tool hire - head to head
Active vs FEIN
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| Active | FEIN | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United Kingdom | Germany (Schwabisch Gmund-Bargau) |
| UK availability | Good UK dealer coverage | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | groundcare and landscaping equipment | Oscillating multi-tools, Metalworking power tools, Vacuum cleaners |
| Best known for | ACT300 | MultiMaster FMM250 |
Choose Active if...
A groundcare equipment brand best known in the UK tool hire trade for its turfcutters and similar landscaping machines, commonly badged onto own-brand hire fleets.
Look at: ACT300
Full Active profile →Choose FEIN if...
A German power tool maker credited with inventing the electric hand drill, and later the oscillating multi-tool category. Trade users buy its tools for durability, and floor-sanding hire firms stock its oscillating sanders for corners a belt sander cannot reach.
Look at: MultiMaster FMM250
Full FEIN profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK tool hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
Active vs FEIN - common questions
Is Active better than FEIN?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. A groundcare equipment brand best known in the UK tool hire trade for its turfcutters and similar landscaping machines, commonly badged onto own-brand hire fleets. A German power tool maker credited with inventing the electric hand drill, and later the oscillating multi-tool category. Trade users buy its tools for durability, and floor-sanding hire firms stock its oscillating sanders for corners a belt sander cannot reach.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Active or FEIN?
Active: Sold and hired mainly through UK tool hire chains and their own-brand ranges rather than direct. FEIN: Sold through UK trade tool retailers and specialist floor-sander hire firms.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK tool hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.