An outdoor stairlift carries a seated user along a rail fitted to an existing flight of steps, in the same way an indoor stairlift works, but built from weather-resistant materials. It's a cost-effective option for anyone who can walk to the stairlift and transfer onto the seat. For wheelchair users who need to stay in their chair throughout the journey, an incline platform lift is the suitable alternative — it carries the wheelchair itself on a platform, rather than a seat. Both types are compared side by side below.

Important: outdoor stairlifts are not suitable for most wheelchair users

A stairlift requires the user to transfer from their wheelchair onto a seat — it doesn't carry the wheelchair. If you can't transfer safely, or need to remain in your wheelchair, choose an incline platform lift instead, such as the Elevate Glide or Liftak Platform Stairlift below.