9 Best Car Lifts For Home Garage in 2023
Car lifts are a safer option when working under cars, especially compared to using a car floor jacks. They also have the other additional benefit of increasing your garage workspace, making it easier for you to do anything else. The car lifts are ideal for professional mechanics and car enthusiasts because they are easy to use and inexpensive. But which is the best car lifts for home garage? Check below the car lift reviews from our expert.
Things Need To Consider Before Buying Car Lifts
1, Weight Capacity
Most home garage car lift has 5000-6000 pounds capacity. And the maximum capacity can be 10,000pounds. If you have a normal family car, 6000 pounds lift is enough. But if you have an SUV or truck, you need a higher weight car lift.
2, Safety
Each car lift has its safety features. The auto-lock function is very important. Make sure the lift you want to buy should have it.
3, Easily Of Use
The car lift should be easily installed and used by the average user. It should have clear work instructions, so you can use it easily in normal daily using. And a hydraulic car lift is easier to use than an electric car lift.
Best Car Lifts For Home Garage
1, Triumph NT-9 9000Lbs Two Post Car Lift
If you are looking for a lift with two posts, Triumph NT-9 is the ideal choice. It only costs $2,000 and can hold about 9000 pounds of capacity, allowing you to do the work efficiently. It also had better customer satisfaction and was lower than any of the other two models we could test.
Most people buy these two posts, find it useful and safe, and say they will repurchase it.
The best thing about this lift is that it’s straightforward to assemble. One customer commented that there were no instructions on how to assemble it, but it was easy to understand.
The advantage of a two post lift over a four post lift is that it saves space in the home garage or workshop. Besides, they are inexpensive, and, as mentioned earlier, the assembly process is simple and easy.
Pros:
-Provides great car reach
-Hight weight capacity
-Superfast lifting
Cons:
-The lock system is not the best
2,BendPak Asymmetric Lift –10,000-Lb. Car Lift
This BendPak product is a bull in two post lifts. It has a maximum lifting capacity of about 10,000 pounds, which is more impressive than any other lift we’ve measured. This lift is also the most expensive in this review, but its features are beneficial, which makes it worth the cost.
It has a 30-degree rotating pillar that allows you to open doors on the lift. It can also lift the car symmetrically and asymmetrically.
It comes with a padded safety rod that protects the car from any damage and can be used in professional and family garages.
With the most advanced engineering technology in the industry, the safety standards for these Bendpak lifts are much higher than reasonable OSHA/ALI/ETL requirements.
Pros:
-Safety for using
-Can take more weight
-Superfast lifting
Cons:
-Not include truck adapters
3, Triumph NSS-8 8000Lbs 4 Post Car Lift
Triumph is also the first example of a 4 post lift. Of course, this type of car lift brings extra lift capacity, in this case, a total weight of 8,000 pounds. This, in itself, is one of the critical features of this car lift and can enhance the strength of almost any domestic vehicle.
This auto lift is robust and well-made. It is easy to install and you just need 3-5 hours to finish the installation. It’s nice to see that this Triumph lift has ten different locking positions on its arc of motion. This is a handy feature for car lifts if you plan to use it to work on a vehicle. This means that you can raise the car and keep it at the height that is most useful when you are working. This Triumph lift is so heavy that you can not install it by yourself alone.
Pros:
-Hight weight capacity
-Comes with many accessories
-More durable construction
Cons:
-Take too much space
4, APlusLift 2 Post Home Garage Car Lift
The APlusLift is designed for heavier vehicles such as trucks or SUVs. With its smart double “S” column design and upgraded base plate construction, it has a weight capacity of 10,000 LBS.
Overall, the APlusLift HW-10KBP has the highest rating for weight capacity for those who own a large or heavy vehicle, such as a truck or SUV. For those on a budget, it is also a reasonably priced 2 post car lift. The biggest disadvantage of this product is that there is no good operating manual. So you have to figure out by yourself how to assemble it. And it will a little bent when the weight is more than 7000 pounds.
Pros:
-Easy and safe for use
-Faster full lifting
-Highly durable structure
Cons:
-Instruction is not good
5, QuickJack BL-5000 SLX Portable Scissor Car Lift
QuickJack BL-5000slx is an excellent portable car lift, and its primary selling point is its lightweight, easy to use and easy to store.
It has a handy trick on its sleeve that lets you change the height of the lift as it moves around your car via a remote suspension control. This is a great feature to use when you’re working on a vehicle, especially if you’re on the other side of the car and want to speed it up.
If you plan to take it to orbit, you can power the portable car lift from 12v, 110v and a 240v batteries, which provides you with excellent versatility.
If you have a small garage or want to transport it to a racetrack, this portable car lift is the right choice because of its small overall size. The fact that it’s compact and has a small footprint means you can easily store it when you don’t need it, freeing up space in the workshop or garage when you need it. If you plan to take it to orbit, you can power the portable car lift from 240 volts, 110 volts, and 12-volt batteries, which gives you excellent versatility and every setting option.
If you have a small residential garage or want to transport it to a racetrack, this portable car lift is the right choice because of its low overall size. The fact that it’s compact and has a small footprint means you can easily store it when you don’t need it, freeing up space in the garage or workshop.
Pros:
-Easy for using
-Two-position safety locks
-Long-lasting and durable
Cons:
-Maximum height is low
6, Dannmar MaxJax Portable 2 Post Car Lift
Dannmar is the manufacturer behind this attractive 2 column lift design. On the surface, it may look like a sturdy but not extraordinary car crane. It has a robust design and upper weight capacity suitable for 2 lift models.
But look at the bottom of the post, and you can see why this design is a standout 2 post car lift to go. See those little wheels? This adds a degree of portability to the design that you often don’t see on lifts with such a high weight capacity.
Pros:
-Easy to move
-Easy for use
-Great for the DIY garage
Cons:
-The cylinders sometimes have leakage
7, Auto Lift Car Park, 8 Car Storage Lift – 8,000 pounds
Auto Lift Car Park is an excellent choice for home mechanics, especially if they have more cars that need to be stored in their home garages. It’s designed for two things, to store cars and to make them easier to get to work.
It can lift 8,000 pounds easily, which means you can work comfortably in almost any type of truck or car. The lift speed is also quite good, requiring only 90 seconds to lower or raise the car.
It is an equipped jack tray. You can lift the truck once it is on the platform. It also includes a set of 3 drip trays that capture the droplets on them, saving you the trouble of cleaning up later.
Pros:
-Robust steel frame
-Superior quality cables
-Safety lock with auto engage the mechanism
Cons:
-Not efficient roller casters design
8, BendPak 2 Post Car Lift
This BendPak lift has several functions that make it both efficient and powerful.
It has good structure and many safety functions. Moreover, it is easy to install and use, making it one of the best in its class.
One unique feature of this lift is its speed. In addition to low maintenance costs, the lift mechanism is a monster.
It is also equipped with dual direct-drive low-pressure cylinders for increased power.
Safety is one of the highlights of the lift. With an overhead bar fitted with locks and padded, you can use the lift without fear.
Pros:
-Safer for using
-Convenient expandable top beam
-Safety lock with auto engage the mechanism
Cons:
-Don’t include Truck adapters
9, Dannmar Cadet 6000 Scissor Car Lift
The 6,000-pound lift is designed for narrow bays and rests on sturdy steel casters for mobility. With multi-position safety locks and adjustable arm components, you can easily put your car in the best position. The maximum height of this lift is 36 inches (39 inches if lifting blocks are added).
The owner has a lot of positive views about this lift. It is sturdy in contrast to other manual methods of scissor lifts and can be easily unlocked by lifting the car slightly. Users also noticed that you could store your car on an elevated lift as long as the locks were engaged.
Moving this lift is harder than many other models, especially if you have a textured or uneven floor surface. Power units can also be used as trolleys, although this has little impact on mobility and may do more harm than good.
Pros:
-Easily for using
-Sturdy and robust construction
-Convenient for store
Cons:
-Hard for moving
Conclusion
If your garage has enough height, it is highly recommended that you invest in 2 post or 4post car lifts. They are more robust and reliable, but of course, they do take up rooms, and some family garages are not highly usable at all.
In this article, all the recommended best car lifts for home garage are covered with different types of lifts. Once you have taken the plunge and put in one of the car lifts, it will make your car work easier.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which Is Better 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
Many people like to park their car in the garage and occasionally do a little cleaning and polishing. Then we would recommend the 4 post lift. It can support the entire car “wheels” better than 2 post lift. Imagine yourself hanging six feet in the air. Would you rather be supported by your entire body? or would you rather only be supported with your torso (lying on a hammock) with your arms and legs hanging?
The 4 post lift acts like a bed, supporting the entire vehicle. The 2 post lift is like hammocks, supporting only the torso and allowing the four-wheel assemblies to “swing”.
“I want to perform various repairs on my car, and I have a limited budget.” Then you definitely want 2 post lift! It is the most economical way to increase the maximum weight. 2 post lift allow the operator to easily access all parts of the vehicle, including wheel assemblies. While 4 post lift require an auxiliary lift (at additional cost) to lift the vehicle off the runway (allowing the use of wheels). Check the below video to learn more about the difference:
Choose the Right Garage Car Lift
Installation of poorly made or incorrectly sized lifts put you and your vehicle at risk. It’s always a good idea to put more stuff into top products than to trust your life to a machine of dubious origin.
Again, it’s not a good idea to describe the weight classes of lifts. It is much better to buy a lift rated for heavy vehicles than to install a lift that cannot safely lift and keep the car driving.
Scissor Car Lift
Car scissor lift, or one that has four “wings,” which can be adjusted to fit the width and length of your vehicle, is often the least expensive type of garage car lift to buy and quite popular for the home garage. Since it can be adjusted for different vehicles, you eliminate some of the concerns over vehicle size and safety.
2 Post Car Lift
More commonly seen in small machine shops, two post car lift can also be found in many amateur machine garages. They consist of two heavy-duty struts (one on each side of the car) with a support arm on each side. This combination can lift and hold a lot of weight quickly.
Small footprint, suitable for all kinds of garages, easy access to vehicles. If they are in heavy use throughout the day, 2 post car lifts are recommended.
4 Post Car Lift
4 post car lifts have many advantages over other types of lifts, but the cost is higher. You’ll usually find these in quick lube changes or stores that work on exhaust systems, but these days you’re seeing more and more of them in home garages.
With four heavy props, they can lift and hold the heaviest vehicle. Using one is as simple as driving it and lifting it.
One of the most significant benefits is that the second car can usually be stored directly under the lifted vehicle, so it is ideal for small garages. The biggest drawback is that because the wheels are in contact with the lift, nothing can be done with the wheels.
You should also be aware that lift manufacturers often have a disclaimer that exempts them from any obligation if the lift is not installed as expected.
For your protection, hire an existing contractor who is experienced in lift installation and make sure you have written guarantees in case the unthinkable happens.
