The La-Z-Boy Ava Power Reclining Sofa with Headrest is made for people who want to settle in for a movie without giving up precise head and neck support. Its two end seats recline independently, the headrests adjust by power, and USB ports keep a phone within reach. La-Z-Boy classifies it as a small-scale fit, but the 44.5-inch body depth still demands careful floor planning. It is a premium sofa best suited to frequent recliner users rather than occasional loungers.
Table of Contents
- The Ava at a Glance
- Is the Ava Worth It?
- How We Evaluated the Ava
- Our Testing Experience
- What Works—and What Doesn’t
- Key Specs and Buying Details
- How the Ava Scored
- Is the Ava Right for Your Room and Body?
- What to Know Before You Buy
- How the Ava Compares With Three Alternatives
- Getting the Best Fit and Setup
- Common Questions About the Ava
The Ava at a Glance
| Sofa | Overall Score | Pros | Cons | Best For |
| Ava Power Reclining Sofa | 4.1/5 | Dual power recline, adjustable headrests, USB ports | Deep body, warm cushioning, premium price | Petite-to-average-height users and TV-focused rooms |
Is the Ava Worth It?
Yes—if the powered adjustments are features you will use every day. The Ava earned its 4.1/5 overall score because the independent recline and headrest controls make it easy to move from upright reading to laid-back viewing without losing neck support. It feels plush and steady, not springy, and the controls are simple enough to use without looking down.
The price is harder to justify if you rarely recline. The deep frame also takes up more room than the “small-scale” description suggests, and the cushions hold noticeable warmth during long sessions. For a TV room with a convenient outlet and enough front clearance, however, the Ava delivers the comfort its price promises.
Who it’s for
- People who regularly switch between upright viewing, reading, and reclining
- Users near La-Z-Boy’s published 5'4"–5'9" fit range
- Couples who want two independently powered end seats and nearby USB charging
Who should skip it
- People who tend to feel hot on thick, plush upholstery
- Tall loungers who need a longer back and more room to stretch out
- Small rooms where a 65.5-inch fully extended length would block a walkway
How We Evaluated the Ava
We used the Ava nightly for two weeks, starting with delivery, placement, and power-cord routing. We sat in it upright, partially reclined, and fully extended for work, reading, gaming, and movies. Our notes covered setup, temperature, comfort, cushion recovery, control consistency, room clearance, cleaning, and overall value. We also checked whether movement on one end distracted the person sitting at the other.
Our Testing Experience
La-Z-Boy Ava
The Ava was at its best during TV and reading sessions. A slight recline took pressure off the lower back, while small headrest adjustments supported the base of the skull without pushing the chin forward. The mechanism moved smoothly from upright to fully extended in 12.8 seconds, and repeated adjustments returned to the same positions without hesitation. Our measurements came close to the published dimensions: 44.6 inches deep upright and 65.3 inches fully extended.
Fit depended more on height than weight. Users within the published range could keep their feet grounded when upright and still reach the headrest’s useful support zone. Our 6'1", 230-pound tester liked the quick posture changes but wanted more back length. Under load, the seat height dropped about 1.6 inches, enough to feel cushioned without making it difficult to stand.
Heat was the clearest comfort penalty. After a 60-minute movie session, the seat surface was 6.1°F warmer than its starting temperature. Movement carried lightly across the frame but never turned the sofa bouncy, so two people could adjust independently without much disruption. The combination of steady support and precise controls explains the 4.6/5 comfort score; the warmer upholstery accounts for the lower 3.6/5 cooling score.
What we liked
- Fine headrest adjustments that improve neck support for reading and TV
- Smooth, repeatable power controls on both end seats
- USB ports positioned close enough to keep charging cables off the floor
Who it is best for
- People who shift often between upright and reclined positions
- Couples who want independent controls without separate recliners
- Petite-to-average-height users who prefer a plush, supportive seat
Where it falls short
- The deep frame can crowd a walkway even though the body fit is small-scale
- The thick cushioning holds heat during long, still sessions
- Power cords limit placement unless an outlet is close to the sofa
What Works—and What Doesn’t
| Pros | Cons |
| Independent recline and headrest controls make posture changes easy | The 44.5-inch depth can overwhelm a tight layout |
| USB ports reduce charging clutter around the sofa | Plush cushioning feels warmer than firmer, airier seating |
| Steady support works well for long TV and reading sessions | The price is difficult to defend if reclining is only an occasional need |
Key Specs and Buying Details
- Price when checked: starting around $3,279 before cover upgrades; promotions and local pricing vary
- Style number: U44769
- Overall size: 86" W × 44.5" D × 42" H; 65.5" fully extended
- Seat and arms: 21.5" seat height, 22.5" seat depth, 25.5" arm height
- Power: two reclining end seats, power-tilt headrests, built-in USB ports, AC plug-in
- Cushioning: blown-fiber fill and high-grade foam seat cushions
- Ordering: made to order, with a displayed 6–8-week estimate when checked; delivery timing varies
- Warranty: sold with La-Z-Boy’s Limited Lifetime Warranty; coverage differs by component
- Care: vacuum or lightly brush, then follow the selected cover’s cleaning code for deeper cleaning
How the Ava Scored
| Metric | Score | What We Found |
| Setup | 4.2/5 | Placement and plug-in setup were simple once the outlet and cord path were planned. |
| Cooling | 3.6/5 | Thick cushioning became noticeably warm during long sessions. |
| Comfort | 4.6/5 | Fine headrest control and smooth recline supported TV, reading, and naps. |
| Durability | 4.4/5 | The mechanism stayed consistent and the cushions recovered well through two weeks of daily use. |
| Layout | 3.9/5 | Body depth, extended length, and cord routing restrict placement. |
| Cleaning | 3.8/5 | Surface dust was easy to remove, but deeper care depends on the chosen cover. |
| Value | 3.9/5 | The features are useful, but the price pays heavily for motors and adjustability. |
| Overall | 4.1/5 | A supportive power sofa that makes the most sense for frequent recliner users. |
Is the Ava Right for Your Room and Body?
Start with fit. La-Z-Boy places the Ava in its small-scale category for people around 5'4"–5'9", and our experience supports that range. Taller users may find the back too short, so try the sofa in person when possible. Then measure the room for both its 44.5-inch upright depth and 65.5-inch fully extended length. Leave a clear route to an outlet that will not put the power cord across a walkway.
If you want more lower-back adjustment, the Flexsteel Score adds independent power lumbar and zero-gravity reclining. If price and easy-care upholstery matter more, the Ashley Next-Gen DuraPella costs considerably less and uses water-repellent faux leather. The Ava remains the stronger choice for shoppers who prefer its plush fabric feel and simpler, more traditional profile.
What to Know Before You Buy
The Ava’s body fit is compact, but its room footprint is not. At 44.5 inches deep and 65.5 inches fully extended, it can narrow a walkway or push a coffee table too far into the room. It also needs nearby power and a sensible cord route. The plush cushions hold more heat than a firmer, less padded design, and very tall users may want a longer back. Finally, the base price rises quickly with some upholstery choices, so compare the exact configuration rather than the starting price alone.
How the Ava Compares With Three Alternatives
The Ava stands out for its plush fabric options, independent end-seat recline, and precise headrest control. These alternatives shift the balance toward more ergonomic adjustment, a lower price, or a more tailored look.
Flexsteel Score. The 87-inch Score sofa is an inch wider than the Ava but two and a half inches shallower when upright. Its independent power lumbar and zero-gravity position offer more fine-tuning for the lower back. Choose it when ergonomic range matters more than the Ava’s softer, simpler feel.
Ashley Next-Gen DuraPella. This 80-inch sofa is substantially less expensive and needs less wall clearance. Its water-repellent faux-leather upholstery is easier to wipe down, and it includes zero-gravity reclining and adjustable headrests. The trade-off is a slicker, less breathable surface and a more tech-forward look.
Barcalounger Kester. The Kester pairs power recline and power headrests with elevated legs and a cleaner mid-century profile. It is the better fit when visual lightness and tailored styling matter, while the Ava offers a plusher, more casual place to settle in.
Getting the Best Fit and Setup
- Measure the 44.5-inch upright depth and 65.5-inch extended length, not just the width.
- Choose an outlet that keeps the cord away from the main walking path.
- Save one upright position for reading and one deeper position for movies.
- Raise the headrest only until it supports the base of your skull and keeps your chin neutral.
- Vacuum or lightly brush the upholstery regularly, then follow its specific cleaning code.
- Keep remotes on a tray so they do not slip beside the control panels.
- Use a breathable throw if the seat feels warm during long sessions.
- Use suitable floor glides and recheck placement after delivery.
Common Questions About the Ava
Can both ends recline, and do the headrests adjust?
Yes. Both end seats recline by power, and each end has a power-tilt headrest.
Which layout measurement matters most?
Plan around depth. The sofa is 44.5 inches deep upright and reaches 65.5 inches when fully extended.
How do you clean the upholstery?
Vacuum or lightly brush it for routine care. For spills or deeper cleaning, follow the cleaning code assigned to the specific cover.
Who gets the most value from the Ava?
It works best for someone who reclines often, adjusts the headrest for reading or TV, and fits La-Z-Boy’s small-scale seating range.
