Written by Mike Price, OT
If getting in and out of a bathtub has become unsafe because of balance or strength issues, you can still maintain your independence by employing a bath chair lift. A bath chair lift is a desirable alternative to an expensive walk-in bathtub and allows you to enjoy all the benefits that come from taking a nice, comfortable, and safe bath. Baths are relaxing, rejuvenating, and good for you. Bathing regularly can help relieve pain and can potentially be beneficial for your circulation and your heart.
Anyone who can’t safely, comfortably, and independently get in and out of a bathtub are good candidate for a bathtub lift. People with arthritis or other conditions that cause joint pain, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, bone damage, paralysis, or balance and strength deficits that can come with age can all benefit from using a bath lift chair.
Due to hygienic considerations, bathtub lift chairs are not returnable. That’s why it’s important to do your research and measure your bathroom and bathtub correctly to ensure you get the model that will work best for you.
Bath lifts work by raising and lowering the user in and out of the tub. Bath lifts are most often used by individuals or their caregivers to assist with bathing for a person with limited mobility. Using a bath lift provides safe and easy access to the bathtub.
If it is prescribed by a licensed physician and is considered Durable Medical Equipment, Medicare Part B does cover a variety of medical equipment, including bath lifts, as long as you, your prescribing doctor, and the DME supplier are all enrolled in Medicare.
Measure your tub from the outer edge to the outer edge and from the bathroom floor to the top of the tub to determine your tub’s dimensions.
Whether choosing a bathtub lift for seniors, special needs children, or adults or for someone who is dealing with an injury or illness, this article explains your options to ensure you make the best purchasing decision for your situation.
Bathtub lift chairs, also called power bath lifts, are supplemental medical devices to assist the process of bathing for a person with limited mobility. Bath lifts provide a safe way to take a bath in an existing tub.
If you’re not sure a bathtub lift chair is right for you, bathtub rails are an option for helping you get safely in and out of a tub. Check out our Top 5 Best Bathtub Rails and see if this might be a good solution for your bathroom.
A bath lift allows you to take a safe bath in an existing tub. They are an affordable tool that makes baths safer and more comfortable, and there are several options to choose from so you can create a personalized bathing experience with a chair lift that meets your needs.
 | Drive Medical Bellavita Dive Lightweight Automatic Reclining Bath Lift View Product |
Everyone likes to lean back and relax in a warm tub. People who can bathe independently once safely in the tub can choose a reclining bath lift chair allowing them to lean back while supported by the chair. For users who have difficulty maintaining an upright sitting position or who need upper body support and rely on a caregiver to assist with bathing, a reclining bath lift chair helps reduce the risk of slumping or tipping. A caregiver can concentrate on the bathing task without having to worry about the patient remaining upright. You’ll find bath lift chairs usually recline somewhere between 30 and 70 degrees. Our product recommendation reclines a perfect 50 degrees, allowing you to lean back enough for comfortable stability but not so far that you’re close to laying down in the tub.
 | Mangar Bathing Cushion Bathtub Lift View Product |
Air inflatable bath lift chairs have a cushion that deflates and inflates to move a user down and up in the tub. It has a soft seat and gets a bather lower in the tub than other kinds of bath chair lifts. These are better for people of smaller stature. Larger framed individuals or those with poor balance could have difficulty standing up from this type of bath chair lift, as it has a low seat height and the soft cushion doesn’t provide a solid surface to push up from.
 | Tranquilo Electric Reclining Bath Lift by Platinum Health View Product |
A swivel seat makes it easier to get into the tub for people with severe mobility challenges. Just slide across the seat then turn your bottom before you lift your legs over the tub wall. This feature is a big help in reducing the risk of a bath fall because you don’t have to move into position to sit down. You can sit from any angle or direction and then move the seat to get in position to get into the tub.
 | Lumex Splash Bath Lift View Product |
Some users prefer to remove or store their bath lift between uses, or even take it with them when they travel. This is easier with a lighter-weight version. Most bath chair lifts weigh about 20 pounds. Our choice for the best portable bath lift weighs in at only 14 pounds.
 | Reclining Bridge Bath Lift with Varying Heights | Emergency Stop and 315 Pound Capacity View Product |
A standard weight capacity is around 300 pounds, with some models coming in a little under or over that weight. A bath chair lift that can safely accommodate someone weighing up to 375 pounds, like the one we recommend, can provide a comfortable bathing experience to a wider range of users than those with lower weight limits.
 | Mangar Archimedes Bath Lift View Product |
To be completely comfortable in the bathtub, a bather needs to feel safe. A bath chair lift provides that security. The safety features of our top pick include suction cups on the bottom to ensure the chair doesn’t slide, a quick release function so they are easily detached and don’t cause physical strain to remove them, flexible flaps on the side that bend and don’t pinch, plus it won’t lower into the tub without enough battery power to raise again. It also has an easy-to-see emergency stop button.
 | Bathmaster Deltis Bath Lift - Electric Bath Seat View Product |
Most bath lifts take between 2 and 4 hours to charge. Our pick takes only one hour to charge fully. If an immediate bath is necessary it has the added benefit of a quick 5-minute charge for a single lift.
 | Whisper Automatic Bath Lift by Drive Medical View Product |
Using contrasting colors on equipment for low-vision users enhances independence, accessibility, and safety. A white bath chair lift will often blend in and its borders are more difficult to discern for the visually impaired. A bright-colored option like our top choice in this category makes it easier for a user to navigate the bath lift.
 | Marlin Battery Powered Bath Lift with Reclining Back View Product |
For special needs children, pediatric bath lifts fit into a tub, making it easier and safer to get a child in and out of a bath. These lifts provide stability and support for transferring and positioning during bathtime
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Bolero Height-Adjustable Bath and Shower Stretcher by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED)") | Bolero Height-Adjustable Bath and Shower Stretcher by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED) View Product |
When someone’s disability prevents them from participating independently in personal bathing, using a bath and shower stretcher allows for a caregiver to manage bathing or showering the patient. These height-adjustable devices keep the patient safe and comfortable while providing easy caregiver access to ensure a hygienic experience. Our pick has a low chassis that slides easily under most beds to facilitate safe lateral transfers. It has a handheld remote control so caregivers can provide the best positioning with the touch of a button.
 | Bathmaster Sonaris 2 Bath Lift View Product |
Since you’re bathing to get clean, it makes sense to create the most hygienic environment possible. Bath lift chairs that have antimicrobial protection keep the seat free from harmful bacteria, promoting overall health and well-being.
 | Mangar Surfer Bather Pediatric Bathtub Lift View Product |
Whether the situation calls for a couple of built-in lateral supports for minimal postural assistance or more substantial support from a chest harness, head support, safety belts, and trunk support padding, you can choose the level of support that will provide the safest experience.
It’s common for mobility devices such as bath chair lifts to have a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty. Since this is a significant investment in safety, its durability is an important factor to consider. Our top pick for the best warranty has a 4-year manufacturer’s warranty, illustrating the high quality of the equipment and the level of service you can expect in the years ahead.
Bathing has a lot of health benefits, and it should be enjoyable and relaxing. For people who have trouble safely getting into and out of a tub because of mobility, balance, or strength issues, a bath chair lift can make a real difference in the quality of life and the ability to accomplish this important daily life activity. Visit the products listed in our Bath Tub Lifts to find the best fit for your bathroom.
Measure your bathroom and bathtub carefully, and make sure the bath chair lift you choose has the safety and comfort features you want. Pay special attention to the height adjustability, weight capacity, and level of support to determine what works best for the bather and caregiver at your house.
Thanks for taking the time to read about bathtub lifts for seniors and others with mobility challenges. Visit Caregiver University for more helpful articles and buying guides!
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Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
 "Miranti Height-Adjustable Bath and Shower Stretcher by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED)")