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The 30 Best Forklift Brands of 2026

Choosing the right forklift can have a major impact on your operation, from keeping employees happy and workflows efficient to reducing downtime and costly disruptions. Our in-depth guide highlights the top 30 forklift brands, offering clear insights into today’s leading manufacturers so you can confidently select the best forklift for your business needs.

16 Hyundai

Cost

$20,000-$45,000

About

Hyundai (meaning modernity) is an industry-leading manufacturer of forklifts focused on continuous improvement and providing amazing warranties, high-tech designs, expert engineering and helpful resources. Hyundai lift trucks are known for being easy to operate.

Benefits of Hyundai Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Hyundai Forklifts:

  • Hyundai lifts put the customer first: they prioritize safety and value
  • Hyundai has what it takes to keep your operations moving without interruption 

Hyundai's Forklift Legacy in Brief:

  • Following a solid company buildup from the production of construction to motors to cars and computers, Hyundai forklifts were introduced to the North American market in 2000. 

Hyundai's Customer Service:

  • Hyundai aims to produce the safest, most comfortable, most durable and most reliable forklifts on the market. 
  • Hyundai strives to deliver the best value in the forklift industry. 

The Bottom Line for Hyundai Lifts:

Hyundai has a reputation for low-cost reliability and genuine investment in customer satisfaction. 

17 TCM

Cost

$10,000-$30,000

About

Manufacturing forklifts since the 1940s, TCM is a member of UniCarriers along with Nissan. TCM forklifts are known for their rugged tolerance of long, heavy hours on the job.

Benefits of TCM Forklifts:

Key Benefits of TCM Forklifts:

  • TCM forklifts are great choices to maximize safety and visibility. 
  • TCM’s greatest emphasis is ergonomics- its forklifts are designed to protect drivers’ long-term health. 
  • TCM forklifts are highly fuel-efficient. 
  • TCM lifts are low-maintenance.

TCM's Forklift Legacy in Brief:

  • TCM stands for Toyo Carriers Manufacturing. TCM manufactured the first “Made in Japan” internal combustion engine forklift truck in 1949 and has continued to produce several different types of fork truck lifts for the international market. 

TCM's Customer Service:

  • TCM places value on providing safe, reliable products that evolve with its customers' needs. 

The Bottom Line for TCM Lifts:

TCM forklift trucks have incredible performance in terms of maneuverability. TCM has 14 high-quality models to choose from to meet an array of material handling needs.

18 Tailift

Cost

$10,000-$25,000

About

Tailift (part of Toyota since 2015) is considered among the best forklifts on the market. Tailifts are high-quality, low-cost lifts.

Benefits of Tailift Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Tailift Forklifts:

  • Tailift forklifts are cost-effective and provide great value.
  • Tailift forklifts are loved for their comfort and easy maintenance. 

Tailift's Legacy in Brief:

  • Established in 1973, Tailift is highly respected for providing incredible value at the lowest cost. 

Tailift's Customer Service:

  • Tailift prides itself on fast delivery, flexible service and competitive pricing. 

The Bottom Line for Tailift Lifts:

Tailifts are a reliable choice offering customers high-quality, high-end products at affordable prices. Tailift is always working to innovate and improve.

19 Kalmar

Cost

$10,000-$30,000

About

Kalmar forklifts have been in production since the 1940’s and are designed to tackle even the heaviest, hardest jobs with ease.

Benefits of Kalmar Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Kalmar Forklifts:

  • Kalmar lifts are cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.
  • Kalmar forklifts have advanced technology and money-saving automated solutions.
  • Kalmar’s forklifts are ergonomic and easy to use.

Kalmar's Forklift Legacy in Brief:

Kalmar was founded in the Netherlands in 1883 as a ship-to-store crane manufacturer. Kalmar has since evolved to become a leader in automation and energy efficiency.

Kalmar's Customer Service Promise:

Kalmar stresses anticipation of customer needs.

The Bottom Line for Kalmar Lifts:

Kalmar forklifts are an extremely popular choice in the material handling industry because of their quality, efficiency, safety and reliability.

20 Combilift

Cost

$50,000-$100,000

About

Combilift is a high-quality forklift manufacturer based in Monaghan, Ireland. Combilift is dedicated to maximizing warehouse and storage safety, capacity and efficiency. Combilift has locations in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Benefits of Combilift Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Combilift Forklifts:

  • Combilift forklifts eliminate the need for extra warehousing by increasing storage density by 50-100%. 
  • Combilift forklifts increase productivity with highly precise handling. 
  • Combilift fork trucks can move sideways and diagonally. 
  • Combilift lifts can operate in the narrowest aisles.

Combilift's Forklift legacy in Brief:

  • Combilift was founded with extensive engineering expertise by Robert Moffett (Moffett Mounty truck-mounted forklift) and Martin McVicar in 1998. 
  • Combilift is a debt-free company creating long load-handling solutions. 
  • Combilift is the world’s fastest-growing forklift manufacturer.

Combilift's Customer Service:

Combilift prides itself on catering to the diverse, individualized needs of customers and its ability to customize solutions that deliver space-saving, high-performance results.

The Bottom Line for Combilift's Lifts:

Combilift stands out from the rest with its unique features. Combilift is the largest manufacturer of multidirectional forklifts, side loaders and articulated forklifts in the world.