Premium Straight Stair Lift Reviews
| Manufacturer | Harmar | Sterling | Acorn | Bruno |
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| Model | Pinnacle SL600 | Handicare/1000 | 130 | Elite SRE-2010 |
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| Cost | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Adjustability | Good | Very Good | Great | Very Good and Easy |
| Pros | Lightest unit Operable in a power outage – up to 40 trips! Patented helical worm gear |
Attractive Rail Unique Controls Perch Seat Option Power Swivel & Seat |
Beautiful Ergonomic Comfortable Cushion/Padding 90′ Swivel |
Narrowest track on the market at 2.5 inches Clean Design Continuous Charge 400lb Capacity Slim Design -Compact! 90′ Swivel |
| Cons | Highly Priced | 300lb Max capacity | Not As Slim as Others When Folded | Power Options are a bit pricey |
Basic Straight Stair Lift Reviews
| Manufacturer | Harmar | Sterling | Ameriglide | Bruno |
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| Model | RP350 Alpine II | Handicare/Simplicity | 1 | Elan SRE-3000 |
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| Cost | $$ | $$ | $ | $$$ |
| Adjustability | Very easy to adjust the seat | a large, comfortable swivel seat which will transport you in comfort on your stairs | Very easy and simple | The flip up rail option is a vast improvement over the previous models |
| Pros | Aesthetic track finished floor mounts integrated charging bases Quiet Drive System with Soft Start and Stop |
Beautiful chair folds up when not in use so that it takes up minimal stair space Very easy The sterling 950 can be installed in no time at all. |
Inexpensive option foldaway design |
The track sits vertically, which takes up less room visually pleasing It folds up to within 12” of the wall |
| Cons | Seat does not stay tightened in order to fold it up. | Seat not as adjustable as most people would like | Battery life too short | The power switch is located on the back of the stair lift making it hard to find |
Premium Outdoor Stair Lift Reviews
| Acorn | Acorn | Hawle |
|---|---|---|
| Model | 130 Curved | HW11 Outdoor |
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| Cost | $ | $$$ |
| Adjustability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Pros | Excellent in all Weather conditions and folds up nicely |
All inclusive system…no hidden extras. 220 colors, 18 colored upholsteries including leather at no additional cost. Its commercially rated |
| Cons | Medium Priced with Best Value On the Market | Medium Priced with Best Value On the Market |
Curved Stair Lift Reviews
| Manufacturer | Bruno | Acorn | Sterling | Harmar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Elite CRE-2110 | 180 | Handicare/2000 | CSL 500 |
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| Cost | $$$ | $ | $$ | $$$$ |
| Adjustability | Most Adjustable on the market Arm width , seat height and footrest can all be adjusted | Extremely adjustable | No other curved track available can be fitted closer to the wall and leave so much free space on your stairs | Extremely smooth ride |
| Pros | Arms, seat and footrest flip up creating plenty of space Remarkable stable ride from top to bottom Visual diagnostics for instant unit status |
very pleasant on the eyes The turns are not a problem with the Acorn 180 can be fitted to spiral and narrow staircase where the turning points get tighter
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The twin rail system, designed for a stable and smooth ride The Sterling 2000 comes with 2 year manufacturer’s parts warranty and LIFETIME warranty on the gearbox and motor
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Very nice design that allows for a complete hug of the stairs Mounts inside or outside the stairway to maintain pedestrian access |
| Cons | Bulky rails | Not As Slim as Others When Folded | No clipped seat belt | Can become costly with options |
Our Stair Lift Review Process
Purchasing a stair lift is an important decision as well as a significant investment. You will want to make sure that the model you choose not only falls into your budget but is also designed to fit your needs and meets your criteria for certain safety features. Here are several factors we used above to distinguish various stair lift models:
Cost
Cost is one of the first things that consumers look at when they are in the market for a stairlift. While products tend to fluctuate in price depending on the economy and the demand for that particular product, for the past few years, costs of stairlifts have remained stable. Prices can range from $1,500 for a basic straight stairlift to $3,000 for an econmy model. Heavy-duty units, outdoor stairlifts, and custom curved lifts will increase the price and may peak at $10,000 or more.
Reliability
Many stairlift manufacturers will not honor the warranty on a stairlift unless the product is installed by one of the company’s trained and licensed technicians. While some people may choose to install the stairlift themselves, you will need to make sure that there is a manufacturer warranty in place for the model you are considering. For this reason, it is often recommended that a certified installer complete the job for you to ensure that you are covered should the unit malfunction.
Adjustability
It is important to keep in mind the various features on the product in terms of how well the stairlift can accommodate the user. This is particularly important if more than one resident will be using the stairlift, so consider purchasing a model that has adjustable seats or one that can accommodate varying weights or needs.
Aesthetics
Some stairlifts are designed to look like another piece of furniture in your home. While this may not be important if you are living with a temporary injury and do not plan to keep the stairlift, are renting a stairlift, of if you are planning a move in the near future, those who are considering purchasing a stairlift for the long-term may desire a product that meshes into the current décor of the residence.
