Acorn and Bruno are two of the biggest stairlift providers in the United States. They manufacture equipment to an exceptionally high standard and have several different products to choose from. Bruno stairlifts are made in the United States of America while Acorn’s are manufactured in the United Kingdom, but both are sold through licensed dealers across the United States.
If you're looking for a stairlift for yourself or a loved one, there's a good chance that you will encounter these two companies, but which one is best and how do they compare in terms of accessibility solutions, cost, warranties, and quality?
Let's find out.
Types of Stairlifts = Equal
Acorn and Bruno both have a single option in multiple categories, including straight stairlifts, curved stairlifts, and outdoor stairlifts. They include the Acorn Superglide 130, the Bruno Elan, and the Bruno Elite. There is a lot to like with both of these providers and while Bruno offers vertical lifts for use inside and outside of the home (not quite home elevators, but they serve the same purpose), this is all about stairlifts and the two are very similar in this regard.
Warranty = Bruno
The Bruno Elite and Elan models come with a limited lifetime warranty that applies to major parts like the motor and gearbox. It also offers a 2-year warranty on other parts.
Acorn doesn't seem to offer a lifetime warranty and condenses everything down into a 1-year warranty on parts and 1-year on the motor and gearbox.
A 1-year warranty is a little disappointing for something that could cost you several thousand dollars. If anything happens to the stairlift outside of that warranty, you can expect to pay a sizeable bill, as they're not always easy to fix and parts/labor costs aren’t cheap. As a result, Bruno gets the nod from us and clearly has better warranty options.
Accessibility, Quality, and Maximum Weight = Equal
Regardless of the model that you choose, you're always guaranteed the highest quality with Acorn and Bruno.
Bruno stairlifts hold up to 300 pounds for the basic models and 400 lbs. for the Elite, while Acorn stairlifts hold 350 lbs. Both are industry-leading in terms of product quality and installation, and they both offer options such as an adjustable seat and safety sensors.
Overall: Acorn Stairlifts vs. Bruno Stairlifts = Bruno
Acorn and Bruno are two of the biggest and best stairlift companies in the United States. Acorn is perhaps a little more international, with a name recognized around the world and parts manufactured in the United Kingdom, but both are established in North America and have operated here for many years.
They have great warranty options, several types of stairlifts, and options for both curved stairlifts and straight stairlifts. It's hard to pick a winner between the two, but ultimately, Bruno has the edge because of its advanced limited lifetime warranty.
We recommend checking them both out and comparing and contrasting with other stairlifts, including the Savaria K2 Stairlift and the many options in the Harmar Stairlift range.