Start With the Patient — Not the Lift.
The right patient lift depends on one thing first: how much the person can safely participate in the transfer. We'll help you determine whether you need full-body support, sit-to-stand assistance, a portable lift or a specialized transfer solution.
Can the patient bear weight?
Reliably through the legs—not just briefly.
Can they sit upright?
Consider trunk control and balance.
What transfers are needed?
Bed, wheelchair, toilet, recliner, floor or vehicle?
How much capacity is needed?
Match both the patient and the correct sling.
Can the Patient Safely Bear Weight?
This single question usually determines whether you should start with a full-body lift or a sit-to-stand lift.
Start With a Full-Body Lift
If the patient cannot safely bear weight, cannot maintain supported standing or needs full support throughout the transfer, a full-body patient lift is generally the appropriate direction.
Consider a Sit-to-Stand Lift
If the patient can sit upright, bear meaningful weight through the legs and participate in the transfer, a sit-to-stand lift may be a more practical option.
If the patient cannot reliably bear weight or safely participate in standing, they may require full-body support instead.
Where Does the Person Need to Go?
The right lift is easier to identify when you start with the transfers that happen every day instead of shopping by product name.
Full-Body Transfers
One of the most common uses for an electric or hydraulic full-body lift.
Standing or Full-Body
Sit-to-stand can be excellent when the patient qualifies. Otherwise, look at full-body support and an appropriate sling.
Check the Lift Range
Choose a full-body model specifically capable of reaching low enough for floor transfers.
Check Base Clearance
Measure furniture clearance and make sure the base can position correctly around the transfer location.
Specialized Car Transfer
Car transfers are a specialized use case. A folding car-transfer lift can make outings much more practical.
Portable & Folding
If the lift must travel or store compactly, compare folded dimensions and total lift weight—not just the word “portable.”
Six Different Problems. Six Different Starting Points.
Patient lifts can look similar in photos, but they solve very different transfer problems.
Full-Body / Hoyer-Style
For patients who cannot reliably stand or bear weight during transfer.
Shop Full-Body Lifts →
Sit-to-Stand
For qualified patients who can sit upright and bear weight through the legs.
Shop Sit-to-Stand →
Portable / Car Transfer
Folding options for travel, storage and specialized vehicle transfers.
Shop Portable Lifts →
Hydraulic / Manual
Full-body lifting using a manual hydraulic pump instead of powered lifting.
Shop Manual Lifts →
Heavy-Duty
Higher-capacity full-body options when a standard 500-lb lift isn't enough.
Compare Heavy-Duty →
Standing Transfer Aid
For stronger users who can actively stand and participate with caregiver support.
See Protekt Dash →Full-Body or Sit-to-Stand?
These are not interchangeable. Choose based on the patient's actual mobility level, not which machine looks easier to use.
When the Lift Must Support the Person
A full-body lift suspends and supports the patient in an appropriate sling throughout the transfer.
When the Patient Can Participate
A sit-to-stand lift assists the person toward supported standing rather than fully suspending a non-weight-bearing patient.
Patient Lifts Worth Comparing
Start with the patient's mobility level, then compare capacity, transfer type, portability and caregiver routine.
BEST FULL-BODY START
Protekt 500 Electric
A strong everyday starting point when the patient cannot safely stand and needs powered full-body support.
COMPACT SIT-TO-STAND
Protekt Compact 500
A compact powered sit-to-stand option for qualified patients who can bear weight and participate in the transfer.
CAR + TRAVEL
Protekt Car Transfer Lift
A specialized folding electric lift for families who need vehicle transfers, outings and more flexible portability.
Compare by Capacity & Routine
Higher-capacity, portable, hydraulic and standing-transfer options for more specific caregiving situations.
Protekt 600 Electric
Higher-capacity full-body support for users who need additional lifting margin.
View Protekt 600 →
Protekt 500 Sit-to-Stand
Full-size powered standing assistance for qualified patients.
View 500 Sit-to-Stand →
Protekt Take-A-Long
A folding electric full-body lift for storage, travel and smaller spaces.
View Take-A-Long →
Protekt Onyx
Budget-friendly full-body support using a manual hydraulic pump.
View Onyx →
Protekt 600 Sit-to-Stand
Higher-capacity powered standing support for patients who qualify.
View 600 Sit-to-Stand →
Protekt Dash
For stronger users who can stand and actively participate with assistance.
View Protekt Dash →We'll Help You Get the Details Right
Choosing a patient lift can feel technical. It doesn't have to. Start with the right lift, then make sure the sling, patient fit and home setup match the transfer.
Not Sure Which Sling to Choose? That's Normal.
The correct sling depends on the type of lift, the patient's measurements and how the lift will be used. You do not need to figure all of that out on your own before purchasing.
Full-body lifts and sit-to-stand lifts use different sling styles, so the lift itself gives us the first answer.
Patient height and weight help determine the appropriate sling size and ensure a more secure, comfortable fit.
Bed, wheelchair, toileting and other transfer needs can affect which sling style is the better choice.
We'll Help Confirm the Right Sling.
If you're uncertain about sling type or size, send us the patient's height, weight, lift model and typical transfers. Our team can quickly help you narrow down the appropriate option.
Measure the Transfer Space
Check the bed or furniture clearance, base width, doorway width, bathroom space and room needed to position the lift around the patient.
A lift can have enough capacity and still be the wrong size for the room.Setup Is Straightforward
Don't let assembly intimidate you. These lifts arrive mostly prepared for use and typically require only a few simple setup steps.
No special tools are required, and setup typically takes under 15 minutes.Don't let a sling question, sizing question or setup concern delay the right lift. Tell us what you're working with and we'll help you confirm the details before you order.
Patient Lift FAQs
Quick answers to the questions families and caregivers ask most often.
What is the difference between a full-body lift and a sit-to-stand lift?
A full-body lift supports and suspends the patient in an appropriate sling throughout the transfer. A sit-to-stand lift is for patients who can sit upright, bear some weight through their legs and participate in standing.
What if the patient cannot bear weight?
Start with a full-body patient lift rather than a sit-to-stand model. A sit-to-stand should not be selected for a fully dependent or non-weight-bearing patient simply because it looks easier to maneuver.
Which patient lift is best for toileting?
If the patient can safely bear weight and participate, a sit-to-stand lift can be very useful for toileting. If they cannot bear weight, consider a full-body lift with an appropriate sling configuration.
Can a patient lift pick someone up from the floor?
Many full-body models are designed for floor recovery, but not every lift has the same lifting range. Confirm the lowest lifting height and floor-lift capability of the specific model before ordering.
Can one caregiver operate a patient lift?
That depends on the patient, caregiver, transfer, sling, home environment and manufacturer instructions. Do not assume every transfer should be performed by one person.
What sling do I need?
Sling selection depends on whether the lift is full-body or sit-to-stand, the patient's measurements, transfer type and toileting needs. If you're unsure, contact our team before ordering and we'll help match the setup.
Do you sell replacement slings and parts?
We don't maintain a large standalone online catalog of replacement slings and parts, but our team can help source compatible items for many of the lifts we sell. Contact us with the lift model and what you need.
Is assembly difficult?
No. Setup is straightforward, requires no special tools and typically takes less than 15 minutes. Most of the lift arrives already prepared, with only a few basic setup steps required before use.
Should I buy electric or hydraulic?
Electric lifts reduce the physical effort required to raise and lower the patient and are a popular choice for frequent transfers. Hydraulic models use a manual pump, cost less and do not depend on a rechargeable battery.
Is a portable patient lift actually lightweight?
Not necessarily. “Portable” often means the lift folds or stores more conveniently. Always check the actual product weight and folded dimensions before assuming a caregiver can easily lift it.
Tell Us About the Patient.
Give us the patient's height and weight, whether they can bear weight, the transfers you need to perform and any space limitations in the home. We'll help narrow down the right type of lift.
Height + Weight
Helps establish fit and capacity.
Weight-Bearing Ability
Can they safely stand at all?
Daily Transfers
Bed, chair, toilet, floor or car?
Home Setup
Bed clearance, bathroom and room space.