Best Car lifts For Home Garages in 2023

Some people’s relationship with automobiles is as simple as “driver” and “vehicle”. Others see a car as more than just a mode of transportation; they see it as a companion, a place to sleep, and even a place to call home. A car’s functions are delegated to one person: the owner.

Many enjoy working on our vehicles, regardless of whether it involves getting under the hood. However, the latter is far simpler and more secure than the former. Equipment failures or accidents are not an option when we elevate our autos to see what’s underneath.

Fortunately, a proper home car lift is far more solid and secure than a standard jack. It allows for additional space in the garage and can even be used as a parking lift to relieve tyre pressure while parked. In terms of a home vehicle lift, what should you look for? Who knows when you’ve discovered the one?

Experts and real customers have weighed in on the best home garage car lift currently on the market. Lift arm material, truck adapter, and more have all been taken into account when determining our picks for the best lifts. If you want to learn more about choosing the perfect auto lift and having it installed properly, keep reading for expert advice. You should be conscious of things like ceiling height, garage space (even if your garage is small), and more.

Our list of the best vehicle lifts for your garage is constantly updated, so grab a drip tray and get started.

QuickJack BL-5000SLX
QuickJack BL-5000SLX

You should be able to work on your car in more than just your garage. If you want to ask a friend what they think, being able to raise your vehicle at their house could be helpful.

The QuickJack BL-5000SLX is a stylish way to deal with this problem. The BL-5000SLX is a portable car lift that weighs 215 pounds and can lift up to 5,000 pounds. Even though it has a lower lift height than the other models on this list (17.5 inches), it is still easy to get in and out of.

The BL-5000SLX portable lift is also the best value for money when it comes to home garage car lifts because it is so cheap. The cheapest model on the list costs $1,050, but if you don’t need a high lift clearance and want your vehicle lift to be easier to move, this could be the best choice. The BL-7000SLX is another product from QuickJack. It can lift up to 7,000 pounds.

the hw-10koh
the hw-10koh

Most people drive sedans, so your vehicle lift’s weight limit shouldn’t be a big deal. If you drive a big car like a truck or SUV, there are other things to consider, like how much weight your vehicle can carry and how much the auto lift can hold.

Because it can hold up to 10,000 pounds, the HW-10KOH two-post lift from APlusLift is a great choice for heavier vehicles. All Chevy Silverado pick-up trucks and large Ford F-series SUVs can be lifted.

This car lift is the one that sells the most on Amazon—customers like how easy it is to use and how helpful the customer service team is.

Triumph NT-9FP
Triumph NT-9FP

Like the best four-post lift, the best two-post bang is also a Triumph from National Auto Tools. This Triumph model has two-stage and three-stage lifting arms that can be used for symmetrical and asymmetrical lifts.

Even though the Triumph NT-9FP lift can lift to 72 inches, it can still be used in garages that aren’t big enough for that lift height. As you work on your car, you can adjust the lift system’s latches to heighten it.

Customers at Amazon really like the Triumph NT-9FP. On average, they gave it 4.6 out of 5 stars. Most happy customers say the product’s dependability and fair price are its best features.

The BendPak MD-6XP
The BendPak MD-6XP

Scissor lifts lift cars in a way that looks like a pair of scissors. Depending on the ride, you may be able to get to the car’s chassis, but it also limits how much you can store under the car. For example, a vehicle can never be parked under a raised scissor lift because of the way it is made.

Even so, scissor lifts are still reliable and a good purchase, depending on your needs. It’s one of the best on the market because it can lift 6,000 pounds, enough to move most cars and light trucks. You can raise cars to a lift height of 48 inches, which means you can still lie under them.

The Bendpak lift is portable but weighs 960 pounds, so don’t expect a couple of friends to help you put it in the trunk. You will need a tow if you want to move it yourself from point A to point B. But this has the advantage that you don’t have to install it the old way.

BendPak XPR-10AXLS

The BendPak XPR-10AXLS can lift up to 10,000 pounds and has a higher lifting height clearance than the other two-post lifts. With the XPR-10AXLS, taller mechanics, both at work and home, will be able to work on their cars comfortably, no matter how tall they are.

Not all Bendpak lifts are as complicated as this one is regarding how they lift. Instead of lifting chains and screws, BendPak lifts use direct-drive cylinders. This makes lifting smoother, more consistent, and less likely to cause hydraulic fluid to leak.

Because it is still a two-post lift, cars should not be left unattended under the lift while it is being used to lift another car. This is a safety issue.

Best Car Lifts for Home Garages

Brand Model Lift Type Max Capacity Price
Best car lift overall/Best four-post car lift Triumph NSS-8 Four-post 8,000 pounds $2,645
Best car lift for the money/Best portable car lift QuickJack BL-5000SLX Portable 5,000 pounds $1,416
Best heavy-duty car lift APlusLift HW-10KOH Two-post 10,000 pounds $2,299
Best two-post car lift Triumph NT-9FP Two-post 9,000 pounds $1,995
Best scissor car lift BendPak MD-6XP Scissor 6,000 pounds $2,530
Highest car lift BendPak XPR-10AXLS Two-post 10,000 pounds $4,685

 

The Triumph NSS-8
The Triumph NSS-8

In comparison to other two-post lifts, Bendpak’s XPR-10AXLS has a weight capability of 10,000 pounds and a higher lifting height clearance. With the XPR-10AXLS, taller mechanics (professional or at home) will be able to work on their vehicles comfortably, regardless of their height.

Many other versions of Bendpak lifts do not have a complex lifting mechanism like this one. For smoother, more consistent lift and reduced risk of hydraulic fluid leakage, the BendPak lifts use direct-drive cylinders instead of lifting chains and screws.

Because it is still a two-post lift, automobiles should not be left unattended under the lift while it is being used to lift another vehicle; this is a safety issue.

How to Pick the Right Car Lift For Your Home Garage

Automobile lifts come in a wide variety of configurations, but the four-post lift, the two-post lift, and the scissor lift are the most prevalent. There are a variety of lifts to choose from, and each of them has a distinct shape that may or may not suit your needs.

It is possible to drive onto a flat metal plane or a set of arms and then park your vehicle before the lift begins. At the corners of each plane, there are four hydraulic posts that raise your vehicle. Hydraulic posts are situated on either side of the plane or arms in a two-post lift design. A scissor lift, on the other hand, utilizes a lifting mechanism comprised of crossbars located beneath the planes of the blades.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each lift method. There isn’t much room for another automobile underneath a scissor lift, but you do have restricted access to the chassis because the lifting mechanism is located just under where the vehicle rests. Two-post lifts are capable of supporting cars; however, they should not be utilized for this purpose. As a last option, four-post lifts are the strongest and most secure, but they are also the most expensive.

According to St. Charles, Illinois-based Autobahn Auto Service owner John Velazquez, “Scissors lifts are more compact when down, but can occasionally be a problem in working under the car.” At Velazquez Automobile, Velazquez has more than 18 years of experience in the automotive industry. There are a lot of people that use home scissor lifts to change their car’s wheels for SCCA racing, etc. Not suitable for doing extensive car repairs at home. That’s because many of them support the car in odd places, making the underside more difficult to access. A post lift, whether it has two or four posts, is the finest option. Larger/heavier vehicles require a four-post lift, while a two-post lift is suitable for most commercial shops.

Jamjar.com founder and managing director Andy King concurs. Founded in 1997, Jamjar is a UK-based website that specializes in car-buying comparisons. A low-rise scissor lift might suffice if all you plan to do is change the wheels and brakes.” Even though they’re not as tall as a typical four-post lift, they can nevertheless handle 4.5 tonnes, depending on the make and type. Due to the shorter lift, these are more secure and provide less risk.

“If you’re going to be doing a lot of work on your car’s undercarriage and need more space for parts and movement, a two- or four-post raise is what I recommend.” In addition to providing much more space and lifting your automobile higher than a scissor lift, this will help keep you safe. Instead of laying down, you may now work under your car while standing up.”

Depending on the lift’s design, you may not be able to execute certain duties. Since parking lifts aren’t meant to allow access to the car’s chassis, these lifts can’t be used for routine maintenance. If electricity is an issue, a 4-post car lift might be a better choice. According to JMC Equipment, the hydraulic pump on most four-post lifts only need 115 volts of electricity, whereas the pump on two-post lifts normally requires 220 volts of power.

The size of the arms used in lifts is a common topic of conversation among consumers. The weight capacity rating is more essential than the size of the arms. Car and truck training director Richard Reina says the lifting arms must be adaptable to fit a wide range of vehicles. Reina has worked in the automobile sector for more than 30 years as an engineer, technician, and salesperson. “The weight rating of the lift is crucial, not the size of the arms.”

As King explains, “The lift’s power generation will take into consideration how heavy its own pieces are. The fact that one lift has larger lift arms does not mean it can carry less; they can both lift an additional 4.5 tonnes if you have two lifts, each capable of handling 4.5 tonnes, for example.

Safety is obviously a key concern for many users when it comes to auto lifts since a car falling to the ground is bad news for everyone involved. Realistically, the chance of injury is lowered if a lift has been verified as safe and you use it correctly. Regardless of the lift’s construction, it will be able to hold a vehicle within the specified weight range securely.

Four-post lifts are less likely than two- or one-post lifts (which, as their names suggest, utilize a single hydraulic lift to raise a car) to have a vehicle tip over simply because of their form, although these mishaps are virtually always caused by user mistakes. Because of its greater strength and safety features, the Reina four-post lift is preferred when the lift will also be used for storing items rather than just lifting them, according to her. A four-post lift is more secure than a two-post lift for storing a vehicle for an extended length of time.

When it comes to using any form of a stair lift, it is your responsibility to make sure it is properly certified and that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Installing a Car Lift

The appropriate installation of your lift in your garage is just as important as the lift itself and your use of it. A vehicle lift’s safe installation is dictated by a number of parameters, including the machine’s size and power.

Garage car lift installation frequently raises the question: how high should my garage ceiling be to provide enough clearing area for the lift? What’s best for you depends on your specific position and needs, just like with anything else. However, this is a positive thing. We rarely get the opportunity to design our own garage, so it’s good to know that a wide variety of lifts exist that can meet our needs. Even if your garage isn’t large enough to accommodate a four-post lift with room to park another vehicle beneath it, you may still install a lift that has numerous advantages.

If you’re short on a room in your garage, you may consider building a lift on your driveway or elsewhere. You should avoid doing this, as your lift will be exposed to temperatures and weather conditions for which it wasn’t originally built. If a lift is installed outside, some warranties will be void.

The concrete foundation’s structural stability must also be considered when building a car lift. If you’re going to raise a 10,000-pound truck, you’re going to have to distribute the weight in a different way than you would if you were doing a 1,500-pound lift. If you don’t already have a concrete floor in your garage, you’ll need to pour one to make room for the lift.

Recommendation: Eagle Equipment recommends only using reinforced concrete up to 3,000 PSI and allowing at least 4 inches of thickness for lifts up to 10,000 pounds and at least 6 inches for lifts up to 15,000 pounds. Bendpak, on the other hand, provides a more in-depth breakdown of the company’s own products. Following the manufacturer’s specific basic instructions is essential regardless of whatever product you finally purchase.

The type of home garage lift you purchase will have an impact on the installation process (portable lifts notwithstanding). Regardless of the type, you should have a professional install the lift to ensure that it is installed properly for your safety and the protection of others. According to Bendpak, a two-post lift installation costs $500, while a four-post lift installation costs $1,000. In-ground lifts, which some models offer, can cost upwards of $10,000 to have installed.

Installation instructions for each lift will vary, but the majority of the work involves putting the lift together and attaching it to the cement foundation. The installation and operation of the equipment will be safer and less likely to face harmful issues if it is handled by professionals who are better equipped to handle these complicated and time-consuming procedures.

Five things you need to know before you Buy and Use a Home Garage Car Lift

  • Why are you thinking about purchasing a garage auto lift? The type of lift you require will be determined by factors such as whether or not you want to park multiple vehicles on top of each other or whether or not you want to be able to access your car’s chassis more easily.
  • What kind of automobile lift do you need? Your reasons for purchasing a lift will guide you in the right direction, but cost and lifting capability will also affect your decision-making process.
  • Is there enough room on your garage floor for a car lift? Ensure your garage floor has enough PSI 3,000 concrete inches to hold the lift you choose (or have it checked by a professional). New concrete must be poured if it doesn’t.
  • Who is going to put in your garage lift at your house? This can be risky and complex, and a trained professional best does it. The best way to install a car lift is to hire a professional who has done it before.
  • Lastly, what are the specifics of how to use your automobile lift? Make sure you’re aware of all of them so that you don’t end up injuring yourself or damaging your property.

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