Home lifts compared
Shaft-less vs shaft home lifts: Levare or a full elevator?
Quick answer
A shaft-less lift like our Levare Compact or Levare Plus needs no pit and no structural shaft, and installs in about 2 days. It is the quickest way to add a lift to an existing home.
A full home elevator (Vector Pro, Zenith Ultra or Atlus) runs in a shaft or lift tower. It carries more people, offers larger cabins and more finishes, and installs in 1 to 2 weeks once the site is ready.
Side by side
Shaft-less (Levare) vs Full elevator (shaft)
| Feature | Shaft-less (Levare) | Full elevator (shaft) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | No pit, no structural shaft. | Runs in a shaft or lift tower. Full glass tower available on the Atlus. |
| Pit | None. | Vector Pro 120 mm. Atlus 50 to 150 mm. Zenith Ultra 150 to 300 mm. |
| Capacity | Levare Compact 170 kg. Levare Plus 250 kg. | Vector Pro and Atlus 400 kg (5 person). Zenith Ultra 450 kg (6 person). |
| Cabin | Compact 775 × 635 mm. Plus 803 × 1300 mm (wheelchair friendly). | 750 × 700 to 1100 × 1350 mm (Vector Pro, Atlus). 1000 × 1200 or 1100 × 1400 mm (Zenith Ultra). Bespoke sizing. |
| Speed | 0.10 m/s. | 0.15 to 0.4 m/s, depending on model. |
| Drive | Electric belt motor. | Hydraulic (Vector Pro), belt drive (Zenith Ultra) or screw drive (Atlus). |
| Power | Single phase 230VAC. | Single phase 230VAC. |
| Install time | About 2 days. | 1 to 2 weeks once the site is ready. |
| Warranty | 2 years. | 5 years, parts (factory backed). Built to AS 1735. |
Why shaft-less lifts suit retrofits
A shaft-less lift is designed to fit into an existing home with minimal disruption. There is no pit to dig and no structural shaft to build, so most of the work is the lift itself, which is why a Levare installs in about 2 days.
The trade-off is size and speed. Levare cabins are compact, and at 0.10 m/s they are made for one or two floors of gentle travel. The Levare Plus adds a 1300 mm deep cabin designed for wheelchairs.
Why choose a full elevator
A full elevator carries a family, a wheelchair and a carer, or the shopping in one trip, with cabins up to 1100 × 1400 mm and bespoke sizing. The Vector Pro travels up to 10 m and 4 stops, and the Zenith Ultra up to 15 m and 6 levels (G+5).
It also becomes a design feature: Italian inspired finishes on the Vector Pro, full glass on the Zenith Ultra, or a full glass tower on the Atlus.
Our range
Lift Ease models on each side
Tap a model for full specifications.
Full home elevators
- Vector Pro Hydraulic
400 kg (5 person), 0.25 m/s, up to 10 m travel and 4 stops, 120 mm pit. Submerged worm screw hydraulic motor: no machine room, just a small pump cupboard.
- Zenith Ultra Electric belt drive
450 kg (6 person), 0.3 to 0.4 m/s, up to 15 m travel and 6 levels (G+5), 150 to 300 mm pit. Near-silent advanced belt drive with an energy recovery system and automatic glass doors. Machine-room-less.
- Atlus Electric hybrid screw drive
400 kg (5 person), 0.15 to 0.30 m/s, up to 12 m travel and 5 stops, 50 to 150 mm pit. No oil, battery backup drive. Machine-room-less.
Shaft-less
- Levare Compact Electric belt motor
Shaft-less, no pit, 170 kg. Installs in about 2 days.
- Levare Plus Electric belt motor
Shaft-less, no pit, 250 kg, 1300 mm deep wheelchair-friendly cabin. Installs in about 2 days.
Choosing
Which is right for you?
A shaft-less Levare may suit you if
- You want a lift in an existing home with minimal disruption.
- Speed of install matters: about 2 days.
- One or two people (or one wheelchair user in the Levare Plus) will ride at a time.
A full elevator may suit you if
- You want room for a wheelchair and a carer, or several people at once.
- You are building new or renovating, or need up to 4 stops (Vector Pro).
- You want premium finishes, glass or a bespoke cabin.
- You want a Factory backed 5 Year Parts Warranty and a lift built to AS 1735.
Not sure which fits? We will measure up at a free site visit. Free quote in 24 hours.
Common misconceptions
Myths debunked
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Myth You can’t add a lift to an existing house.
Fact A large share of home lifts are retrofitted. Shallow-pit and shaft-less designs such as the Atlus and the Levare range are made for existing homes.
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Myth A home lift needs a deep pit.
Fact Most modern home lifts need only a shallow pit. The Vector Pro needs just 120 mm, the Atlus 50 to 150 mm and the Zenith Ultra 150 to 300 mm, and the Levare Compact and Levare Plus need no pit or shaft at all.
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Myth Installing a lift takes months.
Fact Once the site is ready, a Lift Ease home lift typically installs in 1 to 2 weeks, a Levare in about 2 days, an RB150 platform lift within a week, and a commercial passenger elevator in 2 to 4 weeks. Design, approvals and building works come first and vary by project.
FAQs
Questions we get asked
What is a shaft-less home lift?
A lift designed to run without a pit or structural shaft, so it can go into an existing home with minimal building work. Our Levare Compact and Levare Plus are shaft-less.
Is a shaft-less lift wheelchair friendly?
The Levare Plus is, with a 1300 mm deep cabin designed for wheelchairs and 250 kg capacity. For a wheelchair and a carer together, a full elevator gives more room.
How long does each take to install?
A Levare takes about 2 days. A full home elevator takes 1 to 2 weeks once the site is ready.
Do shaft-less lifts need a pit?
No. The Levare range is a no-pit design. Full elevators need a shallow pit, for example 50 to 150 mm for the Atlus.
Which costs less?
Shaft-less lifts usually involve less building work, but your price depends on your home, floors and finishes. We provide a free quote in 24 hours after assessing your home.
What warranty do they come with?
Levare lifts come with a 2-year warranty, and our full elevators with a Factory backed 5 Year Parts Warranty.
Talk to a lift specialist
Tell us about your home and we’ll recommend the right lift. Free quote in 24 hours.