Pallet Jack vs Pallet Stacker: Which Do You Need?
A pallet jack lifts a pallet only about 85–205 mm (3–8 in) off the floor so it can be moved horizontally. A pallet stacker lifts pallets to racking or truck height, about 1.3–3.5 m depending on model. Pallet jacks start at $350 CAD (manual) or $1,750 (electric); stackers start at $3,500. Move pallets: pallet jack. Stack them: stacker.
Choose a Pallet Jack if...
- You move pallets across the floor, dock, or into trucks
- You never need to place pallets on racking
- Your loads run up to 2,000–2,500 kg
- Budget matters — from $350 manual or $1,750 electric
Choose a Pallet Stacker if...
- You must stack pallets onto racking or mezzanines
- You lift to about 3.5 m or less
- Your loads are 1,500 kg or less
- You want racking-height lift without a forklift
When a Pallet Jack Is Enough
A pallet jack is a horizontal-transport tool. Its forks raise a pallet only about 85–205 mm (3–8 in) — just enough to clear the floor — so you can move it across a warehouse, dock, or into a truck. Choose a pallet jack when:
- your work is moving pallets from A to B at floor level;
- pallets are stored on the floor or picked up by a forklift elsewhere;
- you load and unload trucks at dock level;
- you want the lowest cost and smallest footprint.
Manual pallet jacks start at $350 CAD; electric walk-behind models run $1,750 to $3,500. See the best pallet jacks in Canada for picks by use case.
When You Need a Pallet Stacker
A pallet stacker adds a mast, so it can lift a pallet to racking, mezzanine, or truck-bed height — about 1.3 m on the SS10EA self-loading model up to 3.5 m on the SST15+ and SLCS15. Choose a stacker when:
- you store pallets on racking and need to put them up and take them down;
- you have no forklift, or want to keep the forklift free for other work;
- your loads are 1,500 kg or less;
- you work in stockrooms, backrooms, or smaller warehouses.
New to stackers? Start with what a pallet stacker is, then compare models in the best pallet stackers in Canada.
Where Each Tool Sits
Think of warehouse lifting equipment as a ladder. The pallet jack is the first rung: horizontal transport only. The pallet stacker is the middle: walk-behind, but with racking-height lift. The forklift is the top: ride-on, higher lift, and CSA B335 operator certification.
- Pallet jack: moves pallets, no meaningful lift.
- Pallet stacker: moves and stacks pallets to about 3.5 m.
- Forklift: stacks higher and rides — see pallet stacker vs forklift.
High-lift pallet jacks raise a load to a comfortable working height for loading or assembly, but they are positioning tools, not a way to stack onto racking.
Cost Compared
Pallet jacks: manual models from $350 CAD (the SH20 and SH20N); electric walk-behind models from $1,750 (SESR15) to $3,500 (SELR20-S with built-in scale).
Pallet stackers: $3,500 to $14,000 CAD — semi-electric from $3,500 (SS10EA), fully-electric walkie $6,500 to $7,500 (SST15-C, SST15+), and counterbalance at $14,000 (SLCS15).
Bottom line: if you never stack, a pallet jack does the job for a fraction of the cost. If you stack even a few pallets a day onto racking, a stacker earns its price by doing work a pallet jack cannot. Many sites run both: pallet jacks for moving, one stacker for putting away.
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Pallet Jack vs Pallet Stacker: Side-by-Side
Comparing Sumachay pallet jacks and walk-behind pallet stackers for Canadian operations.
| Attribute | Pallet Jack | Pallet Stacker |
|---|---|---|
| Lift Height | About 85–205 mm (3–8 in), floor level | About 1.3–3.5 m by model |
| Load Capacity | 1,500–2,500 kg by model | 1,000–1,500 kg by model |
| Footprint | Compact — low profile, no mast | Larger — mast plus straddle or counterbalance base |
| Power | Manual hydraulic or lithium-electric | Semi-electric (electric lift, push travel) or fully electric |
| Typical Use | Moving pallets across floors, docks, and into trucks | Stacking pallets onto racking, mezzanines, and truck beds |
| Price (CAD) | Manual from $350; electric walkie $1,750–$3,500 | $3,500–$14,000 by type |
| Operator Training | Workplace training; no operator licence | Workplace training; no operator licence (walk-behind) |
| Best For | Horizontal pallet transport on a budget | Racking-height stacking without a forklift |
Prices are Sumachay's Canadian list prices (CAD) as of September 2026 and vary by model and configuration. Contact us for current quotes.
How to Decide Between a Pallet Jack and a Pallet Stacker
Decide on lift height, load weight, how often you stack, space, and budget, in this order.
1. Do you need to stack?
This is the deciding question. A pallet jack lifts only about 85–205 mm, enough to clear the floor. If any pallet has to go onto racking, a mezzanine, or a raised truck bed, you need a stacker (about 1.3–3.5 m) or a forklift.
2. Check your load weight
Sumachay pallet jacks carry 1,500 to 2,500 kg depending on model. Pallet stackers carry 1,000 to 1,500 kg. For heavier loads that do not need stacking, a pallet jack has more headroom.
3. How often and how far?
For occasional short moves, a manual pallet jack is enough. For frequent moves or longer travel, an electric pallet jack saves operator effort. For stacking, a semi-electric stacker suits occasional lifts; a fully-electric stacker suits daily put-away.
4. Measure your space
A pallet jack is low and compact, so it fits trucks and tight aisles easily. A stacker is taller and longer because of its mast and base, so check aisle width, door height, and ceiling clearance before you buy.
5. Compare the budget
Pallet jacks start at $350 CAD (manual) or $1,750 (electric). Pallet stackers run $3,500 to $14,000. If you rarely stack, a pallet jack plus occasional help may be enough; if stacking is routine, the stacker pays for itself.
The short answer
If you only move pallets at floor level, choose a pallet jack. If you need to place pallets on racking up to about 3.5 m, choose a pallet stacker — or run both.
Pallet Jack vs Pallet Stacker: Common Questions
Answers to the most common pallet-jack-versus-stacker questions for Canadian operations.
A pallet jack moves pallets horizontally: its forks lift a load only about 85–205 mm (3–8 in) off the floor. A pallet stacker has a mast and lifts pallets to racking or truck height, about 1.3–3.5 m depending on model. Both are walk-behind machines; the stacker adds vertical lift.
No. A standard pallet jack lifts a pallet just high enough to clear the floor. High-lift scissor pallet jacks raise loads to a working height for loading or assembly, but they cannot place pallets on racking. For that you need a pallet stacker or a forklift.
A stacker can also move pallets horizontally, so on a small site it can do both jobs. It is larger, heavier, and more expensive than a pallet jack, though, so busy sites usually keep pallet jacks for moving and use a stacker for putting pallets away.
At Sumachay, manual pallet jacks start at $350 CAD and electric walk-behind pallet jacks run $1,750 to $3,500. Pallet stackers run $3,500 to $14,000 CAD: semi-electric from $3,500, fully-electric walkie $6,500 to $7,500, and counterbalance at $14,000.
Walk-behind pallet jacks and walk-behind pallet stackers do not require a forklift-style operator licence in Canada, but employers must provide workplace-specific training. Ride-on forklifts are different: they require CSA B335 operator certification.
Buy a pallet jack first if you mainly move pallets at floor level — it is the lowest-cost way to handle them. Buy a stacker first if your core problem is getting pallets onto racking without a forklift. Compare options in the best pallet jacks and best pallet stackers guides.
Trouvez l'equipement ideal pour votre operation
Browse pallet jacks for moving pallets at floor level, or pallet stackers when you need to put pallets onto racking.