Keep a safe distance from heavy loads—these lifters automatically engage when set down, so you don’t have to secure the magnet to the load yourself. When these lifters sense they’ve been set down again, they’ll automatically release the load. Alternatively, use the push buttons on these lifters to manually turn the magnet on and off. As a fail-safe, the magnet stays engaged even if the battery dies, preventing your load from dropping. Pair these lifters with a crane or hoist. They’re often used to move large metal sheets and pipes but can also be used to position loads when grinding or fixturing metal parts together.

You can adjust the magnet’s strength on these lifters to protect thin materials from damage. Fine-tuning the strength is also useful for lifting just one sheet off a stack at a time.

Lifters with a remote control give you a way to manually turn the magnet on or off from a distance.

Warning: Never use to lift people or items over people.

Also known as permanent lifting magnets, these magnets hold a load until you pull the handle and pry the magnet off. They have a lifting eye for attaching a hook or sling.

Style B magnets have a nonmarring roller release that prevents scraping and gouging the load as it is released.

Note: Capacities listed are based on lifting flat metal that has a clean, smooth surface. If used on dirty, oily, thin, or curved surfaces, the capacities will be reduced.

Warning: Never use to lift people or items over people.

A no-frills solution to safely grab machined parts, scrap metal, and other magnetic items. These lifters are often used to move items that are too hot or sharp to handle directly.

Attach lifters with a lifting eye to a hook, rope, or chain to lower them into hard-to-reach places, such as deep bins or waterways. Alternatively, stick them to a magnetic surface and use the lifting eye to route hose, wiring, and other nonmagnetic items. Style E lifters have two different holes for the lifting eye, so you can thread it into different sides.

Lifters with a knob are often found holding documents up against machines.

Lifters with slide-on shields come with covers for the magnet to protect it from damage and wear when not in use.

Warning: Never use to lift people or items over people.

Slide steel plates and blocks off a stack.

Quickly switch between grabbing and dropping items—the magnet on these lifters releases when you squeeze the lever and reengages as soon as you let go. Great for repeat jobs, they’re often used to move large amounts of small magnetic items, such as metal fasteners, from one place to another. They also work well for metal items that are too hot or sharp to handle directly.

Style A-D lifters pick up and release small objects more quickly and easily than Style E lifters.

Style E lifters are best for heavy steel sheets and blocks—they have a larger contact surface area and stronger magnet than Styles A-D.

Stainless steel and steel lifters resist cracking, breaking, and deforming better than plastic lifters.

Warning: Never use to lift people or items over people.

For heavy loads, these lifters have a stronger magnet than pull-release lifters and a lock to prevent accidental drops. To switch the magnet on and off, turn a handle or push a button. All lifters have a groove for grabbing round materials, such as pipe, in addition to flat materials.

Use push-button lifters one-handed, smoothly switching between lifting and dropping materials without changing your grip. To keep your hand safely away from hot or sharp objects, the buttons on these lifters are on the top of the handle. Since these lifters are battery powered, they’re quicker to turn on and off than lifters with an on/off handle. If the battery dies, the magnet stays on, keeping heavy loads secure.

Style C lifters have a handle that pivots for a comfortable position if you’re pulling sideways or straight up.

Style D lifters have two magnets to safely move large, heavy objects with either one or two people. You can adjust the distance between the handles.

Warning: Never use to lift people or items over people.