How much wall clearance does a recliner actually need?

Standard recliners often need a foot or more of clearance behind them to fully recline, which is why 'wall hugger' or 'wall saver' designs exist. Verified-purchase reviewers of the wall-hugger chairs in this roundup report needing only a few inches of clearance, making them the practical choice for apartments, RVs, and rooms where the chair sits near a wall.