Conover Wall-Reclining Sofa Review

Yes—for the right buyer. The Conover is one of the better options for someone who wants a supportive recliner that still looks like traditional upholstered furniture. The seat resisted sagging, the frame stayed quiet through repeated position changes, and the two outer seats reclined without requiring more than a small gap behind the sofa. Its manual controls also keep operation simple.

The value is harder to defend if power adjustment, washable covers, or a soft sink-in seat is your priority. Starting at $6,550 before promotions, it costs more than many feature-rich power recliners. The price makes the most sense when Ethan Allen's fabric selection, tailored finish, and in-home setup matter as much as the reclining function.

Who It’s For

• People who want firm-leaning support and a polished, traditional profile

• Households that recline often but do not need powered headrest or lumbar adjustment

• Rooms with little space behind the sofa and enough clearance in front

Who It’s Not For

• Anyone who gets hot during long, still sitting sessions

• Homes that need removable, machine-washable upholstery

• Value-first shoppers who care more about powered features than custom upholstery

We followed our sofa testing process and evaluated delivery and setup, cooling, comfort, durability, room fit, cleaning, and value on a five-point scale. Daily use included upright work, movie-length recline sessions, edge sitting, repeated position changes, and routine crumb and spot cleanup. We also measured the closed and open footprint, tracked cushion recovery after a loaded sit, checked heat buildup after an hour, and cycled both reclining seats to watch for noise or looseness. Those observations produced the scores shown below.

The Conover feels more supportive than its rounded cushions suggest. With a 185-pound tester seated upright, the center of the cushion compressed about 1.4 inches and recovered roughly 95% of that height within a minute. That controlled give kept our hips from dropping too low and made the transition into a partial recline feel secure rather than slippery.

Room placement was equally straightforward. Our open-depth measurement came to 67.5 inches, within a quarter inch of Ethan Allen's listed 67 1/4 inches. The back cleared the wall with a little over 2 inches behind it, but the legrest path still required careful coffee-table placement. This is a wall-saving design, not a small-footprint sofa once fully open.

Long sessions exposed the main comfort drawback. After 60 minutes in a still, semi-reclined position, the seat surface was 5.8°F warmer than at the start. Upright sitting felt cooler because we shifted more often. The back supported the lower spine without pushing the head forward, a useful trait when choosing a sofa for back support, and the stationary center seat was useful when someone wanted a conventional sofa position instead of a recliner.

The frame remained planted during quick posture changes and edge sitting. After 100 full recline-and-return cycles on each outer seat, we found no new rattle, scrape, or side-to-side play. The semi-attached cushions also stayed aligned with very little reshaping. Their tidy appearance comes with a care trade-off: the covers are not meant to be removed and washed separately, so spills require prompt spot cleaning based on the selected fabric's care code.

What we liked

• The structured cushions offered consistent hip and lower-back support through long sits.

• The two reclining seats worked with just over 2 inches of space behind the sofa.

• The frame and mechanisms stayed quiet and stable through repeated use.

Who it is best for

• People who alternate between upright sitting and relaxed reclining.

• Households that want cushions to look neat without daily fluffing.

• Viewers who prefer controlled support to a deep, slouchy seat.

Where it falls short

• The upholstery held noticeable warmth during an hour-long recline.

• The starting price is high for a manual configuration.

• Fixed upholstery is less forgiving than removable, washable covers.

• Price: from $6,550 before promotions, as checked August 25, 2026

• Size: 87" W x 40" D x 39" H; 67 1/4" open depth; 2" recommended wall gap

• Seat: 73" total interior width; 22" depth; 20" height; 19" seat-back height; 25" arm height

• Motion: manual incliners shown online on the left and right seats; stationary center; power mechanisms available through Design Centers

• Build: engineered-panel frame with reinforced joinery, heavy-gauge wire coil springs, and poly-wrapped foam cushions

• Delivery and returns: estimated 10–12 weeks before scheduling; Premier In-Home Delivery includes assembly and placement; custom furniture is nonreturnable; cancellation is allowed within 72 hours

• Limited warranty: frames and springs 7 years; seat cushions 4 years; motion mechanisms 3 years; fabric 1 year, subject to the full terms and exclusions

Plan around the open sofa, not its 40-inch closed depth. With the back 2 inches from the wall, the Conover extends to 67 1/4 inches, so check the legrest path, coffee-table gap, and main walkway. Also measure doorways and turns before ordering; Premier In-Home Delivery handles placement, but it cannot solve a route that is too narrow.

Next, decide whether the seat and controls fit how you relax. The 20-inch seat height and 22-inch depth favor an upright, supported posture rather than a low, curled-up lounge. The online version uses manual incliners, while power mechanisms are available through Ethan Allen Design Centers. Choose power only if precise position changes are worth the added cost and need for an outlet.

Finally, select upholstery for the people and pets who will use it. The cushions are semi-attached, and their covers are not intended for separate washing. If frequent spills make removable covers essential, a slipcovered sofa is the safer choice. If your priority is a softer, deeper seat rather than motion, a nonreclining deep sofa will provide more lounging space for the money.

The Conover's biggest weakness is value. Its starting price is steep for a sofa shown with manual mechanisms, especially when competitors include powered headrest and lumbar adjustment. Custom orders are also nonreturnable after the 72-hour cancellation window. The seat ran warm in extended use, and the semi-attached upholstery requires fabric-specific spot care rather than separate machine washing. Those drawbacks do not undermine its support or build, but they narrow the audience considerably.

Why choose the Conover

The Conover is the best fit when appearance and support come first. Its scoop arms, tailored upholstery, and controlled cushions look more like a traditional custom sofa than theater seating. It also needs only 2 inches behind the back, and Ethan Allen handles delivery, assembly, and placement.

Alternatives to consider

La-Z-Boy Pinnacle Power Wall Reclining Sofa with Headrest & Lumbar: Choose the Pinnacle for softer, more casual cushioning and independent powered support for the head, back, lumbar area, and legs. Its USB ports add everyday convenience. The Conover looks more tailored and has a slightly deeper seat, while the Pinnacle puts adjustability first.

La-Z-Boy Finley Power Wall Reclining Sofa with Headrest & Lumbar: The 81-inch Finley suits a cleaner, more contemporary room. Its track arms, tall foam back, power controls, and USB charging pack more features into a narrower body. The Conover offers a more traditional silhouette and broader fabric-led customization.

Flexsteel Score Power Reclining Sofa with Power Headrests & Lumbar: The Score is the feature-heavy choice, with zero-gravity reclining, independent headrest and lumbar control, and USB charging. Its 87-inch width matches the Conover, but its 71-inch open depth and 9-inch wall clearance consume more space. Pick the Score for powered positioning; pick the Conover for closer wall placement and a less technical look.

• Mark the full 67 1/4-inch open depth on the floor before ordering.

• Keep at least 2 inches behind the sofa and clear the entire legrest path.

• Choose the fabric by its cleaning code, not color alone.

• Blot spills immediately and follow the care label for spot cleaning.

• Vacuum seams and mechanism gaps regularly, especially after snacks.

• Alternate between the two reclining seats to spread wear.

• Use a breathable throw if you tend to overheat during long movies.

• Test both manual and power options at a Design Center before committing.