plant hire - head to head
Genie vs Power Towers
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.
| Genie | Power Towers | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | United States (Terex group) | England (Leicester) |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Good UK dealer coverage |
| Range covers | Scissor lifts, Articulated and telescopic boom lifts, Material lifts | Push-around low-level access platforms, Manual and electric mast lifts, Confined space platforms, Tool tethering accessories |
| Best known for | GS series | Pecolift |
Choose Genie if...
Powered access in Britain is largely a two-horse conversation, and Genie is one of the horses. The GS scissor lifts are the machine most people mean when they ask to hire a scissor lift.
Look at: GS series, Z series, S series
Full Genie profile →Choose Power Towers if...
Power Towers makes low-level access platforms for indoor work up to about 5 m, now as part of JLG. Facilities teams, fit-out contractors and electricians use them in place of ladders and step platforms for lighting, ceiling and maintenance jobs, in spaces where a full scissor lift would be too big.
Look at: Pecolift, Power Tower, Nano
Full Power Towers profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant 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.
Genie vs Power Towers - common questions
Is Genie better than Power Towers?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. Powered access in Britain is largely a two-horse conversation, and Genie is one of the horses. The GS scissor lifts are the machine most people mean when they ask to hire a scissor lift. Power Towers makes low-level access platforms for indoor work up to about 5 m, now as part of JLG. Facilities teams, fit-out contractors and electricians use them in place of ladders and step platforms for lighting, ceiling and maintenance jobs, in spaces where a full scissor lift would be too big.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, Genie or Power Towers?
Genie: One of the two names that dominate UK powered access fleets. Power Towers: Built in Leicester and sold through UK channel partners; check local hire stock for specific models.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant 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.