Brand comparison
Stair lift brands in Canada: Stannah, Acorn, Bruno and Handicare compared
Four stair lift brands cover most of the Canadian market: Stannah, Acorn, Bruno and Handicare (part of Savaria). As of October 2026, Stannah's Canadian prices start at $4,700 for a straight lift and $10,800 for a curved one; the others quote after a free home visit, and a straight lift typically costs about $3,000 to $6,000 installed.
Last reviewed 2026-10-13
Do this next
You've watched your parent take the stairs one at a time, gripping the rail, and you've started dreading the phone call about a fall. They don't want to move, and you don't want them to either.
A stair lift is often what makes staying possible. The hard part is that every company says it's the best, and the sales visit can feel rushed. This page sets the four main brands side by side, so you know what to ask before anyone comes to the house.
Our take: The brand matters less than who installs and services it near your parent. For a straight staircase, get one quote from a company that sells direct (Stannah or Acorn) and one from an independent dealer (Bruno or Handicare). On a curved staircase, quotes can differ by thousands, so two written quotes aren't optional.
How do the stair lift brands compare?
| Brand | Made in | How it's sold in Canada | Starting price (CAD) | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stannah | UK, family business since 1867 | Directly by Stannah Canada and through 16 accredited distributors | Straight from $4,700, curved from $10,800, outdoor from $6,300 | Lifetime on the motor and gearbox of new lifts bought direct | Families who want a long-established maker and published prices |
| Acorn | UK factories, since 1992 | Directly, from its Canadian office in Burlington, Ontario | Quote after a free survey of about an hour | Ask for it in writing; not published | A quick install, with next-day installation available |
| Bruno | USA | Through authorized local dealers | Not published in Canada; US prices start around US$4,000 straight | Limited lifetime indoors, 5 years outdoors | Heavier users (Elite carries 400 lb) and outdoor stairs |
| Handicare (Savaria) | Owned by Savaria, Laval, Quebec | Savaria stores in parts of Canada, and dealers elsewhere | Quote-based | 24 months on parts plus a lifetime powertrain warranty | A wide range, from the low-cost K2 to the twin-rail 4000 for curves |
Prices and warranties are from each maker's own Canadian or North American site on October 13, 2026. Bruno lists prices only in US dollars, for the US. Installed prices across all brands in our directory: about $3,000 to $6,000 for a straight lift and $10,000 to $20,000 or more for a curved one.
Stannah: who it suits and where to buy
Stannah has built lifts since 1867 and stair lifts for more than 50 years, and it's still a family business. It's the only brand of the four that publishes Canadian starting prices.
Stannah sells directly and through accredited distributors, who must complete its installation and service training. Its lifetime warranty on the motor and gearbox applies to lifts bought directly from Stannah, so ask a distributor about its own terms.
Models: Straight, curved and outdoor stair lifts, with an optional powered swivel seat and over 200 style combinations. Stannah also makes Uplifts through-floor home lifts.
Stannah on Senior Care Path (17)
Showing 2 of 17 businesses
Acorn: who it suits and where to buy
Acorn has made stair lifts since 1992 and builds them in its UK factories. In Canada it sells directly, from an office in Burlington, Ontario, so one company measures, installs and services the lift.
Its lifts fit to the stairs rather than the wall and need no structural changes. Acorn also offers StairSafe, a system that lets family see the lift is being used.
Models: Acorn 130 for straight stairs, Acorn 180 for curved stairs, and an outdoor 130. An optional hinged rail removes the trip hazard at the bottom of the stairs.
Acorn on Senior Care Path (14)
Showing 2 of 14 businesses
Bruno: who it suits and where to buy
Bruno is a family-owned American maker whose stair lifts are made in the USA and sold only through trained, authorized dealers. In Canada, that means you buy from a local mobility or accessibility business.
It stands out on capacity: the Elite models carry 400 lb, and the outdoor versions are built for exterior stairs. Some dealers offer rentals or rent-to-own.
Models: Elan (straight, indoor, 300 lb), Elite straight indoor and outdoor, and Elite curved indoor and outdoor (400 lb).
Bruno on Senior Care Path (5)
Showing 2 of 5 businesses
Handicare (Savaria): who it suits and where to buy
Handicare is one of the best-known stair lift names, and since 2021 it has been part of Savaria, the Canadian accessibility company. Savaria sells and services it from its own stores in parts of Canada and through dealers elsewhere.
Curved Handicare lifts are made to measure, and Savaria says most can be made in about one week, faster than many curved lifts.
Models: Straight: Handicare 1100 (a quiet friction drive with no gear rack), 1000 (heavier users), and the low-cost K2 and K2 Plus. Curved: Freecurve (single rail), Handicare 4000 (twin rail, powered swivel and footrest) and the basic Stairfriend 23.
Read our full Handicare (Savaria) guideHandicare (Savaria) on Senior Care Path (12)
Showing 2 of 12 businesses
How do you choose between stair lift brands?
Direct seller or independent dealer?
Stannah and Acorn can sell to you directly, so one company owns the whole job. A dealer for Bruno or Handicare may carry several brands and can compare them for your stairs. Either works; what matters is a technician near your parent in year five.
Straight stairs: compare price and service
Straight lifts are made from a standard rail cut to length, so the brands are closer than the sales pitch suggests. Compare the written price, the warranty, and how fast each company says it will come for a breakdown.
Curved stairs: compare the rail and the wait
Each curved rail is made for your staircase. Ask how long it takes to make, whether the seat swivels and folds by power, and whether the rail can park out of the way at the bottom.
Protect your parent from pressure sales
Don't let a parent sign alone on a first visit. Ask for the quote in writing with the model, rail, installation and warranty, and be wary of a price that's only good today. If you can't be there, join the visit by phone or video.
Questions families ask about stair lift brands
What is the best stair lift brand in Canada?
There's no single best brand. Stannah, Acorn, Bruno and Handicare all make reliable lifts; the better choice is the one with a trained installer and fast service near your parent, at a fair written price.
How much is a Stannah stair lift in Canada?
Stannah Canada lists straight stair lifts from $4,700, curved from $10,800 and outdoor from $6,300, as of October 2026, with prices subject to change. A free home survey gives the exact price.
Is Acorn or Stannah better?
Both are long-established British makers that sell directly in Canada. Stannah publishes starting prices and a lifetime motor and gearbox warranty for direct buyers; Acorn quotes after a short free survey and offers next-day installation. Get both quotes for the same stairs.
Are Bruno stair lifts sold in Canada?
Yes, through authorized dealers. Bruno lifts are made in the USA, carry a limited lifetime warranty indoors and 5 years outdoors, and the Elite models carry up to 400 lb.
Is Handicare still in business?
Yes. Savaria bought Handicare in 2021, and Handicare stair lifts are still made and sold through Savaria stores and dealers in Canada.
Do stair lift brands differ much in price?
Less than the staircase does. A straight lift typically costs about $3,000 to $6,000 installed in Canada and a curved one $10,000 to $20,000 or more, whatever the brand.
Sources
- Stannah Canada: stair lift prices
- Stannah Canada: warranty
- Stannah Canada: accredited distributors
- Acorn Stairlifts Canada
- Bruno: stair lifts
- Savaria: stair lifts (Handicare)
- Savaria: home accessibility FAQ (warranty)
Senior Care Path is independent and isn’t affiliated with any of these brands. Prices are from the sources above on the review date; your quote depends on your home and needs.
Compare all stair lift providers