Owning a vehicle may be a great convenience but along with that comes a big responsibility. You will be responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, which will require you to jack it up on numerous occasions.
The reason for this can range from changing the oil to changing the tire.
You can always call for professional help in such a case but it is important that you have your own set of tools in case of any emergency.
The most important of these tools is a car jack, the most common way of lifting a section of your car for work to be completed.
If you are confused about what you need and how that will help you, here is a guide to walk you through it!
JUMP TO BUYING GUIDETop 5 Reviews of the Best Floor Jacks in 2019
#1 Best Floor Jack Under $100: Torin Big Red Hydraulic Trolley Floor Jack
The one factor that makes this Torin floor jack an instant hit is its price. Coming in the under $100 category, this floor jack does the work that any other floor jack even twice as expensive may falter in.
There are extension adapters that come with this car jack that make it great to use with trucks and SUV’s. It gives a lifting range from 6 inches to 21 inches with the extension adapter.
Features
- Heavy-duty lifting
- 3-ton capacity
- Suitable for trucks and SUVs
- Extra long neck
- 360-degree swivel casters for better mobility
Advantages
- Easy to lift large vehicles because of the long neck.
- Great value as it is worth the money you will spend.
- You can reach a greater height with this floor jack.
- Well-constructed floor jack.
Disadvantages
- On the heavier side so may be tough to move around.
- Will not make sense if you own a small car or don’t have much heavy lifting to do.
#2 Best Aluminum Floor Jack: Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack
The Arcan ALJ3T is a great option if you are looking for a sturdy yet lightweight floor jack that can lift all types of vehicles. This model is also very easy to store in your garage, as it does not take up much space.
The 3-ton jack is great for lifting cars, SUVs, vans or even a truck in a smooth manner with its capability of achieving a minimum height of 3.75 inches and a maximum height of 18.25 inches.
Features
- Sleek industrial design
- Suitable for almost all types of cars, SUVs and trucks
- Handle can be disassembled in two
- Easy storage
- The handle can be disassembled in two
- Side mounted handle for positioning jack under the car
Advantages
- Dual pump pistons help in bringing the jack up to its maximum height very fast.
- Jack comes with its own overload and bypass valves.
- Easy to carry as it is super lightweight at just 56 pounds.
- Handle valves are very easy to engage and disengage.
Disadvantages
- The price may be a higher than some other floor jacks in the same range.
- Saddle pad isn’t as durable as the other parts.
#3 Best Low Profile Floor Jack: Sunex XL20 Black Service Jack
A product from the house of the well-known tools manufacturer Arcan, this is your best bet if you are looking for a floor jack with a low profile.
Available in a stylish shiny black color, this car jack is a favorite amongst professionals in the field. They use it in their workshops because of the jack’s sturdy steel construction that contributes to its slightly heavy build.
It may not be the most convenient when it comes to portable floor jacks, but it can handle up to 3 tons.
Features
- Complies with the ASME PALD 2009 standard
- Dual pump for rapid lifting
- Safety valve prevents overloading
- Lift height between 3.5 inches and 18.5 inches
- High quality heavy-duty steel construction
Advantages
- The XL20 is sturdy and reliable.
- Utilizes a dual pump for better lifting and easy action.
- Built to stand the test of time because of high quality materials.
- Offers great value for features.
Disadvantages
- Quite expensive in the 2-ton category.
- Not suitable for heavier vehicles.
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#4 Best 2 Ton Floor Jack: Pro-Lift F-767 Low Profile Floor Jack
The Pro-Lift F-767 is a budget car jack that is smaller than a number of other options discussed and has a 2-ton lifting capacity.
The body of the jack is built of steel and it has a lower profile design. While it is specially designed for vehicles that are between the small and medium sizes, it can also be used on some larger vehicles.
This is a great option if you are looking for a basic floor jack for situations like the occasional oil change, tire rotations or changing into snow tires in the winter.
Features
- Extra low profile
- Lifting range between 3.5 inches to 14 inches
- Patented bypass device
- Built-in safety valve for overload protection
- Durable because of heavy-duty steel construction
Advantages
- The smaller size makes for easier storage.
- Ideal car jack for those who need a basic one.
- Easy lift handle for transporting.
- Very affordable.
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for heavier weights.
- Can’t expect it to last you too many years.
#5 Premium Pick: JEGS Low-Profile Aluminum Floor Jack
If you are looking for a good quality floor jack, the JEGS’ variant is an elegant looking option that is easy to set up and use. Despite being extremely light and portable, it remains a sturdy floor jack.
It can be used in the comforts of your own garage or carried around in the trunk of your vehicle to deal with emergencies. The price is a little on the higher side but the aluminum floor jack is worth the investment.
Features
- Lifting capacity of up to 2 tons
- Aluminum built
- Handles on both sides of the tool
- Meets US safety standards
- Two-piece handle
- Protective sleeve and anti-slip grip
Advantages
- Lightweight option that’s easy to move around.
- Wide range of lifting – from 3.5 inches to as high as 19.25 inches.
- Great stability.
- Saddle rotates 360° to give you greater range.
Disadvantages
- Product may need some venting before the first use that can cause an oil spill.
- More expensive than the others discussed in the 2-ton size.
Buying Guide for Floor Jacks
Floor Jacks vs. Bottle Jacks
There are two types of jacks that are commonly available in the market. The first is the floor jack, while the second is a bottle jack.
Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to buying one of the two but it is important to know what is the difference between these.
Bottle jacks are usually the cheaper alternatives. They are also capable of lifting greater weights as compared to floor jacks.
Bottle jacks are preferred by many truck owners as it is easy to fit bottle jacks under their vehicle as they have high ground clearance. They’re overall smaller than floor jacks, which make them easier to store.
The bottle jack may not fit under your vehicle if it doesn’t have enough ground clearance and in that case, it will be important to use a floor jack.
Floor jacks are the second and possibly more convenient option when it comes to car jacks. Despite costing a little bit more than bottle jacks, these floor jacks are popular as a well-maintained jack can last you a very long time, even a lifetime.
In a garage environment, a floor jack is your best option. Floor jacks are quicker and easier to use than bottle jacks.
Things to Consider Before Picking a Floor Jack
Before you buy a floor jack for yourself, you should consider a number of factors to gauge what suits your needs well. Some of them are listed below:
Ground Clearance: Ground clearance is essentially the distance between your vehicle’s jack point and the ground. If your car is a low one, getting a hydraulic car jack with a low profile is the only way to go.
Vehicle’s Weight: Cars usually fall in the 3-ton weight range but if your vehicle is heavier than that, you may need to go for a higher weight capacity jack, like a 3.5-ton floor jack. It is very important that you take all precautions to be safe by not overloading your jack by adding extra weight on it.
Quality of Construction: A cheap floor jack is never a good bet. You may want to save some money by buying a cheap floor jack but in the long run, it can cause some major damage. Not only will it not last you very long, you may also get hurt if it falls apart.
Final Verdict on the Best Floor Jack
All the floor jacks mentioned before are the best in their particular categories. The final decision, however, will have to be made on the basis of your requirements and the size of the vehicle that you are planning to use the jack for.
If you own a heavier vehicle, one of the 3-ton jacks will be ideal, whereas the 2-ton variants work very well for the normal-sized vehicles.