Little Giant vs Werner - Firsthand Comparison

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.

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Nice review. I was leary of the new LG rockers, but let me know how they work day in day out.

Certainly. I’ve only had the LG in action for two months so time will tell.

Is the LG at 22 foot the biggest the sell?

I have a smaller Keller ladder that is like the LG. HEAVY as all get out. I am wanting to upgrade soon to a larger ladder, and have though of just sucking it up and buying an LG.

This is a beast for sure.

Mine set up as a STEP ladder is pretty solid. No issues. However, as a ladder, the feet SUCK. Hard plastic is a terrible design idea. Especially on a hard, smooth surface.

A beast. An appropriate way of putting it.

No they make a 26’ model as well.

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Thanks for the great review…really well done. Went with the Werner for price when we started 6 years ago and I still have it. I’m very accustomed to it, but I’ve been noticing others don’t seem to trust it as much or feel as secure on it. Also, the guys working for me always comment on how heavy it is, but I guess I’m used to it.

Maybe a little giant is a better starter ladder (or a better ladder for beginners).

The 22’s are closer in weight, from what I see… 4 lbs difference.

Either way, I look like an idiot setting this thing (Werner) up.
It was like carrying around a limp, 50 lb cat.

Lift its back legs up, then the front. Get it straight. Etc…

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That made me smile! :grinning:

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Ha! It made ME grit my teeth…
but, in all fairness…
I’d be smiling too, if it wasn’t me. :blush:

Got a 22’ Werner last week. I can relate to your post lol but hey, I got a gutter and window job for $1.1k (our biggest job yet) and that ladder is going to help me get those windows cleaned :grin:

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The image of you…[quote=“JfromtheD, post:9, topic:36932”]
I look like an idiot setting this thing (Werner) up.
[/quote]

I’ve felt your pain!
When you look back…
It will make you smile to!

Did you get scratched all to hell too?

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sorry to drag up an old thread but I just wanted to point out, having had both the werner and lg 13 foot ladders, they are very similar weights (w 31lbs and lg 29lbs to be exact) where as the 17 foot lg is 37lbs and the 17 foot werner is 39.5 lbs. So really its the difference between the classes not the brands by and large.

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How recently did you own your LG? Not trying to argue but I think LG have reduced the weight by a good bit with their “Revolution” models. The scale tells me my Werner 13’ weighs 31/32 lbs, and the Little Giant Revolution 22’ weighs only 38 lbs.

The maximum actual working height for each model is a little less than the labels at 11’ and 19’ respectively. So the Werner comes in at just over 80% of the total weight for less than 60% of the working height. According to LG’s published numbers, their 13’ models weigh 25/26 lbs, with an 11’ working height, so are closer to 65% of the weight at 60% of the size.

That’s having been said, I still use the werner about a hundred times more often than the LG. It takes up far less space in my Ranger’s bed and is less unwieldy to maneuver on the ground. The Werner does everything I need on the first floor, and my 24’ extension picks up where the Werner leaves off for the second floor. The only time I use the LG is when I need a REALLY tall step ladder for cleaning fans, changing light bulbs, or washing a high foyer window.

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I love this video. He makes it look so easy.

Lots of other helpful LG ladder videos listed with this one on YouTube

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I’ve heard people say if you need more than 17 feet get an extension ladder.

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i think we bought our LG 13’ in October. i got those numbers from little giants website. are you comparing ladders with the same weight rating?

Yessir. Apples to apples and all that.
LG Velocity 13 - Capacity Type 1A (300lbs); Weight: 25 lbs; Max height: 11’
https://www.littlegiantladder.com/velocity/

LG Revolution 22 (w/o Ratchet levelers) - Capacity Type 1A (300lbs); Weight: 38 lbs; Max height 19’
https://www.littlegiantladder.com/revolution/

Werner 13’ Multi Ladder - Capacity Type 1A (300lbs); Weight: 31.5 lbs; Max height 11’

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