What is a stair lift?
A stair lift is a chair that travels on a rail mounted beside your steps. Someone sits down at the bottom, rides up, and rides down again when ready. Straight staircases suit most models, and some are designed for stairs that curve or turn. Expect to pay $2,500 to $5,000 installed for a new straight-stair lift, according to the NCOA.
- New, fitted, straight stairs: $2,500 to $5,000
- New, fitted, curved stairs: $8,000 to $12,000
- Second-hand, straight stairs: $1,500 to $3,000
- Weight limit you will usually see: 350 lb
How it works
The chair rides a metal track, called the rail, that runs along the steps from bottom to top. A motor carries the seat along this rail. When nobody is riding, the seat folds away so the stairs stay clearer.
Spec sheets give a folded measurement, which is how far the folded chair sticks out from the wall. The smaller that number, the more of the staircase stays free when nobody is riding. Of the 16 models we compared, the Harmar Pinnacle SL600 folds the flattest, to 10.5 inches from the wall. The Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD and the Handicare Freecurve stick out the most, at 16.5 inches.
Will a stair lift fit on narrow stairs?
Every model needs a certain stair width, so start by measuring your stairs from side to side. Straight models generally call for stairs at least 28 inches wide. Curved ones typically want 30 inches.
| Stair width | Straight models meeting the listed minimum width (of 11) | Curved models meeting the listed minimum width (of 5) |
|---|---|---|
| 26 inches | 1 | 0 |
| 28 inches | 11 | 1 |
| 30 inches or wider | 11 | 5 |
For stairs just 26 inches wide, the Acorn 130 is the only straight choice. The Stannah Siena 600 asks for 27 inches. On the curved side, the Acorn 180 is the one model that suits 28-inch stairs, needing 27.5 inches.
How much weight can a stair lift carry?
Each model is rated for a maximum rider weight, and the person using it should stay under that figure. Among the 16 models, 350 lb sits in the middle. The lowest rating, 265 lb, belongs to the Acorn 180, while the top figure, 600 lb, goes to the Harmar Pinnacle SL600HD.
A few models offer heavy-duty versions that carry more. The Acorn 130 tops out at 350 lb instead of 280 lb, the Handicare 1000 at 440 lb rather than 350 lb, and the Stannah Siena 260 at 352 lb rather than 300 lb. The Bruno Elite manages 400 lb as its standard rating.
What a stair lift costs
Most new lifts for straight stairs land between $2,500 and $5,000 once fitted. Second-hand units for straight stairs sell for $1,500 to $3,000. Some quoted prices include fitting, and some cover only the lift, with installation billed separately.
| Model | Heaviest rider | What one dealer or manufacturer charges |
|---|---|---|
 AmeriGlide Rave 2 | 350 lb | $2,249, DIY fitting or pay for installation |
 Handicare 1100 | 310 lb | $3,299, plus a separate fitting fee |
 Harmar Pinnacle SL300 | 300 lb | $3,640 with $725 to install |
 Savaria K2 | 350 lb | $3,790 with $345 to $445 to install |
| Harmar Pinnacle SL600 | 350 lb | $4,655 with $725 to install |
 Stannah Siena 600 | 350 lb | $4,700 and up, fitting included |
Prices that include fitting aren't directly comparable with ones that charge for it separately.
A longer staircase needs a longer rail, and that raises the price a little. Our cost estimates use a standard rail length of 15.5 feet and include an extra charge for longer rails.
| Number of straight steps | Rail length | New lift, fitted |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Can a stair lift handle corners?
There are models for curved stairs, including the Acorn 180 and Bruno Elite Curved. NCOA puts the installed cost of a curved stair lift at $8,000 to $12,000, though some models cost more.
- Acorn 180: 265 lb rating; fitted prices run $8,000 to $15,000, sometimes higher
- Handicare Freecurve: rated 275 lb; $9,999 at one dealer
- Stannah Siena 260: rated 300 lb; from $10,800, fitted
- Harmar Helix: 350 lb rating; one dealer lists it from $10,995
- Bruno Elite Curved: 400 lb rating; expect $12,000 to $25,000, possibly more, with fitting included
How to choose one
Begin with your stair shape, the stair width, and the weight of whoever will ride. Those three answers cut the field down to the models that suit your home.
Warranties are worth a look next, since the cover varies a lot by manufacturer. The Bruno Elan carries a limited lifetime warranty. Acorn offers 12 months. Handicare covers parts for 24 months, and the Savaria K2 covers parts for 36 months, both through your dealer.
Coverage is not the same for every part. The Harmar Pinnacle models cover the gear rack for ten years but the battery for only one, and AmeriGlide covers Rave 2 batteries for just 30 days. Checking what each part gets tells you more than the headline number alone.
Installation differs too. Acorn quotes in your home, while the Rave 2 is sold online by AmeriGlide, letting you do the fitting yourself or bring in an installer.