Imagine getting trapped underneath your 2,500lb pickup truck.
I know, I know, not exactly a cool thing to think about.
That’s why you’re here. It’s time to get your hands on the best jack stand so that next time you work on your ride, you’re clear from any sort of accidents.
I’ve seen all sorts of dumb accidents because of this. From mechanics school to professional garages. From “quick fixes” that were relying only on the car jack (don’t ever ever do this!), to poorly positioned or bad selected (usually lower capacity than the car’s weight) stands.
So make sure aswell to check out the recommendations section to lift and secure your car the right way.
What to look for in a Jack Stand?
Choosing the right jack stand means knowing a little bit about what to look for. While most jack stands operate in similar ways, there are some important terms, definitions, and differences that you need to take note of to help you make a fully informed choice.
Tons
Jack stands are rated in tons.
The “tons” in this case refers to the amount of weight a pair of jacks can hold, being 1ton 1,000kg or 2,200lbs For example, a 2-ton jack stand can hold 4,400 pounds.
Since jack stands are usually used in pairs, putting two jack stands under the front of your car means that you are good to go for up to 6,000 pounds. While that may seem like a lot, many vehicles can easily clear that amount of weight, so it’s always important that you overestimate the amount of weight you need to handle.
In fact, it’s usually a good idea to figure out how much weight you will be putting on your stands, and then by jack stands rated for at least one ton higher. There is no such thing as “being too cautious” in this respect!
Material
Jack stands are typically made out of either aluminum, steel, or cast iron. The material used can affect its overall tonnage rating, with aluminum being used for lightweight stands, and steel and iron being used for the heavy-duty jack stands.
Min Height / Max Height
A jack stand’s minimum and maximum height are important numbers, and, depending on your vehicle, will go a long way in determining the effectiveness of your jack stands.
For example, if your vehicle sits higher than a normal car or truck because you’ve raised the suspension, then you need to have a pair of jack stands that are tall enough to reach the bottom of the vehicle and still hold it high enough to give you the clearance you need.
Conversely, if the minimum height if your jack stand is taller than the maximum reach of your car jack, then you’ve wasted money, because you won’t be able to fit the jack stands under the car in the first place.
Retention System
The retention system refers to what method is used to keep the jack stand extended even when under the vehicle’s full weight. Typically, a jack stand uses either a pin system or a ratchet bar, but different jack stands can use other methods as well.
As with most tools, this is a one-off investment well worth dedicating a minute to get right. If you’re serious about working in your car, you’ll be lifting it a lot of times, so knowing that you can trust your stands is mandatory.
Jack Stand Reviews
Comparison Chart
Performance Tool W41023 Ratchet Style Jack Stand Set for Lifting Vehicles During Maintenance, Yellow, 6-Ton
BIG RED T43004 Torin Aluminum Jack Stands with Locking Support Pins: 3 Ton (6,000 lb) Capacity, Red/Silver, 1 Pair
1. Torin T42002 2 Ton
The Torin T42002 is a strong, durable jack stand designed for smaller vehicles.
Specifications:
- Tons: 2 Tons
- Material: Steel
- Minimum Height: 11”
- Maximum Height: 16 ¾”
- Retention System: Ratchet bar with a lock and pawl system
Since the 2-ton rating is for a pair of stands, and not each as an individual, you aren’t going to be able to safely lift much more than a compact car.
In addition, with a shorter minimum and maximum height, you will be limited in which cars these jack stands will be effective for.
However, if you are working on a smaller car, the strong steel construction gives you strong and durable jack stands that you can trust with your life, and the iron ratchet bar lock-and-pawl retention system lets you adjust the height with ease for the perfect fit.
This particular jack stand series is also available in 3- 6-, and 12-ton models. Each model is constructed similarly, but in addition to a difference in tonnage rating, expect a difference in minimum and maximum height.
Pros
- Made of high-grade steel for strength and durability
- Large saddle provides a safer, more stable contact area with supported load
- Iron ratchet bar is easy to use and allows for minute adjustments
- Welded frame for strength
- Double-locking mechanism with ratchet bar and safety pin mechanism
Cons
- 2 Ton weight limit means this jack is not suitable for much over a compact car
- Shorter than jack stands rated for higher tonnage
2. Torin T43002A 3 Ton
The T43002A series is an upgrade from the jack stands mentioned above.
Specifications:
- Tons: 3 Tons (as a pair)
- Material: Steel
- Minimum Height: 11 ¼”
- Maximum Height: 16 ¾”
- Retention System: Ratchet bar with a lock and pawl system, double-locks with safety pin
Like the T42002 these jack stands are constructed of high-quality steel. A strong four-point leg system helps to provide stability, and the ratchet bar gives you the ability to fine tune your height adjustments.
However, Torin goes one step farther by providing a safety pin mechanism for an additional level of safety. These are taller than the Torin 2-ton stands, which give you the ability to work on a larger variety of vehicles.
This series of jack stands also comes in 2-ton and a 6-ton models, which will be similarly constructed but offer a difference in tonnage and height ratings.
Pros
- Made of high-grade steel for strength and durability
- Large saddle provides a safer, more stable contact area with supported load
- Iron ratchet bar is easy to use and allows for minute adjustments
- Welded frame for strength
- Double-locking mechanism with ratchet bar and safety pin mechanism
Cons
- Some customers report some of the stands can be wobbly due to uneven leg length
- Spotty welding can lead to integrity issues
3. Wilmar Performance Tool W41023 6 Ton
The Wilmar Performance Tool W41023 provides you the ability to work on more than small cars.
Specifications:
- Tons: 6 Tons (as a pair)
- Material: Steel
- Minimum Height: 15 ½”
- Maximum Height: 23 ½”
- Retention System: Ratchet bar with a doubling locking pawl system
With a combined rating of 12,000 pounds, and a maximum height of over 23 inches, these jack stands are made to handle everything from compact cars to light-duty pickup trucks.
The strong, heavy-duty steel is built to withstand a lot of punishment, and is sure to give you long years of use from these stands. For smaller vehicles, this series of jack stands also come in 3- and 3-ton ratings.
Pros
- 6-ton capacity means a total of 12,000 pounds can be lifted
- Large saddle to hold the vehicle comfortably
- Sturdy steel frame and a wide base gives you strength and stability
- Sturdy enough — and tall enough — to accommodate cars as well as light-duty trucks
Cons
- Stand legs welded together, can create a weak point
4. Powerzone 380036 3 Ton
The Powerzone 380036 is another strong and durable jack stand option.
Specifications:
- Tons: 3 Tons
- Material: Steel
- Minimum Height: 11”
- Maximum Height: 16 ½”
- Retention System: Ratchet bar with a lock and pawl system
These 3-ton stands are in many ways very similar to the Performance Tool jack stands previously listed. Constructed of heavy-duty steel, these stands are meant to last.
With the ability to hold up to 6,000 pounds as a pair, and a maximum height of over 16 ½ inches, these jack stands work very well for both small cars and large sedans.
Pros
- Heavy duty steel and a durable steel frame for strength
- Wide base provides extra stability
- Ratcheting system for easy minute height adjustments
- Rated for up to 12,000 pounds
Cons
- Stand legs welded together, can create a weak point
5. Torin T43004
The Torin T43004 series offers a different style of jack stands than the two products we’ve seen before. Instead of a four-point pyramid-shaped based, this model has a flat base.
Specifications:
- Tons: 3 Tons (as a pair)
- Material: Aluminum
- Minimum Height: 10 ¾ ”
- Maximum Height: 15 ⅝”
- Retention System: 5-hole locking pin
This design solves several problems in the four-point base design, including issues that can occur when one leg is dented or damaged. The strong aluminum gives these stands a weight rating of 3 tons, for a combined lifting weight of 6,000 pounds.
This is more than enough to lift most small cars, which is good, because these jack stands are shorter, and therefore unable to lift most larger vehicles.
The 5-hole locking pin mechanism is very safe and an easy way to lock the jack stands at a specific height. However, unlike the ratchet systems, you only have 5 possible heights to adjust the stands to, which is a disadvantage as well.
Pros
- 5-hole locking pin system for safety
- Extra large aluminum base for stability
- Base design means no welding required; fewer potential weak spots
Cons
- Aluminum, rather than steel, material
- Short height means that these jacks are too short for most vehicles larger than compact size
- 5-hole pin system means less height adjustments possible than in a ratchet system
6. Sunex 1410 10-Ton
Our final jack stands on this list are the monster-sized Sunex 1410 10-ton High stands.
Just so that it’s clear, the best jack stand is right in front of you. There is no contender for this heavy-duty, badass stands.
Specifications:
- Tons: 10 Tons
- Material: Steel, heavy schedule pipe
- Minimum Height: 28”
- Maximum Height: 46 ½”
- Retention System: 9-hole locking pin system
These stands are exactly what that name suggests: massive, tall, and able to carry a monstrous amount of weight. If you are working on large vehicles, farm equipment, etc, then you need a pair of these. If not, it might seem like these are too tall for you, and you’re probably right.
The good news, though, is that these jack stands also come in Low and Medium sizes, which offer the same 10-ton capacity, but are made to fit under shorter vehicles.
Pros
- 10-ton capacity provides support for up to 20,000 pounds of vehicle, meaning you can lift just about anything
- Heavy duty schedule pipe for strength and durability
- Quick height adjustment
- Large, V-shaped saddle for stability
- At a height of almost four feet, these stands are made to handle large vehicles, trucks, farm equipment, or anything else
Cons
- Too tall for most smaller vehicles (but the Low and Medium Sunex jack stands can fit in those smaller space)
How to Use Jack Stands Correctly
If you’re not familiar with how to correctly use jack stands, no worries: they’re easy to figure out, with only a couple of important points to keep in mind:
- Use one per wheel: You would think this was a no-brainer, but just in case, make sure you understand this very crucial tip. Each jack stand is designed to be used on one wheel area of a vehicle.
- Use in pairs: Another very important thing to know is that jack stands are sold in pairs because they are meant to be used in pairs. Never use a jack stand to prop up only one corner of a vehicle. Not only will you likely be putting too much weight on the stand, but you will be creating an unstable situation, making a collapse much more likely.
- Place them in the right spots: This can be a bit tricky. After you lift the wheel up with a jack, it’s important to place the jack stand in the correct spot. Typically, the best place to put a jack stand is right behind the front wheels (or in front of the back wheels) on the thickest part of the car frame.
- Make sure to find a level spot: Jack stands only work on completely flat ground — no hills or inclines! Otherwise, it’s very possible the jack stand can flip, causing damage to your car and, if you’re not careful, you.
- Check your weight limits: Always make sure you are using jack stands rated high enough to lift the weight of your vehicle. This is not an area you want to cut corners with!
Jack Stand FAQs
Which one is safer, jack stands or ramps?
Both are safe if used correctly, which means picking the right weight capacity for the car/truck we’ll be jacking, and placing them the right way. If you really need to find a winner, it’s hard to beat a pair of ramps with chocks and the P on. However, you can’t use ramps when the jobs you need to perform imply removing the wheels.
How many jack stands do I need to rotate tires?
You will need at least two jack stands, if you want to rotate one side of the vehicle, lower, then the other side. If you want to do the whole axle at one time, you’ll need four jack stands (always one per lifted wheel) Up to you.
Are aluminum jack stands safe?
Sure they are. We tend to associate aluminium with weakness, but some alluminium alloys are even stronger than commercial steel. In any case, remember that whatever weight rate is associated to a jack stand, it’s usually for the pair. (combined)
Are jack stands rated in pairs?
In most cases yes. It’s a very common practice to rate stands by the combined weight they can hold. A jack stand rated for 3tons (3,000kg) would typically mean that one single stand can hold 1,500kg, unless specifically stated otherwise by the manufacturer.
How do I use jack stands to change oil?
You want to place the jack stands under an structural piece of the vehicle. Either the frame or a brace. You can tap the spot with your fist, see if it feels solid or weak. Here’s a video:
Final Verdict
While many of the jack stands we’ve seen are based on a similar design, each one had its own pros and cons to take into account.
When all is said and done, though, the Sunex stands are the ones that get my recommendation. Why? Well, with a 10-ton rating, you really can’t get much stronger. The wide base still gives plenty of stability, and the 9-hole pin system allows for a lot of adjustment.
The only downside to this stand is its incredible height, but as we mentioned before, it also comes in low- and middle-height designs, which still give you the 10-ton weight capacity, but easily fit under smaller vehicles.
These are in my opinion the best jack stands there are, period. Buy them with confidence, they are just the best.
In an more affordable range, and a great value for money for small car owners, the 3T Torin are also a great choice.