In This Guide
- 1.The Quick Answer
- 2.What a Scissor Lift Does Best
- 3.What a Boom Lift Does Best
- 4.Height and Reach Compared
- 5.Indoor vs. Outdoor
- 6.Cost Difference
- 7.Which Should You Rent?
The Quick Answer
If you need to go straight up on flat ground and want a large work platform, rent a scissor lift. If you need to reach up and over obstacles, work at angles, or access points that aren't directly below the machine, rent a boom lift. The rest of this guide will help you figure out the specifics.
What a Scissor Lift Does Best
Scissor lifts raise a wide platform straight up using a crisscross ("scissor") mechanism. They're ideal for interior work like installing HVAC ductwork, sprinkler systems, electrical, drywall finishing, and painting. The platform is large enough for two workers plus tools, and they move smoothly at height. Electric models are quiet, produce zero emissions, and won't mark up finished floors — making them the default choice for indoor work. All-terrain (4x4) scissor lifts with diesel or dual-fuel engines handle outdoor jobs on rough or uneven ground. Working heights typically range from 20 to 50 feet.
What a Boom Lift Does Best
Boom lifts (also called cherry pickers or man lifts) extend a single arm outward and upward from a rotating turret. Articulating booms have a knuckle joint that lets you reach up and over parapets, structural steel, or machinery. Telescopic (straight) booms offer maximum reach in a straight line — some models exceed 180 feet. Booms excel at exterior building maintenance, steel erection, tree trimming, sign installation, and any job where the work area isn't directly above where you can park the machine.
Height and Reach Compared
Scissor lifts typically max out around 50 feet of working height and have zero horizontal outreach — the platform is always directly above the base. Boom lifts start around 30 feet and go well beyond 100 feet, with horizontal reach ranging from 20 to 80+ feet depending on the model. If your job requires more than 50 feet or any meaningful horizontal reach, a boom is your only option.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
For indoor work, electric scissor lifts are almost always the right call. They're compact, quiet, emission-free, and have non-marking tires. Boom lifts can work indoors if ceilings are high enough, but they take up more floor space and are harder to maneuver in tight areas. For outdoor work, the choice depends on the job. Rough-terrain scissor lifts work well on construction sites for tasks directly above the machine. Boom lifts win when you need to reach across gaps, over obstacles, or to varying heights across a facade.
Cost Difference
Scissor lifts are significantly cheaper to rent — often 40-60% less than a comparable-height boom lift. A 26-foot electric scissor lift might rent for $150-250/day, while a 45-foot articulating boom could be $350-550/day. If a scissor lift can physically do the job, it will almost always be the more economical choice. Factor in transport costs too: scissor lifts are lighter and easier to trailer.
Which Should You Rent?
Choose a scissor lift if: you're working indoors, you need to go straight up, you want a wide platform for tools and materials, or you're budget-conscious and the job allows it. Choose a boom lift if: you need horizontal reach, you're working at heights above 50 feet, you need to reach over obstacles, or you're accessing a specific point on a building exterior. Still not sure? Call us at (801) 875-2903 and describe your job — we'll recommend the right machine and save you from renting more than you need.