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Acorn Stair Lifts

4 Stars (114 Reviews)
Updated: January 25, 2023
By: Jonathan Trout
Jonathan Trout
Content Manager
Jonathan is a former product and content manager for Retirement Living. His background spans sales/marketing, finance, and telecommunications. Jonathan’s expertise in consumer wellness and research-backed data stories helped educate seniors on financial planning, retirement, and community resources. Jonathan graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Environmental Sociology.
Content Manager
Edited By: Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith
Sr. Content Manager
As Retirement Living’s senior content manager, Jeff oversees the product and publishing of all retirement, investing, and consumer wellness content on the site. His extensive expertise in brand messaging and creating data-driven stories helps position Retirement Living as a top authority for senior content and community resources.
Sr. Content Manager

For over 25 years, Acorn has worked to set new standards in both quality and innovation in the stairlift industry. Acorn Stairlifts has grown to become the world's leading independent company specializing solely in the manufacture and installation of stairlifts, pioneering designs and high engineering standards. Acorn was the first company to introduce DC batteries to power their stairlifts during a power outage.

Editorial Breakdown

Customer Service 4.3 Stars
Customization 3.8 Stars
Warranty 4 Stars
Price 4.5 Stars

Overall Rating 4 Stars

Bottom Line

Acorn designs and sells three models of stair lifts – one for straight stairs, curved stairs and outdoor use. Its stair lifts are designed to easily mount on your stairs instead of the wall and require no structural changes to your home. Check out our picks for the best stair lift companies by clicking the link below.

Acorn Stair Lifts Review

Since 1992, Acorn Stairlifts has helped over 600,000 customers in 80 countries. The company that we named as having Great Installation in our Best Stairlifts Buyer’s Guide reports that an Acorn stairlift is installed somewhere in the world every eight minutes. With the U.S. headquarters in Florida and a network of stairlift surveyors and engineers all over the country, the U.K.-based company keeps their product line simple with three stairlifts: Straight, Curved and Outdoor. Acorn manufactures and installs every stairlift, and there is never a need for structural changes to your home.

Pros

  • Installs in under one hour
  • The only manufacturer awarded the Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation
  • Customers have access to a dedicated help desk every day of the year

Cons

  • Weight limits at 280 and 350 pounds are lower compared to most other stairlifts

Acorn Stairlifts Products

All three Acorn stairlifts are designed to be attached to the staircase and not the wall, so remodeling isn’t necessary. Acorn is the only stairlift company offering the FastTrack installation system featuring a variety of modular interlocking rails custom fit together to follow the flow of your staircase. With FastTrack, a curved stairway can typically be installed within a few days after the customer places the order, instead of waiting for weeks for the production of a full-length custom rail. FastTrack rails are easy to install as well, so you can use your Acorn stairlift within a couple of hours after the installers arrive at your home.

  • The Acorn 130 straight stairlift is designed for straight staircases and is the most affordable of the three models. It uses electricity very efficiently.
  • The Acorn 180 is a customizable curved-rail stairlift, one of the few curved models on the market that require no structural changes before installing.
  • The Acorn 130 Outdoor stairlift comes with a weather-resistant cover and stops automatically if any debris should fall or blow into the track.
Acorn Stairlifts Models, Capacity and Features
Model Type Capacity Features
Acorn 130 Straight Stairlift 280 to 350 pounds Inertia seat belt
Acorn 180 Curved Stairlift 265 pounds No remodeling required
Acorn 130 Outdoor Outdoor Stairlift 280 to 350 pounds Weather-resistant cover

Acorn Stairlifts Costs

While you can get an idea of the cost of a stairlift from our Cost of Aging in Place Remodeling Projects chart, your home and staircase are unique, so you will need an in-home survey to get a firm estimate. Acorn offers a free one-hour, in-home survey with no obligation to buy a stairlift. An experienced surveyor comes to your home at a time you select to measure and photograph your staircase. The technician takes the time to understand your mobility needs and to explain the best options. The surveyor has samples of Acorn’s stairlift rails, paddle switches, remote controls, and other key components and will answer any questions as well as provide you with a detailed quote.

It is recommended you budget around $2,500 to $5,500 to have a stairlift installed in your home. Many homeowners choose a stairlift model in the range of $3,000 to $4,500.

Acorn Stairlifts Safety Features

Acorn 130

Acorn 130, Source: Acorn Stairlifts

Aside from a seat belt, each Acorn stairlift comes standard with carriage safety pads and footrest safety edges which stop the stairlift if there is an obstruction on the track. The stairlift won’t move if the seat is not correctly aligned, and an over speed governor and safety gear prevent uncontrolled descents down the stairs.

If the household power goes out while the stairlift is in use, a battery backup takes over, so you are never left stranded on the stairs. The DC battery continuously charges, so it’s always ready to function, but can wear out like any other rechargeable battery. Acorn Stairlifts will send a replacement quickly, but there is no warranty for the cells.

Acorn Stairlifts Warranty

All three Acorn stairlift models come with a 12-month manufacturer guarantee covering service calls, parts and labor. The warranty also includes a full-service check of your stairlift near the end of your first year of ownership, including a comprehensive 25-point check of all major components. The company also offers a wide range of annual service agreements and extended warranties.

Where to Buy Acorn Stairlifts

Acorn sells directly to the public to keep their prices down. Contact Acorn Stairlifts to arrange for a quote by using the form on the website to provide your name, email, address and phone number. You can also call a representative at the number provided on the site to get questions answered and to schedule a free home survey.

Acorn Stairlift Complaints

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives Acorn Stairlifts an “A+” rating and has accredited the company since 2003. Acorn has a 4.8 out of 5-star consumer rating on the BBB website with 1,070 reviews. The BBB lists sixty-eight complaints, the majority made by family members wanting refunds after the stairlift user died or went into a senior living facility. Acorn Stairlifts responded to each person.

ConsumerAdvocate.com gives Acorn Stairlifts 9.5 out of 10 stars. ConsumerAffairs lists 141 consumer reviews with an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars. While there are some 5-star reviews, most cite issues with frequent malfunctions, customer service and waiting up to a week or more to get a stairlift repaired.

1Dental services

Acorn 130, Source: Acorn Stairlifts

Acorn Stairlifts FAQ

  • Will an Acorn stairlift work with my staircase?
    Acorn can almost always install a stairlift regardless of whether your staircase is curved or straight, indoors or outside, long, narrow, or steep. To learn about your options, schedule a free, no-obligation, in-home survey.

  • Are Acorn Stairlifts easy to operate?
    Yes. Acorn stairlifts operate with a paddle control on the arm of the seat or via handheld remote control. The paddle is pressed and held in the direction of travel for the lift to operate.

  • I have a narrow staircase, should I consider an Acorn stairlift?
    Acorn has stairlift options for narrow staircases:

    • A slimline model uses less space
    • Folding seats and footrests to keep the stairlift out of the way when not in use
    • A hinged rail option swings the stairlift around and off to the side at the top and bottom of the stairs
  • Can an Acorn stairlift work on a staircase with multiple landings?
    There are a few options for using an Acorn stairlift on a long staircase with one or more sub-landings. Options are a curved stairlift, a transfer platform or using multiple straight stairlifts.

  • What is the recommended maintenance for Acorn Stairlifts?
    Acorn recommends cleaning the stairlift rails with a dry cloth weekly. They also advise customers to vacuum the steel-toothed rack mounted on the track regularly. Finally, Acorn recommends yearly servicing to expand the lifespan of the stairlift.

  • How can Acorn install their stairlifts in days rather than weeks like some other companies?
    Acorn’s FastTrack rail system is unique as it allows even the most complex curved stairlift configurations to be fitted on site by their skilled engineers in just a few hours. An Acorn stairlift fits on your staircase, not the wall, so there’s minimal disruption to your home with no renovations.

Conclusion

Installing a stairlift and taking other fall-prevention measures can keep you safe and living in your home. Many hospitals use the patient’s degree of stair-climbing ability to decide if they can return to their home or go into assisted living or a nursing home. In these cases, an Acorn stairlift can be a game-changer. Having an Acorn Surveyor come to your house won’t cost you anything and a stairlift can be up and running in a few days if you opt to buy one.


114 Acorn Stair Lifts Reviews

Write Review
1 Star

February 24 2024 1:09AM

This is the formal complaint I filed against Acorn Stairlift with the Better Business Bureau regarding its failure to provide timely service for my 93-year-old mother's stairlift in Sioux Falls, SD. My mother has been relying on this stairlift for years, and when we recently had new floors installed, two of the supports had to be unscrewed. We promptly contacted Acorn to request assistance in re-attaching the lift supports on January 15, 2024. However, despite numerous calls and assurances, we have yet to receive any satisfactory resolution. After multiple attempts to reach out, we were finally connected with Mike, who claimed to be the top contact at Acorn. Unfortunately, the conversation with Mike and my husband this week was extremely unpleasant, and even after several weeks, we are still unable to get Acorn to come and repair the lift.

It is imperative to note that this stairlift is my mother's sole means of accessing essential areas of her home, including her freezer, extra food, and laundry. The prolonged delay in service has severely impacted her daily life and independence. It is unacceptable that Acorn Stairlift cannot fulfill its obligation to service lifts in Sioux Falls. If they are unable to provide adequate support in this area, they should cease selling their products here altogether. At this point, we are not seeking monetary compensation; rather, we demand that Acorn fulfills their contractual obligations promptly. It is evident that Acorn Stairlift is in breach of contract, and we urge the Better Business Bureau to intervene and ensure that appropriate action is taken to rectify this situation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We trust that the Better Business Bureau will investigate this complaint thoroughly and assist us in achieving a resolution.

KAREN M.
Denver, CO
1 Star

January 31 2024 4:20AM

We’ve owned an Acorn Chairlift installed since 2010. We had it installed for my mother-in-law. She passed way in 2013. The lift worked fairly well over those three years. We kept the lift due to a family member with chronic pain. After the first three years, the lift has been inoperable most of the time. We’ve had 3 service calls. The first 2 restored proper function, but for only a week or two. At the end of the last service call, the technicians told us they couldn’t figure out what was wrong, and left. I’ve given up on paying for service.

The electronics in these chair lifts aren’t that complicated, and the environmental and operating/functional use environments are very benign. There is no good reason for such poor reliability and short service life for solid state circuitry, and simple power supply interconnection. In my opinion, the poor reliability we’ve experienced is due to incomplete design. I would not recommend an Acorn Chairlift to ANYONE FOR ANY REASON. In my opinion, given the low complexity and benign use environments for both the mechanical and electronic components in these devices, except for battery replacement, these chairlifts should operate 50 years failure free.

David J.
Beavercreek, OH
1 Star

January 19 2024 6:38PM

They have cancelled 3 times with me and every time it's a problem with the tech. I think they don't have someone that can service the equipment. I am so sorry I purchased the chair through them. I can't get up and down my stairs without the lift. I was pushed into getting the warranty and the lady said if something goes wrong with the lift it will come out of my pocket, being elderly I was scared not to get it. PLEASE PLEASE listen to the reviews with this company and don't purchase the equipment. I am going to talk to my attorney to see if there is something that can be done, this is breach of contract in my opinion. People please listen.

Freida B.
Rincon, GA
1 Star

December 06 2023 12:15AM

They should 100% be ashamed and need to be put out of business. My parents had the chair installed for my elderly father who is basically dependent upon canes and walkers. It was installed and paid for in full two years ago. They have ONE number to call if you need anything. Well, it has broken no less than 5 times in two years and it is impossible to schedule an appointment in a timely fashion. My escalated call was handled four calls later and this fool tells me....the service call was set for December 21- I am doing you a huge favor for scheduling the 14th.

The issue is, now both parents are no longer able to to get up and down the stairs and these people have ZERO lack of compassion and gratitude for having jobs because of their customers. Clown I finally spoke to was Anthony...told me if I had any trouble, call the same number I have been calling. I asked if the number goes to scheduling department, because their website states 24/7 365 service, which is a total mistruth to put it mildly. He said they do not give out the scheduling number, the only number the public gets is the technical support number well, you are dealing with pretty much old, non tech savvy folks (my parents anyhow). So, waste of money. Save your money- get anything BUT an Acorn lift. I have all documents to back up my complaints. Thank you.

Robin O.
Chapin, SC
2 Stars

October 18 2023 8:05PM

I find all complaints to be valid. I have had a custom lift since 2013. Installation, flawless. Operation very good. Service agreement very poor. They do want you to buy but they are very reluctant to do their part unless you need something. They grudgingly will give you the Annual Inspection that you pay for. Pleasant, yes, but effective they aren't. It is too bad that a company with such good equipment acts as though they couldn't care less unless their equipment is at fault.

My advice is don't buy service agreement unless you really think you need it. I am considering stopping it. I don't need it and, after ten years they know it. I had it installed for my wife before she passed away in 2014. I use mine to bring up groceries but my money is the same as everyone else's. Not Acorn's role to decide who does or does not require their attention. They apparently have better things to do. Shape up Acorn.

Robert M.
New Castle, PA
4 Stars

August 18 2023 5:50PM

The stairlift, when it works, is excellent. I have had problems with it 3 times in 2023. When I call for service, the customer service people are polite and helpful. However, getting someone to answer in scheduling is difficult. They never call back and you have to keep trying until someone answers the call.

Once they get here the technicians are knowledgeable and fix the problem. I did get a maintenance contract and I would have thought since I had one they would give me preferential treatment. No.

Joan M.
SUNSET BEACH, NC
3 Stars

July 06 2023 11:26PM

My initial experience with Acorn and the installation went fine. All this was completed in August 2021. I called a year later as per my service agreement to have the maintenance done. I have called at least a half a dozen times since then.

It is now July 2023 and Acorn has yet to send anyone out to do the routine maintenance. It makes it difficult to re-recommend them when they don’t follow through with their half of the bargain.

Whenever I do speak with someone, they notice that my service agreement has expired and they ask me if I want to renew it. Why should I renew it when they haven’t even followed through with the initial agreement?

Adrian H.
Cayucos, CA
1 Star

June 20 2023 3:58PM

This company is a sales-based organization ONLY. They have no service if your product doesn't work. They have left an 82-year-old woman with no lift, now going for 5 days. It is elderly abuse is what they are doing. They say they will call back. It is a lie that they never call back because they have no service. They are only interested in sales.

Thomas P.
CHARLOTTE, NC
1 Star

June 19 2023 5:27PM

Do not deal with this company. All they do is pester elderly people to invest with their cover plan load of trash. My father of 92 does not require this plan.

The stairlift came through their sister company confirming no extra cover required pests. Hope this reaches the UK crafty that's leave the UK out of listing. Expensive & clueless.

Chris H.
Grimsby, UT
1 Star

April 10 2023 7:42PM

I would never ever recommend this Acorn Stairlift to anyone or their insurance for maintenance, nor this company, ACORN. I purchased in Oct of 2022, shortly after it broke, that is the chair would stop and go, then stop again. It took me several tries to get someone to fix it.

I canceled one time due to Covid, I did not want anyone in the home, then each time I scheduled the company changed the date for some reason, finally had to beg for extension of insurance. Finally got maintenance out, he stated it was a swivel actuator and he replaced it.

Now about a month later it broke again. When I go upstairs or downstairs the switch to move the chair, on the armrests, may work or it may not. So half the time I get stuck halfway up, and sometimes arm switch won't work at all. Now I do not have insurance, I would never renew.

Final opinion Never buy this product, $3200.00 for a sometime chair, not worth $100.00. Really shop around. There are much better companies.

Rex L.
San Antonio, TX