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Get Up Off the Ground with the Best Car Jacks for 2023, Tested
A car jack is essential for nearly every at-home automotive repair or maintenance job. We tested several different jacks to determine which best fit your needs.
In the world of automotive gear, where tech often takes the front stage, there exists an unheralded analog soldier calmly serving its purpose: the trusty car jack. Like any unsung hero, the car jack steps into the spotlight only when needed, transforming the lifting of your vehicle from a Herculean task to a clear and easy series of movements. As handy as a set of car ramps can be, a trustworthy jack provides the necessary muscle when it comes to at-home car repairs and DIY maintenance jobs and should never be left out of any at-home tool kit.
Since the car jack and jack stand combo is such a necessity, here at the Gear Team we've set out to honor, compare, and test these humble heroes for all your car jack needs.
Our Top Picks
Things to Consider
Weight Capacity: Jacks have different weight capacities, so it is crucial that you choose a jack that can safely lift your vehicle. Confirm the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on the door placard, and shop accordingly. Getting jacks that exceed your vehicle's GVWR is never a good idea.
Lifting Points: Confirm the lifting points on your owner's manual. Typical lifting points include cross members, frame rails, and reinforced pinch welds. If your vehicle is equipped with air springs, make sure to select the "jack mode" or a similar setting within the vehicle's settings. Failing to do so may result in massive frustration. Trust us.
Portability and Storage: If you plan to travel with or move your car jack frequently, you should take into account its weight, footprint, and portability.
Safety Features: Safety is supreme when it comes to working under your car, and you should always put jack stands under your vehicle before you creep beneath it. However, there are additional safety features that a typical car jack may offer, including locking mechanisms and bypass valves to prevent overloading.
Starting Height: The jack won't be doing much lifting if it can't fit beneath your car, so make sure you purchase a jack that can fit beneath the clearance of your vehicle. Take note, low-profile owners: This will be one of your largest considerations.
Lifting Range: How high should you go? You'll want to ensure the lifting range is, at the very least, high enough to fit the lowest setting of your jack stands. Also, consider the type of maintenance or repair you are conducting and ensure there is enough height clearance to perform that task.
Excessive Rust: It is important that your car does not show any signs of excessive rust. Excessive rusting could cause the jack to break through the lifting point, causing catastrophic failure. Not only is this dangerous, but it has the potential to render your car completely undrivable.
Scissor Jacks: Scissor jacks are typically provided with your vehicle for use in case of emergency. These are generally not recommended for regular garage use, which is why we've opted to leave them out of this test.
How We Tested Car Jacks
When testing our selection of car lifts, we kept it simple and data-driven. Equipped with a fancy laser measuring tool and a middle-of-the-road 2004 Toyota Corolla, we tested the following parameters:
- Lowest pad height (to determine vehicle clearance)
- Maximum lift height
- Pumps to reach max height (no load)
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Stress test: Does it sag over time?
After looking over our data and testing notes, we assessed which jacks were the best for certain situations. Here are our picks for the best car jacks.
Blackhawk B6530 Fast Lift
Blackhawk B6530 Fast Lift
If you're looking for a simple, everyday garage jack, the Blackhawk B6530 may be the one for you. After a simple setup, we were amazed by this 87-pound beast's lift-per-pump, with a mere 1.5 pumps of the arm raising the jack to full height under no load.
During our tests, the Toyota Corolla was raised a generous 21.5 inches, providing ample space to slide two jack stands under the pinch welds. Additionally, the jack had the longest chassis design of the lot, making reaching the cross-member lifting point on our Corolla easy.
Overall, we feel the Blackhawk is a straightforward car jack that's effective and easy to use. The dual-piston hydraulic system provides smooth and efficient lifting, so we believe this jack is a worthy investment for DIYers and professionals alike.
Specs
| Stated Weight Rating | 7,000 lbs |
|---|---|
| Tested Lift Height | 21.5 in |
| Pumps to Max Reach (no load) | 1.5 pumps |
| Min Pad Height | 5.3 in |
| Weight | 87.0 lbs |
| Dimensions (L/W/H+handle height) | 28.0/14.0/6.5 + 51.5 in |
| Sag Stress Test | No Sag |
Powerbuilt Unijack
Powerbuilt Unijack
If you're the type who values efficiency and convenience, the Powerbuilt Unijack combines a classic bottle jack and jack stand into one space-saving tool.
In terms of safety features, the Powerbuilt was the one jack we tested that offered the most tactile safety feature, utilizing the familiar lock-drop mechanism we're used to seeing on jack stands and other hydraulic lifts.
While we loved the space-saving and safety features, the one downfall was the short lever, which resulted in a low pump-to-lift ratio. It took a whopping 46 pumps to get to the max height of 20.5 inches. If you're looking for a bright side, that means you could probably skip arm day at the gym.
Specs
| Stated Weight Rating | 6,000 lbs |
|---|---|
| Tested Lift Height (max lock height) | 20.5 in |
| Pumps to Max Reach (no load) | 46 pumps |
| Min Pad Height | 11.0 in |
| Weight | 22.0 lbs |
| Dimensions (L/W/H) | 9.0/9.0/11.0 in |
| Sag Stress Test | No Sag |
Vevor Pneumatic Jack
Sick and tired of watching the cost of living rise by inflation? Why not watch your vehicle rise by inflation with the Vevor Pneumatic Jack instead? With an entirely different modus operandi, this jack requires a compressor to operate.
Instructions are simple: Attach the compressor, slowly open the valve, and watch in awe as the air jack lifts at an impressive rate. Lifting and lowering the air jack at a variable rate took a bit of practice, but it is possible to create a custom height by carefully opening and closing the valves. The maximum height we measured was 15.8 inches; plenty of room to lift the front vehicle for jack stands or a quick tire swap.
All in all, we found the Vevor to be a delightful step away from the traditional car jack. It's quick, nimble, and light, making it a great addition to your track-day gear.
Specs
| Stated Weight Rating | 6,000 lbs |
|---|---|
| Tested Lift Height | 15.8 in |
| Pumps to Max Reach (no load) | 1.9 sec |
| Min Pad Height | 6.0 in |
| Weight | 34.0 lbs |
| Dimensions (L/W/H) | 20.0/10.5/6.1 in |
| Sag Stress Test | No Sag |
Pittsburgh Low-Pro Aluminum Racing Jack
Pittsburgh Low-Pro Aluminum Racing Jack
If you're looking for low, light, and long-lasting, the trusty Pittsburgh Low-Profile Aluminum Racing Jack may be just what you're looking for. The low-profile design is specifically tailored for vehicles with minimal ground clearance, making it a great choice for racing enthusiasts or low-profile vehicle owners.
What really made this traditional floor jack distinct from the others was the aluminum material used. Weighing in at 63 pounds—24 pounds less than the next size up—makes all the difference in maneuverability and portability.
Specs
| Stated Weight Rating | 6,000 lbs |
|---|---|
| Tested Lift Height | 19.5 in |
| Pumps to Max Reach (no load) | 7 pumps |
| Min Pad Height | 3.8 in |
| Weight | 63.0 lbs |
| Dimensions (L/W/H + handle height) | 26.5/14.0/6.3 + 51.5 in |
| Sag Stress Test | No Sag |
Big Red AT84007R
Unless your vehicle is a military-grade tank, you'd be hard-pressed to find a car in your fleet that the Big Red can't lift. The Big Red has an impressive weight capacity of up to 8000 pounds, and that shows with its heavy-duty steel frame and reinforced lift arm.
Something we also liked about the Big Red is that, though it is not advertised as a low-profile jack, it could feasibly be used for lower-profile vehicles. With a low, low height of 3.8 inches on its lowest setting and a max lift height of 20.5 inches, the lifting range is versatile enough for a variety of cars and strong enough to handle the heaviest of the lot.
Specs
| Stated Weight Rating | 8,000 lbs |
|---|---|
| Tested Lift Height | 20.5 in |
| Pumps to Max Reach (no load) | 11 pumps |
| Min Pad Height | 3.8 in |
| Weight | 93.0 lbs |
| Dimensions (L/W/H + handle height) | 26.5/13.5/6.5 + 51.5 in |
| Sag Stress Test | No Sag |
How We Tested Car Jacks
Since the car jack is a simple machine, we decided to follow suit and keep our evaluations simple. As Michigan burst into full spring bloom, we pulled a personal vehicle—the crowd-pleasing 2004 Toyota Corolla—for an afternoon of getting jacked. (Fun fact: Two of the three testing team members own a 9th-generation Toyota Corolla.)
In this spirit of simplicity, before the jack went beneath our Corolla, we hand-measured each jack's specifications to verify their manufacturer's claims. We measured the dimensions of the jack themselves, including the length of their handles. Next, we measured the minimum pad height to verify the lowest height the jack could theoretically fit beneath. Lastly, we measured the height extension each pump gave us. Note: we did not report this number in our specs above as we quickly discovered it changes drastically under load and will vary from user to user.
While the jack was still out from beneath the car, we gathered the same scales used in the Car and Driver testing protocol to test the weight of the jacks. Lastly, we measured how many pumps it took to achieve maximum height. Again, this will vary depending on the weight of your vehicle, but we opted to report these findings as they varied greatly between products and we thought it a fair consideration for consumers.
After the "off-stage" testing, it was time to put them through the wringer (aka the Corolla). To assess maneuverability and ease of use, we lined up the lifting points, raised the vehicle to the maximum height, and recorded that number using the Bosch GLM20 laser measure. Lastly, we conducted our stress test, leaving the car on the jack for 30 minutes and afterward measuring any sag.
FAQs
Can I work under my car while it's jacked up?
Yes and no. When jacking your car up, it is imperative that you put jack stands beneath the vehicle before you begin working under it. Jacks are not meant to hold up any vehicle for long periods of time and do not typically come with a locking mechanism. Use the jack stand and jack combo every time you are beneath the car.
What types of car jacks are available?
There are scissor, hydraulic floor, bottle, inflatable, and jack stand jacks. Each has its own features and qualities.
Can I use the car jack that comes with my car?
Most car jacks come with a scissor jack, which is mainly used for emergencies. If you're using a jack to prepare for at-home repairs, you should purchase an aftermarket jack, which is more robust and less prone to disrepair.
How do I determine the lifting points on my vehicle?
The lifting points should be mentioned in your owner's manual. Common lifting points include areas on the frame and reinforced pinch welds.
Are car jacks safe?
If a jack is used according to manufacturer instructions and at the correct lifting locations, it should be safe to lift your vehicle. Remember to always put the vehicle onto jack stands if you are working beneath the car.
Why Trust Us
Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as GPS trackers for cars, OBD-II scanners, and electric car chargers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.
Hearst Autos doesn't need to game algorithms for traffic or promote lousy products to earn a buck. Instead, we're more concerned with our legacy, our reputation, and the trust that our readers have in Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track to deliver honest opinions and expert evaluations.
Visit our Tested & Trusted page to see the very best in automotive gear. Read more about our product testing and evaluation process here.
Katherine Keeler is an Assistant Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankenstein’s her ever changing fleet of rust-bucket-oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.
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