Last reviewed: 2 May 2026.
Our affiliate disclosure: Stairlift Costs UK earns commission when readers buy a stairlift through one of our partner suppliers, and some of those suppliers sell Stannah. This review is editorially independent. Read our full disclosure.
Verdict in one paragraph
Stannah is the right answer when long-term reliability, a five-year motor warranty, and a dealer-network relationship matter more than headline price. It is the wrong answer when the household needs the cheapest unit possible, when speed is critical (a Stannah curved typically takes 1 to 3 weeks to install versus Acorn’s 2 to 4 days), or when the local dealer’s service standard is poor. Stannah’s reputation is genuinely earned over 150 years and across 700,000+ stairlifts installed worldwide. The premium pricing is real and the dealer-quality variation is real.
Who Stannah is
Stannah is a family-owned British engineering business, founded in 1867 in London and still privately owned by the Stannah family. They moved into stairlifts in 1975 and have manufactured at their Andover headquarters in Hampshire ever since. Annual production runs into the tens of thousands of units; they are the largest UK stairlift manufacturer by volume.
Crucially, Stannah does not sell direct. They distribute through 28 regional dealer companies in the UK, each of which handles surveys, sales, installs and service in its territory. The Stannah factory builds the rail and chassis; your local dealer is who actually arrives at your door. This dealer model produces both the strongest aftercare on the UK market and the most variable customer experience, depending on which dealer covers your postcode.
Stannah prices in 2026
- Stannah Siena (straight): from approximately £3,300 supplied and installed. Real-world quotes for a typical 13-step staircase with swivel and powered footrest land at £3,600 to £4,200.
- Stannah Solus (compact straight): from £3,500. A narrower variant for tight Victorian or terraced staircases.
- Stannah Sadler (perch): from £3,900. A standing/perch model for narrow stairs where a seated stairlift will not fit.
- Stannah Starla / Sofia (curved): from £4,200 for a single-turn 90-degree configuration. Two turns or a half-landing typically takes the figure to £6,500 to £9,000. Genuinely complex multi-turn houses can exceed £12,000.
- Reconditioned Stannah straight: from £1,400 supplied and installed through approved reconditioning channels.
- Stannah Outdoor: weatherproof outdoor variant, from £4,800.
Cross-reference: 2026 straight stairlift prices and curved prices.
Models and what they actually do
- Siena: Stannah’s mainstream straight model. Standard width, swivel seat, powered footrest, 21 stone (135kg) weight limit, 12 safety sensors, mechanical levelling system using twin parallel rails.
- Solus: same drive train, narrower seat. For staircases under 700mm rail-to-wall.
- Sadler: perch (semi-standing) seat for staircases too narrow for a full seated unit. Strict mobility requirements; the user must be able to stand for the duration of the journey.
- Starla / Sofia (curved): bespoke per-staircase rail manufactured at the Andover factory after a precision survey. The Sofia is the higher-spec variant with seat upholstery options and additional drive features.
- Sarum (heavy-duty): 30 stone (190kg) capacity option, reinforced rail and chassis. Important for users above the standard 21-stone limit.
Install speed and process
Stannah straight installs typically run 1 to 2 weeks from initial survey to fitted unit. The dealer surveys, the order goes to Andover, the rail is configured, the install is booked. Curved orders take 1 to 3 weeks longer because the rail is bespoke-manufactured for the specific staircase rather than assembled from modular sections.
Compared to Acorn’s 24 to 48-hour straight install, this is materially slower. The trade-off: a Stannah survey is conducted by a dealer engineer who is not the salesperson; quote is provided in writing afterwards; you are typically not asked for a same-day decision. Households who dislike doorstep selling find Stannah’s process more comfortable for that reason alone.
Warranty and aftercare
Stannah’s standard warranty is 12 months on parts and labour with a generous 5-year warranty on the motor and gearbox. That motor cover is the longest base warranty in the mainstream UK market and reflects the company’s confidence in its powertrain. Extended warranties are available beyond year 1 at additional cost; many dealers bundle aftercare into a service plan.
Annual service contracts run £180 to £260 depending on the dealer and whether emergency call-out is included. Stannah engineers will service Stannah units; most independents will also work on Stannah, with parts available through the dealer network within a working day.
Customer service: the dealer-network reality
Stannah’s dealer model is its biggest aftercare strength and its biggest customer-experience risk. The Andover factory does not control the dealer that arrives at your door. Some dealers are excellent: longstanding family businesses with engineers who have worked the same patch for decades. Others are less consistent. Trustpilot reviews of Stannah split sharply by region for this reason.
Practical advice: before you commit, search “Stannah [your town]” on Trustpilot to see the local dealer’s pattern. If reviews skew negative for your region, ask the Stannah head office (0800 715 011) about an alternative dealer; they sometimes accommodate. The factory itself, the warranty terms, and the engineering are consistent. The local people are the variable.
When Stannah is the right call
- You will own the unit for 10+ years and want minimal mid-life trouble.
- A 5-year motor warranty matters to you (it should).
- Curved staircase with multiple turns or unusual angles where a bespoke rail beats modular.
- You dislike doorstep selling and want a separated survey-then-quote process.
- You value resale value (Stannah units depreciate slower; see stairlift depreciation).
- Heavy-duty needs above 21 stone (the Sarum model handles up to 30 stone).
When Stannah is the WRONG call
- Tight budget: at £3,300+ for a Siena vs Acorn 130 from £1,995, the £1,000 to £1,500 gap is hard to justify if your staircase is straight and your stairlift will see modest daily use. Consider Acorn or a reconditioned Stannah from £1,400.
- Speed-critical: someone discharging from hospital next week needs an Acorn or a rental. Stannah cannot install in 48 hours.
- Your local dealer has poor reviews: even Stannah factory quality cannot compensate for an unreliable installer in your postcode. If the local dealer is the issue, Handicare may be a better choice.
- Short-term need under 18 months: rent rather than buy. See our rental vs buying comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Are Stannah stairlifts overpriced?
Higher than Acorn, comparable to Handicare’s top-tier models. The premium pays for the 5-year motor warranty, the bespoke curved rail manufacturing, and the dealer-network aftercare. Whether that is “overpriced” depends on how long you plan to keep the unit. Over 10 years it usually works out cheaper per year than a budget unit replaced after 6.
How long do Stannah stairlifts last?
Typically 12 to 15 years with annual servicing. Stannah units have the longest realistic lifespan on the UK market; we still see well-maintained 1990s Stannahs running today.
Can I get a reconditioned Stannah?
Yes, through Stannah-approved reconditioners or independent specialists who buy returned units, refurbish, and re-sell with limited warranty. Straights from £1,400 fitted; curved reconditioned Stannahs are rarer because the rail is sized to the original staircase. See reconditioned stairlifts.
Will the council fund a Stannah through a DFG?
Yes if the OT specifies it. Some councils prefer Stannah on DFG installs because long-term reliability reduces re-call costs.
Does Stannah negotiate on price?
Less than Acorn. The price is set largely by the local dealer rather than head office, and dealers compete on aftercare and trust rather than on aggressive discounting. A second written quote from a different dealer is usually the cleanest negotiation lever.
Cross-links
- Stairlift companies overview
- Acorn stairlifts review
- Handicare stairlifts review
- Stannah vs Acorn head-to-head
- Curved stairlifts overview
- Reconditioned stairlifts
This review is independent and not paid placement. Stairlift Costs UK earns commission only when a reader who buys a Stannah unit does so through one of our partner suppliers; we earn nothing on Stannah purchases through other channels. See our full disclosure for the partner list.
Pricing information
Unless stated otherwise, prices shown are fully installed prices for a standard staircase. Complex installations may carry additional charges.
Stairlifts installed for a disabled person may qualify for zero-rate VAT under HMRC Notice 701/7. Your supplier will confirm VAT eligibility at the point of quotation.
Our price ranges are compiled from supplier rate cards, published dealer price lists, and real quotes shared by homeowners. They are intended as a general guide, not a firm quotation.
Prices last reviewed: May 2026