Best Car Jacks For All Lifting Needs – Buying Guide

Whether you are a professional mechanic or into DIY. The Best Car Jacks is a must-have. There are many factors which determine what Car Jack is Best for you.

The packaging, materials it’s made of, capacity, and others are important things to consider when shopping for one.

With great jacks comes great responsibility so, regardless of the application, make sure to follow safe operating procedures, such a jacking the car only on even ground and stabilizing it.

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If you live the DIY life, it’s pretty likely that you’ll be getting under your car at some point. While several maintenance tasks can be accomplished without accessing the vehicle undercarriage or chassis, things like:

• Oil changes,
• Wheel and tire replacements,
• Transmission repairs, and
• Exhaust work often require being underneath your car.

Mechanics and tuners have the luxury of purpose-built work pits and powered lifts, but if you’re doing work at home, you’re going to need car jacks.

Car jacks are lifting devices that raise your vehicle, either by purely mechanical means, electric power, or hydraulic power.

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Jacks come in three main forms: scissor, bottle, and floor, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks, with specific weight limits for each piece.

They’re available at a variety of price points. Just like spare tires, some vehicles come with a jack and some don’t.

Fortunately, there are countless examples on the market. We’re here to break down everything you need to know about these clever and extremely practical tools.

Before you hit the road, Jack, let us answer your car jack-related questions, and recommend a few of our favorites.

Did You Know?

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If you are looking for a good portable car jack, this one will do you nicely. Torin’s scissor jack is ideal for emergency situations and is so easy to store, it may have come with the car as standard.

It boasts a rugged steel construction and a maximum lift of 15.4 inches (39 cm). It also has a capacity of 1.5 tons, which makes it ideal for all compact vehicles, but not ideal for anything bigger than that.

Its large base allows for safely rising the vehicle and at 7.7 pounds (3.5 kg) it’s very light and easy to carry.

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2. Generic 32 Tonnes Hydraulic Car Jack – Red

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High quality car jacks that lifts any type of car upto  32 TONNES per axle.

Very effifient and easy to operate.

Made with hardened metal to make sure it withstand the vehicle weight comfortably.

Great tool to lift your car during repairs or wheel changes.

Suitable for small and medium sized vehicles. Such as: Cars, Buick, Santana, Vietnam and other vehicles.

Before Use
1. Check before each use for abnormal conditions such as cracked welds, leaks, damaged, loose or missing parts.
2. Inspect the jack immediately if lift is believed to have been subjected to an abnormal load or shock.
3. If the jack is found to be damaged, it should be removed from service until properly repaired.

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Torin’s portfolio is not limited to small portable scissor jacks only. The T83006 Hydraulic floor jack is on the other end of the product spectrum.

It has a 6,000-pound capacity and an additional detachable saddle, which makes it easier to use on high-clearance vehicles.

Without the additional saddle, its lift range is between 6 and 21 inches (15.2 – 53.3 cm). The extended saddle adds nearly 4 inches (10 cm) for a minimum lift of almost 10 inches (25.4 cm)

The floor jack also features a handle with a built-in wrench for lowering the jack, as well as a side-handle for easier storage. Its 31.3-pound (14.2 kg) weight makes it one of our lighter entries.

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4. Pittsburgh Automotive Heavy Duty 3 Ton – Best Car Jacks

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One of the best value for money on the list, the Pittsburgh Heavy Duty 3 Ton offers many qualities looked for in a hydraulic lift.

It’s a 3-ton floor jack, which makes it ideal for light cars, SUVs, and trucks. Another feature that makes it a strong contender for the best car jack is its dual-piston pump, which makes for a quick raise.

The wide steel wheels add extra stability even at the maximum lift height of almost 20 inches (51.2 cm).

At the same time, this is one of the best low-profile car jacks. At just over 2.8 inches (7.1 cm) it’s also ideal for track cars. However, at 74 pounds (33.5 kg) it’s one of the heaviest on this list.

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5. Pittburgh Compact Aluminum Racing Car Jack

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If you are after something more compact and lightweight, Pittsburgh has another solution for you.

Although it’s 1.5-ton capacity makes it less than ideal for anything other than a compact car, the floor jack is easy to store and lightweight. It’s made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which also makes it sturdy, despite the weight of just 40 pounds (18 kg).

Like the previous entry, it has a dual-piston pump, which makes raising a vehicle significantly quicker.

The maximum lift of just 15 inches (38 cm) is also a bit lower than other entries, which makes the car jack less than ideal even for some of the compact crossovers.

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6. Arcan XL2-T 2 Ton Low Profile High Lift

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Considered to be one of the best low profile, Arcan’s XL2-T is also a great all-rounder. Its 2-ton capacity makes it ideal for most cars and compact SUVs.

What makes this floor jack unique is the 32-inch (81.3 cm) reach, which makes it by far the easiest to get under a car and reach a cross-member.

Most jacks are incapable of that since their profile gets much taller only a few inches past the saddle pad.

Arcan’s product is also quite flexible, as it has an impressive lift range. It starts from 2.75 inches (7 cm) and can be raised to as much as 24 inches (61 cm).

Moreover, thanks to the dual-piston pump, it can do so quicker than most. This makes it ideal for low vehicles as well as most SUVs.

Provided they weigh no more than 4,000 pounds (2 tons). At 97 pounds (44 kg) it’s also the heaviest on our list.

Key Considerations – Best Car Jacks

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Types

Jacks fall in three main categories:

• Scissor,
• Floor, and
• Bottle.

1. Scissor Jacks:

Basic scissor jacks are purely mechanical, using large jackscrews and an expanding design to lift heavy vehicles by manual force alone.

Some versions are electric, however, or utilize a power drill for quick operation. As the user twists the jackscrew, the force is amplified by the tool through leverage.

Scissor jacks work more slowly than hydraulic options, but they’re extremely lightweight and compact for in-car storage. For the most part, scissor jacks are used to change flat tires and do other quick jobs.

2. Floor Jack:

Floor jacks, or trolley jacks, are almost always hydraulic. This means that with each pump of the handle, an oil-filled reservoir places pressure on a cylinder that pushes the vehicle upward.

These jacks are larger and heavier than scissor jacks, and they work more rapidly. Also, their flat, rolling design facilitates speedy placement and storage.

3. Bottle Jacks:

 Bottle jacks are generally also hydraulic and extremely versatile. While one isn’t as easily slid into place as a floor jack on casters, these jacks are compact, can lift heavy weights, and feature a wide base for extra stability.

They can even be used sideways for other non-vehicular construction projects, but they aren’t your best bet for cars with low ground clearance.

Weight Limit – Best Car Jacks

The weight limit of car jacks can vary widely depending on the manufacturer, jack type, and designated use. Always avoid guessing and check the manufacturer’s rating to know exactly how much weight your jack can handle.

Scissor jacks are small in profile and intuitive to use, but the stamped-metal units included with your spare tire often max out at 1 to 2 tons.

Floor jacks can usually handle significantly more weight, with bottle jacks being the strongest. Keep in mind that your car jack doesn’t need to lift your entire car, but its weight limit should always comfortably exceed the weight of the axle you’re working on.

Height – Best Car Jacks

While safety and stability are your primary concerns when using a car jack, it certainly helps if the tool can fit comfortably beneath your vehicle.

For most drivers, this isn’t a major worry because consumer vehicles boast plenty of ground clearance to fit scissor, floor, and bottle jacks.

Low-slung sports cars or modified vehicles are a different story. For these, confirm that your chosen jack’s minimum height rating is lower than your vehicle’s ground clearance, remembering that scissor jacks have the lowest profile.

Also, make sure the jack’s maximum lift height is sufficient for the work you plan to do.

Accessories – Best Car Jacks

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1.Wrench Set

Craftsman Wrench Set

Conquer every nut and bolt your car has to offer with a quality wrench set. Craftman’s 20-piece set affords you outstanding flexibility, and the wrenches ratchet reliably.  

2. Wheel Chocks

Hopkins FloTool Wheel Chocks

Prevent your vehicle from rolling off your jack and jack stand with wheel chocks. We like this two-pack from Hopkins because the heavy-duty resin construction grips well.

The units are stackable, and they’re affordably priced.

3. Jack stand

Torin Big Red Jack Stands
Add an extra layer of safety and security with a sturdy jack or axle stand. Torin’s Big Red set comes with two 6,000-pound stands, each of which is double locking with a height range from 11.25 to 16.75 inches.

Car Jack Prizes – Best Car Jacks

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1. Inexpensive: 

Entry-level car jacks cost around $30 to $70. These are typically stamped metal scissor jacks with a relatively low weight limit, but they are more than sufficient for changing tires or wheels or inspecting the frame. You may also find electric scissor jacks and inexpensive hydraulic jacks at this price point.

2. Mid-Range:

You’ll spend $150 or so for a high-quality scissor jack with a surprisingly high weight rating.

You can also find solid bottle jacks in this category, as well as some floor jacks. On the whole, these products are a bit more refined, with soft rubber handles and easy-to-use adjustment valves.

3. Expensive:

At the top of the range, expect to shell out $300 or more for commercial-quality floor and bottle jacks with the best weight ratings and ergonomics. Outliers like pneumatic jacks, electronically powered jacks, and tools with extreme weight limits can be found here as well.

Tips – Best Car Jacks

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• Drive Your Vehicle To Level Ground, Put It In Park, And Put On The Emergency Brake. Do this before using a jack of any kind. If it has a manual transmission, put the car in first gear to prevent it from rolling backward. Place wheel chocks both in front and behind the wheels that stay on the ground.
• Jack The Car Up Gradually. Alternate between sides if you need to raise the entire front or rear of the vehicle. Monitor the jack heights to keep them even. When the vehicle is at your desired height, lock the jack in place with the designated pin or pawl, if applicable.
• Use a Jack Stand or Axle Stand as a Safeguard in Case The Jack Fails. If there is no room on the designated jack point, place the jack stand under a reinforced part of the frame or axle. A diagram of secure jack points can be found in your owner’s manual.
• Never Solely Use Wood or Cinder Blocks in Place of Jack Stands. Wood and cinder blocks can break, splinter, or crumble under heavy weight, and that presents massive safety issues. You may use wood or cinder blocks as additional reinforcements along with jack stands.
• Work With a Friend. Always have help any time you’re underneath a vehicle. Not only can they help if something goes wrong, but they can also hand you tools and parts for uninterrupted work.

FAQ – Best Car Jacks

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1. What Is The Best Car Jack?

For emergencies such as flat tires, Torin’s scissor jack is the simplest solution.

For more serious interventions, you’ll be better off with the Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton jack. As it has the capacity and can fit under just about anything.

2. What Floor Jack Is Best For A 3600-Pound Car?

Pretty much anything that has a 3,600-pound capacity. The rest depends on the ground clearance of the vehicle. In this case, the Craftsman 2.5 Ton jack is a good all-rounder.

3. Best Jack For Pickup Trucks?

Definitely the Hi-Lift Jack XT485 48-Inch Hi-Lift X-TREME Jack. It’s highly-versatile and made specifically for off-roaders.

4. Are Hydraulic Jacks Safe? Best Car Jacks

There’s no such thing as absolutely safe. Usually, hydraulic jacks come with detailed instructions on how to use and maintain them properly.

5. Do I Need Jack Stands For My Floor Jack?

Jack stands are necessary to carry the brunt of the load. If you are relying solely on the jack, you are risking a mechanical or hydraulic failure, which may result in potential injuries.

6. How Can I Find The Safe Jack Points On My Vehicle? Best Car Jacks

You can’t just place car jacks anywhere you like under a vehicle. They must be placed at properly reinforced jack points for safe use.

These jack points are generally located under the vehicle’s rocker panels, behind the front wheels and ahead of the rear ones.

However, your owner’s manual will list the specific points with helpful diagrams, along with the proper raising procedures.

If you don’t have your manual, one can be purchased from your dealer or usually found for free online. Some vehicles permit the placing of car jacks on the axles, but always confirm with an official source before doing this.

7. How Do I Determine How Much Vehicle Weight Will Be Placed On Each Jack?

It may be confusing to determine how much weight will be on each jack and jack stand because you may not know your vehicle weight or how it’s distributed.

What you really need to know is your vehicle’s weight per axle, because a jack can only lift one side of a car at a time.

You can find this information in your owner’s manual, online, or on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb.

So long as the axle weight doesn’t exceed your jack’s maximum weight limit, you’re ready to begin work (assuming you haven’t made drastic modifications to your vehicle, of course). With that said, the higher a jack’s weight limit the better.

8. How Do I Safely Lower My Vehicle When The Work is Done? Best Car Jacks

To bring your ride back down to earth, remove the jack stands, blocks, spare wheels, or whatever else you have bracing the vehicle from underneath.

Don’t forget to retrieve all your tools and supplies as well. Reinstall any wheels, tightening the lug nuts by hand. Slowly lower your car by reversing the process you used to raise it.

Then, once the vehicle is safely on the ground, fully tighten the wheel’s lug nuts with a wrench. Release the emergency brake to remove excess tension before either securing it again or going for a drive to test your handiwork.

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