12 Considerations For When You Find a Lift Chair for Sale

You wouldn’t buy a car without testing its drive and control first, right?

So why is buying a lift chair any different?

You’re looking for a couple of things when testing the lift mechanism:

Part of your test drive is checking how well the chair’s mechanical function responds to the remote control.

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And that starts with a simple question: Does it even have a remote control, or is the chair a manually-operated unit?

These sorts of details on the specifications of lift chairs should really be noted within the description of the chair, but even if it’s included you want to make sure that it works as advertised.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that some chairs have additional battery packs installed. These are very useful if you have storms in your area, or you frequently have the power go out. The batteries will allow the chair to continue functioning smoothly while power is restored.

Certain models and brands, such as the Perfect Sleep Chair, come with these kinds of features, so make sure to ask if batteries are included and what kind of batteries your chair takes.

Lift chairs are not one-size-fits-all.

Lift chairs are designed to hold a set amount of weight, and this matters for users who intend to use their lift chair for mobility.

It’s not only the up-and-down motion that impacts the chair – it’s also the amount of weight the frame is supposed to hold. Go beyond this and you risk damaging your lift chair. Make sure that you ask how much it’s supposed to bear, since you’ll need to fall in this threshold for maximum comfort.

The warranty of your lift chair matters enormously.

You ideally want to look for a brand that comes with a lifetime warranty on the materials and construction of the frame.

Or, if you buy from a retailer or dealer that offers multiple brands of pre-owned lift chairs, they might offer you a warranty that comes from their store, rather than from the brand or previous owner. This is just as valuable, though you may have to pay out-of-pocket for the warranty.

You may also be able to purchase different coverages for the various aspects of the chair. For instance, the motor may be separately covered from the frame. If you purchase a warranty, it’s best to read it thoroughly.

You’re probably not in the market for a lift chair because it’s a “nice to have” piece of furniture.

It’s more likely that you intend your lift chair to be both your easy, relaxing recliner, and your functional mobility device.

Many buyers looking for lift chairs for sale will look for more than just the standard inclusions. They often want therapeutic features such as massage and heat.

So depending on why you’re in the market for a lift chair, you’ll want to focus on units that have these features as they can go a long way in addressing your specific medical conditions.

The lifting and seated motions of the chair are just a few parts of what makes lift chairs great.

But what about other positions? Sitting isn’t always the most therapeutic type of relaxation — as opposed to something like “zero gravity” position. Zero gravity chairs ease the natural pressure that gravity places on your joints, bones, and muscles, and can be a better investment when buying.   

Two- and three-position lift chairs for sale don’t have the flexibility needed to achieve this position though. They’re limited to exactly what they say: two positions or three positions.

On the other hand, infinite position chairs recline all the way back, and can even run parallel to the floor. This means they’re totally adjustable, for maximum comfort.

If you have a chronic condition, choose a lift chair that’s designed to access as many positions as possible, besides simply going for those extra therapeutic features.

Make sure you get details on the materials used in the construction of your lift chair. This matters if you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time sitting and sleeping in the chair.

A wood frame with hand-cut and sewn upholstery will ensure that your chair remains sturdy and is not too scratchy or uncomfortable in extreme heat and cold. If you live in an area with four distinct seasons, this really matters.

Additionally, you want to make sure that the durability of the materials used are backed up by a warranty (as previously mentioned).

No matter what brand of lift chair for sale you buy, make sure you research what other customers are saying about the reliability of the product.

So far, we’ve focused on vetting the seller, but there’s only so much a seller can do if a brand of lift chair is just poorly designed.

And, even if it’s not poorly designed, it still may not be the right lift chair for you because you have very specific needs.

Before you reach for your checkbook, do your research on reviews and testimonials of users’ experiences with the chair itself. Review sites are a useful place to start your search, as they’ll often provide a somewhat objective list features.

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Another great place to read reviews is Amazon. Make sure to read beyond the laudatory reviews – select the 1-star and 2-star critical reviews as well.

Review are not always negative – sometimes users didn’t have the right experience because of a shipping snafu or because the chair didn’t have the features they were specifically looking for.

Weigh every critical review against the overall positive reviews – was it a situational issue?

Before you actually drive out to test and try your lift chair for sale, ask the seller for measurements.

You probably already know where you want to (ideally) place it in your home, but what if the unit you’re looking at is too big? Or what if it needs more room away from the wall to extend fully?

For example, these measurements tell you the size of the chair when it’s fully folded in. From here, you can gauge whether it will provide a comfortable seating experience and if it will fit in your home.

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But for lift chairs, you also need to take separate measurements on the amount of room the various positions of the chair take up.

This is such a small detail that you’re prone to forget it, but do so at your own peril, because it doesn’t take much for a simple thing like a footrest to completely ruin your lift chair’s function and experience.

Medical chair suppliers and designers have an ideal ratio between your foot’s length and the length of your chair. You essentially want your heels to hang off the edge of the footrest, while supporting the rest of your calves when you’re in a lying-down position. This distributes your weight evenly and doesn’t cause any undue pressure on your heels.

If the measurement is off, you may want to pass, or see if there’s some way to adjust the chair for more comfort.

This is no small consideration – but it is a rather subjective one. So take your time researching your options in the market.

Matching your home’s decor is important for many, and can often help you sort through the whole fabric versus leather debate.

But you also want to think about who lives in your house: will you have small children visiting? Do you have pets? Is the upholstery of the chair you’re looking at designed to withstand stains, rips, or spills? The longevity of your chair and its place in your home is impacted by these questions, so don’t leave it out!

Many individuals first stumble upon the need for a lift chair because of a mobility issue or as a post-operative recovery tool.

The most basic and functional units are fine for a short-term use, intended for otherwise healthy individual who are likely to heal. But if you’re facing mobility or chronic pain issues, you’re going to be investing in this chair for the long-haul.

That’s why many potential buyers opt to pay out of pocket. Besides controlling the price of their lift chair, they also want to have some say over their chair’s features and ultimate utility.

These 12 tips to buying a lift chair can really save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

Contact us today to learn more about the options open to you.