Best Manual Patient Lifts

Updated: Jul 16, 2022

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Whether for emergency situations or everyday movement, manual patient lifts are high-performing medical devices that assist caregivers and family members of those who need a little extra help getting around.

If you find it difficult to move or are having trouble assisting someone who does, we recommend you take a look at the following products.

How We Found the Best Manual Patient Lifts

8 Reviewers
21 Products Considered
9 Hours of Research
6 Products Reviewed
3 Top Picks

Features & Specs

  • Weight capacity: 450 pounds
  • 360-degree rotation
  • 17 to 61-inch lifting range
  • Item weight: 68 pounds
  • Sling included: 4 or 6-point

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Lightweight

  • Picks up patients from the floor

  • Simple construction

  • Sturdy

  • Affordable price

  • Increases independence

Cons

  • Complicated sling setup

  • Swivel wheels are hard to operate on carpet

The Invacare Hydraulic Lift is designed to make lifting and transfer situations easier and safer. Its versatile movement allows caregivers to assist patients or loved ones from as low as the floor, if need be. While the design of this device is slim and lightweight, it has a lifting capacity of 450 pounds.

The durable steel construction can handle any reasonable task thrown at it.. The lift has a 360-degree rotation range and is made to move patients without swaying motions.

Caregivers can use this hydraulic lift in most home care situations, and at the same time, the lightweight construction and easy disassembly let you transport it quickly and efficiently.  Wheels allow for easy movement, as well, but include optional locking casters to prevent accidental movement.

Our Verdict

Easy to use, assemble, disassemble, and lightweight, this lift is great for anyone on the go or frequently transported.

Features & Specs

  • Weight capacity: 450 pounds
  • Lifting range: 17.5 to 72 inches
  • Weight: 72 pounds
  • Includes a sling

Pros

  • Easy to handle

  • Easy to assemble

  • Lifts heavyweight

  • Strong and sturdy

  • Provides clear instructions

Cons

  • Difficult for just one person to operate

  • Difficult to move on rugs

In cases that involve pain or injury, or even frailness, it’s wise to invest in equipment that lets you handle a loved one or patient with ease and care.  The Drive Medical Deluxe Hydraulic Lift is one of the best options for situations that require gradual movement.

Powered by high-performance hydraulics, this lift lets you move individuals slowly, safely, and easily. The 6-point swivel bar and width-adjustable steel base give you the strong, steady movements you or your patient needs, while the gradual hydraulic lift does the rest to ensure a smooth transfer.

The included sling can attach at four different sling strap points with an additional two-chain connection. Optional caster sizes let you cater to the height needs of any individual, including lifting patients from the floor.

Our Verdict

If you are looking to safely and smoothly transfer an individual without jolts or swaying, the hydraulic lift may be perfect for you.

Features & Specs

  • Weight capacity: 400 pounds
  • Weight: 80.5 pounds
  • Lifting range: 28 to 73 inches
  • 4 and 6-point cradle options
  • Locking rear casters

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Includes sling

  • Quality made

  • Adjustable base for versatile use

Cons

  • Complicated instructions

  • Hard to use on carpet

The Medline Hydraulic 400 Lift is known as the only lift within its price range to include a 6-point cradle standard. The 6-point system is an excellent feature because it gives you a wide range of options. With this lift, you can use a basic sling, strap style slings, 4-point slings, or 6-point slings.

The idea is that the more points you can use to attach your sling, you more comfortable the user will be. 6-point cradles let you spread the sling out, which gives the user a better experience.

At the same time, the hand-operated hydraulic aspect is strong and sturdy, capable of lifting individuals from the floor if need be. The adjustable base is easy to open up and reposition for a better foundation and can even open wide enough to go over chairs.

Our Verdict

A 6-point sling can make lifting a patient or loved one more comfortable and easier. This 6-point system is easy to use and reliable.

Features & Specs

  • Lifting range: 28 to 68 inches
  • Weight capacity: 400 pounds
  • Weight: 75 pounds
  • Sling included

Pros

  • One person operation

  • High-quality materials and construction

  • Disassembles for transport

  • Fits under furniture

  • Easy to assemble

  • Strong

  • Lowers almost to the floor

Cons

  • Slow pumping

  • Difficult to maneuver

The Bestcare Lifts Genesis 400 Hydraulic actually can convert from a manual to an electric lift. With just one easy upgrade, you can transform your everyday lift into a power lift.

Electric lifts are convenient, and when added to the Genesis 400, you have a strong, reliable machine. This product features several sling options, allowing you to customize your care depending on your patient and situation.

To lift, you have the option of using the hand pump or the electric upgrade. Additionally, a foot pedal lets you open and adjust the base easily. The low base is made to fit under beds for ease of use.

This model is also great for on the go use, as it disassembles for transport. There are no tools necessary for assembly or disassembly as it uses quick-snap connections.

Our Verdict

Without having to purchase a brand new lift, you have the option of upgrading this lift to electric operation, making your life a little bit easier.

Features & Specs

  • Lifting range: 28 to 77 inches
  • Weight capacity: 400 pounds
  • Weight: 116 pounds
  • 4-point cradle

Pros

  • Stable and sturdy

  • Long-lasting

  • Easy to use

  • Durable construction

  • The hydraulic system assists with strength

  • Easy to assemble

  • Picks up patients from floor

Cons

  • The lever at the base can be difficult to operate

  • Manual can be confusing

While different styled homes may have residents who require a lifter, not all of them are suited for the large devices. Luckily, there are those that are made smaller to accommodate less space. The Hoyer Hydraulic Patient Lifter is ideal for homes with smaller spaces.

Easy to assemble and disassemble, this lift is simple to operate and can be broken down for both storage and transport. The rotating pump takes up less space and can be used from either side, making it highly convenient for caregivers.

The adjustable legs form a U-shape to facilitate various seating styles, widening for furniture, wheelchairs, and bathroom use. The angular design of the top holds a non-sway cradle that suits any 4-point sling along with traditional slings.

The extended reach allows caregivers to pick patients up from the floor smoothly and safely. Close the U base for better access when moving the machine around corners or through doorways.

Our Verdict

Patient lifts are not small devices and can be difficult to use in smaller homes. This particular model is designed to fit small spaces for those who have less space.

Features & Specs

  • Lifting range: 29 to 80 inches
  • Weight capacity: 400 pounds
  • Weight: 105 pounds
  • Sling included
  • 2-point sling

Pros

  • Rolls and moves easily

  • Simple design and operation

  • Quality lifting ability

  • Strong and durable

  • Well-constructed

  • Good positioning capacity

Cons

  • Difficult pumping

  • Hard to wheel over the carpet

Special features and additional options can be extremely helpful, but sometimes the best thing you can do is go back to basics. The Hoyer name has been trusted for 50 years to safely transfer patients, which makes the Classic Hoyer Lift a great choice for someone looking for dependability and simple use.

The lift includes extended reach, which lets users and caregivers pick up patients from the floor. The cradle works with any Hoyer 2-point sling, and the legs are adjustable.

This classic lift gives you a smooth ride, easily transferring patients from beds and even vehicles. It is stable, reliable, and easy to use with a long-lasting chrome finish. Some assembly is required, but it is simple, and the base easily separates for storage and transport.

Our Verdict

It’s never a bad thing to get back to the basics. This lift works great, but it maintains a classic, easy-to-use, no gimmick design.

Patient lifts go by many names: patient hoist, jack hoist, hydraulic lift, etc. However, they all work to accomplish the same goal. A patient lift is a specially designed piece of medical equipment that assists caregivers such as nurses or family members in lifting and transferring patient between a bed and a chair (or elsewhere).

These lifts accomplish this with the use of a sling system. The lifts are either electrical or hydraulically powered. The top of the device features hooks to which a sling attaches. Patients are hoisted up in the slings.

The advantage of manual lifts is that it greatly minimizes the amount of effort it takes to help someone who is partially or fully immobile out of bed or to different locations. Just one person can operate most of these machines. It reduces the number of people required to relocate a patient while also lessening the risk of injury while moving a patient.

If you are new to the idea of using a patient lift, you should do some research to learn the basics before attempting to operate one—especially if you are a family member intending on using it for a loved one.

First, the basics: When hoisting a patient—whether from the floor or from sitting to standing—keep in mind that the patient’s body weight should be centered over the base legs at all times. This keeps the whole mechanism steady. Many lifts have adjustable bases that can help make this easier.

Manufacturers have made manual and electric powered lifts fairly simple to operate. A manual lift uses hydraulic cylinders that are operated by a hand pump. To lift, simply pump the hand pump until you’ve reached your desired position.

To lower a patient down manually, open the hydraulic pressure release knob. Turn it counter-clockwise, but not more than a single full turn. This will release your patient.

Electric powered lifts work the same way, except they include a rechargeable battery pack and push-button hand control. It uses buttons to both lift and lower patients.

Anyone who has limited mobility is a candidate for a patient lift. Sometimes it depends on the severity of the lack of mobility, but it can also depend on what kind of assistance is available to the patient.

For example, someone who is not in a wheelchair but uses a walker and needs a little bit of assistance may only require their spouses helping hand. However, if this person lives with someone who is unable to assist them, a patient lift can be helpful to not only the patient but their caregiver.

Patients who are completely immobile should use some kind of patient lift. It is very uncommon for immobile individuals to live on their own, so a patient lift may be more useful for their caregiver

Immobility is definitely stressful for the immobile individual, but it’s also stressful for their caregivers and loved ones. They want to help all they can, but sometimes their helping hands alone are not enough. A patient lift may be exactly the solution you have been looking for. Investing in one for your home can aid you in better serving your patients or loved ones.

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