**What is the Difference Between Hydraulic and Traction Home Elevators?**


Home elevators offer the convenience of smooth movement from one floor to another, especially in multi-story buildings. Hydraulic and [traction elevators](https://atticoelevators.com/our-products/traction-home-elevator/) are the two general categories and vary in the operation mechanism, space, speed, maintenance, and cost.

**1. Mechanism:**

**Hydraulic Elevators:** These use a piston of hydraulic fluid to pull the elevator up and down. Think of it as a ginormous syringe gliding the cabin smoothly.

**Traction Elevators:** These use steel ropes or belts suspended from a counterweight and a motor. The motor wraps up the ropes, pulling the cabin up or down effectively.

**2.Space Requirements:**

**Hydraulic:** Requires a machine room and a sufficient area for the piston which usually exists below the elevator shaft.

**Traction:** Takes less space and modern MRL elevator's traction lifts do not require an individual machine room.

**3. Speed and Height:**

**Hydraulic:** Slower, for 2–5 floors.

**Traction:** More speed and power efficient; recommended for taller buildings.

**4. Maintenance:**

**Hydraulic:** Requires oil leak and piston checks on a regular basis.

**Traction:** Needs rope and motor checks but is otherwise cleaner to look after.

**5. Cost:**

**Hydraulic:** Less initial installation cost but slightly higher running cost.

**Traction:** Higher initial cost but more efficient and cost-effective in the long term.

**Summary:**

If you want a budget lift for a low-rise residential home, then choose hydraulic elevators. If you want speed, efficiency, and a tall building, choose traction.