Reclining Office Chair: Recline Angle, Footrest, Rating

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Quick answer

A reclining office chair leans back, often with a retractable footrest, so you can lean back for a call or a break. The numbers to check are the recline angle (most are 135 to 160 degrees, not fully flat), the seat height range, the weight rating and the base. Listings often contain impossible dimension fields, so use them with care.

We read three Amazon listings on 2026-10-01: the ATORPOK ergonomic reclining mesh chair with footrest (ASIN B0H5HYYMN9), the CYKOV ergonomic mesh chair with footrest and 90 to 160 degree recline (B0H3JLH29G) and the EXCEBET big and tall PU leather chair with footrest (B0DLSXLXKB). They are examples of what to compare, not a ranking. We have not tested or sat in any of them, and we do not show prices; check the current price on Amazon. Every number comes from the listings.

For other chairs, see massage chair, ergonomic chair with massage, big and tall ergonomic chair and high end ergonomic chair. For recliners rather than desk chairs, see recliners.

Recline angle

The ATORPOK listing says it reclines up to 135 degrees. The CYKOV listing says 3 stages: 90, 135 and 160 degrees. The EXCEBET listing, in the text we read, did not give a recline angle.

A worked example. A 135 degree back is 45 degrees past upright. A 160 degree back is 70 degrees past upright, which is a near-nap lean. A chair at 160 degrees needs more room behind it: as our own planning estimate, a back that is 25 inches tall and tilted 70 degrees swings the top of the chair back about 25 × sin(70°) ≈ 23.5 inches from where it started. Check the clearance behind your chair.

Footrest

The ATORPOK has a retractable footrest. The CYKOV has an 18 inch extendable footrest. The EXCEBET has a footrest too, according to its title. A footrest lifts the legs when you lean back.

A footrest on a chair that you lean back in works with the recline, and it does not help in the upright position. If you want to rest your feet at a desk while upright, see office foot stool under desk.

Seat height and depth

The ATORPOK listing gives a seat height of 21.26 inches and a seat depth of 19.69 inches, with adjustable seat depth and height. The CYKOV listing gives a seat depth of 20 inches and says the seat height adjusts over a range that was cut off in the text we read. The EXCEBET listing says the height adjusts from 18-7/8 to 22 inches.

A worked example with invented numbers. Your desk is 29 inches high, and you want about 10 to 12 inches between the seat and the desk, which is our planning estimate. You need a seat of 17 to 19 inches. The EXCEBET’s range of 18.875 to 22 inches covers the bottom end only, so a short person may find the lowest setting too high. The ATORPOK’s 21.26 inches is better suited to a higher desk.

Weight rating

The ATORPOK lists a maximum weight recommendation of 330 pounds. The CYKOV lists 350 pounds. The EXCEBET lists 400 pounds in its title and a detail field of 400 pounds.

A worked example. A 260 pound adult on a 330 pound rating has 70 pounds of headroom, 21 percent. On 350 pounds it is 90 pounds, about 26 percent, and on 400 pounds it is 140 pounds, 35 percent. A reclining chair loads the back and the tilt mechanism, so a bigger margin is wise. These are the sellers’ figures.

Weight of the chair

The EXCEBET weighs 65 pounds, the ATORPOK 43.4 pounds and the CYKOV 40 pounds. A heavier chair is steadier when you lean back, and also harder to move. A chair that is light and reclines far needs a stable base; the ATORPOK and CYKOV listings mention a five-point base.

Mesh or leather

The ATORPOK and CYKOV chairs are mesh. The CYKOV listing says its AirMesh has 38 percent better airflow and 25 percent higher elasticity than a standard mesh, which is the seller’s comparison, and we have not seen the test. The EXCEBET is PU leather with spring cushioning and high-density foam, which the listing calls skin-friendly.

Mesh breathes and can feel firm. PU leather is warm and wipes clean, and can crack with age. If you sit a lot in a warm room, mesh is cooler, which is a general property.

Adjustments

The ATORPOK listing says adjustable headrest, lumbar support, armrests, seat depth and seat height. The CYKOV listing says a 3D synchro-tilt lumbar support that locks, 3D armrests with 360 degree adjustment and a headrest. The EXCEBET listing says adjustable height and a high back with lumbar support, and a gas lift certified SGS Class 4 by the seller’s claim.

The more the chair adjusts, the more there is to set, and it only helps if you set it. The synchro-tilt on the CYKOV moves the seat and back together, which keeps your thighs supported as you lean, and we have not tested it.

Dimension fields to doubt

The CYKOV listing gives 20 by 20 by 145 inches overall, which cannot be right for a chair. The EXCEBET gives 20 by 31 by 52 inches. The ATORPOK gives 34.25 by 24.02 by 49.61 inches, which is believable for a chair with its footrest out. When a field is impossible, ask the seller for the real size, and do not rely on it to plan your space.

Assembly

The EXCEBET listing says it can be installed within 20 to 30 minutes with all hardware and tools included. The other listings did not state an assembly time in the text we read. As our own estimate, a reclining chair takes 30 to 45 minutes to build.

The three listings we read

ATORPOK Ergonomic Reclining Office Chair with Footrest, Black (ASIN B0H5HYYMN9). The listing gives a recline up to 135 degrees, a seat height of 21.26 inches, a seat depth of 19.69 inches, a weight of 43.4 pounds, a 330 pound rating, a retractable footrest, mesh and a five-point base. Good for: clear seat measurements and a sensible overall size. Keep in mind: the narrowest recline. The page showed an Add to Cart button.

CYKOV Ergonomic Office Chair with Footrest, 90-160 Degree Reclining Mesh Back, 350lbs (ASIN B0H3JLH29G). The listing gives 3 recline stages of 90, 135 and 160 degrees, an 18 inch extendable footrest, a seat depth of 20 inches, a weight of 40 pounds, a 350 pound rating and AirMesh. Good for: the widest recline range. Keep in mind: an impossible 145 inch height field and when we read it the page showed no Add to Cart button.

EXCEBET Big and Tall Office Chair with Footrest, PU Leather High Back, 400lbs (ASIN B0DLSXLXKB). The listing gives a seat height range of 18.875 to 22 inches, a weight of 65 pounds, a 400 pound rating, PU leather, spring cushioning and an SGS Class 4 gas lift claim. Good for: the highest rating and a heavy frame. Keep in mind: no recline angle was recorded and the page showed no Add to Cart button when we read it.

How to set a reclining chair up

A reclining chair works best when the settings are matched to your desk. First set the seat height so your feet rest flat and your forearms are level with the desk. Next set the seat depth, if the chair has that adjustment, so you have a couple of fingers of space behind your knees. Then set the lumbar support at the small of your back and the headrest so it meets the back of your head when you lean back, not when you sit upright. Finally, set the tilt tension so the back follows you without flopping. Take a few days to settle in, and change one setting at a time. If the chair has a lockable recline, lock it at the angle you use most, and use the full lean only for breaks. As a general tip, stand up and move around regularly, whatever the chair does.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not trust impossible dimension fields. Do not forget the clearance behind a reclined chair. Do not assume a footrest helps in the upright position. And do not skip the weight rating.

Who should skip a reclining chair

If you rarely lean back, a standard chair is simpler. If you want to lie fully flat, a recliner or a bed is better. If your desk is low, check that the footrest and seat height work with it.

Frequently asked questions

How far do reclining office chairs recline?

The listings say 135 degrees and 90, 135 and 160 degrees. They do not go flat.

Do they have footrests?

All three do. The CYKOV footrest extends 18 inches.

How much weight can they hold?

The listings say 330, 350 and 400 pounds. Those are the sellers’ figures.

Mesh or leather?

Mesh breathes. PU leather is warm and wipes clean. Check the care.

How much room does a reclined chair need?

More than upright. A 25 inch back at 70 degrees past upright moves its top about 23 inches back, by our simple sum.

Bottom line

Choose a reclining office chair by recline angle, footrest, seat height range and weight rating, and doubt any dimension that looks impossible. Of the three listings, the ATORPOK is the 135 degree mesh chair with clear seat sizes, the CYKOV has the widest recline and an extendable footrest and the EXCEBET is the 65 pound PU leather chair rated for 400 pounds. Measure the clearance behind your chair.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings, checked on September 30, 2026; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Sources checked

• ATORPOK Ergonomic Reclining Office Chair with Footrest, Black
• CYKOV Ergonomic Office Chair with Footrest, 90-160 Degree Reclining Mesh Back
• EXCEBET Big and Tall Office Chair with Footrest, PU Leather High Back

Specifications checked on September 30, 2026. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.