Independent review. Last updated June 2026 by Claire Ashworth.
Brooks stairlifts start from around £1,500 for a straight model and £3,500 for a curved one, fitted. The single most useful thing to know is that Brooks and Acorn are the same stairlift: Acorn is sold direct to the public, and Brooks is the badge used when the identical lift is sold through independent dealers. That one fact decides whether Brooks is a smart buy or not, and we explain it in plain terms below.
Brooks stairlifts at a glance (UK, 2026)
- Straight (the Lincoln, same machine as the Acorn 130): from around £1,500, typically £1,700 to £2,200 fitted
- Curved (180): from around £3,500, often £4,000 to £5,000 fitted
- Reconditioned: from around £1,000
- Weight limit: around 19 stone (120 kg) standard, up to 25 stone on heavy-duty versions
- Warranty: 12 months as standard; many dealers add up to 3 years
- Made by: Acorn Stairlifts in Steeton, West Yorkshire (Brooks is Acorn’s dealer-channel brand)
- Sold through: independent local dealers, not direct from a single national company
- Best for: buyers who want an Acorn-quality lift at a dealer price and have a good local installer
Who makes Brooks stairlifts?
Brooks was founded by Frederick Brooks in 1973, and is often credited with producing one of the first domestic stairlifts in the UK (he reportedly built the first to help his wife, who had respiratory problems). In 2001 the brand was acquired by Acorn Stairlifts, now one of the largest stairlift manufacturers in the world.
Today, Brooks-branded lifts are built by Acorn at its factory in Steeton, West Yorkshire, to the same specification as Acorn’s own range. Acorn sells directly to the public under the Acorn name; the same lifts are supplied to independent dealers, who sell and fit them under the Brooks name. So the Brooks straight model (the Lincoln) is, mechanically, an Acorn 130 (the Superglide T700 platform).
Are Brooks and Acorn the same stairlift?
In practical terms, yes. The lift, the technology and the manufacturer’s warranty are the same. The difference is the sales channel:
- Acorn is direct-to-consumer. You deal with one national company for sales, installation and aftercare.
- Brooks is sold through independent dealers. They buy from the manufacturer and resell, usually with leaner margins, which is why a Brooks lift is often cheaper than the same lift bought directly.
This is genuinely good news for price, but it shifts the thing that matters most onto your dealer. With Brooks, your experience of installation, servicing and breakdown cover depends on the local company you buy from, not on a single national brand. A great local dealer can beat the direct experience; a poor one cannot.
Brooks stairlift models
| Model | Type | Typical fitted price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln (Acorn 130) | Straight | £1,500 to £2,200 | Fits stairs from 660mm (26″) wide; quiet, compact |
| 180 | Curved | £3,500 to £5,000+ | Custom rail for bends and landings |
| Sit-Stand | Straight | Varies | For users who struggle to bend their knees or hips |
| Outdoor | Straight (external) | £2,500 to £4,000 | Weatherproofed for garden or porch steps |
The Lincoln (the same machine as the Acorn 130) is the volume seller. It fits narrow staircases (from around 660mm / 26 inches, against a typical 30 to 32 inches), runs on maintenance-free DC battery packs that recharge at the top and bottom of the stairs, and folds its seat, arms and footrest flat when not in use.
Key features of the Brooks 130
- Padded vinyl seat and backrest with a soft start and soft stop for a smooth ride
- Swivel seat that locks at 45° or 90° so you can step off safely on the landing
- Five safety sensors (three on the footrest, two on the carriage) that stop the lift if it meets an obstruction
- Battery operation, so it keeps working in a power cut
- Folding seat, arms and footrest to keep the stairs usable for others
How much do Brooks stairlifts cost?
Prices vary by dealer because Brooks is sold through independent companies, but the typical 2026 UK ranges are:
- New straight (Slimline 130): from around £1,500, commonly £1,700 to £2,200 fitted
- New curved (180): from around £3,500, commonly £4,000 to £5,000+ fitted
- Reconditioned straight: from around £1,000
- Reconditioned curved: less common, priced on the staircase
Because dealers compete, it is worth getting two or three quotes for the same Brooks model. The lift is identical; you are really comparing the dealer’s fitting, warranty and aftercare. If you have a long-term illness or disability, the lift and installation should be zero-rated for VAT, saving 20%.
Brooks vs Acorn vs Stannah
- Brooks: the dealer-priced version of Acorn. Often the cheapest route to a new, reliable mid-market lift, if you have a good local dealer. See our Acorn stairlifts review.
- Acorn: the same lift bought direct, with single-company national service. Simpler aftercare, usually a little more expensive than Brooks.
- Stannah: the UK market leader, generally the highest quality and the highest price, sold direct with a large service network. See our Stannah stairlifts review.
If reliability and a single national point of contact matter most, Acorn or Stannah are the safer pick. If price matters most and you have a reputable local installer, Brooks can save you several hundred pounds for the same machine.
Warranty, servicing and running costs
The manufacturer’s warranty on a new Brooks lift is the same 12 months as the equivalent Acorn, and many dealers extend this to two or three years. Servicing is recommended annually and usually costs £75 to £150. Electricity is negligible, roughly £3 to £5 a year, because the lift only draws power to recharge its batteries. The battery packs typically last two to five years before they need replacing.
Because Brooks aftercare runs through your dealer, check before you buy: who answers a breakdown call, how fast, and what an out-of-warranty callout costs. For more on this, see manufacturer vs independent stairlift servicing.
When a Brooks stairlift is the wrong call
- Your local dealer is unproven. With Brooks, the dealer is your aftercare. If you cannot find a well-reviewed local installer, buy Acorn direct instead.
- You want one national company for everything. Brooks is inherently local; Acorn and Stannah are national.
- You need the highest build quality. Brooks is solid mid-market, not premium. For the smoothest, quietest, longest-warranty option, compare Stannah.
- You are buying reconditioned sight-unseen. Reconditioned Brooks lifts are good value, but insist on a proper refurbishment record and warranty.
Is a Brooks stairlift right for you?
Brooks suits buyers who want a dependable, Acorn-built stairlift at a dealer price and who have access to a reputable local installer. For a straight staircase, the Slimline 130 is one of the better-value new lifts in the UK. For curved stairs, get the 180 quoted alongside an Acorn and a reconditioned option so you can see the real price of the custom rail.
Compare your options across straight stairlifts, curved stairlifts and reconditioned stairlifts, or see typical figures on our stairlift prices guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Brooks and Acorn stairlifts the same? Yes. Brooks lifts are made by Acorn to the same specification. Acorn sells direct to the public; Brooks is the brand used when the identical lift is sold through independent dealers, often at a lower price.
How much does a Brooks stairlift cost? A new Brooks straight stairlift (the Lincoln, the same machine as the Acorn 130) starts from around £1,500 and typically costs £1,700 to £2,200 fitted. Curved 180 models start from around £3,500. Reconditioned lifts start from around £1,000.
What is the weight limit on a Brooks stairlift? The standard Brooks straight lift carries around 19 stone (120 kg). Heavy-duty versions raise this to about 25 stone.
Will a Brooks stairlift fit narrow stairs? The Lincoln (Acorn 130) fits staircases from about 660mm (26 inches) wide, narrower than a typical 30 to 32 inch staircase, which makes it a good option for narrow stairs.
Does a Brooks stairlift work in a power cut? Yes. Brooks lifts run on rechargeable battery packs, so they keep working during a power cut and recharge automatically at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Is buying Brooks through a dealer safe? The lift and manufacturer warranty are the same as Acorn. The variable is the dealer, who handles your fitting and aftercare. Choose a well-reviewed local installer and confirm breakdown response and callout costs before you buy.
Compare other stairlift brands
- Acorn stairlifts review
- Stannah stairlifts review
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