Pride Mobility® offers a wide range of lift chairs, also known as power lift recliners, that are designed to not only provide you with additional mobility support but also add a stylish piece of furniture to your home décor.
These recliners are engineered with quality, comfort, and performance in mind. They’re tested to the highest industry standards and supported by four decades of innovation. As a lift chair leader since 1986, you can trust Pride Mobility to deliver for your needs.
With so many options, you might be wondering how to determine the perfect lift chair that fits you best. Everyone has different mobility needs and preferences when it comes to features, so we hope this guide sheds some light on the similarities and differences among our lift chair collections.
What is a lift chair?
In the most basic sense, a lift chair is defined by its functionality: it assists the user to stand up from a sitting position, and vice versa.
Pride offers models with many differing features (we’ll explore those in a bit), but they will all contain a motorized mechanism that raises the seat of the chair up and angles the chair forward to allow the user to safely stand up and exit the chair.
Because of this mechanism, all Pride lift chairs quality as FDA Class II Medical Devices, which are designed to aid those with mobility impairments. If they are deemed medically necessary for the user by a doctor, the motorized lifting mechanism (not the entire chair) is eligible for reimbursement through Medicare or private insurance.
Why might you need a lift chair?
There are many individuals who could benefit from a power recliner with a motorized lifting mechanism. While anyone can certainly use a lift chair and enjoy the relaxation that comes with it, they’re primarily intended for those with limited mobility.
If you live alone or don’t have a caregiver with you all the time, a lift chair is ideal because it’s designed so that you can operate it and complete transfers in and out of the chair without assistance. They can also help you transfer to another mobility device, such as a walker or mobility scooter.
Lift chairs are also excellent solutions for those recovering from surgery, healing from significant injuries, or living with chronic pain. No matter the reason for use, a lift chair can not only help you stand or sit but provide comfort when watching TV or reading a book.
What are the common types of lift chairs?
Pride Mobility offers two types of lift chairs: three-position and infinite-position. Our three-position chairs fall under our Sitting Pretty™ brand, while our infinite-position chairs are under our VivaLift!® brand.
A three-position lift chair has a single motor and, as the name would suggest, offers three positions: lifted (standing), seated, and reclined. The back and the chaise work in tandem when reclining. It’s the more basic of the types that Pride offers, and typically these chairs aren’t as feature-rich.
An infinite position chair has multiple motors, which means the back and chaise work independently. You have the option to recline the back while keeping the leg rest down, or you can extend the leg rest while keeping the back in place. Because of this, a user can discover a much wider range of resting positions. Infinite position is the more advanced type of chair that Pride offers, and several models are available with additional features that add to the relaxation experience.
What features are available on VivaLift! and Sitting Pretty?
While the basics are most important when considering a lift chair for medical use, there are many unique features available on our power recliners that may make the difference as to which model you prefer. Many of our lift chairs come in multiple sizes and colors as well, so you can find something that fits your body and your home décor.
SITTING PRETTY FEATURES:
Genesis Collection
- Three-position seating
- Magnetic hand control holder
- Small and Medium sizes (both 325-lb. weight capacity)
Evolution Collection
- “Advanced” three-position seating
- Magnetic hand control holder
- Small, Medium, Large sizes (all 400-lb. weight capacity)
- Cup holder and USB ports on Small, Medium, Large sizes
- XL, XXL sizes (500-lb. and 600-lb. weight capacity respectively)
FEATURES ON ALL VIVALIFT! COLLECTIONS: Premier, Ultra, Radiance, Tranquil 2, Metro 2
- Power headrest, backrest, lumbar
- Infinite position seating (back and chaise work independently)
- Lithium battery backup
- USB charging ports
- 400-lb. weight capacity
FEATURES AVAILABLE ON SOME VIVALIFT! MODELS:
- Tilt positioning for a zero-gravity experience
- Heat and massage settings
- Pull out arms with cup holders and wireless chargers
- Immersive audio (Premier only)
- Magnetic hand control holder
- 100% American leather fabric
- Sizes that range from Petite Wide to Large/Tall
Which lift chair is best for me?
With a wide array of options and features, there’s a Sitting Pretty and VivaLift! power recliner for everyone. If you’re looking for the perfect lift chair, you’ll need to determine what’s most important to you.
First, take into consideration your height and weight. Some of our models have limited sizes available while others, such as our Evolution collection, run the gamut. All VivaLift! models have a 400-lb. weight capacity, while the capacity varies on Sitting Pretty.
Next, you’ll need to decide if you want features beyond basic functionality. A basic three-position power recliner may be all you want, but you may be interested in luxurious features such as heat, massage, and Tilt positioning. Consider your needs and budget as you make this decision.
No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong with a VivaLift! or Sitting Pretty lift chair. They’re crafted to the highest quality and supported by decades of proven performance from Pride Mobility. Use our Dealer Locator tool to find an authorized Pride provider in your area or an e-commerce provider that can get you on your way to the world’s best comfort and relaxation!