Multi Ladders: Little Giant vs Werner

[Lance Mirrer]

Hi All,

I am looking to replace my several ladders with a 22' multi ladder. Little Giant and Werner have similar models, with Little Giant's costing $100 more.

Anyone have any experience or recommendations using these two brands?

Thanks!!!

[Jason Roehl]

Here's my take on them, but it's based on what they looked like several years ago--the models may have changed in that time. I have had a 17' Little Giant for about 10 years. I got it over the other brands for one reason: the steps are TIG-welded to the uprights instead of crimped and riveted, which was how the Werner and others were constructed at the time. After I got my LG, I noticed that whatever brand was at Home Depot at the time (Gorilla or something like that) also had welded steps (usually there's a plastic cover over the end of the step that you would have to pry back slightly to see the weld--I've lost 3-4 of those plastic caps off my ladder using it as a contractor, it's mainly an aesthetic problem).

I'll tell you this, because of the way they're constructed, they're all heavy. I believe my 17' specs out at 35 lbs, which may not seem like much, but it's heavy for that length of ladder. I have a fellow contractor who has the 22', and I find it to be much heavier (I think it's over 50 lbs) and more cumbersome.

[Matt Meiser]

I've got the Gorrilla which like Jason said is HEAVY. I would not want to haul this out every time I needed a ladder to change a light bulb. However for my old 12' shop ceilings it was better than buying a 10' step ladder and worked to reach the roof of a 1 story house. I'll probably keep it for here since we have a 2-story foyer with a large light that will need cleaning and maintenance and a 2nd floor window. Over the years my fear of roofs has gotten worse and worse so I plan not to use it for that part.

For light jobs around the house, those little 4' ladders are great. Super light, easy to store, easy to carry, and don't require as much room to set up. Ours needs to get dug out of the storage unit ASAP.

[Wade Lippman]

Like they say, they are heavy. Only reason to own on is to minimize storage space.
That said, the Little Giant is probably worth the extra money over the Werner; it is simply better made. My Werner was obnoxious to use.

[Bruce Page]

Be sure to check out the Craigslist listings in your area. I see them almost daily here selling cheap.

[Bob Vavricka]

I bought 2 Werner's on Craigslist for about 1/2 price. They have done everything I need them for and seem to be sturdy. The people I bought them from were installed siding and were selling them to buy Little Giants because they said they were lighter and some of the older people working with them (I believe it was a family business) found the Werners too heavy to move. I've not used both so have no real experience on the differences.

[Charles Wiggins]

Like Jason, I looked at them years ago and went with 17' Little Giant for the reasons he cites. I "exceed" the weight limit of the LG, but it has not complained one bit, even fully extended. At the time I took a look at the Werner's at the BORG and thought there's no way its gonna last.

[Peter Quinn]

I bought a 22' werner on sale on amazon a few years back to do my garage rebuild, proved to be invaluable. I didn't have the money for the little giant. I have several much bigger extension ladders but needed something flexible in the in between ranges. Ive used little giants on various jobs over the years, they are easier to adjust and manipulate than the Werner, just a smoother mechanism. Other than that pretty much the same experience from my perspective. I go up, I go down. They are all heavy.. I really like the offset feature, they make a decent light weight scaffold, very versatile. If money were no object I'd probably go little giant, in my case it was budget first function second.

[Lee Schierer]

I have a Little Giant ladder and it is quite nice to use as compared with my older aluminum ladder which is much more flexible though lighter in weight. I had a ladder kick out from under me a few years ago and now using one is a bit of a challenge, but the Little Giant is stable and doesn't flex much even at full extension. I really like the adjustability on the Little Giant. Mine has wheels that make it easier to move around when folded. The wider bas section and top section when extended make it stable against the house.

[Lance Mirrer]

Thanks! Always helpful to hear experienced voices!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I have several ladders. I have a Werner step ladder. I have a typical Werner extension ladder. I have a 22' Little Giant.

I am in the process of painting my house. I have balance issues so my neighbor, a professional painting contractor, painted the high stuff and I am painting the low stuff. I am using my Werner step ladder and my Little Giant 22' extension ladder in the "A-frame" mode for the higher stuff I am painting.

My neighbor on the other hand preferred to bring his lighter Werner ladders over to paint the really high stuff.

I like the strength of the LG and it's wider base. I haven't used my Werner extension ladder since I bought my LG because of the wider base.

It's really a subjective matter!

[Alan Gan]

I can chime in, I have had the little giant for about 10 years.I have no hands on with the Werner. I love mine, it is great for uneven surfaces, easy to setup and feels very secure. I used mine to get over block walls by having one side extended more than the other. I carry mine by sticking my arm through the rungs and grab the next rung down, works for me. I was installing Satellite dish's at the time and it worked great for every job, seems something was always uneven.

They are always at Home shows and do give big discounts.

[Jim Andrew]

I have both a Little Giant, and a cheaper same size, both are 17', and both work very well. Had a snap ring come off the cheap model, took it apart and put the snap ring back and it has been ok since. Reason I bought the LG in the first place was I had a wooden step ladder, and one leg cracked, didn't notice it till it let me down, and I hit my elbow on the driveway. Couldn't use my right arm for 6 weeks, and had to finish the house I was working on anyway. Found I could do trim work left handed. Went to a show soon after, and bought the LG and found it very handy. Was at a store later that had the other ladder on sale, the hinges looked the same, so bought it and it is almost as good as the LG. Just as heavy and awkward to move around. But it didn't come with the platform that doubles as a shelf to put your paint bucket on.

[Jeremy Ferguson]

The Werner is heavier than the Little Giant. I have the Werner 18' model. In a-frame mode it is super stable. In extension ladder mode, I find it almost a little too wobbly to use. It flexes a lot due to it being hinged.

[Paul Girouard]

Lil Giants are good for one think , stairwell work, other than that they are to heavy , and to dangerous to use. They're tippy and hard to operate , and there heavy clumsy to set up, clumsy to carry. etc.

And expensive , buy two good ladders , Werner Fiberglass , rated for 320lbs and you'll be ahead of the game. A extension ladder good for 24' and a 6' or 8' ladder depending on your homes ceiling heights.

[Evan Patton]

I have a Little Giant 12' and it's great--very stable. I don't like heights, but the Little Giant makes it a bit easier to get stuff done. I had a Werner (the one that could be an extension or step ladder)--more flexible, but heavier and not as stable. Either is heavier than a purpose-built step or extension ladder.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I have a Werner - but - it's the old style one.
Very cranky to use. Nowhere near as easy as a LG.

The newer ones are more like the LG and the Gorilla.

Since I bought a Gorilla, the Werner has been at my brother in laws on a semi permanent loan. By that I mean I'd rather he kept it at his place than try tofind a place to store it here.

[Erik Loza]

Own both, no complaints with either. Keeping the joints on the LG lubed does help.

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[William Whitfield]

Warner seems to accept LG accessories, do not know about all of the accessories- 12 inch platform/step works well. My Warner does everything that I need.

[Steve Peterson]

I'll tell you this, because of the way they're constructed, they're all heavy. I believe my 17' specs out at 35 lbs, which may not seem like much, but it's heavy for that length of ladder. I have a fellow contractor who has the 22', and I find it to be much heavier (I think it's over 50 lbs) and more cumbersome.

The part about LG being heavy is completely true. We needed a good ladder with a tall reach and decided on a LG 22. That thing is a beast. It is way more effort to maneuver a 50 lb ladder than it is to throw a 50 lb sack of grain over your shoulder. LG is solid and has never let us down, however I would probably have selected a smaller model if I had realized how hard it is to move around.

Steve

[Jerry Herrington]

I have had the 26' LG ladder for about 20 years. Incredibly stable once you get it in place, but it is an absolute beast to move, especially as I am getting older. A lot of things were easier 20 years ago!

[Justin Ludwig]

I own a 17' Werner, my buddy owns the LG. I've used both extensively. I don't see any major differences in durability and ease of use.

[John Goodin]

I needed a multi ladder for work and noticed that Costco sold a Little Giant 17' Mega-Lite. When I could not find any model info on the LG website I called them. The customer service rep said Costco wanted to sell a lighter ladder than traditional LG 17' model. Since Costco buys truckloads at a time LG was happy to oblige. Besides being quite a few pounds lighter, I think 8 or 9, it is rated for 300 pound working load and sells at Costco for about only $160. I have used it extensively and have no regrets. While the OP was looking for a 22 footer this may help someone looking for a shorter model.

[Mark Patoka]

I've had the LG 17' for about 5 years now and it's my go-to ladder. Haven't tried the Werner version but did have a Werner regular 6' ladder. which I donated after getting the LG. The LG is super stable and my wife has no fears when using it for painting, couldn't say that about the standard ladders. I also have the leg-leveler and it's very useful for uneven surfaces and the stand-off attachment when used in full-extension mode. I guess it is heavier but the stability and durability are worth it and it has wheel to roll it if needed.

[Andy Shearon]

Pick up both before you get the Werner. I have one and didn't get the LG due to cost. Every time I move the Werner, I wish I had a LG.

[Will Rowland]

The Werner is heavier than the Little Giant. I have the Werner 18' model. In a-frame mode it is super stable. In extension ladder mode, I find it almost a little too wobbly to use. It flexes a lot due to it being hinged.

I have the same Werner and agree completely; if you are at the top when in extension mode, it really flexes. I also have issues with a couple of the hinge locks being difficult. They are a bit better if lubed up, but when the ladder gets left in the rain etc they can be a pain.

On the topic of ladders, after a small incident we upgraded our stepladders to the Werner Type IAA 375 lb models; now those make all the difference in the world vs the step ladders sold in the BORGs. They are so much more secure and rigid it almost feels criminal for folks to sell the flimsy aluminum ones.