by Joshua Thomas
The bottle jacks, just as their name suggests, come in a bottle shape. This shape makes them more compact, allowing you to store and carry them in the vehicle easily.
What truly makes these jacks fantastic is their ease of use, as a few pumps are often all you need when lifting the vehicle. Bottle jacks are also more affordable, and you can be sure of an easy time adjusting them to suit the vehicle's height thanks to the extension screws.
If you are on the lookout for one, here we review some of the best bottle jacks in the market and explain how to pick the ideal model for you.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Pro-Lift B-012D (Best Overall) |
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 | 2. Pro-Lift B004D (Best Budget) |
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 | 3. Powerbuilt 640912 (Best 3-Ton) |
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 | 4. US Jack D-51125 (Best Heavy Duty) |
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 | 5. Big Red T92003B (Best Hydraulic) |
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 | 6. OTC 9320 (Easiest to Operate) |
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 | 7. Strongway 46195 (Low Profile) |
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The Pro-Lift B-012D is our best overall bottle jack as it has a sturdy steel lifting saddle, simple height adjustment, and has many other fantastic features to offer.
The lifting saddle holds the load more securely, and the extension screw allows you to adjust the jack to accommodate different work heights.
This jack has a 12-ton weight capacity and offers a lift of 9.5 to 18.9 inches, allowing you to use it on most cars out there. And you can be sure it will hold up well for many years to come as the critical stress areas are heat-treated for long service life.
You never have to worry about over-pumping, which often damages the jack, as this model includes a bypass device that helps protect against this.
Better yet, the bottle jack has a nice carrying handle that makes transportation easier. Lastly, Pro-Lift designs it to meet ANSI/PALD standards to give you some assurance that you are getting a well-built and safe product.
Because there is no pneumatic pump, this bottle jack can be a little slow on the pump up. However, it still provides a stable and safe lift, making this a small issue you can overlook.
Pros
Cons
For motorists shopping for a bottle jack on a tight budget, the Pro-Lift B004D is a perfect choice as it comes at a great price.
Besides being budget-friendly, this jack still has a lot more to offer, being a product from one of the best bottle jack brands. And this includes a steel lifting saddle that holds the load more securely to prevent accidents.
This jack comes in a more compact and lightweight design as it weighs around 8 pounds to ensure easy handling and storage.
With the built-in bypass system, you never have to worry about ram over-travel, and because the critical stress areas are all heat-treated, you can be sure of long service life.
This 4-ton bottle jack offers a lift range from 8 to 15.4 inches, which might not be as high as what you get from other models on our list, but should still be enough. Also, there is no carry handle. However, this is a lightweight unit that you should not have any trouble carrying.
Note: You can still get this bottle jack in other capacities at the Pro-Lift store if the 4-ton model does not suit your specific needs.
Pros
Cons
For those looking for a smaller capacity 3-ton bottle jack that comes in a more portable design for use on the go, the Powerbuilt 640912 makes an excellent purchase.
What makes this one of the best 3-ton bottle jacks is that it comes in an all-in-one design. This design ensures besides lifting the vehicle, you can hold it in place using the jack stand. The sturdy safety bar keeps the car in place securely by ensuring the jack does not lower.
The lifting range of 11 to 21 inches is quite decent, and many users love the 3 height adjustments as they allow you to use this jack for a wide variety of trucks.
Another thing that makes this a fantastic product is the highly durable and broad base for keeping the jack stable under load.
Although the saddle on this jack does not seem to sit square, it still holds and lifts the vehicle well and should not be a deal-breaker.
Pros
Cons
The US Jack D-51125 is a heavy-duty and professional quality bottle jack that holds up to 12 tons. This bottle jack uses ductile iron castings for the base and head cap. Also, it has a nickel-plated ram and pump piston for maximum rust resistance.
With the large and more stable design, this jack supports the load more securely, and you never have to worry about wobbling or unwarranted lowering.
There is also an effective overextension mechanism that uses a stop ring to prevent damage from over-traveling. Better still, the bottle jack has a safety fluid bypass system that ensures users will not overload it beyond the recommended ASME / PASE load-limiting standards.
Price seems to be the biggest issue with this bottle jack as it is one of the most expensive options on our list. However, for a heavy-duty model, it is worth every buck.
Pros
Cons
Hydraulic bottle jacks offer the advantage of being more stable and providing a higher lifting capacity. If you prefer these kinds of bottle jacks, the 20-ton Big Red T92003B should serve you well.
The jack provides a lift range of 9-1/2 to 17-3/4 inches to ensure you get more than enough ground clearance to work on your vehicle, whether you are changing a tire or fixing something underneath.
The jack includes an adjustable screw top extension for increased versatility as it allows you to use it on various vehicles and many other applications. You can be sure this jack will serve you for many years thanks to the high-quality and durable drop forged alloyed steel construction.
When lifting your vehicle with this bottle jack, you do not have to put in a lot of effort as the glide-action pressure pump makes the job easier for you. Also, you never have to worry about extending the jack beyond the safe limits as it has a built-in oil-bypass and overload valve.
The red paint seems to scrape off quite easily, and this is more so when using the jack on hard surfaces like concrete, but this does not affect the functionality. Another issue is the jack not lowering itself when you release pressure, but this is also not a big deal.
Pros
Cons
The OTC 9320bottle jack is the kind of jack you get when you want something that will give you an easy time lifting your vehicle. The in-line design with the pump centered in the cylinder and nice handle ensures effortless operation and maneuvering.
Durability is also guaranteed with this bottle jack as it has a rugged forged cylinder and base that provide superior strength. Better still, the unit uses chromed piston pump and ram to increase its rust resistance for longer service life.
This jack provides a higher 20-ton capacity and a lift range of 10.6 to 20.4 inches to make it suitable for lifting almost any vehicle on the road. Because it meets the ANSI/PALD standards, you can buy with confidence that it is a top-quality product.
The relatively heavier design and the higher price tag are the two main shortcomings of this bottle jack. However, the extra weight and price are a reflection of the heavy-duty build and high capacity.
Pros
Cons
If your vehicle does not have a lot of ground clearance, the Strongway 46195 will be an ideal bottle jack for you. It is a low profile jack with a 5.9 inches minimum lifting height that allows it to get under almost any vehicle.
Besides the low clearance, the jack has a dual-stage hydraulic cylinder that lifts large loads without taking up a lot of space as it has a smaller footprint. But, this is still a highly durable jack made with high-grade steel and adheres to strict quality standards.
Also, the paint job is lead-free to ensure rust resistance and is resistant to oil, grease, and dirt to make cleaning up easier.
Because the jack includes both overload and bypass valves, you never have to worry about overloading it as the valves make it impossible to go beyond the maximum capacity. And one more thing users love is that you can also use this jack horizontally.
Although the 2-ton weight capacity is relatively low and the saddle does not seem very wide, both are still good enough when lifting cars.
Pros
Cons
A bottle jack's weight capacity is the amount of weight that it can comfortably handle without any issues. It's usually given in tons and can range from 2 to 50 tons and higher.
The jack you choose, therefore, needs to correspond to your vehicle's weight. Most sedans weigh around two tons, while SUVs weigh three tons or a little more.
However, keep in mind that a jack has to support only about 60% of a vehicle's weight, so a 2-ton jack can actually handle a 3-ton car.
Don't push your luck though, just get a jack with the general or even higher weight capacity for your vehicle. A 2-ton jack for sedans and a 3- to 5-ton jack for most SUVs is a good recommendation.
And if you will be using the jack on a wide variety of vehicle types and various applications, a 20-ton model like the Big Red T92003B is an ideal choice.
Apart from the weight capacity, another crucial consideration when choosing a bottle jack is the lift range. A jack's lift range is simply the maximum height that it can lift an object.
Most bottle jacks offer a lift range of anything between 5 and 20 inches, so it is left to you to figure out what will be appropriate for your vehicle.
Keep in mind that nearly all bottle jacks come with an extension screw, which allows you to adjust the jack's height to suit the vehicle.
Remember to check your vehicle's ground clearance to make sure it's higher than the jack's minimum height. That said, for low clearance vehicles, something low profile like the Strongway 46195 is a better buy.
Read More: The Best Car Lifts
When choosing a bottle jack, you also need to decide whether you want a hydraulic or pneumatic type. Both have their merits and are ideal for different situations.
Hydraulic bottle jacks are the most popular type of the two. These jacks use hydraulic oil for the lift. Because the oil is non-compressible, the jack can lift larger loads smoothly. But they tend to be messy as many are prone to oil leaks.
Pneumatic bottle jacks use compressed air to provide the lifting power, which creates a cleaner system. However, these jacks pose more safety issues given the use of compressed air. They also do not provide as much force as hydraulic ones, making them only ideal for light loads.
The materials used in the manufacture of a bottle jack and the build quality determine a jack's efficiency and durability. Material choice also affects the lift range and weight capacity.
Steel is the most common material used to make the bottle jacks as it is tough and durable. But steel is prone to rust, so it is vital to make sure what you buy has a rust-proof coating.
Some models also use cast-iron for the base material, which makes the jack more stable. Regardless of the material used, the most important thing is to make sure it is durable and rugged enough and will not rust or corrode easily.
A bottle jack needs to be user-friendly to ensure changing tires or working on your vehicle will be easier for you. Something that is easy to pump and raises the vehicle in just a few pumps should be good enough.
That said, a model like the OTC 9320 goes an extra step to ensure easier operation by incorporating an in-line design.
A: Yes, bottle jacks are perfectly safe for lifting vehicles. However, to keep the jack safe, you should never exceed the listed weight rating. If you will be doing more than changing the tire, it is important to use the bottle jack with a stand for maximum safety.
A: Bottle jacks are handy when you want to change tires, whether on the road or in the garage. Given that they can lift a lot of weight, they come in handy for general vehicle maintenance as you can use them together with a jack stand to hold the hoisted vehicle.
A: Bottle jacks are round and narrow high-clearance tools that come in a more compact and portable size. Floor jacks are wide and bulky low-clearance tools with wheels that allow you to slide them under the vehicle easily.
Alltrade 640912 Black 3 Ton, All-In-One Bottle Jack - Walmart Link
BIG RED T90603B Torin Hydraulic Welded Bottle Jack, 6 Ton (12,000 lb) Capacity, Red - Walmart Link
Pro-Lift B-004D Grey Hydraulic Bottle Jack - 4 Ton Capacity - Walmart Link
Pro-Lift B-006D Grey Hydraulic Bottle Jack - 6 Ton Capacity - Walmart Link
BIG RED T91207A Torin Hydraulic Stubby Low Profile Welded Bottle Jack, 12 Ton (24,000 lb) - Walmart Link
OTC 9320 Stinger Series 20-Ton Bottle Jack - Walmart Link
BIG RED T91003B Torin Hydraulic Welded Bottle Jack, 10 Ton (20,000 lb) Capacity, Red - Walmart Link
BIG RED TA92006 Torin Pneumatic Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack with Manual Hand Pump, 20 Ton - Walmart Link
The US Jack D-51125 - Walmart Link
the Big Red T92003B - Walmart Link
Alltrade 640912 Black 3 Ton, All-In-One Bottle Jack - eBay Link
BIG RED T90603B Torin Hydraulic Welded Bottle Jack, 6 Ton (12,000 lb) Capacity, Red - eBay Link
Pro-Lift B-004D Grey Hydraulic Bottle Jack - 4 Ton Capacity - eBay Link
Pro-Lift B-006D Grey Hydraulic Bottle Jack - 6 Ton Capacity - eBay Link
BIG RED T91207A Torin Hydraulic Stubby Low Profile Welded Bottle Jack, 12 Ton (24,000 lb) - eBay Link
OTC 9320 Stinger Series 20-Ton Bottle Jack - eBay Link
BIG RED T91003B Torin Hydraulic Welded Bottle Jack, 10 Ton (20,000 lb) Capacity, Red - eBay Link
BIG RED TA92006 Torin Pneumatic Air Hydraulic Bottle Jack with Manual Hand Pump, 20 Ton - eBay Link
The US Jack D-51125 - eBay Link
the Big Red T92003B - eBay Link
Whether you need to lift a heavy truck, a trailer, or a small vehicle, there's a bottle jack out there for you.
To help narrow down your choices, the Pro-Lift B-012D is our best overall product as it ticks all the boxes with the highly durable saddle, simple height adjustment, and many other fantastic features.
However, for those shopping on a tight budget, the Pro-Lift B004D is our most budget-friendly recommendation.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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