When comparing Acorn and Stannah, start with the equipment each supplier recommends for your stairs and how you would use it. Check the seat, rail, installed price and aftercare together. A brand name or headline starting price does not tell you whether two proposals offer the same solution.
The model details below come from the manufacturers. Use them to compare the equipment on your quotations and to follow up anything the surveyor has left unclear.
Key takeaways
- Compare the exact model, rail and options proposed for your home.
- Weight limits vary by model and configuration, including within one brand.
- Check the current warranty, service terms and installation timescale in writing.
- Use a survey to assess suitability before deciding on price or appearance.
How do Acorn and Stannah products compare?
The examples below come from the manufacturers' UK product pages, checked on 30 October 2026. They describe selected products, not every configuration or offer. Ask the supplier to confirm the specification on your quotation.
On smaller screens, scroll sideways across the table to see both brands.
| What to compare | Acorn | Stannah |
|---|---|---|
| Straight stairs | Acorn 130. | Siena and Starla are examples with straight-rail options. |
| Stairs with turns | Acorn 180, using the FastTrack modular rail system. | Siena and Starla have rail options for stairs with turns. Sadler offers a different seating arrangement. |
| Published user weights | 130: 127 kg, or 159 kg on the HD version. 180: 120 kg. | Siena: up to 160 kg for straight stairs; 120–135 kg for stairs with turns, depending on configuration. |
| Seat and controls | Check the proposed seat, controls and swivel arrangement in a demonstration. | Compare the proposed seat and any powered options. Ask which are included. |
| Price and aftercare | Request a written installed quotation and the current cover terms. | Request a written installed quotation and the current cover terms. |
Sources: Acorn's 130 straight stairlift and 180 curved stairlift; Stannah's Siena, Starla and Sadler pages. The supplier must confirm the weight limit and suitability of the exact version offered.
Acorn's rail and features
Acorn's straight and curved products use different rail arrangements. Its curved FastTrack system uses modular sections configured for the staircase. Ask the surveyor how the proposed rail will follow your stairs, where it will park and whether a hinged section is needed near a doorway.
Acorn's 130 product page lists a seatbelt, folding footrest, diagnostic display and remote control. Check the features on your proposal, then ask to see how you would use the controls and get on and off the seat. A list of features cannot replace checking that the arrangement works for you.
Our Acorn stairlift guide gives further background on the brand.
Stannah seating options
Ask which seat and rail combination Stannah recommends and why. Consider how you would sit down, fasten the belt, operate the controls and turn towards the landing. Also check how much space remains when the lift is folded away.
Stannah describes Sadler as a higher, saddle-style seat intended for people with limited flexibility. That makes it a different option to discuss, rather than a reason to assume it suits everyone who finds a conventional seat difficult. Ask for an individual assessment before choosing.
Read our Stannah products guide and Stannah pricing guide for related questions.
Surveys and installation
Acorn and Stannah both describe free home surveys. Use the visit to discuss the person using the lift as well as the measurements of the stairs. Ask the adviser to explain the recommended seat, rail, parking position and any preparation work. See Acorn's survey information and Stannah's buying information.
Ask each supplier for its current timescale for your order. An advertised fast-installation offer may be restricted to particular products or availability. Check when installation can actually take place and what happens if the proposed date changes.
Before accepting, ask who will carry out the installation, how use of the stairs will be managed during the work and what demonstration and handover you will receive.
Warranty and aftercare
Ask for the cover attached to each quotation. Compare the period, parts and labour, call-outs, exclusions and servicing conditions. If additional cover is offered, check whether it has the same terms as the original warranty.
Ask who handles breakdowns and what support is available outside office hours. A telephone line being open does not by itself promise an engineer will attend immediately. Request the actual service terms and any attendance commitments in writing.
How can you use customer reviews fairly?
Look for recent reviews describing the service you are considering, including surveys, fitting, repairs and communication after purchase. Check which business supplied the lift: a review of a manufacturer may not describe the service of a separate local dealer.
Read several detailed accounts and any company responses. A star rating alone does not tell you how a proposed model will fit your stairs or what the quotation includes. This comparison does not claim a customer satisfaction or reliability winner.
What should you check before choosing?
- Understand the model and rail proposed for your stairs.
- Check that the seating, transfers and controls are practical for you.
- Compare the full installed price and any additional work.
- Read the warranty, servicing and breakdown conditions.
- Confirm the installation timescale and keep the agreed details in writing.
Our guide to choosing a stairlift for your home helps you prepare questions before a survey.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Acorn or Stannah?
The useful comparison is between suitable proposals for your home. Evaluate fit, how you would use the lift, price and support. The published information used here does not establish that either brand is best for everyone.
Do all models from one brand have the same weight limit?
No. Ask the supplier to confirm the limit for the exact model and configuration on your quotation. Do not apply a brand's highest advertised capacity to every product.
Can both brands provide a solution for stairs with turns?
Both publish products for stairs with turns. A survey is still needed to confirm the proposed arrangement for your staircase and the person using the lift.
Will a fast installation offer apply to my order?
Ask the supplier to confirm the applicable model, availability and date. Do not rely on a general advertisement as a commitment for your particular installation.
How Which Stairlift works
We may receive a payment from a partner following a successful recommendation. This does not increase the price you pay. You can request stairlift quotations to compare suitable options.