In a Nutshell:
The Catnapper Owens is a superb recliner with a couple of high value extras and surprises that you’ll love. Sadly, it’s got a relatively modest weight limit. Catnapper Owens 764761-7 Power Full Lay Out Recliner Chair is recommended for anyone weighing 250 pounds or less.
Value for the Money
Comfort
Brand Reliability*
Aesthetic Flexibility**
Overall Rating
4.7/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone weighing 250 pounds or less.
Have you recently had a surgery that makes sleeping in your bed impractical? Do you suffer from sleep apnea or a similar condition that makes it hard for you to get a decent night’s sleep?
If you answered yes to either of those questions or if you’re just in the market for a great, comfy recliner to add to your living room, you’re going to like what you see in this, our review of the Catnapper Owens Lay-Flat Power Recliner.
Catnapper is one of the biggest names in the American furniture market. Specializing in recliners, loveseats, and sofas, their products are expertly crafted right here in the United States and are built to last. The Owens is an excellent example of their work.
In the sections that follow, we’ll tell you everything this amazing recliner can do, and let you in on its (few) shortcomings so you’ll have all the information you need to decide if this is the one you’ve been looking for, or if you should continue your search. If that sounds good to you, read on!
About the Catnapper Owens Lay-Flat Power Recliner
Comfortable and inviting. Those are the words that are likely to spring to mind the first time you see the Owens. It is both of those things, but there is a catch or at least a potential snag. This model isn’t designed with Wall Hugger technology, which means you’ll need to place it about 20” from whatever wall you plan on setting it near in order to ensure it can recline fully.
Chair Specifications
Given that, if you live in a smaller home or apartment, or if space is at a premium for some other reason in your house, this chair probably isn’t for you. This, however, would be a great time to list the core stats that define the model. Here they are:
As you can see, despite its bulk, this chair isn’t going to be a good fit for a significant chunk of the market, owing mostly to its rather modest maximum supported weight. That’s a pity because it really is an exceptional chair.
Provided that the weight limit isn’t an issue, and you’ve got the space for it, you’ll find a lot to like about this model. If you decide to order one, you’ll have your choice of three different color options:
That, combined with the eye-catching aesthetic of the design, will make it easy to blend in with your existing home décor scheme, whatever it might be.
Adjustability & Comfort
Let’s start with adjustability. As a power recliner, the Owens gives you an unlimited number of recline positions available at the touch of a button. The motors that drive the recline function are powerful and quiet, resulting in smooth action, but it gets better.
In addition to being able to recline to any angle, the headrest can be independently adjusted, giving you options that most other recliners on the market today simply can’t match.
We should also note that this is a “lay flat” recliner, so it makes a perfect sleeper. Even if you have problems sleeping while perfectly flat, given that you’ve got unlimited recline options available, you can simply adjust it until you achieve the perfect angle for you.
The only potential shortcoming here is the fact that there’s no way to save your ideal recline settings. You’ll have to manually reproduce them every time you use the chair. It’s not a huge issue, but we’ve seen memory functions in massage chairs, so the technology clearly exists. Hopefully, at some point, it will find its way into a few select recliner models.
Where comfort is concerned, the Owens doesn’t disappoint. The upholstery is stretched over a mix of block foam padding, and poly fiberfill, supported by a network of individually wrapped comfort coils like you find in many high-quality mattresses on the market today. Even better, the comfort coils are gel-infused, which provides a level of comfort that’s comparable, and perhaps even superior to memory foam. Kudos to Catnapper for taking things to the next level!
On top of that, the Owens includes a well-implemented lumbar support system. Although it is slowly becoming more common to see living room furniture sporting ergonomic features, they’re still a distinct minority in the living room furniture market. We were beyond thrilled to see the Catnapper Owens joining that club!
Storage & Extras
Given how rare they are, we have to count both the adjustable headrest and the lumbar support system as extras, but the Owens has yet another surprise in store. It sports a USB charging port so you can keep your favorite device charged while spending time in the chair.
That’s outstanding, and genuinely useful, given that the Owens doesn’t have a side storage pocket. Since there’s no place to stash your favorite magazines or whatever book you’re reading, the addition of the charging port is a good substitute that opens up your entertainment options.
We honestly don’t understand why so few recliners on the market today come with onboard storage, but if it’s something you feel like you’ve just gotta have, your best bet is to spend a little extra and invest in a lift chair. The vast majority of those do feature side storage.
Minimal Assembly Required
The Owens doesn’t come assembled, but getting the chair ready for first use is as simple as attaching the seat back to the rest of the chair and plugging it in. Even so, if you’d prefer not to have to bother with getting the chair ready for first use, the Owens is available for sale with White Glove service, which makes that part of the process totally hands-free. That’s a nice touch, and exactly what we’d expect from a company like Catnapper.
If you can’t afford to pay extra for White Glove service, or simply don’t want the added expense, our recommendation is to make sure you’ve got an assistant standing by to help you get the chair where you want it and get it ready for first use. Not that the assembly process is complex; it’s actually very straightforward, but, it’s a hefty piece of furniture, and an extra pair of hands will make the process smoother.
Pros & Cons of the Catnapper Owens Power Recliner
As you can see, there’s a lot to like about the Catnapper Owens. In our view, here’s what you’ll like best about this model:
As great as all of that is, there are a few things on our wishlist we’d love to see in a future model upgrade. These include things like:
Even without our wishlist items, however, this is an unquestionably awesome chair.
Final Thoughts on Catnapper Owens Recliner
In our view, the Catnapper Owens Lay-Flat Power Recliner is one of the finest recliners on the market today. Of the things we listed as shortcomings, the biggest and most glaring is the chair’s disappointing weight limit, which simply makes it a nonstarter for a portion of the market. As long as you weigh under 250 pounds though, this comes close to being the perfect recliner, and we absolutely recommend it.
References & Resources:
- Jackson Catnapper, Official Brand Website.
- 5 Steps to Sleeping on Your Back Every Night, Healthline.
- What’s the Best Position to Sleep In?, WebMD.
- Is Your Recliner Hurting You?, Health Beat – Spectrum Health.