Choosing between a stairlift and a home lift is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning for long-term accessibility at home. Multicare Homelifts supplies the full Stiltz range, and this guide breaks down each model so you can see exactly what fits your home, your budget, and your mobility needs.
What Is a Home Lift?
A home lift is a compact, through-floor lift that carries you (and, depending on the model, a wheelchair) between floors inside a small, self-contained cab. Unlike a stairlift, which carries one seated passenger up the existing staircase, a home lift moves the whole person, seated, standing, or in a wheelchair through a small opening in the ceiling.
Most people’s first thought when they think about mobility is a stairlift. But a Stiltz home lift from Multicare can offer a more flexible, higher-value solution for private homes: full wheelchair access between floors, no need to transfer in and out of a chair, and a footprint small enough to fit into almost any UK home. For older adults, a residential lift can help them stay in the home they love by supporting safer, more comfortable ageing in place, while also improving daily life for people with limited mobility and adding market value.
Stiltz lifts are quick to install (often within a day once any groundwork is done), don’t need a load-bearing wall, and can often be fitted in an existing home with minimal building work and minimal structural modifications. Advances in technology have also made this part of the market more affordable, and the small footprint means even compact homes can usually accommodate one without losing meaningful room.
The Stiltz Home Lift Range
Duo Range: Compact Two-Person Lifts and Weight Capacity
The Stiltz Duo+ and Stiltz Duo Classic are the smallest lifts in the range, designed as compact home lifts with a small footprint and compact footprint for homes where space is tight, fitting into a corner of a room with a footprint of around 0.55m².
Both Duo models come with:
- A weight capacity of 170kg (27 stone)
- A half-height interlocked cabin doors finish, matched to the lift
- Two wireless remote controls, so you can call and send the lift without walking to it
- Internal LED downlighting that switches on automatically
- A built-in interior telephone for peace of mind
- A battery back-up system, so the lift can still be driven to safety during a power cut
- A control panel with core functions such as floor selection and an emergency stop
- A self-contained drive system; by comparison, winding drum lifts utilize steel cables and a motor for vertical movement
- A 12-month parts and labour warranty as standard
The difference between the two is purely aesthetic. This domestic lift can be installed with no traditional lift shaft or pit, helping it fit seamlessly into compact homes. The Duo+ has a sleek grey finish with clear sides for a more contemporary look and can be customised to match your décor. The Duo Classic is the original Stiltz design, finished in neutral cream with a matching beige interior, a straightforward choice if you want the same functionality without the extra design options inside the car.
Trio Range: Wheelchair-Accessible Lifts for Wheelchair Users and Up to Three People
The Stiltz Trio Classic and Stiltz Trio Plus step up in size to accommodate a full sized wheelchair or up to three passengers at once, with a larger footprint of around 1.25m². For private homes, they also work well as passenger lifts when a residential elevator style option is needed for easy access and everyday wheelchair use.
Both Trio models come with:
- A higher weight limit of 250kg, to safely carry a wheelchair user and companion, or extra passengers, with ample room inside the cabin
- Wider entry points and a gently angled ramp for smooth wheelchair and walking frame access
- The same core safety features as the Duo range: interior telephone, half height door, remote controls, battery back-up, and an obstruction sensor that stops the lift if something is detected in its path
- A 12 month parts and labour warranty as standard
The Trio Classic offers a straightforward, functional finish, while the Trio Plus adds a more premium design with clear sides and the option of a ThruCar configuration, allowing entry and exit from both sides of the lift.
Being able to drive a wheelchair lift straight in and travel between floors in seconds, with no transfer required, is often the deciding factor for households where mobility needs are likely to change over time. It also offers a safe alternative to stairs and helps with easy movement between a ground floor and upper floor. While some larger residential lift models on the market can carry up to five people, this Trio range is designed for up to three.
Duo vs Trio: Which Home Lift and Home Lift Installation Is Right for You?
| Duo+ / Duo Classic | Trio Classic / Trio Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | ~0.55m² | ~1.25m² |
| Weight limit | 170kg (27 stone) | 250kg |
| Passengers | Up to 2 | Up to 3 |
| Wheelchair access | No | Yes (standard-sized wheelchair) |
| Best for | Compact spaces, standard mobility needs | Wheelchair users, multi-passenger households, future-proofing |
| Warranty | 12 months parts & labour | 12 months parts & labour |
If you need the smallest possible footprint and don’t require wheelchair access, the Duo range is the more space-efficient choice. If you or a family member use a wheelchair, or you want to future proof your home for changing mobility needs, the Trio range is worth the extra space it takes up. Beyond passenger use, a homelift can also simplify the transport of heavy items between floors. Groceries, laundry, and luggage are common examples, and if you want easy movement of household items rather than passengers, butler lifts are a specialist option designed for that purpose.
Summary
Both the Duo and Trio ranges from Multicare Homelifts are built on the same reliable Stiltz technology, quick installation, and 12-month warranty. The main difference comes down to space and accessibility: Duo lifts are the more compact, design-led option for two passengers, while Trio lifts add wheelchair access, a higher weight limit, and room for a third passenger. The wider market includes a broad range of residential options, with many home lifts and platform lifts available, and some can be installed in just a few days; hydraulic lifts use a motorized pump and hydraulic fluid to lift the cabin, while pneumatic lifts use air pressure and vacuum systems to move it within a tube. Some options, such as Luma lifts, do not require wall installation for added flexibility, while stannah home lifts are known for tailored solutions and may include two free service visits within a two-year warranty.
Ready to find out which home lift suits your house? Book a free home survey and a Multicare advisor will assess your space and mobility needs in person to identify the suitable product for an existing home, whether you need travel from ground to two floors or a lift designed for two storeys.