The Best Jack Stands That Put Your Safety First – 2019

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Introduction

If you’re not a professional mechanic then odds are you don’t have access to one of those big two post blue and yellow lifts in your garage or have the space for one, even if you can afford shelling out a couple thousands dollars. In fact, you quite possible don’t even have a garage at all and need to work on things in the driveway or supermarket parking lot. All jokes aside, most of have been there or at least will at some point. So that means you’ll need to buy a decent floor jack and you’ll need at least a pair of jack stands to support your vehicle while you’re working underneath it.

Anybody that is ever going to lift a car with a floor jack should own a pair of jack stands, even if you’re just going under the car for a quick 5 minute changes. You never know when a jack could fail; is your life really worth the little added cost of a pair of jack stands? If you’re reading this, then you are likely shopping for a pair of jack stands and know the importance of them already. A few things you’ll need to consider while shopping is what the weight capacity is of the set, what are the adjustable height ranges, how the adjusting mechanism works and what the base width is(especially if your in a tight space).

While there are several different types of jack stands such as ratcheting ones which are more convenient or pin hole types that you have to manual adjust which have higher safety ratings. You have to keep in mind that each pair of jack stands are rated in their holding capacity has a set, not individually. For most vehicles a pair of 3-ton jack stands are sufficient, you need to make sure you’re getting the correct ones for your vehicle.

Other key factors to consider are of course your budget, durability and the quality of the manufacturing process along with types of materials used. The most common failure point of a jack stand is it’s ratcheting device or steel pins which hold the jack stand in it’s height setting. These parts after years of wear are known to bend or even entirely break off. Since we’re here to help, below we’ve compiled a couple different lists based on budget, quality, consumer and weight ratings. Of course to go with the pair of jack stands, you’ll need a good quality floor jack to lift up your vehicle.

Note: This article is very long, so you may want to consider referencing the table of contents for most specific information you’re looking for, unless of course if you’d like to read through our entire article then please do so.

Jack Stand Designs

The typical jack stand is made out of steel which provides extra strength and economy. There are aluminum jack stands available as well which have some advantages over steel ones, such as less weight, easy portability and corrosion resistance.

As far as height adjustments are concerned, there is really only two basic designs and they both get the job done. These two designs are manual pin types and ratcheting lever types.

Ratcheting Style Jack Stands

The jack stands with ratcheting levers have the easiest and quickest height adjustment ability. These also offer a wider range of height adjustments. These are quite easy to put back down after use. After the vehicle is lifted back off the jack stand, you simply pull up on the ratcheting lever and the adjustable part of the stand goes right back down to it’s lowest setting.

The one main concern some have with this design, is that the rotating pawl that is wedged underneath the tooth of each height setting sometimes rusts and fails over time. When this happens it will disable the adjust-ability of the jack stand, leaving it in it’s lowest setting forever.

However this is not a safety issue, because even if the roll pin fails while the jack stand is in use, the locking cam will not allow the support to power while under load. This safety feature has been in use with this ratcheting height adjustment mechanisms for decades.

Pin Style Jack Stands

The pin style hack stands use a high strength steel locking pin that inserts into each height adjustment hole. This is supported by a bar at the top of the base of the jack stand to support and hold the pin into place or the pin will rest in a saddle at the top of the base of the jack stand.

The pin style adjustment jack stands are considered to be stronger than that of the ratcheting style ones and have been known to last longer as well since there is no mechanism to wear out. These types are a favorite for heavy duty applications. It is possible for pins to bend slightly making it hard for it to pass through the adjustment holes. However replacement pins are cheaper and easier to replace than an entire jack stand.

The only real disadvantage to pin style jack stands are that usually the height adjustments fewer than that of the ratcheting ones. This makes it more difficult to compensate for uneven jacking points under the car or uneven floor heights.

Lets Review The Best Jack Stands

We’ve come up with several lists here of the best jack stands currently available. We’ll review the best jack stands for anyone on a budget, which in most cases will be more than enough for the average DIY’er. Then we’ll discuss the best High Quality jack stands, the best Aluminum jack stands, the best Heavy Duty jack stands and then finish up with the best Made in the USA jack stands for anyone with a big work truck or recreational vehicle. All these lists are compiled by consumer ratings, build quality and company reputations.

Top 5 Budget Jack Stands
 

Ranking	Image	Product	Overall Rating
1. Read The Full Review		Torin Big Red Steel Jack Stands: 6 Ton Capacity, 1 Pair	(4.7 / 5) View Now On Amazon
2. Read The Full Review		Strongway Double-Locking Jack Stands – Pair, 3-Ton Capacity	(4.5 / 5) View Now On Amazon
3. Read The Full Review		OTC 5372 Stinger 3 Ton Jack Stands – Pair	(4.4 / 5) View Now On Amazon
4. Read The Full Review		Craftsman 9-50163 4 Ton Jack Stand Pair	(4.2 / 5) View Now On Amazon
5. Read The Full Review		Performance Tool W41021 2 Ton (4,000 lbs.)	(4.2 / 5) View Now On Amazon

Torin Big Red Steel Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings (4.7 / 5)

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If you can’t afford to spend hundreds on a pair of jack stands, then nothing really beats the Torin Big Red Steel Jack Stands for anyone on a budget. This pair of jack stands is suitable for most DIY’ers and has great performance for the money. They’re made out of steel and feature a ratcheting height adjustment. Torin jack stands are among the cheapest that you can still feel confident about using when it comes to your safety.

Torin makes a 2-ton, 3-ton, 6-ton and 12-ton load rated jack stands that all come with a 1 year limited warranty. If you have a small vehicle, you really can’t beat the deal on their pair of 2-ton jack stands for the price.

Something to watch out for if you’re using these hack stands is at the bottom of the legs are fairly narrow and sharp. If you care about the finish of your garage floor or driveway then just be mindful of the legs so that you do not scratch any coatings or finishes. If you’re going to use them on asphalt or dirt remember that these could easily sink under load. It could very well leave permanent dips, holes or marks in the pavement and other soft surfaces.

If you have a little more money to spend and want some added piece of mind and safety then check out the Torin double locking option. They’re designed with an additional cutout in the top of the base to insert an angled pin under the teeth of the support post. This is a really great feature for double protection. If the ratcheting mechanism was to fail (which is very rare) then the locking pin will hold the support post in place so your vehicle doesn’t fall. Even though the cost is a little bit more, the extra expense is worth the piece of mind if you are one to worry.

Torin Big Red Jack Stand Features

• Meets ASME PASE Safety Standards
• Constructed of high-grade forged steel with a welded frame design for durability
• Limited 1 year manufacturer warranty
• 2 Ton (4,000 lb) capacity height range from 10.33″ to 16.5″ with a foot base size of 7.08″ by 6.29″
  
• 3 Ton (6,000 lb) capacity height range from 11.22″ to 16.7″ with a foot base size of 7-5/8″ by 6-7/8″
  
• 6 Ton (12,000 lb) capacity height range from 15-3/8″ to 23-13/16″ with a foot base size of 10-13/16″ by 9-7/16″
  
• 12 Ton (24,000 lb) capacity height range from 18-5/16″ to 28-1/8″ with a foot base size of 12-3/16″ by 11″
  
• Made in China

What Consumers Say about their Torin Big Red Jack Stands

• Work as expected. Use them to hold up camper for more solid experience as its on site all the time. Used floor jack to lift up, level then account for extra needed to get these under frame. All good. Makes walking in camper seem much more solid
• I saw some of the reviews talking about sub-par welding, but the ones I received look pretty decent.
• These jack stands are great. I will be buying two more. My only gripe is that you have to use a ‘jackhammer’ according to the instructions to pry in a tab to keep the black metal supports from coming out. I have not yet done that, and just am aware that they can come out if lifted by the tops.
• I thought theses were well made. I used my 6 ton stands with a 2002 Chevy Express 1500 Explorer Conversion Van. The Van has a curb weight of 7100 pounds and I felt safe underneath the van. I used it for an oil change and also used it to change the oil on my 2014 town and country.
• These are good quality jack stands, and make working under your vehicle more viable. They were easy to set up and they’re easy to use. The price is really reasonable also. I like the color of them, as normal jack stands look bland while these look distinct.

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Strongway Double-Locking Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings (4.5 / 5)

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This pair of Double-Locking Strongway Jack Stands feature a safety pin that adds extra piece of mine while your working underneath your vehicle. If the ratcheting height adjustment mechanism were to fail under load the locking pin is there to hold the support post in place at that height adjustment so the vehicle doesn’t come crashing down. These jack stands don’t meet the most recent ASME PASE 2014 safety standards, but they do meet ASME PALD 2009 standards. With a 3 ton capacity these jack stands will perform while with most cars, but due to their slightly outdated safety certification you’d might not want to push these to there max with a heavier vehicle, just for piece of mind. Strongway also offers jack stands with 6-ton and 12-ton capacities.

The handle and body is constructed using a high-grade steel with a lead-free paint finish to ensure a long-lasting finish helping to prevent the start of any rust. These finish is also grease, oil and dirt resistant which helps for an easy cleanup. The double-lock is a patented design adding that extra safety. This is a decently built jack with some extra safety built in.

Strongway Jack Stand Features

• 3-Ton base size 7 11/16″ x 6 9/10″ with Lifting height range from 11 1/4″ to 16 3/4″
• 6-Ton base size 10 4/5″ x 9 29/64″ with Lifting height range from 15 5/16″ to 23 13/16″
• 12-Ton base size 12 1/5″ x 11″ with Lifting height range from 18 5/16″-28″
• The overall dimensions of the saddle are 3.36″ (L) x 1.06″ (W)
• 1-Year limited warranty
• Built in ISO certified facilities
• Made in China

What Consumers Say about Strongway Double Locking Jack Stands

• If you work on and vehicle that you have to roll or crawl under, these are the jacks you need. Not the tiny or cheap 2 ton types at you local auto store, I can work on anything from a car to a large truck with these puppies, with the added safety double locking.
• I purchased these mainly because I needed the high reach. My 2 ton units only reach 16 inches and when working under heavy tractors changing blades and lubing chassis components I didn’t feel safe with the low reach.
• These units are a surprise, they are VERY heavy duty and have 23 inches of reach so I can place them under the front axle and I feel much safer. I do not like being under a machine in the first place but these make me feel much safer.
• These 6 ton ones are tall enough and sturdy enough to get under the vehicle on cardboard on the lowest height. A couple of clicks up and it’s a lot of room to use the creeper. Definitely glad I bought these monsters.
• These jack stands are very high quality, especially for the price. I also like the added security of the locking pins, which most other stands in this price range don’t have. I highly recommend these.

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OTC Stinger Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings (4.4 / 5)

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The OTC Stinger Jack Stands are a standard ratcheting style height self-locking adjustment. A self-locking ratchet handle cannot be released under load. OTC is apart of an award winning automotive tool manufacturing company, Bosch. They’re known for many high quality tools and diagnostic equipment among other things.

The build quality is good maximizing it’s durability with heavy duty construction. Also helping to prolong it’s lifespan is a nice corrosion resistant enamel finish. The base features welded foot pads that resist sinking into soft ground or asphalt while under load. These jack stands meet the ANSI PALD 2009 standards for safety. Each jack stand is load tested at the factory before being shipped. OTC makes the Stinger jack stands in 3-Ton, 6-Ton and 12-Ton weight capacities.

OTC Stinger Jack Stands Features

• 2-Year limited warranty
• 3-Ton base of 8-1/4″ x 7-1/2″ and height range of 12″ to 17-11/16″
• 6-Ton base of 11-9/16″ x 10-3/8″ and height range of 15-5/8″ to 23-11/16″
• 12-Ton base is 12-1/8″ x 10-7/8″ with a height range of 17-1/2″ to 27-1/2″
• Made with a formed and welded steel base for strength
• A self-locking ratchet handle cannot be released under load
• A durable baked enamel finish resists corrosion
• The stands also conform to ANSI PALD load rating standard
• Made In China

What Consumers Say about the OTC Stinger Jack Stands

• I primarily bought because of the welded foot pads! Hard to find this on many other stands and I feel it makes them all that much more sturdy.
• Not sure what type of steel used in the construction, but these feel far beefier than other 3 ton stands I’ve come across. There is some real heft to them.
• I bought these for home usage, and they felt very sturdy when holding up my vehicle. On the downside, the ‘V’ where the frame sits is fairly deep, so it can be a bit of a chore to line things up properly without having the upper points of the ‘V’ touching something they shouldn’t be. Otherwise, no issues with the finish or quality of the pieces.
• Nice, substantial and well made. They make my original 2.5 ton jack stands look like amateurs. They are definitely worth the price.
• I’ve been using OTC Jack stands for over a decade and needed another set since one of mine got stolen.

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Craftsman 9-50163 4-Ton Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings (4.2 / 5)

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These Craftsman 4-Ton Jack Stands are one of the more expensive pairs on our budget list and if your budget allows for the purchase of these jack stands then these are a great value with some of their features and 4-ton weight capacity. Most of us know the Craftsman name and know that it carries a good overall value for the at home mechanic. No these jack stands don’t have a lifetime warranty such as most of Craftsman tools.

Unfortunately Craftsman doesn’t offer these jack stands in an other sizes, it does over a nice black and yellow finish. You could say these jack stands are somewhat attractive compared to others, but that all depends on your color interests.

The base features welded foot pads that resist sinking into soft ground or asphalt while under load. While these jack stands are on the smaller side, with their weight capacity they’ll will work great with small cars, standard sized cars and small trucks and SUVs. You may not have the ground clearance needed to get under the car for major jobs, however these will get your vehicle high enough for more minor repairs, such as oil changes and brake jobs. If you have a full-size truck or SUV then you should look into something bigger, like the Torin Big Red 6 or 12-ton jack stands. 

Craftsman 4-Ton Jack Stand Features

• Designed to meet the latest ANSI/PALD standards
• Foot Pads add stability
• 1-Year limited warranty
• Lifting range from 12″ to 18″
• Base is 7″ x 8″
• Made In China

What Consumers Say About the Craftsman 4-Ton Jack Stands

• They’re jack stands that are capable of supporting the weight of my Ford Raptor (6000 lb vehicle). They feel solidly built and I like that the upper part of the support is wider than other jack stands I’ve seen.
• These are a good strong jack stands with feet. The feet keep the stands from sinking into the blacktop in hot weather.
• These are only slightly bulkier than Brand X 3-ton jack stands, but they’re noticeably sturdier. I especially like how they have a “foot” on each bottom corner, to spread out the weight.
• Nice size for cars of normal height. I’ve had truck stands in the past, but those things put a car way too high in the air to feel safe. These are just right. Robust. They feel very solid under a Honda Accord. Quality seems good.
• Nice jack stands. While some of Craftsman hand tools have gone downhill, these jacks are great. Heavy duty and I used them to hold up my Ram truck while I replaced the shocks. The foot pads are flat and a very nice feature. Stable and strong. Highly recommended!

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Performance Tool Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings (4.2 / 5)

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While the Performance Tool Jack Stands are one of the cheaper options for anyone on a budget, they still offer a decent quality and offer 3 weight capacity options. They do still offer a good solid construction with a sturdy wife frame and base.

Height adjustment is done by a ratcheting double locking pawl and they meet ANSI weight rating standards. They’re available in 3-Ton, 6-Ton and 12-Ton weight capacities offer a wife range of height adjustment.

Performance Tool Jack Stands Features

• 1-Year Warranty
• Meets ANSI standards
• Double locking pawl
• 3-Ton height range 10-3/8 inch to 16-3/8 inch
• 6-Ton height range 12 inches to 17-1/4 inches
• 12-Ton height range 15-1/2 inches to 23-1/2 inches
• Made In China

What Consumers Say About the Performance Tool Jack Stands

• I never liked the feeling of my old 2 ton jack stands when I use to have to raise them to there highest height to be able to roll around under my car they would look like they were ready to tip over but these big boys look like they could support a house definitely feel more at ease getting underneath the car with these supporting it.
• These 6-ton stands are tough and will last a lifetime. I use them on a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram Diesel and they do the job.I needed some heavy duty jack stands for a Ford E350 work van that is typically fully loaded with tools. Based upon one of my buddy’s recommendation, I picked up a pair of these 6-ton jack stands.
• If you are looking for jack stands for your car go for the 2 or 3 ton versions. The 6 ton versions are for holding up big heavy vehicles like trucks, vans, and buses not cars. Although they will easily hold up your car, you will be jacking them up 2-3 times higher than necessary.
• Heavy duty jack stands are well made, strong and have substantial weight and mass to provide ‘peace of mind’. Very pleased with this purchase.
• These are less refined than the equivalent Harbor Freight Jack Stands. The welded gussets on the inside corners are miserably tacked into place, and the iron post is roughly cast. The cast iron saddle, however, is the correct cross section to accept Harbor freight red-rubber pads #95952, which is what I was hoping for. The stands work.

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Two High Quality Jack Stands Worth Talking About

If your not a on a budget then you should consider one these higher quality jack stands. Both of their reputations are great and known for quality build, top notch safety and decades of high quality jack stands. Below we’re going to discuss the Sunex 1310 and ESCO 10498 jack stands, which are known to be very popular among automotive enthusiast across the country.

ESCO 10498 3-Ton Jack Stand

Consumer Ratings (4.7 / 5)

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The ESCO 10498 3-Ton Jack Stand is a unique tripod design that’s made of an all steel construction frame and support post. It’s coated with a rust resistant powder coating instead of the usual enamel paint that most standard jack stands come with that aren’t known to scratch and flake off over time. The biggest advantage with tripod designed jack stands is that they work very well on un-even surfaces. It’ll likely never be a problem to get them to stay flat unlike with the standard 4 legged jack stands.

Along with it’s tripod design are two other important features. It’s heavy duty steel frame is welded to large feet, giving it great stability while virtually eliminating the possibility of the jack sinking into whichever surface it’s being used on.  Unlike most jack stands that have typical sharp angled legs, these will work great on softer surfaces such as asphalt, dirt, wood or even on interlocking plastic garage tiles, just to name a few. Also a top the support post is the large removable flat rubber support pad helping to support the load even better.

The large flat rubber piece that sits on top of the saddle is especially convenient to use with uni-body cars. Usually there isn’t many spots that the traditional V shaped support post head can easily support. The ESCO jack stand works really well with pinch welds, because the rubber protects paint and finishes alike while in contact with the vehicle. When it comes time the rubber pad easily removed to expose the nice round metal perch which has four raised lips to help secure the vehicle onto the jack stands which can prevent it from sliding off the stand.

Not only is the ESCO jack stands wide 12″ base great for stability, but it has a superb contact patch thanks to it’s large feet which help to distribute the vehicles load well. This stability paired with the locking pin type height adjustment make the EXCO jack stand one of the safest one available today. You can bet your life on it and you will every time you decide to crawl underneath a vehicle.

NOTE: While most jack stands are sold in pairs, the ESCO 10498 3-Ton jack stand is sold individually. This also means that unlike most others that are sold as a 3-ton pair having just a 1.5-ton weight capacity each, this jack stand can actually hold 3-tons on it’s own. But you’ll probably want to buy two anyways, or even 4 just to have around. One word of caution, these stands are probably too tall for most cars. Even with the stand set to its lowest height you may have to lift your car with the highest reach of your floor jack (usually around 20 inches) to get these stands under the cars. As for trucks and SUVs this shouldn’t be a problem.

ESCO 10498 Jack Stand Features

• Height adjustments from 13.2″ – 21.5″
• 10 height adjustment increments
• Sold individually
• Meets or exceeds ANSI safety standards
• Circular base pads provide maximum stability
• Powder coated base prevents corrosion
• Rubber pad on support post protects against scratching paint
• Made In China

What Consumers Say about the ESCO Jack Stands

• All my uni-body vehicles lack great jacking points. I wanted a jack stand with a flat rubber pad so I wouldn’t leave marks on the sub-frame or suspension components the home mechanic must now use. To that end, these stands are perfect.
• I bought 4 of these to save money and remove my transmission on my S2000 myself. I currently have my car up 18″ on these which is plenty high and the car is absolutely rock solid. I’ve tried pushing it to get it to move any and it won’t budge.
• These are pricey as far as jack stands go. I bought 4 in order to get my car completely off the ground when I work under it. Once the car is resting on these, I don’t worry at all getting completely under the car, with all the wheels off, torquing bolts, prying exhaust pipes, etc. I have used other jack stands with various configurations and none have felt as secure as these ESCO stands. Having used these, I’ll never go back to my other stands.
• These stands are solid and appear to be well built. Much nicer than the 4-legged ones. The round base plates are very nice and won’t damage the floor when using these on bare concrete floors in the garage. The rubber pad is also nice and solid. The center poll is solid material, not just a pipe.
• Solid jack stand, no complaints. I would recommend this over your standard jack stand if you need a wider base like I did, keep in mind these are taller than a “normal” jack stand.

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Sunex 1210 10-Ton Low Height Pin Type Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings [4.6]

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The Sunex 1210 10-Ton Jack Stands are a pin type height adjustment heavy duty jack stand. Sure these might be a bit overkill for some vehicles, but the added piece of mind is well worth it. Although these aren’t quite as nice as the ESCO, they’re pretty close and if you need a slightly smaller jack stand then this is a better option as it’s lowest height starts at 11″ while still lifting up to over 17″. But if that that isn’t enough Sunex makes two bigger versions of this jack stand which support loads up to 29.9″ and 46.5″ respectively. Sunex has been around since 1977 and has been known for building heavy duty quality automotive tools among other things.

While this is a traditional 4 legged design, it’s frame is made of heavy duty steel along with it’s load holding pin and support post. While the head of the support post doesn’t come with a nice rubber pad, it’s still a nice large saddle (3.1″ x 5.1″) that isn’t V shaped making it more versatile for certain vehicles. Now since it’s a 4 legged design, the stand doesn’t always sit level on the ground. However it does have large feet welded onto it’s legs so that it wont sink into soft surfaces such as asphalt and dirt.

Perhaps the only real drawback is that it only has 4 height adjustment intervals, so it’s not quite as easily adjustable as other jack stands.

Sunex 1210 10-Ton Jack Stand Features

• 1-Year Warranty
• Side 12.2″ x 12.2″ base
• Sold as Pair
• Made in China
• 10-Ton capacity with pin
• Heavy duty steel construction
• ANSI safety standards met

What Consumers Say about the Sunex Jack Stands

• Heavy duty. This is our second set. We use them for big jobs. Easy to use. Reliable. I am confident in the materials and build. Good craftsmanship, all welds even. Jacks sit level.
• I have been using these underneath a 2.5 ton deuce and half. They are tall enough to support the frame while rebuilding axles. They easily support the weight and are stable. These jack stands have been worth every penny!
• Best value I could find , well made , heavy material. Metal footpad at bottom of each leg I did not see on others adds to function and stability.
• I purchased 4 pr of these for 2 of my facilities and both facilities are very pleased. Structures are solid and very heavy duty.
• I have NEVER felt safe using ratchet stands while working under a vehicle, and will ALWAYS have at least one floor jack in place, just in case; this may be overkill, but if you are using the floor jack to raise the vehicle, then why not just keep it in place. With these stands (I have 4), I can put the whole scary scenario out of my mind, and get the job done without my nose hitting a
  Y pipe crossover.

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The Best Aluminum Jack Stands

While there aren’t as many aluminum jack stands made as their steel counterparts, they certainly have their advantages which make them worth mentioning. These aluminum jack stands have a shorter height which works well for smaller vehicles. Also they’re built with a flat saddles making them easier to use on uni-body cars.

Another great advantage to having an aluminum jack stand is that they will not rust if exposed to the elements. Along with that they are extremely light and compact which makes storing them easy. These are the perfect jack stands to have in your vehicle just in case you need to work on your vehicle some wheres besides your garage. You can trust these much more then you can your sparing changing scissor jack.

Just remember since the uni-legged aluminum jack stands aren’t the best in terms of stability, especially on un-even surfaces you might only want to consider these for a back-up while your on the road or only for those quick repair jobs. You probably don’t want be under the car for a long period of time while pulling out a transmission.

Torin Big Red Aluminum Jack Stands 3 Ton Capacity

Consumer Ratings (4.7 / 5)

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These Torin Big Red Aluminum Jack Stands are rated for 3-ton and have a pin type height adjustment ranging from 10.71″ to 15.63″. They are only weighting in just over 5 pounds each, which makes them super easy to transport or put away in a cabinet for storage. They’re also very attractive to look at with a nice red and silver anodized finish.

Unlike traditional jack stands that have 4 legs, the Torin aluminum jack stands have just 1 large flat bottom that help distribute loads extremely well on most surfaces with his hexagonal shape. But they are not very good on uneven surfaces.

Torin Big Red Aluminum Jack Stands Features

• Made in China
• 1-Year limited warranty
• Meets ASME safety standards
• Lift range of 10.71″ to 15.63
• Foot base size of 7.48″ by 6.81″
• Locking height adjustment pin

What Consumers Say about the Torin Big Red Aluminum Jack Stands

• These are solid Jack Stands and the photo doesn’t do them justice. They are lightweight, robust and larger than you can discern from the description photo.
• These jack stands are about as good and sturdy as any I’ve used or for that matter, ever seen. They are made of aluminum and were grit blasted before they were anodized… the finish is almost too pretty to use in the garage.
• I have a pair of these stands bought about a year ago and have put them to very good use. These stands are light weight and very sturdy. Got a second pair to add to my collection for tire rotation.
• These stands are solid, finished nicely and have plenty of surface area to protect driveways. They’re best suited for cars and are not tall enough for SUV’s or trucks. The pin-chain is a nice feature because itt ensures that the pin will never get lost.
• I have used these jack stands with my BMW E46 convertible and E90 sedan. The stands are nicely finished, light weight, and durable. For safety reasons, I will only use jack stands with a locking pin, and these fit the bill. (I also like to put a tire/wheel under the car as backup) Recommended.

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Arcan Aluminum Jack Stands – 3-Ton AJS3T

Consumer Ratings (4.6 / 5)

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If you want a lightweight aluminum jack stand, but prefer the traditionally built one, then a pair of Arcan Aluminum Jack Stands is one for you to consider. They weight in at just over 5lbs a piece, making these super easy to carry in your vehicle or put away in a cabinet or shelf while not in use.

Although these are lightweight and smaller stands, they are still rated at 3-tons for the pair. This makes these strong enough for most DIY’ers while still providing enough safety for your piece of mind.They do comply with ASME PALD safety standards. Height adjustment is done via the most common ratching design.

Arcan Aluminum Jack Stands Features

• Ultra lightweight
• 3-Ton Weight Capacity
• 1-Year Warranty
• Base  8 7/8″ x 8 7/8″
• Height range 11 1/2″ to 16 1/2″
• Complies with ASME PALD safety standards
• Quick height adjustment with ratcheting arm

What Consumers Say about the Arcan Aluminum Jack Stands

• Best jack stands! I bought some at a local retailer and didn’t like them. I took them back and ordered these. I love them and bought 4.
• So far so good – haven’t been tested with full chassis weight of the F150 but they feel solid and definitely a welcome weight change due to tendinitis. My 5 year old can pick them up and bring them to Dad with confidence.
• Good quality, great function in height adjustment. Just raise the yoke and when released, it locks in. To take them down, simply raise the lever and the stand collapses to minimum height. Very pleased with jack stands for the price. Good looking as well.
• These little jack stands are the best. I have four of them and use them all the time. The fact that they are aluminum and very light makes using them effortless and since they are so small, it’s easy to get them into tight spots. They couldn’t be better!!!
• First I purchased my 3 ton jack Arcan. Then I decided to upgrade my stands to more powerful, too. Safety is important! So I got these nice aluminum twins. And, wow!!!, what a difference!!! Lightweight, strong. Definitely recommend this product!!!
   

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Best Heavy Duty Jack Stands

If you have any large vehicles such as a full-sized truck or SUV, a RV or Motorhome or other types of commercial vehicles that you’ll be working under, then you’ll need a heavy duty jack stand; one that can hold several tons of weight. These work well with heavy equipment as well, especially while working out in the field. Mostly due to their wide uni-bases that eliminate sinking and distribute loads evenly. There are fewer heavy duty jack stands available since they’re not as popular, but we’ll still recommend a couple of the best options available.

These heavy duty built jack stands don’t usually have very many height adjustment increments, but that’s mainly due to their need to hold up excessive weight. Their support post feature V-shaped saddles that firmly support frames and axles and come with massive 1″ diameter height adjustment locking pins.

OTC 1780 Jack Stand 22-Tons

Consumer Ratings (4.9 / 5)

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This paid of heavy duty OTC 22-Ton Jack Stands meet ASME/PALD safety standards. These big boys hold 22-ton each and feature one big flat base that prevents sinking into the ground or on soft surfaces such as asphalt. The base is 8″ x 8″. With a large saddle of 3″ x 3 3/4″ and 3 inch height adjustment increments, it’ll surely be a good option for heavy equipment lifting.

OTC 22-Ton Jack Stand Features

• Meets ASME/PALD safety standard
• 1-Year Warranty
• Large height adjusting pin
• 3 Pin height adjustment increments: approximately 13-3/4″, 16-3/4″, and 19-3/4″
• Each stand weights 40lbs with 22-ton capacity each
• Base width & length is 8″ x 8″
• Built in carrying handle

What Consumers Say about the OTC 22-Ton Jack Stands

• Before I placed order of this pair of jack stands, I also considered Omega 32225B Black Heavy Duty Jack Stand. Both are rated 22 tons per pair and they have similar designs and similar prices. I finally chose OTC for the following reasons: OTC has all steel construction while Omega has cast iron saddle which is probably more brittle. The construction of OTC seems to be sturdier. The four triangular support pieces go all the way to the edges of the base plate while the Omega ones are shorter. By comparing their photos, the collar that the pin rests on looks thicker and deeper in the OTC stand. Also, compare the sizes of the 1″ holes relative to the width of the square insert tubes in the photos. Omega holes looked larger, which implies that Omega square tubes are thinner than OTC. The differences are reflected in their listed weights: 62.8 lbs for Omega vs 80 lbs for OTC (my measurement was actually 76.6 lbs). On the other hand, Omega has better carrying handle: it’s rounded rather than flat, which should be easier on the hand. I also like the knurled pin of Omega better. Overall, stronger construction wins. The actual product I received looks exactly like the photos. Very happy with the quality. Of course, they feel so much safer than my 4 ton Craftsman stands. Worth every penny.
• Operation overkill is in full swing. I bought OTC stands these because I do not trust my old ratcheting style jack stands. I also wanted something that would not leave holes in an asphalt driveway. Mission accomplished. They have a nice flat base which looks like it would provide stability on gravel or dirt if that’s where your vehicle is. These things are heavy duty! I contemplated making my own but after seeing these, there is no way I could for the price in material. Only drawback is they are heavy! I don’t know how they could be made lighter without sacrificing strength though. I use them for working under 50,000lbs buses.

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 Sunex 1522 22-Ton Jack Stands

Consumer Ratings (4.7 / 5)

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While the Sunex 1522 22-Ton Jack Stands are nearly identical to the above mentioned OTC’s, there are a few differences worth mentioning.

The carrying handle is mounted slightly lower then that of the OTC making it a little easier to carry since the load is more centered. Along with that a slightly lesser weight of about 37lbs helps too. The height adjustment locking pin has thin rubber padding while the OTC just has a rough grip part etched in. The base is bigger too, coming in at about 9.75″ x 9.75″ and to top it all off, the height adjustment range is larger as well coming in at the maximum height of 23.4 inches and the minimum height is 11.8 inches.

That’s not to take anything away from the OTC, while it is a wonderfully designed stand with high ratings, the Sunex just has a few more features, but that will set you back a little bit more too as far as price.

Sunex 1522 22-Ton Jack Stand Features

• ASME/PALD safety standards met
• 1-Year Warranty
• Large base nearly 10″ square
• Large height adjustment range
• 22-Ton capacity per stand

What Consumers Say about the Sunex 22-Ton Jack Stands

• These stands are heavy, I don’t think anything short of a steam roller would hurt them. It was just what I anticipated. Sturdy they didn’t flinch. These stands will probably be in our family for a couple of generations, they are built that well.
• If your worried about your 3000lb+ vehicle hanging above you because of Jacks that appear to gamble your life, don’t worry anymore. These jacks are seriously heavy duty. No worries with these holding up your vehicle.
• Great jack stands for the money and quick delivery. They are perfect for working on my motorhome, the flat steel base makes for excellent stability.
• These jack stands are heavy and a great quality. No worries while working underneath my F-350. I had a issue with the packaging being ripped apart on arrival and the locking pin was missing. But the seller quickly sent me replacement locking pins.

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Best Made in USA Jack Stands

Generally we think of products made overseas like in China as cheap low quality versions of what USED to be made in the USA. While that is probably true in most cases, overseas quality has gotten better over the years and you can usually find the cheaper versions will work just fine for you. But, why not purchase an American made product if you have a choice? When you’re supporting United States manufacturing you are also supporting all of the jobs that go along with making that 1 product that you’re going to buy. Let’s face it, USA Made is usually better quality no questions asked.

Hein-Werner Blue/Yellow Jack Stand

Consumer Ratings (4.1 / 5)

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While Hein-Werner is owned by Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc. the company is originally from Taiwan and Hein-Werner Automotive used to be exclusively made in the USA. However Hein-Werner was purchased a few years ago from formally known American company Marquette and Lincoln Automotive. So these jack stands are no longer 100% Made in the USA. But they are are still marketed as such.

But, what does that all mean if they’re not made in the USA but still say so on the packaging?

While after we did a little research, it came to our attention that while the jack stand frame itself is actually made overseas, the cast iron support posts are made in the USA. So the frames are shipped to the Hein-Werner factory in Kansas City Missouri and then combined with the USA made iron support posts and there you have it, a “USA MADE” jack stand. So it’s really just assembled in the USA.  

Although they’re no-longer 100% American made, we felt they should at least receive a plug since they do support USA jobs and are a good quality jack stand with a 2-year warranty, which is better than most other companies.

Hein-Werner Blue/Yellow Jack Stand Features

• 2-Year Warranty
• ANSI/ASME safety standards met
• Ratcheting height adjustment from
• 3 Ton Capacity; Lifting Range: 12-1/8 to 19 inches Base Size: 7 1/4″ x 8 7/8″
• 6 Ton Capacity; Lifting Range: 16-1/4 to 25-3/4 inches Base Size: 10-1/2″ x 13″

What Consumers Say about the Hein-Werner Jack Stands

• I purchased these jack stands after doing moderate research on various others and finding these having better customer reviews and suggestions. As others have said, the overall weld quality of these stands is superior to others I have seen. The welds of concern are those that hold the two A-frame base halves together. On cheaper/lesser brands it is apparent that the weld quality is not there. However, these Hein-Werner stands have excellent welds. I use 4 of them to support my 7000+lb GMC Duramax.
• Very impressed by the quality of these stands , welds are nice and beefy overall good quality ,
  They aren’t really American made since it’s stated that they are only assembled in America with foreign made material.
• I have not had this for a long time, but this has worked perfectly with a cross beam adapter on a 2000 Corvette. Some of the other jack stands did not have a wide enough saddle to work with a CBA.
• From unboxing, to 6 months later (with frequent use), I’ve been happy with the quality of these stands. I decided it was time to buy new stands, when I noticed some flexing of my old ones. These are somewhat larger than other “3 ton capacity” stands I’ve used in the past, but that’s a plus to me. Wider base equals better support, everything else being the same.

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US Jack Garage Stands

Consumer Ratings (5 / 5)

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These 100% USA Made US Jack Garage Stands are made of exceptional quality craftsmanship and materials. If you’re budget allows you to spend a little extra money, then this is another great pair to consider that’ll probably be the pair you purchase unless something with a tank runs them over.

US Jack makes these in three different versions with 3, 6 and 10-ton weight ratings. They are all constructed with steel and feature a double height adjustment locking system. This system uses two ratcheting pawls instead of one like pretty much every other jack stand out there. This helps double lock the support post to whichever height adjustment you desire.

When compared to other jack stands in their respective weight capacities these US Jack Garage Stands are built with wider bases and a heavy duty thick gauge stamped steel with a perimeter support ring welded at the bottom of the legs all the way around the base for added rigidity and strength.

AS far as we know this is the only manufacturer that uses ductile iron support post with a ratcheting jack stand instead the cast iron support posts more commonly found. The benefits of ductile iron vs cast iron is that it will bend without breaking, while the cast iron is more brittle and known to break. While these isn’t very common, it is a little added safety worth having.

Really the only one issue we had with the US Jack Garage Stand is that the base doesn’t have wider feet and for the price you’d expect to have stands with wide feet welded the bottom of the stand frame to avoid sinking into soft surfaces such as asphalt. Don’t let that scare you off as on good hard solid surfaces these jack stands are superb and known for evenly sitting flat on surfaces. Perhaps they spent they time and money on the quality build, welding and safe ratcheting system they’ve designed.

US Jack Garage Stands Features

• 3-Ton US Jack D-41609 height ranges from 11″ to 17-3/4″ with a 10″ x 10″ base
• 6-Ton US Jack D-41610 height ranges from 16-1/4″ to 25-1/4 ” with a 11″ x 11 ” base
• 10-Ton US Jack D-41608 height ranges from 19″ to 28-1/2″ with a 13-1/2″ x 13-1/2″ base
• Durable long lasting powder coated finish
• Made in the USA

What Consumers Say about the US Jack Garage Stands

• I cannot stress this enough, these are MADE IN THE USA! You cannot go wrong with the quality and durability as these will last a lifetime and beyond when used properly.
• I needed some jacks that could sit up higher than the ones I had. These did the trick! Locking mechanism is interesting and solid once you get used to it.
• Made in America. When work under a car, you don’t want to be cheap. I bought this stand just for an oil changes, but now I can work on many other thing and feel safe with it. Will buy another set later. I would buy more jack stand with higher quality than those cheap China made. The picture can’t tell the story in this case. Glad to be an American. Thank you US Jack.

More Details of US Jack Garage Stands on Amazon

FAQs

Why Should I Use Jack Stands?

First of all, you should use jack stands for your own personal safety. They are the best practice to holding a vehicle in place while lifting with a floor jack. They are not a special high tech piece of equipment that costs thousands of dollars and needs extensive reviews for you to decide which is the best one for your. It’s all about the value, weight capacity, durability and quality of the jack stand. Then you need to make sure it properly supports your car, truck or SUV.

The floor jack you are lifting your vehicle with should NEVER be used in place of a jack stand. If a hydraulic seal or mechanical linkage were to fail under load, your car or truck could come crashing down upon you. Some floor jacks are even known for “leaking down” while under load; which means the jack will slowly come down under load. My brother in law is a paramedic and even in our small city there are far too many injuries and deaths each year due to jack failure without the safety of a jack stand.

You should never substitute jack stands with cinder blocks, bricks, cement pavers, rocks (yes, I said rocks!), chunks of old wood, logs, old rims, etc…. You get the idea, I hope, just look at the picture here; I call it “Redneck Jack Stands”. Would you be willing to put your life on the line while working under a vehicles that’s laying on un-even rocks. Com’on that is just not safe and they will break or slid loose under load. It is not worth saving the few dollars a jack stand cost.

So you’re safety is exactly WHY, you should use a jack stand!

Whats A Jack Stands Weight Capacity?

There is some misinformed people talking about jack stand weight ratings, so lets make things clear for you on just how jack stands are rated according to the most recent ASME requirements.

The ASME PASE-2014 (Safety Standard for Portable Automotive Service Equipment) states that “jack stands must be rated as a pair and not rated per stand”. This became effective in late December of 2015. It also states: “Maximum load capacity per matched pair shall not exceed the rated capacity of the individual stand”.

Aside from those standards that are set in place which require each jack stand must pass a load test to prove it’s capability of handling a load of 200% of what it’s rated capacity is. These tests must be done for longer than ten minutes with no more than a .125″ reduction in the jack stands overall height. The measurement is done after the load has been removed from the jack stand. If a jack stand doesn’t pass these tests, then it should not be sold in the United States. So you should ALWAYS purchase a jack stand that is ASME PASE-2014 Certified.

So back to weight ratings, if a pair of jack stands is rated for 3,000lbs, then separately they must have a minimum rated capacity of 1,500lbs each. What this means is, if you are looking at a set that says “3 ton capacity” then this means each jack itself has a holding capacity of 1.5 tons. Don’t forget that each ton is 2,000lbs. Make sure you are buying a pair of jack stands that have enough holding capacity of whichever vehicle you’re planning on using them with. If you’re unsure of the weight of your vehicle, you can reference the vehicle title.

Jack stand weight capacities range from 1 ton, 2 ton, 3 ton, 4 ton, 5 ton, 6 ton and even beyond in some cases. The average pair of jack stands has a capacity of 2-4 tons.

Where Do I Put Jack Stands Under the Car?

When placing jack stands underneath the vehicle, it’s very important that it’s put in the right location. You need to place jacks and jack stands under the cabin area at specific jacking points. Manufacturers places these under vehicles with reinforcement, non-slip locations with safety in mind, as well so that you are not lifting the vehicle in a possible damaging area. Not using the correct location could cause many things such as crushed rocker panels like in picture, crushed fuel or brake lines, bent suspension parts, crushed exhaust pipes and so on which all compromise the vehicles safety and functionality.

Usually jack points are behind the front wheels or in front of the rear wheels, but exact locations vary with each vehicle, especially with a uni-body car vs a framed car. You should always check your owner’s manual for jacking points under the car if you are unsure.

Can Jack Stands Fail?

How High Can Jack Stands Go?

While there are many different types of jack stands on the market, some have different uses then others to help hold up vehicles of various heights and weights. The standard Jack stand can hold a vehicle from about 10-13 inches up to 20-24 inches. The bigger the jack stand, then the higher the holding height can be. There are jack stands available for sale that can hold up as high as 72 inches. Just remember when you have a taller vehicle, you will need a larger jack stand to accommodate for the higher amount of ground clearance needed to work underneath it safely.

Jack Stands vs Ramps – Which is Safer?

Yes, drive on ramps are safer than jack stands thanks to their wider bases, several weight supports and larger surface areas. As stated before, jack stands use height adjusting mechanisms that can fail unexpectedly or just wear out dur to fatigue. Drive on ramps use no mechanisms, so there are no parts to fail. These platforms are designed to easily hold several thousand pounds of weight. Even the smallest set of ramps can hold upwards of 3 tons.

While a drive on ramp is a easier and more convenient way of raising up your vehicle, the biggest draw back of using a drive on ramp vs a jack stand is the ground clearance. Most of these will not allow your vehicle to be any higher then around 12-15 inches. For minor things this is fine such as oil changes in most cases, changing out a fog light or if you need access to a cold air intake filter for example. But if you need more ground clearance, then a ramp isn’t the way to go. So you can expect NOT to be able to perform any brake work, suspension repairs, some exhaust work or other major work underneath that might need to be performed.

Sometimes ramps and jack stands can work together. If you have a sports car or other lowered vehicle than in many cases a floor jack doesn’t fit under the car to get to the proper lifting point. So in this case you can use a drive on ramp to get your vehicle high enough into the air so that you can safely get your floor jack under an appropriate jacking point.

How To Safely Lift and Support Your Vehicle

‘Be sure to consult your vehicle’s user manual if you are unsure about the proper lifting points of your vehicle. Though a particular point may look strong, it’s possible for that point to bend or even fail once the weight of the vehicle is lowered onto the jack stand. This is especially true for uni-body vehicles. Most cars and small SUVs nowadays are uni-bodied vehicles, while bigger trucks and SUVs are framed vehicles. There are more areas to jack up a vehicle with a frame as just about any spot on the frame is a good place to jack up the vehicle. You just need to remember to place the jack stands in a good spot so that weight is evenly distributed. Check out this video that’ll explain.

Jack Stand Safety Tips

As soon as you receive you new jack stands in the mail you’ll want to inspect all of the parts closely for any defects. Even if you’re not planning to use them right away, don’t wait until the first time you use them. Be sure to check all the welds and make sure all features work properly. Make sure all your jack stand’s legs sit evenly on a flat surface.

Ratcheting Style Jack Stand Safety

As for the ratcheting type jack stands, be sure that all safety features are working properly. First you can pull the support post all the way up to it’s highest setting and wiggle it while pushing down on it at the same time use has much pressure as you can to insure it doesn’t slide down at all. If it does then you know you have a defective ratcheting mechanism. You wouldn’t want to find this out when you’re lifting your vehicle for the first time.

Another feature that most ratcheting jack stands have is near the top of the base, it’s a tab that you can bend inwards once the support post is in place or a cotter key that can be pushed through the support post. This feature helps prevent support posts from falling out if the jack stand is upside down or from pulling out if you chose to pick up the jack stand from the top of the support post. These cotter keys or tabs do not affect the safety of the jack stand if they were to break off or not be there, it’s just simply convenience feature.

Be aware that these tabs can be a bit of a pain to bend, so using them is totally up to you, just remember that your support post will likely fall out from time to time while you’re handling the jack stands. It would actually be a good idea to not bend these tabs in so that you can occasionally pull out the support post to inspect the ratcheting mechanisms from time to time. If you decide on doing this, then carrying your jack stands up right by the base.

Pin Style Jack Stand Safety

If you have a pin type jack stand check for all the above mentioned spots plus, make sure that the support posts slide freely within the column and that the locking pins fit properly through all the holes. Also be sure that the pin isn’t bent and is free of any defects.
 

Final Verdict

If you’re unsure about using a jack stand and don’t own a floor jack then you might be more comfortable with using a drive on ramp. Especially if you are not doing any major repairs.

Now when it comes to comparing jack stands, remember the stands with wider bases are going to more stable, than the stands with the narrower bases. Wider is always better if you can utilize them. Remember that jack stands with support posts that have the real deep “V” shape at the top work well for supporting axles, but won’t work that great on most uni body cars because of the pinch welds. Most of the pinch weld support points of these cars won’t fit the deep “V” recessed part of the support post.

Always remember that your safety depends on the quality of the jack stands and if your using them properly or not. You should always buy the best jack stand that you can afford and never use a jack stand with a defect of any kind. Jack stands can be replaced, but your life can’t.

FYI, in the event that you’ll be working underneath your vehicle, then you’ll want to consider a easy way to maneuver around underneath your vehicle. You can do so with a mechanics shop floor creeper; check out our full guide to mechanics creepers.

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