Are you looking for the right residential elevator for your home? Today, the market is flooded with a variety of home elevators, each with different features and pros and cons that suit different homes and needs. In this guide to residential elevator types, I will take you through the 6 mainstream residential elevators and provide you with pricing, installation information, and pre-purchase considerations to help you find the residential elevator that suits you best.
What is a residential elevator?
A residential elevator, also known as a home elevator or private elevator, villa elevator, is a lifting system installed inside or outside a private residence for vertical transportation of people (and sometimes goods) between floors. Unlike commercial elevators, residential elevators are compact, beautiful, flexible, and have lower speeds, making them ideal for homes and villas.
Overview of Residential Elevator Types (Quick Comparison)
| Elevator Type | Drive Mechanism | Suitable Floors | Space Requirement | Cost | Recommended Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic Elevator | Hydraulic system | 2–6 floors | Medium | Medium | Detached villas |
| Traction Elevator | Steel rope + counterweight | 3 floors and above | Medium | Medium–High | High-rise homes / Small apartments |
| Vacuum Elevator | Pneumatic (air pressure) | 2–4 floors | Very low | High | Modern interior homes |
| Shaftless Elevator | Built-in track system | 2–3 floors | Minimal | Medium | Renovations / Compact floor plans |
| Pitless Elevator | Motor-driven system | 2–3 floors | No pit required | Medium | Wooden structures / Old house upgrades |
| MRL Elevator | Motor integrated in shaft | Multi-story homes | No machine room needed | Medium | Space-saving architectural designs |
Detailed description of the 6 main types of residential elevators
1. Hydraulic elevators
Hydraulic elevators operate by moving a hydraulically driven piston inside a cylinder. There are three common types of hydraulic elevators:
Standard hydraulic elevator
- Advantages: smooth operation, strong load-bearing capacity, simple control
- Disadvantages: requires machine room and pit; uses hydraulic oil
- Suitable for residential types: residential with independent machine room and pit space
Rope hydraulic elevator
- Advantages: Reduce pit and overhead requirements
- Disadvantages: more complicated maintenance due to the use of rope and piston system
- Suitable for residential types: multi-story residential buildings with limited downstairs space
Holeless hydraulic elevator
- Advantages: no deep hole required; very suitable for renovation projects
- Disadvantages: higher cost than traditional hydraulic elevators
- Suitable for residential types: residential buildings built on unstable foundations or with limited space
2. Traction elevators (without machine room and with machine room)
Traction elevators use wire ropes or belts to move the car through pulleys. Currently, machine roomless traction elevators are the most popular type of residential elevators.
Advantages: Energy-saving, smooth operation, durable
Disadvantages: High upfront cost; may require additional space
Suitable for residential types: high-end homes and villas, long-term investment
3. Vacuum elevator (pneumatic)
Vacuum elevator uses air pressure to move the car in a cylindrical shaft.
- Advantages: Stylish design, no pit or machine room required, easy to install
- Disadvantages: Limited to 2-3 stops, light load
- Suitable for residential types: modern homes, renovated homes, elderly or people with limited mobility
4. Shaftless elevator
Shaftless elevator is a compact small home elevator that can move between two adjacent floors without a dedicated shaft.
- Advantages: Small footprint, small structural changes
- Disadvantages: Only serves two floors, limited capacity
- Suitable for residential types: Homes with limited space and budget
5. Pitless elevator
Pitless elevator uses a short ramp or platform lifting system, eliminating the need to build a deep pit under the car
- Pros: Great for renovations, no excavation required
- Cons: May reduce car space or require a smaller platform
- Suitable for: Existing homes where a pit cannot be built
6. Machine Roomless Elevator (MRL)
Machine Roomless Elevators are typically traction-type, with the drive system integrated into the hoistway.
- Pros: Space-saving, energy-efficient, modern design
- Cons: Requires additional headroom
- Suitable for: New construction
How to choose the right residential elevator?
Before buying a home elevator, consider these key factors:
Space availability
Does your house have room for a hoistway or pit? Would a machine roomless system be a better fit for your house?
Number of floors
Hydraulic and traction systems are ideal for floors above 3. Vacuum and hoistwayless elevators are best for 2-3 floors.
Weight and passenger capacity
Consider the number of users and potential accessibility needs.
Aesthetics
Want a panoramic glass design or custom interior?
Budget
Prices range from $15,000 to over $60,000, depending on the type and installation complexity.
Safety Features
Check out interlocks, emergency stops, backup batteries, infrared sensors, and overload protection.
Popular Residential Elevator Brands
Stiltz：Known for compact, shaftless models; perfect for limited spaces.
Savaria：Available in both hydraulic and traction types, with strong after-sales service.
Otis：Global leader, but more focused on commercial-scale systems.
ThyssenKrupp：Offers stylish designs and smooth traction systems.
BDFUJI (Recommended)
BDFUJI is an advanced elevator manufacturer that provides customizable solutions for standard homes and luxury villas. Key benefits include:
- New generation gearless traction machine
- Compatible with a variety of control systems (Yaskawa, Monarch, STEP)
- CE and EAC certified
- Compact machine room and pitless options
- Intelligent safety features: infrared sensors, UV disinfection, energy regeneration
BDFUJI is a reliable choice for customers, project developers, and dealers seeking high-performance residential elevators with flexible installation.
How much does a residential elevator cost?
Residential elevator prices range widely, from $2,000 to $6,000, depending on the type, size, configuration, number of floors the elevator runs, and the construction method and time required to install the elevator. For specific home elevator prices, you can contact us directly for a free quote.
To learn more, see this article:Elevator Prices 2025: Home Elevator Cost Breakdown
Residential Elevator FAQs
How much space do home elevators require?
Hoistway elevators require a width of approximately 4-5 feet (about 1.2-1.6 meters) and a pit of 8-12 inches (about 20-30 cm). Shaftless and vacuum elevators require less space.
Can I install a home elevator in an existing home?
Yes. Shaftless, vacuum, and hydraulic elevators are great for home remodeling.
Are home elevators safe for children or the elderly?
Absolutely safe – equipped with sensors, interlocks, and emergency controls.
What is the average lifespan of a residential elevator?
Residential elevators have a lifespan of 20-25 years with regular maintenance in a home environment.
Residential elevators can not only bring you long-term convenience, but also increase the potential value of your house. Through this guide to residential elevator types, we have learned about the advantages and disadvantages, specifications and popular home elevator brands of different types of residential elevators, and we believe that you can find the residential elevator that best suits your family.
