Stannah vs Acorn: Which Stairlift Brand is Right for You?
Stannah and Acorn are the two most recognised stairlift brands in the UK. Between them, they account for the majority of stairlifts sold to British homeowners. But they're quite different propositions — and understanding those differences could save you money or spare you a headache.
This comparison uses the same five-dimension scoring framework we apply to all our reviews. We've verified all claims against current manufacturer data and independent sources.
The Quick Summary
Choose Stannah if aftercare, reliability, and long-term peace of mind are your priorities and you're willing to pay a premium for them.
Choose Acorn if you want a reliable straight stairlift at a competitive price and you're comfortable with a smaller service network.
Brand Heritage and Trust
Stannah: Family-owned since 1867. Five generations of the Stannah family. Over 1,000,000 stairlifts installed worldwide. Headquartered in Andover, Hampshire.
Acorn: Based in Steeton, West Yorkshire. Built strong brand recognition through TV advertising. Manufactured in Yorkshire. Known for competitive pricing and quick installation.
Both are British brands that manufacture in the UK — a genuine advantage for quality control, parts availability, and service. Stannah's longer history gives it deeper roots, but Acorn's Yorkshire manufacturing is also a genuine operation, not just badge engineering.
Pricing Comparison
| Type | Stannah (approx.) | Acorn (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| New straight | £2,200–4,500 | £1,800–4,000 |
| New curved | £4,500–8,000+ | £4,000–7,500 |
| Reconditioned | 30–40% less (limited stock) | From £995 |
Acorn is typically 10–20% cheaper for comparable straight stairlift models. The gap narrows for curved stairlifts. Neither brand publishes prices online — both require a home survey before quoting.
Trustpilot Ratings
| Brand | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Stannah | 4.7/5 | 6,106 |
| Acorn | 4.8/5 | 10,952 |
Acorn has both a higher Trustpilot score and significantly more reviews than Stannah. This is genuinely impressive. However, Trustpilot ratings primarily reflect the initial purchase and installation experience. They don't always capture long-term aftercare quality, which is where Stannah's larger service network provides an advantage.
Aftercare: The Biggest Difference
If there's one dimension that separates these brands, it's aftercare. Stannah operates the largest stairlift engineer network in the UK, with regional teams covering virtually every postcode. This translates to next-day service for most call-outs and a level of coverage that Acorn (and every other brand) simply cannot match.
Acorn provides aftercare and has engineers across the UK, but their network is smaller. In rural areas especially, response times may be longer. For a product that's often relied upon by elderly or disabled users who need it to work every day, service responsiveness matters enormously.
Sales Experience
Which? consumer research has highlighted pressure selling as an industry-wide concern. Both Stannah and Acorn require home surveys before providing a quote, and both have been subject to criticism about sales practices.
Acorn was specifically named in Which? reporting on sales pressure. However, the research found the problem across the entire industry — this is not unique to any one brand. Our advice is the same regardless: never sign on the day, always get at least two quotes, and remember you have a 14-day cooling-off period for any contract signed in your home.
Who Else Should You Consider?
Handicare is the third major option, scoring 8.1/10. If you need a slim rail (for narrow staircases) or heavy-duty capacity (up to 200kg), Handicare offers features that neither Stannah nor Acorn can match. Their Trustpilot score is lower (4.3/5), but the product engineering is excellent.
Our Verdict
Stannah wins overall (8.4 vs 7.8), but "overall" doesn't mean "for everyone." The scores tell a nuanced story:
- Stannah wins on reliability (+1.0), aftercare (+2.2), comfort (+0.5), and range (+0.3)
- Acorn wins on value for money (+1.0)
If you're buying for an elderly parent and want maximum peace of mind — choose Stannah. The premium is the price of knowing an engineer is never far away.
If you're a practical buyer who wants a good stairlift at a fair price and doesn't mind a less extensive service network — choose Acorn. The savings are real, and their Trustpilot score shows satisfied customers.
Either way: get quotes from both. The comparison between your actual quotes will tell you more than any review.
Get Both Quotes