FlexiSpot XRC5 Rocker Recliner review — Unwind in style, stay for a while

I recently got my hands on the FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner, and let me tell you, I was excited to see if it could live up to its promises of comfort and relaxation. FlexiSpot is known for their ergonomic products, but does that reputation extend to their recliners? With features like an oversized design, massage and heat functions, and a built-in swivel and rocking mechanism, this chair has a lot going for it on paper. But how does it hold up in practice? Let’s dive in and find out.

Unboxing the FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner was a straightforward process, with the chair arriving in two large boxes. The pieces were packed tightly to prevent any shifting during transit. Assembly was refreshingly easy—no tools required. All parts of the chair, including the backrest, sides, and armrests, attach via a tapered rail system, making it quick to slot everything into place. Once the back was secured, I connected the wires for the massage and heat functions, as well as the remote and power. The heaviest part was the base, but it wasn’t overwhelming for one person to handle. The entire setup took me less than 20 minutes, and once everything was in place, the chair was ready to rock—literally.

One of the first things I noticed about the FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner is its oversized design. The chair feels spacious without being overbearing, and the larger size is noticeable in a good way. At 6 feet tall, I found the chair to be accommodating, and I could see it working well for users even taller than me. I’m a wide big dude, and I fit comfortably in the chair. The backrest still extends about 6 inches past each of my shoulders, adding to the overall roomy feel. Each side of the chair has a decent-sized pocket, perfect for keeping remotes, magazines, or anything else you want close by.

The cushioning has a great balance between plushness and support. The seat, backrest, and armrests are all generously padded, giving the chair that cloud-like feel when you first sit down. But it’s not one of those overly soft chairs that you sink into, even though it looks like it might be. It stays firm enough to keep you comfortable for longer gaming sessions. The rocking feature is a nice bonus but only available in the upright position. It’s perfect for when you want to kick back a bit and gently sway, whether you’re watching something or just relaxing. Between the padding and the smooth rocking motion, the chair nails that sweet spot of comfort. In fact, after I finished building it, I ended up falling asleep during my first trial run—that’s how comfortable it is.

As for lumbar and full-body support, the XRC5 performs solidly. In the upright position, the backrest supports your spine without any pressure points, and the wide seat helps distribute your weight evenly. When reclined, the footrest pops up smoothly, though it takes a bit of effort to close. The reclined position is especially comfortable, offering full-body support that feels natural and relieving after a long day. While reclining all the way back, I’m just shy of being fully horizontal—but not quite. FlexiSpot’s specs say the reclining angle is 140º but I didn’t break out the protractor to verify. This has been a great angle for gaming with the Steam Deck and AR glasses like the XREAL Air 2.

The FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner comes with four massage zones—leg, thigh, lumbar, and back—each of which can be independently turned on or off. You can choose between three intensity levels and three different massage modes. Mode 1 alternates between on and off, creating a pulsing effect. Mode 2 keeps all zones constantly on for a more continuous massage. Mode 3 cycles through the zones one at a time (for example, back on, back off, lumbar on, lumbar off, thigh on, thigh off, leg on, leg off), giving a rolling massage experience. This variety of modes lets you customize the massage to your preference.

The heating function on the FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner focuses solely on the lumbar area, providing targeted warmth to your lower back. You can set the heat to run for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, depending on your preference. It’s a nice addition, especially during colder months or after long sessions where you want some extra comfort and relief. To turn on the heating, you first need to press the power button for the chair, which automatically enables Mode 1 of the massage by default. Unfortunately, there’s no dedicated “massage off” button. So if you only want the heat, you have to manually disable the massage after turning on the power. To do this, you press any of the zones, which turns off all massage except for that specific zone, and then press the zone again to fully turn it off. It’s a bit of a hassle when all you want is the heating.

The FlexiSpot XRC5 Recliner brings a lot to the table with its oversized design, heat and massage features, and built-in swivel and rocking action. It’s roomy enough to fit taller and bigger users comfortably, with cushioning that strikes the right balance between softness and support. The four massage zones and multiple modes add a nice touch, though the process to turn on heat without massage could be streamlined. Overall, the XRC5 is a solid recliner that offers comfort and functionality, perfect for both gaming and kicking back after a long day.

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