Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Transferring a patient between the bed, chair, toilet, or anywhere else can be one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous of caregiver responsibilities. Having the proper equipment for a safe transfer, and using it correctly, is necessary to protect both the patient and the caregiver.
An electric patient lift provides the easiest way to transfer a patient to or from bed, as it requires no manual labor from a caregiver. This style of patient lift includes a sling seat and a mechanical frame that swivels and has wheels for maneuverability. Power comes from a standard electrical outlet or from rechargeable batteries, and most electric patient lifts have manual capabilities in case there is a disruption in power.
 | 1) Medline Electric Hoyer Lift - Adjustable Base and 6-Point Cradle View Product |
The first entry on our top 5 list is the battery-operated LEVANTAR Floor Patient Lift by Drive Medical. Its heavy-duty design allows this lift to accommodate patients up to 500 pounds, making it suitable for most people.
With safety in mind, this patient lift boasts a 6-point cradle that works with many sling styles. It has a wide footprint for added stability that also means less chance for the patient to feel squeezed. It is highly maneuverable with oversized locking rear casters, and its low profile makes it easy to slide under and get close to furniture. Its lifting arm can be lowered enough to lift a patient off the floor. An added safety feature for caregivers and patients is an auto stop if there is any obstruction or interference with the operation of the boom arm.
It displays the easy-to-read lift controls in two different places. A visual cue and an audio alert indicate when the battery needs to be recharged or replaced. It will also sound when there is a weight overload and when the lift needs maintenance. This electric patient lift comes standard with one battery and an external charging stand.
It comes with a 1-year battery warranty and a 5-year warranty on electronics. You have the option of purchasing professional onsite assembly services, with an appointment for a certified and insured technician to come to your home, deliver and assemble the lift, and dispose of the packaging.
The capacity to lift patients weighing up to 500 pounds from the floor plus the long list of features focused on safety and convenience landed the Levantar Floor Patient Lift on our top 5 list. Heavy-duty enough to accomplish high weight lifts from low positions, maneuverable enough to make transfers easy for caregivers, and comfortable enough to accommodate patients of all sizes, this lift is an overall great choice for a broad audience.
The portability of the Molift Smart 150 Patient Lift, made by R82, is the main reason our number 4 entry is one of the best on the market. Without tools, this patient lift can be taken apart into two pieces for transport. It comes with its own travel case, and is even approved by the TSA for air travel.
Its compact design means it can be maneuvered in even the most confining areas. It doesn’t need to be taken apart to be stored, since its foldable frame makes it easy to stow under a bed or in a closet when not in use. Even with its portability, it has a wide lifting range from the floor, and its 4-point sling bar ensures correct patient posture during transfers. The legs on this electric patient lift are manually adjustable.
Powerful enough to lift a patient up to 330 pounds from the floor if necessary, the Molift sling options provide safety and comfort for the user during transfers, and it requires no lifting or pulling by the caregiver.
This electric lift comes with a charger and a rechargeable battery that holds a 3-hour charge. It will let you know when it needs maintenance, and its built-in lifting counter monitors daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly lifting patterns for service techs to retrieve during diagnostics and annual inspections. it has manual lowering functions and a safety stop feature in case of an emergency or a disruption of power.
For traveling, this patient lift can’t be beaten. If you plan to use an electric patient lift in multiple locations, our number 4 choice is a lightweight but sturdy option with a generous lifting height. The capability to lift patients from the ground makes it an invaluable tool for caregivers, and it stays neatly out of the way when it’s not needed.
At number 3 on our list is the Full Body Electric Mobile Patient Lift Model PL400HE by BestLift. Compact and maneuverable in small spaces, this device has many of the same features as bulkier models, but is perfect for home use. It sits low to the ground on a base that is manually closed or widened depending on where the patient is seated, and it folds for convenient storage.
Featured in this overall list of 5 Best Patient Transfer Devices, this electric patient lift can be counted on for a long service life with its durable powder-coated steel frame. The easy locking brakes on the rear casters hold it steady so caregivers can concentrate on guiding the patient smoothly into place to complete a safe transfer of a non-weight bearing user.
Many patient lifts require two caregivers to facilitate safe transfers, but this user-friendly mobility aid only requires one caregiver for safe operation. Its controls are uncomplicated and easy to read, and it’s compatible with a full range of sling styles. The 6-point spreader bar allows for patients to be transferred in either upright or reclined positions. This patient lift can be ordered with an optional scale, and professional delivery and assembly by a licensed technician via an appointment in your home is also available.
For an in-home patient lift to take the physical burden of transfers off caregivers and provide a safe and comfortable experience for patients, this versatile sling lift delivers. Its compact design makes it perfect for smaller spaces and it is maneuverable enough to dependably move patients from room to room in a home setting. Only needing one caregiver for safe operation makes it even more convenient in smaller spaces.
Nearing the top of our list is the Bariatric Mobile Floor Lift Model FGA-700 by Handicare in the number 2 spot. The potential for caregiver injury is greater for those working with bariatric patients, yet those are the patients who often need the most help to get from place to place.
This electric patient lift made our list because it is so user-friendly and can be counted on in any transfer situation for patients weighing up to 700 pounds. Additionally, this lift can assist in walk and gait training, so it can be counted on for double duty of safe transfers as well as therapy sessions.
Its sturdy yet lightweight aluminum construction includes double support bars, and its significant lift range enables it to safely transfer bariatric patients from a chair, bath, low bed, or even the floor. Full 360-degree turning capability is provided by the integrated carry bar, providing maximum position control without interference from the lifting apparatus. The mast is easily adjusted to one of three available height positions.
This patient lift’s control box not only directs its operation but also provides diagnostic and usage information that can be tracked via computer. It has dual-wheel casters for supreme maneuverability, with rear easy-to-operate brakes for safety.
Bariatric patients and their caregivers can be confident in the strength, versatility, and lifting range of this mobility aid. If gait training is also part of a care regimen, the walking sling makes this device even more useful. For an in-home heavy-duty multi-purpose electric patient lift, the FGA-700 will meet caregiver and patient needs for safety, comfort, and durability.
Note: If you intend to purchase the walking sling with this lift, please be aware that:
The walking sling intended for users up to 5'9"
The walking sling is ONLY meant for gait-training purposes and is not intended for full-support
Our number 1 pick is the Electric Patient Lift with Power-Adjustable Base by Medline, with options for 450- or 700-pound capacity options to serve patients of any size with severe mobility limitations.
This electric patient lift is a great overall choice, and it has been included in several “best of” lists, including articles on 5 best patient safety devices, 5 best hoyer lifts, and how to choose the best patient lift. It is consistently singled out for its versatility and safety features.
Its design allows for wider distribution of weight, which makes it very stable and very comfortable for the patient. Dealing with larger patients can be especially physically demanding on caregivers, and this patient lift requires minimal strength and physical effort for care providers.
It has a power-adjustable base that conveniently slides under furniture. It has a simple remote control, and it lifts patients efficiently, quickly, and safely with six sling anchor points. The removable battery can be charged in a standard outlet and provides up to 100 lifts between charges. If you want to always have a fresh battery available, an additional charging station can be purchased.
This electric patient lift can be counted on to lift patients up to 700 pounds from as low as the floor safely and comfortably. It protects patients from falls and protects caregivers from stress injuries, facilitating successful transfers every time. The overall user-friendly design and operation, safety and comfort features for patients, and lifting capability landed this high-quality mobility aid at the top of our list as the best overall choice for an electric patient lift.
Each of the patient lifts on our list will protect caregivers and patients from injuries and ensure safe transfers. Our number 1 pick has made several “best” lists, and with its ability to accommodate users of any size, is the most versatile. It moves the patient quickly, is easy to maneuver, and is very simple to operate. Caregivers will benefit from how efficiently it lifts and transfers patients, and users will benefit from such a stable and safe piece of mobility equipment.
There are several models on the market, and on our list of Top 5 Best Electric Patient Lifts, you’re sure to find one that best fits your situation. According to the article, The Caregivers Guide to Choosing the Right Patient Lift, the things to consider when choosing a patient lift are:
Portable electric lifts can be moved from room to room, helping a bedridden patient get up and out of bed to enjoy time in the rest of the house. These lifts offer flexibility that fixed patient lifts don’t offer, and ease-of-use that manual patient lifts don’t offer.
Weight capacity varies, so you want to make sure you have one sturdy enough to meet your needs. The best electric patient lifts can accommodate users with upper limits between 340 and 700 pounds. Specialized bariatric models are also available to ensure the safety of larger-framed patients and their caregivers during transfers.
With the potential need of having to reach low enough to lift patients who have fallen on the floor, and high enough to accommodate a high mattress height of up to 66 inches, the electric lift you choose should fit the parameters of your own situation.
An electric patient lift should have a control to stop lifting in case of emergency, and a manual override should be easy to access in the event of a power loss.
Although this is not a requirement for a patient lift to benefit caregivers and users, a model with a built-in scale is a convenient option for easy weighing of patients who otherwise would have difficulty standing on a scale.
Specialized slings include disposable, padded, stretcher style, divided leg, mesh, commode, and full-body slings. Determining what will work best for your situation, and what models accommodate the sling or slings you need, will help you decide which electric patient lift is your best option.
The patient is turned on one side, the sling is placed flat on the floor next to the patient, then the patient is rolled back onto the sling. The loops of the sling are placed securely on the lift’s hooks, and the lift arm goes up to raise the patient in the sling.
If a doctor prescribes a patient lift for home use, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) will cover it as durable medical equipment (DME). Visit Medicare for more information.
Patient lifts are used for more than getting a patient in and out of bed or up off the floor after a fall. They can be used to get in and out of cars, chairs, or commodes, and each of these operations requires a different sling.
The basic operation is to have the appropriate sling positioned around the patient. Roll the lift into position with the legs of the base set wide and locked. The lift is lowered, the loops of the sling are attached to the lift, the wheel locks are disengaged, and the lifting operation is initiated.
The lift is moved with the patient cradled safely in the sling. To complete the transfer, the lift is positioned with its wheels locked, the boom arm is lowered, the patient is properly positioned, the sling is disengaged from the lift’s hooks. The lift is rolled out of the way, and the sling is then slid out from under the patient.
For patients who present a risk to themselves because they lack mobility, or who fall because a caregiver is unable to provide the physical support necessary for a safe transfer, common injuries could include bruises and lacerations, broken bones, head injuries, and even fatalities. To minimize the risk of these injuries to patients, and to ease the physical strain on caregivers, electric patient lifts make transfers much safer for all involved. Any of the electric patient care lifts that made our Top 5 list can be counted on to provide a stress-free transfer experience for caregivers and their patients.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
