A tilt or reclining wheelchair lets the rider change position without leaving the chair. That helps a rider who sits for many hours, needs to rest during the day, or cannot shift their own weight to take pressure off the seat. Most of these chairs are pushed by a caregiver, and the caregiver works the tilt or recline from the back of the chair.
The two features sound alike and do different jobs. This guide explains the difference, who each one suits, and what to check before you buy. The figures here are typical ranges for these chairs. Each product page gives the exact figures for that chair. If you are still choosing between types of manual wheelchair, start with our manual wheelchair buying guide.
Tilt and recline, the difference
- Tilt in space. The whole seat and back tip back together, and the angle between them stays the same. The rider stays in the same seated position, with the hips and knees bent as before, while their weight moves off the seat and onto the back.
- Recline. The back opens out while the seat stays where it is. The angle at the hips opens up, and the rider lies back. Most reclining chairs also have elevating legrests, so the legs can come up as the back goes down.
Some chairs do both. They tilt the whole seat and also let the back recline on its own, which gives the most ways to change position.
Which one suits the rider
| If the rider | Look at |
|---|---|
| Sits most of the day and cannot shift their own weight to relieve pressure | A tilt in space chair. |
| Has trouble holding their head and trunk upright, or slides forward in the seat | A tilt in space chair with a headrest and positioning supports. |
| Needs to lie back to rest, for care such as changing, or for blood pressure | A reclining chair. |
| Cannot bend at the hips past a certain angle | A reclining chair, or a chair that tilts and reclines. |
| Needs both pressure relief and the option to lie back | A chair that tilts and reclines. |
A doctor, physical therapist or occupational therapist can tell you which features the rider needs and how far the chair should tilt or recline. That matters most when the chair is used to protect the skin.
Tilt in space chairs
A tilt chair tips the seat back with a lever or a hand control at the push handles. On many chairs, gas springs help the caregiver tilt the chair smoothly. Tilt ranges commonly run from about 0 to 35 degrees on simpler chairs and up to about 45 to 55 degrees on chairs built for long hours of sitting. Some chairs also tilt a few degrees forward, which can help the rider get up or reach a table. A power tilt option lets the rider or the caregiver tilt the chair at the push of a button.
Tilt keeps the rider in place. Because the angle between the seat and the back does not change, the rider does not slide forward in the seat as the chair comes back up. That makes tilt the usual choice for pressure relief and for riders who need the same supported position all day.
Reclining chairs
A reclining chair lowers the back from upright to about 160 degrees, and on many chairs all the way to 180 degrees, nearly flat. A tall back with a headrest extension supports the head when the back is down, and elevating legrests raise the legs. Recliners commonly have 24" rear wheels, so a rider who is able can push the chair.
Reclining helps with rest, care and some medical needs. When the back comes back up, the rider can slide forward in the seat, so a caregiver may need to reposition them. The chair is also much longer when the back is down, so check the room you have behind it.
What to check
- Weight capacity. Most adult chairs are rated for about 250 to 300 lbs. Some offer a heavy duty package or a wider seat rated higher, up to about 350 to 400 lbs. Choose a rating comfortably above the rider's weight.
- Seat size. Adult seat widths commonly run from about 14" to 22". Measure the rider seated, across the widest part of the hips or thighs, and from the back of the hips to behind the knee.
- Who pushes. Chairs pushed by a caregiver often have small rear wheels, about 12" to 16", which keep the chair compact. If the rider will push themselves, choose 20" to 24" rear wheels with push rims.
- Chair weight. These chairs are heavier than a standard wheelchair. Tilt chairs commonly weigh about 34 to 43 lbs., and reclining chairs about 33 to 53 lbs. Check whether the listed weight includes the footrests, and how the chair comes apart for the car.
- Head and body support. Look at the headrest, the back height, lateral supports and a positioning belt. A rider who cannot hold their head up needs a headrest that adjusts.
- Legrests. Elevating legrests raise the legs for comfort or swelling, and they come standard on most reclining chairs.
- Anti tippers. Small wheels at the back keep the chair from tipping when it is tilted or reclined. Leave them on.
Cushions and positioning
A rider who sits for long hours needs the right cushion as much as the right chair. Our wheelchair cushion buying guide explains the choices, and you can shop them under wheelchair cushions and back support.
Chairs for children
Tilt and reclining chairs for children are sized differently and often grow with the child. Read our pediatric wheelchair buying guide before you choose one.
Insurance and Medicare
Insurance usually asks for a doctor's order, and often a therapist's evaluation, before it covers a tilt or reclining chair. Approval is never guaranteed. Hieline sells direct and does not bill Medicare, Medicaid or any other insurance, so the price you see is the price you pay. If your private insurance covers durable medical equipment, keep your receipt for a reimbursement claim. Medicare pays only for equipment from suppliers enrolled in Medicare, so it will not reimburse a purchase from us. If you want Medicare to pay, start with your doctor and a Medicare-enrolled supplier before you buy. For the steps to take with private insurance or Medicare, read our insurance and Medicare guide.
Buying from Hieline
Many tilt chairs are built to order to the sizes and options you choose on the product page. Shipping follows our shipping policy. Financing is available through CareCredit on purchases of $200 or more. Low price guarantee: find it advertised for less and we will work with you.
Returns
A chair built to the sizes and options you choose cannot be returned, so check each choice against the rider's measurements before you order. Chairs sold ready made can be returned new and unused within 30 days under our returns policy, less the restocking fee shown on the product page and the shipping costs our policy describes. Each product page says which applies.
How to decide
- Decide what the chair needs to do: relieve pressure and hold the rider in place, let the rider lie back, or both.
- Choose tilt in space, reclining, or a chair that does both. Ask the rider's therapist how far it should tilt or recline.
- Decide who will push the chair, and choose small rear wheels or 20" to 24" wheels to match.
- Measure the rider seated and check the seat sizes and the weight rating.
- Choose the headrest, supports and legrests the rider needs.
- Check the chair weight and the room the chair needs when tilted or reclined.
Common questions
What is the difference between tilt and recline?
Tilt tips the seat and back back together, so the rider keeps the same seated position. Recline lowers only the back, so the rider lies back and the hips open up.
Which is better for pressure relief?
Tilt is the usual choice, because it moves weight off the seat without letting the rider slide forward. A therapist can tell you how far the chair needs to tilt for the rider.
Can the rider push a tilt or reclining chair?
Some can. Choose a chair with 20" to 24" rear wheels and push rims. Chairs with small rear wheels are made to be pushed by a caregiver.
How far does a reclining wheelchair go back?
Most go back to somewhere between about 160 and 180 degrees, and 180 degrees is nearly flat. Each product page gives the range.
Does Medicare cover a tilt or reclining wheelchair?
Medicare can cover one with a doctor's order when it comes from a Medicare-enrolled supplier, and approval is never guaranteed. Hieline does not accept Medicare, so Medicare will not reimburse a purchase from us. If you want Medicare to pay, start with your doctor and a Medicare-enrolled supplier before you buy.
See every chair in reclining and tilt wheelchairs, or start on our manual wheelchairs page.
