An independent comparison of every major stairlift brand available in the UK. We cover pricing, build quality, warranty, curved staircase capability and who each brand is best suited for.
Updated May 2026 · Written by Jacob Whitmore, Founder of Review Mobility · Independent, not sponsored
Quick answer: Stannah is the best overall choice for most UK buyers, offering the longest warranties (up to 10 years) and the most reliable curved stairlift engineering. Acorn is the best budget option for straight staircases. Handicare offers the best value in the mid-range. Brooks is manufactured by Acorn and sold through independent dealers. TKE Solutions (formerly ThyssenKrupp) offers strong mid-range options with 2-year warranties.
UK Stairlift Brands at a Glance
| Brand | Straight Price | Curved Price | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stannah | £3,300 – £4,500 | £4,200 – £10,000 | Up to 10 years | Curved stairs, long-term reliability |
| Acorn | £2,000 – £3,000 | £4,000 – £6,000 | 1 – 5 years | Budget straight, fast install |
| Handicare | £2,000 – £3,500 | £4,000 – £7,000 | 2 years | Mid-range value, slim designs |
| Brooks | £1,650 – £3,000 | £3,500 – £5,000 | 1 year | Budget option via independent dealers |
| TKE Solutions | £1,715 – £3,500 | £4,000 – £5,560 | 2 years | German engineering, mid-range |
All prices include installation and assume 0% VAT (most stairlift buyers qualify). If you do not qualify for VAT exemption, add 20%.
Stannah
Stannah is the UK’s most recognised stairlift brand. The company has been family-owned since the 1860s and manufactures in the UK. They offer the widest range of models, the most customisation options and the longest warranties in the industry.
Strengths
Stannah’s twin-rail mechanical levelling system is the gold standard for curved staircases. Every rail is custom-manufactured after a detailed home survey, ensuring a precise fit regardless of staircase complexity. Their warranties cover the motor and gearbox for up to 10 years, the longest in the UK market. They offer reconditioned stairlifts through their own approved programme, and have both a direct sales team and a dealer network.
Weaknesses
Stannah is the most expensive brand for straight staircases. Their installation process is slower than Acorn’s (1 to 3 weeks lead time for straight, 3 to 6 weeks for curved). The premium is worth it for curved staircases but harder to justify for a simple straight flight where a cheaper brand will perform comparably.
Best models
The Stannah 600 is their flagship curved stairlift, handling virtually any staircase layout. The Stannah Sofia and Siena are their straight models, with the Siena offering a slimmer footprint for narrow staircases.
Acorn
Acorn is a global company with operations in over 80 countries. They sell direct to consumer only (no dealers) and use a modular manufacturing approach that keeps costs lower and installation times short.
Strengths
Acorn is typically the cheapest option for straight staircases. Their modular system allows for same-day or next-day installation, which is a genuine advantage for urgent needs such as hospital discharge planning. The single-rail design takes up less space on the staircase than Stannah’s twin-rail system.
Weaknesses
Acorn’s electronic levelling system introduces more potential failure points as the stairlift ages compared to Stannah’s mechanical approach. Warranties are shorter (1 to 5 years). They do not offer reconditioned units and sell direct only, which limits your servicing options to Acorn’s own engineers. Their curved stairlifts handle standard curves well but may struggle with complex multi-turn layouts.
Best models
The Acorn 130 is their core straight stairlift (also sold as the Brooks Lincoln through independent dealers). The Acorn 180 is their curved model.
Handicare
Handicare (now part of Savaria) is a Swedish-origin company offering a strong mid-range alternative to the big two. They have a good reputation for reliability and their slim stairlift designs are popular in homes with narrow staircases.
Strengths
Handicare’s Freecurve is one of the slimmest curved stairlifts on the market, making it ideal for narrow staircases. Their straight models (Handicare 1000 and 1100) offer good value in the mid-range. They sell through a network of independent dealers, giving you more local servicing options. Their Trustpilot rating of 4.4 out of 5 reflects generally positive customer experience.
Weaknesses
Less brand recognition than Stannah or Acorn in the UK. Standard 2-year warranty is shorter than Stannah’s. Availability of local dealers varies by region.
Best models
The Handicare 1100 is a reliable and affordable straight stairlift. The Handicare Freecurve is their standout curved model, designed for narrow and complex staircases. The Handicare 2000 covers outdoor installations.
Brooks
Brooks stairlifts are manufactured by Acorn and sold through a network of independent dealers. The product is essentially the same as the equivalent Acorn model but purchased through a different sales channel.
Why this matters
Buying a Brooks stairlift through an independent dealer means you have local after-sales support rather than relying on Acorn’s direct service team. Some buyers prefer the relationship with a local company. Prices can vary, and independent dealers may offer their own extended warranties or service packages on top of the manufacturer’s warranty.
Key models
The Brooks Lincoln is the equivalent of the Acorn 130 straight stairlift. The Brooks 180 curved is equivalent to the Acorn 180.
TKE Solutions (formerly ThyssenKrupp)
TKE Solutions is the rebranded stairlift division of the German industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp. They bring German engineering principles to a competitive mid-range price point.
Strengths
Competitive pricing starting from £1,715 for straight models. German engineering heritage with solid build quality. 2-year warranty covering parts and labour. Good range covering straight, curved and outdoor installations.
Weaknesses
Less established brand name in the UK compared to Stannah and Acorn. Smaller service network. The brand transition from ThyssenKrupp to TKE Solutions has caused some confusion in the market.
Key models
The TKE Flow X is their straight stairlift. The TKE Flow 2 handles curved staircases.
How to Choose the Right Brand
For a straight staircase on a budget
Acorn or Brooks offer the lowest prices. Get quotes from both plus at least one Handicare or TKE Solutions dealer to compare. The product differences between brands on straight staircases are smaller than the price differences suggest.
For a curved staircase
Stannah is the safest choice for complex curves. If your staircase has a simple single turn, Handicare’s Freecurve is worth quoting as a more affordable alternative. Always get at least three quotes for curved installations as pricing varies dramatically.
For long-term reliability
Stannah’s mechanical levelling system and 10-year warranty make it the clear choice if you expect the stairlift to be in use for many years.
For urgent installation
Acorn’s same-day or next-day installation capability is unmatched. If you need a stairlift fitted quickly, Acorn should be your first call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best stairlift brand in the UK?
Stannah is the best overall brand for most buyers, offering the longest warranties, the widest model range and the most reliable curved stairlift engineering. Acorn is the best budget option for straight staircases.
Which stairlift brand is cheapest?
Brooks stairlifts start from £1,650, making them the cheapest option on paper. However, Brooks stairlifts are manufactured by Acorn so the product is essentially the same. Acorn’s own direct pricing starts from around £2,000. TKE Solutions starts from £1,715.
Are all stairlift brands equally safe?
All stairlifts sold in the UK must meet BS EN 81-40 safety standards. Every brand listed here meets these requirements. Differences in safety features (powered swivel, pressure-sensitive controls) are model-specific rather than brand-specific.
Should I buy from the manufacturer or an independent dealer?
Both have advantages. Manufacturers like Acorn and Stannah offer direct support and standardised pricing. Independent dealers may offer more flexible pricing, local servicing and the ability to compare multiple brands side by side. Always get quotes from both routes.
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