Lift chairs are a real godsend for the elderly and those suffering from joint and muscle issues, both of whom find it hard to go from sitting to standing and vice versa.
Yes, that simple act that looks like second nature for most of us can seem like a difficult bodybuilding exercise for those who are mobility-impaired, which is why lift chairs, which make sitting down and standing up a breeze, were invented.
Now, if you’re sold on the idea of getting one, you still have to choose the best lift chair for elderly, one that checks some critical boxes for such a product, such as the dimensions, the weight capacity, the safety, the material, and, of course, the durability. All of those factors will determine the comfort that the chair provides and how long it will last in your house.
Worry not about choosing, as we’ve already reviewed hundreds of models in this category and brought you the crème de la crème of lift chairs, which you’ll find below along with our buying guide.
So, without further ado, here are the top candidates for the title of the best lift chair for the elderly.
Best Lift Chairs for Elderly: Comparison table
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 09:45 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Ashley Furniture Signature Design – Yandel Power Lift Recliner
The faux leather Yandel Power Lift Recliner from Ashley Furniture is the epitome of comfort and durability. The exterior of this lift chair is upholstered with polyurethane, which, although soft to the skin, is still pretty durable and will ensure the longevity of your new piece of furniture. Most users rave about the unique feel that this chair provides: it’s plush, but not overly plush; thus hitting that sweet spot of firmness and comfort that users love.
- POWER LIFT RECLINER: Style and functionality merge in this dual motor lift recliner; With the touch of a button, the power lift eases you back for the ultimate lounging experience
- PLUSH COMFORT: Designed for comfy support with a high back, thick cushions and faux leather upholstery; Armchair has sturdy corner blocked frame and a metal reinforced seat
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 09:45 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You can assemble this lift chair single-handedly in less than an hour of arrival, as it comes with a well-laid-out user manual and all of the tools that you need to put it together. The only thing that you need to keep in mind before going with this product as your best lift chair for the elderly is that you need a doorway of 30 inches or wider to get it inside your house.
As far as the dimensions go, this fine piece of furniture will accommodate the needs of most people, as the seat measures 19 inches in width and 25.5 inches in height, making it perfect for skinny, heavyset, short, and tall users. Add that to the overstuffed leather armrests, and you’ve got yourself a winner when it comes to comfort and accommodation.
To control the recliner, all you have to do is use the included wired controller, which can be hidden in a pocket on the side of the piece so that it doesn’t ruin the overall décor of the room. The footrest in this lift chair extends independently from the recliner, which is a feature that we truly appreciate, as you can have your feet out without having to lie down.
To show how much they trust in their product, the people at Ashley Furniture offer a five-year warranty with this lift chair, which is one of the most extended warranties we’ve seen.
Pros
- Comfy faux leather
- Five-year warranty
- Easy assembly
Cons
- May feel too firm for some users
2. Pulaski Montreal Lift Chair
Compared to the other lift chairs on our list, the Montreal Lift Chair from Pulaski is pretty compact. Couple that with the fact that it doesn’t feature the plush padding found in other models, and you’ve found yourself an ideal lift chair for short users, especially knowing that users roughly over five feet can touch the floor when the lift is engaged.
- Outstanding comfort and style meets world class construction for a lift chair that does it all
- With unparalleled style this lift chair is contemporary, cool, and blends seamlessly into any family living room
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 09:45 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Not only is this chair small, but it’s also lightweight as the frame is made of plywood rather than steel. You needn’t worry about durability either, as the lift mechanism itself is made of steel. Furthermore, the Pulaski lift chair is upholstered with polyester instead of faux leather, making it softer to the touch and easily breathable.
The feature that sold us on this chair is the built-in battery backup, which will automatically return the chair to its starting position in case of a power outage.
It’s worth noting that some users didn’t like the lack of cushioning, notably in the backrest, and felt like this piece of furniture can be rather uncomfortable with little to no lumbar support. The armrests are also quite narrow, which is a big turnoff for users with wide arms.
The Pulaski Montreal Lift Chair comes with a one-year warranty, which isn’t impressive, to be honest.
Pros
- Polyester upholstery
- Built-in battery backup
- Compact and lightweight
Cons
- There is a lack of cushioning
3. BONZY Lift Recliner
If you’re looking for a model that balances a reasonable price with excellent comfort, the BONZY Lift Recliner is the best lift chair for the elderly that you can get. With a compact design, this chair is easier to fit into small rooms and can perfectly accommodate the needs of short people, but considering that there isn’t much room between the seat and the top of the chair, tall users may find it kind of uncomfortable. Despite being small, this chair has a weight capacity of up to 330 pounds, making it an excellent choice for heavy users.
- ➤User Friendly- Remote Control allows for recliner/lift to work with ease. This is ideal for those with medical handicaps, women who are nursing, the elderly or the extreme loungers.
- ➤How the Lift Works: The chair lifts up then slightly tilts in order to allow a gentle slide in order to assist the user into standing upright without putting stress on back or knees.
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 09:45 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Assembly is a breeze in this chair, as it only takes one step to complete in under one minute. To control the lift and reclining functions, you can use the included wireless remote, which can be stored in a pocket on the side of the chair.
As for the material, this lift chair from BONZY is upholstered with a combination of polyurethane and PVC, which form a faux leather material that’s softer than typical synthetic leather. Not only does this upholstery look good, but it also feels slightly fuzzy and linen-like.
Now, for the inconveniences, besides not offering a lot of length between the top and the seat, this features a footrest that doesn’t recline independently of the backrest, so you’ll have to either sit upright or lay at a reclined angle when using it.
The BONZY lift recliner comes with a three-year limited warranty on the frame and reclining mechanism, which, although not as long as that of the Ashely Furniture chair, is still pretty extended.
Pros
- Effortless one-step assembly
- Weight capacity of 330lbs
- Linen-like faux leather
Cons
- The footrest doesn’t lift independently
4. Merax Power Recliner and Lift Chair
The Merax is a widely-loved lift chair that users admire for the great comfort it offers. With a wide 19-feet seat and plush pillow armrests, this lift chair is relatively large and comes with a thickly-padded headrest for extra comfort. The padding of this chair is one of the best that you can find, as it provides enough float for users to not sink into the chair without being too firm. Talk about comfort, huh?
- Lean Back and relax in the Merax power Recliner and lift chair
- [SOFT CONSTRUCTION] Upholstered in smooth high grade PU Leather and Filled with ultra-soft deep foam pillow top polyester throughout the entire chair
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 09:45 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Now, for the upholstery, this chair uses polyurethane leather, which is both elegant and durable but can be sticky in hot weather. Nevertheless, it still feels cool to the touch when you first sit down, and the indentations in the backrest can help with the airflow.
As far as the lift mechanism is concerned, this lift chair can recline to any angle down to almost flat, and the footrest reclines independently of the backrest.
The biggest issue with this lift chair is the warranty, as the terms are not clearly stated in the warranty guide, which may be a turnoff for some people, especially that several users reported having some issues with the lift motor and a lack of communication from Merax’s customer support team. Other than that, this model is still pretty durable and can be the best lift chair for the elderly if you’re looking for a large chair that’s cushy and comfy.
Pros
- Plenty of padding and support thanks to the plush faux leather
- The footrest reclines independently of the backrest
- Elegant-looking
Cons
- The terms of the warranty aren’t clear
5. Harper&Bright Designs Lift Chair
If you’re on a tight budget or you’re simply looking for an inexpensive model that you can try before getting a high-end product, we can confidently recommend the Lift Chair from Harper&Bright Designs as the best lift chair for elderly that you can get.
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 09:45 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Compared to the other products on our list, this model from Harper&Bright is relatively narrow, with just 16.5 inches in width. Despite that, it has an impressive 330-pound weight capacity. Although skinnier users found the seat to be well-padded, most customers noted that some additional padding in the headrest would make the support and comfort better.
Just like most of our recommendations, this lift chair can recline up to 160 degrees and comes with a footrest that works independently of the backrest.
The Harper&Bright lift chair is upholstered with polyurethane synthetic leather with a microfiber weave to make the material more breathable. Unfortunately, that doesn’t quite make up for the limited airflow due to the lack of deep air grooves in the backrest.
Just like Merax Power Recliner and Lift Chair, the terms of the warranty that comes with this model aren’t clear, which means that you’ll have to get in touch with Harper&Bright if you face any issue.
Pros
- Affordable
- Breathable faux leather
- The footrest works independently
Cons
- The terms of the warranty aren’t stated
Choosing the Best Lift Chair for Elderly – Buying Guide
Now that you know which life chairs we recommend in every category, it’s time for you to pick what works best for you through our buying guide, in which we’ll break down the essential feature that you must consider when looking for the best lift chair for elderly.
Upholstery Material
The upholstery material determines how comfortable a lift chair is, which means that this factor will probably make or break your experience with the best lift chair for the elderly. Not only will the upholstery material determine how soft the chair will feel to the touch, but also whether it is breathable and whether or not it’s going to be sticky on a hot day.
Most lift chairs available today are upholstered with synthetic or faux leather, mainly polyurethane, which is cheaper than genuine leather while being equally aesthetically-appealing. Synthetic leather is also soft to the touch, comfortable against the skin, has a long lifespan, and difficult to stain.
Does that mean that synthetic leather is perfect?
Not really, as it’s not the best material when it comes to breathability, and it may start to feel sticky if you use it for long periods of time on hot days.
Some models, such as Pulaski Montreal Lift Chair, are upholstered with polyester, which, although more comfortable and breathable than synthetic leather, is behind in terms of durability.
Dimensions
The measurements, including those of the chair and the seat, are a critical factor to consider when looking for the best lift chair for the elderly, as the chosen product must accommodate the size of the user as well as the room.
It goes without saying that lift chairs are larger than regular chairs, which means that you must pick one that can fit where you plan to put it when looking at the different models. Remember to account for the space taken by the piece when it’s both lifted and fully reclined and to budget the extra space needed around your lift chair.
Besides the overall size of the chair, you also need to consider the size of the seat, which will determine how comfy the chair will be for the user. While some chair seats are narrow and ideal for skinnier users, others are wide and more suitable for heavyset people. You also need to keep the height of the lumber pad into account.
So, when looking for the best lift chair for the elderly, choose one that can accommodate your height while keeping in mind that you’re likely going to sink into the seat when sitting down and reclining.
Weight Capacity
The weight capacity is another essential factor to consider, especially for the elderly who are on the heavy side. Most models available on the market can seat people of up to 300 pounds in weight, but some lift chairs, such as the ones from Merax and Harper&Bright, are capable of seating people up to 330 pounds.
It’s imperative to stay within the weight limit of the lift chair for two reasons:
- First, you’re going to avoid accidents and injuries.
- Second, you’ll extend the lifespan of the chair and the lift motor.
Safety Features
Although not obvious, the safety features are yet another critical factor to consider. You need to think about how well the chair will behave in case of a power outage or an unexpected emergency. Some models, such as the Pulaski Montreal Lift Chair, feature a built-in battery backup to return the chair to its upright position in case of a power failure. Even if your chair doesn’t have such a feature, you must determine how you’re going to operate the chair in case of such an emergency beforehand.
Verdict
Getting the best lift chair for the elderly can really make your life easier if you suffer from joint pain or muscle fatigue, but it’s essential to take your time and consider every factor we mentioned above before choosing the ideal model for you.