The lifting handle is extra long so you can reach it without having to risk getting under the car. Plus, the saddle is larger than usual for added stability.
The wheels squeak a lot when you move the tool.
This model from Sealey has great lifting range, a notched saddle for load steadiness, and a heavy sturdy body that prevents unwanted movement. If you want your garage work to be safe, this steady jack, designed for maximum user comfort and load stability, should be your top choice.
Trolley Jack
Hydraulic
Up to 3 tonnes
140 to 432 mm
Long Chassis: 625mm, 4 large wheels, one-piece lifting handle
19 kg
1 year
The rubberized wheels make movement smooth and silent while closed bearings prevent the jack from getting wobbly as time goes by.
The grip on the lifting handle is not very practical and might chafe your hands.
A durable and reliable jack that moves smoothly and quietly, boasts a pretty great lifting range, and doesn't get wobbly as time goes by. This is the kind of tool you can use for years without seeing any dips in quality or breakage. A fine choice for those who want their equipment to be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.
Trolley Jack
Hydraulic
Up to 2 tonnes
135 to 335 mm
Long Chassis: 450mm, 4 large wheels, built-in carrying handle, one-piece lifting handle
9 kg
Limited lifetime
The product comes with a hard plastic case that makes transportation easier. You can even fit the jack into the trunk of your car.
The paint chips and fades as time goes by.
While it's not the most powerful, this Hilka model boasts a pretty solid lifting range and build quality. This is a reliable mini-sized jack that makes up in portability for what it lacks in load capacity.
Bottle Jack
Hydraulic
Up to 2 tonnes
181 mm to 345 mm
Large stable base, notched saddle, two-piece lifting handle, carrying case included
2.63 kg
1 year
The jack comes with a high-quality steel wrench, a useful tool for any garage.
The max load is relatively modest.
If you're working on a budget and like to get the most out of your purchases, this jack that comes with a free wrench set should be a fine bargain. It's one of the more lightweight and portable options, more useful for quick repairs on the road, but it's just as durable and reliable as the more expensive models. We'd definitely call this a unique find and a chance to spend smart.
Scissor Jack
Mechanical
Up to 1 tonne
90 mm to 315 mm
Lifting handle, cross wheel brace/nut wrench with 4 sockets included
1.2 kg
Amazon's 30-day money-back guarantee
The reinforced body prevents damage to the jack even if you always use it with max load.
The release valve is placed too close to the oil filter.
If build quality is key for you, this model from Silverline is a great choice. It's not only reinforced but also boasts a broad lifting range, making it one of the more multipurpose models on the market.
Bottle Jack
Hydraulic
Up to 6 tonnes
197 mm to 382 mm
Overload protection system, large stable base, two-piece lifting handle
4 kg
Limited lifetime
Safe and Reliable
Working with heavy cars isn’t a trifle and you want the tools you use to be as reliable as possible. Nobody likes the feeling of reaching under a vehicle while it’s on a tiny saddle that could give out. That’s why we highly recommend using the Sealey 1153CX, the best car jack for those concerned about safe garage work.
This model has a longer lifting handle so that you can grab it without having to actually be under the car. But that’s not the only bonus in terms of safety as even the saddle here is extra large with a notched surface. Thus the vehicle will be completely stable and the jack won’t move even a bit while the load is on.
Sure, the design of the Sealey 1153CX isn’t perfect but the flaws are minor. For one, the wheels squeak quite a bit when you move the jack but silence isn’t an option when you’re working in the garage. Also, the max load is relatively modest but more than enough for doing maintenance on a passenger car. Besides, the load is made up by the excellent lifting range from 140 to 432 mm. That’s more than what most other models offer in terms of functionality.
In the end, the Sealey 1153CX low profile jack is one of the safest and most reliable pieces of equipment we’ve seen on the market. It’s well-designed, has great specs, and will be an indispensable tool in any garage, professional or home.
Buy It for Life
Your car is your trusty friend that serves you for years and we believe you should repay it with kindness, using the best tools possible to fix it and keep it in a pristine state. But this means finding equipment that’s just as durable as your vehicle. We certainly have one in mind, namely the Silverline 633935.
This model has closed bearings so the wheels on it don’t get wobbly even after years of use, which means movement stays precise and the jack won’t start sliding when you put weight on it. Speaking of moving, the rubberized wheels make no sound when rolling and keep the trajectory straight so you don’t accidentally bump the jack into your car or other things in the garage. If necessary, you could even carry it using the built-in handle though the tool is admittedly not the most lightweight at 9 kg.
Though we like the overall design of the Silverline 633935, we have to admit that the lifting handle is one of the weaker points here. It’s tough to grip comfortably and you could chafe your palms if you put in too much force. And you’ll likely use it a lot since the lifting range is broad, from 135 to 335 mm. Luckily, it works smoothly so you can do things quickly and efficiently.
All in all, while there’s just a bit left that’s keeping the Silverline 633935 from being the perfect tool, namely the poor lifting handle and modest max load, it’s still a great and durable choice for those who buy their equipment for life. It’s sturdy, well-made, and, most of the time, quite convenient. This is certainly one of the best car jack models out there and a worthy addition to any car owner’s toolset.
A Helper on the Road
If you want a tool that you can take on the road with you or store comfortably when it’s not in use, you shouldn’t pass up the Hilka 82200120. This model comes with a hard plastic case that makes it much easier to transport the device or keep it in your garage when you’re not operating it. Plus, the jack and the case are pretty small and will fit easily into the trunk of your car.
Although it may not be the biggest or heaviest out there at just 2.63 kg, the Hilka 82200120 offers pretty solid lift range from 181 to 345 mm. While it does, indeed, have a pretty modest load capacity of 2 tonnes, it should be enough for emergency repairs on the road or quick checkups at home.
And even though we choose tools for their technical specs and not their appearance, we do regret to report that the Hilka 82200120 sports a pretty poor paint job. The colour starts to fade with time and while it wouldn’t be too important most of the time, there is a reason for concern here. The paint is supposed to protect the jack from corrosion, so when it does fade, consider getting it repainted or risk damage to the tool.
Still, it’s an affordable and portable mini bottle jack that you can rely on even when you’re far from your garage and regular toolset. So a flawed design shouldn’t deter you from getting the Hilka 82200120 and using it for emergency maintenance and repairs.
A Bargain with a Bonus
A car enthusiast’s toolset can never be too broad, especially when it comes to serious maintenance that might require more than just a jack and a bit of adhesive tape. That is one of the reasons why we like the XtremeAuto WLW1 and the standard kit that comes with it.
Yes, indeed, when you buy the XtremeAuto WLW1 you get more than a scissor jack. This model comes with a wrench that has 4 different socket sizes, meaning you get double the utility while paying for just one tool. And any car lover will tell you that a wrench is a key instrument for any garage.
But that’s obviously not all that the XtremeAuto WLW1 has going for it. Though its max load of 1 tonne is not all that impressive, the jack itself is sturdy and has a great lifting range between 90 and 315 mm. Plus, it’s extremely easy to move even though it doesn’t have any wheels as the WLW1 is just 1.2 kg. You can manoeuvre it with one hand while using the other to work on the car.
Even though the XtremeAuto WLW1 might not boast an impressive max load, it’s certainly a good bargain. Not only is it pretty budget-friendly by itself but the addition of a free wrench set makes this a unique kind of purchase that’s sure to make a thrifty shopper happy. So if you like to shop smart - the XtremeAuto WLW1 is a treasured find and should make for a nice addition to your car maintenance kit.
Reinforced to Perfection
A good mechanic always double checks the max load capabilities of his tools, especially if it’s something as vital as a bottle jack. These devices should be as sturdy as they come and a bit of extra protection never hurts. Which is why we recommend the Silverline 457050 for any car lover.
This model is reinforced and heat-treated in the spots that usually bear the bulk of the weight during lifting. That, in turn, prevents the jack itself from getting deformed or damaged even if you use it daily with max load. And the capacity here is pretty high indeed with up to 6 tonnes supported. This alone would make the Silverline 457050 a good choice for owners of larger cars, not to mention its fortified body.
Though you’ll have to lift the load manually via the handle, it’s placed pretty conveniently and shouldn’t cause any issues in terms of ergonomics. The release valve, though, is another matter, as it’s placed right by the oil filler. Expect to get your hands dirty any time you reach for that valve.
In the end, we feel that the long lift range and fortified body make the Silverline 457050 a good choice for any garage. Although it’s suited best for cars with a medium and low profile, this jack is something every motorist will want in their arsenal.
What Is a Car Jack?
A car jack is a device for lifting heavy loads. It is an irreplaceable tool for any car owner. One of these models can help you remove a punctured wheel on a journey or pull your car out from the mud in no time. If you repair your car in the garage or home workshop, this type of instrument will help too as you lift the vehicle and look for any signs of damage underneath. Car jacks are versatile in use and thus a must-have in any garage and luggage compartment. They are safe to use with your car and pretty much an indispensable part of any garage's toolset. And, besides, they require very little know-how to operate so even if you've only recently bought a car, you can still take advantage of these tools for your benefit.
If you are an inveterate automobilist and love travelling a lot, you should also read our camping tents and car covers reviews.
What Features to Compare
If you have a car, sooner or later you will need a car jack to make repairs. To choose the right car jack, you should consider several aspects.
Specifications
First of all, you need to consider the specifications of a car jack. The most important parameter of any car jack is its lifting capacity. When you choose a car jack, you should keep in mind the weight of your car. For example, if the car weight is 2500 pounds, the lifting force of a car jack should be 3000-4000 pounds. If the weight of your car is bigger than the lifting capacity of the car jack, you may break the jack or damage the car and even got injured. The next thing to pay attention to is the minimum and maximum lift height. The minimum lift height (road clearance) is picked depending on the ride height (the distance between a car bottom and the ground). The lower the ride height is, the less the minimum lift height of car jack should be. The maximum lift height means the distance between the car bottom and ground when the car is lifted up to the top point.
Type
The type of car jack is another parameter that is quite important. Here you should highlight two features: the type of car jack itself and the type of drive. When you look at the structure and drive of a car jack, you should remember about the place and the way of use. There are the Mechanical jacks are the most available and simple, but you have to apply a lot of efforts to lift your car with a mechanical jack. Mechanical jack will be helpful if you don’t use it frequently. Hydraulic car jacks allow you to lift big loads without major efforts and adjust the lifting height precisely. The only drawback of hydraulic jacks is that you have to transport them in a vertical position to prevent spilling of working fluid. All car jacks can be also classified by design:
- Scissor jacks have the high lifting capacity and low clearance and can be transported in any position. These car jacks will be good for the owners of small cars with low ride height.
- Bottle jacks have the high lifting capacity and small size and will fit the vehicles with big ride height.
- Floor rolling jacks will be perfect for use in garages as they can be easily rolled under any part of the car. These jacks need a flat and solid surface to provide steady positioning. So, rolling car jacks will be helpless on the soft ground.
- Rack jacks are versatile and will be appropriate for owners of jeeps and small agricultural vehicles.
- Transmission jacks are designed to perform specific tasks, in particular, replacement of transmission systems and other gears of vehicles. You just need to put a transmission jack under any component part, unscrew and take it out for further handling.
Dimensions
If you need the car jack for frequent use or transportation in a luggage compartment, you should pay attention to the dimensions. Compact and lightweight car jacks will be better for frequent transportation and the models with a wide base plate will be good for use in a single place and the weight will matter less.