Best Floor Car Jack for Your Lifting Needs

​What is then the best car jack?

It depends on your vehicle, where the weight of it and its profile are decisive aspects.

This is in my opinion one of the most important mechanic tools you can get. There’s so many operations that require you to lift the car, you have to get a decent jack. It’s a very smart investment.

I’ve reviewed seven different car jacks (also known as floor jacks)​ to help you find the right one for your needs and budget. 

From extremely low-profile jacks ideal for sportcars, to racing jacks that lift their whole range in just a few strokes, I’ve got you covered.

Floor Jack Reviews

1. Powerzone 380044 

The jack has rubber padded saddles to protect the frame of the vehicle. The saddles won’t let your vehicle get bent underneath where it can cause damage. The saddle paddles cradle the vehicle, allowing you to work underneath. It’s ideal for those wanting to use the jack to get underneath the vehicle.

The rear wheel’s swivel for precision positioning. You can easily move the jack around and steer it in the direction you want. It is easy to move around on the floor.

The aluminum frame makes it lightweight, and increases the portability. You can take the jack just about anywhere, thanks to the lightweight material of the jack.

The jack has a heavy-duty steel lift arm for durability and strength. You won’t need to put too much effort to jack up your vehicle.

Pros

• Excellent price
• Rubber pad protects the vehicle
• Lifts cars easily
• Ideal for home use
• Has large lift range

Cons

• Reeeeeeeeeeally long handle.
• Build quality is ok, but not superb.

2. Arcan ALJ3T 

The car jack has a reinforced arm lift for added strength, control, and durability. The reinforced arm allows you to jack up heavier vehicles with less effort. It’s ideal for lifting trucks or SUV’s.

It has dual pump pistons for quick rising action. The dual pump pistons allow you to jack up the vehicle easily and quickly. You won’t have to worry about spending too much effort to jack up your vehicle.

The piston dust shields prevent hydraulic contamination. With the dust shields, you won’t have to spend too much time cleaning the pistons. It’s perfect for any mechanic that wants their equipment to work well when they need it.

The bypass and overload valves prevent an over-extension on the hydraulic ram and jack. Since the jack won’t get over-extended, it won’t break when it’s used. It gives the jack more durability and strength to lift heavier vehicles.

Pros

• Fits under tight cars
• It is easy to use
• It looks great
• Smooth operation

Cons

• Rubber saddle doesn’t work well
• May be too heavy to lift
• No middle wheel

3. Arcan XL2T Low Profile

Here’s our favorite low-profile jack for vehicles with very little clearance. For those with modified suspensions, racing cars or other sweet, low-profile rides, this is the best choice.

Available on two different sizes, there’s the low profile and the superlow one, that allows you to get into spaces as little as​ 2.75 inches and lifts anything thats lighter than 4000lbs up to 18 inches.

The jack has a dual pump for quick lifting. The dual pump makes jacking up your vehicle easier than a single pump. You can jack the car up quickly to start working quickly.

The universal joint release mechanism gives the user precise control. The joint release mechanism allows you to place the jack where you want. You won’t have to guess if it’s in the right spot, thanks to the joint release mechanism.

It complies with all the ASME PALD 2009 standard. It passes all the safety standards, ensuring you’re getting an excellent jack.

It has an extra-long body. If you have a large vehicle, you need a car jack that can get in the perfect spot easily and quickly. You can reach wider vehicles easily and quickly when you’re using this jack.

Pros

• It has a low clearance level
• Control the drop speed
• Wheels are durable
• Well-constructed

Cons

• It is heavy
• The rubber pad doesn’t cover all the parts of the vehicle

4. OTC 1532 Racing Jack

The jack is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. The aircraft grade aluminum makes the jack stronger than other ones on the market. You won’t have to worry about it breaking when you’re jacking up a vehicle.

The low profile allows the jack to fit under low clearance vehicles easily. While many jacks can’t clear under a particular clearance level, this jack fits under those vehicles perfectly. You can jack up some of the lowest vehicles on the lot.

The 45-inch long handle has two pieces that are easy to setup. Not only are they easy to set up, they stay connected while you’re using the jack. It’s the best way to ensure they don’t come apart when you’re jacking up a vehicle.

The rubber saddle protects the vehicle from slipping. You won’t have to worry about the vehicle moving around when it’s cradled on the rubber saddle.

Pros

• The rubber pad is removable
• Easy to fix
• Lifts vehicles up easily

Cons

• The warranty is awful
• The lever will bend
• The jack can start leaking

5. Torin T83006 SUV Service Jack

The jack is constructed from high quality steel, making it one of the strongest jacks available. You can use it on any vehicle, including trucks and SUV’s.

It is measured to exacting standards for quality and durability. When you have a jack that exceeds those standards, you know you’re getting a jack.

The large saddle provides more contact with the vehicle. When it has more contact, it is easier to lift the vehicle and keep it in place.

The safety release handle has a positive locking system. This allows the jack to stay in the right position you want it to stay in. It won’t move off the saddle, making it safer and easier to use.

The integrated overload protection valve won’t let the jack lift more than it can handle. If you try lifting up a large vehicle, and it won’t budge, the jack won’t break. When too much pressure is put on a jack, the jack can get damaged. The valve protects the jack from breaking.

Pros

• Separates for low clearance
• Sturdy during operation
• Works well on SUV’s
• Well-constructed

Cons

• Oil may not be filled upon arrival
• Needs a handle for dragging on floor

6. Powerbuilt 620422E Heavy Duty

The patented design has a removable lift saddle and padded lift rails. This feature is ideal for those who need a jack for different vehicles. You can change the saddle out when you switch the vehicles you want to lift.

The flexible design works on any type of vehicle frame. Since it is flexible, you can lift any vehicle easily and quickly with this jack. It’s ideal for those that love working on multiple types of vehicles.

It has an easy operation. No matter what your experience is with different jacks, this jack will work for everyone. You’ll love owning a jack that is easy to use, even if you’ve never had used one before.

The locking safety bar holds the jack in place while supporting lifted vehicles. It’s easier to work on a vehicle when you know it won’t come crashing down on you. You can focus on working on your vehicle, rather than wondering if the jack will hold up.

Pros

• The design is excellent
• Priced reasonably
• Precision placement
• Locks into position

Cons

• Manual doesn’t give specific instructions
• The wheels are dreadful
• Doesn’t lift vehicles very high

7. Hein-Werner HW93642

A product with the conscious american customer in mind. If you care for the things you buy to be manufactured home, this is your choice. It does use a mixture of domestic and foreign parts tho. Right now, this is pretty much the only decent American-made jack you can buy.

The jack has a cast iron lift arm and pump base for extra strength. No matter what type of vehicle you’re working on, this jack will hold up for you. It’s ideal for anyone that works on multiple vehicles.

The U-joint allows the user to have precise load control. You can place most of the weight on the right spot every time you use it. It’s the best way to make sure the jack doesn’t give out when you’re under the vehicle.

The sealed hydraulic pump keeps the fluids inside the jack. Some jacks can have issues with leakage. You can put aside those worries, and just keep an eye on it. It’s ideal for those that don’t want to have to replace the fluids every month.

The flagged side plates and wide frame provide stability. You can use the jack on larger vehicles, and it will support them easily. You won’t have to spend too much time worrying if the jack will wobble or hold up.

Pros

• Uses only one bolt to lock
• Don’t need too much pressure
• High clearance lift under the vehicle

Cons

• Handle is only one piece
• Doesn’t move around easily
• No rapid pump feature

Floor Jacks Buyer’s Guide

Where car maintenance is concerned, you will come across many different kinds of tools and equipment to help you get the job done. Yet, perhaps one of the most important is a floor jack. You already know it comes in different types, so this buyer’s guide will help you decide how to choose the right model.

Here are important factors you need to consider when looking for a floor jack:

Type of Floor Jack

As mentioned, there are different types of floor jacks. The first step to finding the right model for your car is to understand these different types. Learn which type does a specific function and what that means to you.

Knowing about the different floor jacks will help you figure out how each type affects your workflow.

Lifting Capacity

Every floor jack has its own lifting capacity. Some may not be able to lift your car, especially if you have a heavy one. Forcing it might lead to accidents and serious injuries.

Having said that, make sure you know the weight of your car and determine whether or not it falls under the floor jack’s lifting capacity. Don’t worry; cars weigh around 2.8 to 3.5 tons, and floor jacks are often built to accommodate this.

Lifting Height

Another thing you will want to consider is the floor jack’s lifting height. If you are only using it for changing your car’s tires, then a few inches of lifting height are more than enough. However, if you plan to do some repairs under your car, go for something with a higher lift.

Overall Quality

Never, under any circumstances, purchase a floor jack where some parts are plastic. You will be lifting a portion of your vehicle with it, and plastic just won’t do you any good. Instead of plastic, look for floor jacks made with heavy-duty steel.

Safety Features

Check every part of the floor jack to determine whether or not the connections are tight and not shaking. Aside from that, you may also want to look for various safety seals to guarantee that the floor jack underwent inspection and was approved by the government.

Additionally, you will want to familiarize yourself with these three acronyms: ASME, ANSI, and PALD.

ASME stands for American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ANSI means American National Standards Institute. Lastly, there’s PALD or Portable Automotive Lifting Device. Having one of these seals on the floor jack means it is safe to use.

Price

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and this is particularly true for floor jacks. If you opt for cheap ones, be sure to manage your expectations because you’ll probably get a mediocre product.

On the other hand, some floor jacks will come at a reasonable price. The good thing about these is that you can rest easy knowing they are made with the best quality.

Floor Jacks FAQs

1. Where is a floor jack commonly used?

Basically, you use floor jacks on any type of repair or maintenance task that requires you to go underneath your car or have a portion of it partially lifted. This includes changing your car’s engine oil, tires, or conducting maintenance on the transmission.

2. Would a floor jack damage my car?

The answer to this question is both a yes and a no. If you don’t know how to use it properly, then you’d probably get your car damaged, so check the instruction manual before proceeding. Also, make sure that you place the upper end of the floor jack on the chassis and not on the fender to avoid damaging the exterior.

3. How do I determine a scissor jack’s lifting height?

While the lifting height of a scissor jack is almost always indicated somewhere on the jack or the manual, there’s another way that will help you determine this. The lifting height is the same as the length of the screw in the middle of it. However, keep in mind that the higher the lifting height is, the more unstable it becomes.

4. Are hydraulic jacks better than scissor jacks?

One of the biggest advantages of hydraulic jacks is that they take a significantly shorter time to be raised to their maximum height. A scissor jack often takes a couple of minutes, while a hydraulic jack can do the same in just a few seconds. On the other hand, scissor jacks are relatively smaller than hydraulic jacks, making them more portable.

Final Verdict

For me, the best car jack you can get is the Powerzone we first reviewed. For the money, you get a jack that will serve you for 95% of the jobs you may need to do in your garage. 

If you need a very low-profile jack, then undoubtably go for the Arcan XL2T.

You probably know this already but if you don’t, trust me then on this one:

Do not ever rely solely on the jack to keep the car lifted.

Make sure you get a couple of jack stands of good quality. Once lifted, get your stands underneath the car, lower slowly and let the weight of the car on the jack stands.

This leaves no room for mechanical failure which may result on your leg getting trapped underneath the car, like it happened to me back in mechanical school (sigh)