Floor jacks are infinitely important for lifting cars and other heavy objects partially for repairs. As such, getting the right one is extremely important, since the opposite is something that can potentially be hazardous. As you would expect, there are a number of great manufacturers offering a wide variety of floor jacks of varying quality, operation, and price. Fortunately for you, we’ve done the legwork to find 5 of the best products on the market.
We’ve accounted for everything here as we bring you this review, including price, overall quality, and ease of use. Some of our options are premium, others are decent budget choices, though all of them will get the job done.Once you consider the importance of a great floor jack, it’s easy to understand why we’ve spared no expense in bringing this list to you, regardless of what you plan to use it for.
Best Floor Jack Comparison Chart
Top 5 Best Rated Floor Jacks – Reviews
1. Torin ‘Big Red’ Hydraulic Floor Jack – Best Value
Outside of possessing one of the best names in floor jacks, this Torin model happens to be one of the best value models on this list. Designed for most SUVs and sedans due to an extendable neck, the Big Red is generally maneuverable because of its 360-degree castors. The navigation is probably one of the biggest selling points, especially when you put it against other models in its class. In terms of clearance, obviously a huge selling point for efficiency, you’re rated to get 9 inches of clearance to get some good work done.
Coming in at a light forty-three pounds, you won’t have an issue moving it. If you’re in a shop or you fashion yourself as just a hobbyist, you won’t find it to be hard to go from place to place using it, making this a big plus. While it may not be the strongest jack on the market, it is rated for 3 tons, meaning that you should be able to comfortably lift most lighter SUVs and heavier sedans. The lifting range is from 5-7/8 inches to 17-1/4 inches.
However, one of the drawbacks is its durability. As such, it’s probably best suited for some light work, as opposed to more premium floor jacks that will give you more extensive and arduous work.All in all, you could make some much worse choices in a floor jack from a financial standpoint, though there are certainly more jacks on this list if you’re willing to open the wallet a little wider.
Pros
- One of the better budget models in the market
- Great clearance for SUVs and sedans
- Moves around easily
Cons
- Isn’t as durable as we’d like
2. Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack – Premium Choice
While the Torin product is definitely a more budget brand, specifically with the Big Red, Arcan is a company known for its higher-end products. The ALJ3T is another testament to their build quality, excellent features, and commitment to safety. There’s a lot to like about the ALJ3T, starting with its aircraft-grade aluminum. Surprisingly, this makes the floor jack both heavy-duty and very light. Coming in just over ten pounds heavier than the Torin, it’s incredible how much the ALJ3T can get done.
It features dual pump pistons that perform by raising the floor jack saddle to take on the load. This makes the floor jack as quick as it is safe and stable. The stability is fortified by heavy-duty rubber grips that keep your car from any unneeded movement. What really makes this product shine is the reinforced lift arm. It’s designed to increase strength, added durability, and chassis torsion control. All of these additions give the user an element of fluidity and control over the machine.
This is in addition to the side mount handle, constructed to provide more convenient jack positioning, giving you even more control over the jack and the vehicle while it’s mounted. Of course, this is a strong floor jack here, though they do have some decent safety standards. The 3-ton quick rise jack also prevents over-extension and is rated beyond its capacity. Furthermore, the company goes the extra mile in that it complies with the ASME PASE-2014 safety standard. The company states that they go through a rigorous and vigorous safety process for extra peace of mind for its users.
Pros
- Protective coating to prevent car scratching
- Very lightweight
- Aircraft-grade aluminum
- Quick lift via dual pistons
- Rigorous safety standards
- Easy to store
Cons
- You’re paying premium prices
3. Pittsburgh Automotive Steel Car Jack
Pittsburgh Automotive is a solid company that makes solid floor jacks. They’re not always one of the flashiest companies out there, but they certainly get the job done. This particular jack is a 3-ton, rated for trucks and SUVs, though it can also be used for sedans. While it doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, this jack is tough and precision welded. It possesses an industrial-grade finish that may not exactly pop aesthetically, it does most definitely look sturdy and ready to take on whatever you happen to throw at it.
It features what they consider Rapid Pump. This is a proprietary dual-parallel pump system that is designed to lift a car with significantly fewer pumps than many others on the market. We’re also appreciative of the extra-wide wheel castors. This allows for a lot more stability when you’re jacking the vehicle, and this is helped along by the universal joint release. This provides more precise load control in any position that you lift the vehicle.
As earlier stated, this is a floor jack that is essentially built to do the job without a lot of the features that other jacks out there. However, it is one that will consistently get the job done without much fuss. It’s rugged, rough and tumble, and won’t particularly break the bank while doing so. One of the only complaints is that it may be a bit too rugged for some, as people have reported that it may scratch the underside of a vehicle. Of course, this is an anecdote put forth by a few people who have used the product, so these results shouldn’t be considered typical.
Pros
- Great for heavy-duty vehicles
- Great value for the money
- A compact option
Cons
- Isn’t very light
- Could be too rugged for some
4. Liftmaster Low Profile Steel Floor Jack
Liftmaster makes some decent jacks, and they’re considered a mainstay in the industry, They make a fair amount of products that are usually well-received, so you probably can’t go wrong with using one of their products. This is one of those products. One of the first things that you’ll notice about this jack is that it sits low to the ground, specifically 3-inches which makes this a fantastic choice for lowered vehicles. Many jacks can handle lowered vehicles, but it’s always preferable to have a jack that is specifically designed for that purpose.
It’s also all solid steel construction, so you won’t have to worry about its durability. The design choice to have several wheels is celebrated because it makes it a breeze to move around. We also like the fact that it has a lift capability of 3-tons. While basically all jacks on this list can do that, it’s not always expected for a jack that sits so low to the ground, or at least one that can specialize in it.
Capable of lifting trucks, SUVs, and sedans, the Lift master product boasts a dual pump system that reduces the effort needed to lift the car to a manageable height.It also protects the car being lifted through the use of a foam bumper, including a two-piece knurled steel handle that assures that you always have a steady grip on the handle. Lastly, it isn’t an expensive option if the price happens to be your chief concern.
Pros
- Low-profile design
- Very durable
- Foam bumpers to protect your car
Cons
- Wheels may be a tad on the fragile side
5. Blackhawk B6350 Floor Jack – Best Overall
The Blackhawk B6350 floor jack is probably one of the best overall jacks that we’ll have on this list. It simply does everything well, especially when it comes to its ability to its sheer durability in its construction. It’s created with heavy steel, meaning that it will admirably perform and take plenty of knocks without being structurally compromised. Of course, with it being so sound, you’re going to get some extra weight. This tool is 85 pounds and it feels as much.
However, it’s a quick jack that won’t take up too much space in your garage. The wheels help it out a lot to move and get the job done, so as long as you’re not picking it up and lugging it around, you won’t find it difficult. The wheels are also well-made. As you’d expect, this jack can lift heavy with its 3.5-ton lifting capacity. It’s also quick to lift anything that you’d need, regardless of its a sedan, truck, or SUV due to a unique design that reduces effort and maximizes efficiency. We also like their safety measures, and the Blackhawk B6350 features a bypass system that’s designed to reduce normally damage associated with over-pumping.
Another safety precaution worth praise is the internal safety valve and vent plug to that allows the floor jack to work without any other common floor jacking issues. You won’t really go wrong with a jack that has this level of quality. One of the only hangups about this jack, much like the Arcan product, is the price. While it won’t break the bank, it may not be one for those who are generally looking for budget models. That said, this will work well in most garages regardless of what you may need it to do.
Pros
- Wheels make it very easy to move
- It can work with a variety of different vehicles
- Built solidly and performs that way
Cons
- It’s a heavy jack
- It can be a bit on the pricey side
How To Select A Best Floor Jack
If you’re going to buy a floor jack, there are some things that you should know. We’re going to break down some of the common things that you should look out for.
- Weight Rating
Understand that there’s no one size fits all when it comes to jacks. If you have a truck or an SUV, you probably should only get jacks that are rated for them, not jacks designed for sedans. Of course, you have the ability to buy accessories that may help out in that front.
If you need a jack with a higher lift capacity, you’ll probably end up paying more. If you own a car of an average weight, you’ll save some money by buying one that is accurately rated for your vehicle.Understanding the curb rating for your vehicle is easily the most important thing to determine before you buy a floor jack.
- Jack Stands
While floor jacks are great at what they do, they cannot support the weight of your car alone without the use of jack stands. You should know that even if you spend a lot of money on the jack itself, you won’t find that jack stands themselves are expensive.
- Stability
As you’d expect, stability is the most important thing if you’re going to operate a jack successfully. It’s obvious why that may be the case. In any event, you should know that jacks are made out of different things. At current, we’ve found that most manufacturers like to use cast aluminum, steel, or iron. All three of these are fantastic choices depending on your needs, but cast steel or iron are considered to be the most durable and are used in many garages around the world.
Be sure that you understand what you’re going to be using the jack for before you choose the material used to create the floor jack.
- Intent
This brings us to our next point – the purpose of using the jack. If you’re going to be doing routine maintenance such as changing your oil or replacing a tire, you can get away with many standard floor jacks made by decent companies.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be a bit more comprehensive in your auto repair, you may want to go for the heavy-duty variety.Safety is always key when you’re repairing or replacing someone on your vehicle, so be sure that you’re only using tools reflective of their purpose.
- Storage
It may not seem like it at first, but storage is hugely important when you’re considering a jack. Jacks are known to be heavy and sometimes unwieldy. They can also sprawl a little bit and take up some space that’s nothing short of annoying.
It’s for this reason that it’s important to look at whether or not they have wheels, how they move, and their overall quality. Grips are also important if you’re moving it from space to space, otherwise, you’ll find that you’re expending much more effort than need be.
- Price Point
Generally, price doesn’t mean much in many facets of life. Floor jacks seem to be much different. Jacks that cost more money usually mean that the company has put more research and development money into making you safer, the jacks stronger, and more reliable.
Floor jacks take on a lot of weight and it’s because of this wear and tear that you shouldn’t skimp out on a jack. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself replacing it with a better one sooner than you’d think.
Conclusion
Floor jacks are hugely important if you’re a car guy. After all, there isn’t a more reliable way to lift your vehicle should you want to repair or replace anything that may go wrong with it. Fortunately, there are more than enough jacks on the market to easily satisfy anyone who wants one, whether it’s for a car, truck, or SUV. All in all, it’s important to assure that you have a best floor jack that supports your car’s weight, your intent for the jack, and the stability that it can provide.
Be sure to only insist on jacks that aren’t budget jacks from fly-by-night companies, as you want to assure that you and your vehicle are safe. If at all possible, balance price and effectiveness by these found on this list. The ones found here are more than sufficient options and should provide you good work for as long as you need them.
