What's a wall-hugger or wall-saver recliner and do I need one?

A wall-hugger recliner slides forward as it reclines instead of tilting back, so it only needs a few inches of clearance from the wall. Reviewers consistently call these out as essential for apartments, RVs, and any room where you can't lose 12+ inches behind the chair. The trade-off is that the recline geometry is slightly less laid-back than a traditional rocker recliner.