Home \Acorn Stairlifts

Acorn Stairlifts

As the demography of senior citizens in the United States steadily grows every year with the aging of the Baby Boom generation, the need for movement assistance products grows with it. One of the most popular and practical types of the kinds of products are stairlifts, which help people with limited mobility or physical difficulty to ascend stairs. Acorn Stairlifts, one of the newest entries in the stairlift field, has earned a reputation for quality in both their products and their customer service in the past ten years.

A Bit About Acorn

Acorn stairlifts logoAcorn Stairlifts opened its doors in 2001 in Orlando, Florida, the first U.S. office of the U.K. company of the same name. At that time, there was little knowledge in the United States about stairlifts, although they had been used in Europe for many years prior. Acorn first began marketing its stairlifts through the channels that mobility equipment was normally advertised, with medical supply storefronts and dealers. However, the company quickly realized that marketing directly to the customer was a better strategy for them, as it meant that they could interact directly with prospects and actual customers, ensuring better customer service overall. Now, Acorn Stairlifts has over 750 employees worldwide, has operations in five countries, and has sold over 125,000 stairlifts in its ten years in business. It is recognized worldwide as one of the top manufacturers and servicers of stairlifts, and enjoys an excellent reputation.

Distinguishing Characteristics of Acorn Stairlifts

Acorn Stairlifts separates itself from the competition by offering as standard features what many of their competitors only offer as premium features. Every Acorn stairlift is equipped with locking swivel seats, both mechanical and electronic brake controls, safety belts, rack-and-pinion drive instead of a cable-pulled mechanism, remote sensors which prevent hitting any obstructions, and soft-stop brakes to prevent jolts. For comfort, every Acorn seat is padded, has two remote controls, and paddle controls that even those with serious manual dexterity issues can work. Also, each Acorn stairlift has self-diagnostic features to ensure it is always in top form, and is DC powered, so it will work even during power outages. Acorn Stairlifts offers three variations: straight, curved, and outdoor stairlifts, and sub-models of each kind, so their customers have ample choice.

Variety and Practicality

For those whose staircases are straight, the Acorn 120 model is for them. It has a slim, fold-up design which fits to the stairs, not the wall, and permits passage easily for those who don’t need assistance. The 120 has perch or sit/stand options, and is also offered in an outdoor model. Straight Acorn Stairlifts are the most inexpensive and easy-to-install models. For those with curved staircases, the Acorn 80 curved lifts are the answer. The 80 has all the same safety and comfort features as the 120, but has a custom-designed curved track to allow for bends or twists in the staircase, although spiral stairs are not possible to equip. There is also an additional feature in the 80 design, a powered-hinged rail, which allows the railing to be folded up for easier access or when the lift is not in use. For those who want to use their lift outside, the Acorn 120 has an outdoor model, which is very sturdy and resistant to the elements. All models are custom-installed for each customer, so prices are slightly variable.

Customer Service and User Reviews

Acorn Stairlifts claims that its products are the best available, and may online user reviews attest to that: the majority of off-site reviews were extremely positive, with the few negative posts being about expensive repairs after installation or items covered under warranty. The Acorn warranty does cover repairs to the gearbox and motor only, although additional extended warranty protection can be purchased at an additional cost. But by far, most user reviews were very satisfying, and industry experts posted positively about installing, repairing, and selling Acorn Stairlifts.