Independent review. Last updated June 2026 by Claire Ashworth.
Companion Stairlifts is a UK supplier owned by Handicare, so a Companion stairlift is, in effect, a Handicare lift sold with Companion’s own well-rated service. Prices start from around £2,000 fitted for a straight model and £5,000 for a curved one. What makes Companion stand out is not a unique machine but the package around it: a slightly higher 21-stone weight capacity, a steep 56-degree climb angle, often next-day installation, and a price-match promise. If service, speed and value matter to you, Companion is a strong shortlist name.
Companion at a glance (UK, 2026)
- Straight: from around £2,000 fitted
- Curved: from around £5,000 fitted, handles tight turns and spiral staircases
- Weight limit: up to 21 stone (133 kg), higher than Acorn or Brooks
- Climb angle: up to 56 degrees, steeper than most rivals
- Install: often next-day across much of the UK; whole process in under a week
- Owned by: Handicare (a Companion lift is a Handicare lift)
- Extras: price-match promise, colour and upholstery choices, year-round aftercare
- Best for: buyers who want strong service, fast install and good value
Who makes Companion stairlifts?
Companion Stairlifts is owned by Handicare, one of the established names in the UK and global stairlift market. Companion-branded manufacturing traces back to the 1980s in Kingswinford, West Midlands. In practice, the lifts share Handicare’s engineering, while Companion focuses on sales, fast installation and aftercare across the UK.
The useful consequence is reassurance: if you buy a Companion lift you own a Handicare stairlift, which means widely available parts and servicing, and strong resale value on the second-hand market.
What you actually get: the Companion package
Companion’s reputation is built on service and specification rather than a one-off design:
- Higher capacity and steeper climb. Up to 21 stone and a 56-degree climb angle put it ahead of several mainstream rivals, useful for heavier users or steeper staircases.
- Comfort and adjustability. A highly adjustable, ergonomically shaped seat with lumbar support, tailored seat and footrest options, and a choice of colours and upholstery.
- Safety. Around ten safety sensors that stop the lift if an obstruction is detected, seatbelt, swivel seat, and an easy paddle control whose position can be customised.
- Convenience. A swappable easy-grip armrest, remote controls to park or call the lift, and an optional power-hinged track that folds away over a doorway.
Companion stairlift models and prices
| Type | Typical fitted price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | from around £2,000 | Fast install, up to 21 stone, 56-degree climb |
| Curved | from around £5,000 | Custom rail; fits tight turns and spiral stairs |
Exact prices depend on your staircase and options, and because Companion offers a price-match promise, it is still worth getting two or three quotes to set a benchmark. If you have a long-term illness or disability, the lift and installation should be zero-rated for VAT, saving 20%.
Where Companion stands out: service and speed
Companion’s strongest card is aftercare. Customer assistants are available every day of the year, engineers have a reputation for being efficient and tidy, and the company offers next-day installation across much of the UK, so in some cases you can enquire in the morning and have a lift fitted that afternoon (subject to survey). Combined with the price-match promise, that makes Companion one of the better-value, fastest routes to a quality lift.
Companion vs Acorn vs Stannah
- Companion: a Handicare lift with excellent service, fast install, price match, and a higher 21-stone capacity. See our Handicare stairlift review.
- Acorn: the value direct-sales option for standard straight and curved stairs. See our Acorn stairlifts review.
- Stannah: the premium all-rounder with the largest national service network. See our Stannah stairlifts review.
For a heavier user, a steeper staircase, or anyone who values fast install and service, Companion is well worth a quote. For the lowest possible price on a basic straight stair, compare it against Acorn and Brooks.
Warranty, servicing and running costs
Warranty terms come from Companion and Handicare, typically one to two years, often extendable. Service annually, usually £75 to £150. Running costs are minimal, around £3 to £5 a year, because the lift recharges its batteries and works in a power cut. Battery packs typically last two to five years. For more on aftercare, see manufacturer vs independent stairlift servicing.
When a Companion stairlift is the wrong call
- You want the rock-bottom price on a basic straight stair. A reconditioned lift or a direct Acorn or Brooks lift may cost less.
- You specifically want the Handicare brand name on paperwork. It is the same lift, but buying Handicare direct is an option too.
- You are outside the next-day install area. The fast-install advantage is strongest in well-covered regions, so confirm timescales for your postcode.
Is a Companion stairlift right for you?
Companion suits buyers who want a Handicare-quality lift with excellent service, fast installation and a price-match guarantee, especially heavier users or those with a steeper staircase who benefit from the 21-stone capacity and 56-degree climb. If you only need the cheapest possible basic straight lift, compare it against reconditioned and direct-sales options first.
Compare your options on straight stairlifts, curved stairlifts and our stairlift prices guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Companion Stairlifts? Companion Stairlifts is owned by Handicare. A Companion lift is a Handicare stairlift, sold and installed under the Companion name with Companion’s own service and aftercare.
How much does a Companion stairlift cost? Companion straight stairlifts start from around £2,000 fitted and curved models from around £5,000, depending on the staircase. Companion also offers a price-match promise, so it is worth getting comparison quotes.
What is the weight limit on a Companion stairlift? Companion stairlifts carry up to 21 stone (133 kg), higher than several mainstream brands such as Acorn and Brooks, and climb staircases up to 56 degrees.
How quickly can a Companion stairlift be installed? Companion offers next-day installation across much of the UK. In some cases you can enquire in the morning and have the lift fitted that afternoon, subject to survey.
Does a Companion stairlift work in a power cut? Yes. Companion lifts run on rechargeable batteries, so they keep working during a power cut and recharge automatically at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Compare other stairlift brands
- Acorn stairlifts review
- Stannah stairlifts review
- Handicare stairlifts review
- Brooks stairlifts review
- Otolift stairlifts review
- Bruno stairlifts review
- Thyssenkrupp stairlifts review
- Halton stairlifts review
