Forrest Mid-century Design Reclining Chair vs Ashley Rannis Rocker Recliner: which is safer?

Ashley Rannis Rocker Recliner is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Article Forrest Mid-century Design Reclining Chair

Article

Forrest Mid-century Design Reclining Chair

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Poor 39/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

upholstered fabric, wooden frame

Confidence

72%

PossibleFlame retardant chemicals (brominated or chlorinated)

LikelyVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing

PossibleAzo dyes and formaldehyde-releasing fabric treatments

Our pick

Ashley Rannis Rocker Recliner

Restoration Hardware

Ashley Rannis Rocker Recliner

PFAS grade

Excellent 75/100

Overall grade

Good 53/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

upholstered leather/fabric with wood frame

Confidence

62%

PossibleVolatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from foam and adhesives

PossibleFormaldehyde emission from particleboard frame components or fabric backing

PossibleLeather finish toxicity (chromium, azo dyes, heavy metal pigments)

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Flame retardant chemicals (brominated or chlorinated), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing, Azo dyes and formaldehyde-releasing fabric treatments and Foam degradation and off-gassing over time on the Article and not on the Restoration Hardware.
  • We flag Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from foam and adhesives, Formaldehyde emission from particleboard frame components or fabric backing, Leather finish toxicity (chromium, azo dyes, heavy metal pigments) and Stain and soil-resistant chemical treatment (PFAS family) on the Restoration Hardware and not on the Article.
  • The Article is upholstered fabric, wooden frame where the Restoration Hardware is upholstered leather/fabric with wood frame, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More recliners: see the full ranking