Curved stair lifts
A curved stair lift is a seat that rides a rail built just for stairs that bend, level out at a landing, or curve around a corner. Brand new, expect to pay $8,000 to $12,000 installed, which runs higher than a straight-stair lift.
- Curved, with installation $8,000 to $12,000 (NCOA)
- Straight, with installation $2,500 to $5,000 (NCOA)
- Models of curved lifts compared 5
- Top weight limit among curved lifts 400 lb
Curved stair lifts compared
| Model | Weight limit | Folded, from wall | Installed price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Acorn 180Pro: of the curved lifts here, it folds closest to the wall (13¼ in). Con: 265 lb as standard, the lowest weight limit among the curved lifts here. Sources | 265 lb | 13¼ in | $8,000–$15,000+ estimate from review sites | 1 year |
 Handicare FreecurvePro: parts are covered for 2 years, longer than the one year some manufacturers give. Con: folded, it sticks out the most (16½ in). Sources | 275 lb | 16½ in | $10,499–$11,999 estimate: lift price + usual fitting | 2 years on parts |
 Stannah Siena 260Pro: up to 352 lb with the heavy-duty version. Con: the parts warranty runs one year. Sources | 300 lb heavy-duty version: 352 lb | 16 in | $10,800 published: the manufacturer's installed price | Lifetime on the motor, 1 year on parts |
 Harmar HelixPro: the drive system is covered for life (a limited warranty). Con: it sticks out 16 in from the wall when folded. Sources | 350 lb | 16 in | $11,495–$12,995 estimate: lift price + usual fitting | Lifetime on the motor drive, 2 years on parts |
 Bruno Elite CurvedPro: the highest weight limit among the curved lifts here (400 lb). Con: the highest installed price among the curved lifts here. Sources | 400 lb | 15 in | $12,000–$25,000+ published: a dealer's installed range | Limited lifetime (for as long as you own it) |
Ask for a written quote
Chair Lift for Curved Stairs
Straight stairs can take a standard rail cut to the right length. Stairs that turn cannot. Every curved rail is custom built for a single staircase, so it matches each rise and turn of the steps in your home.
Since the rail fits your house alone, nobody can give you a final price until someone comes out and measures. Treat the figures on this page as starting points or ranges drawn from manufacturers, dealers, and reviewers, not as a quote for your stairs.
Lifts for Stairs That Have a Landing
A landing is that level stretch where a staircase pauses and usually switches direction. Because stairs with a landing are not one straight run, they count as curved.
The rail starts at the bottom step, wraps around the landing, and continues up to the top. You ride the whole way in the chair and never have to climb off partway up.
What Will a Chair Lift for Stairs With Landings Cost?
Per the National Council on Aging, a new curved lift runs $8,000 to $12,000 installed. For context, a brand-new straight model runs roughly $2,500 to $5,000 installed, while a used straight one goes for about $1,500 to $3,000.
Some models begin below that range and others climb past it. The table shows the price each manufacturer, dealer, or reviewer publishes.
Comparing Curved Chair Lifts for Stairs
Here you can compare five curved models. Three figures matter most: the weight the chair holds, the narrowest stairs it can work on, and how far it juts from the wall once folded.
That folded size tells you how much room the lift eats up when no one is riding it. The smaller it is, the more space other people have to pass by.
Will a Curve Stairlift Work on Your Stairs?
Width usually settles the question. Measure your stairs at the narrowest point, then match that number against each model.
| Your stair width | Models that fit |
|---|---|
| Under 27.5 in. | Not one of the five |
| 27.5 in. to under 30 in. | Only the Acorn 180 |
| 30 in. and wider | All five models |
Weight matters too. Of all 16 lifts compared on this site, the Acorn 180 holds the least, at 265 lb. If the rider needs more capacity, the Harmar Helix manages 350 lb, while the Bruno Elite Curved tops out at 400 lb.
Does a Curved Staircase Need a Special Lift?
It does. The rail on a straight lift cannot go around a turn or across a landing, so any staircase with a curve calls for one of these curved models. That is also why they cost more: the rail gets built for one staircase instead of coming off a stock rail.
Curved Stair Lift Warranties
Warranty terms vary quite a bit from one manufacturer to another, so it pays to weigh them alongside cost.
- Acorn 180: 12 months from the manufacturer
- Handicare Freecurve: 24 months on parts via your dealer
- Stannah Siena 260: motor and gearbox covered for life; parts and labor for one year
- Harmar Helix: parts for two years; drive system covered for a limited lifetime
- Bruno Elite Curved: coverage for a limited lifetime
Extra warranty length can matter more with a curved lift, since the rail is built to your stairs and the whole lift costs more up front.
Who pays for a stair lift?
- Medicare: Original Medicare, the government health plan for people 65 and older, does not pay for a stair lift because it does not count one as medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans (private plans that take the place of Original Medicare) include home safety benefits, so check yours.
- Medicaid: Medicaid, the state health cover for people with low incomes, sometimes pays through a state program for changes to the home. It depends on the state.
- Veterans: The VA's HISA home improvement grant does not pay for stair lifts. Ask your VA medical center what other help you can get; veterans with a disability caused by their service may qualify for larger housing grants (SAH and SHA).
- USDA Section 504: Homeowners in rural areas who are 62 or older and have a very low income can get a USDA home repair grant of up to $10,000.