A jack lifts a car, but jack stands are what make it safe to work underneath. Once the car is up, a pair of stands holds the weight on solid steel so a leaking or slipping jack cannot drop it on you. Look at the rated capacity for your vehicle, the height range for the clearance you need, a locking design that cannot slip, and a wide base that stays steady on a garage floor. We put 25 pairs of jack stands on one spec sheet so you can compare them side by side.
Quick answer
Ranked from 25 jack stands that met our standard, compared on Capacity per stand, locking mechanism (ratchet plus safety pin or self-locking), and safety standard (ASME PASE).
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6 ton rated pair with forged steel ratchet bars and ASME PASE.
Ratchet plus metal safety pin and a large pyramid base.
3 ton pair meeting ASME PASE-2014.
| Spec | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Scoreout of 100 | 85 | 84 | 77 | 77 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 64 | 64 |
| Capacity per standlb | 12000 lb | 13000 lb | 6000 lb | 12000 lb | 13000 lb | 13200 lb (best in row) | 6000 lb | 13200 lb (best in row) | 12000 lb | 6600 lb |
| Lift height rangein | 15.375–23.813 | 15.5–23.375 | — | 15–23.5 | 16.7–23.8 | 17.25–23.87 (best in row) | 11.25–16.75 | 17.25–23.87 (best in row) | 15.375–23.813 | 11.22–16.77 |
| Locking mechanism | Self-locking ratchet | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) | Self-locking ratchet | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) | Self-locking ratchet | Ratchet + safety pin (double lock) (best in row) |
| Stands per pack | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 (best in row) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Weight per standlb | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Safety standard | ASME PASE (best in row) | Other stated standard | ASME PASE (best in row) | Other stated standard | — | Other stated standard | Other stated standard | Other stated standard | ASME PASE (best in row) | ASME PASE (best in row) |
| Wide pyramid base | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ratchet bar material | Forged steel | Ductile iron | — | Cast ductile iron | Forged alloy steel | Cast iron | Cast ductile iron | Cast iron | — | High-strength ductile iron |
| Warrantyyears | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | — | 1 year | — | — | — |
| Color | Red | Yellow | Black and Red | Orange | Blue | Black+Orange | Orange | Green | Red | Black |
We reviewed 43 jack stands and kept only the 25 that pass every check below. Those are ranked by a Best Score built from spec fit for this job, warranty, sales rank.
These reviews are based on each pair's published specifications and listing information, in the order of our ranking.
BIG RED T46202, a proven pair for cars and SUVs
The BIG RED T46202 by Torin leads our ranking. It is a pair of steel jack stands with a 6 ton (12,000 lb) load capacity as listed, and it meets the ASME PASE safety standard for portable automotive service equipment.
Height adjusts from 15-3/8 in to 23-13/16 in, among the tallest ranges here, which gives room to work under sedans and SUVs. A multi-position ratchet bar with a sawtooth design locks into place as you lift it, and the bar is forged steel, the strongest type of bar on this page. A wide pyramid foot base spreads the load for stable support.
Its self-locking ratchet does not add a separate safety pin, so check that the handle has fully seated in each tooth before you go underneath. BIG RED notes it suits sedans and SUVs and is not recommended for heavy trucks. For most home garages working on everyday cars, it is the most trusted pair on this page and a common first set for DIY mechanics.
VerdictThe best jack stands on this page for everyday cars.
YELLOW JACKET stands with two locks and a wide base
Second in our ranking, the YELLOW JACKET 6-Ton stands add a second layer of safety. Each stand has a locking ratchet bar plus a metal safety pin, so even if the ratchet were knocked, the pin still holds the load.
They are listed with a 6 ton (13000 lb) load capacity and adjust from 15-1/2 in to 23-3/8 in. The ratchet bar is forged from ductile iron and thickened in one piece, and the sawtooth design lets you set height quickly. The handle doubles as a carrying handle.
An upgraded large base with a wide pyramid footprint and a large top saddle gives more contact area under the car and on the floor, which adds stability. The safety standard listed is the maker's own rather than ASME PASE. For owners who want belt-and-braces locking on a home garage pair, they are an excellent choice.
VerdictThe best double-locking pair in our top five.
Amazon Basics 3 ton pair for small cars
The Amazon Basics steel jack stands rank third. They are a pair of 3 Ton (2.7 metric Ton) stands with a 6,000-pound capacity, which suits compact cars, sedans and small crossovers rather than trucks.
A self-locking ratchet means no locking key is necessary: raise the stand to the height you need and it holds. They meet the ASME PASE-2014 Safety Standard for Portable Automotive Service Equipment, which is a good sign for a budget pair.
The steel frame has a rustproof coating, and the weight capacity is marked clearly on the stand. Height range is not listed in our data, so check that it reaches your car's lift points. For light vehicles and occasional oil changes or brake jobs, they cover the basics at a sensible level. As with any stands, set them on level concrete, place them under the vehicle's proper lift points and give the car a firm shake before you slide underneath.
VerdictA certified, simple pair for lighter vehicles.
Pro-LifT PL3600 with double locking
Fourth in our ranking, the Pro-LifT PL3600 is a heavy-duty pair rated at 6 ton. It uses sturdy stamped steel construction and a high quality cast ductile iron ratchet bar.
Its lifting range runs from 15 in to 23-1/2 in, which fits most cars, SUVs and light trucks. A double locking system combines handle locks with a pin mechanism for added stability while you work, and the release handle allows controlled height adjustment.
Pro-LifT designs it for maintenance and repair work in home and professional garages. The safety standard listed is the maker's own, and base shape is not specified in our data. For buyers who want double locking at a slightly different height range from the YELLOW JACKET, it is a solid alternative. Set both stands to the same notch so the car sits level, and lower the jack slowly until the weight rests fully on the stands before starting work.
VerdictA solid double-locking alternative.
MutsMover 4-pack to hold the whole car
The MutsMover 6 Ton stands complete our top five and are the only 4-pack on this page. Four stands let you support both ends of a car at once, which is useful for suspension work, exhaust jobs or leaving a project car off the ground for a while.
They are listed at 6 Ton (13,000 lbs) capacity with a dual safety mechanism of a ratchet bar and a solid metal safety pin. The multi-position ratchet bar is forged from alloy steel with a sawtooth profile, adjusting from 16.7 in to 23.8 in.
A wide pyramid-style base spreads the load and grips the floor, and a large saddle supports the lift point. The minimum height is higher than the others in our top five, so check it fits under lower cars. For getting a whole vehicle on stands in one purchase, it is great value.
VerdictThe best value for supporting a whole vehicle.
Best among the reviewed tools
Always place jack stands under solid lift points before getting under a car. Use them in pairs on level, hard ground and chock the wheels that stay down.
Choose stands rated well above your vehicle's weight at each end. Height ranges here run from about 11 in to 24 in; low ranges suit cars, tall ranges suit SUVs.
Self-locking ratchets are quick to set. Double-lock stands add a metal pin through the post as a second safety. Check the ratchet is fully seated.
A wide pyramid base is more stable. Stands certified to ASME PASE meet a recognized safety standard for portable automotive equipment.
For most cars and small SUVs, a 3 ton pair is enough. For larger SUVs and pickups, choose 6 ton stands. Check the height range fits your vehicle.
They add a metal pin as a backup to the ratchet, which reduces the chance of the post slipping if the ratchet is knocked.
Two for working on one end of the car. Four if you need the whole car off the ground, which the MutsMover 4-pack covers.
It is a safety standard for portable automotive service equipment such as jacks and stands. The BIG RED T46202 and Amazon Basics stands here meet it.
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