The 5 Best Bathtub Lifts for Seniors - Your Complete Guide [2025] (2025)

Many seniors face difficulties getting in and out of the bathtub safely, which can lead to a higher risk of falls and injuries.

Which can also result in a loss of confidence and independence, making bath time a stressful experience (instead of a relaxing one like it should be).

Bath lifts, however, can offer a practical and safe solution to this problem.

These devices provide a secure way to lower individuals into the tub and raise them back up after bathing, eliminating the need for strenuous movements or assistance from a caregiver.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know when selecting the right bath lift to meet your needs – from key features to the benefits these devices provide, we’ve got you covered.

So, whether you’re a senior looking for greater independence in the bathroom or a caregiver seeking a reliable solution for a loved one, you’ve come to the right place.

What Are Bath Lifts?

First things first though, let’s make sure we’re all talking about the same thing.

A bath lift is a mechanical device designed to assist individuals with mobility challenges in safely entering and exiting a bathtub.

These devices typically feature a seat that gently lowers the user into the water and raises them back up again after bathing.

Bath lifts are especially beneficial for seniors who may struggle with balance, strength, or flexibility but still want to enjoy a relaxing soak.

They come in various models, including battery-powered and cushion-style options, each offering different features to suit individual needs.

Benefits of a Bath Lift

Investing in a bath lift can significantly improve a senior’s quality of life by enhancing safety, independence, and comfort during bathing.

The main benefits include:

1. Prevents Falls and Injuries
   • Reduces the risk of slipping when entering or exiting the tub.
   • Provides a stable and controlled way to lower into and rise from the water.
2. Enhances Independence
   • Seniors can bathe without requiring assistance from a caregiver.
   • Promotes dignity and privacy.
3. Increases Comfort and Relaxation:
   • Allows seniors to soak in warm water, which can help relieve joint pain and muscle stiffness.
   • Some models include reclining features for added relaxation.
4. Easy to Use
   • Simple button controls make it easy for seniors to operate without strain.
   • Lightweight and portable options are available for easy storage and transport.

The 5 Best Bathtub Lifts for Seniors [2025]

1. Drive Medical’s Whisper Bath Lift

Drive Medical’s a trusted brand that’s well-known for providing affordable medical equipment that works well.

And I think their Whisper Bath Lift is likely the best overall option for seniors because it’s affordable, easy to use, and loaded with all the features most folks are going to want.

For starters, this lift has a height range from 2.3″ to 18″, so it will lower folks all the way down to the bottom of the top, but still be able to reach high enough for easy transferring for most tubs.

And with a 300 lb weight limit, this bath lift will be able to safely accommodate most seniors.

This weight capacity is even more impressive considering how lightweight Drive’s lift is.

This bath lift only weighs about 20 lb, making it easy to move and transport and it can easily be disassembled for storage.

I also like that it comes with a floating, waterproof controller and large suction cups on the base for added stability.

The seat and backrest are both padded for added comfort (removable for easy washing) and the backrest can recline back to 50 degrees for comfortable bathing.

The battery is chargeable, which is great, but the only real downside is that once that battery eventually fails (all do at some point), you’ll probably have to invest in a completely new remote.

It doesn’t look like Drive offers replaceable batteries for this lift (probably due to keeping it 100% waterproof).

Overall though, the Whisper Bath Lift is a great choice for the price.

2. SolutionBased BathLyft

The BathLyft is really similar to the Whisper Lift mentioned above, although there are a few, subtle differences between them.

Also, the SolutionBased brand name isn’t as well-known as Drive Medical either.

Anyway, the BathLyft is another plastic, mechanical lift with a high backrest and side wings for maximum stability during transfers.

This lift comes with a height range of 3″ – 19″, so it doesn’t go quite as low as the model above, but it does raise a bit higher.

And it comes with the same 300 lb weight limit, so it too can handle most seniors safely.

The BathLyft weighs about 23 lb assembled, so it’s a bit heavier, but still lightweight enough for easy transport.

Speaking of assembly, this lift only really consists of two pieces and doesn’t require any tools to put together, which is always nice.

The backrest on this model reclines down to roughly 50 deg as well for added comfort and the seat and backrest come with padding too.

The remote here is waterproof and floats for easy access and is rechargeable for added convenience (and you should be able to get around 35 lifts per charge).

There are 6 large suction cups on the base to ensure a snug fit in the tub and they even come with release tabs to make removing the BathLyft easier.

Oh, and you also get to choose between 4 different colors, so you can a little fun with the design if you want.

Like the Whisper Lift, there’s not much to complain about here, but some users have mentioned that the suction cups don’t work very well on textured tub bottoms (but that’s likely to be the case for any lift).

Overall, the BathLyft is another well-rounded, affordable tub lift with some great features for the price.

FYI, prices on this lift can vary quite a bit, but Amazon usually has it for the best price.

3. Invacare Aquatec XL Bath Lift

Seniors looking for a lift that can handle heavier users should consider the Aquatec XL.

This bath lift is designed for heavier folks and it comes with an impressive weight capacity of 375 lb, allowing it to safely accommodate users of all sizes.

The higher weight capacity is the feature that really sets this lift apart from most, but it has plenty of other impressive stats going for it as well.

With a height range of 2.5″ – 17″, this lift should fit in most standard tubs and the reclining back rest (40 degrees) makes for a comfortable bathing experience.

The rechargeable battery is waterproof and floats for convenient reaching during baths, but it also has a safety sensor that won’t let you lower into the tub if there isn’t enough battery power to get back up again.

This is a great feature to ensure seniors don’t get stuck in the tub looking for an alternative way out.

The Aquatec XL comes with suction cups on the bottom for added stability, although some folks have found these cups a little difficult to get sticking.

On the plus side, Invacare backs this lift with a generous 3 year frame warranty (18 month parts).

This lift is a little heavier (26 lb) than some other models, but it’s still light enough for most caregivers to move and transport easily.

The added weight is necessary for the reinforced lifting mechanism.

Otherwise, the only real downside here is the cost, but I guess we should expect a heavier-duty lift to cost more.

Overall, seniors looking for a heavier-duty lift with a significantly higher weight capacity should certainly consider the Aquatec XL.

4. Mangar Bath Lift Cushion

So far, all the lifts we’ve discussed have been mechanical lifts that use motors to raise and lower users from the tub.

Well, the Mangar Lift Cushion is a completely different animal – this is a cushion lift.

This means it uses a series of inflatable cushions to raise and lower you into the tub.

The Mangar Bath Lift comes with a height range of flat – 16″, so it doesn’t go quite as high as some of the other lifts mentioned, but it should still be able to accommodate standard sized tubs.

And with a 330 lb weight limit, it’ll be able to handle seniors of most sizes as well.

As a cushion lift, there is no reclining backrest or wings, but there is a cushion backrest for some lumbar support during transfers.

One of the biggest perks of using the Mangar lift is how light-weight it is.

The cushion only weighs 4.5 lb and the air compressor only weighs about 8 lb, so all together you’re looking at less than 13 lb of lift.

This makes this lift incredibly easy to transport and travel with.

The remote is waterproof and comes with the same safety sensor mentioned above to ensure the lift has enough power to raise you up again (so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck).

The cushions are comfortable to sit on, but keep in mind these types of lifts don’t offer the same stability as a mechanical lift with a rigid frame.

So, if you have poor sitting balance, this may not be the right bath lift for you.

But if you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable lift, the Mangar Lift Cushion could be a great fit.

5. Bridge Bath Lift

The last lift I want to mention here is another traditional motorized option known as the Bridge Bath Lift.

Honestly, this lift is really similar to the 2 models mentioned at the beginning of this guide, but there are a few subtle differences that some users might prefer.

For starters, the Bridge Lift comes with a max height range of 19″, which is a little higher than what most other lifts offer (and lowers down to a bottom position of 2.4″).

Folks with a higher tub wall might benefit from the higher seat range.

This lift also comes with a slightly higher, 315 lb weight limit, allowing it to handle seniors of most sizes.

The backrest on this lift reclines and both the backrest and seat come with cushioning for a little extra comfort.

The remote is rechargeable, waterproof, and floats for convenient reaching while in the tub.

Oh, a full charge should get you around 120 lifts as well, so you won’t have to recharge the remote all that often.

The Bridge LIft is a little heavier than some competitors, but at 26 lb, it should still be pretty manageable for most caregivers.

Overall, the Bridge LIft is a pretty standard bath lift with some nice features for the price. Folks may want to compare prices with the lifts mentioned earlier to see which makes more sense.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Bath Lift

When selecting a bath lift, it’s important to assess the specific needs of the user and compare models based on essential features.

Here’s what to look for:

Type of Bath Lift

There are two main types of bath lifts, battery powered (mechanical) and inflatable cushions, and they both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Battery powered lifts are easily operated using a remote control and they offer smooth and controlled movements for getting in/out of the tub.

These lifts look more like a standard seat and they use a motor to raise and lower the individual into the water.

Cushion lifts use the power of air to raise and lower folks into the tub and they can work quite well too.

Cushion lifts are often lighter weight and easier to move around, but they don’t offer quite as much stability as the rigid frame found on the mechanical lifts.

Seniors looking for max stability may prefer a mechanical lift; seniors with better stability looking for a more portable option may prefer an inflatable cushion lift.

Weight Capacity

It’s paramount to check the weight capacity before buying any lift because this spec tells you exactly how much weight the lift can safely handle.

And the last thing we want is for the lift to malfunction during use.

Most standard bath lifts come with weight limits in the 250 – 325 lb range, while heavier-duty models can accommodate folks weighing upwards of 400 lb.

Always choose a model that can safely handle the user’s weight (and having a little extra cushion is always nice).

Height Adjustment and Lift Range

It’s a good idea to measure the height of your tub wall and check for the height adjustment range for any prospective bath lift before making any decisions.

In other words, you’ll want to make sure your lift will fit your tub.

FYI, most standard tub walls are about 16″ high and most bath lifts come with a max height of 18″, so most lifts can function in standard tubs.

But if you have a soaker tub or some other custom size, you may have a harder time finding a lift that’ll fit.

Comfort/Safety Features

Ensuring a proper fit is important, but comfort and safety are also important.

When comparing lifts, look for additional features like:

• Padded seats/backrests
• Reclining backrests
• Non-slip bases
• Side flaps to make transfers onto the lift easier
• Waterproof remote controls
• Low battery warnings

How to Use a Bath Lift

Using a bath lift is pretty straightforward and most require little to no assembly – still, you want to make sure you know what you’re doing before you try to use it.

Always refer to your lift’s owner’s manual for specific directions, but here are the general steps:

1. Position the Bath Lift in the Tub
   • Ensure the bath lift is placed securely in the tub, with suction cups or anti-slip feet providing a firm grip.
   • If your bath lift has side flaps, ensure they rest on the tub’s edges to assist with smooth transfers.
2. Sit on the Seat
   • Position yourself on the seat while keeping your feet outside the tub.
   • Ensure you are centered and sitting comfortably before proceeding.
3. Swing Your Legs into the Tub
   • Once seated, carefully lift one leg at a time over the edge of the bathtub and into the tub.
   • Maintain a stable grip on any available handrails or armrests for added support.
4. Lower Yourself into the Water
   • Use the remote control or manual buttons to activate the lift and gently lower yourself into the tub.
   • If your model has a reclining feature, adjust the backrest to a comfortable position.
5. Enjoy Your Bath
   • Relax and bathe as usual, keeping the remote control within reach for when you need to exit.
6. Raising Yourself After Bathing
   • When finished, press the button to raise the seat back up to the tub’s rim.
   • Keep your hands and feet inside the tub to prevent slipping while the lift moves.
7. Exit the Bath Lift Safely
   • Swing your legs out of the tub, ensuring you have a firm footing on the bathroom floor before standing up.
   • If needed, use grab bars or assistance from a caregiver for extra support.

Final Thoughts

Relaxing in the bath is one of life’s pleasures and seniors shouldn’t have to give it up because of mobility issues.

Especially since a nice warm soak can be so soothing for achy joints and muscles.

Well, investing in a quality bath lift can make getting in and out of the tub a lot easier for seniors and caregivers alike.

When comparing options, make sure you consider factors like weight capacity, seat comfort, and safety features to make sure you get a lift that’ll meet your needs.

And of course you need to ensure your lift is compatible with your tub before purchasing as well.

If you’re still unsure which model is best, you may want to consult a healthcare professional or an occupational therapist for personalized recommendations.

Well, that about does it.

I hope you found this guide helpful and if you have any comments you’d like to share, just leave ’em below and I’ll get back to you shortly.