Two-Post, Four-Post or Portable? Choosing a Car Lift for Your Home Garage

A car lift turns a home garage into a real workshop. But the best lift for a pro shop isn't always the best one for a two-car garage. Before you choose, measure your space and think about what you actually want to do with the lift.

Two-post lifts

Two-post lifts raise the car by its frame, leaving the wheels hanging free. That gives you open access to brakes, suspension, exhaust and the whole underside of the car, which is why they're the standard in repair shops.

• Best for: serious repair and maintenance work
• Things to check: ceiling height (many need around 12 ft), floor-plate vs. clear-floor design, and the concrete requirements in the installation manual
• Keep in mind: two-post lifts are bolted to the floor, so the concrete must meet the manufacturer's minimum thickness and strength

Four-post lifts

Four-post lifts drive the car onto two runways. They're the easiest to use and are popular for storing a second vehicle above another.

• Best for: parking and storage, oil changes, and general inspection
• Things to check: runway length for your longest vehicle, and whether casters are included if you want to move the lift
• Keep in mind: the wheels stay on the runways, so wheel and brake work needs a rolling jack accessory

Portable and low-rise lifts

Portable lifts slide under the car, raise it a couple of feet, and roll away when you're done. They need no special ceiling height and most run on a 120V power unit.

• Best for: tire rotations, brake jobs and detailing in a standard-height garage
• Things to check: maximum lift height, and that the lift pads fit your vehicle's lift points
• Keep in mind: lower lift height means you'll be working seated or on a creeper

Before you buy: a quick checklist

1. Measure ceiling height, including garage door tracks and openers.
2. Measure floor space, leaving room to walk around the vehicle.
3. Confirm your concrete meets the lift's requirements.
4. Check your power supply (120V or 220V).
5. Know your heaviest vehicle's weight and wheelbase.

Browse our car lifts and jacks, or send us your garage measurements and we'll check the fit before you order.