Boom Lift vs Scissor Lift: Which One Do You Need?
This is the single most common rental question we hear. A contractor needs to get a person up to a height. They call for a quote. They are not sure if they want a boom lift or a scissor lift.
The wrong choice costs you the day. The right choice gets the job done in half the time.
Here is how to decide.
The simple difference
A scissor lift goes straight up and straight down. Nothing else.
A boom lift goes up, out, around, and over. It can extend horizontally, articulate around obstacles, and reach into spaces a scissor lift cannot get to.
If you only need vertical reach to a flat overhead area, a scissor lift is faster, cheaper, and easier. If you need to reach around or over something, you need a boom lift.
Reach: scissor lift vs boom lift
Scissor lift platform heights: typically 20 to 50 ft. The platform sits directly above the base.
Boom lift working heights: typically 30 to 100+ ft. The platform extends well beyond the base, with horizontal reach of 20 to 50 ft or more depending on model.
A 32 ft scissor lift puts you 32 ft above the spot where the machine is standing. A 40 ft boom lift puts you 40 ft up and as much as 30 ft sideways. Different jobs entirely.
Cost: scissor lift wins
Scissor lifts are cheaper. By a lot.
- 20 ft electric scissor lift, monthly: $500 to $1,200
- 40 ft articulating boom lift, monthly: $2,500 to $4,500
- 60 ft boom lift, monthly: $4,500 to $7,500
If your job can be done with a scissor lift, renting a boom lift is throwing money away.
Use cases: what each is built for
Use a scissor lift for:
- Indoor warehouse work, drywall, HVAC, electrical
- Painting and finishing flat walls
- Retail store interior work
- Inventory and storage on tall racks
- Anywhere the work is directly above you
Use a boom lift for:
- Working over rooflines, equipment, or obstacles
- Exterior commercial work above a porch or canopy
- Tree trimming, signage, light pole work
- Multi-story exterior with limited ground access
- Anywhere you need to reach around or over
Indoor vs outdoor: read this before you rent
Indoor work, smooth floor: electric scissor lift.
Indoor work, but you also need horizontal reach: electric articulating boom lift.
Outdoor work, rough ground: rough-terrain scissor lift or rough-terrain boom lift.
Outdoor work, smooth pavement, need reach: diesel or hybrid boom lift, telescopic or articulating depending on the job.
The wrong category for the surface stops the job cold.
Get a quote on either
Whichever one you need, you do not need to call ten suppliers to get a fair price.
Send us the spec. We compare 10+ Texas suppliers, negotiate, and come back with the best deal by text. No app, no cost to you.
Request a quote at rentmall.org.
Time is money. We save contractors both.
Related: Once you've decided on the right tool, learn about hidden rental costs and our full boom lift rental guide.