In a Nutshell:
A handsome lay-flat lift recliner, offered by one of the most respected companies in the industry. The Serta Hampton 872 Perfect Comfort Lift Chair is recommended for anyone between 5’4” and 6’4,” weighing 375 pounds or less.
Value for the Money
Comfort
Brand Reliability*
Aesthetic Flexibility**
Overall Rating
4.5/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone between 5’4” and 6’4,” weighing 375 pounds or less.
Why would anyone want to sleep in a recliner if they have a bed? It’s a fair question, and the answer is more complicated than first meets the eye. As it turns out, there are several reasons. If you’re looking for a good sleeper recliner, you likely fall into one of the following broad categories:
Of course, there are many other reasons, but those tend to be the “Big Three.” Whatever specific reason you have for searching for a good sleeper recliner with lift capability, you’ll like what you see in the following review.
Serta is a legendary company in the industry. While it’s best known for its high-quality mattresses, the company also makes a variety of furniture, from desk chairs to recliners. The Serta Hampton 872 Recliner is an excellent example of its work.
Is this the right chair for you? It may very well be. Below, we’ll give you full details about the model so you can decide for yourself!
Key Features of the Serta Hampton 872 Recliner Lift Chair
Unobtrusive. That’s the first word likely to come to mind when you see the Serta Hampton 872 Recliner. It’s designed purely along conventional lines. Serta didn’t take any chances with this model, but a few cunning features aren’t readily apparent at first glance.
Chair Specifications
Before we get into that, though, let’s begin by having a look at the basic stats that define this model:
The Hampton is a hefty piece of furniture, and it’s not designed with space-saving technology, so you’ll need to place it at least 20” away from whatever wall you set it near. Given those facts, if space is at a premium in your house, it will be difficult to find a home for this chair without having it utterly dominate whatever room you put it in.
The good news is, assuming the seat dimensions are a good match for you, and you’ve got the space for it, its conventional, unassuming design makes it easy for the chair to blend seamlessly with whatever home décor scheme you have.
The chair’s weight limit is decent but not exceptional. For bigger, taller users, 375 pounds may not be enough, making this model a non-starter, but provided that’s not an issue, the Hampton should be fine for anyone from 5’4” to 6’4”.
The last thing to mention in this section is the chair’s construction. The Serta Hampton 872 Perfect Comfort lift chair is made from a mix of hardwoods and marine-grade plywood, with the lift mechanism being fashioned from steel. That’s exactly the kind of materials mix you’d expect from one of the top companies.
Serta is so confident in the frame that they offer a lifetime warranty on it and a five-year warranty on everything else, which is impressive, to say the least.
Adjustability & Comfort
While the Serta Hampton is highly adjustable and offers infinite recline positions via the remote, we were somewhat surprised to find no preset seating positions on the remote. Many, but certainly not all, chairs like this offer an “Upright,” “TV,” and “Sleep” position for one-touch convenience.
It’s a minor inconvenience that those options aren’t available on the Serta Hampton 872 Infinite Position lift chair. This is somewhat more inconveniencing because one of the biggest complaints about this model is that the motors tend to handle the recline and lift functions fairly slowly.
It’s not horrible, and to Serta’s credit, the motors are quiet, and the recline and lift actions are smooth, but you will notice that this chair moves a bit more slowly than others you may have used before. Pair that with the lack of presets, and you may find yourself somewhat annoyed and impatient until you get used to it.
Also absent from this design are any advanced seating positions. You won’t find Zero-G or Trendelenburg seating options here; this is a real missed opportunity. Given Serta’s reputation, we were disappointed that Hampton didn’t offer a Zero-G preset. Again, it’s not a deal-breaker, but it is a small touch that could have made an exceptional chair even better.
Given Serta’s experience and reputation in the mattress market, it should be no surprise that the chair is incredibly comfortable. In fact, that will probably be what draws many people to this chair over others.
You won’t find any block foam or springs here; this chair is padded with gel-infused memory foam, and it is a joy to sit, nap, or sleep on. It is easily one of the most comfortable chairs on the market today.
Earlier, we mentioned subtle design touches that weren’t apparent initially. In particular, take another look at the armrests. They’re not shaped like a typical recliner’s armrests. They almost seem too narrow.
They’re not. You’ll find them to be quite comfortable. Even better, when you lay the chair flat, they are convenient guards cradling you as you sleep. Since they’re padded with gel-infused memory foam, they’re as comfortable as the seat and the seatback.
Storage & Extras
There are only three things to discuss here: the storage pocket, the battery backup, and the USB port.
The storage pocket is decently sized, spanning the entire chair depth but somewhat shallow. Even so, it’s big enough to store your favorite books, magazines, and assorted supplies, which you’ll want to keep close at hand if you spend several hours each day in the chair.
The battery backup system is simple and effective. Powered by 9-volt batteries, you may never need it, but if your mobility is restricted and the lights should go out, the battery backup system is a lifesaver. It enables you to get assistance from the chair to get your feet back under you, even when there’s no power. It’s very handy, and its presence should give you peace of mind. You won’t be stranded in the chair until someone happens to find you!
The USB port isn’t on the chair but is built into the wired remote. If you spend several hours each day in the chair, this is a convenient touch you’ll love. It provides a quick and easy way to keep your favorite device charged, giving you endless entertainment options without ever getting up.
Minimal Assembly Required
The only thing you’ll have to do to get the Serta Hampton 872 Lay Flat Power Recliner lift chair ready for first use is to attach the seatback to the chair’s body and plug it in. Unfortunately, if you have mobility issues, both tasks can be daunting.
Not to worry, though. Serta offers a White Glove setup for a nominal fee, so you can make the entire process hands-free if you want or need to. You’ll have to tell the service folks where you want the chair and then have a seat when they get it ready for you.
Pros & Cons of the Serta Hampton 872 Perfect Comfort Lift Chair
The Serta Hampton 872 Sleeper Recliner lift chair is undeniably a great chair offered by one of the Titans in the American furniture industry. We like almost everything about it. There are only three small negatives we can think to draw your attention to:
None of those three are deal-breakers, but this isn’t the model for you if you’re specifically looking for a sleeper lift chair with advanced seating options.
Final Thoughts: Serta Hampton 872 Infinite Position Lift Chair
This is one of the best chairs in its class. It’s superbly designed and offered by a company with an excellent reputation for post-sales service and support. We do hope that the company will, at some point, consider adding a Zero-G seating option to the design. Still, even without that, we recommend the Serta Hampton 872 Recliner Lift Chair without reservation.
It’s comfortable, easy to use, and, most importantly, a chair you’ll get a decent night’s sleep in.
Recommended Reading
Windermere Burton NM1650 Power Lift Recliner Review
Our analysis of the Windermere Burton NM1650 reveals a recliner especially suitable for taller users.
Catnapper Burns 4847 Review
Check out our thorough review of the Catnapper Burns 4847 Power Lift Recliner, a great option for practical users.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- Energy Saving Tips for Your Power Recliners, Ways2GoGreen.
- What Is The Difference Between Marine Plywood And Regular Plywood?, Woodworking Network.