The pros and cons of powered vs non-powered access equipment

Not all height work is the same. In fact, the spectrum’s massive. One day, you might be changing a few lights in an office, the next, you’re cladding a warehouse or sorting roof repairs in awkward weather. The sort of job you’re tackling makes a huge difference to the kit you’ll need to get up there safely. That’s why we don’t just offer one-size-fits-all in our tool hire range. At Smiths Hire, we’ve got everything from powered access machines like scissor lifts and cherry pickers, right through to good old scaffold towers, ladders and step ladders.

The trick is knowing what suits your project best. Go too small and you’ll be struggling and likely moving the kit around every ten minutes. Go too big and you’re wrestling a machine you didn’t really need in the first place. So, if you’re still weighing up what you need, here’s a look at when powered access makes life easier, and when non-powered kit does the job just fine.

When you need powered access equipment

Powered access is what you want when the job’s up high, heavy-going, or time’s against you. Instead of lugging gear up ladders or building towers, you’re straight up at the touch of a button, standing on a solid platform with both hands free to get to work. It’s quicker, safer, and saves your legs over a long shift.

Here’s what you can hire from us:

• Scissor lifts – Ideal when you’re going straight up. Perfect for ceiling installs, warehouse racking, or fitting ducting and pipework.
• Cherry pickers – Spot on when you need a bit of outreach as well as height. Great for gutters, signage, or external building repairs where you can’t always park right underneath.
• Mast lifts – Compact and manoeuvrable, so they’ll squeeze into tight indoor spaces but still get you a stable working platform.
• Low-level access platforms – Safer than ladders for jobs just above ground, like shop fits, decorating, or electrical work.

Powered access comes into its own on big sites or jobs where you’ll be up there a while. Construction, roofing, maintenance – anything where efficiency matters.

If you’re moving up and down a lot, or shifting along a long wall or ceiling, you’ll thank yourself for using a machine instead of climbing up and down towers all day. That said, if you’re only doing a quick job at a couple of metres high, you probably don’t need the extra kit. That’s where non-powered gear earns its keep.

When non-powered access equipment does the job

Non-powered access kit keeps things simple, and is precisely what it sounds like, good old-fashioned access. It’s lightweight, easy to move, and gets you working quickly without needing batteries or fuel. For many day-to-day jobs, this will do the trick just fine.

• Scaffold towers – Solid and sturdy, ideal for plastering, painting, or general maintenance where you need a decent platform but not extreme height.
• Push around platforms – Quick and light, great indoors for short-duration jobs where portability matters.
• Podium steps and podium platforms – Safe, compact, and spot on for electricians or shop fitters working at lower levels.
• Ladders and step ladders – Sometimes the simplest bit of kit is still the best. Perfect for quick fixes, decorating, or maintenance.
• Trestles and props – Ideal for support on site when you’re working on construction projects.

Non-powered access is best for jobs where you’re moving about a lot, or only up there briefly. They’re easy to move from room to room, don’t take up too much space, and won’t slow you down. If you’re decorating, wiring up, or fitting out a shop, towers and podiums are usually all you need.

What works for you?

At the end of the day, it’s about matching the job to the gear. Powered access is the go-to for height, reach, and heavy-duty graft. Non-powered is the simpler choice for quick, flexible, low-level work. Neither’s better or worse – they just do different jobs.

At Smiths Hire, we’ve got both covered, with one of the UK’s biggest powered access fleets alongside every scaffold tower, podium, and ladder you could need. And with next-day delivery available nationwide, you won’t be left hanging about waiting.

So whether you’re on a construction site needing a cherry picker, or in a shop fit-out where a podium step will do the trick, we’ll get you sorted with the right kit to make the job easier and safer.

Like any job, a bit of planning goes a long way – and the same applies when you’re working at height. Choosing the right access kit for your project makes the job safer, quicker, and a lot less hassle. And if you’re not sure what’s best, we’re here to help!

With over 55 years’ experience supplying top-quality access and hire equipment from our 18 depots across the UK, we’ve got everything you need to get the job done right. From scissor lifts and cherry pickers to scaffold towers, podium steps, and ladders, we can supply it all, ready to go when you are.