Bath lift: sitting down in the bath again, with the seat doing the work
We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.
- Battery bath lift with reclining backrest. Best for: Most people who want to sit down in the bath with back support. See options on Amazon
- Bath lift with swivel seat or transfer disc. Best for: People who find it hard to turn their legs over the rim. See options on Amazon
- Lightweight bath lift with detachable parts. Best for: Caregivers who take the lift out for others to use the bath. See options on Amazon
Who a bath lift is for
The Leeds City Council equipment directory says bath lifts may be useful for people who cannot use bath boards or seats, and help people get in and out of the bath when other bathing equipment is not suitable. They suit people who want to sit down low in the water, not just shower while seated. If showering on a seat is enough, a transfer bench or shower chair is simpler.
Staffordshire County Council advises getting professional advice from an occupational therapist before buying any bath lift or hoist. An OT can check sitting balance, strength and the bathroom itself.
Types of bath lift
| Type | How it works | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Battery, reclining back | Hand control lowers and raises the seat; back tilts | Most home users; the back gives trunk support |
| Battery, no backrest | Seat lowers straight down | Living Made Easy says these need very good core strength and stability |
| Inflatable | A compressor, plugged into a socket, inflates the seat | Can be less stable; may not suit people with balance problems |
| Manual or hydraulic | A winding or hydraulic mechanism worked by the user or carer | Needs good arm strength, flexibility and core strength |
Living Made Easy, a UK impartial equipment advice service, says removable lifts lower to about 80 mm above the base of the bath, and some can rise above the rim so you have less height to lift your legs.
Will it fit your bath?
- Length: Living Made Easy says a bath about 1700 mm long fits most equipment.
- Floor width: Leeds notes the bath base must be wide enough for the lift and for the suckers to stick securely.
- Shape: Living Made Easy says only a few items of equipment can be used in a corner bath, and most acrylic baths are not strong enough for wedge-in bath seats. Check with the supplier.
- Grab rails: side flaps rest on the rim and can catch under built-in grab rails.
- User weight: every lift has a stated limit. As one example, Drive Medical rates its Bellavita Dive lift to 300 lb, with a seat that moves from 2.6 to 18.9 inches and a backrest that reclines 50 degrees.
- Lifting it in and out: lifts can be heavy, and suction pads can be hard to release. Drive lists the Bellavita Dive at 21.8 lb; consider a model with detachable parts if it must be moved often.
Safety features and habits
- Battery cut-out: Living Made Easy notes some battery lifts will not let the seat lower to the bottom of the bath if there is not enough battery power left. Ask whether a model has this.
- Charge outside the bathroom: chargers plug into the mains, so charge the lift away from the bath.
- Hand control: Living Made Easy says handsets are waterproof, and rocker switches are particularly helpful for weak or painful hands.
- Check fixings: inspect suction cups and grab rails regularly.
- Water temperature: MedlinePlus advises setting the water heater no higher than 120 F to prevent burns, which matters more when you sit low in the water.
Drive describes the Bellavita Dive as fitting almost any bathtub with no plumbing or electrical work; that is the maker's claim, so measure your bath against its specifications.
What to look for when you buy
Battery bath lift with reclining backrest
Best for: Most people who want to sit down in the bath with back support
Living Made Easy notes lifts without back support need very good core strength, so a reclining back suits more users. Drive's Bellavita Dive, for example, reclines 50 degrees.
Watch out: Check the lowest and highest seat heights against your bath, and the weight limit against the user.
See options on AmazonBath lift with swivel seat or transfer disc
Best for: People who find it hard to turn their legs over the rim
Living Made Easy says some seats swivel to help transfers, and a flexible transfer disc can sometimes be added.
Watch out: More parts to clean and check; confirm the swivel locks.
See options on AmazonLightweight bath lift with detachable parts
Best for: Caregivers who take the lift out for others to use the bath
Living Made Easy warns lifts can be heavy and suction pads hard to release, so detachable parts help if it must be moved.
Watch out: Lighter lifts may have lower weight limits.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- What is a bath lift?
- A seat that sits in the bathtub and lowers you into the water, then raises you back up to the rim, usually by battery power and a hand control.
- Do bath lifts fit all baths?
- No. Leeds City Council notes some baths' size, shape or mouldings mean products may not fit. Living Made Easy says a bath about 1700 mm long fits most equipment.
- What happens if the battery runs out?
- Living Made Easy says some battery lifts will not let the seat lower to the bottom of the bath if there is not enough battery power left, so charge it fully. Ask whether a model has this feature.
- Do I need an occupational therapist for a bath lift?
- It is wise. Staffordshire County Council advises professional advice from an occupational therapist before buying any bath lift.
Sources
- Bath lifts and hoists (livingmadeeasy.org.uk), Living Made Easy (Disabled Living Foundation)
- Bath lift (leedsdirectory.org), Leeds Directory, Leeds City Council
- Bath lifts and hoists (staffordshire.gov.uk), Staffordshire County Council
- Bellavita Dive Bath Lift (shop.drivemedical.com), Drive Medical (maker)
- Bathroom safety for adults (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine