When it’s time to jack up a vehicle for maintenance or to change a tire, you want the sturdiest jack stand for the job. Whether it is a tripod or tower design, strength is the key feature.
Don’t mess around with flimsy or hard-to-use jack stands. When you are in an emergency situation — or even just doing maintenance — it’s important that the tool you use to keep thousands of pounds of steel in the air is up for the job. Out of the universe of jack stands, here are our picks.
AmazonBasics Steel Jack Auto Stands
Best Overall
This steel auto stand duo offers a 2-ton capacity. The pair of stands have a combined capacity total of 4,000 pounds (when used together). The product boasts a self-locking ratchet, which means you don’t need to lock it with a key. The stand can be raised or lowered to the required height. Made of durable steel with a rustproof coating, the product is backed by a one-year manufacturer warranty.
BIG RED Torin Steel Jack Stands
Best Value
This pair of jack stands is a great value, offering a 3-ton capacity that can handle a wide range of vehicles, including most cars, SUVs, and light duty trucks. As the name implies, these jacks are bright red so they can be easily found and at 7.7 pounds apiece and measuring 15 inches by 9 inches by 8 inches, are easy to stow in small spaces.
The product’s wide pyramid-shaped foot base adds stability and strength — two features that are mandatory when you have 6,000 pounds of steel overhead. The multi-position ratchet bar has a sawtooth design, allowing for quick height adjustments that lock into place for safety and convenience. Each jack adjusts from 11-1/4 inches to 16-3/4 inches.
Pro-LifT Double Pin Jack Stand
Best Heavy Duty
Looking for heavy-duty lift assistance? This double pin jack stand can handle 6 tons of weight. Made from sturdy, stamped steel construction with a cast ductile iron ratchet bar, this single jack offers a double-lock mechanism with handle locks and mobility pin and adjusts smoothly. It is appropriate for both commercial and residential uses, including cars, trucks, farm vehicles, and shop equipment. The product is 26.4 pounds and measures 18 inches by 12 inches by 10 inches.
Jack stands are serious business and the staple of any garage. These powerful tools make quick, easy work of holding up thousands of pounds of steel after they have been lifted. Stands are designed to reliably hold your car or truck while you perform routine maintenance, make a repair, or change a tire. Because of this, jack stands are as important as the jacks themselves! Do your homework and make sure you are buying the best option for your intended use and follow the manufacturer’s guidance for safety.
