A stair lift is an electric chair that runs up and down a staircase on a rail. They are installed in homes for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is when it has become difficult for someone to climb up and down the stairs on their own, due to age, illness, or injury.
Today, we will look into two popular stair lift companies and brands in Canada: Acorn and Bruno. We will discuss the pros and cons of an Acorn vs Bruno stairlift – including pricing, safety, curved options, and warranties.
Acorn Stairlifts
Acorn Stairlifts was founded by John Jakes, a Yorkshire entrepreneur. He started a company called Acorn Mobility Services in 1992, where he improved used stairlifts. He only began to make them in 1994, once the used ones were difficult to source.
Safety Features Of Acorn Stairlifts
- All Acorn stair lifts use a 24-volt DC battery that gets charged through your home’s electricity. This ensures that the stair lift will be accessible during power outages as well.
- Obstruction sensors verify that any objects in the path are detected, and the movement of the chair stops accordingly.
- Governance of speed makes sure that the stair lift will not gain excessive speed in case of a mechanical failure.
- The seats lock into place, allowing the user to safely ride and dismount in a comfortable manner.
- The stair lifts will not move unless the armrests are lowered, due to the armrest locks on the device.
Pros Of Acorn Stairlifts:
- Quoting process is free
- It’s sold directly to consumers
- Next day installation is possible
- Can take less than an hour to install
- Straight and curved stair lift, also outdoor stair lift are options that are available
- It is the only manufacturer to be awarded the Ease of Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation
- Customers have access to a dedicated help desk every day of the year
Cons Of Acorn Stairlifts:
- Extended warranties require additional payments
How Much Are Acorn Stairlifts?
Acorn stairlifts start between $3,400 – $3,900 for straight staircases, and $11,000 – $15,000 for curved staircases.
The price range depends on a variety of factors and services one can take advantage of. One of these services is installing ‘parking’, where one can park their stairlifts after use.
Every stair lift comes with a standard 12-month manufacturer’s warranty, with extended warranties available for purchase.
Bruno Stair Lifts
Bruno Stair Lifts is a family-owned business, founded by Mike Bruno in the 1980s and then passed on to his children. Now the third generation of the Bruno family is employed in the business.
Safety Features:
- There is an ergonomic joystick in the armrest that allows the user to easily maneuver upwards and downwards without any jerking.
- Spatial sensors allow the Bruno stair lifts to sense obstructions in the path of travel, ensuring that they can stop safely if the need arises.
- There are swivel seats that allow for easy entry and exit.
- The seats lock in place, ensuring safety during motion.
- Bruno also has an upgrade that allows the user to control the swivel using a remote control.
- Bruno stair lifts has an audio feature that prompts the user when the battery is low. This gives the user plenty of time to replace the battery.
Pros Of Bruno Stair Lifts
- Compact design and unique vertical rail system
- Certified by ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
- High weight capacity
- Straight, curved, and outdoor options are available
- Industry-leading stair lift warranties
- Straight stair lifts feature a limited lifetime warranty
- Curved and outdoor models feature a 5-year limited warranty
Cons Of Bruno Stair Lifts
- Higher entry costs
- Only available through dealers
How Much Are Bruno Stair Lifts?
Bruno stair lifts start at around $3500-$5000 for straight staircases. Curved staircase models featuring a custom-made rail start at $10,500. Installation is often included in the cost as well.
Since Bruno Stair Lifts are not sold directly from the manufacturer, financing options would vary depending on where you buy them. The upside though, is that local dealers are more likely to have sales and promotions.
The limited lifetime warranty on the straight Bruno Stair Lifts, and the five-year limited warranty on the curved model can offer peace of mind to the user, knowing that they are backed up by the best baseline stair lift warranty in the industry.
So, Which Stairlift Is Better Acorn or Bruno?
Both Acorn Stairlifts and Bruno Stair Lifts have their pros and cons. Both are considered among the best stair lifts in Canada. If you would rather not go through a dealer, than Acorn would be the best route to go. But you can’t go wrong with either choice.
One thing to keep in mind is that there is a Senior Safety Tax Credit for 2021 and 2022 in Ontario. If you are eligible for this, you can get back 25%, up to $10,000. So if you spend $10,000 on a stair lift, you will get $2500 back as a credit. If you live in another province, it is a good idea to find out if there are any tax rebate options for you as well.
Furthermore, assistive medical equipment may be tax deductible depending on your situation. This is another thing you can look into, before making a decision on which stair lift is best suited for your needs.
