It can be challenging to make your garage more functional when storing your car and handling routine maintenance. Fortunately, with the best car lift for garage work, you can easily take care of your car without any hassle. This post explores the best options available and the things to consider as you make your choice.
Let's get started!
What kind of car lift is more durable and stable?
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1. Xk 2 Post Car Lift
Xk 10,000lbs Car Lift L1100 2 Post Lift Car Auto Truck Clear Floor Hoist / 12 Month Warranty
- Door guards protection rubber / Double Point Safety Lock Release
- Ultra high molecular self lubricating nylon slider ensures...
- Auto Car Lift L1100 - Features 220V 60HZ 1PH 3HP MOTER
- Customer MUST have forklift or tractor to unload the freight....
- Door guards protection rubber / Double Point Safety Lock Release
The first car lift for garage storage we'll review is the Xk two-post lift which is a great option for a home garage thanks to the safety features it offers. It comes with a double-point safety lock to prevent accidents and injuries as you operate it.
You'll also find a relief valve integrated into the power pump to prevent the weight of your car from overloading the support arms. Maintenance is a breeze since this auto lift features an ultra-high nylon slider that lubricates the posts to ensure they move up and down as smoothly as possible.
You won't have a hard time using this vehicle lift since it has intuitive controls. With a maximum capacity of 10,000 lbs, you can count on this unit to hold your car without challenge.
Pros
Cons
2. BendPak Portable Car Lift
BendPak QuickJack BL-5000SLX Portable Lift - 110 Volt, 2 1/2-Ton Capacity, Model Number BL-5000SLX...
- 5,000-pound capacity
- From stow to go in less than 60-seconds
- Dual-position automatic safety lock bars engage automatically as...
- Dual locking positions - mid level and full rise
Next, we'll review the BendPak Portable Car Lift, which is excellent for those who want to deliver maintenance on and off the track. You can stow it in the back seat of your car or the trunk for storage convenience when you aren't using it.
Using this car lift is easy since you only need to place the jack frames under your car and press the raise button on the remote control. It lifts your car from the floor in a few seconds, letting you handle routine maintenance in a time-sensitive way. The extended jack tray feature ensures the contact blocks are closer to the wheels for added convenience.
There is a lock bar that you can control using a flip, which smoothly takes the car down without physical effort. As the lift raises the car, the dual position safety locks automatically to prevent overloading during use. It's no surprise that this is one of the best car lifts you can buy.
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3. Mayflower Blacksmith Four Post Lift
Mayflower Blacksmith Four Post Lift car Lift Storage Service 8000 lb Pro 8000
- Lifting weight capacity: 8,000 lbs
- Lifting height max: 72"
- Motor: 110V 60Hz 1 Phase
- Single point safety lock release with built-in 10 locking...
- Jack tray, set of 3 drip trays, approach ramps, and Poly caster...
If you are looking for a four-post lift, you can go with the Mayflower Blacksmith, which is a great option whether you want to park, store, or service your car. With a weight capacity of 8,000 pounds, it could be the right car lift for your garage.
It can reach a lift height of 72 inches, making it excellent if you have a high ceiling. It offers 10 locking positions with the integrated safety lock release to let you select the best height for storing your car. You can expect a smooth performance from the lift arms thanks to the self-lubrication function.
The black powder-coated finish makes this auto lift resistant to corrosion and rust for maximum longevity.
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4. APlusLift Mid Rise Scissor Lift
APlusLift HW-SL6600X Mid Rise 6,600LB Auto Scissor Lift 110V / 5 Year Structural Parts Warranty
- 5 Year Structural Parts Warranty; 2 Years Hydraulic Electrical...
- 51" Lift Height Maximum with Truck Adapters
- 88 9/16" Maximum Length and 78 3/4" Maximum Width
- Dual 3 1/4” Hydraulic Cylinder Structure
- Unique Triple Roller Design Added Stability and Greater Contact...
Another car lift for garage storage you should consider is the APlusLift Scissor Lift which is among the most affordable units on the market. It has a heavy-duty design and can accommodate up to 6,600 pounds.
If you have a low ceiling, this low-profile auto lift is a perfect choice since it'll still go high enough to let you handle tire service and other tasks. It offers a quick setup time and is built to last for maximum customer satisfaction. You'll also get a 5-year warranty for structural parts and a 2-year warranty for the hydraulic parts.
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5. CHIEN RONG CR Auto Lift
CHIEN RONG CR Two Post L2900 220V Auto Lift 9,000 lb. Capacity Car Vehicle Lift 12 Month Warranty
- comes with screw in pads, truck adapters $40 optional
- The overall Height 110-1/4"
- The overall Width 133-1/4"
- Lift height max: 70-3/4"
- drive through clearance 99.2"
Here's another two-post lift you can go for if you have light-duty trucks or sedans. The CHIEN RONG CR Auto Lift is perfect for your home garage since it's designed to ensure your safety. It comes with automatic arm lock restraints and a power pump that prevent issues like overloading.
The anchor bolts and mounting hardware you'll need to install this unit are included in the package, which helps to cut costs. Also, if you need to lift your car, it'll be as easy as pressing a button since it comes with an 'UP' button on the motor. Plus, it only takes 52 seconds to achieve full rise with this unit which is pretty neat.
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What are the Reasons to Get a Car Lift for My Garage?
1. Car Safety
Cars are quite expensive to buy and maintain, which is why car owners should look for ways to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Unfortunately, it's common to find your home garage full of hardware, tools, and items, leaving you to park your car outside. This leaves your car exposed to vandalism, theft, and other dangers.
As such, one of the ways to ensure your car is safe from threats is by getting a car lift to store your car inside the garage. Additionally, it'll help you preserve the body and engine of your car by keeping it indoors, prolonging its lifespan.
2. Parking Multiple Cars
While most homes have a garage, it's probably just enough for one car. However, in typical circumstances, if you have two or more cars, you'll have to leave one outside because of space constraints. This can be tricky, especially during the harsh winter months, since it could leave it exposed to snow and ice, affecting its performance.
One way to solve the space issue is by getting a home car lift which will allow you to park both cars under your roof.
3. Storing Unique Cars
If you have a classic car or high-end sports car, you know that storing it outside can be tricky since these cars are delicate and require special attention. Unfortunately, the cost of keeping such a car in another storage facility can be high. If you want a cost-effective way to keep your prize car until you want to drive it, you can use a car lift.
4. Easier Car Maintenance
Car enthusiasts prefer a hands-on approach when it comes to car maintenance. One of the devices that can make things like wheel service easier to handle is a car lift. It can help you access the underside of your vehicle so that you can perform repairs and maintenance practices without hassle.
Nevertheless, if you plan to work under your car using car lifts, you should go for the ANSI-certified ones to ensure maximum safety.
How Many Types of Car Lifts Are There?
1. Two Post Lifts
Two post lifts are the most available form of auto lifts you'll come across. As the name suggests, they come with two sturdy posts and supportive arms for stabilization. These car lifts are great for homes with limited garage space and small car repair shops since they are considerably affordable.
We can further categorize these car posts into asymmetrical, symmetrical, and versymmetrical. The symmetrical type features two posts facing each other, and half of the car's weight is held by the support arms. Asymmetrical ones have a rotated post design and swing arms that aren't equal in length. Finally, the versymmetrical lifts offer the best of both worlds by combining asymmetric and symmetric versions into one.
2. Four Post Lifts
If you have heavy-duty trucks, you should probably check out four-post lifts. They are designed with a higher weight capacity thanks to the extra support columns. Since these car lifts don't require floor anchors and are easy to use, they are popular among homeowners and car shops.
You can go with the open front types, which allow you to move under the car easily, or the closed front ones, which have a bar at the front which restricts movement. These car lifts don't require as much power as their two post counterparts and are versatile in the garage. However, they are expensive and could take up more floor space in your garage.
3. Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts include car lifts that raise the car using a mechanism that resembles an accordion under the runways. We could further describe them as having drive-on or four-arm style models depending on the cylinders and raising rods.
These car lifts are mostly low profile and won't lift your car to great heights. Nevertheless, you can find one that meets your height requirements since there are low-rise types that climb up to 36 inches high, mid-rise lifts that go up to 48 inches high, and full-rise ones that go beyond 48 inches. Thanks to their relatively low profile, mounting scissors lifts are easy, which is why some people prefer them.
4. Portable Car Lifts
If you want a space-saving solution, portable car lifts are a great option. They come in the form of two-post, four-post, and scissor lift models but with portability. Unfortunately, a portable version of vehicle lifts will have fewer features than non-portable models. Luckily, you can take them wherever you need them according to your needs.
5. Parking Lifts
A parking lift is specifically designed for parking cars and won't provide you any room for servicing or maintaining vehicles. They have a smaller footprint and feature a drive on the deck, unlike other lifts with two runways. The convenient design of these lifts allows you to park another car underneath the upper platform, making it a great option if you have multiple cars.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Car Lift for Garage Use
1. Lifting Height
You'll need to consider how high you want the unit to lift your car. You'll have three options when choosing the lift; a full rise, mid-rise, or low-rise car lift. The maximum lifting height shouldn't take your car higher than the level of your ceiling since that won't be practical. So, you should choose a unit that matches the space you have available in your garage.
2. Lifting Capacity
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a car lift for garage use is the capacity it can hold. Again, this should be guided by the weight of your car, which is why you'll need to know how heavy your vehicle is. Ideally, you should take a model that can withstand more than the actual weight of your car just to be on the safe side.
3. Ease of Installation
Unfortunately, mounting your new car lift will probably require some hands-on work. One of the things that can make it easier to install your unit is having the mounting hardware included in the package. Additionally, if it's challenging for you to handle it yourself, you could hire professionals to assist you, but this will lead to additional costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does it cost to get a lift in your garage?
A car lift can cost anything from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the type and model you choose.
2. How tall does a garage need to be for a car lift?
Your ceiling should be at least be 11 feet high to ensure you can install a car lift for garage use.
3. Can I put a car lift in my driveway?
Yes, you can. However, car lifts are meant for indoor use and won't last long once exposed to outdoor conditions.