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Our flagship straight stair lift

Nautilus Premium Stair Lift

Our flagship straight lift. Patented grease-free helical worm drive. Folds to 10.5" — the narrowest in the industry. 350 lb capacity.

  • 350 lb capacity
  • Grease-free worm drive
  • Folds to 10.5"
  • Made in USA
Nautilus Premium Stair Lift
Gallery

See it in detail.

The drive

Patented helical worm gear drive. Built to outlast.

The Nautilus Premium is built around a patented helical worm gear drive — a screw-like steel rod that turns a reinforced nylon polymer gear rack. It's the drive system we chose because it has the fewest wear points, requires no grease, and runs more quietly than traditional alternatives.

  • Smooth ride

    Soft start/stop with no metallic engagement noise.

  • Lower maintenance

    No grease points, no scheduled lubrication, nothing for dust or pet hair to collect on.

  • Quieter operation

    The nylon-on-steel interface runs notably quieter than steel-on-steel drives.

  • Longer service life

    Fewer moving parts and no exposed wear surfaces over the 20+ year life of the lift.

Patented helical worm gear drive. Built to outlast.
Specifications

The details, top to bottom.

Weight capacity350 lbs (159 kg)
Drive systemPatented helical worm gear with reinforced nylon polymer gear rack
Seat dimensions19" W × 16" D × 18" H
Folded width10.5" (13.6" with optional folding rail)
Track length15'6" standard; expandable up to 70'
Travel speed20 feet per minute
Incline rangeUp to 45°
Power120–240 VAC standard outlet; 24V DC battery operation
Battery backupUp to 60 round trips during a power outage
ChargingCharge contacts at upper & lower landings (within 3' of each end)
Swivel seatManual swivel at upper landing (power swivel optional)
Seat beltStandard retractable
ControlsArmrest toggle plus two wireless remote controls
Safety systemsFinal limit switch, chassis obstruction sensors, centrifugal overspeed brake, swivel seat cut-off, bi-directional footrest sensor, audible alert
CertificationETL certified to ASME A18.1-2020
Manufactured inUnited States (Sarasota, FL)
What's included

Everything you need. Nothing to buy later.

Standard installation

  • The lift itself — chair, carriage, motor, drive system

  • Custom-cut rail (15'6" standard length)

  • Two wireless remote controls

  • Standard retractable seat belt

  • Battery backup system, pre-installed

  • Professional installation by factory-trained technician

  • On-site operation training

  • Lifetime warranty activation

Available add-ons

  • Folding rail extension

    to clear doorways or walkways at the bottom of stairs

  • Key lock

    disables operation when removed (child safety)

  • Power swivel seat

    motorized 90° swivel at top landing

  • Power footrest

    motorized fold/unfold

  • Auto-fold footrest

    folds automatically with seat

  • Additional track

    beyond the 15'6" standard, up to 70' maximum

Add-ons are quoted during your free in-home assessment.

The process

From quote to first ride in under a week.

  1. 1

    Free assessment

    We measure your staircase and give you a real quote on the spot.

    30 min
  2. 2

    Rail cut to spec

    Your custom-length rail is manufactured at the factory.

    2–3 days
  3. 3

    Installation

    Factory-trained technician installs and calibrates the lift.

    4–6 hrs
  4. 4

    Walkthrough

    Operation and safety training for you and your household.

    Same day
  5. 5

    Lifetime support

    Your 24/7 line and warranty are active from day one.

    Day one
Compare

Not sure which lift is right for you?

A quick look at how our four lifts compare.

LiftStaircaseCapacityDrive systemSpecial featureMade inBest for
Nautilus Premium Stair LiftStraight350 lbsGrease-free wormNarrowest fold (10.5")USAStandard straight stairs
Nautilus Heavy Duty Stair LiftStraight600 lbsGrease-free worm600 lb capacityUSAHeavier users, straight stairs
Flow X Curved Stair LiftCurved275 lbsRack & pinionASL auto-swivelInternationalNarrow, spiral, or steep curved staircases
Harmar CSL500 Helix CurvedCurved350 lbsRack & pinionTrue-Curve railUSA (Sarasota, FL)Curved staircases, US-made preference
FAQ

Common questions about the Nautilus Premium

What's the difference between the Nautilus Premium and the Heavy Duty?

The Premium is our flagship straight lift, rated for 350 lb and folded to just 10.5″ — the narrowest profile in the industry. The Heavy Duty is engineered for higher weight (600 lb capacity, industry-leading) with a wider chair, stationary armrests for stability, and a reinforced footrest. Both use the same patented grease-free worm drive. If you need higher weight capacity or a wider seat, choose the Heavy Duty. Otherwise, the Premium is the right fit for most homes.

Does the worm drive really need no maintenance?

Correct. The patented helical worm gear system uses a nylon polymer gear rack that requires no lubrication. There’s nothing to grease, no scheduled maintenance, and no exposed wear surfaces for dust or pet hair to collect on. That’s a primary reason we can offer a true lifetime warranty on the parts.

What's the longest straight staircase this can fit?

The standard rail is 15’6″, and it can be expanded up to 70 feet in a single straight run. That covers essentially every residential staircase, including tall stairwells in multi-story homes. Custom rails are cut to your exact staircase length during the manufacturing step.

What happens during a power outage?

The lift runs on battery power at all times, with the standard outlet just providing the charge. A fully charged battery gives you up to 60 round trips — enough for days of normal use during even extended outages.

Are stair lifts covered by insurance or Medicare?

Traditional Medicare (Part A/B) does not cover stair lifts. Some Medicare Advantage plans, long-term care insurance policies, VA benefits, and state Medicaid waivers may contribute toward the cost. We can walk through your options during your free assessment.

What if I move? Does the warranty transfer?

Our lifetime warranty is tied to the original purchaser at the original installation address, which is the industry standard. If you’re moving, we can reinstall your lift at your new home using an authorized Nautilus technician. Any modifications required for the new staircase are quoted separately.

How long does the whole process take, from first call to first ride?

Typically under a week. Assessment takes about 30 minutes on-site, your custom rail is cut in 2–3 business days at the factory, and installation is a 4–6 hour appointment. Most customers are riding within 5–7 days of their first call.

In their own words

They got the whole house back.

Two customers on what changed the day their lift went in.

Watch more customer stories

Ready for a free in-home assessment?

A 30-minute visit gets you a measured stairway, a fixed price, and no obligation.

Call (801) 421-3299

Restoring freedom, one stair at a time.