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One of the most essential pieces of equipment that any automotive shop or enthusiast can use is a floor jack, I don’t think anyone will argue that. However, picking the right floor jack for your needs can be difficult.
There are many things that you need to consider before purchasing a jack. Built quality, weight, lifting capacity, warranty, and mobility are just a few of the criteria that we considered when compiling this list. The risk of purchasing a jack that is unreliable and has low build quality can be dangerous.
The features of the floor jacks on this list put them above the rest on the market, based on our criteria. So all you’ll have to decide is, Do you need a light or heavy duty jack, Do you want steel or Aluminum, and What lifting capacity do you require?
Take a look at our list below and if there is a certain jack you want to skip ahead to, check out our Table of Contents. Otherwise, let’s get started!
Contents
Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack (Affiliate Link)(Best Overall)
Made from Professional-quality Aluminum The Arcan AL3T Aluminum Floor Jack is built to last and perform. It offers a light but heavy duty design that offers many of the features of its steel counterparts. Because of this, we awarded this floor jack with the title of Best Overall floor jack.
The Arcan ALJ3T raises the standards for both quality and convenience. The jack’s dimensions are 30×13.5X8 inches. Its low profile design allows you to pick up vehicles that are as low as 3.75 inches. All while being able to raise vehicles to 18.25 inches. And it is designed with dual pistons for quickly raising vehicles to maximum height.
This jack offers excellent portability and strength. Capable of lifting up to 3 tons but only weighing 56 pounds, makes this jack easy to throw in the box of a pickup or carry anywhere you might need it. Also, the two-piece handle is easily broken down with a quick lock tab and the two halves are no longer than the jack, so storing the handle takes very little room.
Another great feature of the Arcan ALJ3T is the rear ball bearing swivel casters. With this setup, you’ll be able to place the jack right where you need it with ease. The extra wide front wheels will also give you the stability needed to safely lift those heavier vehicles.
Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack
Pros
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum frame (56 pounds)
- Heavy Duty (3 Ton Capable)
- Low profile design (3.75 in. minimum height. )
- 1-year Manufacturing Warranty
Cons
Cons
- Side handles for carrying are awkwardly placed
Final Verdict – Why is this jack so great?
The Arcan ALJ3T was awarded the title of Best Overall Floor Jack for a number of reasons. To start, it is a great option for both professional shops as well as auto enthusiast because it will not only fit under almost all low profile vehicles, but it will also lift up to 3 tons, nearly 2 feet high! It is also great for anyone that needs a lightweight, and portable jack. The Arcan ALJ3T Floor Jack is easy to use, store, and will exceed your expectations for years to come!
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Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack (Best Value)(Affiliate Link)
The Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack has many features that people look for in a floor jack and it does it an inexpensive price. So after researching several floor jacks and reading countless reviews, we decided that this jack had the Best Value available on the market.
Now, you are probably asking yourself why? Well, to start with, the 3-ton capacity means this jack will work on everything from light cars to 1-ton pickup trucks or anything else you might come across, assuming it weighs less than 6,000 pounds.
Another great feature of this jack is its low profile design. It offers a minimum height of 3-1/8 inches. So it can fit under a considerable amount of sports cars. It also has a max height of 19-5/8 inches, with a two-piece handle that totals 45 inches long. So with its Rapid Pump Technology and dual piston pump design, the max height can be reached in around 3-½ pumps.
The Pittsburgh Automotive 3-Ton Low Profile Floor Jack is also made of industrial strength steel. Along with its extra wide steel wheels and casters, this jack offers an extremely durable and stable frame for picking up the heaviest of vehicles.
Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack
Pros
Pros
- 3-Ton Capacity
- Low Profile Design
- Max Height 19-⅝ inches
Cons
Cons
- Minimal setup procedures
- 90 Day limited warranty
- Weight – 78lbs
Bottom Line – Who is this for?
The Pittsburgh Automotive Jack gets Our title of Best Value Floor Jack because it works for both Automotive Professionals and Enthusiast alike. While this jack is perfect for lifting almost any vehicle you will come across, it’s weight might make it a factor for some people.
However, with its industrial steel frame, you will get a floor jack that will last you many years!
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Pittsburgh Automotive 1.5 Ton Racing Floor Jack (Best Light Duty)(Affiliate Link)
How many times have you been driving down the road, only to hear a loud bang and have your tire blow out? Most vehicle manufacturers include a scissor jack but, if you’ve ever had to use one of those, you know how cheaply built and unstable they can be.
If you are stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire, you definitely want to be able to quickly and safely change your tire. That’s why we decided the Pittsburgh Automotive 1.5 Ton Racing Floor Jack with Rapid Pump was the Best Light Duty Jack on the Market.
This 1.5 Ton Jack is made out of Lightweight Billet Aluminum, so it weighs in just under 32 pounds. It is also 19 inches long and 8-½ inch wide. Along with its two-piece handle, it makes it a perfect jack to toss in the trunk of your car.
The Pittsburgh Automotive 1.5 Ton Racing Floor Jack features Rapid Pump Technology. With its dual piston design allows for loads to lifted to maximum height(14-⅛ inches) in as little as 3-½ pumps. And the universal joint release allows the user to lower the load with the handle in any position.
Pittsburgh Automotive 1.5 Ton Racing Floor Jack
Pros
Pros
- Lightweight (31.68 pounds)
- Compact size (19 x 8-½ inches)
- Two piece handle for easy storage
- Rapid Pump Technology
Cons
Cons
- 90 day limited warrany
- Minimal set-up required before use
Final Verdict – Who’s this jack for?
The Pittsburgh Automotive 1.5 Ton Floor Jack won the title of Best Light Duty Floor Jack because of it’s lightweight and compact design. It makes for an excellent jack to throw in the trunk of a vehicle and will be of great use if you ever find yourself stuck on the side of the road.
If your okay with the idea of having to do some setup before using this jack, and the limited 90-day warranty doesn’t sway your opinion, then this jack is an excellent option for you.
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Hein-Werner HW93642 Service Jack – 2 Ton Capacity (Best Medium Duty)
The Hein-Werner HW93642 Service Jack has been a go-to jack for Automotive Technicians (including myself) for many years. Its 2-Ton capacity allows techs to service almost any vehicle that rolls into their stall and it’s wide base makes sure it is done with maximum stability.
The HW93642 weighs in at 99 pounds, so it is slightly heavier than it’s competitors. It measures in at 28 1/2″ Long and 14 7/8″ Wide. It does include a 1 piece handle that is 50 inches long. And it’s lifting heights are on par with the competition at 4-1/2 inch minimum and a Max Height of 20-1/4 inch.
Another feature of this jack that we really like is the build quality that Hein-Werner offers. It is made of industrial steel with a cast iron lift arm and pumps base. It features flanged side plates for added strength and its wide stature makes for added stability when lifting a load.
It’s single sealed in-line hydraulic pump keeps all pumping forces centered for easy pumping and reduces wear and tear on the lift arm assembly. However, this also means that it will require more pumps to reach max height.
Unlike many jacks on the market today, the Hein-Werner HW93642 service jack is one of the few today that is USA made. It also includes a 2-year warranty.
Hein-Werner HW93642 Service Jack
Pros
Pros
- USA Made
- 2 year Warranty
- Max Height – 20-¼ inches
- Cast Iron lift arm and Pump Base
Cons
Cons
- Single Hydraulic Pump
- 99 pounds
Bottom Line – Why do we Like it?
All-in-All, the Hein-Werner HW93642 2 Ton Service Jack is an excellent choice to have in an Automotive shop. Its sturdy steel frame allows for loads up to 2 Tons to be stability lifted over 20 inches high. Because it only has a single hydraulic pump, more pumps are required to reach max height, but its in-line design reduces wear on the jack’s lifting mechanism. Meaning this jack will last for years to come.
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Arcan XL35 Quick Rise Professional Service Jack (Best Heavy Duty)
Let me start by saying that I may have been a little biased when it came to choosing the Arcan XL35 as the Best Heavy Duty Jack. But seeing as how I personally own 3 of these jacks (2 at home for personal use, and 1 at work, along with a Hein-Werner) I can say that they really are excellent jacks.
To start with, it is one of the few floor jacks on the market that has a 3-½ Ton lifting capacity. It is built from rugged, industrial strength steel, and capable of lifting the 7,000 pounds to an unheard of 21-⅜ inches. As the Arcan XL35 takes the maximum height to new standards, it also offers a low profile feature, being able to get under vehicles that are as low as 3-½ inches.
While the exceptional built quality of the Arcan XL35 not only gives you the added strength and stability required for lifting 3-½ Tons, Arcan threw in lots of other features to make this jack one of the best on the market. The jack features bypass and overload valves to prevent the jack from being used beyond its rated capacity. This not only protects the jack but also the user, in the rare case that the jack might fail.
The Last feature I want to touch on is the Quick Rise system. The Arcan XL35 features dual pistons with dust covers that allow the user to raise the jack into max height in 6-½ pumps(unloaded of course). And with the 50 inch, two-piece handle, you are given maximum leverage to help raise loads at an incredible rate.
Arcan XL35 Quick Rise Professional Service Jack
Pros
- 3-½ Ton lifting capacity
- 21-⅜ maximum height
- Low profile design
- Bypass and overload protection
Cons
Cons
- Jack weight – 98 pounds
Bottom Line – What Makes this Jack So Great?
The Arcan XL 35 won the title of Best Heavy Duty Jack because it raises the standards in both build quality and convenience. It is built to last and perform beyond your expectations for many years, but in the event that something should fail, it does include a 1-year manufacturer warranty. So if you are looking for a floor jack that will rise above the rest, I encourage you to take a look at the Arcan XL 35, it will not disappoint.
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Finals Thoughts
When it comes to picking out a floor jack, criteria such as build quality, weight, lifting capacity, warranty, and mobility are all things to be considered.
Whether you are looking for a lightweight, aluminum jack, that you can throw in your vehicle for emergencies, or you want a heavy-duty steel jack that can lift any vehicle that you might work one, you can be sure that one of the jacks one this list are right for you.
When it comes to picking out a floor jack, it can be hard to pick out front winners. That’s why we chose the top five based on our list of criteria. If you choose a jack from this list, you can be sure to find one to meet your needs and expectations.
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