Before you buy a home stair lift it is essential that you first review the stair lifts on the market. You'll soon find that stair lift prices vary a great deal, but be wary of using a stair lift price as the main yardstick in choosing one; a cheap stair lift can be a good deal for the customer or it can be an expensive mistake.



The home stair lift market has grown significantly in the past few years. Many people with mobility problems are finding out that installing a handicap stair lift is cheaper than they thought and is certainly cheaper than the expense of moving house or hiring home help, not to mention the psychological and emotional benefits of reclaiming the upstairs of one's home. What follows is some advice on buying a stair lift and stair lift reviews of the most popular models.

But choosing the best stair lift for one's home can be problematic with so many stair chair lifts on offer. You need to be careful and to take your time when choosing a home stair lift. You should always seek professional advice before you buy a stair lift. Don't just talk to stair lift suppliers; talk to your community occupational therapist or friends who might already have a handicap stair lift in their home.

You should also look at as many makes of stair lifts and talk to at least 3 different dealerships. Talking to a dealer is important; don't buy from a dealer on the internet if they don't also have a phone number - if you have any problems later, chances are you won't get any answers back by email. If you can, go in person to a stair lift showroom and try out the chairs yourself. Try to go with a relative of friend.

There is a growing, and worrying, trend for home stair lifts to be sold without any installation. The buyer is told that self-installation is easy and can be done by anyone with basic DIY skills. However, AMEA (Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer's Association) and the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) strongly advise against self-installation of a home stair lift. A reputable stair lift supplier will insist on doing the installation.

Also, remember to ask about warranty and after sales service. A reputable dealer will offer both; look for a dealership that offers 24/7 telephone support so that you'll get instant help when you need it.

Here are some brief stair lift reviews of some leading makes.

The Summit Stair Lift

This is a low cost home stair lift. The company only makes straight stair lifts. The Summit chair lift is made to be a no-frills but reliable handicap stair lift. It uses technology that is now considered old-fashioned by most leading stair lift manufacturers; it uses a cable system rather than rack and pinion to drag the chair along the track, and the Summit stair lift is mains powered rather than battery powered. Other manufacturers switched to rack and pinion battery powered stair lifts because they give a smoother ride. You do get basic safety systems with the Summit stair lift such as a sensor on the footrest to detect obstacles, a seat belt and cable tensioning. Won't you won't get the more sophisticated safety features offered by other manufacturers. All in all, the Summit stair lift is for those on a small budget.

The Acorn Stair Lift

Acorn makes only straight stair lifts. Currently you can buy the Acorn Superglide stair lift. This home stair lift uses a modern rack and pinion drive system and is powered by DC 24 volt rechargeable batteries. The home stair lift also comes with two wireless remote controls with send/call features. You get safety sensors on both the footrest and carriage that will immediately stop the chair should any obstacle be encountered on the stairs or track. What sets Acorn apart is that they make a perch stair lift, which is ideal for those who have trouble bending the knees or for staircases that are narrower than normal.

The Stannah Stair Lift

This is a UK stair lift manufacturer that now exports to over 40 countries. Quite simply, Stannah stair lifts are the best on the market. Stannah make both straight and curved stair lifts. The Stannah 120 stair lift has two models; the Solus (a very contemporary design) and the Sofia (for those who prefer a more traditional look). With a Stannah home stair lift you get many features as standard but the company also offers optional features that other manufacturers don't. Stannah stair lifts aren't the cheapest on the market, but it makes the best handicap stair lifts.

There's no doubting the benefits of installing a home stair lift. But choosing a home stair lift that best suits your needs takes patience and thought. Don't ever be rushed into buying a handicap stair lift - reputable dealers will never put you under pressure to buy.