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- Price for straight: Around $3,515, but varies by dealership
- Environment: Indoor
- Weight capacity: Up to 300 pounds
- Financing: Varies by dealership
Harmar Stair Lifts Expert Reviewed in 2024
Sep 27, 2024
Fact Checked
If you’re looking for an indoor stairlift for your straight stairway, these Harmar stairlifts might be right for you. Keep reading to learn more about the Pinnacle SL300 and Pinnacle SL600.
Key Takeaways
- This roundup focuses on the Pinnacle SL300 and the Pinnacle SL600. Both of these Harmar lifts are for straight stairways and indoor use only.
- The Pinnacle stair lifts range from $3,500–$4,500, but they can be more or less costly depending on the model, dealer, or type of staircase.
- Both of these stair lifts are fairly simple, with one speed and one remote function. We recommend them for adults who want a basic stair lift.
- The Pinnacle SL300 and the Pinnacle SL600 are foldable stair lifts, so neither should take up more than 11 inches of your stairway.
Harmar makes accessibility products, like vehicle lifts, platform lifts, and ramp solutions, and they are well known for manufacturing stair lifts. These lifts help adults with limited mobility stay in their homes longer. Home modifications may seem intimidating, but the installation of a stair lift is straightforward once you’ve selected which model to buy.
In this review, we will be focusing on two of Harmar’s stair lifts: the Pinnacle SL300 and the Pinnacle SL600. These stair lifts are both indoor, straight stairway lifts, so they seem fairly similar on first look, but this review will point out the differences between the two, helping you pick the stair lift that works best for your preferences.
If you’re in the market for a new stair lift, keep reading to see who our testers recommend these stair lifts for. If you want a few more options, check out our roundup of the best stair lifts, or take a look at our Acorn stair lift review.
Harmar Pinnacle SL300
Harmar Pinnacle SL300
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We recommend the Pinnacle SL300 to customers who are looking for a simple, easy-to-use stair lift. It is a simple machine with one speed and one remote function. If you are looking for a basic stair lift model, the Pinnacle SL300 could be right for you. Our expert take on the Harmar Pinnacle SL300
We recommend the Harmar Pinnacle SL300 to buyers looking for a simple, classic lift model without frills. This lift includes a joystick that allows you to shift up or down easily and a remote with call buttons, which can bring the lift up or down the stairs to meet you. This lift also comes with two handles on either side of the chair, so users can rotate the chair 90 degrees for an easier entrance and exit.
The Pinnacle SL300 includes a seat belt, audible alert system, and footrest obstruction sensor, but it does not have a retractable seat belt or folding rail. This lift only has one speed—20 feet per minute—and one function on its remote. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use stair lift, you may be happy with the Pinnacle SL300, but we don’t recommend it to buyers looking for a highly comfortable or advanced lift.
Our testing experience using the Harmar Pinnacle SL300
Our testers found that the Pinnacle SL300 was especially smooth, slim, and easy to use. This chair uses a patented nylon polymer gear rackⓘ A gear rack includes rods with teeth that mesh with gears to convert rotary motion into linear motion. , along with an oversized worm gear,ⓘ Worm gears help with change of direction and reduction of speed. , both of which add stability to the chair lift. Plus, at only 11 inches wide when folded, the Pinnacle SL300 is slim enough for others to use the stairs without being blocked by the lift.
Our testers found the Pinnacle SL300 somewhat uncomfortable to sit on. They noted that short rides shouldn’t be a problem, but people with longer staircases might want to invest in a chair lift with more cushioning. The Pinnacle SL300 does include light padding, but it might not keep you comfortable the entire ride.
Our tester on the Harmar Pinnacle SL300:
“The Pinnacle SL300 is slim, with a smooth track and easy features. We recommend this product to anyone who wants a basic model, as this stair lift is the most straightforward.”
Harmar Pinnacle SL600
Harmar Pinnacle SL600
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The Pinnacle SL600 works best for people who want added perks in their stair lift but don’t want to be overwhelmed by too many options. The Pinnacle SL600 has one speed and one remote function, but it includes features like a retractable seat belt, obstruction sensor, and padded armrest. Our expert take on the Harmar Pinnacle SL600
We recommend the Harmar Pinnacle SL600 to users looking for a slightly more advanced stair lift that is still easy to use. This lift includes a joystick to easily move the lift up and down, as well as a remote that calls the chair to the top or bottom of the stairs to meet you. The Pinnacle SL600 has two handles, and the chair swivels up to 85 degrees, making it easier for to stand and sit on this lift. The Pinnacle SL600 also includes a higher backrest for a more comfortable ride, as well as added padding in the backrest and armrests.
The Pinnacle SL600 includes a retractable seat belt, obstruction sensor, and LED alert system in its armrest, so it’s more advanced than the SL300. But similar to the SL300, this model only has one speed option—20 feet per minute—and one function on its remote, so it is still easy to use and should work well for the majority of users.
Our testing experience using the Harmar Pinnacle SL600
Our testers found that the Pinnacle SL600 was an especially comfortable chair due to its added backrest and armrest padding. Plus, the backrest on the Pinnacle SL600 includes ergonomic support, so it may be helpful for adults with back pain. The joystick included on the Pinnacle SL600 also fits easily between the thumb and index fingers, leading our testers to declare this stair lift a strong choice for anyone who has arthritis.
Our testers did find that the Pinnacle SL600 was noticeably louder than other stair lift brands, which could be frustrating to you or other household members.
Our tester on the Harmar Pinnacle SL600:
“The chair definitely has a lot of back support. It reaches my shoulder blades and keeps my posture very straight. I would say this chair is a strong choice for people with back pain.”
Pros and cons of Harmar stair lifts
Pros
- Brand offers a wide range of stair lift options for curved stairs and outdoor lifts
- Lifts are simple and easy to use
- Include sensors in the construction as a safety feature
- Thin and compact designs allow other household members to access stairs
Cons
- Models are loud, which could be frustrating for other household members
- Not the most comfortable, especially on longer rides
- Some features can only be added for an additional price
- Financing not available and pricing differs depending on dealer
How much do Harmar stair lifts cost?
Harmar lifts are not sold or priced on the Harmar website. The price of these stair lifts—regardless of fees, whether they’re for curved or straight stairs, or additional features—depends on the dealer the stair lift is purchased from. But there are some basic qualities that will affect the price of your stair lift, regardless of your dealer.
First is whether you opt for a curved or straight stair lift. The straight stair lifts in this article typically cost somewhere between $3,500–$4,500. The curved stair lifts from Harmar cost at least $10,000 before installation. Because curved staircases require a more advanced stair lift, these lifts cost more.
The price of your Harmar stair lift could also depend on the features you choose to add. The Pinnacle SL300 offers add-ons like a retractable seat belt, key lock, and chassis obstruction sensor, all of which add to the l cost. Even changing the color of your stair lift could raise the price. Depending on how many features you want to add to your Harmar stair lift, the price could increase beyond the base $3,500 that these stair lifts usually go for.
How to buy Harmar stair lifts
Because the Harmar brand does not sell their stair lifts directly, you will need to find a dealer in you area to purchase a stair lift. Harmar has a section on the brand’s website where you can input you address to find the closest dealer in your area.
After finding a dealer and purchasing the stair lift, you will need to prepare your stairs, wall, and floor for the stair lift. This could include cleaning and covering areas of the wall and stairs to prevent damage during installation. After this, professionals from your preferred dealer should be able to safely install the stair lift.
Harmar contact and payment information
Customer service
You can reach Harmar customer service by:
- Phone: 800-833-0478, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
- Fax: 866-234-5680, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET
- Contact a local Harmar dealer
Payment options
Harmar stair lifts are sold through authorized dealers located throughout the United States and around the world. Payment options, financing, and discounts are going to depend on the specific dealer you buy your Harmar stair lift from. Contact your local dealer to learn more about payment options, or locate your closest dealer on the Harmar website.
Compare Harmar stair lifts, as of September 2024
| Starting price (straight) | Around $3,515 | Around $4,495 | Around $2,195 | Around $6,715 |
| Environment | Indoor | Indoor | Indoor | Indoor |
| Financing | Varies by dealer | Varies by dealer | Varies by dealer | Varies by dealer |
| Maximum weight capacity | 300 pounds | 350 pounds | 250-350 pounds | 600 pounds |
Bottom line
Overall, we recommend Harmar stair lifts to adults looking for simple, easy-to-use lifts that aren’t going to take up too much room along the stairway. Both the Pinnacle SL300 and the Pinnacle SL600 have one speed setting and one remote function, so users can call their stair lift to the top or bottom of the staircase and then use the joystick to bring themselves up or down. Both of these stair lifts are also foldable and include a seat belt and obstruction sensor to keep you and other household members safe on the stairs.
Because Harmar stair lifts are fairly simple, they do not include perks other stair lifts might have. Our testers found that neither of these stair lifts were especially comfortable, and both had a loud motor sound when in use. If you spend a lot of time in your stair lift or are sensitive to loud noises, you might want to opt for a different stair lift, like one featured in our roundup of the best stair lifts.
Frequently asked questions
Harmar stair lifts are motorized chair units that help carry users up and down stairways. The moving chair travels on a track that is directly attached to the stairs. These lifts can be powered by attaching the lift to the vehicle’s battery or using a rechargeable battery pack.
The Bruno and Harmar stair lifts differ in comfort, speed, noise level, and ease of use. Our testers found the Bruno stair lifts were slightly quieter and more comfortable, while the Harmar stair lifts were faster and easier to use.
The Pinnacle SL300 has a 10-year warranty on the gear rack, a two-year warranty on parts, and a one-year warranty on the battery. The Pinnacle SL600 has a limited lifetime warranty and a one-year warranty on the battery.
Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.