best-drywall-lifts

Best Drywall Lift: Which Is The Best? (2022 Review)

If you’ve ever attempted to install drywall on a ceiling or tall wall, you know the pain of holding a panel in place.

Drywall is heavy. 

A standard ½ inch thick sheet of 4 x 8′ drywall weighs 57 pounds. And while that might not seem like a ton, it is when you’re trying to hold it overhead.

So, if you want to give your arms a break or install drywall on your own, you need a drywall lift.

Here are the best drywall lifts and what you need to know about them.

Best Drywall Lifts of 2022

  1. FDW 11’ Drywall Lift and Hoist (Our Top Pick)
  2. Panellift 125 Drywall Lifter (Top High-End)
  3. Stark USA Professionals Series 16’ (Best for High Walls and Ceilings)
  4. Vowagh 11’ Drywall Panel Lifter (Best Budget-Friendly)
  5. Artist Hand 11’ Rolling Drywall Panel Hoist

What is a Drywall Lift?

Drywall lifts are special hoists that hold a sheet of drywall in place on the ceiling or wall. They can save your arms and back a ton of work and turn a three-person job into a one-person job.

To use a lift, you first position the drywall where you’d like it. Then you can screw it in place without worrying about someone having to hold it.

And the best thing of all? These tools are not that expensive.

How do you use a drywall lift?

To use a drywall lift, start by loading your sheet of drywall. Most are adjustable for both 8ft and 12 ft sheetrock panels.

After your drywall is loaded, you crank the wheel on the lift to raise the board to the appropriate level. Once the panel is secure, screw it into the wall stud.

How much weight can a drywall lift hold?

Most drywall lifts can hold up to 150 pounds.

What are the dimensions of a drywall lift?

Standard drywall lifts can go up to 11 feet high and hold a piece of drywall as big as 4×16′. However, dimensions will vary by model, so read them thoroughly before purchasing.

How tall do drywall lifts go?

Standard drywall lifts are 11′, but you can find ones as high as 16 feet. We’ve also found drywall lifts advertised as 19 feet, but none of them seem to go that high based on reviews. 

Should you rent or buy a drywall lift?

If you’re working on a small DIY job that will only take a day or two, renting a drywall lift makes the most sense. At Home Depot, you can rent a lift for $144 per week or $36 per day.

However, if you’re an avid DIYer, professional, or working on a large area, buying makes more sense. You can purchase a high-quality lift for less than $200.

Best Drywall Lifts Review

1. FDW 11’ Drywall Lift and Hoist (Our Top Pick)

FDW 11’ Drywall Lift and Hoist

The 11-foot drywall lift and hoist from FDW is a high-quality, well-built piece priced moderately. It has an almost 5-star rating from more than 1,000 reviewers.

This lift has excellent balance and can stabilize even large drywall sheets 15 feet in the air. It’s on caster wheels with brakes, so it’s easy to move around and features an adjustable knob for various drywall sizes.

The FDW drywall lift holds up to 150 lbs and can lift drywall up to 4 x 15.9 ft in size. It reaches a maximum height of 11 feet, but you can purchase an extension separately that makes the height 15.4 feet.

Pros:

  • Stable, high-quality
  • Can various sizes of drywall, up to 4 x 15.9 inches
  • Holds up to 150 lbs
  • Reaches 11’
  • A locking mechanism on wheels and winch

Cons:

  • If you need a higher reach, you must purchase the extension separately

Buy The FDW 11’ Drywall Lift and Hoist On Amazon


2. Panellift 125 Drywall Lifter (Top High-End)

Panellift 125 Drywall Lifter

If you’re a professional or avid DIYer looking for a higher-end option, the Panellift 125 from Telpro Inc is one to consider. This lift has a tilted cradle capable of bringing panels down to 34 inches for easy loading.

It also has a 65-degree tilt to use for sloped ceilings.

You can disassemble and reassemble this lift by hand. And when broken down, it easily fits into a car trunk. 

The Panellift 125 reaches up to 11 feet and can hold 150 pounds. The maximum drywall size you can use with this is 4 x 16-foot sheets.

Pros:

  • Sturdy, high-quality
  • Easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Holds up to 150 pounds
  • Reaches up to 11’ 
  • Single-stage winch
  • It can hold up to a 4 x 16′ sheet of drywall
  • 65-degree tilt

Cons:

  • More expensive than similar versions
  • If you need to reach higher, you must purchase an extension separately

Buy The Panellift 125 Drywall Lifter On Amazon


3. Stark USA Professionals Series 16’ (Best For High Walls and Ceilings)

Stark USA Professionals Series 16’

The Stark USA Professional Series is a well-rated lift, optimal for high walls and ceilings. This lift will reach up to 16′ for flat ceilings and 19′ for angled ceilings and walls.

This model has a wide cradle, capable of holding panels as large as 4 x 16 feet. In addition, the cradle features a hook and three rubber-capped auto-locking triggers, which keep your drywall safe and secure.

The Stark USA Professional series is easy to assemble and doesn’t require tools. It can hold up to 150 pounds.

Pros:

  • Reaches up to 16’ for flat ceilings
  • Reaches up to 19” for walls and angled ceilings
  • Weight capacity of 150 lbs
  • Can hold a 4 x 16’ sheet of drywall

Cons:

  • Mixed reviews on the quality – some users report welded steel construction issues while others say they didn’t see anything wrong with theirs.

Buy The Stark USA Professionals Series 16’ On Amazon


4. Vowagh 11’ Drywall Panel Lifter (Best Budget-Friendly)

Vowagh 11’ Drywall Panel Lifter

If you’re looking for an option that’s a little easier on the budget, the Vowagh 11” drywall panel lifter is a solid choice with great Amazon reviews. 

The Vowagh features a sturdy construction and reaches up to 11′ high. It also features no-tool assembly and disassembly.

However, unlike the other models we’ve covered, this one only holds drywall up to 4 x 11 ft. If you’re using standard 4 x 8′ sheets of drywall, this isn’t a problem, but if you’re using larger panels it is.

Pros:

  • Less-expensive
  • Can reach 11’ tall
  • Tool-free assembly
  • It can hold up to 150 pounds

Cons:

  • It can only hold sheets of drywall that are as big as 4 x 11′

Buy The Vowagh 11’ Drywall Panel Lifter On Amazon


5. Artist Hand 11’ Rolling Drywall Panel Hoist

Artist Hand 11’ Rolling Drywall Panel Hoist

The Artist Hand 11′ rolling drywall panel hoist is another relatively inexpensive, high-rated option. This lift features a reach of 11 feet on the ceilings and up to 15 feet on the walls.

The Artist Hand lift can hold 150 lbs, has a winch with a built-in brake, and is easy to roll around.

The downside is that this lift only holds standard pieces of drywall that measure 4 x 8 feet. So you need to keep that in mind if this is the model you choose.

Pros:

  • Reaches up to 11’ on ceilings and 15’ on walls
  • The load capacity of 150 lbs.
  • Well-priced
  • Winch with a built-brake

Cons:

  • It can only hold a standard 4 x 8 sheet of drywall

Buy The Artist Hand 11’ Rolling Drywall Panel Hoist On Amazon


Final Thoughts

Drywall lifts are great tools and eliminate the need for extra help during drywall installation. And if you deal with back or shoulder pain, they can help alleviate the stress on your body that hanging drywall often causes.

There are many great budget-friendly lifts to choose from. If you’re hanging a lot of drywall, consider getting one.