What is the Best Stairlift for Seniors? Review the Top Choices for 2024! 

#1 Best Senior Stair Lift Company: Bruno

Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc. is a renowned manufacturer of Bruno stair lifts and a leading provider of mobility solutions for individuals with limited mobility, physical disabilities, and the elderly. While stair lifts are a significant part of their product range, Bruno offers a comprehensive line of accessibility products, including vertical platform lifts and wheelchair vehicle lifts.

Here are 5 reasons why Bruno stands out as our top choice for the overall best stairlift company:

• Established Reputation: With almost 40 years of experience, Bruno has built a strong presence as a USA-based, veteran-owned business, dedicated to serving the public.
• Affordable and Comprehensive: Bruno offers stairlifts at a reasonable cost, starting at $3,800, which includes delivery, installation, and a limited lifetime warranty. Their commitment to providing a complete solution sets them apart.
• Rental Options: Some Bruno dealers offer stairlift rentals for short-term use, providing flexibility and convenience to those who may only temporarily require a stairlift. For stairlift rentals, you must visit a Bruno local dealer directly and inquire with them about rental options. 
• Financing Assistance: Bruno manufactures stairlifts that it sells to its dealers, who may then offer financing options to qualified buyers. Based on customer reviews and research, some Bruno dealers offer financing with low monthly payments ranging from $56 to $78, providing accessible solutions for those who need funding assistance.
• Robust Lift Capacity: Bruno lifts are designed to handle substantial weight, with each lift capable of transporting between 300 and 400 pounds. This feature ensures reliability and accommodates a wide range of users.

Choose Bruno for trusted and reliable stairlifts. Whatever your situation may be, Bruno can assist you in finding the perfect stairlift. They provide a comprehensive range of stairlift options, suitable for both straight and curved staircases, with the capacity to carry up to 400 pounds. Whether you need an indoor or outdoor solution, Bruno has you covered. Begin by identifying a local Bruno stairlift dealer.

Visit Bruno’s website, click on the page labeled “Stairlift Dealers Near Me” and enter your zip code to easily locate a nearby dealer.

 Bruno’s Elan Stair Lift Review

Why is Bruno’s Elan Stair Lift a Top Choice? 

When it comes to choosing the best stairlift for seniors, Bruno’s Elan stairlift stands out as a top choice. Here’s why–

1. Comfortable and secure: Bruno stair lifts are designed with a padded, generously-sized seat and extra padding, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience for seniors during their ascent or descent.
2. Convenient accessibility: The flip-up arms, seat, and footrest of Bruno stair lifts provide convenient access to the lift, making it easy for seniors to navigate their stairs with confidence.
3. Safety features: Bruno stair lifts are equipped with obstruction safety sensors, ensuring that any obstacles on the stairs are detected and preventing accidents or damage.
4. Personalization options: Seniors can customize their stair lifts with features like adjustable width armrests, allowing them to find the perfect fit for their individual needs.
5. Continuously Charging and Long-lasting Batteries: Bruno Elan straight stair lifts are equipped with 12V batteries that charge continuously. This means that even during power outages, older individuals can rely on their Bruno stairlift for at least 10 round trips, offering them peace of mind.
6. Extended warranty: Bruno provides a gold warranty, offering coverage for major components for a lifetime and parts and batteries for two years, ensuring that seniors are protected and supported.
7. Professional installation: Bruno stair lifts are installed and delivered by factory-trained and certified technicians, guaranteeing a seamless and reliable installation process.
8. Financing options: Bruno stair lifts are available with flexible financing options, including a monthly payment purchase option, making them more accessible for qualified buyers.
9. Additional services: Lifeway Mobility, the provider of Bruno stair lifts, offers free assessments to evaluate seniors’ specific needs, local showrooms and service departments for easy access to support, as well as options for pre-owned lifts and monthly rentals.

By considering all these factors, it becomes evident why Bruno stair lifts are the top choice for seniors seeking a safe, comfortable, and reliable solution to maintain their independence and mobility at home.

Bruno Elan Stair Lift Pricing

The brand new Bruno Elan stair lift (SRE-3050) is priced at $4,369.99 when purchased directly from the manufacturer, Bruno Independent Living Aids. Additionally, you can find 2022 versions of the Bruno Elan stair lift on sites like USA Medical Supply for under $4,000.

Renowned as Bruno’s top-selling lift, the Bruno Elan stair lift has garnered excellent reviews from satisfied customers.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider exploring refurbished Bruno Elan stair lifts available on platforms like eBay and USA Medical Supply. These refurbished units are priced between $2,800 and $3,895.

Most Affordable Stair Lift for Seniors: AmeriGlide 

For consumers on a budget, AmeriGlide comes in number 1.

With average stairlift prices starting at $2,500, AmeriGlide has found a way to offer models starting at only $1,500. How? Self-Installation. AmeriGlide is the only stairlift company that promotes do-it-yourself installation with its products.

Consumers can purchase a stairlift kit that is shipped to their home, complete with all necessary instructions for installation. While their stairlifts are a great money-saving option, they still offer many of the same options as other lifts, such as a folding seat and armrest, swivel seat, constant pressure controls, and battery backup to run the lift during a power outage.

Some of their models are inappropriate for self-installation, and you will incur an additional stair lift installation cost.

Best Lifting Power Stair Lift: Harmar

Consumers who require a lift capacity over 400 pounds will find that Harmar’s SL600HD Pinnacle stairlift has the highest lift rating on the market.

Able to safely and comfortably transport up to 600 pounds, this power stair lift offers strength and a high back and padded seat. This lift is created for straight staircases only, however, and cannot be customized for curved stairs.

Harmar’s Helix Curved Stairlift is the highest-rated lift for those needing a customizable, curved lift with heavy-duty lifting power, safely transporting up to 350 pounds, even around curves.

Handicare Stairlift Wins the Best Warranty

If you’re looking for the best warranty options, you’ll find that Handicare and Bruno are unmatched by their competitors. Offering almost identical warranty options, Handicare and Bruno offer Limited Lifetime warranties on all indoor stairlifts.

Ten years is considered a “lifetime,” and the warranty is void if the lift is installed by anyone other than a certified technician from the company where it was purchased. The warranty covers all major parts for two years. It continues coverage of the gearbox and motor for the lifetime of the stair lift.

Like all manufacturers and dealers, Handicare and Bruno only cover the lift for the original owner, not allowing a warranty transfer. Outdoor stairlifts are limited to a 5-year warranty.

Best Service Plan for Senior Stair Lifts: Acorn

For consumers who want a stress-free solution to maintenance and any necessary stair lift repair, Acorn offers service plans.

In addition to a 1-year warranty on their stairlifts, a service plan is available for only $200/year. The service plan includes yearly servicing. If you need assistance with your lift, technicians will come to your home and make any necessary repairs at no cost.

Also notable is that Acorn is the clear leader when considering stair lift reviews.

Stannah Wins Best Standing Stairlift for Seniors 

For consumers with mobility challenges in their knee, hip, or back that make sitting and standing from a sitting position difficult, a standing stairlift is the answer. Stannah’s Sadler Indoor Stairlift can be custom fitted to a straight or curved staircase.

A near-standing position ensures comfort for the patient, and the immobilizer seat belt ensures safety during the journey. This lift is also the best option for narrow staircases.

What to look for when buying a stairlift?

When shopping for your stairlift, there are some basic features that you can expect to find in most models.

• All stairlift models will attach directly to your staircase, not your surrounding walls.
• Each stairlift model will feature a backup battery. While the stairlift runs on your home’s electrical power via a standard plug, the batteries remain charged in case of a power outage.
• Some models will retain more power than others, offering enough reserves for anywhere from 10 trips on the Acorn lifts to 60 trips on some AmeriGlide models.

Vertical rails are an option on almost every stairlift.

This additional rail at the bottom of the lift extends the rail past the last step to allow for a safe exit. This rail section is folded manually or automatically to keep it up and out of the way when not in use.

• Folding footrests, folding seats, and folding armrests are standard on some models and optional on others. These features keep the lift folded out of the way when not in use, allowing others in the home to pass by easily.
• Call remotes, whether wireless or attached to the lift itself, allow you to “call” the lift to the top or bottom of the stairs, even when no rider is on it. This allows the lift to be used by multiple members of the household.
• Key locks are included with many models as a way to ensure that unauthorized users cannot access the lift. The key lock is a great safety feature if you purchase your stairlift for a church, business, or public location!

Types of Stairlifts for Seniors

Several styles of residential stair lifts are available, each with unique features and options.

Indoor Straight Stairlifts 

An indoor straight stair lift can be customized to your preferred length for stairlifts without curves. A great option is the Harmar Pinnacle Stairlift, offering a wide range of options, including a hinged rail, retractable seat belt, key lock, swivel seat, and the most compact fold in the industry.

Similarly, their SL350AC is loaded with options, including an optional grocery basket, something not found with other models.

Harmar’s SL350AC Stair Lift

Cheapest Stair Lift Models 

If you’re on a budget, AmeriGlide beats Harmar’s starting range of $4,000 by offering–

• the Rave 2 Straight Stairlift starting at $2,095,
• the Horizon Plus Straight Stairlift starting at $1,999.00, and
• the Rubex AC Straight Stairlift starting at $2,545.00.

Indoor Curved Stairlifts 

What is the Best Stair Chair Lift for Staircases that Curve and Bend?

For staircases that curve and bend, customizable stairlift models such as the Acorn 180 Curved can be created and fitted specially for your staircase. Trained technicians bend and cut each rail section to the exact specifications necessary for your home, so you never have to worry about fit.

Multiple rail styles are available, including:

• the sleek single-rail of Handicare’s Freecurve stairlift and
• the stylish and durable double-rail featured on their 4000 Double-Rail Curved stairlift.

Acorn 180 Curved Stair Chair Lifts for Seniors

Small-Space, Standing Stairlifts, by Sadler 

If your home features a narrow staircase, a compact and discreet stairlift like the Sadler Indoor Stairlift from Stannah only requires that your staircase be 26-28 inches wide.

Senior Outdoor Stairlifts, by Bruno

Outdoor access is equally important to indoor access, allowing you to maintain your freedom and enjoy time outside your home. Whether your stairway leads to a garden or the street, a motorized stair lift can give you the independence you deserve.

Your outdoor stairlift cost will be higher than indoor lifts, and you can expect a shorter warranty. Still, the customization and options are similar to that of indoor models.

Bruno Elite Straight and Curved Models

Bruno offers the Elite Straight or Elite Curved outdoor models, each boasting a 400-pound weight limit, wireless remotes, power folding footrest and seat, and power-folding rail.

Stair Lift Prices

The cost of stairlifts can vary widely among manufacturers and dealers. The average price of stairlifts starts at $1,500-$11,000 and increases based on your chosen options.

Indoor, straight stairlifts are the most affordable, particularly if you purchase a DIY stairlift kit from AmeriGlide. Curved or standing stairlifts and outdoor stairchairs cost significantly more.

Best Companies for Financing Stair Lifts

A residential stairlift is a major home modification, and for some consumers is the only way they can continue to age in their multi-level homes.

Unfortunately, stairlifts can cost anywhere from $1,500 to over $15,000, and most insurance policies will not cover the cost. There are options, however, such as purchasing used stairlifts, renting a stairlift, or purchasing a stairlift from a company that offers financing.

• Bruno offers direct financing options subject to credit application approval. You can also rent a stair lift from them for short-term use without the long-term financial investment of a purchase.
• AmeriGlide offers financing plans directly to the public through a partnership with Bread.
• Stannah does not currently offer financing but maintains a program that makes refurbished stair lifts available at a deep discount. They also offer rentals if you’re looking for a temporary stair lift.

For stairlift manufacturers such as Harmar, who sell only through authorized dealers, rental programs and financing options are specific to the dealership.

Additional resources are available if financing your stairlift through the dealer is not an option. The VA, HUD, and some Medicare Advantage Plans all offer stair lift financial assistance.

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