Stairlift Alternatives: What Else Can You Consider?

A stairlift does not fit every house or every budget. Narrow staircases, short-term injuries and rented homes all rule one out, and there are several alternatives that work in those cases.

Below are the best stairlift alternatives, with what each one costs and where it works.

What can you use instead of a stair lift?

The alternatives that still carry you between floors:

1. Home Lifts (Residential Elevators)

• Suit people with severe mobility problems
• Available as shaftless, space-saving, or full-size models
• Carry you between floors
• May suit homes with multiple storeys or long-term accessibility needs

A home lift takes the stairs out of the equation altogether, though it needs floor space on both levels.

2. Platform Lifts

• Built to transport users (especially wheelchair users) without requiring them to transfer seats
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
• Commonly used in commercial buildings and homes with few steps or split-level layouts

A platform lift moves a wheelchair between levels without anyone having to transfer seats.

3. Wheelchair Lifts

• Compact enough for a tight hallway or landing
• Accommodate users in wheelchairs without requiring a full-sized elevator
• Useful in public buildings or homes where permanent installation is possible

How can I get up the stairs without a stairlift?

If a lift is not the answer yet, these aids help on the stairs.

1. Stair Climbers

• Motorised or manual devices that help users ascend or descend stairs while seated or with a wheelchair
• Most are portable and need no permanent changes to the staircase. A carer operates some models; others are controlled by the user.

Stair climbers work where a rail cannot be fitted: rented homes, narrow staircases and curved flights.

2. Mobile Stairlifts

• Fold down for short-term use or travel
• Useful when full installations are not practical
• Some models are compatible with wheelchair stair climbers

3. Half-Step Aids

• Provide intermediate steps for people with limited mobility
• Allow easier access up or down without a full stairlift
• A cheap option for people with mild difficulty on stairs

Are there stair lifts that need no installation?

Options that need no permanent installation:

• Portable stair climbers (as mentioned above)
• Access ramps cover a few steps or a threshold, and can be temporary
• Grab rails and handrails add support for people who can still walk the stairs

These suit:

• Rented properties where changes aren't allowed
• Short-term recovery after surgery or injury
• Users who prefer minimal disruption to their home

None of these need building work, and all can be removed when they are no longer needed.

What are the alternatives to stair climbers?

If stair climbers do not suit, other options are:

Ground Floor Living

• Moving your bedroom and other essentials to the ground floor means you no longer need the stairs.
• Works best in one-storey houses or split-level homes
• Often combined with accessibility upgrades like grab rails, wet rooms, or perching stools

Access Ramps

• Replace steps at entrances or internal split levels
• Give wheelchair users a safe transition where there were steps
• Available as permanent or portable ramps

Perching Stools

• Useful for anyone who tires quickly or cannot stand for long
• Commonly placed in hallways, bathrooms or kitchens

Cost-effective and budget-friendly alternatives

Lower-cost options:

• Stair climbing canes add stability where balance is the main problem
• Grab bars and handrails are the cheapest way to make a staircase safer
• Reconditioned stair aids, including second-hand stairlifts
• Stair climbing aids give mechanical support at a lower cost

These cost little to maintain and need no installation work.

Which alternative fits your home?

When considering stairlift alternatives, factor in your:

• Mobility level
• Staircase type (e.g., spiral staircases, narrow stairs)
• Budget
• Willingness or ability to make home modifications
• Long-term vs. short-term needs

If the stairs are a permanent problem and the budget allows, a home lift or platform lift is the durable answer. If the problem is temporary or money is tight, grab rails, half-step aids and moving a bed downstairs will usually do the job for a fraction of the cost.

If a home lift is the better fit, compare options at UK Home Lifts.

This page is part of Look Into's UK household cost research. For the costed figures behind it, with capture date, method and sources, see the UK Stairlift Price Index.