These four terms are often used interchangeably, and that is part of the problem. “Manlift”, “boom lift”, “scissor lift,” and “cherry picker” do not all describe the same thing, even though people frequently ask for one when they mean another. This guide explains how they relate so you can request the right equipment the first time.
For the full category breakdown and a wider overview, see our pillar guide: The Complete Guide to Manlifts.
“Manlift” is the umbrella term. Scissor lifts, boom lifts, and cherry pickers can all be described as types of manlift. The confusion arises because “manlift” is used both as the broad category name and, informally, as a stand-in for whichever specific machine someone has in mind.
| Equipment Type | Category | Main Movement | Horizontal Reach | Common Applications |
| Manlift | General category | Depends on machine type | Depends on machine type | Construction, maintenance, installation |
| Boom Lift | Type of manlift | Upward and outward using a boom arm | Yes | High-rise work, façade maintenance, infrastructure |
| Scissor Lift | Type of manlift | Straight vertical lifting | No | Warehouses, electrical work, indoor maintenance |
| Cherry Picker | Truck-mounted boom lift | Road transport plus boom elevation | Yes | Utilities, street lighting, tree maintenance |
Manlift vs Boom Lift
A boom lift is one category of manlift, distinguished by an extending arm (the “boom”) that provides horizontal outreach as well as height. If someone asks for “a manlift” without more detail, they may mean any type. If the job requires reaching up and over an obstacle rather than straight up, they specifically need a boom lift.
| Feature | Manlift | Boom Lift |
| Meaning | Broad term covering several aerial access machines | A specific type of platform with an extending boom |
| Movement | Depends on machine category | Vertical plus horizontal outreach |
| Best used for | General elevated access tasks | Jobs requiring access around or over obstacles |
| Common models | Scissor lifts, boom lifts, mast lifts | Articulated and telescopic boom lifts |
Boom lifts themselves come in two main forms, telescopic and articulated, and choosing between them is a separate decision. We cover it in Telescopic vs Articulated Manlifts. For a broader introduction to boom lifts, see The Complete Guide to Boom Lifts.
Manlift vs Scissor Lift
A scissor lift is a type of manlift that rises straight up using a crisscrossing mechanism, with no horizontal outreach. Scissor lifts commonly offer a larger platform than boom lifts of similar height, which makes them a good choice when the job is directly above the machine’s footprint rather than offset from it.
| Factor | Scissor Lift | Other Manlift Types |
| Movement | Straight vertical | Vertical and/or horizontal |
| Platform size | Often larger | Varies by model |
| Outreach | None | Boom models provide outreach |
| Indoor use | Widely used in warehouses and buildings | Depends on machine type |
| Best choice when | Work is directly above the machine | Work requires reaching around obstacles |
Manlift vs Cherry Picker
“Cherry picker” is commonly used for a truck-mounted boom lift: a boom platform mounted on a vehicle chassis rather than a self-propelled base. This is how we use the term across our site. In some places, the word is used more loosely for any boom lift, so confirm what a rental request means. The truck-mounted meaning applies to machines designed to travel by road between job sites, such as for utility maintenance or tree work, as opposed to self-propelled booms that reposition within a single site.
| Feature | Cherry Picker | Other Manlift |
| Machine type | Truck-mounted boom lift | Self-propelled or compact access equipment |
| Transportation | Travels between locations by road | Usually moved within a worksite |
| Setup | Requires vehicle positioning | Often quicker to reposition on site |
| Best for | Utility and mobile maintenance work | Construction and industrial projects |
| Common users | Utility companies, municipalities | Contractors, warehouses, facilities teams |
Quick Reference: Which One Do You Need?
| If your job needs... | Consider a... |
| A large, stable platform directly above the machine | Scissor lift |
| Height plus the ability to reach around an obstacle | Boom lift (articulated or telescopic) |
| A machine that travels between several sites in one day | Cherry picker (truck-mounted boom) |
| Repositioning within a large site under its own power | Self-propelled boom or scissor lift |
| Access through a narrow doorway or corridor | Vertical mast lift |
| Operation on soft, sloped or unfinished ground | Crawler manlift |
Why the Terminology Matters
Asking for “a manlift” without specifying the type is a common reason a rental provider needs follow-up questions before confirming a booking. If a generic request is fulfilled under the wrong assumption, the machine may need to be swapped once it reaches site. Being specific about outreach needs, platform size, and ground conditions at the first enquiry helps avoid that.
How to Ask for the Right Equipment
The clearest requests specify:
- Required working height, not just the height of the structure. Our manlift specifications guide explains the difference between platform height and working height.
- Whether horizontal outreach is needed, and roughly how much.
- Indoor or outdoor, and whether the ground is flat, sloped, or unfinished.
- How often the machine needs to reposition during the job.
With those four points, a rental provider can usually recommend the specific machine, whether a scissor lift, articulated boom, telescopic boom, cherry picker, or crawler.
FAQs
Is a manlift the same thing as a boom lift?
Not exactly. “Manlift” is the broad category, and a boom lift is one type within it, distinguished by its extending arm and horizontal outreach.
Is a scissor lift a type of manlift?
Yes. A scissor lift is a manlift that rises vertically and has no horizontal outreach.
Is a cherry picker a manlift?
Yes. A cherry picker is commonly a truck-mounted boom lift, designed for road travel between job sites.
Which is better, a scissor lift or a boom lift?
Neither is universally better. A scissor lift suits work directly above the machine, while a boom lift is needed when the work point is offset or must be reached around an obstacle.
Can a cherry picker reposition itself around a work site?
Standard truck-mounted cherry pickers are designed for road travel rather than moving within a site. For repositioning on site, a self-propelled boom lift is usually the better fit.
What should I tell a rental company if I am not sure which type I need?
Describe the required height, whether you need horizontal outreach, site conditions (indoor or outdoor, ground type), and how often the machine must move. A rental provider can recommend the right type from there.
Can Access Rental Gulf help me work out which type I need?
Yes. Our team can review your project requirements and suggest a suitable scissor lift, boom lift, cherry picker, or crawler manlift before you book.
Contact Us
Website: Access Rental Gulf
Email: marketing@accessrental-gulf.com
UAE: +971 4340 4573
Saudi Arabia: +966 1380 81527
Bahrain: +973 1784 0787
Qatar: +974 4039 9522
