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Automotive businesses have seen a sharp rise in recent years, with new technologies coming every few years. As things are becoming easier with time, there are a lot of people who now prefer to maintain and fix their vehicles at their homes. This is where a car lift comes in handy. There are so many models in the market that choosing one can be pretty hard.
To help you out, here is a review that includes a list of the top models. Not only that, but the review also includes a perfect buying guide that enlightens you with different types of lifts, their properties, and what you should look out for while buying your model. Since there is so much to know, let’s get started.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Car Lift
- OUR TOP PICK: APlusLift HW-8S
- RUNNER-UP: BendPak XPR-10AS
- BEST CAR LIFT FOR THE MONEY: Mayflower Blacksmith BP9000
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart of the Best Car Lifts
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What Should I Look For When Choosing a Car Lift?
There are so many products out there that it is hard to choose one singular car lift that fits your complete criteria. For car enthusiasts, it is important that you make this choice wisely. Here is everything that you should look for when choosing a car lift.
Hydraulic Pack
A hydraulic pack is specifically designed to keep the safety of you and others in mind. This occurs with the help of velocity fuses and hydraulic flow restrictions. This also includes the hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic circuits. All this combined helps ensure that these safety devices can control any sudden downward travel that might occur if the component fails
Arm Restraints
The car lifting positions are also designed to cater to different vehicles without needing many changes. Two-post car lifts usually come with a swing arm assembly that adjusts the arm design to conveniently fit a wide range of vehicles. This arm restraint device also locks in place when the load is lifted.
Automatic Safety Locks
Automatic safety locks on car lifts allow for multiple positions that allow for maximum flexibility. It not only keeps you secure and safe when you are lifting your car but also prevents the car from tilting or falling. Moreover, these safety locks come in handy as they allow engagement with your car. You can lift and release the locks as you go slightly higher and release the pressure.
Remote Control
Not all car lifts come with a remote control, but those that do offer better results and more convenience. The control is also what puts the motor in the accurate position, thus making it easy to raise the vehicle in less than 30 to 45 seconds. It is also much easier than hand-on jacks. This will lower the load with perfect precision.
Review of the Best Car Lifts
Car lifts are irreplaceable as they allow you to lift your cars without fearing for your health or your safety. There are many products out there in the market, and it can be hard to pick just one. Thus, we have done all the research, so you don’t have to.
Best Overall:
APlusLift HW-8S
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are thrilled to find this model true to its claims. It is a 4-post car lift that allows you to lift even the heaviest of your cars without any hassle. They have also praised the existence of a very good warranty policy, which makes the model more reliable. Its powder-coated finish also acts as the icing on the cake and further assures buyers that they made the right choice.
Why it stands Out to Us
When it comes to car lifts, it is extremely important that the product remains consistent throughout. This means that you should be absolutely certain that your machine does not lose its strength. This car lift comes with a corrosion-resistant body that doesn’t wear out even after continual usage. This also stands out because the model comes with double coating paint.
Who Will Use This Most
People who have heavier cars will make the most use of this model because its high-end construction offers greater durability. Moreover, its higher load capacity of 8000 pounds means that it can be used for trucks and larger vehicles too. Not only that, but the model also comes with a safety switch that enhances safety. So any person who doesn’t mind spending some extra money for greater safety will like using this model.
Bottom Line
This is considered the best overall product in the market right now, and it has won this position fair and square. It comes with a durable design that offers better load capacity. Moreover, it is a 4 post lift system that offers better stability, and the inclusion of the auto hoist system protects you from any damages. Its better warranty also makes it a reliable model.
Runner-up:
BendPak XPR-10AS
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
BendPak has been a fan favorite model for quite some time now. It comes with an asymmetric design, which is also known as a vehicle behind a column and a centerline lift. Buyers have also liked the presence of an exclusive true metric arm and carriage design that, when combined, gives all the users the ability to load and unload vehicles easily.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Security is one of the most important factors that need consideration in regards to car lifts. The model comes with an overhead safety that offers a shut-off bar that is fully padded. This allows better safety not only for the users but also for the property. Moreover, there is also a single point safety release that further aids the safety process.
Who Will Use This Most
People with wide and narrow drive-through configuration will make the most use of this model. This is because the model comes with a top beam that is fully expandable. Among other things, this also helps accommodate vehicles with different window configurations. Moreover, it offers ease of installation, which is another reason people like investing in this model.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a completely revolutionary model, then this is definitely one. It offers better access to the interior of your car. This not only allows for ease of usage but also ensures perfect maintenance. Moreover, the model comes with a single point safety mechanism for added security. This, coupled with the true beam expandable technology, makes the model worthy of this position.
Best Car Lift for the Money:
Mayflower Blacksmith BP9000
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users have found all they were looking for in this spectacular car lift. It not only comes with a durable design and high load capacity, but it also ensures better safety for users and their property. The two-point safety lock release allows for 18 different lock positions. This keeps your vehicle secure even at a greater height. It also reduces the number of accidents that would happen otherwise.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Everyone wants products that offer consistency and smoothness. This car lift comes with a supermolecular and self-lubricating nylon slider that ensures that your carriage moves steadily in both upwards and downwards direction. Not just that, this feature is also aided by a long diameter cable and a wide pulley that reduces stress on the process of synchronization.
Who Will Use This Most
People who don’t want to invest too much but still want a durable and reliable model will make good use of this car lift. It comes with an increased cable life, which makes it suitable for a range of vehicles. Moreover, it also offers a relatively less lifting time. You can lift even the heaviest vehicles in less than 50 seconds with the help of this car lift.
Bottom Line
Affordability and efficiency come together in the making of this amazing car lift model. Even at a cheaper price, it offers you a relatively high lifting capacity of around 8000 pounds. It is also very durable thanks to its heavy-duty chain cylinders and its high-end construction. Moreover, it offers a reduction in stress levels, which keeps your vehicle steady for a longer time.
Best Portable Car Lift:
BendPak QuickJack BL-5000SLX
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
According to buyers, this QuickJack portable car lift makes vehicle maintenance seem very easy. The model can be taken to any place. Buyers are really pleased with the compact design that can be stored very easily. In fact, you can also keep it in the back of your car.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Among many other features, the model stands out to us because of its amazing remote control. This comes with the machine and offers greater convenience to the users. To operate it, you simply need to press a couple of buttons on your remote control. This can be done from a distance, too, which ensures that you are well protected from any possible injuries.
Who Will Use This Most
This model is foremost for professional mechanics that travel to customer’s homes to repair and fix their cars. The relatively less weight of the car lift adds to portability and hence makes it convenient to transport the product from one place to the other. Moreover, the model comes with an automatic lifting mechanism that allows for automatic lifting.
Bottom Line
Not many products claim to offer portability, especially when they simultaneously claim to have a high load capacity. This car lift is a wonderful addition to the market as it weighs relatively less than other products and hence offers ease of transportation. Not just that, it also comes with a relatively low installation cost, which makes it a noteworthy model.
Best Hydraulic Car Lift:
Powerbuilt 620422E Heavy Duty
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers were very relieved to get their hands on such a suitable and reliable model. It incorporates excellent safety features and a patented design that assists better usage. Buyers are also pleased with the lift saddles and the lift rails that are fully padded. All this, combined with a durable exterior, makes this model a fan favorite.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The hydraulic car lift jack stands out to us mostly because of the inclusion of a locking safety bar that not only holds the jack in place but also offers higher stability when the vehicle is raised. This eliminates any hassle of supporting the lifted vehicle. Moreover, the built-in and tie-down loops also make it easy to secure your motorcycles perfectly in place.
Who Will Use This Most
The model’s ultra-wide chassis offers greater stability and strength, which makes it suitable for a higher lifting range. It can be used for cars, motorcycles, trucks, and ATVs; thus, it offers greater variability. Moreover, the patented design also features a triple lift that accommodates multiple frames of your vehicles.
Bottom Line
If this product had another name, it would have been perfection. This hydraulic car lift comes up with an innovative technology that combines amazing patented design with the perfect lifting capacity. It offers higher durability, which makes for even balancing. Not only that, but it is also easy to install, which reduces the amount of money and energy needed to kick start operation.
Best 2 Post Car Lift:
APlusLift HW-10KOH
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The model has been successful in garnering huge praise from recent buyers. It comes with a double S column design that adds to the durability and strength of the model. This, combined with the inclusion of safety switches, makes this model completely safe.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are hardly any products in the market that offer features of symmetrical as well as asymmetrical lifts in one. This 2-in-1 design is extremely easy to install. Its relatively lesser weight, as well as its flexible design, also makes it more portable hence anyone looking to use this jack professionally can do so easily.
Who Will Use This Most
The double S column design comes with a 9.5-foot long, which makes it suitable for larger and smaller vehicles. The advantage of a 2 post car lift is that it isn’t as heavy as a 4 post lift. It is also easy to install and doesn’t cost a lot. So anyone looking to save some money whilst also getting a combination of symmetrical and asymmetrical properties will find it with this model.
Bottom Line
This model has long been in the limelight for its tremendous features. It is equipped with a flexible design that is easy to use and offers easy installation. The car lift also costs relatively less and comes in a compact box, which makes handling easy. Moreover, even with a small length, it allows all sorts of truck adapters that make it suitable for larger vehicles too.
Best 4 Post Car Lift:
4 Post Lift by by ARBrend
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
With so many 4 post car lifts in the market, it was easy for buyers to pick this as their favorite model. The design is one of the most flexible and offers a range of adjustments. Not just that, but buyers are also pleased with its relatively high loading capacity, which makes lifting heavy vehicles easy and more convenient.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The model stands out to us because of its higher durability. This is ensured by the high-end metallic construction that makes it retain its strength for the longest time. Moreover, this added durability also comes in handy while lifting heavy cars and trucks. The added strength is also necessary to retain the stability of the lift.
Who Will Use This Most
People who prefer easy adjustability will love using this model. It comes with a long and wide cable that makes lifting easier. Not only that, but it also comes nicely packed in a compact box that makes its handling easier. Moreover, it also offers great safety features that prevent any injuries or property damage.
Bottom Line
There are very few models that have existed for a long time and have still managed to retain their importance in the market. This 4 post car lift is definitely one of them. The higher durability of the model ensures that decorating and maintaining your car is as easy as it sounds. Its efficient and easy to use design also makes it easier for the car to go in and out easily.
Types of Car Lifts
There are many different types of car lifts out there that are more suitable for different vehicles. We will be discussing only the most popular ones. You can compare them against each other to see which one suits you best.
Four Post Automotive Lifts
This is one of the most popular car lifts out there and is a type of alignment lift. These are the most common solutions that are used in the repair industry. Due to the better support given by the four posts, these lifts provide a better balance and greater safety to all vehicle owners. Moreover, they also don’t require any anchorage to the floor; thus can be moved with greater ease.
Two Post Automotive Lifts
These might seem less fancy than four-post lifts, but these also come with their fair share of benefits. They are considered to be the most frame engaging lifts out there and are recommended as a drive-through garage solution. You can drive your car in, lift it, fix it and simply put it down and drive away. So naturally, these offer faster results and more convenience.
Automotive Scissor Lifts
These are exactly as they sound. These scissor lifts can raise vehicles with the help of an accordion-like mechanism behind a runway. They look like a metal fame of Xs that are joined together to raise the platform holding your vehicle. Scissor lifts can come in a variety of capacities and height and hence can be used for home or shops. Their load capacity, however, is slightly less than two and four automotive lifts.
Column Lifts
Column lifts aren’t very popular, but they come with a lot of advantages. This includes a relatively less cost and ease of usage.
These lifts are wheel engaging, and they work in a specific way only. You need to wheel your column carefully in place and then lift your car simultaneously to ensure an even and balanced lift.
Asymmetric vs Symmetric Car Lift - Comparison Overview
This is one of the most common questions that people have. Even after much debate, users are still confused between how these two work and what the main differences between them are. So to help you out here is a small comparison review
Symmetric lifts can position your vehicle in a centralized position, so the same amount of vehicle is in front of your post as it is off the rear. On the other hand, asymmetric car lifts only position your vehicle further back on your lift. This allows you to open your doors easily. It also ensures that approximately two-thirds of your vehicle ends up at the backside of the post on the lift.
Symmetric car lifts to ensure that columns are straight and directly across from each other. It also ensures that the 4 arms are of the same length. The vehicle’s load is, therefore, evenly distributed on both sides. Symmetric lifts can also be used on a floor plate, and an overhead design and are made for older and heavier vehicles.
On the other hand, asymmetrical lifts are made for relatively new and lightweight steel vehicles. It also doesn’t ensure equal weight. As the name suggests, all the arms aren’t of equal length. It also offers a 30-degree turn on your column, thus allowing the vehicle to be offset on your lift. Doors can then be opened easily.
So before deciding which lift to use, make sure you first access the type of model and vehicle that you have.
Conclusion
This guide was aimed at helping you to decide whether you need a car lift and if yes, to decide which car lift is the best for you. If you have reached the end, the chances are that you have found your ideal car lift already.
But before you make the final choice, make sure you access things like your budget, safety constraints, and, most importantly, the type of vehicle that you have. Moreover, make sure you don’t get fooled by false marketing strategies that make a model appear better than it is. And rest assured that regardless of the model you end up choosing from our review, you will get nothing but the best results.
People Also Ask
Understanding technology has always been hard for people, even the most educated ones. So it is natural that users also have a lot of questions regarding the machine. But don’t worry, we checked all your questions and decided to answer the ones most frequently asked.
How Much is a Car Lift?
The cost of a car lift varies according to the design and model of the product. If you invest in a four-post auto lift, then you will have to spend around $1000-$1200. The price would be relatively less if you choose to buy a 2 post or a column lift. Additionally, you will also have to spend money on the installation of these car lifts. This is roughly $300-$500.
How Does a Hydraulic Car Lift Work?
Hydraulic car lifts are pretty popular in the market, and they work on a very basic principle. This includes the car going up and the pump pushing oil into the cylinder, thus pushing the piston. The combination of these actions helps push the car up. To go down, the valve of the lift will open, and the oil is allowed to go back into the reservoir. This pushes the lift back to the ground.
How High of Ceiling is Ideal For a Car Lift?
Generally, a 12-foot lift is what’s required for a car lift. This is, however, only the minimum lift that is required. Higher ceiling height is also required in some four posts and 2 lifts. This is to ensure that car maintenance is made easy. Moreover, larger vehicles such as trucks also require a higher lift.
How Thick of Concrete is Best For a Car Lift?
The installation of car lifts is both time and energy-consuming, which is where a concrete slab comes in. You need to include a thick concrete slab to assist your car hoists. A garage two or four-post hoist will require a concrete slab of at least 100mm.
Are Car Lifts Dangerous?
Like most other products, car lifts also come with their fair share of issues. A vehicle falling from your lift can result in a lot of serious bodily injuries and property damages. This might also result in damage to liability claims. So before operating car lifts, make sure you have the proper training to get started.
Lift Reviews
Looking for a new car lift? Then you've come to the right place. Below are all our buyer guides that relate to car lifts and similar equipment.
