If you’re on the fence over buying a stairlift, you may be wondering what are the best alternatives to stairlifts? If a stairlift isn’t the best immediate solution, there’s a few alternatives you can consider. While a stairlift can offer greater mobility in your home, you may not need (or want) to completely rely on a stairlift. If your mobility doesn’t require such a move, there’s alternatives which can help you on the stairs at a more affordable cost.
In many cases stairlift alternatives are only temporary solutions and a stairlift is the best and safest solution for you or a loved one.
Give us a call with any questions you might have about installing a stairlift if your home.
Call 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page and leave us a message.
Alternatives To Stairlifts- Reconditioned Stairlifts
If a brand new stairlift is financially prohibitive, there’s always the option of reconditioned stairlifts. Reconditioned stairlifts give you a lower cost option while retaining the quality assurance. At UK Stairlifts we offer new and reconditioned stairlifts from as little as £1,250.
We only choose high quality stairlifts to recondition and offer a 2 year warranty on each one. So if there’s any problems down the road with maintenance or parts, we have you covered!
There’s also grants available for help with the cost of a stairlift, if you quality. Contact your local council to apply for a stairlift grant.
Alternatives To Stairlifts- Handrails & Grab-Rails
If you’re struggling with mobility in your home, a simple solution is a handrail or grab rail. These little lifesavers can give you the reassurance you need if you’re looking for some assistance. Hand rails can be fitted throughout your home on staircases, in bathroom and in kitchen wherever they are appropriate.
They give you some extra sturdiness if you’re starting to lose your mobility but are not quite in need of a stairlift. They are also a cheap alternative to a stairlift and easily fitted.
Alternatives To Stairlifts – Stair Climbing Aids
Stair climbers are a stair climbing aid which is similar to a handrail, but with a protruding bar you keep hold of as you ascend and descend the stairs. It is fixed to the bannister rail and slides up or down to support you as you climb or descend the staircase.
These stand up stair aids have a variety of names such as “stair assist”, “stair aids”, TOPRO Step, ASSI Step, “Stair Steady” Stair climber and so on. They are a good alternative to a stairlift if you’re still fairly mobile. They are cheaper than a stairlift and have no need for mains power.
Best Alternatives To Stairlifts – Stair Climbing Cane
Stair climbing canes are a cheap alternative to stairlifts if you’re still mobile but require some assistance on the move. There’s a variety of options for canes from a single cane to multi pronged canes with multiple feet giving you more support and reassurance on the stairs.
Stair Climbing Electric Wheelchairs/ Battery Powered Portable Stairlift
Certain wheel chairs are designed specifically for climbing stairs. They are a suitable alternative particularly if you need to tackle staircases outside of your home. A portable stairlift can be relatively cheap depending on the complexity of the lift. Cheaper versions of the portable chairlift need to be physically handled and motorised versions which don’t need handling are more costly.
Stairlift vs Alternatives – What’s Best for Your Home?
Below is a simple comparison of the most common mobility options, from low-cost aids through to full home access solutions.
| Solution | Cost Level (UK) | Best For | Pros | Limitations | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walking aids & grab rails | 🟢 Low (£20–£300) | Mild mobility issues, early support needs | Very cheap, quick to install, improves balance and confidence | Doesn’t remove need to climb stairs, limited support | Good short-term support, but often not enough long-term |
| Stair climbing aids (handrails, stair assists, canes) | 🟢 Low (£50–£500) | Users who can still manage stairs with effort | Affordable, no structural work, easy to install | Requires strength and balance, still involves full stair use | Useful transitional aid, but not a full solution |
| Stairlift (installed) | 🟠 Medium (£1,250–£5,500+) | Most people with ongoing stair difficulty | Safe, reliable, quick installation, independent use, long-term solution | Requires sitting transfer, needs space on stairs | ✔ Best overall solution for most homes |
| Mobile stairlift (portable / no installation) | 🔴 High (£1,250–£4,500+) | Temporary use, travel use, or rental situations | Portable, no installation required, flexible use | Requires assistance in many cases, less stable, not ideal long-term | Good temporary solution only |
| Platform lift (wheelchair lift) | 🔴 Very High (£8,000–£25,000+) | Full-time wheelchair users | No transfer required, fully wheelchair accessible | Expensive, bulky, requires significant space and installation work | Best for wheelchair users who cannot transfer safely |
Walking Frames
Walking frames can be a great option to help you climb a staircase. A specific stair climbing “walker” like this one has legs which retract or expand as you climb up or down. These are lightweight aluminium and easy to fold away when not in use. Press the button on the handle to expand or contract the moving legs.
Access Ramps
An easy way to avoid using a stairlift is to put in a ramp. This is a good alternative if you’re a wheelchair user. Access ramps make it easy to access low level staircases, such as single or double step up to a doorway.
Platform Lifts
A platform lift is a good option for wheelchair users, as they don’t require transferring between seats. However, they can be expensive, bulky, and may require building work. A platform lift can be fitted to the wall like this model or be encased in a “box” and move directly up and down from floor to floor.
Redesign – Move Your Bedroom/toilet Downstairs
Do you really need your top floor or can you move the bedroom or bathroom downstairs? Often it can be a better solution to redesign your living space to avoid the staircase altogether! Do you have a downstairs bathroom/toilet and do you have a room which you could use for a bedroom which helps you avoid the stairs?
Downsize To A Bungalow
Of course there’s another option which is moving home to a smaller house with no stairs. This isn’t always the most attractive solution, especially if you’ve lived in your home for years. Moving home is pretty expensive and traumatic too, but it can be an option for some.
Summary
Some alternatives to stairlifts are only temporary solutions, and in most cases a stairlift is the best long term solution. If you’re unsure which option is right for your home, we can provide honest advice and professional stairlift installation quickly across the UK.
Give us a call on 0800 046 3438 with any questions and we’ll do our best to help. Or, visit our contact page and leave your details.