Introduction
“Small” can mean three different things in a home lift conversation: a small cabin (1–2 persons), a small shaft footprint, or a small pit / overhead. Each constraint pushes you toward a different technology. Picking the right one up front is the difference between a clean install and a structural retrofit you didn’t budget for.
Key Points
- Vacuum lifts need no pit and no machine room — the easiest retrofit option
- MRL (machine-room-less) traction lifts give you the smallest shaft for a given capacity
- Hydraulic lifts need a pit but accept a smaller overhead than traction
- Capacity below 2 persons is rarely worth the cost — most homes regret going too small
- Always confirm shaft, pit and overhead with the manufacturer before finalising civil work
Compact Lift Comparison
| Type | Min. Shaft | Pit / Overhead | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum Home Lift | 800 × 800 mm | No pit, ~2.5 m overhead | Retrofits, no civil work |
| MRL Home Lift | 1100 × 1000 mm | Pit 600 mm, OH 3.6 m | New build, smallest shaft |
| Hydraulic Home Lift | 1200 × 1100 mm | Pit 1000 mm, OH 2.7 m | Low overhead constraints |
| Compact Capsule | 1300 × 1300 mm | Pit 1000 mm, OH 3.3 m | Design-led smaller homes |
Choosing for Your Site
Walk the site with these three measurements in hand: internal shaft area, available pit depth below the lowest floor, and overhead clearance above the highest floor. If any one of those is below typical traction/hydraulic minimums, a vacuum lift is usually the easier path — it trades cabin size for civil simplicity.
