Everyone always wants to know which is the best stair lift. After all, a stairlift is a big investment for many people, and something you will be using likely every single day. While it would be nice if there was a simple hands down answer such as “Buy this brand and model, they are the best”, like most things in life it is not that easy.
The first thing to think about is which features are important to you. This is often different for everyone. Obviously, the more features a stair lift has, the more comfortable and convenient to use it will be.
Here are some of the features you will want to look for:
Safety Belts: Seat belts to some are very important, to others not so much. Most chair lift manufacturers today will include one free of charge, but for others it may be an added accessory and additional expense.
Battery Vs. Electric Operated: There is much debate whether a battery operated or hard wired electric chair is better. Batteries need recharging and can sometimes be cumbersome to handle; however you do not need to worry about power outages as much.
Speed: Some stairlifts move very quickly, others go at a slower pace. Whether you want a fast one or a slower one is completely up to you! If you are concerned about speed, our article on Fast Stair Lifts may be helpful. Remember that motor size and power can affect overall performance with speed.
Design: Another option to consider is the styles available. Many designs exist that can look very nice to match just about any home’s decor, but with some manufacturers these options are pretty limited. Make sure while shopping you ask about the different fabric patterns available.
Adjustable Seats: Some stairlifts have various options on the types of seats available. Some seats swivel, which can make it easier and safer to get in and out of, especially at the top of the stairs. There are also models which can allow someone to use it while standing, which can be a good feature if the person has difficulty going from standing to sitting.
Warranty and Installation: It’s important to know what the warranty is on the stair lift and how it will be installed. Some brands you have to install yourself or hire someone to install, others are installed all by in house companies. This all varies between manufacturers and distributors, so do your homework very carefully.
Price: Price is another factor. Some would say the best stair lift must be the one that is the most expensive, but this is not usually the case. Many good quality brands out there exist that are of good quality and are not too expensive.
Because this site tries to be objective and unbiased, we cannot really tell you which one is the “best”…however, we can give you links of the most popular stair chair lift manufacturers so you can do your research to see which one will meet all of your needs and keep you the happiest for many years to come!
By looking over all of these articles and reviews, you’ll be able to decide which type is the right type for you!