Hello all, I recently picked up the smallest Werner multi ladder to compliment my Little Giant revolution 22. I figured I could offer some concise observations about both in direct comparison.
Weight: The Werner weighs almost as much as the LG, despite being only half the size.
Comfort: The steps on the Werner are slimmer, and despite carrying the same 300 lb rating, do not lend themselves to stocking feet at all. The Werner steps are somewhat rounded, where the LG has nice, wide, flat surfaces that make socks bearable during interior use. Wearing boots with sturdy soles and pronounced heels almost negates the difference.
Sturdiness/Durability: The Werner loses here in a big way. When deployed as a stepladder there is a generous amount of play in the Werner’s joints. In stark contrast, the LG is as solid as a rock with no movement or wobble whatsoever. I do not doubt the Werner is hardy enough to withstand years of use, but the LG inspires only the utmost confidence with ZERO wobble or give. This may be due to the Werner using only two pins per joint, compared to the LG with double that amount. Likely, it is also attributable to manufacturing tolerances, where the Werner is designed to meet a price and the LG is priced for its design.
Ease of use: Both have their perks so I’ll call it 6 of one and a half dozen of the other. The Werner’s top pins are very easy to depress when folding or deploying the ladder. The Little Giant, having twice as many pins, can require substantially more effort to deploy and fold.
When adjusting the rungs to extend or contract the sections, The Little Giant uses “rock locks” to insert and retract the holding pins. These are very quick and easy to use, but initially they gave me the impression that it would be very easy to pinch my palm or finger. So far I haven’t had any accidents but never say never.
The Werner, on the other hand, uses a spring-resistance pulling mechanism to release and insert the pin. Using the ladder straight on requires some lateral force from the shoulder, and more force in general than the LG that requires just a couple slaps to use effectively from any direction.
Features and Extras: The LG has wheels built in to the base of two legs, ostensibly to facilitate relocation. Practically speaking, I have found them nearly useless as they are no larger than roller blade wheels and it’s faster just to carry the darn thing over any uneven surface. The LG Revolution is also available with permanently integrated leg levelers, which I did not opt for as they add another 10 lbs to the total weight and $100 to the price. I chose instead to invest in a Levelok quick-connect system for $88 dollars that has yet to be used and has saved me ten pounds of carry weight every day in the meantime. My personal opinion is that while LG makes doodads aplenty, most if not all, will be impractical for daily use as a window cleaner.
Price: Kind of apples to oranges as they are two different sizes, but I will say that each is priced fairly in my assessment. The small Werner cost $119 at home depot and fills an important niche when working on the first story. The LG cost $329 on Wal-Mart dot com with free shipping and is also worth every penny working above 6 feet or so. Either brand is a fair price for what you get.
Conclusion - I don’t think you can go wrong with either, as long as you are aware of what you are getting. The two products are NOT identical by a long shot. If cost is more a concern and you are willing to sacrifice stability, comfort, and weight savings, then the Werner should do you just fine. If your budget is more generous, and you prefer a bulletproof feel with generally higher quality and less bulk, then the LG is sure to satisfy.