Pride, Golden and Elran are all on our floor at Durham Medical. Here’s how to tell them apart.
People walk into our store, see a row of lift chairs and say the same thing. “They all look kind of the same.”
Fair enough. From across the room, they do. But sit in a few, and you’ll feel the difference fast. Each brand we carry has its own personality, and each one suits a different kind of person.
So think of this post as a little tour. We’ll walk you through what’s on our floor, who each chair works best for and what to ask about when you come in.
A quick word on positions
Before we get to brands, one thing to know. Lift chairs come in three main styles.
Two-position chairs lean back to about 45 degrees. Great for reading or watching TV. Three-position chairs recline nearly flat, so napping is easy. Infinite-position chairs (people often call them zero-gravity chairs) let you go all the way back and stop anywhere along the way.
Every brand below makes chairs in more than one of these styles. So once you know which one you like, the brand choice gets a lot easier.
Pride Mobility
Pride makes some of the most popular lift chairs out there, and for good reason. They’re comfortable and built to last, with some clever features thrown in.
Pride VivaLift! Collection
This is the one for people who like to fine-tune things. It has power lumbar support, a power headrest and a footrest that extends. The remote has a USB port too, so you can charge your phone or tablet without getting up.
Who it suits: anyone who spends a lot of time in their chair and wants to adjust their support exactly.
Worth knowing: all those features push the price up a bit. Most people who try one in our store feel it’s money well spent.
Pride Heritage Collection
The Heritage is the no-fuss option. A quiet, smooth lift, a solid frame and a remote that’s easy to use. It comes in several sizes and fabrics.
Who it suits: someone who wants a dependable, comfortable chair and doesn’t care about extra buttons.
Worth knowing: you won’t get the bells and whistles of the VivaLift!. But you get a sturdy, practical chair that does the basics really well.
Golden Technologies
Golden is known for comfort and good ergonomic design. When people sink into a Golden chair in our showroom, they tend to stay a while.
Golden MaxiComfort Series
The MaxiComfort has Golden’s own recline technology, which takes you into a zero-gravity position. That position can ease pressure on your spine, and a lot of folks with back pain find it really helps. You also get plenty of positions and settings to play with.
Who it suits: people looking for therapeutic comfort and lots of adjustability.
Worth knowing: it sits at a higher price point. If back pain or circulation is part of your daily life, it’s worth a serious look. Talk to your doctor too.
Golden Comforter Series
Plush, cozy and simple. The Comforter comes in a range of sizes to fit different body types, and it runs on a two-button control. Up and down. That’s it.
Who it suits: anyone who wants a soft, comfortable chair without a learning curve.
Worth knowing: this one’s about comfort and ease, not advanced features. For a lot of people that’s exactly the point.
Elran
Elran chairs are the ones people notice first in our showroom. They look like nice living room furniture that happens to have a lift built in.
Elran Custom Lift Chairs
Want a chair that matches your sofa? Elran lets you pick the fabric and colour, then add extras like heat and massage.
Who it suits: someone who cares how the chair looks in their home as much as how it feels.
Worth knowing: a custom chair is built to order, so it takes longer to arrive than a chair we already have in stock. It can cost more too. Ask us about current timelines when you visit and we’ll give you a straight answer.
Elran Standard Lift Chairs
Classic design, smooth lift, comfortable seat. These chairs give you what you need without a long list of decisions to make.
Who it suits: people who like a traditional look and want a reliable chair.
Worth knowing: you won’t find every advanced feature here. But they’re well made and dependable, and that counts for a lot.
Why sit down with one of our consultants
Reading about chairs only gets you so far. Here’s what happens when you talk with someone on our team in person:
- We look at you, not just the chair. Your mobility, your health needs and how you actually live at home all shape what we recommend.
- We measure you properly. A chair that’s the wrong size is uncomfortable and can be unsafe. We take real measurements and match you to chairs that fit.
- We point out safety stuff. Some features matter more for certain people. We’ll flag them and show you how to use the chair safely.
- We think beyond the chair. If a walker, a bathroom grab bar or a home modification would help too, we’ll mention it. And we’ll check in later to make sure the chair still works for you.
- You get quality brands. We stock chairs from makers we trust, with track records we can stand behind.
A few tips once your chair is home
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and anything your consultant tells you.
- Give it a quick check and a clean now and then. It’ll last longer.
- Keep moving. Your chair should be part of an active day, not a replacement for one.
- Play with the settings as your needs change. What felt right in month one might need a tweak by month six.
Come try them for yourself
Pride, Golden and Elran all make great chairs. Which one is best really depends on you. Your body, your home, your budget, what you need help with.
And the easiest way to figure that out is to come sit in them. Visit the Durham Medical store, try a few side by side and let one of our consultants help you narrow it down. If you want dedicated time with someone, call ahead and we’ll set it up.
Your new favourite chair is probably already on our floor.