Platform Lifts for Every Setting
Vertical platform lifts serve a wide range of residential and commercial applications. Whether you need an outdoor porch lift, a garage platform lift, an ADA-compliant commercial unit, or a handicap lift for a raised deck, the right model depends on your vertical rise, surface type, and whether the installation is indoors or outdoors.
Porch & Deck Lifts
Outdoor platform lifts for raised porches, rear decks, and exterior home entrances
Garage Lifts
Wheelchair lift for garage access between ground level and interior living spaces
Commercial & ADA
ADA platform lifts for churches, retail, offices, and public access requirements
Stair Alternatives
Platform lifts for stairs where a ramp won't fit and a full elevator isn't needed
Platform Lifts We Carry
We're building out this collection across multiple brands and rise heights. Our current inventory includes the most-specified residential vertical platform lift in the US, with commercial and additional brand options being added shortly.
In Stock — Ships 1–3 Business Days
Residential Vertical Platform Lift — 50", 60" & 72"
850 lb capacity. Three rise heights to match your porch, deck, or garage. Screw-drive for smooth, quiet operation. Rated for full indoor and outdoor use. Wireless remote, emergency stop, and non-slip platform included. Straight-through or 90-degree exit configurations available.
View Lift Options →More Brands & Models Coming Soon
Bruno, Savaria, and commercial ADA-rated platform lifts are being added to this collection. Call us if you need a specific brand — we may be able to source it directly.
⭐ Verified Customer Reviews
★★★★★
"The lift arrived well packaged and installation was straightforward. My father can now access the front porch completely on his own."
★★★★★
"We looked at three companies. First Class Mobility answered every question before we bought. The lift fits our deck perfectly — smooth, quiet and solid."
★★★★★
"My husband operates it himself without any help. The screw drive is noticeably quieter than the chain lift we had before."
Vertical Platform Lift vs. Inclined Platform Lift vs. Stair Lift
These three product types solve similar problems in different ways. Understanding the difference before you buy prevents a costly mistake.
How to Choose the Right Platform Lift
The right vertical platform lift depends on four variables. Get these right before you order and installation becomes straightforward.
- Measure your vertical rise — not your stair run Stand at the lower landing and measure straight up to the upper landing surface. This is your vertical rise. A common mistake is measuring along the stairs diagonally. The lift model you need is determined entirely by this single vertical number.
- Indoor or outdoor installation? Outdoor platform lifts — for porches, decks, and exterior garage access — need weather-rated frames, sealed electrical components, and non-slip surfaces. Not all platform lifts are rated for outdoor use. Confirm outdoor rating before ordering.
- Residential or commercial ADA use? Residential platform lifts are designed for private home use. Commercial vertical platform lifts and ADA-compliant lifts for public buildings have different platform size, barrier, and call station requirements. If the installation is in a church, retail space, or public building, a commercial-rated unit is required.
- Check your footprint and surface Platform lifts require a solid, level base — concrete or solid wood decking. For porch or deck installations, you'll need a pad approximately 12 inches wider than the lift footprint on all sides. For outdoor wood decks, blocking under the base frame is usually required.
- Confirm weight capacity Add the user's weight to the weight of their mobility device. Power wheelchairs typically weigh 200–350 lbs. Scooters vary. A lift rated to 750–850 lbs covers the majority of power chair and scooter combinations. If you're close to the limit, call us with the specific weights before ordering.
Platform Lift Questions — Answered
What is the difference between a platform lift and a platform elevator?
The terms platform lift, platform elevator, vertical platform lift, and wheelchair elevator are used interchangeably in the US market and refer to the same category of product: an open or enclosed platform that travels vertically on a guided rail or screw system. They are not full building elevators. They don't require a shaft, a pit, or major structural modification. Most residential installations are completed in a day.
Outdoor wheelchair lift — what are the installation requirements?
An outdoor wheelchair lift needs a solid, level concrete or wood base, access to a standard 120V / 15A electrical outlet, and clearance around the footprint for safe entry and exit. The unit must be rated for outdoor use — look for powder-coated or galvanised steel framing and weatherproofed electrical components. For rise heights above 52 inches, the lift should also be anchored to the building structure for stability.
Porch lift vs. vertical platform lift — is there a difference?
A porch lift is a vertical platform lift. The term "porch lift" or "porch elevator" simply describes the most common residential installation location. The mechanical product is the same: a guided platform that travels straight up and down. Porch lifts are available in straight-through configurations — where the user rolls on from one side and off the other — or 90-degree configurations for tight spaces where a straight exit isn't possible.
ADA platform lift — what does commercial compliance require?
ADA-compliant vertical platform lifts for commercial settings must meet specific requirements including minimum platform dimensions (typically 36" x 48" clear floor space), self-closing barriers or gates at all entry and exit points, and call stations positioned at accessible heights on both levels. Lifts in public buildings or places of public accommodation are subject to ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Contact us before ordering for a commercial or public-access installation — residential models are not a substitute for commercial-rated units.
Handicap lift for stairs — when is a platform lift the right choice?
A platform lift for stairs is the right choice when the user cannot or should not transfer out of their wheelchair or scooter, when a ramp would require too much run length for the available space, or when the rise is greater than 30 inches. For single steps or very short rises, a threshold ramp is often simpler and cheaper. For anything above 3–4 steps with a wheelchair user, a vertical platform lift is the standard solution.
Wheelchair lift for garage — what to consider
A wheelchair lift for a garage typically bridges the step or rise between the garage floor and the home interior — usually 7 to 36 inches. For rises under 14 inches, a powered threshold lift or short vertical lift may be sufficient. For rises above 14 inches, a full vertical platform lift with a proper base and guardrails is the safer and more durable option. Garage installations are almost always indoors, so outdoor weatherproofing is less critical — but the concrete floor makes for an ideal base.
Savaria platform lift and Bruno vertical platform lift — do you carry these?
We are expanding this collection to include additional brands including Savaria and Bruno VPL models. If you're looking for a specific brand such as the Savaria V1504, Bruno Joey Lift, or Bruno VPL, call our team — we may be able to source and order directly for you while these are added to the site.
Used wheelchair platform lifts — should you buy secondhand?
Used handicap lifts and secondhand vertical platform lifts are available through various resale channels, but buying used carries real risk: no warranty coverage, unknown service history, potential obsolete parts, and no guarantee the unit meets current safety standards. For a product that carries a person between levels daily, a new unit with a manufacturer warranty is the safer investment. Our direct pricing is competitive enough that the gap between new and used is often smaller than buyers expect.
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This collection covers the full category of vertical platform lifts, wheelchair elevator lifts, and handicap lifts for home and commercial use — sold under a variety of search terms.
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What to Expect When You Order From First Class Mobility
- Free freight shipping — no hidden delivery fees
- Ships within 1–3 business days
- Partially pre-assembled on arrival
- Direct pricing — no dealer or territory markup
- US-based sales and support team
- Installation guidance and documentation included
- Manufacturer warranty on all units
- Battery backup options available
- Indoor and outdoor rated models stocked
- Commercial and ADA enquiries welcome
Not sure which platform lift is right for your space?
Give us your vertical rise, your surface type, and your mobility device. We'll confirm the right model — and the right configuration — before you order.