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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.

21 Manitou Group

Cost

$30,000-$60,000

About

The Manitou Group was founded in France in 1958 and has expanded to serve 140 countries with their forklifts worldwide. Manitou’s North American headquarters is located in West Bend, Wisconsin.

Benefits of Manitou Group Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Manitou's Forklifts:

  • Manitou forklifts are praised for their versatility and ease of handling.
  • Manitou truck-mounted forklifts have the shortest overhang available.  
  • Manitou offers a wide range of sizes and specifications for a broad range of applications.

Manitou's Legacy in Brief:

  • Manitou invented the first rough-terrain forklift and has continued its tradition of innovation since its founding. 

Manitou's Customer Service:

  • Manitou is committed to meeting and conquering challenges with a solution-focused approach to service.

The Bottom Line for Manitou's Lifts:

Manitou forklifts are compact, highly trusted and easy to use. Manitou’s lifts excel in increasing safety and productivity.

22 Hoist

Cost

$25,000-$45,000

About

Hoist forklifts are proudly made in America, with more than 75% of materials for each truck manufactured in-house and the remaining materials sourced from U.S. vendors including Cummins and Dana. Hoist has been manufacturing forklifts since the 1980’s and is based in Illinois.

Benefits of Hoist Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Hoist Forklifts:

  • Customers trust Hoist to carry large, heavy-duty loads without compromise. 
  • Most Hoist parts are stocked and readily available at dealers. If parts aren’t available immediately, they can be ready in 2 weeks. 
  • Hoist lift trucks are high-quality and designed to perform heavy demands. 

Hoist's Legacy in Brief:

  • Hoist was established in 1918 and has maintained a strong legacy of being American-owned and American-made.
  • Hoist is known for customization options: lift trucks can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual businesses. 

Hoist's Promise to its Customers:

  • Hoist provides quality, customized options. Its trucks are not one-size-fits-all: Hoist works with a variety of industries to create the perfect lift trucks for individual businesses. 

The Bottom Line for Hoist Lifts:

Hoist forklifts are designed to move with you and work for you, maximizing productivity with reliable durability.

23 Liftking

Cost

$20,000-$50,000

About

Liftking is a Canadian manufacturer bringing heavy-duty lifting power to the material handling industry since the 1960’s. Liftking is respected for its performance in tough environments like construction, agriculture, lumber and industrial mining.

Benefits of Liftking Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Liftking Forklifts:

  • Liftking has built a reputation for sturdy, well-built forklifts that handle extremely heavy loads on rugged terrain. 
  • Liftking keeps operators at the forefront of their designs, creating ergonomic lifts that reduce injury and keep productivity high.

Liftking's Forklift Legacy in Brief:

  • Liftking has been in the commercial and military equipment business for over 50 years, and they currently have over 10,000 units operating across the world. 

Liftking's Customer Service:

  • Liftking believes in producing quality products and providing excellent customer service together without compromise. 

The Bottom Line for Liftking Lifts:

Liftkings are dependable and solid as a rock. They’re made to handle the hardest jobs on the toughest terrain.

24 Pettibone

Cost

$50,000-$100,000+

About

Pettibone is an American company based in Baraga, Michigan. Pettibone specializes in creating tough, safe forklifts that perform.

Benefits of Pettibone Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Pettibone Forklifts:

  • Pettibone is committed to manufacturing heavy-op forklifts with smart features. 

Pettibone's Forklift Legacy in Brief:

  • Pettibone was established in 1881 and has dedicated itself to making material handling safer and easier. 
  • Pettibone invented the Carry-Lift: the first forward-reaching rough terrain handler. 

Pettibone's Customer Service:

  • Pettibone is all about safety and ease of use. 
  • Pettibone innovates to make better products for their customers- not just to keep up or to make products for the sake of making them. 

The Bottom Line for Pettibone Lifts:

Pettibone is committed to producing the finest forklifts from high-quality, expertly engineered materials. 

25 Landoll

Cost

$10,000-$25,000

About

Landoll is responsible for the original design of the articulated forklift truck and has been serving Americans out of Marysville, Kansas since 1963.

Benefits of Landoll Forklifts:

Key Benefits of Landoll Forklifts:

  • Landoll forklifts are powerful and versatile.
  • Landoll lifts are made to move and stack heavy loads and transport materials over rough terrain. 
  • Landoll has a budget-friendly line of narrow aisle forklifts that work well in a variety of applications. 
  • Landoll designs its lifts with operator safety and accident reduction in mind. 

Landoll's Forklift Legacy in Brief:

Landoll is family owned and operated, and the company strives to stay on top of the latest technologies and innovations.

Landoll's Customer Service:

  • Landoll holds strong to its customer-first philosophy. 
  • Landoll is committed to customer satisfaction and building & maintaining relationships.

The Bottom Line for Landoll Lifts:

Landoll forklifts are high-value lifts with unmatched ROIs. You can easily store and move more, cutting costs and downtime with Landoll lifts.