- Costs under $30
- Weighs 10 lbs.
- Wide base
ROGTZ Electric Car Jack
- No pumping or cranking required
- Carrying kit
- 6,000 lb. limit
- No pumping or cranking required
- Carrying kit
- 6,000 lb. limit
- Fits under low vehicles
- Safety valve
- Heavy-duty steel
Best Overall: Torin Big Red Car Jack
It’s big, it’s red, and it lifts your vehicle in a matter of minutes. The Torin Big Red Car Jack is a simple scissor jack that’s compact enough to fit under your seats and strong enough to lift a compact SUV.
We chose the Torin Big Red Car Jack as the best portable car jack lift because it’s suitable for most vehicles, costs less than a tank of gas, and weighs less than a bag of groceries. A simple car jack like this and an emergency roadside kit can get you out of a spot of roadside trouble.
While the Big Red jack does require manual cranking, its oversized base adds stability, making it a little safer to work with when you need to change a tire or work on your vehicle.
Read on to learn more and see our other picks.
Compare the Best Portable Car Jacks
| List Price * |
| Maximum Capacity |
| Maximum Lift Height |
| Jack Weight |
| Jack Type |
|
Best Overall
|
Best Electric Jack
|
Best Low Profile
|
Best Heavy Lifter
|
Best for Off-Roading
|
| Torin Big Red Car Jack | ROGTZ | Pro-Lift | Torin Hydraulic LIft | Powerbuilt |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| $22.98 | $75.99 | $39.34 | $21.99 | $58.99 |
| 3,000 lbs. | 6,000 lbs. | 4,000 lbs. | 12,000 lbs. | 6,000 lbs. |
| 15 in. | 16 in. | 14 in. | 15 in. | 17 in. |
| 7 lbs. | 13 lbs. | 30 lbs. | 4.4 lbs. | 22.4 lbs. |
| Scissor jack | Electric scissor jack | Floor jack | Bottle jack | Bottle jack |
| View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com prices as of 11/27/19 10:43 pm MST.
Top Portable Car Jacks
- Torin Big Red Car Jack: Best Overall | Read Review
- ROGTZ: Best Electric Car Jack | Read Review
- Pro-Lift 767: Best Low Profile | Read Review
- Torin Hydraulic: Best Heavy Lifter | Read Review
- Powerbuilt: Best for Off-Roading | Read Review
Reviews: Best Portable Car Jacks
Torin Big Red Car Jack
The Torin Big Red Car Jack is storable, affordable, and powerful. It fits the price and durability needs for most drivers, making it our pick for the best portable car jack.
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.
Pros
- Costs less than other car jacks
- Lifts 3,000 lbs.
- Weights 7.7 lbs.
- Fits low profile and high profile vehicle
- ASME approved
Cons
- Not suitable for large vehicles
- Manual lift
ROGTZ
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 suitable for SUVs and trucks.
Its biggest downside is the instructions. Because it’s manufactured outside the US, the instructions use the metric system and can be confusing.
Pros
- 6,000 lb. capacity
- Lift range of 3-16 in.
- No manual cranking
Cons
- Confusing instructions
- Metric measurements
Pro-Lift 767
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.
Pros
- Narrow design for low-profile vehicles
- Safety valve for overload protection
- Easy-lift lever
Cons
- Weighs 30 lbs.
More Portable Car Jacks Worth a Look
Because not everyone drives a small sedan or SUV, these are our recommendations for heavier vehicles and adventurous drivers.
Torin Hydraulic: Best Heavy Lifter
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 over $20.
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.
Powerbuilt All-in-One: Best for Off-Roading
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.
Things to Consider Before You Buy a Car Jack
Weight Capacity
Even heavy-duty steel jacks have a weight limit. Start by finding the weight of your vehicle online or on your driver’s side door sticker.
Most portable car jacks express weight capacity by tons, so remember that a ton is equal to 2,000 pounds.
Stability
Whether you’re changing a flat on the side of the road or tinkering in the garage, your car needs to be safely supported before you start maintenance.
For roadside maintenance, look for scissor lifts with extra-wide bases and floor jacks that can withstand unpaved surfaces (if you go off-road). Jacks you’ll use in your garage don’t have to be as portable and work better with jack stands or ramps for extra support.
Lift Range and Profile
Consider the distance from the ground to your vehicle’s undercarriage.
Whether you rock a low rider or sit high up, you’ll need a portable car jack that can reach your vehicle and raise it high enough for you to start working.
Most jacks can lift your vehicle a little over a foot off the ground. That’s enough room to change a tire, but not enough for you to slip under the car.
Portable Car Jacks FAQs
What size jack should I get for my car?
It depends on your car’s weight. It’s best to find jacks that can lift a little more than what your car weighs. If your car weighs 2,500 pounds, a two-ton jack would be suitable.
What’s the difference between a floor jack and a trolley jack?
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.
Can you use any jack on any car?
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.
How We Picked the Best Portable Car Jacks
We wanted to find a portable car jack that works best for the most people. We considered factors like price, weight capacity, lift height, and the portability of the jack itself. So while the Torin Big Red Car Jack doesn’t lift the most weight, it checks the most boxes for the most drivers.
To find the best portable car jacks, we checked firsthand customer reviews to hear about real experiences with each product. The products with the highest ratings and most reviews made our list.
We also watched instructional videos about roadside emergencies, car jacks, and how to find the right fit for your car. Read our full methodology to learn how we wrote this and other articles on SafeWise.
Learn more about staying safe on the road with our SafeWise Car Safety Guide.
*Amazon.com list price as of 11/27/19 10:43 MST. Product prices and availability are accurate as of this date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any prices and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
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