Choosing the right stair lift to meet your specific needs is a difficult process. You should consider a multitude of factors in order to make the correct choice for you and your home. Nautilus Stair Lifts is here to make your decision easier. We offer two different top-of-the-line stair lifts, and with our stair lift comparisons, we can help you to determine which lift is best for you.
Flow X — best for tight/curved stairs and premium ride quality
If your staircase has turns, landings, spirals, or is very narrow, Flow X is the purpose-built choice. Its single-tube custom rail and Advanced Swivel & Levelling (ASL) keep you level as the chair rotates while moving, letting it handle steep inclines up to ~72° and corridors as slim as ~24” (610 mm) with a smooth, quiet ride. The drive is rack & pinionwith soft start/stop, and the system runs on 24 V batteries that trickle-charge at the stations. Capacity is 125 kg (≈275 lb), which suits most users, and you can spec manual or automatic folding for the footrest (or a full auto fold package). Flow X is indoor-only, finished with multiple upholstery and rail color options, and designed to blend into the home.
Why pick Flow X over Nautilus?
Choose Flow X when the staircase itself is the challenge: tight width, complex curves, or steeper-than-usual angles. The ASL swivel-in-motion and compact folded profile (~340 mm / ~13.4”) help preserve stairway space and confidence on tricky layouts; it’s the more elegant solution for design-sensitive homes with complex geometry.
Nautilus — best for higher weight capacity on straight runs
Nautilus shines where you want a robust straight stair lift with a higher capacity. The standard Nautilus model lists 350 lb (159 kg) capacity, ~20 fpm travel speed, a very slim folded width (≈10.5”), and track options up to ~70 ft on straight installations. It’s a DC system (24 V battery operation) and uses a helical worm gear drive (a different feel than rack & pinion). Most dealer sheets list it as indoor-only. For users needing extra capacity on a straightforward staircase, Nautilus is compelling value.
Why pick Nautilus over Flow X?
If your stairs are straight, you want maximum capacity (up to 350 lb), and you like the ultra-slim folded footprint, Nautilus is a strong fit. It generally offers longer straight track options than you’d need in most homes and can be a cost-effective “workhorse” for simple runs, whereas Flow X’s premium engineering is aimed at complex curves.
Quick take
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Need curved/spiral/narrow or steep stairs (up to ~72°)? → Flow X.
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Need higher capacity on a straight staircase and ultra-slim fold? → Nautilus (350 lb, ~10.5” folded).