Lift chairs are powered chairs that have a mechanism that lifts you up into standing position, with just the click of a button on a remote that is attached to the chair. The good news in this best lift chair guide is that they are no different than normal armchairs in terms of appearance. In fact, they are generally much more wider and padded than the normal ones, to ensure that you are comfortable when you’re watching your favourite TV show or just engaging in some daily conversation.

Lift chairs are ideally for individuals who have difficulty sitting down and standing up but who can, even with the help of a walking frame, walk around in the house and carry out daily chores. They are also a perfect addition for individuals who have moved in with their families, as the carer can have peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is able to sit and stand without them having to monitor them all day.

Lift chairs come in all sorts of sizes, each with different characteristics. For example, some may have footrests while others may not. The footrests on some of the lift chairs can be operated separately from the backrest of the chair, while on others they can only be operated at the same time. Some may have a built-in massage system and a heating backrest that will soothe your back muscles, giving you are more relaxing experience. Others may come with a tray, with some including a separate pillow to be placed in the small of your back for added comfort. Most lift chairs give you the opportunity to lock your lift chair in a few different positions, depending on whichever way you feel most comfortable with.

No matter how big or small your house is, you will most definitely be able to find one in this best lift chair guide that fits the layout and size of your home. There are lift chairs that are smaller and more compact than others; these are generally for smaller people, while big, hefty ones with a longer seating area are for much taller individuals.

 

Pride Mobility Lift Chair Essential Collection LC-105

The Pride Mobility Lift Chair Essential Collection LC-105 is made of soft suede material, that will provide you with added warmth in the winter months. The softness of the material promises a cosy sofa. It comes with spongy soft pillow that is already sewn onto the backrest, which ensures that your back is pain-free even when seated on the sofa for long periods of time.

It is able to recline into 3 different position; backwards (the sofa is in a horizontal position), straight (normal seating position) and an extending footrest. Unlike other lift chairs with footrests, the Pride Mobility Lift Chair Essential Collection LC-105, has added padding between the seat and the footrest, providing your feet with a smooth transition from a downwards position to a horizontal one. The padding also gives your feet added support, eliminating any risk of having your feet caught it the transition area. The footrest is designed to take any distress you may feel in your knees, from prolonged periods of sitting down.

The Pride Mobility Lift Chair Essential Collection LC-105 is ideal for the elderly who have the minimal strength of pulling oneself out of the seat. It is also perfect for individuals who have had a surgery and who do not have the full strength to use a manual recliner. It does not arrive as readily assembled, however putting it together is an easy process, as long as you are able to follow the instructions manual. Once it is put together, it is easy to use, as the whole seat is controlled from a single button. It extends into a horizontal position, enabling the user to sleep on it if one desires. Although, long term sleeping is not advised, as the seats padding is not thick enough to provide prolonged comfort. It will definitely not ruin the lay out of your living room, as it resembles a regular puffy sofa. It is light in weight and therefore can be easy pushed around, if you wish to move it aside when it is not in use. The microfiber fabric is durable, and will last you a long time. As it makes standing up an easy and effortless process, it is perfect for when you want to transfer from your sofa into your wheelchair and back again.

The maximum weight that the sofa can handle is 300lbs, so make sure that your own weight does not exceed this, as using the seat with a large weight capacity may cause danger to your health, with a risk of tipping over.

 

Mega Motion Lift Chair Easy Comfort Recliner LC 200 3 Position Rising Electric Power Chaise Lounger

The Mega Motion Lift Chair Easy Comfort Recliner LC 200 can recline into 3 different positions. It can handle a maximum weight of 329lbs, and is amongst the stronger lift chairs with this ability. It comes with an integrated battery emergency backup, to ensure that you are able to use your lift chair even if the primary power fails. The frame of the Mega Motion Lift Chair is made of hardwood, which gives it its strong solid structure. The lifting mechanism is made of heavy duty steel, providing it with its capability to carry heavier individuals. Its seat is made of 100% polyester, that is hard-wearing and will last you for a long time. It is ideal for individuals with a height range of 5’4” to 6’1”.

Although the Mega Motion Lift Chair comes unassembled, its assembly is really easy as no tools are required. All you have to do is follow the instructions in the manual. It is a small lift chair and so is the ideal one for houses with limited space. It allows the user to stand up without putting too much pressure on the body, making it the perfect chair for the elderly or individuals who have just had surgery. It is also the perfect chair for dementia sufferers who generally have the tendency in forgetting how to be mobile. This chair will give them the capability to somewhat look after themselves for a bit longer. The control is a large square device that can be easily gripped and used to move the chair to whichever position you require. The largeness of the control also aids individuals with tremors, as they will be able to get a good grip of it. If the user of the chair is living with a caregiver, it also takes away a considerable amount of weight off of them too, as they will be able to make the user stand up without bending over and picking them up. The Mega Motion Lift Chair is thoroughly padded, giving it extra comfort and making it ideal for sleeping in.

The Mega Motion Lift Chair is not a lift chair that you should buy if you are planning to use it for a long time, because even though used by individuals under the 329lbs weight limit, it has shown signs of disintegration. The weakness of the chair can also be identified in the arms which tend to move about, suggesting that it is not ideal for individuals who have multiple sclerosis who may have severe tremors and occasional dizziness. It is one of the rare lift chairs that do not work with a battery but need to be plugged into an electrical socket. This means that the seat needs to be positioned in an area within the house with a socket nearby. It also suggests that if there is a power cut, the chair will not be functional. Users may also realise that the back of the chair may show some signs of instability when the feet are taken off the floor.

 

Infinite Position Lift Chair Recliner (LC-100)

The Infinite Position Lift Chair Recliner (LC-100) works entirely on electricity. It has two motors, giving it its strong power to recline and lift up. The frame of the lift chair is made of hardwood and its mechanism is made of steel, making it a strong sturdy one with a capability of carrying a maximum weight of 325lbs. it has a built-in emergency battery backup system, to ensure that it is fully functional, even when the main power source fails.

It is the perfect lift chair for individuals who are suffering from minor or major back and leg pain when trying to stand up and sit down. It has three separate motions, as the chair itself is able to move up and down, the footrest moves up and down and the back of the seat is able to move back and forth. The mechanism makes no noise whatsoever when moving. It comes with an extra cylinder pillow that can be used to provide added support for your lower back. A single pocket is available on the side of the lift chair, that allows you to store all you need ready at hand or you can even store your control here. Ideal for the elderly, and for people who are suffering from MS, ALS or for people who have been through surgery.  The control is easy to use. It is unique as the footrest can be operated separately from the remaining mechanics of the chair. So, if you want to put your legs up you can do only that without the backrest moving. It is an ideal size, so not too big to take up too much space in the room, and not small, preventing the individual from having any moving space.

The Infinite Position Lift Chair Recliner (LC-100) has a tendency to stop working abruptly. However, this issue can be easily fixed by just unplugging the lift chair from the electrical socket and re-plugging it again. So, it is important that you keep the transformer box close at hand, in order to be able to get it working as soon as it stops. The back and leg rests cannot be moved simultaneously, so you will have to move one before the other. Due to the fact that the movement of the chair is quite slow, this may be a source of distress for some individuals. It is best to remember that the chair is slow in moving, especially at times where you may need to get up quickly, such as when you need to go to the bathroom. Another issue occurs when you recline the chair all the way back into an almost horizontal position, as a considerable gap is formed between the backrest and the armrest. The leg rest cannot be lifted all the way up into a straight position and slightly slopes, so you may need to add a cushion to give it an added lift.  The control is a bit more complicated than other lift chairs, as instead of having a single button it has two separate ones; one that makes the seat go up while the other makes it go down. The padding in the back support is quite thick and may cause some discomfort if the seat is used for a long time.

 

The Perfect Sleep Chair- Lift Chair and Medical Recliner Duralux II Microfiber

The Duralux II seat is made of microfiber which gives it its softness, providing in with a cosy comfortable seating area. It functions as three separate chairs: a sleeper chair, lift hair and medical recliner. You can use it in any way you desire, by setting it to sit up, lay down and stand up. The back rest of the seat heats up to ease the pain in your back and it also comes with a massaging backrest, with several different settings that you can set with a controller. The heating characteristics of the lift chair come in two different settings. The padding in the seat is thick and spongy, providing you with ultimate comfort. It is ideal for those days where you just do not want to leave your warm seat and get into bed. It comes with a separate 9V battery to ensure that you are able to use your lift chair even if the electrical system fails. It is strong and sturdy and promises to last you for a long time. It is ideal for individuals between the height range of 5’4” and 6’2”. It can carry a maximum weight of 375lbs. The seat is 20” wide, 21.5” deep, and 20” high, while the top of the seat back is 29” from the seat.

The Duralux II Microfiber seat is a unique one, as it has several different functions, including its massager and heat providing ability that soothes the muscles in the user’s back, providing ultimate relaxation.

 

Drive Medical 3 position Geri Chair Recliner, Rosewood

The 3 position Geri Chair Recliner can move in three different ways; it can straighten out, allowing the user to stand up, it can outstretch into a horizontal position and has a footrest than can ascend and descend. It has a lock bar that ensures that the chair is stable in the position that you choose to use it in. There is a moisture barrier on the seat of the lift chair that prevents any slippage that may occur as a result of perspiring while sitting  on the chair for long periods of time. The armrests are big and padded to provide you with ultimate comfort. Rather than being at a straight vertical angle, the armrests are slightly slanted to give the user that added support even when in the reclined position. The steel mechanism and frame of the lift chair gives it its durability, suggesting that it will last for a long time. The panels on the side can be effortlessly taken off for wiping down. It also has a tray that can be secured into five separate positions and can also be stored away to the side of the chair when not in use.

The 3 position Geri Chair Recliner by Drive Medical is the perfect chair for those suffering from dementia, as they have the tendency to forget where they are, the tray keeps them seated and safe. It is also ideal for individuals who are suffering my MS, ALS and Parkinson’s disease who find it difficult to sit up. The chair is able to recline all the way back into a horizontal position, making it perfect to sleep in, however after the second recline positon the tray needs to be taken off. The 3 position Geri Chair Recliner is sturdy and promises to last you for a long time. It also makes feeding time an easy process, as the patient does not have to leave the seat to sit around a table, but can in fact, stay seated without spilling anything anywhere apart from the tray that can easily be wiped down.

A major issue on the 3 position Geri Chair Recliner is that the safety locks are only available on the two back wheels, so the user is not entirely stable and can move the chair back and forth as a result. However, this can be sorted by purchasing additional wheels with locks, that can replace the two at the front.  The chair recliner is also not mechanical but is entirely manual and therefore needs getting used to. This also suggests that individuals suffering from loss of strength will not be able to use the seat on their own, but will need some assistance. The footrest cannot be elevated separately from the back rest, and is only able to rise when the back is reclined. The tray’s surface is not entirely smooth, and is slightly crinkly, meaning that when liquids are poured onto the tray it may need a bit more effort to clean. The 3 position Geri Chair Recliner is quite heavy and may need two separate people to move it.

 

Why Do You Need One?

You may need a lift chair if you’re finding it difficult to stand up from a seated position. This may be due to feeling minor or major pain in your legs or back, or if you’ve just had a surgery and are going through a recovery period. Your surgery does not only have to be leg-related, but you may also have had a shoulder or arm surgery and can benefit from the remote-control feature of a lift chair, as you will not have to place all your body weight on your arms when standing up.

You may also feel the need to use a lift chair if you’re suffering with balance issues, as a result of having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It is also the perfect piece of mobility aid equipment to buy for individuals such as the elderly who are living by themselves and can carry out their everyday activities with the help of a walker once standing up, as well as for the elderly who are living with their family or in a care home. The lift chair will take some pressure off the carer, as they will not have to monitor the user consistently but can undertake other chores that need to be done in the house.

You may also prefer to purchase a lift chair if you are suffering from minor or major pains in your back and would like to soothe these with the help of a massager or a heating system built-in to the backrest of the lift chair. The systems integrated into the lift chair are much cheaper than renovations you would prefer to make to your bathtub for the same soothing result.

Moreover, if you have very severe pains in your body and find it cumbersome to get into bed at the end of the day, a lift chair may be the best equipment to purchase and most of them are able to extend into a horizontal position, making it a perfect alternative for a bed, as they are generally thoroughly padded all over.

 

How Do I Get One?

Lift chairs can be purchased from medical equipment stores and online distributors. Their prices vary, depending on the extra features and qualities you are looking for (you can purchase the most basic one for about $200). It is always good to read reviews of the lift chair you are looking to buy, to see the experiences others have had with the particular chair you are interested in. Below we have five reviews of lift chairs that we feel will accommodate you perfectly, regardless of what type of pain you’re experiencing and how large your home is and whether you’re looking to purchase one with some added features.

However, due to the fact that there are so many to choose from, it is essential that you get some professional advice from a doctor or a sale representative who can guide you in buying the one that best suits your needs.

 

Best Lift Chair Guide – Finding The Right One

You may still be considering to purchase your wheelchair from an online distributor or a medical equipment store without consulting a professional or a sale representative. So, we have compiled a list of aspects that you can look out for during the process of searching for the best one for you.

 

Are You Going To Eat And Drink On Your Lift Chair Regularly?

Whenever any food or liquids are involved, there is always the risk of spillages. This means that you would probably prefer a material that is easily wipeable without causing any permanent stains. The risk of staining does not only ruin the look of the lift chair, but it also causes hygiene issues. So, we recommend purchasing a lift chair that is made of leather or vinyl; both materials that can be easily wiped.

 

Are you going to be sitting on the lift chair by yourself? Or do you have a pet friend that will be accompanying you?

Initially you may decide to purchase a lift chair that is wide enough to fit just you, however, if you have a pet that enjoys being stroked while you watch your favourite TV shows then it may be worth purchasing one that provides you with enough room for two.

 

Will you be using your lift chair as a sleeping area?

If you’re going to sleep or nap in your lift chair regularly, then you will most probably prefer to buy one that extends into an outstretched horizontal position and one that is thickly padded to provide you with that mattress-like cushiness. It is also good to know that some mattress companies manufacture mattresses that are ideal to be placed on top of your lift chair, to form it into an area no different than your bed.

 

How many hours of the day will you be spending in your lift chair?

This is probably one of the most important questions to ask yourself before your purchase, and this will determine whether you will go for an expensive multi-featured one or an inexpensive simple one. If you’re going to be spending hours and hours in your lift chair, watching your favourite TV shows, reading your favourite magazines, napping or sleeping, then you may like to purchase one that can be locked into several different positions, as you will probably feel a bit stiff after sitting in the same position for hours. However, if you’re going to be using your lift chair only a couple of hours a day, just for relaxing, then a two-positioned lift chair; one that allows you to sit down and the other to stand up, should be enough to provide you with the comfort that you need.

 

How much do you weigh?

Your weight is also an important factor to consider before buying a lift chair. Each lift chair has its own maximum weight capacity that it can handle. Ensure that you do not go over this weight capacity, as you will be preventing the lift chair from functioning properly, as it will have difficulty lifting you up. And not only this, but if you are over the weight capacity of the lift chair you may be putting your health at risk, by making the lift chair tip over.

 

How big is the room that you are going to place the lift chair in?

The size of your room will most definitely affect which lift chair you will be purchasing. There are so many different sizes of lift chairs to choose from. If you have a small room then small compact lift chair will be ideal. However, a small lift chair may cause some comfort issues if you are a tall individual, so ensure that you buy your lift chair from a physical store if you’re having this problem, so that you can sit in it and see for yourself if you’re comfortable. Also, it’s good to keep in mind that most lift chairs need to be plugged in to an electrical socket in order to start working (although you will be able to find ones that work with batteries), so the location of the electric sockets within your home will also determine which lift chair you’ll be purchasing, as you may not have enough room around the electrical socket area and may prefer to opt for a smaller one, rather than a large one.

 

Other Lift Chairs

Below are two other brands of Lift Chairs that I thought were worth checking out. A lift chair is a necessity in the homes of those who find it physically difficult to stand up from a seated position without assistance.

 

Serta Perfect Lift Chair

The Serta Perfect Lift Chair is incredibly easy to operate, with its remote having two big, easy-to-see LED arrows that allow you to operate the lift chair in two different directions: up or down. It is also much more unique that other lift chairs as it has an imbedded USB port that is perfect for those days where you want to keep your phone close at hand. You can also charge your tablets for when you want to read or your laptop. The seating area of the lift chair is made of gel-infused foam which means that it is much more comfier, taking off any pressure from your body the minute that you sit down. It is ideal for individuals who are in the height range of 5’4” to 6’4”. The maximum weight capacity that it can handle is 375lbs.

The Serta Perfect Lift Chair is ideal for individuals who are suffering from tremors as the arm rests are sturdy and stable and will support you when you put some of your body weight onto them. Also, regardless of whether you are laying down in a horizontal position or sitting up, the leg rests are able to stay elevated, enabling you to keep your legs extended for enhanced relaxation. This also makes it the ideal lift chair for those suffering from poor blood circulation in the legs or feet. Although it comes unassembled, it is easy to put together, as long as you are able to follow the instruction manual carefully. Also, perfect for individuals who have had leg, hip or shoulder surgery, as it will aid them during the process of recovery. When moving the lift chair from one position to the other, it is very quiet and completes the process in a smooth way, without any abrupt stopping. Its unique gel cushions place it amongst the most comfortable of lifts chairs and additionally, with its soft leather material it is very durable and will last you for a very long time.

Some downsides to the Serta Perfect Lift Chair is that it does not stand as tall as most lift chairs. Its leather seat is very smooth and may cause you to slip, as the lift chair is extending into standing position. So, you may need to hold onto the armrests during the process of standing. The leg rest of the Serta Perfect Lift Chair, can only be operated mechanically and does not have a manual operating option. The seat is perhaps not ideal for taller individuals as the seating area is quite short.

 

Pulaski Montreal Coffee Fabric Lift Chair

The Pulaski Montreal Coffee Fabric Lift Chair is extensively padded all around from the arms to the backrest and the seat. The material is soft and can be cleaned effortlessly. It also looks very elegant and is sure to complement which ever room you choose to place it in. Once in operation the mechanism is very quiet, and it also comes with an emergency battery backup, ensuring that you are able to use your lift chair even if the primary power stops working. It can bend backwards and also aid in lifting you up into a standing position with just the press of a single button. The lift chair has a pocket on the side of it, where you can  safely place your remote when you are not using it.

The Pulaski Montreal Coffee Fabric Lift Chair is amongst the smallest of lift chairs, making it ideal for smaller individuals. It is also the ideal lift chair to purchase if you have a small house but also desperately need a lift chair. It can be effortlessly operated with just two buttons on the remote, one for making the lift chair go down and the other to help you stand up.