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Best Electric Patient Lifts
Updated:
Jul 16, 2022
Best Electric Patient Lifts
Electric patient lifts provide convenience and safety when transferring patients from one place to another. Powered patient lifts not only make moving more manageable for the patient, but also assists those who are providing care for them.
There are many electric lifts you to choose from on the market. This decision can seem like a complicated process, but you can easily make an informed decision with a little help. Here are six of the best electric patient lifts available currently.
How We Found the Best Electric Patient Lifts
50 Products Considered
12 Hours of Research
6 Products Reviewed
3 Top Picks
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Electric Patient Lifts We Reviewed:
- Drive Medical Bariatric Power Lift
- Liko Viking Medium Patient Lift
- Liko Viking Large And Extra-Large Patient Lift
- Hoyer Presence Patient Lift
- Hoyer Heavy Duty Power Patient Lift
- Prism Medical FGA-330 Portable Floor Lift
Features & Specs
- Base width open: 45.75 inches
- Furniture clearance needed: 4.5 inches
- Lifting range: 32 to 75.5 inches
- Front caster size: Three inches
- Rear caster size: Four inches
- Base type: Manual
- Base width closed: 25 inches
- Base height: 4.5 inches
Pros
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It can accommodate heavier patients
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It has a six-point and four-point sling
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It weighs 127 pounds, and it is on wheels, so it moves relatively easily
Cons
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It does not lift patients from the floor
The Drive Medical Bariatric Power Lift has a weight capacity of 600 pounds so that it can accommodate a variety of patients. The front casters are heavy duty for optimal durability, and this lift has a two-inch base clearance.
The lift features a four-point hookup and a cradle that rotates at 360 degrees. It is also extra wide, in order to accommodate the comfort of patients when they are being transferred. There is an emergency release on the jumbo actuator pump. This feature allows for safer transfer and manual lowering.
You can also plug the lift into the wall to charge the battery, leaving no need to remove the batter from the device in order to charge it.. The battery is also upgradable.
Our Verdict
It is a heavy-duty lift that is easy to maneuver, and it accommodates up to 600 pounds.
Features & Specs
- Base width open: 43.3 inches
- Furniture clearance needed: 4.2 inches
- Lifting range: 70.5 to 16.5 inches
- Front caster size: Three inches
- Rear caster size: Three inches
- Base type: Power
- Base width closed: 27.2 inches
- Base height: 4.2 inches
Pros
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The NiMH battery is eco-friendly
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This device can lift patients from the floor
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It has a two-point sling, four-point sling, and a standing sling
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The lift is easy to put together and comes with an instructional DVD
Cons
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This lift is not portable
The Liko Viking Medium Patient Lift features a 1.2-inch base clearance. It weighs 77 pounds and can accommodate patients up to 450 pounds. It uses refined aluminum for optimal durability. You can conveniently charge the lift using an extension cable.
This lift uses two speeds to lift patients from the floor. This device is a maneuverable lift that is easy to move around. It has ample comfort and stability regarding its slings. It also features a digital scale to weigh patients easily.
You can also use this lift as a gait training aid. A retractable armrest is featured on the lift for this purpose. Operating this lift is made easier with hand controls that allow you to manipulate the device from several positions. This lift is fully electric, allowing for operation via the press of a button.
Our Verdict
The ground clearance is only 1.2 inches.
Features & Specs
- Base width open: 42.1 inches
- Furniture clearance needed: 6.5 inches (large) and 5.5 inches (extra-large)
- Lifting range: 18.1 to 70.5 inches (large) and 22 to 74 inches (extra-large)
- Front caster size: 3.9 inches
- Rear caster size: 4.9 inches
- Base type: Power
- Base width closed: 27.4 inches
- Base height: 6.5 inches (large) and 5.5 inches (extra-large)
Pros
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These lifts can lift a patient from the floor
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This lift has multiple uses
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The battery charger comes with the lift
Cons
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Assembly can be challenging
The Liko Viking Large and Extra-Large Patient Lifts offer a low base clearance and impressive capacity. The large lift can accommodate up to 550 pounds. The extra-large lift can accommodate up to 660 pounds.
The control panel and hand control make it easy to operate the lift when mobilizing patients. The large casters make it easy to move these lifts around multiple floor types.
The lifts have a scale, allowing you to get the patient’s weight without a separate device. The lift is fully electric, ensuring optimal flexibility.
These lifts also work for gait training. Use the retractable armrests to promote greater comfort and stability when working on your gait.
Our Verdict
It can accommodate up to 550 to 660 pounds and features a height of 80 to 83 inches.
Features & Specs
- Base width open: 40.1 inches
- Furniture clearance needed: 4.7 inches
- Lifting range: 16.9 to 75.2 inches
- Front caster size: Four inches
- Rear caster size: Four inches
- Base type: Power
- Base width closed: 26.4 inches
- Base height: 4.7 inches
Pros
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It is lightweight at 88 pounds
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This lift is a low-clearance device
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You can lift a patient from the floor
Cons
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This lift is not easily portable because it does not fold down
The Hoyer Presence Patient Lift has a weight capacity of up to 500 pounds. You can use multiple sling systems due to the interchangeable cradle bars. The sling choices include a two-point sling, four-point sling, and six-point sling.
The battery this lift uses is a 24-volt DC battery. It is sealed and rechargeable. There is an off-board charging unit to charge the batteries.
Initial movement is more natural with this lift due to an ergonomic foot pad within the device. . Hold the pendant in place using the simple hand clip control. Vital service data is available on the lift’s Smart Monitor.
The caregiver does not have to twist or bend to transfer the patient. Close and open the base using the electric actuators. Pushing a button allows you to operate this device.
Our Verdict
This lift has a Smart Monitor where you can view lift and service data.
Features & Specs
- Base width open: 46.2 inches
- Furniture clearance needed: 4.5 inches
- Lifting range: 23.2 to 69 inches
- Front caster size: Three inches
- Rear caster size: Four inches
- Base type: Power
- Base width closed: 27.5 inches
- Base height: 4.5 inches
Pros
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This lift has a low base clearance
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It can accommodate patients of varying sizes
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You can use this lift to get patients from the floor
Cons
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This lift does not disassemble for convenient storage
The Hoyer Heavy Duty Power Patient Lift can accommodate patients up to 700 pounds. It accommodates two sling types, including a four-point or a six-point sling.
Easily lift and transfer patients without physical strain on the caregiver due to the powered base. The low base clearance makes it possible for this lift to slide under most furniture types for added security when getting patients into the sling component of the device.
This lift has a built-in scale, making it a multi-functional option. It allows you to assess the patient’s weight in both kilograms and pounds.
The legs close and open with a button, so caregivers do not have to manually adjust them. Large handles allow for proper body positioning and come withseveral grip choices.
Minimize bariatric discomfort with the six-point cradle design. The sealed batteries are rechargeable. This lift takes two 12V 3.2 Ah batteries.
Our Verdict
It has a six-point cradle and a weight capacity of 700 pounds.
Features & Specs
- Base width open: 41 inches
- Furniture clearance needed: 5.2 inches
- Lifting range: 16.9 to 64.6 inches
- Front caster size: Three inches
- Rear caster size: Four inches
- Base type: Manual
- Base length: 50.4 inches
Pros
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This lift folds for simple storage and travel
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It is lightweight, weighing about 79 inches
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You can lift patients off of the floor
Cons
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It might take time to learn how to break down the lift for storage and travel
The Prism Medical FGA-330 Portable Floor Lift has a weight capacity of 330 pounds. This lift has 36-degree turning capacity. This feature ensures that patients can be transferred from one precise spot to the next without issue.
The frame is aluminum, making the lift lightweight. However, it’s design does not sacrifice quality or durability. . This lift is ideal for helping patients up after they have fallen. It also works to transfer patients to and from wheelchairs, the toilet or a bed.
Over the lift’s base closing and opening is a step-release bar for added convenience. The caregiver does not have to operate the boom or mast to position the patient for transfer. For added safety, this lift has emergency lowering and stop functions.
The control box features lift usage tracking and diagnostic capabilities. This device uses a 24 VDC 2.9 Ah battery.
Our Verdict
This lift folds and only weighs about 79 pounds for portability.
What to Consider When Buying Electric Patient Lifts
Electric patient lifts offer a variety of benefits over other lift options. Learning more about them and how to choose one allows you to make the best decision.
Electronic Lift Benefits
This type of lift provides the following benefits:
- No physical stress on the caregiver
- Easier tracking of data (on those with digital displays)
- Adjustable base
- Easy-to-operate controls
- Rechargeable batteries
Lift Height Range
It is generally a good idea to choose a lift that can get patients from the floor in the event of a fall. At the maximum height, the lift should help caregivers to get into any chair, toilet or bed in their living space.
Emergency Controls
A manual override switch and emergency shut-off are crucial, especially for electronic lifts. This ensures that should a power loss occur that the caregiver can still safely transfer the patient. With these features, when the power is not working, or the battery loses its charge, there are manual control options caregivers can use to operate the lift for patient transfer.
Weight Capacity
The right weight capacity depends on the weight of the patient, or patients, you are working with at the time. Lifts come in a wide array of weight capacities. It is important to choose the right weight because if the patient is too heavy for the lift, a component may fail, resulting in injury to the patient. When considering weight capacity, look at the capacity of the lift itself and the slings you will use with it.
Slings
The sling holds the patient when the lift is holding them, so it is important to choose the right one. There are several sling styles to explore:
- Full-body sling: This type supports the patient’s full body, and their arms are in the straps of the sling.
- Toileting sling: These have a hole in the bottom for easier toileting access, but their overall design is similar to a full-body sling.
- U-sling: This sling has a U-shape, and they are relatively easy to take off or put on when patients are sitting.
Scale
Some lifts will have a built-in scale. This feature makes it easier to check a patient’s weight. Immobile patients or those with a high fall risk might not be able use a traditional scale safely. When the lift has one, caregivers can easily and safely check their weight on a regular schedule.
Lift Components
There are several components of a patient lift. Knowing what these are make it easier to assess them when you are searching for the right lift. The components include:
- Base -The base allows the lift to go around a chair, toilet, wheelchair or other similar surfaces.
- Casters -The casters are the wheels that make it possible for the lift to move easier.
- Boom – The boom is at the top of the lift and does a lot of the lifting.
- Cradle – The cradle supports the sling, and the patient goes into the sling.
- Spreader – The spreader bar works to close and open the base.
Consider the features that best meet your needs when choosing an electric patient lift, as well as their aesthetic, to make the right decision for you and your patient.
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