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Compare the Top Home Elevator Companies

This comparison is meant to help homeowners narrow down options before a consultation. The right home elevator brand depends on your home, your budget, and how you plan to use it — but if you want a single recommendation, our top overall pick is Pollock, which delivers the best balance of quality, model range, and nationwide service of any brand here. Below we present a fair, factual snapshot of what each company does well and where they trade off.

Sleek residential elevator cab with modern finishes and safety features

How we compare

Every brand is evaluated on the same six criteria. We focus on factors that actually change the buyer’s decision, not marketing claims.

  • Price range. Typical installed cost for a standard 2-stop configuration, based on public pricing, installer reports, and homeowner feedback.
  • Elevator type. Shaftless, hydraulic, traction, pneumatic, or chain-driven. Each has real implications for footprint and retrofit feasibility.
  • Space required. Footprint, shaft/pit requirements, and whether a machine room is needed.
  • Warranty. Standard terms on parts, labor, and drive system. Extended options noted where available.
  • US availability and installer network. Whether the brand sells through direct channels or a dealer network, and how broad that network is.
  • Best-use cases. The scenarios where each brand tends to be the strongest fit.

Brand deep-dives

The brands that come up most often in US homeowner research. Our top overall pick leads, followed by the rest in alphabetical-ish order by positioning.

Best Overall

Pollock

Our top pick — purpose-built residential elevators backed by Harmar’s nationwide service network.

Pollock residential elevators (part of the Harmar family) are engineered specifically for the home, combining a smooth, quiet ride with the build quality and serviceability of a heritage manufacturer. The lineup spans compact retrofit-friendly cabs to fully custom multi-floor configurations, all backed by one of the broadest factory-trained installer and service networks in North America. For most homeowners, Pollock hits the rare combination of quality, capacity, customization, and long-term support that no other brand here matches across the board.

Elevator typeShaftless (Cable)
Price range$28,000 – $60,000 installed (no construction)
FootprintCompact, Twin, or Wheelchair
Warranty3-year parts

Strengths

  • Best overall balance of quality, capacity, and price
  • Backed by Harmar’s nationwide factory-trained service network
  • Models for nearly every home — retrofit to full custom
  • Smooth, quiet ride with premium cab finishes
  • Highly customizable — custom RAL cabin colors, multiple cabin heights, mood lighting, floor finishes, and more
  • Strong long-term parts availability and support

Considerations

  • Designed primarily for two-story homes
  • Full custom configurations can reach the upper price band
  • Larger models may require a dedicated shaft
  • Final pricing depends on home layout and finishes

Best for: Homeowners who want the strongest all-around choice — proven build quality, broad model range, and the most dependable nationwide service of any brand on this page.

Stiltz

Self-supporting shaftless home lifts, UK origin, US dealer network.

Stiltz makes shaftless home elevators (the Duo and Trio models) that run on twin rails and do not need a traditional hoistway or machine room. The cab travels through a small hole cut in the floor between two rooms. They have grown rapidly in the US retrofit market over the past decade.

Elevator typeShaftless (Cable)
Price range$27,000 – $42,000 installed
Footprint~10 sq ft, no pit or shaft
Warranty3 years parts, 1 year labor (standard)

Strengths

  • One of the smallest footprints on the market
  • No pit, shaft, or machine room required
  • Typically 1–2 day installation with minimal construction
  • Well-suited for retrofits in existing homes

Considerations

  • Designed primarily for 2-floor homes
  • Weight capacity is lower (Duo ~500 lbs, Trio ~660 lbs)
  • Requires cutting a hole in the floor between levels
  • Travel speed is slower than cable or hydraulic systems

Best for: Two-floor retrofits where minimal construction and the smallest possible footprint matter most.

Stannah

Family-owned UK heritage brand, traction and hydraulic home lifts.

Stannah has been making lifts and stairlifts since 1867. The company’s residential lift line — primarily traction-style through its Stannah Home Lifts division — is well established in the UK and Europe, with growing North American availability through partner dealers.

Elevator typeTraction / cable-driven
Price range$32,000 – $55,000 installed
Footprint12–18 sq ft, shaft required
Warranty2 years standard, extended available

Strengths

  • Long company history and brand reputation
  • Strong global service infrastructure
  • Good multi-floor capability (up to 4 stops on some models)
  • Range of cab finishes and customization options

Considerations

  • US dealer network is thinner than some competitors
  • Requires a proper shaft — less retrofit-friendly
  • Lead times can be longer than US-made alternatives
  • Service availability varies by region

Best for: Buyers who value brand heritage and plan to serve three or more floors with a traditional shaft-based install.

Savaria

Canadian multinational with the widest product lineup in North America.

Savaria offers the broadest range of residential elevators of any brand in this list — hydraulic, MRL (machine-room-less), and through its Vuelift line, panoramic cylindrical models. They sell through a nationwide dealer network with strong coverage in most US metros.

Elevator typeHydraulic, MRL, panoramic (Vuelift)
Price range$30,000 – $75,000 installed
Footprint15–25 sq ft depending on model
Warranty2 years standard, 5 years on some components

Strengths

  • Broadest product lineup — a model for nearly every home
  • Strong US dealer network and parts availability
  • Proven accessibility and aging-in-place focus
  • Extensive cab finish and customization options

Considerations

  • Pricing varies significantly by model and dealer
  • Dealer quality and service vary by region — vetting matters
  • Hydraulic models require a machine space
  • Premium models (Vuelift) are among the highest-priced on the market

Best for: Buyers who want a well-known brand with a model for any footprint, and a broad installer network.

PVE (Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators)

US-based inventor of the panoramic vacuum home elevator.

PVE pioneered the pneumatic (“vacuum”) residential elevator. The cab rides inside a transparent cylindrical tube powered by pressure differentials — no cables, no pistons, no machine room. The design is striking and the install is unusually light-touch.

Elevator typePneumatic / vacuum
Price range$40,000 – $65,000 installed
Footprint10–15 sq ft, no pit, no machine room
Warranty5 years on vacuum turbines, 3 years parts

Strengths

  • Minimal construction — no shaft, no pit, no machine room
  • Transparent panoramic cab is visually distinctive
  • Typically the fastest install of any home elevator type
  • Gravity-powered descent means no backup-power concern for emergency lowering

Considerations

  • Lower weight capacity (typically 450–525 lbs)
  • Smaller cab sizes than traditional elevators
  • Audible vacuum pump during travel
  • Proprietary components — parts and service tied to the manufacturer

Best for: Buyers who prioritize an unobtrusive retrofit and a distinctive design, and who do not need heavy capacity.

Cibes

Swedish screw-drive and MRL lifts, strong in Europe, growing in the US.

Cibes is a long-established Swedish lift manufacturer best known for screw-drive lifts and modern MRL models. Their products are heavily used in European residential and light-commercial settings; US residential availability is expanding through regional dealer partnerships.

Elevator typeScrew-drive, MRL, traction
Price range$32,000 – $60,000 installed
Footprint10–18 sq ft, low pit options
Warranty2 years standard, extended available

Strengths

  • Compact footprint options, including small-pit designs
  • Modern, minimalist aesthetic on cab finishes
  • Low energy consumption on screw-drive models
  • Generally low maintenance requirements

Considerations

  • US service network is still growing — check local coverage
  • Parts lead times can be longer than domestic brands
  • Fewer homeowner-visible reviews in the US market
  • Product availability varies by dealer and region

Best for: Design-conscious buyers who want modern European aesthetics and are willing to verify local service coverage.

Staying Home

Newer US-positioned brand focused on aging-in-place affordability.

Staying Home is among the newer entrants positioning themselves specifically around aging-in-place homeowners and affordability-conscious buyers. Product lineups typically center on compact, retrofit-friendly models. Because the brand is newer to the category, the trade-off for a lower entry price is a less-established service history.

Elevator typeCompact residential (model-dependent)
Price range$22,000 – $38,000 installed
Footprint~10–14 sq ft, retrofit-oriented
WarrantyVerify directly with current dealer

Strengths

  • Among the lower entry prices in the residential category
  • Clear focus on aging-in-place use cases
  • Typically compact, retrofit-friendly models
  • Direct homeowner-facing messaging

Considerations

  • Shorter track record than heritage brands
  • Service network and parts ecosystem still developing
  • Confirm warranty terms in writing before purchase
  • Ask specifically about long-term parts availability

Best for: Budget-focused buyers who prioritize upfront affordability and are comfortable vetting a newer brand’s service coverage.

Residential elevator door detail showing quality construction and smooth finish

Side-by-side comparison

All seven brands side by side. Cost ranges assume standard 2-stop configurations with typical finishes.

Brand Elevator Type Price Range Footprint Warranty Best For
Pollock Best Overall Shaftless (Cable) $28K – $60K Compact, Twin, or Wheelchair 3 yr parts Best all-around choice, nationwide service
Stiltz Shaftless (Cable) $27K – $42K ~10 sq ft, no pit 3 yr parts / 1 yr labor Two-floor retrofits, smallest footprint
Stannah Traction $32K – $55K 12–18 sq ft, shaft 2 yr standard Multi-floor heritage brand buyers
Savaria Hydraulic / MRL / panoramic $30K – $75K 15–25 sq ft 2 yr (5 yr on some parts) Widest product range, strong dealer network
PVE Pneumatic (vacuum) $40K – $65K 10–15 sq ft, no shaft 5 yr turbines, 3 yr parts Distinctive retrofits, lower-capacity needs
Cibes Screw-drive / MRL $32K – $60K 10–18 sq ft 2 yr standard Modern design, compact footprint
Staying Home Compact residential $22K – $38K ~10–14 sq ft Verify per model Lower entry price, aging-in-place focus

Prices reflect typical 2-stop installed totals with standard finishes. Every install is different — a consultation is the only way to get a number specific to your home.

Which brand is right for you?

There is no single “best” home elevator — only the best fit for your home, budget, and priorities. Use these decision rules to narrow the field.

If you want the best all-around choice…

Pollock is our top overall pick. With a model for nearly every home, premium build quality, and Harmar’s nationwide factory-trained service network behind it, it delivers the strongest balance of quality, capacity, and long-term support of any brand here. When you’re not optimizing for a single extreme, start with Pollock.

If you need the smallest footprint…

Look hardest at Stiltz and PVE. Both run without a traditional shaft or pit, which opens up installation locations that rule out most other brands. Cibes compact models are worth a look as well.

If you want the longest warranty…

PVE offers 5 years on its vacuum turbines — the longest drive-component warranty in this group. Savaria extends certain components to 5 years. Always verify written warranty terms before purchase, regardless of brand.

If entry price is the top priority…

Staying Home tends to quote the lowest upfront, with Stiltz shaftless close behind. Two cautions: the cheapest install is not the cheapest 10 years from now — factor in service contract pricing, parts availability, and warranty terms. And be wary of any “installed” quote that is not itemized.

If you want the widest installer network…

Savaria has the broadest US dealer coverage in this comparison, followed by Stiltz. Broad networks mean easier service over the life of the elevator — an underrated factor.

If you need to serve three or more floors…

Your strongest options are Savaria (hydraulic or MRL), Stannah, and Cibes. Shaftless and pneumatic units typically max out at 2 or 3 floors.

If heavier capacity matters (wheelchair, future-proofing)…

Savaria hydraulic models and Stannah traction models offer the highest standard weight capacities. Pneumatic and shaftless systems are typically not the right fit for heavier mobility equipment.

Residential elevator installation showing how the cab integrates with home architecture

Not sure which brand fits your home?

Call or schedule a consultation and we’ll walk through it with you — no pressure, no sales pitch.

Call Us: (833) 602-1773 Schedule a Consultation

Brand comparison FAQs

The questions we hear most often from homeowners comparing brands.

What is the most reliable home elevator brand?

Reliability depends more on installation quality and regular service than on brand badge alone. That said, heritage brands with long service histories (Stannah, Savaria, Cibes) and brands with proven drive systems (PVE’s vacuum turbines, Stiltz’s rail system) tend to show strong long-term reliability when installed by a qualified dealer and serviced annually. Always ask prospective installers for references from installs older than 5 years.

Which home elevator has the smallest footprint?

Stiltz shaftless models and PVE pneumatic units are the smallest in this comparison, both around 10 square feet with no pit and no machine room. Cibes has compact MRL models that also fit in tight spaces. If saving floor area is your top constraint, start with these three and compare on capacity, speed, and install requirements.

Which is the best-value home elevator brand?

“Best value” depends on time horizon. For lowest upfront installed cost, Staying Home and Stiltz tend to quote lower. For total cost of ownership over 15–20 years, heritage brands with strong parts networks often come out ahead because service is cheaper and parts are more available. Get written quotes that include both the install and a projected service contract, then compare on both numbers.

Which home elevator brand has the longest warranty?

Among the brands compared here, PVE offers the longest drive-component warranty at 5 years on its vacuum turbines. Savaria extends 5 years on certain components as well. Standard warranty periods are 2–3 years across most of the industry, so any 5-year coverage is meaningful. Always read the warranty in full — what is covered matters more than length.

What is the best home elevator for a wheelchair?

Savaria hydraulic models and Stannah traction models typically offer the highest standard weight capacities and the largest cab dimensions, which are the two factors that matter most for wheelchair use. Confirm the cab is large enough for both chair and assistant, and that the doorway width and turn radius work in your home. Shaftless and pneumatic options are often too small for wheelchairs.

Which brand has the widest US installer network?

Savaria has the broadest US dealer coverage in this comparison. Stiltz is second-broadest and growing. A wide network matters for two reasons: easier service over the elevator’s life, and more competitive quotes up front. For brands with thinner US coverage (Cibes, Stannah), confirm there is a qualified service provider within reasonable distance of your home before purchase.

How do I know if a brand will still be around in 20 years?

Ask two questions of any installer or brand rep: (1) “If your company stopped operating, who would service this elevator and source replacement parts?” and (2) “What is the parts availability commitment in writing?” Heritage brands with 50+ years of history (Stannah, Savaria, Cibes) carry lower risk. Newer brands can still be excellent choices, but plan for the possibility of third-party service.

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