Bruno vs. Acorn Stair Lifts – Which is the Better Stair Lift?
Posted on by Eric Rubel
Bruno and Acorn are two of the better-known stair lift manufacturers in the industry. Since you landed on this page, you’re likely interested in a stairlift and looking for help in comparing Bruno stair lifts vs Acorn stair lifts to determine which is the better stairlift option to fit your mobility needs and staircase. While there are a few other companies that manufacture stair lifts, we’re only going to focus on Bruno vs. Acorn in this post.
Purpose of this Article
- Provide an in-depth comparison of the top factors to consider when comparing Bruno vs Acorn, such as features, pricing, options, warranties, etc.
- Help you make an informed decision and choose the best stairlift to fit your mobility needs and staircase.
Below is an outline of the topics covered in this Bruno vs. Acorn stairlift review. Feel free to jump to a specific section that you’re most interested in.
Table of Contents (Topics Covered in this Guide)
Use the links to jump to the topic(s) you are interested in, or simply scroll down to start reading.- Product Comparison Chart
- Company Backgrounds
- Where is it Made?
- Types of Stairlifts Available
- Features & Options
- Pricing - How Much Do Bruno and Acorn Stair Lifts Cost?
- Warranty Coverage
- Installation
- Service
- Rentals
- Reviews & Ratings
- Available to Test Ride in Local Area?
- Conclusion – Should I Choose Bruno or Acorn?
Bruno vs. Acorn Comparison Chart
If you're looking for a very simple & objective high level comparison of some of the most important factors, please see the chart below.
| Key Factors | Bruno | Acorn |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's Made | USA | UK |
| Stair Lift Models | Bruno Elan (straight stair lift) *Bruno Elite (custom curved stair lift) Bruno Elite Outdoor stair lift |
Acorn 130 (straight stair lift) *Acorn 180 (modular “one-size-fits-all” curved stair lift) Acorn Outdoor stair lift |
| Weight Capacity | Bruno Elan: 300 lb Bruno Elite Curved: 400 lb Bruno Elite Outdoor: 400 lb |
Acorn 130: 350 lb Acorn 180: 265 lb Acorn Outdoor: 280-350 lb |
| Warranty Information | Indoor models: Major Components: Lifetime (Bruno) Parts: 3-years (Lifeway) Labor: 1-year (Lifeway) Outdoor models: Major Components: 5-years (Bruno) Parts: 3-years (Lifeway) Labor: 1-year (Lifeway) |
Indoor/Outdoor: Major Components: 1-year Parts: 1-year Labor: 1-year Extended warranty available for additional cost. |
| Pricing | $3,000-$8,000 installed (straight lifts) $12,000 + installed (custom curved lifts) |
$3,000-$8,000 installed (straight lifts) $10,000 + (modular curved stair lift installed) Pricing does not include annual service agreement after 1 year |
| Installation/Service | Local Authorized Dealers | Direct-to-Consumer Network |
| Aggregator Review Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| *Bruno Elite Curved Stair Lifts are custom designed and manufactured to fit your specific staircase. Acorn Curved Stair Lifts are completely modular, “one-size-fits-all”; universal curved stair lift components are fit on site to best conform to the staircase, with sometimes inconsistent results and a bumpy & slower ride. | ||
Company Backgrounds
Bruno
Bruno Independent Living Aids is a family-owned and veteran-founded manufacturer and designer of stair lifts, platform lifts, home elevators, and scooter lifts. Located in Oconomowoc, WI all their accessibility products are made in the USA. Bruno distributes its products through a large network of trusted dealers throughout North America, such as Lifeway Mobility, who provide professional installation and service.
Additional information about Bruno:
- Opened in 1984
- Products offered in US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, India and in some areas throughout South America, Central America, Asia, and the Middle East
- ISO 9001 certification – meaning Bruno is committed to the highest standard of workmanship & product quality
- Takes pride in serving customers with a focus on quality, dependability, and safety
Acorn
Acorn Stair Lifts is a well-known name in the stair lift industry due to their aggressive marketing presence all over the world. Based in the UK, Acorn sells products in over 80 countries. Their US headquarters is based in Florida. Acorn produces its straight and curved stair lifts primarily in the UK.
Additional information about Acorn:
- Founded in 1992 in West Yorkshire, UK
- Operates direct-to-consumer network
- Primary markets of operation include North America, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
Where is it Made? - Advantage Bruno
- Acorn: Acorn designs and develops its line of straight and curved rail stairlifts from its headquarters in the UK.
- Bruno: Made in USA, the straight and curved rail stair lifts that Bruno offers are designed and produced at their headquarters in Oconomowoc, WI. For a variety of reasons, such as product quality, many view this as a plus.
Types of Stair Lifts Available from Manufacturers
Straight Stair Lifts – Entry-Level Models Even, Bruno Elite for comfort, quality, & weight capacity
Bruno offers two types of stair lifts for staircases that are straight. The Elan is their basic straight entry-level stair lift model, offering a compact design, 300-lb weight capacity, and lower price point. Bruno’s premium straight stairlift is the Elite, which has a 400-lb weight capacity and can be installed indoors or outdoors in both residential and commercial settings.
Both of Bruno’s straight stairlift models are battery powered with a continuous charging anodized aluminum rail that can be cut to fit the length of a straight staircase. What sets apart the Elite from the Elan is its comfortable and deep seat and extra smooth ride.
The Acorn 130 is Acorn’s straight stair lift model, which is for residential settings only, as Acorn does not offer a commercial grade unit. Featuring a 280 lb weight capacity and compact design, the Acorn 130 is more comparable to the Bruno Elan than the Elite but offers less “added safety” upgrade options than Bruno's Elan.
Curved Stair Lifts – Advantage Bruno for quality, reliability & custom-fit, Acorn for turnaround time
The Bruno indoor curved stair lift is the Elite Curved stair lift. Featuring a hand-crafted custom steel rail, the Elite Curved stair lift fits to exact design/specification of the staircase it is being installed on utilizing a camera system.
There are several added safety/upgrade options available, such as the power swivel seat option, rail park positions, and power-folding options for the seat and footrest to ensure a comfortable experience. Like the Elite straight, the Elite curved model has a weight limit of 400 lbs and can be installed indoors and outdoors for both residential and commercial settings.
The Acorn 180 is Acorn’s curved rail stair lift, featuring an extruded aluminum modular rail system, which consists of prefabricated rail sections fitted together for each installation. Since it is modular and not a custom designed rail, it can be more challenging for it to be installed on some staircases.
The weight capacity for the Acorn 180 is 265 lbs. Acorn offers a standard 1-year warranty on all products.
While the Acorn 180 costs less than the Bruno Elite Curved stair lift due to its modular rail, lower weight capacity, and lack of customizations, it does have a lower travel speed, and can result in more service and operational issues over time.
Outdoor – Advantage Bruno for all outdoor staircases - quality, and durability
Bruno offers the Elite Outdoor stair lift, available for straight staircases and ones that have curves, turns, or landings. These units have a 400 lb. weight capacity and a 5-year limited warranty on major components (and 1-year on labor if installed new by Lifeway Mobility). Equipped to handle the outdoor elements, Bruno’s Outdoor Elite comes with weather resistant marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and a lightweight weather cover that travels with the seat.
The Acorn 130 Outdoor is Acorn’s outdoor straight stairlift, which features only a 280 lb. weight capacity and comes with a weather resistant cover. Acorn’s outdoor stair lift can only be installed on straight staircases only and comes with 1-year warranty.
Rail Design – Advantage Bruno - more compact, hidden gear rack, custom built for curved stair lifts
- Acorn – extruded aluminum, modular for curved
- Bruno – anodized aluminum and fabricated steel for custom curved stairlift rails
While both manufacturers utilize aluminum rails for their straight rail stair lifts, the Bruno rail is slightly more compact, leaving more space on the staircase after an installation. In addition, the Bruno rail features a hidden gear rack, which prevents dust and other debris from getting caught in it. Acorn’s rails are wider than Bruno’s rails and extend more into the stairway.
Acorn’s fully modular curved rails are not custom fitted to staircases as opposed to Bruno’s steel curved rails that are built custom to seamlessly fit the bends and turns of each individual staircase. Additionally, Acorn uses a traditional rack-and-pinion system that is visible along the rail axis, exposing the drive track to potential dirt and debris.
Lastly, Bruno’s rail for straight and curved stair lifts features a continuous charging system to charge the batteries wherever the lift is parked on the staircase.
Features & Options Comparison
| Features & Options | Bruno | Acorn |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Capacity | Elan (straight): 300 lbs Elite (straight & curved models): 400 lbs |
130 (straight): 280 lbs 180 (curved): 265 lbs |
| Rail Design | Elan & Elite Straight: Anodized aluminum Elite Curved: Fabricated steel; custom fitted to stairs |
130: Extruded aluminum 180: Extruded aluminum; modular, one-size-fits-all design |
| Battery Backup | Yes – standard dual batteries | Yes – battery powered for outages |
| Seat | Swivel; soft padded seating, Power swivel option Larger seat option (Elite only) | Swivel; no power options available |
| Travel Speed | Elan: 18 ft/min Elite: 25 ft/min |
130 & 180: 12-24 ft/min |
| Rail Options | Manual & power folding rail options available Custom rail overrun park options (curved model only) |
Manual hinged rail option only |
| Miscellaneous Options | Power folding footrest Larger footrest (Elite only) Upholstery & rail color options (Elite only) |
N/A |
Pricing - How Much Do Bruno and Acorn Stair Lifts Cost? -- Neutral
For straight stair lifts, pricing is typically very close between Bruno and Acorn stair lifts, depending on options added and model selected.
However, curved stair lifts is where Bruno stair lifts tend to cost more up front due to the custom nature of the rail, and higher quality materials and features. This is perceived as having more long-term value though due to Bruno’s excellent warranty coverage, low maintenance costs, dealer network providing installation and service as needed, and quality craftsmanship.
Acorn's curved stairlift cost less up front because it has a modular rail, plus pricing may not always include installation and other upfront costs. However, maintenance and long-term costs tend to be much higher, especially considering their limited 1-year warranty.
Below is a price range comparison by stairlift type.
| Stairlift Type | Bruno | Acorn |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Stair Lift | Elan/Elite: $3,000 - $8,000 | 130: $3,000 - $8,000 |
| Curved Stair Lift | Elite Curved: $12,000 and up (custom curved designed for staircase) | 180: $10,000 and up (modular stair lift fitted on site) |
Warranty Coverage – Advantage to Bruno
Acorn Warranty: The warranty offered on all Acorn stair lifts is a 1-year warranty that starts on the day the lift is installed. Covered under their warranty are parts and labor should anything go wrong with the lift. Acorn also offers extended warranty plans, but those come at an additional cost. This is standard for their straight and curved stair lifts.
Bruno Warranty: Bruno’s stairlift warranty differs by setting (indoor or outdoor), and the warranties only apply to the original purchaser of the unit.
Indoor Straight & Curved: The major components (motor, rail & gearbox) of Bruno’s Elan and Elite straight rail stair lifts have a limited-lifetime warranty on major components, which is the most robust warranty in the market. Parts and batteries have a three-year warranty provided by Lifeway Mobility.
Outdoor: The major components (motor, rail & gearbox) of Bruno’s Elite outdoor stair lifts (straight & curved) have a 5-year warranty. Parts and batteries have a three-year warranty provided by Lifeway Mobility Labor: Bruno’s warranty on labor for all the stair lifts that they sell is 30 days. However, if you choose Lifeway Mobility for your Bruno stair lift, you’ll receive a one-year warranty on labor for new Bruno stair lifts.
| Warranty Coverage | Bruno | Acorn |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty Major Components/Parts/Labor | Indoor models: Major Components: Lifetime (Bruno) Parts: 3-years (Lifeway) Labor: 1-year (Lifeway) Outdoor models: Major Components: 5-years (Bruno) Parts: 3-years (Lifeway) Labor: 1-year (Lifeway) |
Indoor/Outdoor: Major Components: 1-year Parts: 1-year Labor: 1-year Extended warranty available for additional cost. |
Installation - Neutral
Acorn: Acorn utilizes its network of factory technicians to promise fast installation, especially of their curved stair lift unit due to its modular design. Everything is fitted on site, with no customized fabrication.
Bruno: Bruno utilizes its large network of certified dealers and technicians, such as Lifeway Mobility, across the US to install and service Bruno stair lifts. Curved rail stair lifts typically take longer due to the process of measuring and evaluating a customized fit exactly for that staircase, and photo shoot. The specifications are transferred to the Bruno manufacturing facility where the rail is custom fabricated. Shipping is coordinated between homeowner and installer so that all components arrive just in time for scheduled installation.
Bruno also requires that all its new stair lifts be installed by trained/certified technicians from its dealer network.
Service – Advantage Bruno / Lifeway Mobility
Bruno prides itself on high standards for its trusted network of dealers and service technicians. While service is typically completed by the local Bruno dealer that installed the lift, any authorized Bruno dealer in the area can service a Bruno stair lift. Regardless of the dealer, all service work is done according to factory standards, troubleshooting with a Bruno technician as needed.
Acorn uses its corporate office to handle service calls. Across the US there is typically only one Acorn service technician per metro/region, so service calls may be delayed depending on workload. Additionally, priority service is given to those who purchase additional warranty coverage, but service coverage and availability can be limited, leading to delays in response time for service requests.
Rentals – Advantage Bruno
Bruno: Bruno stair lifts can be rented through a local dealer if there is one that offers rental options. Lifeway Mobility does offer Bruno stair lift rentals for straight staircases.
Acorn: While Acorn does offer rental options in the UK, it’s unknown if there are Acorn rentals available in the US as it is not specified.
Learn more about rental stair lifts
Reviews & Ratings: Advantage Bruno (& Lifeway Mobility for Bruno Dealer)
Acorn: Acorn has an average customer rating of 4.3/5 across trusted review platforms. Some Customers praise the company’s fast installation times and ease of installation. Negative sentiments include a lack of timely response for service calls and follow-up, and high maintenance costs due to their 1-year limited warranty coverage. Also reported were some negative customer service experiences throughout the entire process.
- Trust Pilot – 4.4/5 - 3,000+ reviews
- Google – 4.2/5 - 600+ reviews
- Consumer Affairs – 4.2/5 - 350+ reviews
Acorn Stairlift Average Rating – 4.3/5
Bruno / Local Dealers: Bruno is rated higher than Acorn consistently across all review platforms, with an average rating of 4.8/5. Customers report smooth, comfortable and quiet operation of Bruno stair lifts, as well as a significant improvement in their quality of life. Other common positive themes include reports of service personnel being professional, courteous, and reliable.
- Trust Pilot – 4.8/5 - 4,000+ reviews
- Google – 4.2/5 - 1,000+ reviews
- Consumer Affairs – 4.8/5 - 2,000+ reviews
Bruno Stairlift Average Rating – 4.8/5 (and recognized as Best Stair Lift Manufacturer)
While Bruno stair lifts have strong reviews, you’ll also want to check out the reviews of the local Bruno dealers in your area to ensure a positive experience from initial contact through installation of your stair lift and service as needed. Most Bruno dealers typically have positive ratings across online review platforms, but it’s important to research local ones in your area to choose the best one.
Bruno Stair Lift Local Trusted Dealer Rating
- Lifeway Mobility – 4.8/5 - 10,000+ reviews
Available to Test Ride in Local Showroom? – Advantage Bruno
Acorn: Acorn is a direct-to-consumer company, which limits your ability to see or test ride one of their lifts in-person as they do not have showrooms in the areas that they serve in the U.S. There may be one-off locations that have an Acorn stair lift available on-site to test drive, but these may be difficult to locate.
Bruno: There are a few Bruno dealers that have operational showrooms for customers to visit to get a feel for the product and learn how to safely use it.
Lifeway Mobility (Bruno Diamond Dealer), as an example, has several showrooms across the U.S. that are equipped with fully operational Bruno stairlifts on-site for customers to see and test-ride.
Conclusion
Based on the overall comparison of the two stair lift manufacturers, Bruno is the overall winner as it has an advantage over Acorn in multiple categories. However, the best choice for you may depend on your unique needs and priorities.
Choose Bruno for:
- Local Installation and Service from expert/trusted dealers, such as Lifeway Mobility
- Superior/Longer Warranty on major components, parts, and labor by local dealers
- Highly Rated, Durable, Comfortable, & Smooth riding stair lift
- Custom Fit & Upgrade Options, specifically for staircases with turns, curves or landings
Choose Acorn for:
- Short-Term Need & Lower Initial Cost (limited warranty coverage can add costs over time for service)
- Quick Curved Stairlift Installs for staircases with turns or landings
If you’re in the market for a straight or curved stair lift, the initial price of a Bruno stairlift may be more expensive than Acorn stairlift, but Bruno is generally recommended as the better option for durability, warranty coverage, and service after installation, which makes it worth a price that may be slightly higher initially in some cases for certain configurations.
What’s most important is that you or your loved one has a stair lift that is durable & safe to use, professionally installed, has a comprehensive warranty, and someone to call should your lift ever need service.
If you are interested in learning more about stair lifts or would like to set up a free consultation, please contact Lifeway Mobility or visit our locations page.
Each Lifeway Mobility location is locally operated, providing professional service and installation. Interested in trying a stairlift before making a purchase? Visit one of our local showrooms!
Additional Lifeway Mobility Stairlift Resources