If you are comparing the Hoyer Advance-E 340, Hoyer Presence Pro 500, Hoyer HML400, and Hoyer Journey, the most important question is not simply capacity. These lifts are designed for different types of patients and different transfer needs.
The Advance-E, Presence, and HML400 are full-body passive patient lifts. The Journey is an active sit-to-stand lift for patients who can participate in the transfer.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Advance-E 340 | Presence Pro 500 | HML400 | Journey |
| Lift Type | Full-body passive | Full-body passive | Full-body passive | Active sit-to-stand |
| Safe Working Load | 341 lb | 500 lb | 400 lb | 341 lb |
| Lifting Method | Electric | Electric | Manual hydraulic | Electric |
| Patient Participation Required | No | No | No | Yes |
| Floor Transfers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not a substitute for a passive floor lift |
| Folding Design | Yes | No | No, but disassembles | Yes |
| Base | Manual adjustable | Powered | Manual adjustable U-base | Compact active-lift base |
| Smart Monitor | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best For | Portable full-body lifting | Higher-capacity professional lifting | Simple manual hydraulic lifting | Patients who can partially bear weight |
Hoyer Advance-E 340 – Best for Portable Full-Body Lifting
The Hoyer Advance-E 340 is a passive full-body electric patient lift with a safe working load of 341 lb.
Its biggest advantage is portability. The Advance folds without tools and can stand upright in its folded configuration, making it easier to store or transport than most full-size floor lifts.
It is also capable of appropriate floor-to-bed transfers and uses a 6-point loop-style spreader bar for compatible Hoyer slings.
Why Choose the Advance-E?
- 341 lb safe working load
- Electric raising and lowering
- Full-body passive lifting
- Floor-transfer capability
- Tool-free folding design
- Compact storage
- Lower overall weight than larger professional lifts
- Designed for home use and transportation
Who Is the Advance-E Best For?
The Advance-E may be appropriate when the patient cannot safely stand or participate in a sit-to-stand transfer and requires full-body lifting assistance.
It is particularly useful when the lift must be stored in a smaller home or transported between locations.
Hoyer Presence Pro 500 – Best for Higher Capacity & Professional Features
The Hoyer Presence Pro 500 is a passive full-body lift with a 500 lb safe working load.
Joerns equips the Presence with a powered base and Smart Monitor technology. It also has a long lifting range designed to support transfers from floor level to higher surfaces.
The Presence is a better fit than the Advance when additional capacity, powered base adjustment, monitoring technology, or professional-care features are priorities.
Why Choose the Presence?
- 500 lb safe working load
- Full-body passive lifting
- Powered base
- Smart Monitor technology
- Long lifting range
- Floor-transfer capability
- Optional scale
- Multiple sling attachment system options
Presence Sling Systems
The Presence can be configured with either a 6-point loop-style spreader bar or a 4-point Securi3 positioning cradle.
The sling must match the attachment system installed on the lift.
Use our Hoyer Sling Compatibility Chart before ordering a sling for the Presence.
Hoyer HML400 – Best for Manual Hydraulic Simplicity
The Hoyer HML400 is a 400 lb full-body passive lift that uses a manual hydraulic pump rather than a battery-powered actuator.
Joerns describes the HML400 as a popular homecare lift. Its pump handle rotates so it can be operated from either side, and its adjustable U-shaped base helps provide access around wheelchairs and furniture.
The mast and base can also be separated for storage.
Why Choose the HML400?
- 400 lb safe working load
- Manual hydraulic operation
- No battery charging required for lifting
- Full-body passive lifting
- Adjustable U-shaped base
- Rotating hydraulic pump handle
- Disassembles for storage
- Compatible with Hoyer Classic sling systems
HML400 vs Advance-E
Choose the HML400 if you prefer a simple manual hydraulic lift and need up to 400 lb capacity.
Choose the Advance-E if powered lifting, folding storage, and transportation are more important and the patient is within the Advance's 341 lb safe working load.
Hoyer Journey – Best for Active Sit-to-Stand Transfers
The Hoyer Journey is fundamentally different from the other three lifts in this comparison.
The Journey is an active sit-to-stand lift for patients who are seated, have some weight-bearing ability, and can participate in the transfer.
It should not be selected as a substitute for a full-body passive lift when the patient cannot safely participate in standing.
Why Choose the Journey?
- 341 lb safe working load
- Active sit-to-stand design
- Compact footprint
- No-tools folding design
- Smart Monitor technology
- Adjustable sling attachment cradle
- Adjustable kneepad
- Designed for patients who can bear some weight
Journey Patient Suitability
The Journey is intended for patients who can contribute to the standing movement.
Patient suitability should consider weight-bearing ability, trunk control, ability to follow instructions, positioning needs, and the patient's overall transfer plan.
When a patient cannot safely participate in standing, a passive lift such as the Advance, HML400, or Presence is generally the more appropriate type of equipment.
Advance-E vs Journey – The Most Important Difference
The Advance and Journey both have similar safe working loads and both offer compact designs, but they serve very different patients.
The Advance is a full-body passive lift for patients who require complete lifting assistance.
The Journey is an active sit-to-stand lift for patients who can participate in standing.
Patient mobility, rather than portability alone, should determine which of these two lift types is appropriate.
Which Lift Is Best for a Non-Weight-Bearing Patient?
A patient who cannot safely bear weight or participate in standing generally requires a full-body passive lift rather than the Journey.
Depending on capacity and other needs, the Advance, HML400, or Presence may be appropriate options.
Which Lift Is Best for a Partially Weight-Bearing Patient?
If the patient can safely bear some weight and actively participate in the transfer, the Journey may allow more active standing and transfer participation than a passive full-body lift.
Patient suitability should be assessed before choosing an active sit-to-stand device.
Which Lift Is Best for Floor Recovery?
The Advance, HML400, and Presence are full-body passive lifts capable of appropriate floor-level transfers when used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The Journey is an active sit-to-stand device and should not be treated as a replacement for a passive floor-recovery lift.
Which Lift Is Best for Storage?
The Advance and Journey both offer folding designs.
The Advance is the folding choice for full-body passive transfers, while the Journey is the folding choice for appropriate active sit-to-stand transfers.
The HML400 does not fold in the same manner but can be disassembled for storage.
The Presence is the largest and most professionally oriented lift in this group.
Which Lift Has the Highest Capacity?
- Hoyer Journey – 341 lb
- Hoyer Advance-E – 341 lb
- Hoyer HML400 – 400 lb
- Hoyer Presence – 500 lb
Capacity is important, but the patient must also be appropriate for the type of lift being considered.
Electric vs. Manual Operation
The Advance, Presence, and Journey use powered lifting systems.
The HML400 uses a manual hydraulic pump.
Electric operation may reduce repetitive manual pumping, while a hydraulic lift avoids routine battery charging.
Sling Compatibility
Sling systems differ significantly between these models.
The Advance uses compatible Hoyer loop-style slings with a 6-point spreader bar.
The HML400 uses Hoyer Classic sling systems.
The Presence may use either loop-style slings with a 6-point bar or Hoyer Comfort Securi3 clip-style slings with a 4-point cradle.
The Journey uses specialized Standing and Transport sling designs for active sit-to-stand transfers.
Do not assume a sling that fits one Hoyer lift will fit another.
Use our Hoyer Sling Compatibility Chart before selecting a sling.
Which Hoyer Lift Should You Choose?
- Choose the Hoyer Advance-E 340 when you need a portable, folding full-body electric lift for a patient within its 341 lb safe working load.
- Choose the Hoyer Presence Pro 500 when you need up to 500 lb capacity, a powered base, Smart Monitor technology, and professional full-body lifting capability.
- Choose the Hoyer HML400 when you want a straightforward 400 lb manual hydraulic full-body lift.
- Choose the Hoyer Journey when the patient can safely participate in standing and an active sit-to-stand transfer is appropriate.
The final choice should consider the patient's weight, mobility, weight-bearing ability, body measurements, sling requirements, available space, transfer surfaces, caregiver needs, and care plan.
Need Help Comparing These Hoyer Lifts?
Call 877-33-HOYER for help comparing specifications, lift types, sling compatibility, genuine accessories, and Joerns manufacturer resources for the Hoyer Advance-E 340, Hoyer Presence Pro 500, Hoyer HML400, and Hoyer Journey.
