always within reach.
If the user has limited grip or finds small buttons hard to use, ask suppliers to show you their handset options during a home demonstration. Trying the controls in person is the quickest way to know whether they will work.
Questions to ask before you choose
Before deciding between single and dual motor, think about how the chair will actually be used, then put the same questions to each supplier.
- Will the user want to raise their legs without reclining the back?
- How long will the chair be used for each day?
- Are the handset buttons easy for the user to see and press?
- What are the seat and footrest weight limits?
- How long are the motors covered under warranty, and who repairs them?
- Is there a battery back-up for power cuts?
With the answers in front of you, the right choice is usually obvious. For most bariatric buyers that will be a dual motor chair, but the best chair is always the one that suits the person using it.
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Get my pricesFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a single and dual motor riser recliner?
A single motor chair moves the back and footrest together along a fixed path. A dual motor chair has a separate motor for each, so the back and footrest can move independently. Both types include the rise function that lifts the seat to help the user stand.
Are most bariatric riser recliners dual motor?
Yes. Dual motor is the most common set-up across the bariatric range, because each moving part has its own drive and the user gets more control over their position. Single motor bariatric chairs are available but less common.
Is a dual motor chair harder to use?
The handset has more buttons, usually four instead of two, so it can take a few days to get used to. Many people find the extra control worth it. If simplicity is the priority, ask to try both types of handset during a home demonstration before you decide.
Why does the footrest have a lower weight limit than the chair?
The footrest is a separate moving part that carries the legs when raised, so it is built and rated on its own. On bariatric chairs the footrest limit is typically around 20 to 25 stone. Always ask the supplier for both the seat and footrest limits.
What happens to a riser recliner in a power cut?
Without power the motors stop, so the chair stays in whatever position it is in. Many chairs have a battery back-up, fitted as standard or as an option, that lets you bring the chair back upright. It is worth asking every supplier whether one is included.
Single motor chairs keep things simple, while dual motor chairs give independent control of the back and footrest and are the standard choice in most of the bariatric range. Whichever you choose, check the seat and footrest weight limits, try the handset, and ask about motor warranties and battery back-up.
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More bariatric chair guides