Sunset Dual Recliner Swing

Posted: 06/09/2008 In Category(s): Reviews :: Product Reviews, Reviews :: Product Reviews

We at SNEWS® have looked at many deck and porch swings and thought about acquiring one, because when you work hard you gotta be able to relax hard too. From mass merchandisers to big box to your local department and drug stores, they all seem to have one come spring and summer and we’ve certainly tried our share.  While each has its merits, the Sunset Dual Recliner Swing is not only the Cadillac of swings, it is the Ferrari of swings. You want a swing? Do you really want a seductive, embracing, never-want-to-get-up, ahhhhh-producing swing? This is the swing for you, hands down.

Dual Recliner

Sure, you’re going to pay a little more than most of the others you find down the street, but this one with its powder-coated, 2.5-inch-round, 11-gauge tubular steel frame and its sealed ball bearing pivots, not to mention its imported hardwood side tables and included all-weather canopy should swing happily along for many years.

What’s the difference between this and your garden-variety swing? For one, the founders of Sunset Swings have been making home gyms for many decades cumulatively and still do (Inspire Fitness), so they have taken the welding, steel, coating and other technology from that industry and transferred it to swings (oh, and teeter-totters if you happen to be into those). That means the adjustments are easy and intuitive, the construction is beefy, and it’s made to withstand a lot of pounding.

And the comfort? Did we say “aaaahhhh” yet? The newest version, which we at SNEWS® tested (yes, we had to work hard at our swinging to get the very best review to you), has an all-weather woven material tightly stretched between hardwood frames for the seat and back so they don’t stick to you but they also mold to your body. There is a footrest that tucks under the seat so you can slide it out in one easy motion for full, foot-up relaxing. There is a small oval table on each side so you can have a drink or snacks with you for the ultimate in relaxing – no extra tables needed and no useless tiny cup rests. And there is an adjustable headrest.

The two seats are hung individually so you can swing, recline, tilt your head and rest your feet in the manner you personally require – no need to compromise with someone seated in the other seat. Who wants to negotiate when it comes to relaxing?

The best feature of the construction is what feels like perpetual motion. We swear that when you set the swing in motion at the desired rock, it just stays in motion. This swing, it just keeps on a’ swinging. In fact, one of our testers said it was “really well-hung” … before he turned a few shades of red.

Our neighbors, business associates and fellow testers when they have slid into the seat invariably look wide-eyed for a moment, then exhale and say, “Aaahhhh … come back for me in a few hours.” Hmm, maybe the guys at Sunset should call it the Ah-swing. Anyway, our guest-testers have coveted our swing and we may have to lock it down to make sure it doesn’t get carried off in the night. Of course, at a hearty 300 pounds that could be pretty difficult.

There is also a sun-canopy included that attaches to the top bar on a short, narrow steel vertical rod. It looks like a large square umbrella, and although a tilting feature to allow adjustment to the front and rear (depending on the sun position) wasn’t ready yet, it still shades from the sun well. The material, updated from the previous fabric, is made to sit out in the weather all year long, although the company suggests removing the canopy if there is a heavy wind or if a lot of snow could weight it down, potentially breaking the support rod.

All in all, this swing is for any swing connoisseur who wants to invest in a piece that will be around awhile. (It includes a 10-year limited warranty.) All we need now is a computer station so we can work from the comfort of our swing. No, wait, scratch that -- working and swinging do NOT mesh.

SNEWS® Rating: 5 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: $2,300

For information: www.sunsetswings.com

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