Proactive Medical Protekt 500 Electric Patient Lift | 500 lbs Powered Transfer Hoist
500 lb powered full-body lift with a hands-free foot-pedal base ā the value pick for daily home transfers.
$1,237.95
View productElectric Patient Lifts for Home Use
Rescue Supply Ā· Patient Lifts
Electric Patient Lifts for Home Use
Full-body electric lifts sized for real homes and real caregivers ā capacities from 350 lb to bariatric, battery operation, and slings matched to the transfer. Built on the question home buyers actually ask: will it fit my rooms, my person, and my routine?
Home transfer guidancePowered lift optionsSling & fit checklist
What an electric patient lift does at home
An electric patient lift moves a person who cannot transfer on their own ā bed to wheelchair, chair to commode, or up from the floor after a fall ā using a battery-powered actuator instead of the caregiverās back. The person rests in a fabric sling under their body; the lift raises, moves and lowers them while the caregiver steers and operates a hand control. At home, that one machine is often the difference between a family member aging in place and a move to facility care, and between a caregiver helping for years and a caregiver injured in a single transfer. The full range is in our Patient Lifts collection; this page covers how to choose within it.
Electric vs. manual lifts: why most home buyers go powered
| Electric (powered) lift | Manual (hydraulic) lift | |
|---|---|---|
| How it lifts | Battery-powered actuator, hand-control button | Caregiver pumps a hydraulic handle |
| Caregiver effort | Steering and guiding only ā no lifting or pumping | Pumping effort rises with the personās weight |
| Transfer feel | Slow, even, start/stop on demand | Depends on the operatorās rhythm |
| Power needs | Rechargeable battery; charge from a standard outlet | None |
| Typical home fit | One caregiver, daily transfers, heavier users | Occasional transfers, tight budgets, backup lift |
Manual lifts cost less and never need charging, and for occasional transfers they are a rational buy. But when transfers happen several times a day, every day, most home buyers land on electric: it is the version one person can operate calmly at 2 a.m., and the version that keeps working as the person being lifted gains weight or loses strength.
Choosing capacity, including bariatric options
Match the liftās rated capacity (its safe working load) to the personās weight with room to spare ā capacity is a ceiling, not a target. Standard home lifts run 350ā450 lb; bariatric models run 500 lb and up, with wider bases and reinforced slings to match. If the person is anywhere near a modelās limit, move up a class: the lift works more smoothly, the sling fits better, and the equipment lasts longer. Five of the electric models we sell most, with the figures from their own manufacturer listings:
| Model | Capacity | Power | Worth knowing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bestcare BestLiftĀ® PL400 | 400 lb | 24V rechargeable battery, LCD indicator | Low-profile base slides under beds; optional spare battery pack | $1,529.00 |
| Bestcare BestLiftĀ® PL500 | 500 lb | 24V rechargeable battery, LCD indicator | Bariatric full-body model in the BestLift line | $1,982.00 |
| Proactive Protekt 500 | 500 lb | Electric actuator | Hands-free foot pedal opens/closes the base legs around furniture | $1,237.95 |
| Handicare CARLO Alu Comfort EP | 507 lb | Electric height adjustment | Aluminum frame; powered positioning system; optional integrated scale | $1,819.95 |
| Handicare Carina 350 | 350 lb | Rechargeable battery, external charger | Folds flat for storage and car transport ā the apartment-friendly option | $2,350.95 |
For users above standard capacities, the Bariatric Patient Lift collection concentrates the heavy-duty models, and Bariatric Patient Lift Slings carries the reinforced slings rated to match them ā never pair a bariatric lift with a standard sling.
Will it fit? Base width, doorways, carpet and bed clearance
- Base legs close narrow to roll through doorways, then open wide to straddle chairs, recliners and commodes ā check the modelās closed and open base widths against your narrowest doorway and your widest chair
- Under-bed clearance ā low-profile bases (around 4.5ā5 in on compact models) slide under most home beds; measure the gap under your bed frame before ordering
- Carpet ā lifts roll best on hard floors and low-pile carpet; deep pile makes any lift harder to push, and larger rear casters help
- Turning space ā you need room to rotate the lift beside the bed; small rooms favor compact models like the BestLiftĀ® PL182, which is built specifically for small rooms
- Storage ā most home lifts live in a bedroom corner; folding models like the Carina 350 store flat when space is tight
Slings: matching style and size to the transfer
The lift is only half the purchase. The sling decides whether the transfer is comfortable and secure, and the wrong size is the most common ā and most preventable ā home lift problem. The main styles: universal/U-slings for general bed-to-chair transfers, full-body slings for users who need head and trunk support, toileting slings with an open section for commode transfers, and mesh slings that drain and dry for bathing. Size by the manufacturerās chart ā usually a combination of the userās weight and torso measurements ā not by guesswork, and confirm the slingās attachment style (loops or clips) matches the liftās spreader bar. A clinician or therapist who knows the user can sanity-check the choice; our team can check compatibility between any lift and sling we sell at (800) 239-1797.
Battery, charging and backup operation
Home lifts run on rechargeable battery packs (24V systems are typical), charged from a standard outlet; several models in this range offer an optional spare pack so one battery charges while the other works. Battery life per charge varies by model and load and is rated by each manufacturer in lifts per charge ā check the listing for the model you choose. Two safety features to confirm on any model: an emergency stop, and a manual emergency lowering method, so a user is never stranded mid-transfer if the power fails. Build the charging habit into the routine ā most manufacturers recommend keeping the pack on charge between uses.
Shop electric patient lifts and slings
Bestcare BestLiftĀ® PL182: Compact Electric Full-Body Patient Lift for Small Rooms
Compact electric full-body lift engineered for small rooms, with an ultra-low-profile base.
$1,297.00
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Bestcare BestLiftĀ® PL400: Ergonomic Full-Body Electric Patient Lift
400 lb safe working load, low-profile bed access and an optional spare battery for uninterrupted use.
$1,529.00
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Handicare Carina 350 Foldable Mobile Patient Lift, 350 lbs. Capacity
Foldable 350 lb lift with a long-lasting battery ā stores flat, travels in a car.
$2,350.95
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BestCare Cradle Clip Sling with Padded Legs for Enhanced Patient Safety and Comfort
Padded-leg cradle clip sling for everyday full-body transfers.
$119.00
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BestCare Mesh Material Universal Sling for Secure Clinical Transfer and Bathing
Mesh universal sling that drains and dries fast ā the bathing and shower choice.
$89.99
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Handicare Tri-Turner Sling | Assisted Turning and Repositioning Support
Turning and repositioning sling for in-bed care, pressure relief and sheet changes.
$268.95
View productFrequently asked questions
Can one person use an electric patient lift at home?
Yes ā electric home lifts are designed for a single caregiver to operate, using a hand control for lifting and lowering while guiding the lift with the other hand. Follow the manufacturerās instructions, fit the sling carefully, and practice the full transfer route with a light load (or a volunteer) before the first real transfer.
What is the difference between an electric and a manual patient lift?
An electric lift raises the user with a battery-powered actuator at the push of a button; a manual lift uses a hydraulic pump the caregiver operates by hand. Electric models cost more but take the physical effort out of daily transfers; manual models cost less, never need charging, and suit occasional use.
How much weight can a home patient lift hold?
Standard home models are rated from about 350 to 450 lb; bariatric models run 500 lb and higher. Match the liftās safe working load to the userās weight with margin, and pair a bariatric lift with a sling rated for the same capacity.
Do electric patient lifts work on carpet?
They roll best on hard flooring and low-pile carpet. Thick or plush carpet makes any floor lift noticeably harder to push and steer, especially with a heavier user; models with larger casters handle carpet better. Test the route you will actually use.
What sling do I need for an electric patient lift?
It depends on the transfer and the support the user needs: universal slings for general transfers, full-body slings for head and trunk support, toileting slings for commode use, mesh for bathing. Size it using the manufacturerās chart (weight and torso measurements), and make sure the slingās loops or clips match the liftās spreader bar.
How long does a patient lift battery last between charges?
It varies by model, load and battery age; manufacturers rate their packs in lifts per charge, and the listing for each model states its system (24V packs are typical). Most manufacturers recommend keeping the battery on its charger between uses, and several models offer a spare pack so charging never takes the lift out of service.
Can an electric patient lift pick someone up from the floor?
A full-body electric lift can, provided its boom lowers low enough to attach the sling at floor level ā several models are specified for floor-to-bed transfers. Check the minimum lifting height on the model you are considering, or ask us to confirm it for a specific lift.
Will a patient lift fit through a standard doorway?
Usually, yes ā base legs close to a narrow width for doorways and open wide around furniture. Measure your narrowest doorway and compare it with the modelās closed base width before ordering; compact models exist specifically for small rooms and tight layouts.
Keep Reading
More guides from Rescue Supply
Home Care
Buying for a specific person? Get the fit checked first.
Tell us the userās weight, the rooms involved and the transfers you need to make, and a specialist will confirm capacity, sling and room fit before you order.
Product selection guidance is informational. Check current specifications, availability, manufacturer instructions and any applicable clinical, safety or regulatory requirements before purchasing.