Choosing the Best Bath Lift for You 2024

11 January 2024

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For those who are elderly, have reduced mobility, are disabled, or even simply recovering from an injury or surgery, bathing can be a complicated and frustrating task, often limiting the user to short showers. Bath lifts offer an easy and convenient solution for indulging in a soak in the bathtub by allowing the user to get in and out of the bathtub in a safe and comfortable manner.

With so many bath lifts out there, choosing the right one for you can be a difficult process, and although all of our bath lifts are suitable for a variety of conditions, some may be better suited towards certain requirements depending on their features. Which is why we've put together this guide to give you an overview of some of our different bath lifts and their features, to help you make your choice.

Reclining Electric Bath Lift Chair

Our Top Pick: Invacare Aquatec Orca Reclining Bath Lift

Editor's Verdict: The Invacare Aquatec Orca Reclining Bath Lift has a design that caters especially for elderly people, giving them a safe and fuss-free bathing experience. The bath lift not only will do its job of safely lowering and lifting the user in and out of tub, but also incorporates features such as increased legroom for deeper and more relaxed bathing, ease of assembly and disassembly, and an ergonomic floating hand control.

Supplier Guarantee: "The Invacare Aquatec Orca is comfortable, safe and highly efficient. The design keeps users in mind, giving a convenient and straightforward bathing experience. The reinforced scissor mechanism on the Orca range combines safe lifting with a compact construction while the minimum seat height of just 60 mm allows ample room for a deeper and more comfortable bath." Invacare

Customer Verdict: "Great seat bought for mother in law allows her to relax comfortably in the bath confidently knowing she can easily get out. She is 85 and highly recommends this product" Patricia ★★★★★

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If this bath lift isn't quite what you're after, check out our full range of bath lifts for even more choice.

Bath Lift Belt

Our Top Pick: Relaxa Easy Lifting Belt Bath Lift

Editor's Verdict: For those who require a little help with getting over the bathtub due to reduced mobility or perhaps while recovering from an injury, the Relaxa Easy Lifting Belt Bath Lift offers reliable assistance. This belt-operated bath lift seamlessly lowers and raises the user in the water using a soft, but stable, belt, and is ideal for those whose skin is prone to bruising or contact-based injury when using more mechanical options. It also comes with other handy features such as thermometer with immersion-safe probe to state the temperature of the water and prevent risk of scalding. It's worth bearing in mind that this particular bath lift doesn't have a backrest, so is best suited to those who still have upper body mobility and stability.

Supplier Guarantee: "The Relaxa bath lift is a slimline bathing aid which fits most baths and is easy to install. There are no electrics or plumbing required and the bath lift operates using a handy rechargeable battery. The belt gently lowers you into the bath and again gently rises, when you are ready to get out. The Relaxa bath lift enables you to have a full, deep soak." Relaxa Mobility

Customer Verdict: "Have been very pleased with this item, does the job, as I have problems sitting down and getting up out of bath, but didn't want to give up having a lovely warm bath. A slight hiccup with the charger lead being damaged, but all was soon resolved and a replacement one sent by return of post. Most helpful staff on phone. Cara in particular, thank you." Carolyn ★★★★★

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If this bath lift isn't quite what you're after, check out our full range of bath lifts for even more choice.

Mermaid Bath Lift

Our Top Pick: Oxford Mermaid Bath Lift with Standard Seat

Editor's Verdict: The Oxford Mermaid Bath Lift with Standard Seat, available in both manual and electric versions, offers a fixed bath-side lift that enables users to safely transfer in and out of the bath. Featuring a seat with arms and backrest, and with the ability to swivel, lower and rise, the design of this bath lift is especially useful for those with severe reduced mobility or who are severely disabled. The Mermaid bath hoist promises outstanding safety to ensure disabled users too can enjoy a bath, while also being easy-to-use for carers too.

Supplier Guarantee: "Oxford bathing lifts are designed with a focus on safety, convenience, and comfort. They are incredibly versatile and suitable for a variety of settings. Our bathing lifts are designed for easy operation, with intuitive controls that allow carers to focus on providing excellent care rather than grappling with complicated equipment. This emphasis on ease of use helps make the bathing experience safer and more comfortable for everyone involved.

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If this bath lift isn't quite what you're after, check out our full range of bath lifts for even more choice.

Bariatric Bath Lift Chair

Our Top Pick: Invacare Aquatec Orca Bath Lift XL

Editor's Verdict: Accommodating a maximum weight of up to 170kg, the Invacare Aquatec Orca Bath Lift XL ensures everyone all sizes can have mobility support for bathing. This reclining bath lift features a reinforced scissor mechanism to move up to 170kg in weight while remaining compact and easily manageable. The seat height can be kept low (at only 60mm) for those who enjoy a deep and relaxing bath, while the backrest reclines to ensure maximum comfort. Providing an easy and safe operation, the bath lift operates with a 3-button waterproof floating hand control and has an emergency stop button to prevent accidents.

Supplier Guarantee: "Our Invacare Aquatec Orca range provides superior quality and durable bath lifts that are designed to offer comfort, safety and reassurance to those most in need of support as they bathe. The Aquatec Orca bath lift features an impressive weight limit… increased leg room for deeper and more relaxed bathing, among other functions." Invacare

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If this bath lift isn't quite what you're after, check out our full range of bath lifts for even more choice.

Why Do I Need A Bath Lift?

Many people love to relax in the bath, however, for some people, bathing can be a difficult occasion. If you experience trouble getting in and out of the bath, have limited mobility, or are disabled, a bath lift may be for you. Our bath lifts lower you into and raise you out of the tub safely in a controlled motion making bathing easy and pleasurable.

Woman with a bath lift

How Do Bath Lifts Work?

Bath lifts provide that extra helping hand and assurance when bathing. Our bath lifts are powered, so you don't need to use any strength to lower yourself into the water by hand. Our reclining bath lifts in particular come supplied with a hand controller unit, which is similar to a large television remote control but easier to use and has fewer buttons. The hand controllers are designed to make it easy to press the “Up” and “Down” buttons with ease, even when the controller unit is wet or you have limited dexterity in your hands and fingers.

How Do I Power My Bath Lift?

Your bath lift will have its own unique operation, but is usually easy to assemble and use. We always advise reading the manual booklet supplied with your bath lift for full instructions on how to use it.

How Safe Are Bath Lifts?

Most of our bath lifts have a safety feature that does not allow the bath lift to lower you into the bath if there is not enough charge in the hand controller to raise you back out again. This enables you to have a worry-free bath, safe in the knowledge that you can get back out after a long and well earned soak.

Our bath lifts lower and raise you in a smooth and stable motion, ensuring you do wobble or fall.

Will a Bath Lift Slip in the Bath?

No, most of our bath lifts, particularly the electric reclining ones, are fitted with suction cups at the bottom which attach to the bath for stability. It is important that the suction cups make good contact with the surface of the bath to keep the lift in place.

These types of bath lifts are also adjustable, enabling you to lie down in the bath rather than sit up straight. Although the bath lifts do not fully recline to a horizontal position, they do recline into a comfortable and safe position enabling most of your upper body to submerge in the bubbles.

The stable and comfortable Bathmaster Deltis Reclining Bath Lift

Are Bath Lifts Suitable For All Baths?

Our bath lifts are designed to fit into a wide range of baths, even very narrow baths. Each bath lift on the website will give dimensions allowing you to calculate whether your bath is large enough to accommodate the bath lift.

If you have a corner bath, the options for a bath lift do narrow. The Neptune Bath Lift is a great option, however this is not a reclining bath lift. It lowers the user into the bath in a sitting position, as though you were sitting upright in a high back chair. This bath lift is ideal for carers and is a firm favourite with occupational therapists. If using this item in a corner bath, ensure that the dimensions are suitable for your requirements before purchasing.

Can I Install The Bath Lift Myself?

Our bath lifts are all very easy to install and operate. Normally, they will be able to work straight out of the box, without the need for tools and screwdrivers. Before using a reclining bath lift, the rechargeable hand controllers will require a long charge which normally takes about eight to twelve hours to ensure that the battery life is kept at its optimum. After that, simply plug the hand controller into the bath lift and away you go.

We would recommend fully reading the instructions that are supplied with your bath lift before operation. If you feel that you may need assistance with the installation or with setting the item up, we would recommend getting the help of a friend, family member or neighbour just to get going. The bath lifts are designed to be easy to operate and use on your own but a helping hand at the beginning can often be very useful.

Can I Get VAT Relief On My Bath Lift?

Health and Care offer VAT relief if you are eligible. The important thing to note about bath lifts is that they are designed for the elderly or those with limited mobility, and VAT relief is therefore available on these items. The person claiming the VAT or the person claiming the VAT on behalf of the eligible person must consider whether the disability or chronic condition means that a bath lift is needed.

To use an example, someone who does not have the use of their legs will almost certainly be able to claim VAT relief on the item. However, someone who is deaf but does not have limited mobility or another condition that necessitates the use of a bath lift, would not be able to claim VAT relief for a bath lift. They may, however, be able to claim VAT relief on our vast range of amplified telephones. For further information about VAT relief, visit our VAT Relief Page or contact HMRC for guidance.

More Information

We hope you have found this introductory guide to choosing a bath lift helpful, but if you've still not found the ideal bath lift for you here, feel free to check out our full range of bath lifts.

If you need any further information about the bath lifts we stock here on the Health and Care website, please contact us directly by telephone at 020 7720 2266, and a member of the Health and Care Customer Care Team will be happy to assist you with your enquiry. You can also get in touch with our Customer Care team via Facebook and Twitter, or leave a comment or question in the comments section below!