Finding the perfect nursery chair is hard to come by. With so many fabrics, features, and brands out there, it can be overwhelming to sort through, especially when looking online. I recently purchased the Mercer Power Recliner by Delta Children after realizing how much time I was spending in an uncomfortable chair rocking my 9 month old. Since I have had it for a few weeks, I wanted to share my thoughts on this recliner and how it has worked for my family.
Key Features
The Mercer is an electric glider-recliner combo, which I absolutely love. Product highlights:
- Electronic recliner with two buttons on the side. My previous chair was a manual recliner, which was difficult to keep reclined when taking naps with a newborn. It is super quiet and easy to use. The simple two-button control on the side panel makes adjusting the position effortless, even while holding a baby.
- Swivel and Glider motions are perfect for rocking your newborn to sleep, feeding, or playing in the nursery! The swivel motion is a lifesaver for me. I can turn to grab my baby’s bottle to the right, books to the left, and reach for my little crawler wherever he ends up. I didn’t realize how much I needed a swivel chair until I got this one! It really changes the dynamic of moving around in a small nursery space.
- Dual USB A & C charging ports – because my phone is always dead, and I can never find time to charge it. It’s also convenient for plugging in a baby monitor or white noise machine too!
- Stain-resistant performance fabric. I was super nervous about getting a white chair – mainly because of the baby, but I also tend to spill everything. I personally tested out this fabric, and it cleans so easily. I’ve already had a milk spill, and it wiped up with just a damp cloth. No yellow milk stains left behind!
- Wingback design. This look was exactly what I envisioned for my nursery. It’s contemporary but still has beautiful curves. It’s a nice touch that helps the chair feel like part of the room’s decor, rather than just a recliner.
- Multiple color options – available in Dark Grey, two Sherpa options, and Pearl (which is what I ordered)
- Affordable. This chair retails for $550, but I got it on sale for $499. The dark grey color is currently on sale for $399. This price is unbeatable for the features and quality of this recliner.
Unboxing & Setup
As far as setup goes, I give this a 9/10. Chairs are usually very easy to assemble, with very few parts. The main concern I had with this recliner was that it was very heavy. I had to move it upstairs, so there was no way I could do it alone. You are definitely going to need another person to help you unbox this. Once you get it where you want it and out of the box, though, it’s smooth sailing from there! Here’s an overview of the setup process:
- Get it out of the box – again, get some assistance. This is honestly the hardest part.
- Attach the back to the base of the chair but pushing it down into place.
- Connect the motor cable under the chair & plug it in.
- Attach the “wings” of the chair to the sides by pushing them down in their slots until it clicks.
- Make sure it works! Power it on, and get your recline on!
Total time: about 20 minutes.
Testing it out!
Support and Comfort
I have a few different recliners in my house, one being a La-Z-Boy chair, so I am mainly comparing the support and comfort to that! The cushion of the Mercer is firm, yet springy. It is very comfortable to sit in. My La-Z-Boy chair has a bit softer cushion than this one, but when I compare the two, I feel like I am sinking back in it. The Mercer has just the right amount of cushion in my opinion. I do find that the back support of the Mercer is on the stiffer side. I usually prefer a softer chairback when I recline. That said, I think the firmer back makes it easier to sit up straight while feeding my baby, especially for those late-night nursing sessions when my back is aching from bad posture.
Size
This is definitely a slimmer chair, which is perfect for smaller spaces. I do think this chair may be a bit small for some people. I am 5’ 6” and the back of the chair sits at the middle of my head. The end of the recliner piece stops a few inches before my ankles. The height is perfect for me, but a little short for my 6-foot-tall husband. I am the one sitting in it most of the time, so I don’t think it is a big issue for us, but it may be for taller people. Another thing is I like to sit criss cross in chairs. However, the Mercer was not made for criss cross applesauce. It’s entirely too slim for my legs to fit that way. This also makes me wonder when my baby becomes a toddler, if we will both be able to fit in the chair together. I think this is the perfect size for us now, though, considering the size of our room.
Another concern in this category is the 250-pound weight limit. Any extra weight would overload the chair’s mechanisms, possibly causing it to break or not function properly. This could be an issue if you are over this limit, or if you want all of your kids to snuggle with you in the chair!
Armrests
The armrests on the Mercer are at a perfect height for nursing or just holding your baby. The ones on my other chairs are lower, so I had to use pillows to raise my arm for feedings. They have a good padding on them and overall feel great.
Glide, Swivel, Recline
The motion of this chair is effortless and smooth. It glides and swivels great, and the reclining function is very quiet since it is electric. I like that it stays reclined back, instead of having to constantly lean backwards with manual chairs. It opens and closes silently with the push of a button, which is perfect for newborn babies who may wake up with any small noise.
Material
LiveSmart fabric is a performance fabric made to be stain resistant. It is a comfortable, soft fabric, not rough like some performance fabrics. It feels very durable and wipes easily. I am still nervous about it being so white, but reviews of these fabrics say it will not stain, especially with typical baby messes. From what I’ve seen so far, that seems to be true. A little milk spill here and there was very easy to wipe off and didn’t leave any yellow spots on the chair.
Durability
So far, all of the parts are holding up well on the Mercer. There are no pulls on the fabric or squeaking from the glider. The USB ports and reclining functions are still working perfectly! That would be my main concern with an electric recliner. It does come with a 90-day warranty if some parts are not functioning properly.
Comparisons
I now have a total of three recliners in my home, so I would like to compare the Mercer recliner to my other two. One is the Hawthorn Rocking recliner by La-Z-Boy, and the other is the Nest Swivel recliner from Delta Children. For reference, I have included pictures of each below!
| Mercer Power Recliner | Nest Swivel Recliner | Hawthorn Rocking Recliner | |
| Price | $399 – 499 | $449 | $800 |
| Size | Slim and short | Medium | Medium and wide |
| Comfort | Medium Support | Firm | Soft |
| Material | Performance fabric | Chenille yarn feel | Chenille fabric blend |
| Features | Power Recline, Swivel, Glide, USB charging | Swivel, Glide, and manual recline | Manual recline, stationary |
Price
- Mercer Power Recliner: $499
- Nest Swivel Recliner: $449
- Hawthorn Rocking Recliner: $800
The Mercer wins in this category because of all of the features you get for the price. None of the other chairs have power recline, and USB chargers! It is actually hard to find a decent recliner for under $500 these days, so all of these extra perks make it so much sweeter!
Size
- Mercer Power Recliner: slim and short
- Nest Swivel Recliner: medium-sized
- Hawthorn Rocking Recliner: medium-sized with wider seat
I think the Hawthorn is a decent-sized chair, and I can sit criss cross in it. The Nest is the next best option, and still has enough height to the back of it for taller people. The Mercer is really slim and shorter than the other two recliners, which may be an issue for some.
Comfort
- Mercer Power Recliner: 9/10
- Nest Swivel Recliner: 7/10
- Hawthorn Rocking Recliner: 8/10
I do prefer the comfort of the Mercer over my other recliners. Even though it may be on the smaller side, it fits perfectly for me. It is plush yet supportive. Compared to my La-Z-Boy chair, it is a bit stiffer. I am very comfortable in the Mercer when it is reclined back, because I know it will stay wherever I set it to. This is the main problem I have with manual recliners, so for that, the Mercer wins.
Material
- Mercer Power Recliner: typical performance fabric feel
- Nest Swivel Recliner: Chenille yarn fabric
- Hawthorn Rocking Recliner: Chenille blend
This category comes down to preference. My husband is very hot-natured, so he prefers a cooler chair, like the Mercer. I, however, am obsessed with the Nest recliner with its blanket-like fabric. It makes me just want to snuggle with the chair. I was concerned about the Mercer performance fabric being “rough,” but it actually feels very nice to the touch. All of these recliners have a stain-resistant fabric, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Features
- Mercer Power Recliner: Power recline, Swivel, Glide, USB charging ports
- Nest Swivel Recliner: Swivel and Glide, manual recline
- Hawthorn Rocking Recliner: manual recline and rocking
The Mercer Power Recliner is the obvious win in this category. My least favorite is the Hawthorn, because it is completely stationary. I highly recommend you get a chair that swivels because, after not having that feature for a few months, it has already made such a difference. Also, electric reclining may also be a preference. Some people are naturally able to keep the chair back when reclining if they have a bigger torso. Some people may not like the electric function since it has a risk of malfunctioning. It all comes down to what you like in a chair!
Final Verdict
The Mercer Power Recliner by Delta Children is a standout value in the nursery recliner category. For about $400, it offers convenient power recline, swivel, and glide functions, with a bonus built-in USB-A and Type-C charging ports. I love the modern look with the added wings on the back for extra character. It is overall a very comfortable chair for the average person; however, it may be tight for taller people. The performance fabric is very soft, yet holds up very well to multiple uses and any stains. It may not be the best chair I have ever sat on, but it does compete with others for the price, quality, and functionality. I think the Mercer is a great option for anyone looking for a small nursery chair!
