We recently published our top picks for the best floor jacks, and in that article, we mentioned numerous times that you should never work underneath your vehicle without securing it on a set of jack stands. So naturally, we had to follow up our best floor jacks post with a list of recommendations for the best jack stands. The thing with jack stands however, is that so long as you’re purchasing a set from an extremely reputable manufacturer, you’re likely in good hands. You ultimately want a set of quality and reliable jack stands as there aren’t any major standout features to look out for. In fact, any jack stand worth their weight should all have the same list of features. Construction and durability are the main factors to consider, as you’re relying on them to keep your car safely off the ground while you’re wrenching underneath.
That being said, as you go through our recommendations, shop according to the weight capacity you need for your vehicle. Keep in mind that weight ratings are per pair or per axle, not an individual jack stand. Also, just because a pair of jack stands has a high weight rating doesn’t mean it’s a good set. Always purchase a higher weight capacity than you actually need to be safe, since you are literally putting your life on the line.
So how did we choose reputable and quality jack stands? Some of these recommendations we’ve actually used and have in our garages, while others come from brands that we know make quality parts. We look for jack stands with quality welds, as that is one of the main points of failure for poorly-made jack stands. In addition, the feet of the jack stands are important, as you don’t want them sinking into the ground when the weight of your vehicle is applied.
All that out of the way, you’ll find our list of recommendations below, followed by more information on jack stands.
1. Top pick: Torin BIG RED steel jack stands
Pros
- Available in a variety of weight limits
- Wide base and pyramid design for stability
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Some users report paint chips easily
- Very few, but vocal users who received defective jack stands
These are arguably the most popular jack stands out there, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you saw them being used by your local mechanic. Torin has been manufacturing jack stands and floor jacks for over 50 years, and you simply can’t go wrong with its BIG RED series. They’re available with 2-, 3-, 6-, and 12-ton weight limits, which should cover almost all vehicles out there. These jack stands are constructed of high-grade forged steel with a welded frame design. For the 3-ton stands, they’re adjustable from 11.25″ to 16.75″ with a multi-position ratchet bar featuring a sawtooth design for easy height adjustments.
A large saddle surface area makes for better contact to support your vehicle, while a wide pyramid base provides stable support. Most importantly, Torin BIG RED jack stands are tested for reliability and safety to meet ASME standards. The company provides a limited one-year manufacturer warranty for its jack stands.
2. Runner-up: Pro-Lift jack stands
Pros
- ANSI/PALD compliant
- Double lock mechanism
- Strong reputation in the industry
Cons
- Less variety for weight capacities
- Some reports of inconsistent weld quality
Equally reputable within the industry as Torin is Pro-Lift, which has over 40 years of experience in manufacturing hydraulic lifting equipment. These stands feature a sturdy stamped steel construction and have a 6-ton capacity, although 3-ton capacity stands are also available, among other weight capacities. The ratchet bar is made from high-quality cast ductile iron, and these particular stands have a lifting range from 16″ to 23.5″. For safety, there’s a double lock mechanism that uses both handle locks and a mobility pin.
As expected, these jack stands have a wide pyramid foot base for stable support. Most importantly, Pro-Lift’s jack stands are tested to meet or exceed ANSI/PALD standards.
3. Best heavy duty: Omega 22-ton capacity jack stands
Pros
- High weight capacity
- Extremely durable
- Pin-style height adjustment
Cons
- Not surprisingly, they’re very heavy
- Expensive
- Large footprint
If you need really heavy-duty jack stands with a 22-ton weight capacity, we recommend these from Omega. You’ll notice the large base on these jack stands to support all that weight, along with the large saddle. The holding pins are also much larger than you’d typically see on 3- and even 6-ton jack stands. While the design isn’t as easily adjustable as our other recommendations, it’s necessary for a high weight capacity. You can adjust the height from 13-1/3″ to 19-2/3″.
Omega jack stands are manufactured by Pro-Lift, so you’re getting the same quality and manufacturing experience we mentioned previously.
4. Also consider: JEGS jack stands
Pros
- Longstanding reputation with racing enthusiasts
- Good customer support/service
- ANSI compliant
Cons
- Height range is a bit limited
- No discerning advantages over other products
so it’s natural that we also recommend the company’s jack stands. This particular option has a 6-ton capacity and checks all the boxes you’d want from a quality set of jack stands. A wide base with adjustable locking ratchets and solid yokes promotes stability and safety, along with high-strength welded steel construction. These jack stands are adjustable from 15.75″ to 23.063″.
As you would expect, these jack stands are tested to meet ANSI safety and performance requirements.
How to properly use jack stands
Before learning how to properly use jack stands, you should know how to correctly use a floor jack to safely lift your vehicle off the ground. You can find that information here. These steps assume you’ve safely lifted your car with a floor jack, which means you’re already working on a level surface like your garage, the parking brake is engaged on your vehicle, and wheel chocks are in place around the wheels.
You’ll want to place your jack stand underneath the vehicle at designated jack points. If you don’t know where those are, consult your owner’s manual. Lift the support beam so that it’s as close to the contact point as possible and ensure the jack stand is securely seated and isn’t wobbling. Once you have your jack stands secured in their location, slowly lower your floor jack, allowing your vehicle to rest on the jack stands.
Before completely lowering the floor jack, give your car a controlled shake to help it settle onto the jack stands and to ensure it’s sturdy and stable.
Where to place your jack stands
Always place your jack stands underneath a lifting point. Generally, you can find lift points on the sides of your vehicle between the front and rear tires. If your car doesn’t have lift points, which is rare, you can position the jack stands underneath the vehicle’s frame — just ensure they are secure and stable. We strongly recommend referring to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to identify the recommended lift points.
Why do I need jack stands?
The answer to this question might seem obvious, but jack stands are absolutely necessary whenever you plan on lifting your vehicle off the ground. They are designed to provide stable and secure support while you’re underneath your vehicle. You should never rely solely on your floor jack when working under your car, as it isn’t designed to hold the weight of your vehicle for extended periods of time. There are numerous stories of floor jacks slipping or failing, resulting in injuries or even fatalities.
What capacity do I need from my jack stands?
The weight capacity you need from your jack stands depends on the weight of the vehicle you are supporting. You will want a weight rating that is higher than the actual weight of the vehicle, and remember, jack stands are typically rated in pairs. That means a pair of 2-ton jack stands can safely support 4,000 pounds when used together. It’s better to prioritize safety when it comes to selecting the right capacity jack stands for your vehicle. Additionally, don’t forget to check that the height of the jack stand will accommodate your vehicle when it’s lifted off the ground. A two-door sports car will require a different minimum and maximum height than a family SUV.
How many pairs of jack stands do I need?
At a minimum, you want at least a pair of jack stands to support whichever side of the vehicle is lifted off the ground. If whatever work you’re performing on your car requires all four wheels to be off the ground, then purchase two pairs of jack stands so your entire vehicle’s weight is properly supported.