Stair lift weight limit and seat width by model
The typical stair lift weight limit across the 16 models in our data is 350 lb (159 kg); the highest rating is 600 lb (272 kg), on the Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD. Published seat widths run from 15¾ in to 19½ in.
- Median weight limit
- 350 lb 159 kg
- Highest rating
- 600 lb 272 kg
- Seat widths published
- 15¾ in to 19½ in
| Model | Stairs | Weight limit | Heavy-duty option | Seat width | Between arms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD | Straight | 600 lb | 18¾ in | ||
 Handicare 1000 | Straight | 350 lb | 440 lb | ||
 Bruno Elite | Straight | 400 lb | 17½ in | 21¾ in | |
| Bruno Elite Curved | Curved | 400 lb | 17½ in | 21¾ in | |
 Stannah Siena 260 | Curved | 300 lb | 352 lb | 20½ in | |
 Acorn 130 | Straight | 280 lb | 350 lb | ||
| Harmar Pinnacle SL600 | Straight | 350 lb | 18 in | ||
| Harmar Helix | Curved | 350 lb | 19 in | ||
 Savaria K2 | Straight | 350 lb | 20.39 in | ||
| Stannah Siena 600 | Straight | 350 lb | 20½ in | ||
 AmeriGlide Rave 2 | Straight | 350 lb | 19½ in | ||
| Handicare 1100 | Straight | 310 lb | |||
| Bruno Elan | Straight | 300 lb | 15¾ in | 20¼ in | |
| Harmar Pinnacle SL300 | Straight | 300 lb | 16½ in | ||
| Handicare Freecurve | Curved | 275 lb | |||
| Acorn 180 | Curved | 265 lb |
Download: stair-lift-weight-limits.csv · stair-lift-weight-limits.svg. Values as each manufacturer publishes them for the same model; we do not test lifts. Chart by stairliftcomparator.com from manufacturer catalogs. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with this line.
The ratings on one scale
Across the 16 models we look at, 350 lb is the usual weight limit for a stair lift. At the top end, the Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD is rated for 600 lb. At the bottom, the Acorn 180 is rated for 265 lb.
| Measure | Weight limit |
|---|---|
| Median rating | 350 lb |
| Highest rating | 600 lb (Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD) |
| Lowest rating | 265 lb (Acorn 180) |
Stair Lift Weight Limits by Model
Every number here comes straight from the manufacturer's published rating. We don't run our own tests. When a model comes in a heavy-duty version, that means a stronger build of the same lift, made to carry more weight.
| Model | Stairs | Weight limit | Heavy-duty version | Minimum stair width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD | Straight | 600 lb | 28 in | |
| Bruno Elite | Straight | 400 pounds | 28 inches | |
| Bruno Elite Curved | Curved | 400 pounds | 30 inches | |
| Handicare 1000 | Straight | 350 pounds | 440 pounds | 28 inches |
| Harmar Pinnacle SL600 | Straight | 350 pounds | 28 inches | |
| Harmar Helix | Curved | 350 lb | 30 in | |
| Savaria K2 | Straight | 350 lb | 28 in | |
| Stannah Siena 600 | Straight | 350 pounds | 27 inches | |
| AmeriGlide Rave 2 | Straight | 350 pounds | 28 inches | |
| Handicare 1100 | Straight | 310 lb | 28 in | |
| Bruno Elan | Straight | 300 lb | 28 in | |
| Harmar Pinnacle SL300 | Straight | 300 pounds | 28 inches | |
| Stannah Siena 260 | Curved | 300 pounds | 352 pounds | 30 inches |
| Acorn 130 | Straight | 280 pounds | 350 pounds | 26 inches |
| Handicare Freecurve | Curved | 275 pounds | 30 inches | |
| Acorn 180 | Curved | 265 lb | 27.5 in |
How Much Weight Can the Acorn 130 Take?
The Acorn 130 carries 280 lb as standard. Its heavy-duty version goes up to 350 lb, per Acorn.
This lift works on straight stairs only. It fits on stairs from 26 in wide, which is the narrowest fit of any straight model on our list. None of the other 10 straight lifts we compared will fit stairs that narrow.
Reviewers put the installed Acorn 130 at $3,000 to $5,000. Acorn prices each job itself after visiting your home. The manufacturer's warranty runs 12 months.
Picking a Weight Limit for Straight Stairs
Straight-stair lifts mostly carry somewhere from 300 lb to 350 lb. Three straight models go past that:
- The Bruno Elite manages 400 lb; one dealer charges $4,999 for the lift itself, with installation billed separately (Bruno)
- The Handicare 1000 heavy-duty option manages 440 lb (Savaria)
- The Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD manages 600 lb; one dealer charges $7,505 for the lift and another $725 to install it (Harmar)
One trade-off: a bigger rating can mean a lift that sticks out more from the wall once you fold it up. Folded, the SL600HD needs 16.5 in of clearance; the Harmar Pinnacle SL600 needs only 10.5 in. Anyone else climbing those stairs will notice the difference.
How Much Weight Can a Curved Lift Take?
Among the curved lifts we track, ratings start at 265 lb and top out at 400 lb. The Bruno Elite Curved leads at 400 lb, and the Harmar Helix carries 350 lb. The Stannah Siena 260 handles 300 lb, rising to 352 lb in its heavy-duty version, per Stannah.
Because a curved lift is made to match your exact staircase, it costs more. According to the National Council on Aging, having one installed typically runs $8,000 to $12,000. A new straight lift runs $2,500 to $5,000.
Seat Width
Eight of the 16 models publish a seat width; for the others, ask the installer to measure. Your stairs often narrow the field before anything else: straight lifts mostly need stairs 28 in wide or more, and most curved lifts need 30 in at minimum.
What a Straight Lift Costs, Step Count by Step Count
More steps mean a longer rail, and a longer rail pushes the price up a bit. The prices below cover a brand-new straight lift, installation included.
| Straight steps | Rail length | Installed price |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Roughly 10 ft | Roughly $2,500 to $5,000 |
| 13 | Roughly 16 ft | Roughly $2,575 to $5,075 |
| 16 | Roughly 19 ft | Roughly $2,800 to $5,300 |
| 20 | Roughly 23 ft | Roughly $3,100 to $5,600 |
Buying a straight lift secondhand runs $1,500 to $3,000, per the National Council on Aging.
Heavy duty stair lifts compared · Check which lifts fit your stairs