Choosing between the Hoyer HPL402, Hoyer HML400, and Hoyer Advance-E 340 comes down to three main questions: Do you want powered or manual lifting, how much patient capacity do you need, and how important are portability and storage?
All three are genuine Joerns Hoyer full-body floor lifts, but they are designed for different priorities.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | HPL402 | HML400 | Advance-E 340 |
| Safe Working Load | 400 lb | 400 lb | 340 lb |
| Lifting Method | Electric | Manual hydraulic | Electric |
| Base Adjustment | Manual adjustable U-base | Manual adjustable U-base | Manual adjustable legs |
| Folding Design | No | No, but disassembles | Yes |
| Tool-Free Folding | No | No | Yes |
| Floor Transfers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best Fit | Powered homecare lifting up to 400 lb | Manual hydraulic homecare lifting | Portable electric lifting and storage |
Hoyer HPL402 – Best for Powered 400 lb Homecare Lifting
The Hoyer HPL402 is the powered option in this comparison for patients requiring up to a 400 lb safe working load.
It combines an electric boom with a manually adjustable U-shaped base. Joerns also uses a reverse-mounted actuator to provide additional knee clearance for the patient.
The HPL402 can be a strong choice when a caregiver wants powered raising and lowering but prefers the traditional Hoyer Classic base and cradle design.
Why Choose the HPL402?
- 400 lb safe working load
- Battery-powered boom
- Manually adjustable U-base
- Reverse-mounted actuator for additional knee clearance
- Mechanical emergency lowering
- Protective leg guards and caster bumpers
- Optional patient scale
- Compatible Hoyer Classic sling system
Hoyer HML400 – Best for Simple Manual Hydraulic Operation
The Hoyer HML400 also has a 400 lb safe working load but uses a manual hydraulic pump instead of an electric actuator.
Joerns describes the HML400 as one of its most popular homecare lifts. Its hydraulic pump handle rotates from side to side, allowing operation from either side of the lift.
Because it does not depend on a battery for normal lifting, the HML400 can appeal to caregivers who prefer a simpler manual system.
Why Choose the HML400?
- 400 lb safe working load
- Manual hydraulic lifting system
- No battery required for normal lifting
- Adjustable U-shaped base
- Rotating pump handle
- Can be disassembled for storage or transportation
- Compatible Hoyer Classic sling system
Hoyer Advance-E 340 – Best for Portability & Storage
The Hoyer Advance-E 340 has a lower safe working load of 340 lb, but it offers a major advantage the HPL402 and HML400 do not: it folds without tools for storage and transportation.
Joerns designed the Advance for transfers ranging from floor level to bed surfaces while maintaining a relatively compact footprint.
Its triangular folding design allows the lift to stand when folded and makes it easier to store or transport in a vehicle.
Why Choose the Advance-E 340?
- 340 lb safe working load
- Battery-powered lifting
- Tool-free folding design
- Can stand upright while folded
- Designed for easier storage and transportation
- Suitable for floor transfers
- Angled legs provide access around chairs, commodes, and wheelchairs
- Approximately 69.7 lb total weight according to current Joerns specifications
Capacity Comparison
The HPL402 and HML400 both provide a 400 lb safe working load.
The Advance-E is rated to 340 lb.
That difference matters. A patient who exceeds the Advance's safe working load should not be transferred using the Advance simply because its compact design is preferred.
Always remain within the safe working load of the lift, sling, spreader bar or cradle, and every other component in the transfer system.
Electric vs. Hydraulic Operation
The HPL402 and Advance-E use battery-powered actuators to raise and lower the patient.
The HML400 uses a manual hydraulic pump.
An electric lift may reduce the repetitive manual pumping required from the caregiver, while a hydraulic lift eliminates routine battery charging and provides a simpler mechanical lifting system.
Which Is Easier to Store?
If compact storage is a major priority, the Advance-E has the strongest advantage.
Joerns designed the Advance to fold without tools and remain standing while folded.
The HML400 does not fold in the same way, but Joerns designed it so the mast and base can be separated for storage or transportation.
The HPL402 is better viewed as a traditional full-size homecare lift rather than a dedicated travel or folding lift.
Which Is Best for Transportation?
For caregivers who regularly need to transport the lift between locations, the Advance-E is generally the most travel-oriented of these three models because of its folding design.
Joerns specifically notes that the Advance can be transported in its folded configuration and is useful for car or van transfers.
The HML400 can also be separated into components for transportation, but it does not offer the same folding design as the Advance.
Which Is Best for a 350–400 lb Patient?
Between these three lifts, the HPL402 and HML400 are the appropriate capacity class for patients above the Advance's 340 lb safe working load and up to the lifts' 400 lb maximum.
Choose between them primarily based on whether powered electric lifting or manual hydraulic operation is preferred.
Which Is Best for a Smaller Home?
The answer depends on whether the biggest limitation is storage or maneuvering space.
The Advance-E is particularly useful where compact folding storage is important.
The HPL402 and HML400 both use adjustable U-shaped bases that can be narrowed for maneuvering and widened when positioning around transfer surfaces.
Always measure doorways, hallways, under-bed clearance, furniture placement, and the available turning area before choosing a lift.
Sling Compatibility
Sling compatibility differs between these models and should be verified before ordering.
The HPL402 and HML400 use Hoyer Classic sling systems, including compatible:
- Hoyer U-Sling Classic Loop Style
- Hoyer Classic One Piece Sling
- Hoyer Classic One Piece Commode Sling
The Advance uses a 6-point loop-style spreader bar and compatible Hoyer loop-style slings.
Use our Hoyer Sling Compatibility Chart before ordering a sling for any Hoyer lift.
HPL402 vs HML400 – Which Should You Choose?
Choose the HPL402 if you want a 400 lb Hoyer homecare lift with powered raising and lowering.
Choose the HML400 if you want the same 400 lb capacity with a manual hydraulic lifting system and no routine battery charging.
HPL402 vs Advance-E – Which Should You Choose?
Choose the HPL402 if the 400 lb safe working load and traditional Hoyer Classic design are more important than portability.
Choose the Advance-E if the patient is within its 340 lb safe working load and folding, storage, or transportation is a major priority.
HML400 vs Advance-E – Which Should You Choose?
Choose the HML400 if you want a 400 lb manual hydraulic lift with a straightforward mechanical design.
Choose the Advance-E if you prefer electric lifting and need a compact lift that folds for storage or transportation.
Which Hoyer Lift Is Right for You?
There is no single best choice for every patient or caregiver.
- Choose the Hoyer HPL402 for powered 400 lb homecare lifting.
- Choose the Hoyer HML400 for manual hydraulic lifting with a 400 lb capacity.
- Choose the Hoyer Advance-E 340 when portability, folding storage, and electric lifting are the priorities and the patient is within the 340 lb safe working load.
The final choice should also consider patient mobility, sling requirements, transfer surfaces, caregiver needs, available space, and the patient's care plan.
Need Help Comparing Hoyer Lifts?
Call 877-33-HOYER for help comparing specifications, sling compatibility, genuine accessories, and Joerns manufacturer resources for the Hoyer HPL402, Hoyer HML400, or Hoyer Advance-E 340.
