What Are the Best Stair Lifts in 2022?
Stair lifts are among the most useful pieces of assistive technology equipment that help seniors and people with mobility impairments maintain their independence at home. In addition to helping users ascend and descend a flight of stairs, these assistive technology devices benefit caregivers, too.
Because stairlifts eliminate caregivers’ need to assist people while navigating a flight of stairs, it frees them up for other tasks. If you’re in the market for a new stair lift, consider the following best-reviewed stair lift brands for 2022.
AmeriGlide
Experts consider AmeriGlide one of the pioneers when it comes to assistive technology equipment for seniors and people with limited mobility. Since 2004, this brand has produced a number of innovative and practical mobility solutions, including stair lifts, vehicle lifts, motorized chair lifts and mobility scooters.
AmeriGlide offers several stair lift systems, including the Horizon model, which boasts many helpful features. These include a foldable seat, armrests and a footrest; manual swivel seat; digital diagnostic display; safety belt; remote control and wireless call station. The unit plugs into a standard power outlet and comes with installation instructions for those who prefer to set up the stair lift themselves.
Harmar
Harmar stair lifts also have foldable seats, armrests and footrests. They plug directly into a wall power outlet and install on the stairs themselves, not on the wall. What makes Harmar stair lifts stand out is that the models come with rocker control technology, which makes for safer operation for users. This rocker control means that, while in operation, a Harmar stair lift stops immediately if the user lets go of the controls or tries to stand up. Most Harmar stair lifts have a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds. Each unit comes with a lifetime warranty on the motor and drivetrain.
Nautilus
If you have an active gym membership (or had one back in the 1980s or 1990s) you’ll likely be familiar with the Nautilus brand. Popular for its cable-and-cam workout equipment, Nautilus also manufactures stair lifts that bear the same high-quality engineering as the company’s exercise machines.
Nautilus stair lifts have wider seats for extra comfort but fold neatly down to slightly more than 10 inches from the wall. Their worm drive mechanisms allow for grease-free operation and easier maintenance. A big plus for Nautilus stair lifts is that some models operate on a battery that charges whenever the lift is at rest at the top or bottom of the stairs. This means that users can still operate the lift several times during a power outage.
Chariot Vantage
This particular stair lift made this list primarily because of its low cost and sleek design that hides its gear rack. It also boasts a speed regulator that gives users better control of its operation with less effort. While the Chariot Vantage stair lift has a rack-and-pinion system mechanism that does require periodic greasing, this lift is still low maintenance. Its foldable seat incorporates upholstering that adds to its comfort. The Chariot Vantage is an ideal option for those who are working on a budget but don’t want to compromise safety and comfort.
Jameson’s Elegant Stair Lift
As its name suggests, Jameson’s Elegant Stair Lift combines pleasing aesthetics with other standard features typical of stair lifts. This particular model, like the Chariot Vantage, has a rack-and-pinion drivetrain that requires greasing to maintain its efficiency. Jameson’s Elegant Stair Lift also has foldable seats, and armrests and footrests that fold up so the unit sticks out about 11 inches from the wall. It consumes minimal power while running and boasts a durable motor and circuit board.
There are important considerations to think about when choosing a stair lift. Always review the safety features, weight rating, dimensions, installation requirements and cost. Ultimately, the stair lift should provide a helpful solution for the intended user’s mobility limitations.
