Electric vs hydraulic treatment couches: which should you choose?

Most treatment couches lift and lower in one of two ways: an electric motor or a hydraulic pump. Both give you a stable, adjustable couch. The right choice depends on how often you change the height, where the couch will stand and who uses it.

How electric couches work

An electric couch has a motor that raises and lowers the couch when you press a foot switch or hand control. It plugs into a standard mains socket. Height changes are quick and take no effort, so you can set the couch to the right working height for every patient and every technique.

How hydraulic couches work

A hydraulic couch is raised with a foot pedal that pumps the couch up, and lowered with a release. It needs no power, so there is no cable and no need for a socket near the couch.

When to choose electric

• You see many patients a day and change the couch height often.
• You treat patients who need help getting on and off, and want the couch low for transfers.
• Several practitioners share the couch and each prefers a different working height.

When to choose hydraulic

• There is no power socket where the couch will stand.
• You set the height once and rarely change it.
• You want a couch with no cable across the floor.

Other things to check

• Number of sections. A 2 section couch has an adjustable backrest. A 3 section couch adds an adjustable leg section for more treatment positions.
• Safe working load. Check it against your heaviest patients. Bariatric couches are built for higher loads.
• Hoist clearance. If you use a patient hoist, check there is enough clearance under the couch.
• Colour and upholstery. Choose a colour that suits your room and a hard-wearing, wipe-clean vinyl.
• Guarantee. Addax couches come with a lifetime guarantee on the frame and a 5 year warranty on all other components.

Our range

See our electric treatment couches and hydraulic treatment couches, or browse all treatment couches. Addax couches are sold from stock at our Birmingham warehouse, and our two-person team installs your couch in the room of your choice. Need advice? Call us on 0121 629 0330.