Best Portable Car Jacks | SafeWise (2024)

We reviewed portable car jacks to lift your vehicle and your spirits.

May 06, 2024

6 min read

The Torin Big Red Car Jack is storable, affordable, and powerful, making it one of the best small car jacks for your trunk. It fits the price and durability needs of most drivers.

It’s strong enough to lift your vehicle and weighs only 10 pounds, so it’s small enough to fit in compact rides from Coopers to Corollas. And at about $30, it’s about a third of the cost of other car lifts.

Like all scissor jacks, the Big Red jack fits under your vehicle and lifts as you crank the tension rod. Its extra-wide base and heavy-duty steel construction keep the jack and your vehicle stable while you work.

This car jack is suitable for vehicles of most heights, so it will work with your low-profile sports car or compact SUV. Its weight capacity is 3,000 pounds, so we don’t recommend it for heavy-duty trucks and large SUVs. It’s our top choice for the best portable emergency car jack.

Nobody wants to be on the side of the road for long. The ROGTZ Electric Car Floor Jack takes only a few minutes to set up and doesn’t require cranking or pumping to get back on the road.

The ROGTZ electric car lift has attachments that fit sedans and SUVs. As long as your ride has a 12V outlet or a battery, you can use this portable car lift to change a flat tire or perform other maintenance.

Once the jack receives power, press the control button to lift or lower the jack. The only thing it won’t do is change the tire for you.

The ROGTZ comes in a handy carrying case to neatly store all its parts. It can lift up to 6,000 pounds and 16 inches off the ground, making it one of the best portable car jacks to keep in your SUV or truck.

Its biggest downside is the instructions. Because it’s manufactured outside the US, the instructions use the metric system and can be confusing.

It can be hard to lift sports cars or luxury sedans because they’re so low to the ground. The Pro-Lift 767 is designed to lift cars 14 inches even if they have a low clearance.

The Pro-Lift is a floor jack, so it’s best for garages and paved surfaces. It’s made of heavy-duty steel, includes a lever for lifting, and has a safety valve to prevent overloading the jack.

Its weight capacity is 4,000 pounds—enough to cover sedans, small trucks, and SUVs.

Its size is its biggest drawback. It takes up a lot of space in your trunk and weighs 30 pounds, so it might be hard to move to the ground.

If you love your big rig, make sure you have a jack as strong as your vehicle.

There are nine Torin Hydraulic bottle jacks to choose from, each with a different weight capacity. Whether your vehicle weighs two tons or 50 tons, these portable jacks are reliable and affordable.

We focused on the six-ton jack because it covers most passenger vehicles, even those with trailers on them. This Torin bottle jack is small enough to fit in your truck, toolbox, or under the seat without rearranging anything. And it costs just under $35.

That said, bottle jacks like this one require hydraulic oil to work and aren’t the best choice for emergencies unless you’re experienced with vehicle maintenance. Bottle jacks also aren’t the best for uneven surfaces, so it’s smart to get jack stands for extra support. Once you have those, this car jack is one of the best options for trucks.

Jeep drivers and off-roaders know how important a jack is in a bad situation.

Whether you’re stuck on a rock or stuck with a flat tire, this Powerbuilt All-in-One bottle jack is small enough to fit with the rest of your gear. Even if you aren’t off-roading, being prepared for all types of weather and terrain is essential for vehicle safety.

This Powerbuilt jack can lift 6,000 pounds 17 inches off the ground (21 inches, if you raise it manually first), but it’s best for specialty vehicles.

Specially designed for Jeeps and off-roading vehicles, it has an extra-wide base for better support on uneven ground. It also has a safety valve to prevent slipping while you’re working on your rig.

Floor and trolley jacks are similar but have a few key differences. Floor jacks and trolley jacks both lie flat and roll under your vehicle. They’re also both better for garages and serious maintenance.

Trolley jacks are generally heavier lifters and less portable. Floor jacks cost less and are easier to set up, making them useful for roadside help for larger vehicles.

No. Look for a jack that’s strong enough to support your car. A two-ton jack is generally enough for a small car or sedan but not enough for a heavy-duty truck.

For more involved repair, garage work, or heavy lifting, floor or trolley jacks supported by jack stands are safest.

06/12/2024

06/12/2024

06/12/2024

06/06/2024