Acorn 130 vs Brooks 130: Which Reconditioned Stairlift Is Right for You?

Acorn 130 or Brooks 130 — which reconditioned stairlift should you choose? These are the two straight stairlifts we recondition and fit more than any others, priced at £1,100 and £1,300 fully installed. They are close relatives with far more in common than not, so this comparison from the family team at A.C. Stairlifts focuses on the differences that actually matter when choosing between them.

The short answer

Both are proven, safe, tread-fixed straight stairlifts, and both come with the same A.C. Stairlifts package: free survey, professional fitting by Chris, a full safety test, a 12-month parts and labour warranty and 24/7 breakdown support. If budget is the deciding factor, the Acorn 130 at £1,100 is our best-value lift. If you prefer its seat styling and finish, the Brooks 130 at £1,300 justifies the difference. Neither is a wrong choice for a standard straight staircase.

Shared DNA: why they feel so similar

Acorn and Brooks stairlifts share a common engineering heritage, which is why the 130 name appears on both. In practice that means both lifts offer:

• A rail fixed to the stair treads, not the wall — no structural work, no drilling into plaster.
• Battery power with trickle charging, so the lift keeps working in a power cut.
• Fold-away seat, arms and footrest to leave the staircase clear for everyone else.
• Soft start and stop for a smooth, unhurried ride.
• Obstruction safety sensors that halt the lift if anything is on the stairs.
• A swivel seat so you dismount safely onto the landing.
• Hold-to-run controls plus two remotes for calling the lift between floors.
• Manual hinged rail option where the rail would otherwise block a doorway at the foot of the stairs.

Where they differ

1. Price

Reconditioned and fitted by us: Acorn 130 — £1,100. Brooks 130 — £1,300. Both prices are all-inclusive; see our cost guide for how they compare with the wider market, and our VAT eligibility guide — most customers with a long-term condition pay no VAT.

2. Seat styling and comfort

The most noticeable difference in the flesh. The Brooks 130 is typically finished with a more upholstered, domestic-looking seat that some customers feel sits more naturally in a traditional hallway. The Acorn 130’s seat is more utilitarian. Comfort is subjective — at the survey you are welcome to see photographs of recent installs of both.

3. Availability of reconditioned stock

Acorn 130s were installed in enormous numbers, so reconditioned supply is plentiful and we can almost always fit one quickly. Brooks 130 stock is steady but slightly less abundant; if your heart is set on the Brooks, it is worth calling to check current workshop stock on 0151 314 4884.

4. The newer T700 variant

Both brands have a newer 130 T700 generation. When reconditioned T700s pass through our four-step workshop process they are usually the first to sell — if one matters to you, ask what is currently on the bench. (We also buy back 130s at £200 and T700s at £250, which is how our stock stays fresh.)

Side-by-side comparison

	Acorn 130	Brooks 130
Reconditioned, fitted price	£1,100	£1,300
Staircase type	Straight only	Straight only
Rail fixing	Stair treads (no wall work)	Stair treads (no wall work)
Power	Battery, trickle-charged	Battery, trickle-charged
Works in a power cut	Yes	Yes
Folds away	Seat, arms & footrest	Seat, arms & footrest
Seat finish	Practical, utilitarian	Softer, more domestic styling
Reconditioned availability	Excellent	Good — call to check stock
Warranty from us	12 months parts & labour	12 months parts & labour
Our buy-back price when you’re done	£200 (£250 for T700)	£200 (£250 for T700)

Running costs and upkeep: a dead heat

Neither lift will trouble your electricity bill — a stairlift costs pennies per week to run, as we showed in our guide to how much electricity a stairlift uses. Servicing needs are identical too: we recommend an annual service for either model to keep the batteries healthy and catch wear early. Batteries are the main consumable on both lifts and are renewed as part of our reconditioning, so you start the clock from fresh.

Longevity is likewise evenly matched. Both platforms are mechanically simple, parts are widely available, and a well-serviced example keeps going for years — our guide to stairlift lifespan explains what to expect and what shortens it.

Which one is right for your home?

• Tightest budget: Acorn 130 at £1,100 — the best-value reliable stairlift we fit.
• Prefer a softer, more furnished look: Brooks 130 at £1,300.
• Need it urgently (for example a hospital discharge): whichever is on the shelf ready — usually the Acorn. Next-day fitting is often possible; see our installations page.
• Staircase turns a corner? Neither — you need a curved lift such as the reconditioned Stannah 260 (£3,200 fitted). Details on our curved stairlifts page.

Getting a like-for-like quote: what to have ready

Whichever model you lean towards, a two-minute phone call gets you a meaningful price if you can tell us four things:

• Is the staircase straight? Count the steps if you can — thirteen is the most common flight, and both 130s handle standard domestic lengths comfortably.
• Is there a doorway at the very bottom of the stairs? If the rail would cross it, we will quote the manual hinged-rail option so the bottom section folds away.
• Who will use the lift? Any seating, reach or mobility particulars help us recommend the right seat between the two models.
• How soon do you need it? If the answer is “urgently” — a hospital discharge, a sudden change in mobility — say so first. Stocked Acorn 130s can often be fitted the next working day.

The free home survey then confirms everything with proper measurements, and the written quote you receive is fixed — the price quoted is the price you pay.

Frequently asked questions

Are Acorn and Brooks the same company?

They are closely related brands sharing engineering heritage, which is why the two 130 models are so alike. For an owner, the practical experience of using them is near-identical.

Is the Brooks worth the extra £200?

If the seat styling matters to you, yes. Mechanically, both are equally dependable once they have passed our reconditioning process — and both carry exactly the same 12-month warranty from us.

Can I see one before deciding?

We are not a showroom business — that is part of how we keep prices down — but the free home survey includes photographs of recent installations of both models, and with 70+ five-star Google reviews you can read exactly how other local customers found each lift. Read more on our reviews page.

Do both models suit narrow staircases?

Usually yes — both fold away to a slim profile. The survey confirms the fit with measurements before anything is ordered.

What happens to my old stairlift if I am replacing one?

We remove it as part of the installation, and if it is a model we buy back you will be paid for it — see the buy-back price list.

The verdict

You are choosing between two dependable versions of the same good idea. Take the Acorn 130 for outright value, the Brooks 130 for its finish, and let the free survey settle any doubt about fit. Either way the price you are quoted is the price you pay, fitted, tested, demonstrated and under warranty.

Call the family team on 0151 314 4884 or request your free quote online — and if you are still weighing new against reconditioned, our guide to used vs new stairlifts covers that decision too.