Best Car Jacks: Lift Your Ride Quickly and Safely

These dependable and reliable car jacks make lifting your vehicle a cinch.

byLisa Conant|
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BYLisa Conant/ LAST UPDATED ON August 16, 2023

When you’ve got a job that requires lifting your car off the ground, you want a jack that’s not only strong but will let you lift with confidence, especially if you’re planning to climb underneath it. If you’re planning to rotate your tires, change a flat or your brake pads, or perform any other DIY car repair that involves accessing underneath your car, it’s important to have a jack handy. 


Even if you’re not big into doing your own car repairs, you should still have a car jack for emergencies or occasional use. There is an abundance of choices when it comes to purchasing a jack for your car. I’ve done much of the leg work for you and came up with a list of my favorites.

Best Overall
LiftMaster 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack

LiftMaster 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack

Summary
This rugged alloy steel floor jack is corrosion-resistant and features an ultra low-profile of three inches, making it a great option for vehicles with low clearance.
Pros
  • Plenty of lift range
  • Heavy-duty alloy steel construction
  • Dual pump quick-lift hydraulic for easy raising and lowering
Cons
  • A little pricey
  • Rear wheels can sometimes stick when rolling
Best Value

Big Red Torin Steel Scissor Lift Jack

Summary
For a surprisingly low price point, you can get a very rugged jack that offers a respectable 1.5-ton capacity.
Pros
  • Super affordable
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Extra-wide base for added stability
Cons
  • Can shake a little when lowering the vehicle
  • Not the best option for larger or heavier vehicles
Honorable Mention

Torin Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack Combo

Summary
This is a well-priced and durable combo set that includes one floor jack and two jack stands, giving you a versatile and well-rounded kit that’s suitable for lifting and supporting most cars.
Pros
  • Affordable three-piece kit
  • Can be used in a variety of ways on a variety of vehicles
  • Meets ASME safety standards
Cons
  • Limited lifting range isn’t suitable for taller vehicles
  • Limited two-year warranty isn’t the best

Summary List

Our Methodology

When it comes to choosing the best car jacks, I wanted to provide you with a well-rounded list that features a good variety of reputable manufacturers with solid track records of providing high-quality, reliable products. I included a range of price points to suit any budget. I also focused on car jacks that have a history of gleaning plenty of positive reviews from real-life users. For more information on the selection criteria, click this link to The Drive’s Gear About page, which explains our methodology further.

Best Car Jacks: Reviews & Recommendations

Specs

  • Max. Height: 3 inches
  • Min. Height: 20 inches
  • Load Capacity: 6,000 pounds

Pros

  • Plenty of lift range
  • Heavy-duty alloy steel construction
  • Dual pump quick-lift hydraulic for easy raising and lowering

Cons

  • A little pricey
  • Rear wheels can sometimes stick when rolling

In terms of the best overall lifting capacity, range, durability, and dependability, my top overall pick has to be the LiftMaster 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack. This rugged alloy steel floor jack is corrosion-resistant and features an ultra low-profile of three inches, making it a great option for vehicles with low clearance. It can lift up to 20 inches, also making it a good choice for small trucks and SUVs. With a maximum weight capacity of three tons, this jack is suitable for most regular vehicles.

It’s equipped with a strengthened rubber pad for confident traction and extra grip on your car during use. You also get a dual-pump quick-lift hydraulic system and a two-piece handle that’s quick and easy to remove for compact storage. The drawback? This jack is a little on the pricier side. The rear wheels also lose some love for not rolling as smoothly as some other models on the market.

Specs

  • Max. Height: 15 1/8 inches
  • Min. Height: 4 1/8 inches
  • Load Capacity: 3,000 pounds

Pros

  • Super affordable
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Extra-wide base for added stability

Cons

  • Can shake a little when lowering the vehicle
  • Not the best option for larger or heavier vehicles

Affordability and reliability are the name of the game with the Big Red Torin Steel Scissor Lift Jack. For a surprisingly low price point, you can get a very rugged jack that offers a respectable 1.5-ton capacity. This drop forged alloyed steel jack features a bright, heavy-duty powder coating which makes it extra corrosion-resistant. Its compact design makes it a great choice for either emergency use in the back of your trunk or for everyday lifting needs in your garage.

It’s got a good lifting range of 4 1/8 to 15 1/8 inches, making it suitable for a wide range of vehicle makes and models. It’s also equipped with an extra-wide base for added stability, but be sure to place it on an even work surface to minimize the risk of tipping or sliding during use. The addition of a rubberized pad to add grip would be a nice touch here. The one-piece handle lets you quickly raise or lower the jack with confidence. However, it should be noted that sometimes the jack’s screw mechanism can be a little jittery when lowering your vehicle.

Specs

  • Max. Height: 13 3/8 inches
  • Min. Height: 5 1/4 inches
  • Load Capacity: 4,000 pounds

Pros

  • Affordable three-piece kit
  • Can be used in a variety of ways on a variety of vehicles
  • Meets ASME safety standards

Cons

  • Limited lifting range isn’t suitable for taller vehicles
  • Limited two-year warranty isn’t the best

The Torin Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack Combo gets a nod for being a well-priced and durable combo set that includes one floor jack and two jack stands, giving you a versatile and well-rounded kit that’s suitable for lifting and supporting most cars. Constructed from heavy-duty, powder-coated steel, this set is sure to provide reliable and safe lifting of your car for years to come. The floor jack offers a respectable two-ton lifting capacity.

The floor jack is also equipped with two rugged steel casters and two 360-degree swivel casters for smooth and easy maneuvering in tight spaces. It also features a safety bypass system that helps prevent overloading and allows for safe operation. The jack stands themselves offer a height range from 10 13/16 to 16 9/16 inches with a large saddle surface area for increased contact with your vehicle. This is a great kit for many cars, but it does have its limitations. The lift range goes from 5 1/4 to 13 3/8 inches, which isn’t the lowest profile or the highest lift range on the list.

Specs

  • Max. Height: 21 inches
  • Min. Height: 11 inches
  • Load Capacity: 6,000 pounds

Pros

  • Easy to lift hydraulic jack and jack stand all in one
  • Higher lifting range is great for trucks and SUVs
  • Wide base adds extra stability

Cons

  • Minimal one-year warranty
  • May leak hydraulic oil occasionally

A bottle jack is a great option for lifting trucks and SUVs that often have higher ground clearance than cars, and one of the best bottle jacks you can buy has to be the Powerbuilt 3 Ton Bottle Jack and Jack Stands in One. This is a decently priced, high-caliber car jack that also acts as a jack stand in one compact and convenient setup. It features a lifting range of 11 to 21 inches and with a three-ton lifting capacity, this jack will get almost any vehicle off the ground.

This is also a suitable option for many RVs and trailers. The built-in ratcheting safety bar is rugged and holds your vehicle securely. The generously wide base makes this jack ideal for off-road use, adding plenty of stability and preventing the jack from sinking into softer ground like some others tend to do. It would be nice if this jack was covered by a warranty that was longer than the one-year factory warranty, since this jack can be known to have issues with leaking hydraulic oil from time to time.

Specs

  • Max. Height: 17 1/2 inches
  • Min. Height: 5 1/2 inches
  • Load Capacity: 4,000 pounds

Pros

  • Can lift multiple types of vehicles
  • Features tie-down loops for securing loads
  • Extra-wide wheel base adds stability

Cons

  • Drops the load quickly and heavily if you’re not careful
  • Pricey and heavy compared to some other options

The Powerbuilt 2 Ton Triple Lift Floor Jack deserves some attention for being a cleverly designed car jack that is suitable for lifting multiple vehicles, including trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, ATVs, lawnmowers, snowmobiles, and more, making it one of the most versatile jacks on the market. In fact, it may be the only jack you ever need to buy. It features a patented design that allows it to lift from 5 1/2 inches with the round saddle removed, up to 17 1/2 inches with it replaced.

This jack offers a two-ton capacity, which is plenty for most household vehicles and toys. It’s been certified to meet or exceed multiple safety standards, including ASME, ANSI, and PALD, so you can rest assured it will lift with safety and confidence. The extra-wide wheelbase gives you improved stability over most standard floor jacks. It even comes with built-in tie-down loops that allow you to secure the load for added safety. It is heavier, less portable, and pricier than many other jacks on the market, though. The jack also tends to release the load very heavily if you’re not super slow and careful during lowering.

Our Verdict on Car Jacks

When it comes to the best overall lifting capacity, range, durability, and dependability, my top overall pick has to be the LiftMaster 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack. It’s a rugged and dependable floor jack that’s ideal for most everyday applications. For a compact and budget-friendly choice, check out the Big Red Torin Steel Scissor Lift Jack. This super affordable option is great for keeping in your garage and it’s also compact enough to store in your trunk for emergency use.

FAQs 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

Q: What are the different types of car jacks?

A: The most common car jacks are floor jacks, scissor jacks, or bottle jacks. Floor jacks are also known as trolley jacks. They’re great for use inside your garage since they’re large and roll on wheels or metal casters. They’re also the priciest of the options. Scissor jacks are easy-to-use, budget-friendly, and compact manual-lifting jacks that are great for everyday or emergency use. Lastly, bottle jacks are compact hydraulic jacks that can be great for indoor or off-road use on a wide variety of vehicles.

Q: How much does a car jack cost?

A: You can get a reliable, compact, yet rugged scissor or floor jack for as little as $20 to $50. Most bottle jacks, low-profile jacks, and some floor jacks can be purchased for $75 to 150. If you’re looking for a more heavy-duty jack that offers more lifting height or weight capacity and plenty of safety features, be prepared to spend upwards of $200.

Q: Is a floor jack with a long pump handle the best?

A: A floor jack with a long pump handle gives you the convenience of not having to get on the ground to pump up the jack. While these are usually the more rugged, heavy-duty choice, depending on your needs, they might not be the best. If you’re stuck out in the wilderness or on the side of the road with a flat, you’ll want a compact, easy-to-use bottle or scissor jack that doesn’t weigh 50 pounds.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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