Best Floor Jack Reviews

If you’re on the lookout for the best floor jack to suit your needs then you have come to the right place. In this buying guide we’ve reviewed all the best floor jacks on the market with real opinions from people who have bought them and use them on a daily basis.

In the buying guide we cover all the need-to-know information about floor jacks. We discuss the different types like scissor, piston and trolley jacks. We talk about the pros and cons of each, the different weights they can handle and the type work each floor jack is best suited for.

Best Floor Jack (Comparison Table)

Picture	Name	Price	Our Rating Out Of 5	Material	Maximum Lift Height	Lifting Capacity	Warranty
	Hi-Lift Jack XT485	$$$	4.6	Unspecified Cast Material	48 Inches	Rated Capacity: 2.33 Tons Tested Capacity: 3.5 Tons	One Year
	USATNM 3 ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack	$$	4.5	Steel	18 ¼ Inches	3 Tons	Unspecified
	Powerzone 380044	$$$$	4.7	Aluminum and Steel	18 ¼ Inches	3 Tons	Two Years
	Torin T10152 Scissor Jack	$	4.3	Steel	15 3/8 Inches	1.5 Tons	One Year Limited
	Arcan ALJ3T	$$$$	4.8	Aluminum	19 ¼ Inches	3 Tons	One Year Limited
	OTC 1512 Stinger	$$$$$	4.5	Steel	26 Inches	20 Tons	Lifetime
	Arcan XL2T	$$$$	4.6	Steel	24 Inches	2 Tons	One Year Limited
	Powerbuilt 640912	$$	4.4	Steel	21 Inches	3 Tons	One Year
	Compact Aluminum Racing Jack with Rapid Pump	$$	4.4	Aluminum	14 ¾ Inches	1.5 Tons	Unspecified
	NOS NSJ0301 3-Ton Aluminum Service Jack	$$$$	4.7	Aluminum	18 ¼ Inches	3 Tons	One Year Limited

If you are a professional mechanic or have done occasional repairs on your cars, you already know the importance of having the right tools for the job. Not only will they make your work easier, they will also prevent avoidable accidents and keep you and your prized four wheeled possessions safe.

One tool that will really help you out is a floor jack. Also known as a car jack, auto jack or garage jack. Floor jacks are mechanical tools that give you the ability to lift really heavy weights, usually cars, bikes and trucks, through the use of mechanisms like hydraulics or lead screws.

Although using a floor jack offers some safety, if you choose the wrong jack for the job you could be putting yourself at serious risk. This guide will help you find the best floor jack to fit your needs whether you’re a professional mechanic or a home garage part-timer.

Best Floor Jack For High Lifting

Hi-Lift Jack XT485

First on our list is the Hi-Lift Jack XT485, a floor jack with the rated lifting capacity of 2.3 US tons and a tested lifting capacity of up to 3.5 US tons at a maximum height of 48 inches.

Despite this capacity, this floor jack retains portability and ease of use. It features a charcoal/metallic powder-coat finish and gold zinc-coated hardware and handle. It is marketed as the perfect fit for demanding situations and uses.

This Hi-Lift floor jack delivers on its promise of easy usage. Users were surprised at how they managed to lift fences buried deep in the ground with little effort.

Owners of the Hi-Lift also liked how versatile it is being great for trail work, farm work and pulling posts aside from automobile use. And although, the jack’s base didn’t seem stable they found that it actually makes it easy on the equipment because the jack leans in to lift rather pulling the load to it.

Best Floor Jack For The Money

USATNM 3-ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack

For those of you on a budget, you might want to check this next floor jack. Produced by USATNM, this jack has a lifting capacity of three tons at a range of 5 inches to 18 ¼ inches in height.

Its main feature is its rapid pump which enables the user to lift loads in just three and a half pumps. Its body is made out of all-welded steel and its two piece handle is made of aluminum for sure grip. All these features come in for one of the lowest prices on the list.

This floor jack received positive reviews from users. They loved the tool’s heavy duty and sturdy built and described it as the type of jack grandpa would have handed down to his grandkids given its solid construction which they predict will last them years or even generations of use.

However, some users complain of the jack being quite heavy making it difficult to lift in and out of the toolbox.

Best 3 Ton Floor Jack

Powerzone 380044 Garage Jack

The Powerzone 380044 is a 3 ton floor jack made of both aluminum and steel. It is capable of lifting a maximum load of three tons at a maximum height of 18 ¼ inches.

It features a quick lifting hydraulic system which will definitely save you time on the job. It is also equipped with a safety valve in order to avoid overloading beyond the jack’s capacity. Another nice feature is rear wheels which swivel for easy positioning.

A common problem kept appearing among user reviews. It seems that there is a problem with the jack’s bolt integrity. They described the bolt as being low quality though the jack still held in the end.

However, there are still users who liked this jack, mostly home users who are happy to not be paying shops to do repairs on their vehicles. And despite the bolt problem, users thought that the rest of the jack is made pretty sturdily.

Best Cheap Floor Jack

Torin T10152 Scissor Jack

Another budget-friendly floor jack is the Torin T10152. This is a scissor-type jack and has the capacity to lift loads of up to 1.5 tons at a maximum height of 15 3/8 inches.

It is made out of alloyed steel with a heavy duty steel frame and saddle. It is also coated with protective, high impact-resistant coating which helps to protect the tool from rust.

It also has a base that is 4 ½ inches wide for stability and support. This Torin is also the cheapest floor jack on our list.

Users found this jack to be a great deal given its low price and high quality. They liked how the tool is easy to fold and use. Another quality they liked is its sturdy build.

Some buyers complained that the jack they received didn’t look quite like the one pictured in online listings and had a bigger base area than expected. Nonetheless, most people said that it is by far the best scissor jack they could find.

Best Aluminum Floor Jack

Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack

For those of you looking for a high quality floor jack and willing to spend more, the Arcan ALJ3T might be the best pick for you. This aluminum floor jack has a maximum lifting capacity of three tons at a maximum height of 19 ¼ inches.

It is equipped with dual pump pistons and a reinforced arm lift for fast rising action and added strength. As prevention for over extension and use beyond rated capacity, this jack is equipped with bypass and overload valves. Not only that, this jack also features a quick lock function for engagement and disengagement.

Most of the product’s users are professionals and were very satisfied with the performance of this floor jack. One buyer even commented that he decided on the Arcan jack after hours of online research and reading reviews on it.

And the tool didn’t disappoint delivering consistently when used with cars and trucks.  One user also commented how the tool was able to lift heavy German cars in only four or five pumps.

Best Floor Jack For A Truck

OTC 1512 Stinger 20-Ton Service Jack

For even more heavy duty lifting, check out the OTC 1512 service jack with a whopping 20-ton maximum lifting capacity at a highest height of 26 inches.

Purely made of steel, this floor jack has both low-profile stance and extended height add to the tool’s versatility. It also features wheels and swivel casters with internal bearings.

It retails for the highest price on this list and includes a lifetime warranty.

Buyers described this floor jack as being built like tank, but real easy to operate and maneuver. They say that the jack is so solid that it’ll probably be the last one they’ll ever own.

People have used this jack to lift the whole end of cars and SUVs with little effort. Their only complaint is that it is very heavy, weighing in at almost 700 pounds.

Best Low Profile Floor Jack

Arcan XL2T Black Low Profile Steel Service Jack

The Arcan XL2T is a low profile service jack with a steel construction. It has a lifting capacity of up to 2 tons and lifting height range of 2.75 inches to 24 inches.

It features a dual pump for more rapid lifting and a universal joint release mechanism to provide precise control. It is marketed for both professionals and ‘weekend warriors’.

Users have generally positive things to say about this tool. They described it as an excellent jack when it comes to performance. It was perfect for confined clearances and it’s let down speed is easily controllable.

One user even went out and purchased another Arcan floor jack because they liked this  jack so much. One professional repairman also commented that it was one of the best floor jacks he used in his 50 years of automotive repair.

Best Floor Jack For Home Use

Powerbuilt 640912 All-In-One Bottle Jack

The Powerbuilt 640912 is an all-in-one bottle jack with a maximum capacity of 3 tons with a lifting height range of 11 inches to 21 inches.

It features a patented design which combines jack stand and bottle jack in one unit. It also has a wide steel base for more stability under the heaviest load capacity.

It is marketed for SUVs, off-road vehicles, construction jobs and framing and floor joint work. This multi-purpose jack retails at a very affordable price.

Users found this jack to be very compact and easy to use. They also liked how safe the jack feels when in use because of its wide metal base stand.

However, one user commented how he would’ve liked the jack more had it been an inch shorter so that he could use the jack on its own and let his other tools go.

Best Floor Jack Under $100

Compact Aluminum Racing Jack with Rapid Pump

This floor jack is a high performance jack made of aluminum and equipped with a rapid pump which can lift vehicles of up to 1.5 tons in just three and a half pumps at a maximum height of 14 ¾ inches.

It is constructed for professional race teams out of precision-machined, high strength aircraft aluminum. It features a two-piece knurled aluminum handle for sure grip. It is also equipped with a foam bumper to prevent damage to a vehicle’s finish.

Users had different things to say about this aluminum-made jack. Some commented that the tool is too difficult to pump if it were to be used on a daily basis.

They said that the jack could have a better controlled lowering mechanism.

However, people liked how the jack is lightweight and easy to store away.

Best Garage Floor Jack

NOS NSJ0301

The NOS NSJ0301 is an aluminum floor jack with a maximum lifting capacity of three tons. It has a lifting height range of 3 ¾ inches to 18 ¼ inches.

It features a rubber saddle pad and can lift a wide range of vehicles from sports cars to trucks. It also has a safety valve which prevents overloading. This tool is perfect for road-side emergencies or everyday garage use.

Users agreed how aesthetically pleasing this floor jack is. One even commented how he was afraid to use it in case of spoiling its good looks. They also liked how lightweight and effective this floor jack is.

Another thing buyers liked was how the jack was able to lift at maximum height in just about two pumps. This is one of the best floor jacks on the market and owners said they would definitely recommend it to both professionals and people who like to work on their cars at home.

How To Choose The Best Floor Jack For Your Needs

To make things simpler, you only need to remember three things when looking for the best floor jack:

Floor Jack Material 

It is safe to assume that you are thinking of purchasing a floor jack in order to easily lift heavy loads. A jack’s ability to do this will highly depend on the type of material it is made with.

Floor jacks are usually made out of either aluminum or steel each with its own benefits and disadvantages. Aluminum floor jacks are the better choice for your garage. Compared to its counterpart, it is lighter and more portable. However, they will not be as durable as steel floor jacks and might not be a good investment over the long term.

Meanwhile, steel floor jacks are without a doubt durable and will last in your shop or garage for years of use. Unfortunately, their heavier weight makes them less portable.

Floor Jack Lifting Capacity

Another factor to consider when choosing a floor jack is its lifting capacity. This capacity is usually expressed in the amount of weight a floor jack is able to lift. Most mechanical jacks will be able to lift up up to 20 tons.

Don’t forget though that if you’re using the jack for automobiles, you won’t need such high lifting capacity. Most car owners will find that a 2-ton floor jack will be good enough for them.

People working with bigger, heavier automobiles like trucks or SUVs should look into at least a 3-ton floor jack. You don’t need to buy a higher capacity floor jack unless you’ll be working on RVs, buses or large trucks.

Something that can also impact a jack’s lifting capacity is air getting trapped in the system. If this happens, you’ll have to bleed your floor jack to get it back performing at its best again.

Floor Jack Design

Jack design is also a very important factor you must consider when purchasing a floor jack. There are generally three types you’ll find in the market:

Scissor Floor Jacks

The scissor-type floor jack is a manual jack equipped with a rotating handle and a crank which controls the jack’s lifting through handle-rotation. This type is popular among car owners because it is smaller than other types and is therefore portable as well. However, using this specific type jack may require a lot of physical strength on the side of the user in order to pump the jack up into lifting a car.

Piston Floor Jacks

Next, is the piston floor jack which is also known as the bottle floor jack because of its standing orientation. This type is great for industrial and professional use as it is capable of lifting heavier weights to higher heights.

Piston floor jacks can lift up to 50 tons of load through the use of hydraulic fluid. It is important to remember that despite this capacity, additional support must be used with the piston floor jack to ensure stability and safety.

Hydraulic Trolley Jacks

Another jack which uses hydraulics is the hydraulic trolley jack. This type of floor jack tends to be more efficient as it can lift fast with just a few pumps. Similar to the piston floor jack, the hydraulic trolley jack is not recommended for small cars as it is made for industrial use.

Aside from these considerations, experts at the Floor Jack Place gave three additional characteristics that make for the best floor jack.

First, they must be fast and be able to raise loads to their maximum height with just a few pumps. Thus, they recommend hydraulic jacks rather than scissor jacks which usually require as many as 30 turns of the screw to lift a car just halfway.

Another important consideration is that a floor jack is safe to use. More stable floor jacks have large surface areas around the base giving them plenty of positions to grip the floor and distribute weight.

Lastly, the best floor jack must be easy to use. An easy to use floor jack requires the user only to push the handle up and down in order to lift a vehicle. As said before, hydraulic floor jacks tend to be easier to use than scissor-type floor jacks.

If you’re interested in knowing more about floor jacks; like proper usage, using jack stands and finding your car’s jack points, you can check out the many informative articles at Cars Direct.

Thank you for reading our guide and we really hope we’ve taken some of the hard work out of finding a floor jack that will suit your needs. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we hope you have a great day.

Categorised in: Hand Tools