Best Floor Jacks: How to Choose One for Your Garage

On this page (10 sections)

1. What should you check before choosing the best floor jack?
2. How do you choose capacity for a floor jack?
3. How low does a floor jack need to fit?
4. How much lift height do you need?
5. Which floor jack suits a car, SUV, or truck?
6. Does steel or aluminum matter?
7. Which floor jacks are worth comparing?
8. What else do you need besides a floor jack?
9. How should you store a floor jack?
10. How do you choose the best floor jack for your garage?

The best floor jack for your garage is one that fits beneath your vehicle, has a suitable capacity, and reaches the height you need. Check the vehicle manual's lift points and requirements, then compare the jack's minimum height, maximum height, and load rating.

A jack rating by itself doesn't guarantee a fit. A jack may have ample capacity but fail to slide under a low car, or it may fit but not raise the vehicle far enough for the task.

This guide explains how to narrow the choices by vehicle, clearance, lifting range, material, and garage use. It also compares four floor jacks with different lift ranges and constructions.

What should you check before choosing the best floor jack?

Start with your vehicle's approved lift points and the jack's height range. Then confirm that the jack's rated capacity is suitable for the vehicle and lifting point.

Find the vehicle's owner manual before shopping. It can identify approved jacking points and provide vehicle-specific guidance.

A floor jack's advertised capacity doesn't replace that advice.

Check these details together:

Don't choose by vehicle weight alone or assume the capacity number tells you how much of the vehicle is being lifted. The jack maker's instructions and your vehicle manual should guide the rating and placement for the specific lift.

How do you choose capacity for a floor jack?

Choose a rated capacity that meets the requirements in your vehicle manual and is suitable for the lift point. Capacity is only one part of the decision, so confirm clearance and height too.

The products below include ratings of 2.5 or 3 tons. Those numbers describe their stated lifting capacities.

They don't mean a particular model suits every car, SUV, or truck.

A larger rating isn't a reason to skip the vehicle manual. The approved support point, surface, and lifting method still matter.

If you're considering a 3-ton model, our guide to how much weight a 3-ton jack can lift explains what that rating means. For a narrower comparison, see best 2-ton floor jacks for cars and small SUVs.

How low does a floor jack need to fit?

Measure the clearance at the vehicle's approved lift point, then compare it with the jack's minimum height. Ground clearance elsewhere on the vehicle may not match the height at the point where the saddle must go.

If the jack is too tall at its lowest setting, it can't reach the lift point. A low-profile design can help with low-clearance cars, but check the stated minimum height rather than relying on the label.

The AV Steel jack has a 3.4 in minimum height, and ARCAN gives its A20019 a 3.75 in minimum height in its product description. The Road DAWG starts at 3.86 in, while the Maxority description calls its design ultra-low but doesn't give a minimum height in the available product facts here.

Measure before you buy. Include any body kit, lowered suspension, or other change that affects the clearance at the lifting point.

If you aren't sure where to measure, use your vehicle manual or ask a qualified mechanic.

For a model focused on low cars, compare best aluminum floor jacks you can carry, which covers aluminum options and maneuvering.

How much lift height do you need?

Choose a jack whose maximum height is enough for the task, while staying within the vehicle maker's instructions. A tall maximum can be useful for some vehicles, but it doesn't make every high lift appropriate.

The jack must first reach under the vehicle. Then it must raise the vehicle enough for the job without exceeding the approved lift points or the jack's instructions.

The four models here show why you should compare the full range:

A high maximum doesn't solve a low-clearance problem if the jack won't fit underneath. Likewise, a low minimum doesn't help if the jack can't reach the height you need.

Consider how the jack's range matches your vehicle and work area. The next step is to use stands to support a raised vehicle before working near or beneath it.

Which floor jack suits a car, SUV, or truck?

Choose based on the vehicle's lift points, clearance, and required height, not its body style alone. A product may describe a broad vehicle fit, but you should still verify its specifications and operating instructions against your vehicle.

For a car or sedan, a low minimum height may matter most if clearance is tight. The AV Steel is described for cars and sedans, with a 3.4 to 14.6 in lift range.

Its product description says it isn't recommended for trucks, SUVs, or lifted vehicles.

For an SUV or light truck, check capacity and maximum height along with the vehicle's approved lift points. ARCAN describes its A20019 for passenger vehicles, SUVs, and light trucks.

The Road DAWG is described for sedans, SUVs, and off-road trucks, with a 3.86 to 30.12 in range.

Those descriptions are starting points, not a substitute for checking your exact vehicle. Compare options in our best floor jacks for SUVs and crossovers guide if you drive an SUV or crossover.

Does steel or aluminum matter?

Material can affect how convenient a jack is to move, but it doesn't determine whether the jack fits your vehicle. Compare material alongside its weight, capacity, height range, and storage needs.

ARCAN describes the A20019 as aircraft-grade aluminum and lightweight for maneuvering and transport. Its stated capacity is 3 tons, with an 18 in maximum height.

The Maxority and AV Steel models are alloy steel. The Road DAWG is described as stainless steel in its product facts.

These are different designs, so don't infer performance or durability from material names alone.

Consider how often you'll move the jack between storage and the car. Also measure its overall size and the space where you plan to keep it.

A jack that fits your requirements but is awkward to store may be harder to use when you need it.

Which floor jacks are worth comparing?

These four options have different capacity, height, and construction details. Match each model's stated features to your vehicle and garage instead of treating one rating or feature as a universal winner.

ARCAN A20019 3 Ton Aluminum Low Profile Floor Jack

The ARCAN A20019 combines a 3-ton capacity with a low-profile design and aluminum construction. ARCAN gives it a 3.75 in minimum height in its product description and an 18 in maximum height.

ARCAN describes a quick-rise design, a reinforced lift arm, a side-mount handle, and bypass and overload valves. These features may suit a garage where the jack needs to be positioned around different vehicles.

Check the minimum height at your approved lift point before choosing it for a low car. Also confirm that its maximum height suits your work and that you can move and store a 56 lb jack.

Maxority 3 Ton Low Profile Steel Floor Jack

The Maxority is a 3-ton steel jack with a 19.9 in maximum height. Its description emphasizes low-clearance access and a quick-lift hydraulic pump.

The product description names an overload safety valve and a stable lift saddle. It also describes the steel construction as intended for heavy loads and frequent use.

The available product facts don't give a minimum height. Confirm that measurement before choosing it for a low vehicle, since the phrase low profile doesn't tell you the exact clearance needed.

Check the warranty terms and the operating instructions before use as well.

AV Steel 2.5 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack

The AV Steel is a 2.5-ton floor jack with a 3.4 to 14.6 in lift range. Its description identifies cars and sedans as its intended fit and says it isn't recommended for trucks, SUVs, or lifted vehicles.

The jack has alloy steel construction, two rear rotating wheels, a single-piston pump, and a 360-degree rotating saddle. The stated maximum height is lower than the other three jacks in this comparison.

Compare 14.6 in with the height your task requires. This model may not be the right fit if your vehicle or approved lift point needs a higher lift, or if you have an SUV or truck.

Road DAWG 3 Ton Low Profile High Reach Floor Jack

The Road DAWG is a 3-ton floor jack with a stated lift range of 3.86 to 30.12 in. That range is the highest maximum height among these four options.

The product facts describe a dual-piston pump, a foldable lifting arm, rear casters that pivot 360 degrees, and a two-piece handle with a foam bumper. The stated weight is 102.2 lb, so plan how you'll move and store it.

A high maximum doesn't mean you should lift every vehicle that high. Follow the vehicle and jack instructions, and check that the lowest saddle height fits your lift point before choosing it.

What else do you need besides a floor jack?

A floor jack lifts the vehicle; it doesn't replace jack stands. If you need to work near or beneath a raised vehicle, support it with properly rated stands at the approved points, following both manuals.

Set up on firm, level ground and follow the vehicle's instructions for parking and wheel blocking. Don't place any part of your body beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.

Our guide to what size jack stands you need covers how to compare stand height and capacity. For the differences between lifting and supporting, read floor jack vs jack stands.

A floor jack also isn't the only way to raise a vehicle for every task. For work that suits a ramp, compare car ramps vs a floor jack for home oil changes.

Ramps have their own fit and safe-use requirements, so check the vehicle and ramp instructions.

For general lifting and support guidance, consult the NHTSA vehicle safety guidance and the instructions supplied with your vehicle and equipment.

How should you store a floor jack?

Store a floor jack in a dry, accessible spot where it won't block a walkway or get struck by a vehicle. Follow the jack manual for storage position and care.

Before putting it away, check for visible damage or leaks and keep its handle and accessories together. Don't rely on a visual check to prove that a jack is safe to use.

Leave room to roll or carry the jack out without dragging it across clutter. If you need a storage plan, see how to store a floor jack in your garage.

How do you choose the best floor jack for your garage?

Choose the best floor jack by matching its rated capacity, minimum height, maximum height, and approved lift points to your vehicle. Then consider material, weight, and where you'll store it.

Pick the AV Steel when its lower minimum height and car-and-sedan fit suit your vehicle, and its 14.6 in maximum is enough. Compare the ARCAN or Maxority if you need a 3-ton rating, and consider the Road DAWG's wider stated range if its size and weight suit your garage.

Before lifting, read the vehicle and jack instructions and use jack stands for support when required. For more options by budget and features, see best floor jacks for the money.

Frequently asked questions

What size floor jack do I need?

Choose a floor jack with a rated capacity that meets the requirement for the vehicle and lifting point in your owner's manual. A 2-ton or 3-ton rating describes the jack's capacity, but it doesn't tell you whether the saddle fits the vehicle or reaches the height you need.

Check those details separately.

Can a floor jack hold a car while I work under it?

A floor jack is for lifting, not for supporting a vehicle while you work beneath it. Once the vehicle is raised, use jack stands at the approved support points on a firm, level surface, and follow the vehicle and stand instructions.

Never rely on the hydraulic jack alone.

What is the difference between a low-profile and high-lift floor jack?

A low-profile jack has a low minimum height to reach beneath a vehicle with little ground clearance. A high-lift jack raises its saddle farther, which can help when a vehicle or task needs more lift.

Compare both the minimum and maximum heights with your vehicle and intended lift point.

Is an aluminum floor jack better than a steel one?

Aluminum can make a jack easier to maneuver and transport, while steel models may suit buyers who prioritize a steel construction. Material alone doesn't determine fit: compare capacity, minimum height, maximum height, weight, and the maker's operating instructions for your vehicle and garage.

Can I use a floor jack on a sloped driveway?

Use a floor jack only on a firm, level surface unless the vehicle and jack instructions specifically say otherwise. A slope can let a vehicle or jack move during lifting.

Set the parking brake, follow the vehicle manual's wheel-blocking guidance, and move to a suitable level work area.