Best Low Profile Floor Jack

When you think about the high cost of auto repairs, it makes sense to do certain jobs for yourself.

Obviously, most of us are not mechanics, but most of us can (at least) learn to do certain things. Although they tend to be a little bit expensive, a good floor jack can save you a lot of money in the long run.

If you own a car with low ground clearance, lifting your ride with a standard service jack won’t do. The best low-profile floor jack can easily slip under a chassis that’s only a few inches above the ground, allowing you to get work done safely.

Because a jack is meant to support your vehicle’s weight while you work under it, choosing a high-quality option is paramount. Luckily, we’ve rounded up a collection of some of the best on the market. Check out our comparison chart below for quick reference!

Top 9 Low Profile Floor Jacks

1. Arcan XL20 – Best All-Around Low Profile Floor Jack
2. Pittsburgh Automotive 61253 – Most Affordable Low Profile Floor Jack
3. JEGS 80077 – Best Lightweight Low Profile Floor Jack
4. Arcan ALJ3T – Aluminum Low Profile Floor Jack
5. Liftmaster 6490 – Best Floor Jack for Easy Lifting
6. Arcan XL2T – Best for Ultra-Low Ground Clearance
7. Sunex 6602LP – Very Low Profile Floor Jack
8. Performance Tool W1645 – Best Floor Jack for Heavy Duty Vehicles
9. Powerbuilt 620479E – Ultra Low Profile Floor Jack

Below is a list of the best low profile floor jacks that will safely lift the car from the ground and lock in place.

1. Arcan XL20 – Simple And Effective 2 Ton Low Profile Floor Jack

This floor jack from Arcan has a slender profile that can fit under low cars with ease. Its minimum lift height is 3.5 inches. However, you can raise your car by as much as 18.5 inches when fully extended.

You’re also getting bypass and overload valves. These valves prevent you from over-extending the hydraulics and causing damage.

Overall, this low-profile floor jack is an excellent universal option that will work for most at-home mechanics. With a rating of two ton capacity, it will have no problem lifting most sedans and sports cars.

2. Pittsburgh Automotive 61253 – Heavy Duty 3 Ton Floor Jack

This is the budget option, but it isn’t necessarily a bad option.

We don’t see anything fancy about this jack, as the manufacturer seems to have stuck with the time-tested formula.

This jack has a very high maximum lift height at almost 20 inches, and its’ minimum lift is 3 and 1/8 inches, which is quite low indeed. In terms of profile range, this one definitely gets some points.

On the upside, this is an easy to use jack, and it can raise your car high enough in just a few pumps. This is because of one little extra feature: a dual-pump pistons setup that allows you to get twice the lift with about the same effort. On the downside, this product is a big heavy beast (it weighs almost 80 pounds), and we see no evidence of a warranty at all.

3. JEGS 80077 – Best Lightweight 3-Ton Professional Low-Profile Aluminum Floor Jack

Made of lightweight aluminum, this JEGS floor jack is light enough to move around with ease. It’s sporting aluminum alloy wheels, and dual side handles for even great control. Overall, it only weighs about 58 pounds.

Don’t let the weight of this unit fool you! It’s perfectly capable of lifting vehicles up to 6,000 pounds! This is a professional-quality floor jack that’s built to complete tough jobs.

The good news, however, is that the hydraulics system is fully protected. It features a premium seal to ensure that the hydraulic fluid stays free of contaminants for continued smooth operation.

If you’re looking for a jack that you can move from car to car, this model is worth considering.

4. Arcan ALJ3T – Low Profile Aluminum Floor Jack

As you can tell from the header, this one is made of aluminum instead of steel. This means that it is less durable, but a lot lighter.

This jack is rated to hold up to 3 tons of weight, so it is obviously not weak. It’s made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and weighs only 56 pounds.

One of the first things to notice about this jack is the convenient side-carry handles. This is handy in situations where you can’t roll the jack for one reason or another.

The jack pad is traditional in shape but has a cleated rubber pad. A rubber pad is always a double-edged sword because it provides better grip while sacrificing durability.

5. Liftmaster 6490 3-Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack – Best for Easy Lifting

Next up, we have this Liftmaster floor jack. Built to support up to 3,000 pounds, it’s a heavy duty option that can support full-size cars or light SUVs. The low-profile wedge shape is great for limited ground clearance. When fully lowered, the lifting arm sits flush with the base for easy placement.

One thing we like about this particular jack is the hydraulic dual pump pistons system. With every pump of the handle, two pumps are building pressure and moving fluid. This helps to raise and lower the jack quickly without sacrificing simplicity or safety.

The jack has an impressive lift range. At its lowest, it can slip under cars with as little as three inches of clearance. However, when fully extended, it can raise your ride to 20 inches.

Thanks to this unit’s easy operation, we recommend it for those who can’t operate standard jacks.

6. Arcan XL2T 2-Ton Extra Long Reach Low Profile Steel Floor Jack – Best for Ultra-Low Ground Clearance

Here’s another worthy option from Arcan. This one is built a bit differently than the previous one. Instead of the standard low-profile base design, it has an extended chassis for greater reach.

With the longer base comes a greater lifting capability, too. It has a much longer lifting arm than most of the low profile jacks on the market. As a result, you’re able to lift your ride up to 24 inches! On the lower end, this jack can fit cars with as low clearance as 2.75 inches!

This is one of the best floor jacks for modified cars that are very low to the ground. Pair that with the longer base for easier access to the jacking point, and you have a jack that’s well-suited for ultra-low rides.

7. Sunex 6602LP – The High-End Beast For Lowered Cars

This is easily the heaviest jack on our list, weighing about 108 pounds. This makes it a poor option for those who have a lot of trouble with heavy loads.

However, this product makes up for its weight problem with a very low profile. This one can get as low as 2.75 inches, making it tied for first place in this category.

We also have a very high maximum lift range on this product, and it isn’t very hard to use. The manufacturer says that it reaches maximum height in 6.5 pumps. This one is pretty-high-quality, but you will pay a high price if you go with this option.

8. Performance Tool W1645 Professional Low Profile Floor Jack – Best Product for Heavier Vehicles

Need a jack that can support heavier car, crossover, or SUV? Check out this tool from Performance Tools. The jack comes in a variety of configurations. But, the most capable one can hold 7,000 pounds. Even the standard configuration can hold 6000.

For peace of mind, this floor jack is equipped with some additional safety features. You’re getting an overload bypass valve to prevent over-extension as well as a basic rubber saddle pad. The saddle pad doesn’t have ridges or treads, but it will still reduce the chances of slipping.

This is a good choice if you need to lift heavy duty vehicles. The steel jack is more than capable of supporting low cars and SUVs.

9. Powerbuilt 620479E – Ultra Low Profile Floor Jack

This might be the coolest-looking jack on our list, and it offers some excellent benefits as well. First of all, it has a really ultra low profile. At 2.75 inches, only one other jack on our list can go as low. We also like the fact that the jack isn’t extremely heavy, though it is by no means easy to lift.

The front wheels on this jack do not pivot and consist of one big roller. This is actually pretty handy because you don’t have to worry about the wheels being turned in the wrong direction. On traditional jacks, improperly positioned wheels can cause the jack to drift, and this can lead to a catastrophic failure if you happen to be underneath the vehicle at the time.

Another good safety feature is the locking bar mechanism. This is simply a way to lock the jack at its current height. Thus, even if the jack loses pressure for some reason, the car should still stay aloft. This brings us to one of the more common complaints about this product. Most of the reviews we read were positive, but a few users complained that the jack lost its pressure after a short period of use. Consistent complaints, no matter how few, are always a cause for concern.

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What Makes a Low-Profile Floor Jack Different?

Floor jacks, sometimes called trolley jacks, are a must-have tool in your arsenal whenever you need to get under your vehicle for tune-ups or repairs. However, finding a suitable jack for lower cars can be a bit of a challenge.

All jacks need some clearance to slip under the chassis and make contact with the jack point. This is usually referred to as the minimum height of the jack. With traditional jacks, you may be looking at a clearance requirement of nearly a foot!

If you own a larger SUV or truck, that’s no problem. But sedans have, on average, only five to six inches of ground clearance. Sports cars and luxury coupes may have as little as three inches!

With these vehicles, standard jacks are not compact enough to fit under the body. That’s where low-profile models come in.

Low profile floor jacks can fit under cars with only a few inches of room to work with. They typically feature short bases on wheels, allowing you to slip the jack under and get to work!

How a Low-Profile Floor Jack Works

Low-profile jacks work the same way as traditional models. The only difference is the design.

There are a couple of different types of floor jacks available.

The first is a mechanical floor jack. These are rarer today, but you can still find some on the market. They utilize screw threads to lift your car. While effective, they’re not the most practical. Mechanical jacks require a lot of human force to operate. Plus, they tend to take up more space.

Hydraulic floor jacks are, by far, the most prevalent in today’s auto world. They take advantage of hydraulic fluid to take care of all the heavy lifting. Within the arm of the jack, a pump cylinder and piston build pressure to lift the jack arm.

For low-profile models, the jack arm moves at a fixed point. The length of the arm will determine the jack’s height capabilities. But, the saddle is attached with a hinge to provide a level and stable lifting surface.

Choosing the Best Low Profile Floor Jack for Your Needs

Finding a suitable low-profile jack isn’t as simple as picking up the first one you see.

All vehicles are different, so you need to match the jack to the ride you’re working on. Here are some things to keep in mind while you’re choosing the right jack.

Minimum Lift Height

Here’s the most important thing to scrutinize. After all, the whole point of buying a low-profile jack is to get one that fits under your ride!

The minimum lifting height refers to the lowest possible height the jack can lift. Generally, this figure will represent the overall compactness of the jack when it’s fully lowered.

Get a model that’s slightly less than the ground clearance of your car. Usually, anything less than 3.5 inches will do. But you can find units that are as low as 2.75 inches!

Lifting Range

This measurement reflects how much the jack can lift. The maximum height of about 20 inches is more than enough for most vehicles. Chances are, you won’t even need that much.

Consider your own size and how much space you need to get under. Don’t forget to consider how additional supports will factor into this once you raise the car.

Weight Capacity

Floor jacks can only handle so much weight. To avoid any potentially dangerous accidents, choose a jack that can support more than what your vehicle weighs.

For some perspective, the average midsize sedan tips the scales at about 3,300 pounds. Full-size cars can weigh up to 6,000 pounds.

Weight capacities for floor jacks can vary quite a bit. Always choose one that’s stronger than you need to be on the safe side.

Build Quality

Ideally, your floor jack is going to be an investment that lasts. To ensure that your jack can continue to serve you for years to come, pay attention to build quality and material.

Most jacks are made out of lightweight aluminum or heavy-duty steel. Both are suitable options. Aluminum is more lightweight and easy to move around. But, steel offers better stability and overall durability.

Saddle Pad

The saddle pad is the small hunk of plastic or rubber that’s going to make contact with your car’s jack point. Make sure that you’re getting a unit with an anti-slip pad. Rubber is best in this regard. Also, pay attention to the design. Thick treads that can catch the car are always recommended.

Slipping incidents are not as uncommon as you think. So, don’t skimp on quality when it comes to the saddle pad!

Maneuverability and Ease of Operation

Finally, consider how you’re going to use your jack! Most units come with features to make using the unit a breeze. Look out for things like caster wheels, side handles, and lengthy pump arms! Those features will help you work more efficiently.

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FAQs

1. How high can a low profile floor jack lift?

This all depends on the length of the lifting arm. Generally, you can expect to get somewhere between 18 and 20 inches of lift.

2. How much can a 2-ton floor jack lift?

A 2-ton floor jack can lift 4,000 pounds. This is more than enough to support mid-sized sedans.

3. Can you lift heavier than the mentioned lifting capacity?

You should never attempt to lift vehicles beyond a jack’s weight capacity. In fact, you should always choose a jack that can handle more weight than your car.

Attempting to lift more than the jack is capable of can result in damage to the tool, your vehicle, or even yourself!

4. Are jack stands necessary while working on a car, or floor jack is enough?

Floor jacks are good for initial lift, but you should always add jack stands for good measure. There’s always the risk of slipping or hydraulic failure. Jack stands provide that extra layer of protection and stability to stay safe.

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Conclusion

A reliable low-profile jack can help you service low profile design cars without having to worry about accidental damage. You can get the same performance as a traditional jack. However, these models are all engineered for rides that are a bit tougher for standard jacks to lift.

We recommend trying out the XL20 Jack from Arcan. It’s a durable steel service jack that offers up to two tons of lifting power. It meets ASME safety standards and even comes with bypass and overload valves for extra security. Most importantly, it’s built with low-riding vehicles in mind. The jack will get under cars that are only 3.5 inches off the ground and lift them up to 18.5 inches!

It’s capable enough to serve the needs of most amateur and professional mechanics.