I have a story about my neighbor’s mother. For three years she sat in the wrong chair. Not dramatic, but slowly, day by day, as she got up and down, she was doing work that she didn’t have to. When she was finally given a proper lift chair she cried. Not because of the thanks, but because she had not realized that it could be so much easier for so long.
I always think of this story when discussing lift chairs. For 3 years my neighbor’s mother sat in the wrong chair for her back. It was not dramatic but it was wrong in a slow grinding way. When her family finally got her a proper lift chair she cried. Not from gratitude but from the sudden realization of how long things could be so hard for her.
The lift mechanism: it’s doing more work than you think
In most cases of people purchasing lift chairs, the motor is never thought of. And this can be a big problem, especially when it fails at 2am in the morning. The motor of a lift chair is the heart of a lift chair and will determine how long a lift chair will last.
Two main configurations are worth understanding:
- Two-position chairs recline to a limited angle, somewhere around 45 degrees. Functional. Basic. Fine for shorter sitting sessions, though not much else.
- Infinite-position chairs let you adjust the back and footrest independently of each other, which matters enormously for anyone who needs to sleep in the chair or is managing circulation problems that don’t respond to ordinary sitting positions.
- Zero-gravity positioning, available on premium models, tilts the body so the legs sit above heart level. Worth serious consideration for people with persistent swelling or back pain that just won’t quit.
The motor for a lift chair is not a luxury item and is doing more work than you think. In order to determine the quality of the motor for a lift chair, you can test the lift mechanism for the chair in the showroom where you are purchasing the chair from. You should test the chair by lifting it up and down at least twice to test the chair out. You should listen for any grinding sounds or watch for any signs of hesitation in the up and down motion of the chair. If you find that there are any signs of hesitation or unusual sounds then the chair is not going to get any better once you take it home.
Seating position and fit: more personal than most people expect
The seat height of a chair is an important measurement to consider when purchasing a Lift Chair. The seat height of a chair is measured from the floor to the seat of the chair. The seat height of a Lift Chair can affect the comfort of the user of the chair. A chair that is too high for the user of the chair can cause discomfort for the user of the chair. A chair that is too low for the user of the chair can also cause discomfort for the user of the chair.
Seat depth is an important feature for lift chairs. A deep seat may sound good but a short person will find that the edge of seat will be pressing into the back of their legs. This can be a very long and very uncomfortable day.
When shopping for a mobility lift chair for a loved one, you will want to compare their Seated Height, Hip Width and Knee to Floor (K2F) measurement to the Features and Specifications of various lift chairs. This will ensure that you find the right chair for your loved one and not just another piece of furniture to be placed in the corner of a room.
Controls: who’s actually pressing the buttons?
Controls are for the most part a matter of simplicity, so it’s very important to test the controls in the showroom before you buy the chair. The best control for a user is a simple wired remote control with two large buttons, a lift button and a lower button. These controls are simple to use and do not require the user to read or touch any screens. Large buttons with clear labelling and good tactile feedback are essential. However, users with limited grip strength or impaired vision will struggle to use touch screen controls.
In summary, the best control for a lift chair is a simple wired remote control with two large buttons. This type of control is easy to use by everyone, including users with limited grip strength, impaired vision, etc. Such users will appreciate clear labelling of the buttons and good tactile feedback from the buttons. Therefore, the best control is not a sophisticated touch-sensitive surface, but a simple two-button wired remote control.
Weight capacity and stability
Don’t assume. Check.
The weight capacity of lift chairs is not just a number and needs to be checked on how the chair will hold up over months of daily use. Look for information on the warranty of the motor and check if the frame and mechanism of the lift chair is designed for heavy use. Some lift chairs are classified as bariatric chairs and can hold more weight than normal lift chairs.
Upholstery: comfort and practicality aren’t opposites
| Material | Comfort | Durability | Easy to clean |
| Microfibre fabric | Soft, warm | Good | Moderate |
| Bonded leather | Firm, cool | Moderate | Easy |
| Genuine leather | Very comfortable | Excellent | Easy |
| Vinyl / PU | Functional | Good | Very easy |
The upholstery on the lift chair can be wipe clean. The wipe clean surface is unglamorous. However, it is so much better for people with incontinence or sensitive skin. So, wipe clean surfaces need to be near the top of the list of features to look for when looking for a lift chair. The cleanability of the upholstery is actually doing the most work. Therefore, it is the most important feature and it should not be buried after talking about armrests or the various colors that the upholstery of a lift chair comes in.
This same logic is often overlooked when it comes to the mechanism of the lift chair. The hardest working part of the lift chair receives the least amount of attention.
Space: the constraint that quietly overrides everything else
30-45cm of clearance from the wall is needed for most lift chairs to allow for a full recline. There are lift chairs on the market, known as ‘wall huggers’ which are designed to allow the chair to recline whilst still being close to the wall. These chairs work by sliding the seat forward as the back of the chair drops down. Many chairs are delivered and then cannot recline fully due to the wall being too close – often only 4in (10cm) away. Therefore it is very important to measure the room before looking for chairs and then measuring the chairs themselves. Measure the room first, then the chair.
A lift chair is more than a list of features and can be selected to suit an individual’s needs. It’s a human centered activity and in the end it all makes perfect sense.
