Closing Recommendation
Both are strong 21 to 22 ton class excavators, so pick by the depth you dig and how long you run. Choose the Volvo EC220D when your work needs deeper digging and a longer arm, when a much wider bucket range lets one machine handle light soil and heavy material on the same project, and when a more powerful engine helps on continuous bulk loading. Choose the JCB NXT 215LC when a larger fuel tank keeps you working through long shifts, when stronger arm force helps you pull through sticky or packed soil, when GPS and an AC cabin come as standard, and when a lower buying price protects your capital. So match the machine to your work: Volvo EC220D for deep digging and varied buckets, JCB NXT 215LC for long shifts, sticky soil and lower cost.