The best floor jack for most home garages is a hydraulic model rated for at least 3 tons, with a lift range that suits your car’s ground clearance. When you compare jacks, capacity and height matter more than brand names.
Low cars need a jack with a minimum height of 3.5 inches or less. Whatever it costs, a floor jack still needs jack stands before anyone works underneath the vehicle.
This guide is general information. Follow your vehicle owner’s manual and the jack’s own safety instructions every time you lift a car.
| Pick | Best for | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| Big Red 4-ton Torin low profile jack | Most garage jobs | 4-ton capacity and a 4 to 20 inch lift range |
| Husky 3-ton low profile jack | Tighter budgets | 19.75 inch maximum height |
| Powerbuilt 2-ton extra low profile jack | Low cars | 2.75 inch minimum height |
| ARCAN 3-ton aluminum jack | Lighter lifting | 3.75 inch minimum and 18 inch maximum height on the Amazon listing |
| Badland 3-ton off-road jack | UTVs, ATVs and lifted Jeeps | 29 inches of travel |
Best Floor Jack Picks by Use Case
The four jacks below are on Amazon: the Torin 4-ton low profile, Powerbuilt 2-ton extra low profile, ARCAN 3-ton aluminum and Big Red 1.5-ton aluminum and steel models. The Husky, Badland, Harbor Freight 70485 and Torin 3-ton aluminum jacks are covered in this guide from review and manual sources only, with no purchase card. Check each one with its seller before you buy.
Reasons to buy
- 4-ton (8,000 lb) capacity for cars, trucks and SUVs
- Dual-piston quick-lift pump raises loads faster
- Built-in safety overload system
- Meets ASME safety standards with swivel casters
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy to move and store
- Only a 1-year limited warranty
- Jack stands are still needed for any work underneath
Reasons to buy
- Super low-profile design fits under vehicles as low as 2-3/4 inches
- Wide lift range of 2-3/4 to 15-1/4 inches
- Locking safety bar supports the load at maximum height
- Meets or exceeds ASME standards
Reasons to avoid
- 2-ton capacity is not enough for heavy trucks
- Steel build is heavier than aluminum jacks
- Jack stands are still recommended for any work underneath
Reasons to buy
- 3-ton (6,000 lb) capacity for SUVs and light trucks
- Lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum
- Quick-rise lift with a low 3.75-inch minimum height
- Bypass and overload valves for controlled operation
Reasons to avoid
- Aluminum jacks cost more than steel
- Jack stands are still required for any work underneath
- 3.75-inch minimum height will not clear very low cars
Reasons to buy
- Aluminum and steel construction keeps weight down
- Lift range of 3.5 to 14 inches fits under low-profile vehicles
- Side handle makes carrying easy
- Foam bumper on the handle protects the vehicle
Reasons to avoid
- 1.5-ton capacity limits it to compact and mid-size cars
- Only a 1-year limited warranty
- Jack stands are still required for any work underneath
The Drive’s editors chose the Big Red 4-ton Torin low profile jack as the best floor jack overall, with a 4 to 20 inch lift range. For a heavier truck or SUV, that makes it the best floor jack of the group on capacity alone. The editors call it their personal go-to, citing quality and performance at a competitive price. The Amazon listing for the Torin AT84007NB shows a 4-inch minimum height, a 20-inch maximum height and a 96.2 pound weight, so plan for a heavy jack.
The full roundup is at The Drive’s floor jack roundup. The table below compares the picks by rated capacity and height, using the review sites for the jacks without a card and the Amazon listings for the four with one.
| Pick | Capacity | Minimum height | Maximum height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torin 4-ton low profile (Big Red) | 4 tons | 4 inches | 20 inches |
| Husky 3-ton low profile | 3 tons | Not listed | 19.75 inches |
| Badland 3-ton off-road | 3 tons | Not listed | 29 inches of travel |
| Big Red Torin 3-ton aluminum | 3 tons | Not listed | 18.9 inches |
| Jegs/Sunex/Arcan 3-ton aluminum (AutoGuide) | 3 tons | 3.5 inches | 19.25 inches |
| ARCAN 3-ton aluminum A20019 (Amazon listing) | 3 tons | 3.75 inches | 18 inches |
| Powerbuilt 2-ton extra low profile | 2 tons | 2.75 inches | 15.25 to 15.5 inches |
| Big Red 1.5-ton aluminum and steel | 1.5 tons | 3.5 inches | 14 inches |
| Harbor Freight 2-ton low profile (item 70485) | 2 tons (4,000 lb) | 3-1/2 inches | 16-7/8 inches |
Budget Floor Jack Options for Tight Spending
Husky’s 3-ton low profile floor jack is The Drive’s value pick, with a 19.75 inch maximum height and a dual-piston pump. The Drive describes it as costing about half the price of well-known budget brands, which makes it a practical stop on a best floor jack search with a limited budget.
That comparison comes from a review last updated in August 2024, so check current prices directly. Compare the capacity and minimum height first, then the price, because the best floor jack for the money depends on those figures.
AutoGuide’s lighter budget choice among the best floor jack options is the Torin 1.5-ton aluminum jack. The editors say it balances low weight with low price. The Amazon listing for the Big Red 1.5-ton model shows a 3.5 inch minimum height, a 14 inch maximum height and a weight of 33.7 pounds. A 1.5-ton rating suits only smaller vehicles, so check the vehicle weight before you buy.
Low Profile Floor Jacks for Low Cars
Powerbuilt’s 2-ton extra low profile jack is listed for vehicles as low as 2.75 inches, while Harbor Freight’s 2-ton low profile jack starts at 3-1/2 inches. For a low car, minimum height decides whether the best floor jack can reach the lift point at all.
AutoGuide says the Powerbuilt suits unibody vehicles and raises up to 15.5 inches, while the Amazon spec lists 15.25 inches. Its steel safety bar holds the jack in the raised position, but the editors still advise jack stands even with the bar in place, and so does this guide. Never treat a safety bar as a replacement for jack stands. A floor jack with matching stands also suits a home mechanic, and our list of gifts for car guys covers more garage gear. For someone who repairs cars for a living, see tool and garage gift ideas for mechanics.
The Harbor Freight 2-ton model, item 70485, has a 3-1/2 inch minimum and a 16-7/8 inch maximum height, according to Harbor Freight’s owner’s manual. The same manual says to use the jack only on a hard, level surface.
Lightweight Aluminum and Off-Road Floor Jacks
The Jegs/Sunex/Arcan 3-ton aluminum jack is AutoGuide’s editor pick, with a 3.5 inch minimum height and a 19.25 inch maximum height. The editors say it lifted their 4,200-pound Dodge Magnum RT easily and dependably. The ARCAN A20019 on Amazon is a related 3-ton aluminum model. Its listing shows a 3.75 inch minimum and an 18 inch maximum, so match the exact model number before you rely on either set of figures.
The Big Red Torin 3-ton aluminum jack weighs 56 pounds and reaches 18.9 inches, which The Drive calls lightweight for its capacity. The Drive lists its price as a drawback, so compare it with other aluminum models before you pick the best floor jack for your garage.
For rough ground, the Badland 3-ton off-road jack offers 29 inches of travel and is built for lifting UTVs, ATVs and lifted Jeeps. Lists disagree on the best truck jack, so use the rated capacity and lift range for your own vehicle instead of a best floor jack ranking.
Choosing the Best Floor Jack for Your Car
Match rated capacity, minimum height and maximum lift to your car before comparing brands, because the best floor jack for one car can be wrong for another. A 2-ton Harbor Freight jack, for example, is rated 4,000 pounds and starts at 3-1/2 inches.
Use this table to check each figure against your vehicle when you narrow a best floor jack shortlist.
| Attribute | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Rated capacity | Above the weight on the lifted end | The manual warns against exceeding the rated capacity |
| Minimum height | Below your ground clearance at the lift point | A jack that cannot fit under the car cannot lift it |
| Maximum height | Above the height you need to work | Sets how high the car rises |
| Weight | How often you carry the jack | Aluminum models run lighter for their capacity |
| Pump type | Dual-piston pump, where listed | The Drive cites it on the Husky model |
Lift only the areas of the vehicle that the vehicle manufacturer specifies. Find those lift points in your owner’s manual before you buy the best floor jack with the range you need. Once a wheel is back on, torque wrench picks for lug nuts help you tighten it to spec.
Jack Stands Are Required for Any Floor Jack
Even the best floor jack only lifts, so jack stands must hold the vehicle before anyone works underneath it. The Harbor Freight manual says never to work on, under or around a load supported only by the device. After a wheel change, check tire pressure with a compact tire inflator for roadside and garage use before you drive.
A 2025 NHTSA-posted service bulletin for a 10-wheeler truck gives the same warning, saying never to support the vehicle with hydraulic jacks only. When you compare the best jack stands, check their rating against the vehicle’s weight, and place them under the frame or axle at the same height.
Safety Steps Before and During Lifting
Six checks from the Harbor Freight 2-ton manual cover the main lifting risks with any best floor jack. Follow them in this order every time.
- Apply the parking brake and chock the tires before lifting.
- Set the jack on a hard, level surface that can support the load.
- Lift only at the points the vehicle manufacturer specifies.
- Support the vehicle with jack stands right after lifting.
- Do not move or dolly the vehicle while it sits on the jack.
- Inspect the jack before each use, and lower the load slowly when you finish.
Wear ANSI-approved safety goggles and heavy-duty work gloves, as the manual advises. Keep clear of the load while lifting and lowering. Brake work is a common reason to lift a car, and ABS brake bleeding with a scanner explains the steps after it is up on stands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can a floor jack lift a car?
Lift range varies by model, so check the specs of each best floor jack. The Drive lists the Big Red 4-ton at 4 to 20 inches, and the Badland off-road jack offers 29 inches of travel. Check the maximum height against the height you need, and the minimum height against your car’s ground clearance. Once the car is back on the ground, set the pressures with one of the tire gauge picks for home garages.
Can a floor jack lift a truck?
Some can, if the rated capacity fits the load. The Drive says the Badland 3-ton is built for lifted Jeeps, UTVs and ATVs on rough terrain. Never exceed the rated capacity, and do not use a jack with loose or damaged parts.
Is an aluminum floor jack worth it?
Aluminum trades price for weight. The Big Red Torin 3-ton aluminum model weighs 56 pounds, and The Drive lists its price as a drawback. Choose aluminum if you move the jack often between garages or events.
Is a 2-ton floor jack enough for a car?
Compare the rated capacity of any best floor jack with your vehicle’s weight rather than relying on a rule of thumb. Harbor Freight’s 2-ton low profile jack is rated 4,000 pounds, so check that figure against the weight on the lifted end.
Can I find a good floor jack under 100 dollars?
Prices change, so check current listings before you buy. The Drive says its budget pick, the Husky 3-ton low profile jack, costs about half the price of well-known budget brands. Filter by capacity and minimum height first, then compare prices.
How often should a floor jack be inspected?
Inspect it before every use, as the Harbor Freight manual advises, and do not use it if parts are loose or damaged. If the jack does not work properly, bleed air from its hydraulic system as the manual describes.
Measure your car’s ground clearance at the lift point before you shop, since that one figure rules out many models. Plan for jack stands when you buy the best floor jack, because no jack should be the only support under a car.
