Last Updated on April 21, 2020 by Tim
When working on your car or truck, you want a floor jack that you can trust. For mid to full-size cars, trucks, SUVs, and larger vehicles that tip the scales at 6,000 pounds, we recommend going with the best 3 ton floor jack you can afford.
You want it to last for years and be as easy on you as it is on your vehicle. For small to mid-size cars, you may also want to consider a 2-ton model.
Don’t let the color or style of a floor jack fool you – you want something you can rely on when you’re hard at work on maintenance or repairs.
While there are plenty of 3-ton car jacks available that will get your vehicle off the ground, we’ve chosen the three best that money can buy, which are excellent for both home or commercial use.
Don’t forget to match one of these jacks with a set of 3-ton jack stands.
Top Pick:
Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack
- Super-tough precision welded construction with an industrial grade finish
- Industrial quality for professional mechanics and hardcore automotive...
- Rapid Pump exclusive dual parallel pump system lifts with far fewer pumps
Our pick for the best 3-ton floor jack on the market is the Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack. It has super-tough precision welded construction with an industrial-grade finish, yet the aesthetics pale in comparison to its impressive specs.
Its Rapid Pump- an exclusive dual parallel pump system lifts with far fewer pumps, a great way not to strain those muscles. It delivers rapid lifts with a quick lift pump that is easy to use.
With a 4 inch to 18-1/8 inch lift range, it’s not as low profile as some or lifts the highest but the Pittsburgh Automotive 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack’s hydraulic system raises heavy loads quickly and easily and has plenty of range for almost all stock suspension cars and trucks.
This system also contains a unique universal joint release that provides precise load control in any handle position. You can also always be confident in the heavy-duty all-steel lift arm, which provides the perfect combination of force and durability.
There are many other incredibly user-friendly features that make this jack stand out from the crowd, including extra-wide steel casters for stability. Wide caste swivels allow users to easily position the jack under the load and gain a better solid position.
The dual rapid pump mechanism provides for easy use and its portability when not in use means it’s a smart choice from start to finish.
Overall, this is a big and heavy-duty floor jack that retails at an affordable price. You get good value for your money by buying this one.
- Super-tough precision welded construction with an industrial grade finish
- Industrial quality for professional mechanics and hardcore automotive...
- Rapid Pump exclusive dual parallel pump system lifts with far fewer pumps
Runners Up:
Arcan ALJ3T Aluminum Floor Jack
- COLORS MAY VARY: ALJ3T (silver) or A20018 (green)
- LIGHTWEIGHT AIRCRAFT-GRADE ALUMINUM: Allows for easy maneuverability.
- DUAL PUMP PISTONS: Quickly raises the floor jack saddle to load.
The Arcan ALJ3T is our runner up. It features thick side plates and lightweight durability not often found in jacks with this lift capacity.
Its dual pistons provide smooth, fast-rising action from 3.6″ to 19.4″ and contain a dust shield to prevent any hydraulic contamination.
With its ball-bearing mounted wheels and protective saddle pad, it gives the user maneuverability as well as stability when necessary.
If you’ve read pages on our site, you’ll know we’re big fans of Arcan.
The only two things keeping this model from being our best 3-ton auto jack is the slightly higher price than the Powerzone and the fact that the 2-piece handle has a slight flex to it when pumping. Something to consider if you’re used to a handle on a steel jack.
The Arcan ALJ3T can also get under low cars with ease, making this jack ideal for cars with low side skirts, such as imports or sports cars.
- COLORS MAY VARY: ALJ3T (silver) or A20018 (green)
- LIGHTWEIGHT AIRCRAFT-GRADE ALUMINUM: Allows for easy maneuverability.
- DUAL PUMP PISTONS: Quickly raises the floor jack saddle to load.
Blackhawk B6350 Black/Red Fast Lift Service Jack
- Built-in internal safety valve and vent plug ensures safe operation
- Swivel saddle provides easy jack positioning and user safety.Saddle Diameter: 4...
- 3.5-ton/7,000 lb. lift capacity
While larger and heavier than some of its competitors, this model’s sleek black and red colored floor jack boasts an impressive 3.5-ton capacity.
The all-steel construction means it’s a heavy-duty car jack. Smart features like an internal safety valve for safer overall operations are well thought out.
The rolled side frames on this jack give it endless amounts of strength and stability, while rear casters allow for easy positioning.
With a lifting range of 5.5″ to 22″, it’s more suited for trucks and SUVs but will also work for most non-sporty cars which should have adequate clearance.
Weighing in at 80 pounds and not as easy to store like some other models of 3 ton floor jack, the Blackhawk B6350 Fast Lift Service Jack still provides a safe and stable steel alternative.
- Built-in internal safety valve and vent plug ensures safe operation
- Swivel saddle provides easy jack positioning and user safety.Saddle Diameter: 4...
- 3.5-ton/7,000 lb. lift capacity
Honorable Mentions:
These jacks might not have cleared the bronze medal, but don’t give up on them just yet. If you can’t find any of the three above, these can still give years of safe and satisfactory service.
Torin Big Red Hydraulic Trolley Floor Jack
- Hydraulic trolley floor jack is constructed with heavy duty steel, providing...
- Features a 3 ton (6,000 lb) capacity with a minimum lifting height of 5-7/8" and...
- Equipped with (2) large steel casters and (2) 360-degree swivel casters for...
Most mechanics will skip this jack in search of something with a lower entry height and a better reputation, but most vehicles of three tons sit fairly high anyway. A rigid saddle on the lifting arm makes it easier to sight on the jacking points, and the handle is long enough that you can get good leverage when pumping the jack up.
The jack comes with swiveling casters to make it easy to maneuver, and a chassis that can take an unusual amount of banging around common to most machine shops. The raised neck under the saddle makes it quick and easy to jack up small trucks or sports utility vehicles, although it does make it harder to use on smaller cars.
Our hesitation to name it among the best for larger vehicles stems from two points. First, as mentioned, it has a fairly tall neck that can make it unusable for low-slung vehicles. The saddle is relatively narrow so that it might not hold the jacking point well.
Second, the pump handle is made of inferior alloys that warp easily and occasionally fold completely when used against any real weight.
One feature that can be either good or bad depending on your preference is the valve system, which has separate parts in this jack as opposed to being operated by a single handle as you find in most jacks. Some users prefer separate controls for lifting and lowering, others think that it is just an extra part that can foul up.
Liftmaster 3 Ton Heavy Duty Ultra Low Profile Steel Floor Jack with Quick Lift
- 3 inch Low profile for easy placement under lowered vehicles
- Dual pump system lifts saves efforts and pumps
- Two piece knurled steel handle for a sure grip, equipped w/ foam bumper to...
Liftmaster has long been a trusted brand name for jacks of all kinds, and this model is no exception, providing both a 20-inch lift that is ideal for larger cars and small trucks. It also has a three-inch collapsed profile that will slide easily under low-slung vehicles.
It comes with a wide saddle coated with textured rubber that provides a sturdy base to hold vehicles stable. Its dual-pump mechanism makes it easy to raise larger vehicles.
A knurled two-piece handle gives plenty of leverage to work with and has a foam bumper to protect you from blisters and your vehicle from scratches or dents. Compared with similar tools, this may be the best jack for the money.
However, there are still some things that bump it off out of our top three. First among these is the company’s shipping methods to deliver their jacks with little to no protective material and in boxes clearly not meant for heavy tools.
The jack itself weighs noticeably more than the leading models. The chassis is quicker to show damage as well, although this does not seem to affect operation.
A final complaint some users have is that the pumps need to be tightened to an unusual degree to keep the pressure from gradually releasing. Lowering the car can be difficult since the handle has been twisted so far one way it cannot be pushed back in the other.
