The Best Jack Stands to Keep You Safe While You Wrench

We feel like you can't truly put a price on safety, but we're also realistic in knowing that not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars on jack stands. With that in mind, our Editor's Pick is a pair of double locking jack stands, which offers more peace of mind than a standard pair of jack stands. If you've ever visited a mechanic shop, there's a good chance you've seen some bright red jack stands lying around on the shop floor. There's even a better chance that it's these jack stands right here from Torin.

The company has been manufacturing products since 1968 with a focus on automotive repair and maintenance. It's well known for its floor jacks and jack stands, and this recommendation is available with two-, three- and six-ton capacities. We believe the three-ton capacity set should be sufficient for most vehicle owners, but if you own something heavier, make sure to opt for the six-ton option.

These jack stands have a lifting range of 11-1/4 inches to 16-3/4 inches and feature a large surface area on the saddle for better contact with your vehicle. They're constructed from heavy duty steel and industrial welded for durability. The removable locking support pin increases safety, but it does come at a price. Torin also offers standard jack stands that aren't double locking, and they're a bit more affordable if you don't care for the locking pin.

The multi-position, forged iron ratchet has a sawtooth design so you can quickly and easily adjust the height prior to locking it in place. These jack stands meet ASME safety standards and includes a limited one-year manufacturer warranty.

This recommendation comes from Pro-Lift, a division of Shinn Fu Company of America, Inc. (SFA). For over 40 years, SFA has been a leading distributor of hydraulic lift equipment in the U.S. and Canada, with a 100,000-square foot warehouse near the Kansas City International Airport, where the company also puts its products to the test. While these jack stands are manufactured overseas—as many of them are—SFA uses ISO-9000 factories to provide a quality product that meets industry standards.

These double locking jack stands have a three-ton capacity and feature stamped steel construction for durability. They use a cast ductile iron ratchet bar for adjustability, while the release handle locks into position once you have them securely set underneath your vehicle. The attached pin lock provides additional support, locking the ratchet bar in place.

Designed to always be used in pairs, these jack stands have counter-weighted pawls to prevent accidental disengagement. They meet or exceed ANSI/PALD standards.

If you only work on your car from time to time and don't want to spend too much money on a pair of jack stands, consider this option from CARTMAN. Although more affordable than the competition, they are still heavy duty, double locking steel jack stands. Naturally they meet or exceed ANSI requirements and feature a welded frame design for durability. There aren't any standout features with these jack stands, they simply do the job reliably and safely with double lock protection.

You'll find a standard multi-position ratchet bar on the stands, allowing you to make quick height adjustments before getting underneath your vehicle. The dual-purpose handle works as both a carrying handle and to release the saddle column, while the wide pyramid base ensures they're stable once locked in place. The link below will take you to a pair of jack stands with three-ton capacity, with adjustable height from 11 inches to 17 inches. The company does also offer two- and six-ton capacities if you own a lighter or heavier vehicle.

If you need a pair of heavy duty jack stands, this Omega Black option should be near the top of your list, with its 22-ton capacity (combined). Featuring sturdy welded steel construction with heavy gauge steel frame to prevent twisting, these stands have an adjustable height range of 13-1/3 inches to 19-2/3 inches. The saddle up top helps securely support the heavier load, while the large holding pins locks them in place once you've adjusted the height accordingly.

This is an ideal option for those who are working on much heavier vehicles and need the weight capacity. While most of our recommendations satisfy the needs of the average vehicle, we're well aware that many of you own heavy duty pickup trucks and large SUVs. Your vehicle may not weigh 22 tons, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Sometimes the best jack stands are ones you don’t need a jack to use. Race ramps are popular with the sports car community because unlike a traditional jack stand setup, there’s no need to get a jack under your low car. Simply drive up the ramps and get to work. They’re also lightweight, and their construction ensures they don’t slip or slide as you drive on. Race Ramps sells a few models depending on your needs, but we like the 2-piece design for easier access once the car is on the ramp.

Like Race Ramps, Rhino Ramps are a drive-up alternative to the traditional jack stand for work that doesn’t require you to remove a wheel. Plus, they’re significantly cheaper than Race Ramps. These feature a stackable design as well- great for storage. A number of options are available, but these here are extra heavy-duty ramps with 12,000lb GVW capacity.

If you're rockin' a lifted truck, a standard jack stand isn't going to work for you. For those applications, you need a different type of jack stand, one that can accommodate a higher level of lift than a traditional option. Enter Sunex's High Height Jack Stands with a 10-ton capacity. They are also available as with standard and medium height ranges, as well as a 22-ton option. Here, we'll focus on the 10-ton high version, which has a height range of 28.1 inches to 46.5 inches.

Since these are pin-type jack stands, they won't be as convenient to use as ratchet-style ones, but you're also not lying down and crawling underneath your vehicle to work on it. They feature a four-legged steel base and is constructed from heavy schedule pipe for added strength and stability. Height adjustment is still straightforward simply by inserting the pin, while the large saddle makes it easy to setup the stands. Speaking of the saddle, the v-shape design allows it to cradle axles or other components underneath your truck, making it easier to find a safe point.

What is a Jack Stand?

How to Choose the Right Jack Stand

How to Properly Use a Jack Stand

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