Which is the Best Stair Lift to Buy?
Posted on by John Burfield
If you’ve been thinking about buying or renting a stair lift, you’re probably wondering which model is the best one to buy. Ranking any type of product can be subjective and if you ask 100 people, you’re likely to get many different answers. However, when you compare several makes and models of popular stair lifts side by side, it’s not too hard to see which ones rank better than others.
What to Look For
When selecting the stair lift that is right for you, there are important factors to take into consideration.
- Weight capacity
- Safety features - seat belt, obstruction sensors, etc.
- Hidden or open gear rack
- Continuous charging
- Comfort – Seat width, footrest width, distance between armrests, adjustable seat height, seat padding
- Distance from the wall
- Warranty
- Standard and optional features – Power or manual folding rail, power swivel seat, power footrest, etc.
- Average speed
- Custom curved rail or modular curved rail – applies to curved stair lifts
- Local service technicians
- Consumer reviews
You'll notice that stairlift cost is not included on this list and there is a good reason for this. Often times, people fall into the trap of thinking that the least expensive option is always the best value. While this can be true when comparing some products, not all stair lifts are created equal.
Regardless of which chair lift that you choose, it will likely be a significant investment and the best value will be the model of lift that provides you the features and options that suit your needs, at a reasonable price – not necessarily the cheapest option. There is a reason that some stair lift models cost more than others. Many low cost or DYI stair lifts that you see advertised on late night T.V. or on the internet are of lesser quality than some of the more reputable brands and finding a service technician for these models can be a challenge.
Our Choice
When purchasing a stairlift, it is important to select one that will provide a reliable, conformable, and stylish ride. For this reason we recommend the Bruno Elite followed by the Bruno Elan. These models perform well in all of of the categories outlined above and are made in the USA.
If you find that these models are out of your budget, consider some the funding and financing options that may be available to you. While there are many quality stair lifts out their, you won't be sorry if you select one of these Bruno models.
Compare Straight Stair Lifts
| Manufacturer | Bruno | Bruno | Handicare | Handicare | Savaria | Acorn |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stair Lift Model | Elan | Elite | Simplicity | 1000 | K2 | 130 |
| Stair Lift Image |  |
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| Manufacturer Location | USA | USA | UK | UK | China | UK |
| Weight Capacity | 300 lbs. | 400 lbs. | 310 lbs. | 350 lbs. | 350 lbs. | 300 lbs. |
| Hidden Gear Rack on Rail Track | ||||||
| Charges Anywhere on Track | (available as option) | Top or bottom only | ||||
| Adjustable Seat Heights | ||||||
| Seat Belt | ||||||
| Obstruction Safety Sensors | ||||||
| Seat Swivels Full 90° at Top Landing | ||||||
| Warranty on Major Components (Motor & Gearbox) | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | 36 months | 1 year |
| Warranty on Parts | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 3 years | 1 year |
| Rail Distance from Wall | 5" | 6" | 6 ¼" | 6" | 9" | 9–10" |
| Space Between Armrests | 20" | 20 ¼" | 19" | 19" | 21" | |
| Average Speed | 18 ft/min | 25 ft/min | 24 ft/min | 24 ft/min | 15 ft/min | 24 ft/min |
| Painted Rail | ||||||
| Rail Width Less Than 2.5" | ||||||
| STAIR LIFT OPTIONS | ||||||
| Manual Folding Rail | ||||||
| Power Folding Rail | ||||||
| Upholstery Choices | ||||||
| Power Swivel Seat | ||||||
| Power Folding Footrest | ||||||
| Larger Footrest | ||||||
Compare Curved Stair Lifts
| Manufacturer | Bruno | Handicare | HAWLE Treppenlifte | Acorn | Harmar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stairlift Model | Elite Curved | Freecurve | H10 | 180 | Helix |
| Stair Lift Image |  |
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| Consumer Affairs Star Rating | 4.9/5 | 4.6/5 | 1.9/5 | ||
| Manufacturer Location | USA | Europe | Europe | UK | USA |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs. | 275 lbs. | 350 lbs. | 265 lbs. | 350 lbs. |
| Rail Type | Custom-built, solid steel rail | Single, tubular style steel rail | Double, tubular style steel rail | Modular rail, extruded aluminum | Double, tubular style steel rail |
| Warranty on Major Components (Motor/Gearbox/Rail) | Motor: 5 years Gearbox: 5 years Rail: 5 years | Motor: 10 years Gearbox: 10 years Rail: 2 years | Motor: 5 years Gearbox: 5 years Rail: 2 years | Motor: 1 year Gearbox: 1 year Rail: 1 year | Motor: 2 years Gearbox: 2 years Rail: 2 years |
| Warranty on Parts | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years |
| Warranty on Labor (Provided by Lifeway) | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
| Gear Rack on Rail Track | Covered | Exposed | Exposed | Exposed | Exposed |
| Rail Distance from Wall or Obstruction | 7-9" | 7-9" | 6.3-9" | 13.25" | 7-9" |
| Average Speed | 25 fpm | 21.5 fpm | 19.7 fpm | 19 fpm | 20 fpm |
| Max Rail Length | Not Specified | 115 ft. | 131 ft. | Not Specified | 164 ft. |
| Arm Width | 17.5-23" | 22-23.5" | 19-23" | 19" | 23.6" |
| Min. Staircase Width | 31" | 27.25" | 30" | Not Specified | 31" |
| STAIR LIFT OPTIONS | |||||
| Folding Rail | |||||
| Rail Overrun for Top/Bottom Park Positions | |||||
| Rail Paint Color Options | Available (indoor only) | ||||
| Upholstery Color Choices | |||||
| Power Swivel Seat | |||||
| Power Folding Footrest | |||||
| Larger Footrest | |||||
| Seat Style Choice | Standard or large | 1 standard style seat | 1 standard style seat | ||
| Can Be Installed Outdoors? | |||||