Lift Chair Buyers' Guide

• Posted on 19 December 2023
• By Tristan Mitzel
• Posted in Buyers Guide, Lift Chair
• 3

Welcome to BHM Education, where today I'll be taking the time to offer helpful information about lift chairs that I've learned from my two years of experience at Broadway Home Medical, and I'll review some of the most popular lift chairs on the market. 

Introduction

Welcome to BHM Education, where today I'll be taking the time to offer helpful information about lift chairs that I've learned from my two years of experience at Broadway Home Medical, and I'll review some of the most popular lift chairs on the market. If you like the way a chair sounds, just click the link included in the title above the mention of that chair. As always, feel free to contact us via phone for personalized assistance using our east location's phone number 1-316-264-8600, or visit our Contact Us page. 

For additional support preparing to buy a lift chair check out our other articles on the topic: What is a Lift Chair?, and our product spotlights on the Golden Cloud with Twilight and the Pride Vivalift! Atlas (1)

Table of Contents

Reasons to Own a Lift Recliner

Conditions That a Lift Chair Can Benefit

Latest Lift Chair Innovations and Trends from 2023

Reviewing Popular Lift Chairs

- Pride Lift Chairs

- Golden Lift Chairs

Reasons to Own a Lift Chair

Lift chairs are a great option for people who have difficulty getting up from a regular chair or sofa. They are powered by a motor that can raise or lower the seat and the backrest, allowing the user to adjust their position with a remote control. Here are some reasons to own a lift chair:

- Comfort: Lift chairs are designed to provide maximum comfort and support for the user. They can help reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation, and prevent muscle fatigue. Some models also have features like massage, heat, or recline functions that can enhance the relaxation experience.

- Independence: Lift chairs can help users maintain their independence and dignity by allowing them to get in and out of the chair without assistance. This can also reduce the risk of falls and injuries, and improve the quality of life for the user and their caregivers.

- Style: Lift chairs come in a variety of styles, colors, and fabrics to suit any preference and décor. They can blend in with the existing furniture or stand out as a focal point. Some models also have storage pockets, cup holders, or USB ports for convenience and functionality.

Conditions that Benefit from a Lift Chair

- Arthritis: Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It can affect any part of the body, but it often affects the hips, knees, and spine. This can make it difficult and painful to stand up or sit down, especially from a low or soft surface. A lift chair can help by raising the seat to a height that reduces the stress on the joints, and by allowing the user to recline or elevate their legs to reduce swelling and stiffness.

- Back pain: Back pain is another common condition that can affect people of all ages. It can be caused by various factors, such as injury, muscle strain, poor posture, or degenerative diseases. Back pain can limit the range of motion and make it hard to bend or twist the spine. A lift chair can help by supporting the natural curve of the spine, and by offering different positions that can relieve pressure and tension on the back muscles and nerves.

- Circulatory problems: Circulatory problems are conditions that affect the blood flow in the body. They can include varicose veins, edema, deep vein thrombosis, or heart failure. These conditions can cause swelling, pain, numbness, or tingling in the legs and feet, and increase the risk of blood clots or infections. A lift chair can help by elevating the legs above the heart level, which can improve blood circulation and reduce fluid retention.

- Balance disorders: Balance disorders are conditions that affect the inner ear or the brain, and cause dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance. They can include Meniere's disease, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or stroke. These conditions can make it unsafe to stand up or sit down without assistance, as they can cause falls or injuries. A lift chair can help by providing a stable and secure base, and by lifting or lowering the user gradually and smoothly.

- Parkinson's disease: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the movement and coordination of the body. It can cause tremors, rigidity, slowness, and difficulty initiating or stopping movements. It can also affect posture, speech, and facial expressions. Parkinson's disease can make it challenging to perform daily activities, such as getting in and out of a chair. A lift chair can help by offering a range of motion that matches the user's abilities, and by reducing the effort and risk of falling.

7 Lift Chair Trends and Innovations from 2023

With advancements that go beyond the ordinary, these cutting-edge chairs are redefining the way we relax and unwind. Imagine a chair that intuitively adjusts to your body's needs, providing unmatched support and customization. Whether you're seeking relief from back pain or simply looking for a cozy spot to read your favorite book, these chairs have got you covered. Powered by intelligent sensors and state-of-the-art technology, lift chairs now offer a range of features that make your life easier. From built-in USB ports and wireless charging capabilities to voice-activated controls and integrated smart home compatibility, these chairs seamlessly integrate into your modern lifestyle. But that's not all – these innovations in lift chair technology also prioritize safety, with advanced mechanisms that ensure smooth and secure transitions. With ergonomic designs and plush upholstery options, these chairs not only provide comfort but also add a touch of elegance to any space. Say goodbye to traditional chairs and get ready to indulge in the ultimate in relaxation and convenience. Discover the latest innovations in lift chair technology and elevate your comfort to new heights.

1. Proliferation of frame tilt technologies (like Golden Twilight)

Pride Mobility and other lift chair vendors are beginning to catch up to Golden with their own alternatives to Golden Twilight. Golden Twilight is the technology Golden uses in some of their premium lift chairs that allows for the entire frame to tilt off of a single pivot point, thanks to an additional motor installed in the chairs. Attached are some images of various chairs with frame tilt enabled and disabled for your reference. 

2. No Spill Cup Holders

Everyone loves to be able to enjoy a refreshment while watching the television. With a lift chair, many cup holders can be problematic when the user wants to get out of their chair, and they leave their cups in their chair's cupholder. Golden is working to solve this issue in their premium lift chairs by offering cupholders that will not spill when the rest of the chair is lifted up. See below for an example of this in action. 

The Golden Regal's no-spill cup holder in action

3. Wireless Phone Chargers

Many premium lift chairs come standard with wireless phone chargers these days. They tend to be quite large, ensuring almost any phone can fit on them, and most support the Chi wireless charging standard, which is used by modern iPhones. 

The VivaLift! Ultra (left) and Golden Titan (right) side-by-side, showing off their tuck-away wireless charging pads (on the viewer's left) 

4. Golden Heatwave - Far-Infrared Seat Warming

From Golden: Like a ray of sunshine, this innovative technology produces invisible Far Infrared light waves that deliver healing warmth up to three inches deep into body tissue where it is most effective, helping to reduce inflammation, relieve joint pain, alleviate muscle tension, improve circulation, and speed cellular recovery. The gentle heat produced in Far Infrared heat therapy can also support the treatment of injuries and positively affect blood circulation. It’s like absorbing the very best of the sun without harmful Ultraviolet light waves.

From personal experience, I advise those that are eager to try this new seat heating technology to be careful with their intensity settings when using this feature. When I last spent about 20 minutes sitting in a Golden Regal with Heatwave, I had gotten a little too warm to be comfortable by the end of my session. I really appreciate the way it prevents the chair itself from overheating, while still being effective at warming the user. 

5. Air Pocket Massage - Pride Exclusive

While many chairs offer heat and massage options, Pride has leveled up this department. Their new VivaLift! Ultra line comes standard with air pocket massage. Instead of using a series of vibrating motors for the massage function, this technology applies significantly more pressure and makes the massage experience feel more like a purpose-built massage chair or human massaging you. 

6. Built in/Collapsible Tables

Premium lift chairs are constantly evolving to meet not just the needs but the desires of our customers. Increasingly, chairs are coming standard with the option to either attach or fold away tray tables-that are perfect for anything from playing cards, to eating dinner, or using electronic devices. 

The Golden Regal with its standard collapsible tray, no-spill cupholder, and Heatwave remote displayed in our showroom. 

7. Vertical/Adjustable Angle Lift - Golden exclusive

Adjustable tilt angle lift chairs are great for those that had issues with previous lift chairs, or those with specific conditions. These chairs are able to adjust the angle that the lift mechanism of the chair is going to raise the user at. It is standard for most lift chairs to raise at a significant angle to allow the user to slide forward more easily. If you, the user, feel that this is more dangerous or unpleasant than it is helpful, then with a Golden lift chair you can change the lift angle to nearly vertical.

Reviews of Popular Lift Seats

Pride Infinite Position Lift Chairs

Pride’s newest remote design for the VivaLift! Ultra, with Tilt functionality. The USB port on the front of the remote is perfect for plugging in tablet and phone chargers.

(Image has been edited with Adobe AI technology to remove my hand)

VivaLift Ultra

The VivaLift! Ultra presents the pinnacle in Pride’s lift chair technology. With an excellent wireless charger and pride’s new Tilt technology, this chair presents a real challenge to Golden’s previous title of best overall lift chair. The standout feature of this chair has to be the air pocket massage tech inside of it. Instead of relying on a series of vibrators, the chair is actually able to inflate and deflate targeted air pockets that create a sensation similar to human hands gently massaging the back. 

The latest style of lift remote that Pride has designed is especially popular with our customers. They appreciate how the primary up and down movements are elevated and tactile. If you have poor vision this style of remote is likely to be a huge benefit for you.

Features: Air pocket massage, frame tilt technology, headrest and lumbar adjustment, heated seat, wireless phone charger, and tuck-away cup holder. 

VivaLift Radiance

The Radiance was for a long time the go-to Pride-branded chair, before the Ultra was released in 2023. This chair offers the same excellent design that the Ultra is based on, but without the additional creature comforts like air-pocket massage and Tilt technology. If you feel like you’re struggling to find a lift recliner that fits your body shape well, the Radiance may be perfect for you. It comes in unique sizes like the petite-wide that are really popular with the folks that fit that size. 

Features: wireless phone charger, tactile remote, seat warmers, diverse range of sizes, lumbar and headrest control, tuck-away cup holder. 

Vivalift Atlas Plus (2)

While I was not able to test an Atlas Plus 2, I was able to enjoy sitting in the original Atlas Plus and can make quality judgments for the Atlas Plus 2. The chair is very spacious to sit in, and would be a great fit for folks between 2-300 lbs, that may need more room to sit in. Do note that the armrests are quite firm. They aren’t a downside to the chair however, because Pride has ensured that fully reclining the chair won’t angle the armrests in a way that will cause drinks to spill. Just be careful when going up as the cupholder will be prone to spillage then. The lumbar adjustment mechanism is very substantial in this chair and if you prefer a firm lumbar support, like myself, I recommend this chair for you. Overall the chair is well cushioned and even though the armrests are firm, they are still comfortable to use. 

Features: 400 lbs weight cap., tuck away cup holder, 

Golden Infinite Position Lift Chairs

All Golden infinite position lift chairs have a 375 lbs weight capacity, except for the Wide-versions of the Maxicomfort line-other exceptions to this will be noted as this article continues. Many models are made in America, with parts sourced either entirely or partly from domestic producers. 

EZ Sleeper (w/ and w/o Twilight)

Recent interaction with a customer: “This would be a life changing chair for me, [...] What do you mean (about Twilight)?” [I activate Twilight tilt for customer] “You’ll have to wake me up when my order’s ready” Review: 5/5 (6/5 after Twilight was enabled)

W/ Twilight

Easily my personal favorite lift recliner that I've sat in is the EZ Sleeper with Twilight. For men and women between 5’ 5” to 6’, the medium/large chair has the perfect proportions. The modern design of the chair means that it will go with almost any home decor. The lumbar support is generous and the back padding supple. The distance from the seat bottom to the top of the armrests is perfect in sitting and laid-flat positions. The headrest control is perfect for raising your head up just enough to see over your feet and watch a movie when the frame is fully tilted. 

W/O Twilight

While this chair certainly benefits a lot from the inclusion of Twilight tech, the standard model is perfectly comfortable and every aspect of the chairs overall design that I loved about the Twilight version stands true. The non-Twilight version does not come with adjustable headrest and lumbar controls unfortunately, which does limit the potential for perfectly adjusting the chair for optimal comfort in every position. 

Titan

W/ Twilight

Be careful when fully reclining the chair and using the tilt functionality, the cupholders are not zero-spill and may end up on you if you’re not careful!

W/O Twilight

A tremendous value for a full-featured lift chair. The armrests are a little firm compared to the overstuffed back. Note that this chair is one of the few made by Golden that is not Made in America.

Cloud

W/ Twilight:

Lumbar support with the mechanism is very nice and offers a nice combination of firmness and cushioning. Headrest adjustment leaves something to be desired as it moves a lot of the entire upper back instead of targeting above the neck. Note that this chair is one of the few made by Golden that is not Made in America. The medium/large will be perfect for those that fit in the same size range as the EZ Sleeper. The small/medium is for those under about 5' 6".

W/O Twilight

Lumbar adjustment is not standard. Chair really lacks effective support for the lower back without an adjustment mechanism.

Regal

Firm memory foam cushioning. Possibly to firm for some people in the head rest area. Attention to detail: The extra bits of armrest revealed when the chair is fully reclined are fully padded and upholstered making them very comfortable. I feel that the no-spill cupholder on this chair has some wasted potential, because the way that the chair uses Twilight-technology prevents the cupholders from being tilted with the frame. 

Rhea

Nicely done lumbar support. Cupholders are somewhat weirdly positioned below the natural resting point of the hands when they are in use. Be cautious, these cupholders are not no-spill and if you use the chair lift while a drink is in them it is likely to spill out.

Day Dreamer

Similar fit to the cloud. Slightly less overly padded for my tastes, back cushions are nicely shaped for comfort and support. The lumbar adjustment lacks firmness for my taste. One unique feature of this chair is the ability to add and remove stuffing from the head and back cushions. This allows the user to have a chair that always feels brand new by simply adding more stuffing as it begins to wear in. 

Comforter w/ Maxicomfort

This collection of lift recliners from Golden are phenomenal for their range of sizes and features that you can choose from. Sizes range from petite/small and small/wide to large/tall and large/wide. The small are great for folks under 5’, the mediums fit the range from 5’ 1” to 5’ 5” or so, large for 5’ 4” to 5’ 6”, and the tall will be best for those between 5’ 7” and 5’ 11”. The biggest drawback of the variety of sizes Golden produces for this range is that the tallest option is hardly excessively tall, so be aware of that before making a purchase decision. For smaller/shorter folks, these chairs are going to offer the exact fit for their needs.