Battery or Electric

A stair lift is a device that carries people up and down the stairs. There are several different types of stair lifts made by a variety of manufacturers. When you purchase a stair lift, you can purchase either a battery powered one or an electric powered one.

Battery powered units still plug directly into the wall, but the electric current is used to charge the batteries. The batteries are what actually powers the unit. These are great if you live in an area that frequently looses power. This will ensure that even if the power goes out, you will never be without your stair lift. Most modern units charge continuously, but a few models still require you to park the lift in a "charging position." Try to stay clear of models that only charge in one position and instead find a unit that continuously charges.

Electric units receive their power directly from the wall. These units will not work if the power goes out, but you do not have the added expense of changing batteries. They also typically cost less then a battery powered unit of similar type.