Best Jacks for Cars

Editor's Top Picks for Best Jacks for
Cars and Vehicles

As a self-proclaimed car guy and enthusiast, I am commonly asked what jack or floor jack to get for the home or garage.

For the quick fix, you CAN use the provided factory jack in a pinch. Those are good to use if you have a flat tire and need to change it. However, I don't recommend depending on it every time you plan to work under your car or vehicle for an oil change or servicing.

I know too well that spending hours under the car is tough, but having the right tools can make their life easier!

A hydraulic floor jack is an absolute must-have in any shop or garage because it helps lift cars up safely and quickly. There are a wide range of prices. However, you do not want to go with the cheapest, but consider our team's best picks based on real world experience and extensive research. 

Type of Jacks

There are different types of floor jacks from traditional one to platforms like the quick jack. There are also types that are bottle jacks but those are typically used for trucks or SUVS due to their higher weight capacity. Bottle jacks also serve to be able to stored easier since they are smaller and do not have long handles or wheels. 

So what's the best floor jack for cars? You won't believe how many options are out there on the market today. Ask yourself if you need a lightweight one that fits in tight spaces easily? or will you be storing it in your garage. Or maybe a heavy duty jack with a long reach so you can work on larger vehicles? or low profile version for a sports car. 

I would avoid an electric jack since you would be required to be close to a power source. 

In this article, we'll discuss the best floor jacks for cars and I'll provide my recommendations on which one I think is best.

Safety First 

Unlike scissor jacks, floor jacks use hydraulic fluid to help raise and lower the vehicle off the ground. A scissor jack uses a screw to help turn a pin which causes the jack to raise the vehicle. First, with any jack and lifting a very heavy vehicle, you will want to ensure you have checked all of your safety protocols. 

Safety Tips before going underneath a jacked up vehicle:

1. Are you on a flat, stable level surface? Gravel is not safe to jack a car. Use a piece of plywood if that is the case in order to have a level ground.
2. Are there any leaks on the hydraulic jack? Your jack should be free of leaks or oil stains. This might indicate possible failure with seals.
3. Check the weight rating or weight capacity of jack with vehicle. Make sure the hydraulic jack can lift the vehicle safely. Do not exceed maximum lift height or capacity of lift arms.
4. Use jack stands. I strongly suggest using a secondary safety equipment in addition to a floor jack before going underneath the car. I had a factory jack FAIL and luckily the jack stands helped catch the falling car. 
5. Put car or truck in PARK and use a wheel chock. While you are lifting the vehicle, you do not want the vehicle to move at all. A wheel chock will help keep the vehicle still. 

DAYTONA 3 ton Professional Floor Jack

For those in the market for a reliable and durable jack to use when working on or under their car, the DAYTONA 3 ton Professional Floor Jack is an excellent choice. This heavy-duty jack boasts quality construction, which gives it superior safety ratings compared to other models sold by Harbor Freight.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

The solid frame and wheels are designed to make it easy to move around, while the large saddle pads make positioning and maneuvering easier in tight spaces. The saddle position is adjustable with a twist of a knob, allowing you to lower it until its near ground level and providing access to hard-to-reach areas of your vehicle.

With its high-strength steel construction, this jack provides strong support for vehicles up to 3 tons in weight. It also features an overload valve for added safety, as well as low-profile arm help minimize effort when parking on hills or sloping surfaces. The lift pump is very solid. 

The great thing about this jack is that it can lift with a maximum height of 5 inches to 18-1/4 inches, which is almost 2 feet in height. This is perfect if you plan to to do any exhaust or suspension work underneath. 

What sets this jack apart from other models is its affordability – offering great value for money due to its increased longevity and robust use over time. With so many features, it’s no wonder that the DAYTONA 3 ton Professional Floor Jack is one of the best jacks available for working underneath your car!

Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack with Quick Lift

The Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack with Quick Lift is one of the best low-profile jacks for working under a car when it comes to ease of use, performance and safety. This heavy-duty jack made by Home Depot features a low profile frame that lifts up to 3 tons (6,600 lbs) from just 4.25 inches off the ground, making it easy to get your vehicle off the ground while still allowing plenty of room underneath.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

I personally own one of these and it has been perfect for my lowered Audi A4. The height is great and I am able to reach the pinch jack points under the car. Once I have the car raised then I can safely add the steel floor jacks under the control arms for added security. Sometimes, I will also add the spare tire under the frame rails for additional redundancy for safety. 

I found this Husky jack at a reasonable price at around $180 with the stands. 

Compared with the HarborFreight, this is better for lowered vehicles and is quick lifting with a few pumps. I was able to life the entire weight of the car pretty easily. The maximum height for the lift is 19 3/4 inches off the ground. This is more than the Daytona jack but either jack is great. 

Furthermore, its built-in quick lift feature allows you to quickly raise your load with minimal effort and its wide stance keeps it extremely stable during lifting and lowering.

This simple but sturdy floor jack is an essential tool for doing work on your vehicle or any other large object that needs lifting. It comes fully assembled with all hardware included so all you have to do is position, pump and go. The rubber wheels make maneuvering the jack around any shop or garage easy, even on smooth surfaces like hardwood or tile floors. 

I had asphalt, which made it easy to move and position exactly where I needed it to be.

Safety Features: The Husky 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack features an overload protection valve as well as a reinforced steel frame and three durable support rails for maximum stability during jacking operations – so you can stay safe while getting the job done quickly and efficiently!

Pro-Lift F-767 Grey Low Profile Floor Jack - 2 Ton Capacity

For those looking for the best jack for working under a car, the Pro-Lift F-767 is a solid choice. This low-profile floor jack has a 2 ton capacity and is designed to provide maximum lift in tight spaces. It has a lifting range of 3.5" to 19", making it ideal for lifting vehicles with limited clearance while providing the necessary height and reach to get the job done. 

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

Pro-Lift is a great value priced at around $90. I would have purchased this but this was my second choice. I already owned two full pairs of the Pro-Lift jack stands with safety locks. They gave been very study and reliable for the brake and exhaust work on the cars. 

The F-767 is made with solid steel construction and features an adjustable swivel saddle that allows it to be placed exactly where you need it.The heavy-Duty Steels does add to its heft and the lift range is very good. 

Its a little on the smaller side compared to the Husky but that is expected since the weight capacity is 2-tons vs the Husky's 3-tons. Overall, its a good option for car owners looking for an affordable option. I would consider this a quality floor jacks. 

Its saddle also has rubber cushioning pads, which help create stable contact points and reduce slipping when dragging loads over hard surfaces like concrete floors – an important feature when working on vehicles with wheels still attached. Its dual pump design also helps speed up jacking time and its built-in safety overload system prevents users from overloading the lift beyond its working capacity.

Ideal for home mechanics or professional auto technicians, this 2 Ton floor jack from Pro-Lift can be relied upon to provide safe, reliable service during your vehicle maintenance needs. With its low profile design and easy maneuverability, this floor jack makes light work of tough jobs, helping you get back on the road faster than ever before!

BIG RED T815016L Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Aluminum and Steel Racing Floor Jack

When it comes to working under your car, you need a jack that will get the job done quickly and safely. The BIG RED T815016L Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Aluminum and Steel Racing Floor Jack is the perfect tool for the task.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

The major benefit of aluminum jacks is the weight savings compared to its steel counterparts. My 3-ton steel jack weighs about 70 lbs and is super heavy to lug around the garage floor. This aluminum floor jack is easy on the back and is perfect for traveling. Since its a lighter frame, Ii only weighs approximately 34 lbs or half of the regular 3-ton jack. 

This lightweight and portable jack is made from a combination of aluminum and steel, making it easy to carry even over long distances. It is designed with a low profile – just two inches at its lowest point – for use on low profile vehicles like sports cars and sedans. At 17-1/2 inches in length and width, this jack can also fit in most standard trunks or garages.

The BIG RED T815016L Torin Hydraulic Low Profile Aluminum and Steel Racing Floor Jack has an impressive lifting capacity of 1 Ton (2,000 lbs.) to support larger vehicles up to 2-7/8” tall with ease. Its hydraulic system works quickly and reliably, providing almost instant jacking power to move heavy objects in no time. The easy-pull release valve makes lowering the car just as quick as lifting it while dual pump pistons pump easily while staying leak-free thanks to their durable bronze components. Finally, this particular model also includes removable stack extensions so you can reach higher objects with even more control and strength compared to other jacks on the market today.

Final Thoughts

With a wide variety of car floor jacks on the market, it can be daunting to find one that suits your needs. But by understanding what makes for an efficient and reliable jack, you can narrow down the choices available today to find exactly what you need.

Definitely take a look at our team's top picks from this post. Be sure to consider how much weight needs lifting as well as portability when selecting your perfect model - whether needing something lightweight or with higher lift capacity, chances are there's a floor jack out that will fit your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What type of jack is best for working under a car?

A. Floor jacks are the best type of jack for working under a car.

Floor jacks are the best type of jack for working under a car. They provide a stable platform that allows you to safely lift your vehicle off the ground and work on it without fear of it slipping or tipping over. Floor jacks come in many different sizes, shapes, and capacities, so you can find one that fits your needs perfectly.

Q. How much weight can a floor jack lift?

A. Floor jacks are typically capable of lifting up to 3 tons or 6,000 pounds.

Floor jacks are essential tools for any car owner, allowing you to safely lift your vehicle off the ground for repairs or maintenance. When shopping for a floor jack, it’s important to consider the weight of your vehicle and the type of lifting capacity you need. Floor jacks are typically capable of lifting up to 3 tons or 6,000 pounds, but some models can handle heavier loads for larger trucks or SUVs.

Q. Is it safe to use a jack to lift a car?

A. It is safe to use a jack to lift a car as long as it is used according to the manufacturer's instructions and that all safety precautions are followed.

Q: What Weight Rating Do I Need for My Jack?

Despite being bigger, not all jacks are suitable for every job. It's vital to ensure that the jack you select is of appropriate size so your task can be accomplished seamlessly and efficiently.

For safe and effective jacking, it's best to stay under two-thirds of a jack’s capacity. So, if you own a 3 ton model, do not attempt to lift more than 2 tons with it.

It is crucial to consider the weight of an object when lifting, and this holds especially true for cars or other hefty items. Although a new Escalade might be 5,800 pounds in total, if you are only raising one end of it then that drops down to 2,900 pounds - equivalent to 1.5 tons!

A larger jack will undoubtedly make this job quicker and simpler, however a 2 ton jack is more than capable of doing the job.