We analysed 22 current home lift models from the eight brands most commonly sold in the UK to map what is actually on the market — on price, size, access and how the lifts work. As an independent site, we can compare across brands in a way no single manufacturer can.
You may quote or link to these findings with attribution to “UK Home Lifts Market Report 2026”. Suggested citation:
UK Home Lifts (2026), UK Home Lift Market Report 2026. https://ukhomelifts.co.uk/home-lift-market-report-2026/Key findings
- Indicative installed prices run from about £12,000 to £38,000 and above. Self-supporting through-floor lifts for two floors are the most affordable, typically £12,000 to £25,000; cabin and multi-floor lifts run £18,000 to £38,000+.
- Almost three quarters of models, 73 per cent, can carry a wheelchair user, so accessibility is now mainstream across the market.
- The most compact models occupy around half a square metre, roughly the floor area of an armchair, so a tight corner rarely rules a lift out.
- 64 per cent are self-supporting through-floor lifts that need no separate shaft or pit, which is why they suit ordinary homes and bungalows.
- 55 per cent of models can serve three or more stops, and the rest are two-floor lifts.
Price by category
Prices are indicative installed bands, not quotes. Every lift is priced after a survey, and supply for a disabled person is usually zero-rated for VAT. Builder’s work to form the floor opening normally sits on top.
| Category | Indicative installed price |
|---|---|
| Through-floor, two floors | £12,000 – £25,000 |
| Wheelchair through-floor, two floors | £13,000 – £25,000 |
| Cabin / multi-floor (3+ stops) | £18,000 – £38,000+ |
The most affordable models in our sample were the Terry Lifestyle, the Stiltz Duo and the Wessex VM, all starting around £12,000 to £13,500 installed. The most expensive were premium cabin lifts from Aritco, Cibes and Swift. See the full picture in our home lift price guide.
How the lifts work
The 22 models split across three drive systems: screw-driven cabin lifts (45 per cent), self-supporting cable lifts (27 per cent) and hydraulic through-floor lifts (27 per cent). Screw-driven cabins dominate the multi-floor and design-led end of the market; cable and hydraulic lifts dominate the affordable two-floor end. Our guide to the types of home lift explains each in plain terms.
Footprint and capacity
Footprints in the sample ranged from about 0.47 square metres for the most compact cabins, such as the Aritco HomeLift Compact, up to roughly 1.3 square metres for the largest wheelchair cabins. Rated capacities ranged from 170 kg on the smallest two-person lifts to 630 kg on the largest wheelchair models, with a median around 310 kg. If space is tight, see the best home lifts for small spaces.
What it means for buyers
The headline is choice. A buyer on a tighter budget who needs to connect two floors has several proven options around £12,000 to £16,000. A wheelchair user is no longer limited to a handful of models, since most of the market now caters for them. And reaching three or more floors, once unusual at home, is now offered by more than half the models we looked at. Use our independent home lift finder to match these findings to your own home.
Methodology
We compiled specifications for 22 current residential models from the eight brands most commonly sold in the UK: Stiltz, Lifton, Aritco, Cibes, Stannah, Terry, Wessex and Swift. Structural details (drive type, whether the lift is through-floor, wheelchair capability, floors served, footprint and rated capacity) are taken from manufacturer data. Prices are indicative installed bands drawn from manufacturer starting prices and dealer estimates, since no UK manufacturer publishes fixed prices; treat them as a way to compare like with like, not as a quote. Percentages are shares of the 22-model sample. Figures were compiled in 2026 and we update the report as the market changes.
Sources: manufacturer specification sheets and published starting prices (Stiltz, Lifton, Aritco/Gartec, Cibes, Stannah, Terry Lifts, Wessex, Swift); dealer price estimates. Last updated 2026.
More from our research: Home lift vs the cost of care and the accessible-homes gap.
Independent analysis for general information, not affiliated with any manufacturer. Prices are indicative 2026 UK bands and vary by specification, finish and property. © UK Home Lifts.