Best Stairlifts in 2025
The best stairlifts for 2025 feature lightweight materials that are long-lasting and glide effortlessly from one point to another. These stairlifts come with everything their users need, with safety-enhancing features at the top of the list.
Living in a house with a second floor presents obstacles for the elderly and people with disabilities in accessing their whole home. Safety features ensure that family members or anyone who rides on the lift will make it to their destination safely. Convenience features, such as a battery backup or a folding footrest, ensure a comfortable and reliable ride.
The following are the top stairlift (or “chair lift”) models for 2025 to take you or your loved one from one level of your home to another with ease.
1. Harmar Stairlift Models
Harmar stairlifts have earned a reputation for being very low maintenance, making them great choices for anyone looking to buy a stairlift. Their smooth track system ensures a hassle-free ride from one level of the home to another. Harmar stairlifts are reliable in power outages, lasting up to another 60 trips on battery power.
Two of the top stairlifts from Harmar are The Pinnacle SL300 and The Pinnacle SL600. Both of these models work well in two-story homes with wide or narrow staircases.
SL300 Pinnacle Straight Stairlift
The SL300 Pinnacle Straight Stairlift will give you the confidence to safely ride up and down the stairs. It has a lifting capacity of 300 lb and is one of the most compact stairlifts in the industry.
Some of the specifications that make this stairlift model stand out are:
Weight Capacity: 300 lb
Safety Features: Comfortable armrest, footrest, and a seat belt that ensures a smooth and safe ride
Safety Standards: Complies with ASME A18.1; ASME A17.5
Extended Period Warranties: While this chair doesn't feature lifetime warranties, it comes with a 10-year warranty for the motor and gear, providing peace of mind.
SL600 Pinnacle Straight Stairlift
The Pinnacle straight stairlift is ideal for heavier individuals who live in two-story homes with narrow stairways. It has a larger seat to accommodate plus sizes and weights and can be folded down to 10.5 inches in width when not in use. This provides plenty of space for other members of the household to use the stairs.
Some of the specifications that make this stairlift model stand out are:
Weight Capacity: 350 lb
Safety Features: Centrifugal overspeed brake, swivel seat cut-off switch
The lightest stairlift on the market: When installed, the entire system, including 16 feet of track, weighs only 180 lb.
SL600HD Pinnacle Straight Stairlift
The SL600HD straight stairlift is similar to the SL600 model but has a higher lifting capacity of 600 lb. It comes with a high back, stationary armrests, a wider chair, and a reinforced footrest.
2. Merits Stairlift Models
Merits manufactures elegant and easy-to-use stairlift models. The two stairlift models that stand out from the crowd are the Pilot Aviator and Pilot Navigator. Due to their universal design, installation can be done on either the right or left side of the stairs.
Pilot Aviator Straight Stairlift
The Pilot Aviator Straight Stairlift is a stylish, tasteful, yet affordable stairlift for modern homes. This chair is highly rated for safety.
Some of the specifications that make this stairlift model stand out are:
Weight Limits: 350 lb (300 lb with hinge option)
Incline Limits: 25 degrees to 55 degrees
Safety Sensors: 5 safety sensors as standard
Safety Devices: Overtravel prevention, motor brake, key switch, retractable seat belt, armrest, swivel seat safety switches, OSG (over speed governor)
Extended Period Warranties: Motor/Gear: 5 years, Parts: 2 years
Pilot Navigator Curved Stairlift
The Pilot Navigator Curved Stairlift is built utilizing the advanced technology of 3D tube bending. This offers a sturdy and smooth ride for users while reducing the number of joints in the rail.
Many of the specifications are similar to the Aviator model, with a few variations including weight capacity and incline limits.
Weight Capacity: 265 lb (350 lb with HD option)
Incline Limits: 0 degrees to 52 degrees
Safety Sensors: ASME A18.1/A17.5
Safety Devices: 5 safety sensors as standard
Overtravel prevention, motor brake, key switch, retractable seat belt, armrest, and swivel seat safety switches, OSG
Extended Period Warranties: Motor/Gear: 5 years, Parts: 2 years
3. Bruno Stairlift Models
Bruno Stairlifts is a family-owned business that is set on enriching the lives of individuals with mobility issues. Bruno products include wheelchair lifts and stairlifts.
Below are some popular models that provide a reliable and safe solution for indoor and outdoor stairways.
Elan Straight Stairlifts
Elan straight stairlifts are custom-built to fit your walls exactly. They boast a vertical and narrow rail design, which leaves plenty of room for others to climb up and down the stairs.
Some of the specifications that make this stairlift model stand out are:
Weight Capacity: 300 lb
Design: Combination of modern design, capability, and simplicity of use
Safety Features: Seat swivels that rotate up to 90 degrees, ensuring a safe exit, and protective and retractable seatbelts and sensors that detect any obstructions along the way
Limited Lifetime Warranty (2-year warranty on all parts)
Elite Outdoor Stairlifts
Elite outdoor stairlifts are designed exclusively for exterior use. Outdoor stairlifts are great for helping mobility-impaired individuals get up front door stairs or household exterior stairs.
Some of the specifications that make this stairlift model stand out are:
Weight Capacity: 400 lb
Design: Upholstered in marine-grade vinyl with a comfortable seat and arms that are waterproof and weather-resistant
Safety Features: Obstruction sensors, seat belts, and wireless controls
Limited Lifetime Warranty: 5-year warranty for major components of the stairlift: motor, gearbox, and rail
Curved and Straight Stairlifts: What's The Difference?
Straight stairlifts are a perfect solution for two-story or multistory homes with straight staircases. They are a straightforward mobility device that is installed on the stairs, not on the wall. The chair is compact and folds up easily, making the staircase accessible and roomy enough for everyone living in the home.
A curved staircase will need a curved stairlift to accommodate the bends, corners, and contours of the staircase structure. Curved stairlifts are sometimes designed with customized rails that assist the lift in navigating erratic turns or sharp angles on the staircase.
For straight staircases with landings or turns, it is more cost effective to install two or more straight stairlifts than a single curved stairlift. For example, a home with seven stairs, a landing or “turn,” then seven more stairs would be best opting for two straight stairlifts.
When installing a curved or straight stairlift, it's important to gauge how much space you have available at the top and bottom of your stairs. This calculation will prevent obstructions or tripping hazards at the top and bottom landings.
It is highly recommended to schedule an in-home consultation with a trusted mobility equipment sales expert for guidance on models when looking to buy or rent a stairlift. Their team can then help you with professional installation.
Stairlifts are one of the top aging-in-place home modifications that make life safer, easier, and comfortable for mobility-impaired people. Studies show that stairlifts, along with other common aging-in-place modifications, improve safety and satisfaction, and reduce falls and the fear of falling (pages 14 and 19 of the PDF). Finding the right stairlift type for your staircase is a top priority.
Choosing the Best Chair Lift of 2025
The best chair lift in 2025 for your home depends on your preferences, the nature of your staircase, and the safety features you need. You should also consider your budget and whether you will rent, buy a new stairlift, or buy a used unit.
The following sums up the strengths of the three stairlift bands we have covered here:
Harmar stairlifts are renowned for being very low maintenance and surviving long power outages.
Merits stairlifts are easy to use, elegant, safe, and accommodate high weight capacities.
Bruno stairlifts have both indoor and outdoor models of stairlifts that are weather-resistant, durable, and comfortable.
Home modifications that include installing a stairlift will help you or a mobility-challenged person in your home become more independent. Without having your stairs cause any more restrictions to mobility, you or your loved one will feel like they are "back on their feet again" and enjoy all the little comforts that come with being able to move freely throughout the house.