How Fast Do Stairlifts Go?

From used to new, straight to curved – there are so many stairlifts out there that it can seem stressful to find the right one.

While purchasing a stairlift, you might worry that the stairlift speed will be too fast for you. Alternatively, you might also be concerned that it’ll take you up and down the stairs too slowly.

We understand that buying a new stairlift can be intimidating, which is why we are here to help. You might be wondering how fast stairlifts go and whether or not you can make a stairlift go faster when needed. Thankfully, we’re here to answer those important questions. To learn more about stairlift speeds, continue reading.

 

The Average Speed of a Stairlift

So, how fast does a stairlift go? The average speed of a standard straight stairlift is 0.34 mph, which equates to 0.15 metres per second. Curved stairlifts travel slower, at 0.30 mph – this is due to the turns you have to travel around.

Knowing the average speed of a stairlift before purchasing one is useful. It’s important to know how fast or slow your stairlift will go, especially if you’d prefer one that’s slightly slower.

 

Factors That Affect Stairlift Speed

Regardless of whether you require a stairlift that travels fast or slow, knowing which factors affect stairlift speed is key when deciding which model to go for. Stairlift speed varies depending on a few key factors:

• Seat type (especially automatic swivel seats)
• Weight
• Stairlift model
• Staircase design
• Length of track
• Additional parts

Ultimately, it typically comes down to three main factors that affect your stairlift speed – the type of seat your stairlift has, your staircase design, and the length of your track.

However, the main factor does tend to be your staircase design. If you have a straight staircase, your stairlift is bound to travel at a relatively quicker rate. But if you have a curved staircase, then your stairlift will travel at a slightly slower rate due to the bends and turns.

 

Can You Make a Stairlift Go Faster?

Can you make a stairlift go faster? No, it’s unlikely that you can make your stairlift go faster than its original speed setting.

Stairlifts are designed to travel at a certain speed to ensure safety. By having a relatively slow speed, stairlifts can provide a stable journey for users, preventing any accidents from occurring.

 

Are Straight Stairlifts Faster Than Curved?

No, straight stairlift models are not faster than curved stairlift models. As discussed, straight stairlifts do travel faster up staircases, but this isn’t to do with the stairlift model itself – it’s due to travel time, as curved staircases take longer to get up.

Straight staircases have no bends, turns, or half-landings, allowing your stairlift to travel up the stairs seamlessly and much faster. If you want the quickest route to the top or bottom of your stairs, a straight stairlift would be the best option to consider (only if your staircase design is suitable for this type of model).

 

Reconditioned Stairlift Speed vs New Stairlift Speed

Before we go into detail about whether reconditioned stairlifts are slower than new ones, it’s best that you have a brief understanding of the differences between the two. When people hear the phrase reconditioned, they assume that the item is of lower quality, but this isn’t true. Used and reconditioned stairlifts offer many benefits:

• Environmentally friendly
• Pre-loved
• More affordable
• Tested thoroughly before being re-sold

Whether you want to improve your carbon footprint or have a low budget, reconditioned stairlifts are a great option. At Halton Stairlifts, each of our used stairlifts undergoes testing to ensure their safety and reliability meet our high expectations.

With reconditioned stairlifts having to meet the same high standards that newer models provide, the speed of a reconditioned stairlift is no faster or slower than that of a new stairlift.

Both our new and reconditioned stairlifts travel at a comfortable rate of 0.15 metres per second. This is equivalent to 0.34 miles per hour. Your safety is our top priority, which is why we believe that it’s important for your stairlifts to move at this rate.

 

Find the Perfect Stairlift for You and Your Home

If it’s a struggle to get up and down your stairs, now might be the right time to get a stairlift. At Halton Stairlifts, we have a diverse range of stairlifts which are suitable for a selection of staircase types.

Our stairlifts are designed with a choice of upholstery colours to allow your stairlift to integrate seamlessly into your home’s interior. Our range includes reconditioned, new, straight, curved, outdoor, and hinged rail stairlifts.

All of our stairlifts are thoroughly checked before you buy to ensure they meet our health and safety standards and expectations. With over two decades of experience in this industry, safety and comfort have always been our top priority.

We’re a proud, award-winning company that is Checkatrade-approved. Most importantly, we will beat or match prices that any other stairlift company offers. By prioritising our customers at all times, you can rest assured that you can safely use our stairlifts.

We ensure that our stairlifts move at a safe and low speed to allow our users to have a comfortable, safe journey. Each of our stairlifts is equipped with safety features, such as stop-start controls. You can relax knowing that you’ll be in control of your stairlift speed at all times.

For more information on our stairlifts, contact us today at 0800 644 7766. We’re happy to discuss our stairlift speeds further in greater detail.