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Bruno Review
4.6 Overall Rating
Bottom Line
Bruno Independent Living Aids is a third-generation family business, located in Wisconsin, dedicated to making the lives easier of people with mobility challenges. Bruno manufactures straight and custom-curved rail stair lifts – for both indoor and outdoor use – that are known for quality, performance and customization.
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About Bruno Stairlifts
Bruno Independent Living Aids is a third-generation family business located in Wisconsin, dedicated to making lives easier for people with mobility challenges. Bruno manufactures straight and custom-curved rail stair lifts for indoor and outdoor use. The models are known for quality, performance, and customization.
Bruno, a family-owned business, was founded by a US Veteran with the goal of being a leading provider of solutions for an independent lifestyle. In addition to stair lifts, Bruno designs and builds scooter and wheelchair lifts for homes, businesses, and vehicles. Their stair lifts and other mobility products are sold, installed, and serviced by factory-trained local dealers.
Whether the stairs are inside or outside the home, Bruno makes stairlifts to accommodate every configuration of curved or straight staircases. Bruno’s unique vertical stairlift rail system allows for maximum open space on the steps, and multiple stairlift options are available to accommodate the individual user’s needs.
Pros
- ISO 9001 Certified
- Indoor and outdoor stairlifts
- Global brand known for quality and safety
Cons
- No online purchasing
- No DIY installation, must pay an installer
Bruno Stairlift Models
All Bruno stairlift models feature a chair attached to a rail that is secured on the stairs. When the rocker switch on the chair’s armrest is pushed, the chair lift travels up and down the steps. Bruno straight stairlifts use a vertical anodized aluminum rail. Bruno curved stairlifts feature a custom-made, vertical e-coated steel rail for stability and a precise fit.
For details about how stairlifts work, see our Best Stairlifts Buyer’s Guide.

Bruno stairlifts are powered by two twelve-volt batteries, allowing the stairlift to operate in a power outage. While in a parked position at the end of the rail, Bruno curved stairlifts are automatically recharging their batteries. Bruno straight stairlift models were the first in the industry to feature charge strips along the entire rail, which enable the unit’s batteries to constantly charge no matter where the unit is parked.
All Bruno stairlift models are equipped with standard safety features, including obstruction sensors that stop the lift if the chair hits an object on the steps and a seat belt to secure the user in place.
| Models | Features |
|---|---|
| Elan Straight Stairlift Indoor | Bruno Elan is the company’s most popular straight stairlift, with a 300 lb lift capacity. It features a vertical rail that allows the stairlift to be installed close to the wall for maximum open space. Folded rail and other power options available, like a power swivel seat. |
| Elite Curved Stairlift Indoor | Custom hand-built rail for precise fit and smooth, consistent ride. High performance with stylized look, single button operation, and a 400-lb lift capacity. Select power options to customize the Elite curve to your needs. |
| Elite Straight Stairlift Indoor | Custom hand-built rail for precise fit, and smooth, consistent ride. High performance with a stylized look, folding footrests, and a 400-lb weight capacity. Select power options to customize the Elite curve to your needs. |
| Elite Curved Outdoor Stairlift Outdoor | Curved rail custom-built to the exact specifications of your stairs. Engineered to withstand harsh weather—performance tested from 0⁰ F to 125⁰F. Cover provided with the stairlift. |
| Elite Outdoor Stairlift Outdoor | Marine-grade vinyl padded seat and arms and comes with a waterproof cover for weather protection. Anodized aluminum rail with covered gear rack. 400-lb lift capacity. |
| Model | Highlights | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Elan Straight Stairlift Indoor | 90⁰ easy-turn seat, space-saving design, wireless remotes, obstruction safety sensors, and single-button operation | Power swivel seat, folding rail, and power footrest |
| Elite Curved Stairlift Indoor | Obstruction sensor, wireless remote, 90⁰ turn, single-button operation, and space-saving design | Power footrest, larger seat, power swivel, seat color, park position, and larger footrest |
| Elite Straight Stairlift Indoor | 90⁰ easy-turn seat, obstruction safety sensors, wireless remotes, space-saving design, and single-button operation | Folding rail, larger footrest, larger seat, seat color, power swivel, and power footrest |
| Elite Curved Outdoor Stairlift Outdoor | Obstruction sensors, low maintenance, easy to use, space-saving design, and weather-resistant | Larger seat, larger footrest, and park position |
| Elite Straight Outdoor Stairlift Outdoor | Obstruction sensors, low maintenance, easy to use, space-saving design, covered gear pack, and weather-resistant | Larger seat and larger footrest |
Bruno Stairlifts Costs and Warranty
Bruno straight stairlifts have a limited lifetime warranty. Curved and outdoor models come with a comprehensive five-year limited warranty on components and a two-year warranty on parts. However, you may get additional warranty coverage through the authorized Bruno dealer or installer.
The cost of a Bruno stairlift varies depending on the custom configuration and dealer. The price depends on the model, the rail length, upgrades, and state permitting requirements (businesses). Straight stairlifts from Bruno, such as the Elan stair lift, typically start at around $4,000, while custom curved models start at $11,000.
The average labor cost for installation is $70 per hour, and the cost of electrical work is approximately $300. Call your local government office to discuss building permits.
How Bruno Stairlifts are Installed
Bruno dealers are factory-trained to ensure proper installation of your lift. It takes an average of two to three hours to install a straight stairlift. A curved stairlift takes longer to install based on the complexity of the curves and the length of the stairlift rail.
Stairlift installation should always be completed by a licensed professional to prevent damaging your home or the stairlift. Additionally, having a professional handle installation prevents your warranty from being voided. Bruno works with North America’s largest network of expert local dealers to ensure your lifts are handled by trustworthy and knowledgeable technicians.
Where to Buy Bruno Stairlifts
You can buy Bruno stairlifts from an authorized dealer in your community. Popular vendors include Lifeway Mobility and 101 Mobility. To find an authorized dealer in the United States or Canada, visit Bruno’s website.
If you need to find a Bruno Stairlift dealer outside of North America, there’s a form you can complete and submit on the website. You can also request a free quote on the Bruno website.
Bruno Stairlift Complaints
Bruno Independent Living Aids is rated at nearly 5 out of 5 stars with 1,550 reviews on ConsumerAffairs. Customer feedback frequently mentions the quick installation process and how well the stairlift improved mobility. Reviewers often spoke highly of the salespeople and authorized dealers as being friendly and professional.
Bruno has an “A+“ rating with the Better Business Bureau, with 46 reviews and an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Bruno resolved, or offered to resolve, each complaint, even contacting dealers to get customers the resolution they desired. On TrustPilot, Bruno scores 9.6 out of 10 stars across 1,854 customer reviews.

Bruno Stairlifts FAQs
Only authorized dealers and technicians can install Bruno stairlifts. There are no DIY options available at this time.
Most health insurance plans don’t cover the full cost of buying and installing stairlifts, and Medicare provides no coverage. See “How to Pay for Aging in Place Home Remodeling” for tips on making a stairlift affordable, and ask your Bruno dealer about financing options.
New Bruno stairlifts must be purchased and installed by a local authorized Bruno dealer. Most Bruno dealers will not install a stairlift that was not purchased from them, so ordering one online is not recommended. In addition, by using a dealer, a trained specialist can properly measure the steps and determine if any options are needed to customize the stairlift based on the individual user’s capabilities.
No, because Bruno does not permanently attach the lift to your flight of stairs, you can easily remove the stairlift once it’s no longer needed in your home.
Bruno models are battery-powered and continually charged via a wall outlet. If the power goes out, the stairlift will pull from the battery power for an additional number of rides.
Bruno stairlifts offer a higher weight capacity, a better warranty, and superior customization, making them a prime choice for many homeowners. Acorn stairlifts, however, are more budget-friendly and quicker to install, making them a good option for seniors and homeowners who don’t require extensive customization.
Conclusion
When you’re in the market for mobility equipment, such as a stairlift, it’s essential to choose the highest-quality and safest product possible. Bruno Independent Living Aids has been in business for more than 35 years, stands by its products, manufactures all its lifts in the United States, and carries leading industry certifications for safety. Consumer reviews indicate that Bruno stairlifts are reliable, and the company listens to customers.