by Joshua Thomas
The traditional floor jack seems to struggle with vehicles that have little clearance as they cannot easily get under them. But, there is a still an effective solution for lifting such vehicles, which is investing in the best low profile floor jacks.
Low profile floor jacks will not require much clearance between the vehicle and ground as they can be as low as 2.5 inches. This means they will easily get under vehicles with low clearance such as sports cars.
Like with all jack types, they are all not made the same, so you need to choose keenly when picking one for your garage. Here we give you some amazing recommendations by reviewing top-rated models and explaining what to look for when shopping.
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1. Arcan XL20 (Best Overall) |
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2. Jegs 80077 (Best for the Money) |
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3. Sunex 6602LP (Best Ultra Low Profile) |
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4. Liftmaster 6490 (Best Quick Lift) |
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5. Pittsburg 61253 (Best for Professional Mechanics) |
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6. Arcan XL2T (Wide Lift Range) |
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7. Pro Lift F767 (Rapid Pump Action) |
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With its heavy-duty steel construction that makes it very durable and dual pump pistons that ensures super fast rise with just a few pumps, the Arcan XL20 is our best overall jack model.
Additionally, this model is also made as an extra low profile, which is even more compact to fit more easily under very low profile vehicles like the latest sports cars model.
Furthermore, the saddle pad of this floor jack is made from a rubber material that is smooth and will not slip during lifting and help protect the vehicle from scratches.
With the 2-piece handle on this jack, you can also be sure that storing it when in use will be super easy. And you will never have to worry about pushing it beyond its maximum capacity or over-extending the hydraulic arm as this jack has overloaded and bypass valves.
This jack model is ASME approved, which should give you some assurances that it is made to last and for maximum user safety.
The only caveat we have with this jack is that it has only a 2-ton weight capacity. But, for most sports car, this is still enough capacity.
Pros
Cons
The Jegs 80077 is an aluminum low profile floor jack that comes at a more affordable price tag to ensure you get great value for money.
The saddle point is quite large and has a rubber material that will prevent it from slipping for better security. And it will rotate 360-degrees to make it easy to jack different vehicles.
Moreover, this model has a vibrant yellow color that makes it easy to spot in a large workshop. Additionally, you get rear and side handles that will allow you to move this low profile floor jack easily.
To provide extra safety for the vehicle and user, this jack has overloaded and bypass valves that will prove it from being used beyond its maximum capacity.
This jack is not a fast pump and so you should be ready to make lots of pumps to lift the vehicle, but given how easy it is, this should not be an issue.
Pros
Cons
While the Sunex 6602LP may look like an average floor jack, this model is one of the best ultra-low profile floor jacks on the market as it will go as low as 2.75 inches to allow you to jack any vehicle.
This unit has an excellent throat of 18 inches, which will allow it to find the jack point of any type of vehicle. Let's not forget that the jack point is located at different areas under the vehicle depending on the manufacturer and model.
With the rapid rise technology and the dual pump pistons, this is an easy to pump hack that will also rise fast as you only need around 6 pumps to have it at maximum rise.
The rubber saddle will ensure this jack does not damage the vehicle, and there is some foam on the handle bumper also to protect your vehicle.
The downside is that this high-quality low profile floor jack has a small weight capacity of 2 tons only. But, for most cars it is still enough. Also, the higher price tag is a reflection of the quality.
Pros
Cons
Despite having a simple look, the Liftmaster is a low profile floor jack that has a lot to offer. Indeed, it is one of the easiest floor jacks to use, and its dual pump system delivers super fast lift to ensure you do not have to put in a lot of effort pumping.
Best of all, the saddle is coated with a thick anti-slip rubber that will make it safe when lifting a low profile vehicle. And the two-piece knurled steel handle will ensure you get a more comfortable and secure grip. Also, with the front and rear caster, you can easily move it around.
All in all, if you are looking for a performing and heavy-duty floor jack, then the Liftmaster is one of the best 3-ton low profile floor jacks for the money.
Just don't expect it to be a heavy-duty car lift because it does not build construction or the weight capacity for it.
Pros
Cons
The industrial-quality of the Pittsburg 61253 and its super tough construction makes it the perfect fit for a professional mechanic looking for a low-profile floor jack.
Moreover, the lift range is also very decent, allowing it to work with almost all vehicles, whether it is a sports car or an SUV.
You will have no problem using this low profile floor jack as it uses the traditional pump action to perform the lifting, which is very easy to use by even absolute beginners.
This model can easily lift most vehicles, from cars to SUVs as it has a weight capacity rated at 3 tons is more than adequate for most people who only need to lift their vehicle.
Also, this hack has extra-wide steel casters that will help ensure mores stability and with universal joint release to ensure precise lad control for all handle positions.
The finish does not seem very refined compared to other models, but this is not a big deal as it does not affect its overall performance.
Pros
Cons
The 2.75 to 24 inches lift range is wide enough to make the Arcan XL2T a versatile jack that will be ideal for lifting different vehicles. And it can lift up to 2 tons.
With the dual pump piston, you can easily raise this jack when lifting the vehicle. You can also be sure that with the padded saddle and foam handle the vehicle will not be damaged when lifting.
The heavy-duty steel construction makes this a highly durable floor jack. And with the 2-piece handle, this will be an easy jack to store when not in use. This jack will also include bypass and overload valves to ensure that you will not use it beyond its capacity.
This jack is quite heavy when compared to others out there. But, the 97-pound weight is still manageable. What's more, the jack also has some caster for easy mobility.
Pros
Cons
The Pro Lift F767 uses a rapid pump action that makes it easy to lift vehicles in a matter of seconds. The lift range is definitely not the best we have seen as its minimum height of 3.5 inches and a maximum height of 14 inches is below average.
However, it is still decent for casual and general-purpose use, especially if you only need a low profile floor jack to lift your vehicle for a rim or tire repair.
Other caveats are that this jack is limited to only 2 tons and does not have foam to protect your vehicle's paint job. You need to be more careful when operating this lift than others.
However, considering its extremely affordable price, this cheap low profile floor jack will definitely come in handy sooner or later, especially when used by individuals for casual use rather than professionals in the workshop.
Pros
Cons
The lifting arm is the part of your floor jack that does the actual lifting. It needs to be sufficiently large and robust not to offer the durability required to lift a heavy object like a vehicle in the air. Look for terms like "reinforced" so as to get a quality lift arm that is heavy-duty and durable.
The lifting range will tell you how high your low profile floor jack is able to lift your vehicle. In general, a good low profile floor jack will offer you a decent lifting range of at least 3.5 inches to 14 inches like the Pro Lift F767.
The lower the minimum lift range will allow you to work with ease on ultra-low profile vehicles while the maximum range will allow you to work comfortably on taller vehicles like an SUV.
The weight capacity of the low profile floor jack is a very important aspect to consider.
You do not want to use this floor jack on a vehicle that exceeds is weight capacity because it will not work or will be a terrible security hazard.
Most good low profile floor jacks have a weight capacity of at least 2 tons that will allow you to comfortably lift most vehicles on the market. But, the 3-ton capacity model like the Neiko Pro 20272B is even better.
Read More: The Best 3-ton Floor Jacks
The saddle pad of the low profile floor jack is the part that makes contact with your vehicle's jack point.
The saddle pad must be made from a high-grade material that is anti-slip for security.
In fact, most top-rated low profile floor jacks will have an anti-skid jack point for better security.
When your low profile floor jack is under a vehicle, it can be difficult to move it around.
This is where the rear and the side handle comes into action. Indeed, those handles will allow you to quickly and easily move the floor jack anywhere you want under your vehicle.
The low profile floor jack may be low profile, but it is definitely not a lightweight lifting tool. In order to move it easily around the workshop or under your vehicle, ensure that your preferred model comes with rear casters and front rollers.
So as to get a durable and long-lasting low profile floor jack, always ensure that it is made from high-quality materials like steel or aluminum. One of the main advantages of those metals is that they can withstand heavy-duty load and will not break easily.
Most of the time, the steel low profile floor jack will be heavier than an aluminum one but will be significantly more durable. For casual use, you can go with an aluminum floor jack but for heavy duty and professional usage, we recommend a steel model instead.
If you are on the lookout for the best low profile floor jack, you can be sure there is something for you on our comprehensive review above.
However, the Arcan XL20 is our best overall model as it has a heavy-duty steel construction and a fantastic quality saddle.
And if you are shopping on a limited budget, the Jegs 80077 will give you the best value for your money.
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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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