If you’re wondering which heavy duty stairlift is the best for you, take a look at this post. In this post we’re going to deep dive into the two main stairlifts we use when a heavy duty stairlift is required. Our main stairlifts which carry a heavier weight are the Bruno heavy duty stairlift and the Platinum Ultimate.
We like these models because they are high quality stairlifts for the heavier than average person. So if a standard stairlift has a lower weight capacity than you need, you might need one of these lifts for your mobility needs.
Also of note are the Stannah 600 (up to 25 stone) and the Stannah 260 (up to 21 stone).
Which Is Best Best Heavy Duty Stairlift For You?
Our two main lifts for heavier than average users are the Platinum Ultimate and the Bruno. The Bruno heavy duty stairlift has a higher weight capacity than the Platinum, covering up to 30 stone. Whereas the Platinum Ultimate carries up to 25 stone.
However the Platinum Ultimate is much better when it comes to a narrow fitting than the Bruno. You can compare the two lifts side-by-side in the pictures below. The Platinum is on the left and the Bruno is on the right.
Which Heavy Weight Stairlift Is Best For You?
In most cases the specifications you need will give you the right stairlift for you. If you’re over the weight limit (or close to it) of the Platinum, we would recommend the Bruno. However, the Bruno is a much heavier build than the Platinum and this has a negative pay-off if you require a less bulky stairlift and rail system. If your staircase doesn’t cope with the Bruno, you may need a Platinum if you’re under the weight limit of 25 stone for it.
The Platinum has a much slimmer single rail, rather than the heavier Bruno one. Both models have wider seats too, which can affect installation space. Here’s a Platinum installation we did recently in which the Bruno wouldn’t have fit because of the narrow space and the back to knee measurement of the client. Even with the Platinum, this one was close because of the narrow staircase and tight corner at the top.
With the Bruno, the rail would have pushed the chair too far forwards so not to have left enough leg room.
What If A Heavy Weight Stairlift Doesn’t Fit Your Stairs?
In certain cases a heavy weight stairlift might not fit on a certain staircase, due to its larger size and heavier duty rail. In these scenarios you may have to seek alternative arrangements such as having a platform lift installed. This is an elevator which travels directly up and down in a elevator shaft. These are considerably more expensive to have installed in your home, but they are an option.
If you’re under the weight limit of a slim stairlift, such as the Flow X, this is the best stairlift for a very narrow staircase. These can take up to 19.6 stone in weight. A Stannah 600 can take up to 25 stone if you have a straight staircase and a Stannah 260 can take up to 21 stone if you have a curved staircase.
Stannah’s tend to be good on narrow staircases and can carry up to 25 stone with a straight staircase. Here’s a couple of Stannah’s both on straight and curved stairs:
Summary
Our main heavy duty stairlifts are the Bruno and Platinum stairlifts, however, Stannah 600’s cater for up to 25 stone in weight and the Stannah 260 carries up to 21 stones. Bruno has the largest weight capacity of 30 stone, but this means it’s a much larger lift, with bulkier rail too, and wider seat. This can create problems if you have a narrow staircase. So if there is a problem with a narrow staircase for the Bruno, we often use the Platinum stairlift which is a little more nimble and can turn and pivot while travelling.
We always recommend getting a very accurate weight measurement if you’re considering a heavy weight stairlift, and we will take your back to knee measurement to make sure one will work for your staircase before we go ahead with an order.
Give us a call for a free assessment on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page and leave us a message.
See also our YouTube channel for some of our installation videos.