Ready to tell your old floor jack to “hit the road?” But unsure of which to replace it with?
In this article we’ve collected our top 8 best floor jacks for any garage – from 8-ton professional duty, to ultra-low profile racing jacks, or just the best bottle jack to send your kid to college with.
And don’t forget to check out our handy buyer’s guide for tips and features to watch out for.
Top Floor Jacks – Reviews
1. TCE ATZ830026XU Torin Hydraulic Ultra Low Profile Heavy Duty Steel Service/Floor Jack with Dual Piston Quick Lift Pump, 3 Ton (6,000 lb) Capacity, Blue
For a floor jack that can handle almost any of your vehicle lifting needs, look no further than Torin.
It’s low profile to fit under most cars, and the dual piston pump makes it easy to lift your vehicle quickly and smoothly. The robust, 3-ton strength will even lift SUVs and medium sized trucks.
You can trust in the quality and safety of this machine. It has safety features like overload protection, and incredibly durable, heavy-duty steel construction.
It’s moderately expensive, but a great deal for the versatility, durability, and 2-year warranty.
Specifications:
- Hydraulic racing floor jack
- 3-ton load capacity (6,000 lbs.)
- Lift range 3-1/8″ to 20″
- 2-year limited manufacturer warranty
Pros:
- Impressive lift range
- Exceptional safety features
- Quality construction
- Covered by warranty
- For small and medium vehicles
Cons:
- Over $200
2. Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack with Rapid Pump Quick Lift
Harbor Freight Tools has been dealing in quality tools for over 40 years. And this Pittsburgh 3-ton floor jack is a great example of the company’s values.
The high load capacity provides sufficient lift for a variety of vehicles and is supported by precision welded steel construction for superior strength and rust resistance.
They also made it easy to use with a dual parallel pump system that lifts your car higher with fewer pumps than the competition.
Sturdy, simple, and reasonably priced – an excellent floor jack for a variety of home garage lifting needs.
Specifications:
- Hydraulic floor jack
- 3-ton load capacity (6,000 lbs.)
- Maximum lift height of 19 ¾ inches
Pros:
- Under $200
- Impressive maximum height
- Quality construction
- For small and medium vehicles
Cons:
- Minimum height unlisted
3. OTC HDJ5P Air/Hydraulic Service Jack – 5 Ton
Looking for a professional floor jack that can handle even the biggest non-commercial vehicles? Owatoona Tool Company has you covered.
It’s highly durable, with rust resistant chrome plating designed for a long life of heavy duty work. And we love the huge list of safety features, including both overload and over-extension prevention.
This floor jack comes in at just over $800 though, which is prohibitively expensive for most home mechanics. But for auto shop startups or the serious truck nut you can’t get a sturdier, mobile lift.
Specifications:
- Professional grade, air assisted hydraulic floor jack
- 5-ton load capacity (10,000 lbs.)
- Appropriate for lifting bucket trucks, step vans and smaller vehicles
Pros:
- Superior safety features
- Quality construction
- For vehicles of any size
Cons:
- Prohibitively expensive for personal use
- Incredibly heavy
4. Pro-LifT F-2315PE Grey Hydraulic Trolley Jack Car Lift with Blow Molded Case-3000 LBS Capacity
This lighter duty floor jack makes an excellent choice for stowing in trunks. It comes in a handy stow-and-go case, weighs less than 20 pounds, and is priced under $40.
The rust resistant steel frame and 1.5-ton weight capacity make it a sturdy choice for any roadside emergency or light duty home lifting.
An easy to use budget choice for any new car.
Specifications:
- Hydraulic floor jack
- 3,000 lbs. load capacity
- Lift range from 5 ¼ to 12 inches
Pros:
- Very inexpensive
- Lightweight, portable
- Includes storage case
Cons:
- Not for low profile vehicles
- Not for medium to large vehicles
5. BIG RED T90803B Torin Hydraulic Welded Bottle Jack, 8 Ton (16,000 lb) Capacity, Red
Folks with higher profile vehicles seeking a more portable hydraulic jack will appreciate the Torin Big Red series. This pint-sized powerhouse can lift up to 8 tons, making it ideal for truck and SUV use.
The glide-action pressure pump features make it super easy to use in any setting. And it has alloyed steel construction, overload prevention features, and year warranty for peace of mind.
Though the bottle design doesn’t have the stability of a floor or scissor jack, Big Red is an excellent emergency trunk jack for larger vehicles that won’t strain your wallet.
Specifications:
- Hydraulic bottle jack
- 8-ton load capacity (16,000 lbs.)
- Lift range of 9 1/8 to 18 inches
- 1-year limited manufacturer warranty
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Durable construction
- Decent safety features
Cons:
- Less stable
- Not for low profile vehicles
6. BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Lift Jack Car Kit, 1.5 Ton (3,000 lb) Capacity, Red
Another great, inexpensive option from Torin is their lighter duty scissor jack.
The steel construction can easily lift smaller vehicles easily and stably on its wide base. It also weighs in at just under 8 pounds, making it the lightest floor jack on our list.
It is not an appropriate choice for larger vehicles, however, and the hand crank may prove difficult for older and differently abled users.
Specifications:
- Scissor lift jack
- 3,000 lbs. load capacity
- Lifting range of 4 1/8 to 15 1/8 inches
- 1-year limited manufacturer warranty
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Stable, extra wide base
- Collapsible, lightweight, maneuverable
Cons:
- More laborious than hydraulic
- Not for larger vehicles
7. PITTSBURGH 1.5 Ton Compact Aluminum Racing Jack with Rapid Pump
This aluminum racing jack is heavier than most light duty floor jacks but boasts the ability to lift to full capacity in under 4 pumps making it exceptionally easy to use.
Purchasers will want to keep an eye on the exact model they receive though, as many report receiving jacks with slightly different specifications.
Specifications:
- Hydraulic racing jack
- 3,000 lbs. load capacity
- Lifting range 3 3/8 to 14 ¾ inches
Pros:
- Low profile
- Very easy to use
- Good maneuverability
Cons:
- Distribution issues
- Not for larger vehicles
8. RhinoGear 11912ABMI RhinoRamps MAX Vehicle Ramp – Pair (16,000lb. GVW Capacity)
For those seeking the most stable way to lift the entire front or back of a vehicle, RhinoGear provides a great alternative to traditional floor jacks.
RhinoGear’s ramps are exceptionally safe and stable, and they are one of the only brands that exceeds P.A.L.D. (Portable Automotive Lifting Device) standards
However, we found the confusion of weight terminology unhelpful. Prospective buyers should be careful to choose based on their own vehicles GVW, and not mix up the listed weight with load capacity.
Specifications:
- Pair of resin vehicle ramp
- 4-ton load capacity (8,000 lbs.)
- 17-degree incline, 6.5 inches H x 10 inches W x 35 inches L, 1 to 2 inch lip
- CoreTRAC non-skid base
Pros:
- Extra wide, stable
- Great for low clearance
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Less versatile
- Moderately expensive for 4
- Confusing marketing specifications
Buyers Guide
Things to Consider Before Buying a Floor Jack
Rating and weight
What is your vehicle’s gross weight? Experts recommend choosing a floor jack with a load capacity of at least three quarters of the car’s GVW (gross vehicle weight).
That means 1.5-ton (3,000 lbs.) floor jacks can handle anything up to a 4,000-pound car.
Got a beefier vehicle like a 7,000-pound Suburban? Then you should shell out for a floor jack that can handle at least 3 tons.
Types of jacks
Hydraulic floor jacks, or standard floor jacks, are the most common type of jack for home repair. They use hydraulics and a long hand lever to lift a portion of your vehicle quickly and easily.
Most are on wheels, as they can be a bit heavy. They are less suited to roadside use. But this type requires little experience to operate and is very sturdy.
Bottle jacks are a much more compact jack that also works on hydraulics. Besides portability, the main differences are that this type can usually handle more weight and can lift higher.
They are great for roadside emergencies. However, the slim base makes them significantly less stable. Standard bottle jacks are also often too tall to use on very low riding vehicles.
Scissor jacks utilize a hand crank to lift vehicles rather than hydraulics. Due to the more laborious usage and the fact that they often have load capacities of 1-2 tons, they are better for lower weight cars.
The benefits of scissor jacks is that they are usually more stable, lighter weight, and less expensive than their hydraulic counterparts.
An alternative to floor jacks that lift the vehicle off the wheels are ramps designed to be backed up onto. They provide lift without having to purchase jack stands and a stable, simple solution.
But ramps are not effective for any work on tires or wheels. For a flat tire you need a standard, bottle, or scissor jack.
What work do you want to be able to get done on the vehicle?
Different jacks are appropriate for different situations. So, ask yourself “what do I want to be able to do with my floor jack?”
Perhaps you just need a compact floor jack for the odd roadside emergency. Bottle jacks and scissor jacks are often lighter duty, less expensive, and more portable.
Or maybe you’re looking for something that can lift your beastly truck up for regular home maintenance. In that case, a more expensive industrial or professional grade jack that will last may be the best choice.
Do’s and Don’ts When Lifting Your Car with a Floor Jack
Before you start a project,familiarize yourself with the process of using a floor jack to lift a car. Read the instructions, watch a Youtube video.
Though floor jacks are relatively easy to use, the consequences of misuse can be incredibly expensive or dangerous. The more you know about the process, the safer you and your vehicle will be.
Here’s a helpful article from Home Depot giving you a step-by-step guide on How to Use a Car Jack. For further information, read through the owner’s manual that came with your car, or look it up by make and model on YouTube.
And to help you stay as safe as possible, here are a few big no-no’s for using floor jacks to work on your car at home:
- Do not work under the vehicle while it is just on a floor jack – use jack stands
- Do not leave a car lifted on a floor jack for long periods – lifting and lowering or emergency situations only
- Do not use cinder blocks instead of jack stands – they can disintegrate
- Do not raise or lower the vehicle too quickly – you could damage your vehicle
Frequently Asked Questions
My floor jack is leaking/not lifting. Can I fix it myself?
Absolutely!
If you start to see a change in the speed or efficiency with which your hydraulic floor jack lifts and lowers, it’s likely that the hydraulic fluid needs topping off or replacing.
Before you take it to the jack repairman or toss it, check out this instructional video by Joseph Todd. He details the common issues you run into with hydraulic floor jacks and how to fix them yourself.
Can you use the same floor jack for multiple different vehicles?
Depending on the jack and the cars, yes.
When purchasing a jack for multiple cars always choose the load capacity based on the largest vehicle. That way, you’re safe to lift the heaviest and the lighter one won’t give you any trouble at all.
Further consideration should be paid to the vehicle height from the ground. A truck on big fat tires probably won’t get any help from a floor jack made for low profile racing cars.
Can you lift a car with passengers inside on a floor jack?
Yes. But should you? That depends on the passenger and the job needing to be done!
The main worry about lifting a car with passengers in it is the stability. If you need to change a tire in the rain but don’t want the kids getting wet, you’ll need to impress upon them how important it is to stay pretty darn still during the process.
But if you can trust your passengers to be still, it shouldn’t be an issue. In fact, for vehicles with an automatic transmission you can even leave the engine running while lifting the car without excessive danger.
It gets a bit more complicated with manual cars, but check out Click and Clack’s advice on that in this blog post on CarTalk.com.
Conclusion
Our top pick for all around best floor jack is the TCE Torin Hydraulic Ultra Low Floor Jack. It brings heavy duty lifting power with an easy-to-use design. And the 2-year warranty and safety features will protect you and your wallet from accidents or defects.
But for lighter duty needs in a pinch, check out the Pro-Lift F-2315PE. This small jack is great for keeping in the trunk or backseat and will please even the thriftiest of drivers.
Happy lifting!
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