Quick answer: If you want to move storage up into your attic and out of sight, choose an attic lift: a Versa Lift if you want a smaller ceiling opening and a choice of models for ceilings up to 20 ft, or the Aladdin ASL-500 if you need to lift heavier loads (up to 500 lb) and can plan for a carpenter and electrician to install it. If you have no usable attic, or you mainly want bikes, kayaks or bins off the floor, a Garage Gator ceiling lift is the simpler and lower-cost choice, because it raises items to the garage ceiling and leaves them there.
All three are motorized and all three keep you off the ladder, but they solve different problems. This guide lays out the differences using the manufacturers' published specifications so you can match a lift to your garage. Prices mentioned are our current store prices and can change.
The main difference: attic lift vs ceiling lift
An attic lift carries a loaded platform from the garage floor up through a framed opening in the ceiling and stops it level with the attic floor. You unload it in the attic, and a ceiling panel closes the opening when the lift is down. Versa Lift and Aladdin both work this way. They need an attic you can walk into, a framed opening between joists or trusses, and separate access (such as pull-down stairs) for you to get into the attic, because neither lift is made to carry people.
A ceiling lift (sometimes called a garage elevator or storage hoist) mounts to the garage ceiling and raises items up to it. The items stay in the garage, just overhead. Garage Gator lifts work this way. Proslat, which makes Garage Gator, notes that these lifts are not designed to be an attic elevator. There is no opening to cut, so installation is simpler, but you give up some headroom over that part of the garage.
If you are still deciding between the two approaches, our overhead garage storage lifts guide walks through both in more detail.
Side-by-side specifications
| Specification | Versa Lift (Model 24 / Model 32) | Aladdin ASL-500 | Garage Gator 3 ft x 6 ft Platform (66069K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lift type | Attic lift | Attic lift | Ceiling lift (stays in the garage) |
| Load capacity | 200 lb (Model 24); 250 lb (Model 32) | 500 lb | 170 lb with platform (220 lb motor; platform weighs 50 lb) |
| Ceiling height range | 8-11, 11-14, 14-17 or 17-20 ft floor to floor, by model | Confirm with us before ordering | 9-15 ft ceilings; 12 ft lifting height |
| Platform size | 20 3/4 in. x 44 in. (Model 24); 28 3/4 in. x 56 in. (Model 32) | Not published by the manufacturer | 3 ft x 6 ft |
| Ceiling opening | 22 1/2 in. x 46 1/2 in. (Model 24); 30 1/2 in. x 58 1/2 in. (Model 32) | Framed ceiling opening; attic floor joists 2x8 minimum | None (ceiling-mounted) |
| Attic headroom | About 48 in. (Model 24); 60 in. (Model 32) | Room in the attic for the unit | Not applicable |
| Power | 115 VAC, 4.5 A, 0.6 HP gear motor | Motorized; installed by an electrician | 120 V, 3.9 A, 460 W motor |
| Controls | Corded remote with key lock (15 ft), wireless remote, or wall switches | Key switch; wireless controller sold separately | 15 ft wired push-button controller with key lock |
| Warranty | 3 years (manufacturer site) | 5 years on parts; labor not covered | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Price at our store | From $2,985 | $3,899.99 | $699.99 (other Garage Gator lifts from $384.99) |
Versa Lift: an attic lift with several sizes
Versa Lift makes two platform sizes. The Model 24 has a 20 3/4 in. x 44 in. platform, up to 39 in. of load height and a 200 lb capacity. The Model 32 has a 28 3/4 in. x 56 in. platform, up to about 52 in. of load height and a 250 lb capacity. Each comes in four height ranges, from 8-11 ft up to 17-20 ft measured from the garage floor to the attic floor, and with a corded remote, a wireless remote or wall switches.
Who it fits: homeowners with a walkable attic who want to move totes, holiday decorations and similar items up into the attic without carrying them on a ladder. The Model 24 needs the smaller of the two openings (22 1/2 in. x 46 1/2 in.), and the platform stops level with the attic floor for unloading.
Limits to know: you need roughly 48 in. of attic headroom above the opening for the Model 24 and 60 in. for the Model 32. The motor is rated for short duty cycles (the manual lists 2 minutes on, 4 minutes off), which is fine for loading storage but not for continuous use. The lift ships unassembled. The attic floor itself must be able to carry what you store there, so plan where items will sit.
Browse all models in our Versa Lift collection.
Aladdin ASL-500: a higher-capacity attic lift
The Aladdin Storage Lift ASL-500 is also an attic lift, with a 500 lb lifting capacity. It is ETL listed, comes mostly pre-assembled and is made in the USA, according to the manufacturer. It is operated with a key, and a wireless controller is available separately.
Who it fits: households that store heavier or bulkier items in the attic and want fewer trips, and builders or remodelers planning the opening and electrical work as part of a larger project.
Limits to know: the manufacturer asks you to confirm that your structure can support the unit at full capacity, which it lists as 750 lb total. Attic floor joists need to be at least 2x8. The five-year warranty covers parts when the lift is installed by a licensed carpenter and electrician; labor is not covered. Aladdin makes one size, so if your ceiling or framing is unusual, send us your measurements before ordering.
See the ASL-500 and its wireless controller in our Aladdin collection. For a closer look at these two attic lifts alone, see our earlier article, Aladdin Storage Lift vs. Versa Lift.
Garage Gator: a ceiling lift that stays in the garage
Garage Gator lifts, made by Proslat, are motorized hoists that mount to the garage ceiling. Most kits are rated at 220 lb and are set up for a specific use: bikes, kayaks and canoes, golf bags, a Jeep hardtop, or water and snow gear. The 3 ft x 6 ft Platform Lift Kit (66069K) is the closest match to an attic lift's job: you load bins onto the platform at floor level and raise them to the ceiling. Because the platform weighs 50 lb, it carries 170 lb of storage.
Who it fits: garages without a usable attic, homes with cathedral or finished ceilings above the garage, and anyone storing long or awkward items such as kayaks that would not fit through an attic opening. Ceilings from 9 to 15 ft are supported, and no opening has to be cut.
Limits to know: the items stay in the garage, so they take up overhead space and need clearance from the garage door, its opener and its track. Capacity is lower than either attic lift. Proslat does not publish a warranty for Garage Gator lifts on its warranty page, so ask us if that matters to your decision.
See every model in our Garage Gator collection, and our guide on how much weight a garage ceiling can hold before you mount one.
How to choose
- Ceiling height. Measure from the garage floor to the attic floor (for an attic lift) or to the ceiling (for a ceiling lift). Versa Lift models cover 8 to 20 ft. The Garage Gator platform lift covers 9 to 15 ft ceilings.
- Attic space. No walkable attic, or not enough headroom above the opening, points to a ceiling lift. For a Versa Lift, check for about 48 in. (Model 24) or 60 in. (Model 32) of headroom.
- What you are storing. Totes and boxes suit any of the three. Bikes, kayaks and long items usually suit a Garage Gator kit made for them.
- Weight. Add up a typical load. Under 170 lb works with all three; 200 to 250 lb points to a Versa Lift; heavier loads point to the Aladdin. Whatever you lift, the attic floor or ceiling framing has to carry it.
- Install and DIY. A Garage Gator kit mounts to the ceiling with no opening to frame. An attic lift means cutting and framing an opening and providing power in the attic; many owners hire a carpenter or handyman for this, and Aladdin's warranty requires a licensed carpenter and electrician.
To compare more models side by side, see our attic lifts and garage storage lift collections.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an attic lift and a garage ceiling lift?
An attic lift carries items through a ceiling opening and stops level with the attic floor, so storage ends up in the attic. A ceiling lift raises items to the garage ceiling, where they stay.
Which lift carries the most weight?
The Aladdin ASL-500 is rated at 500 lb. Versa Lift models are rated at 200 lb (Model 24) or 250 lb (Model 32). The Garage Gator platform lift carries 170 lb on its platform.
Can I use a Garage Gator lift to reach my attic?
No. Proslat states that Garage Gator lifts are not designed to be an attic elevator. They raise storage to the garage ceiling only.
Do attic lifts carry people?
No. Neither Versa Lift nor Aladdin is made for people. You still need separate attic access, such as pull-down stairs.
How tall can my garage ceiling be for a Versa Lift?
Versa Lift models cover floor-to-floor heights from 8 ft up to 20 ft, in four ranges: 8-11, 11-14, 14-17 and 17-20 ft.
Can I install one of these myself?
Garage Gator kits mount to the ceiling with the included hardware and need no opening, which keeps the job simpler. Attic lifts involve framing an opening and adding power, so many owners use a carpenter or handyman. Aladdin's parts warranty requires installation by a licensed carpenter and electrician.
Which is least expensive?
At current store prices, Garage Gator lifts start at $384.99, Versa Lift starts at $2,985 and the Aladdin ASL-500 is $3,899.99. Prices can change.
If you are not sure which lift fits your garage, send us your ceiling height, attic headroom and what you plan to store. Email info@garagetoolsstorage.com or text 765-221-3366, and we will help you sort it out.
