Best Chain Hoist Under 100

Compare the picks

Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 22 October 2026. “Not stated” means the listing does not give the figure. Chain grades follow the listing: G70 on the VEVOR chain fall, G80 on the VEVOR lever hoist.

How we scored them

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

Each hoist is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty. Capacity and lift height drive performance; chain grade and construction drive build; the brake and hook design drive safety. No listing states a warranty term, so warranty scores are zero across the board and “Not stated” appears in the table. Safety scores reflect the brakes, locks and hook designs each listing states.

How to choose a chain hoist under 100

Capacity: 1 ton or 2 ton

An engine with the transmission attached can push past a ton, which is why the 2 ton SPECSTAR takes the top spot: it covers the heaviest common garage lift. The 1 ton picks handle most engines, gearboxes and machinery on their own. Match the hoist to the heaviest thing you plan to lift, and remember the beam or gantry must be rated for it too.

Lift height

Every pick here lists a 10 ft lift, which clears an engine bay with room to swing the load onto a stand. The lift figure is the length of the lifting chain, so the hook starts at the hoist body and reaches down the full 10 ft.

Chain grade and brake

The VEVOR chain fall uses a G70 heat-treated chain; the VEVOR lever hoist uses a G80 alloy chain, 6 mm thick and galvanized. Both are serious grades for this price. The brake matters as much as the chain: the VEVOR chain fall has a mechanical load brake that holds the load in place, and the lever hoist uses a Weston dual pawl brake engaged with the gears. A brake that holds without slipping is what keeps a load from dropping.

Chain fall vs lever hoist

A chain fall hangs and lifts with a pull of the hand chain, good for straight vertical lifts. A lever hoist pumps with a handle and suits pulling at an angle or working in tight spots where a chain loop would be awkward. See chain hoist vs engine hoist for how these compare with a rolling shop crane.

Weight and portability

The VEVOR chain fall weighs 17.2 lb and the lever hoist 16.76 lb, so either hangs from a beam without a second pair of hands. The three reused picks do not state a weight, but a 1 ton manual hoist is a one-person hang in practice. If the hoist moves between the garage beam and the shop gantry, the lighter the better.

The 2-ton advantage

The SPECSTAR 2 ton is the only pick rated above a ton, at 4400 lbs. That matters when the lift is an engine with the transmission still attached, or a piece of shop machinery that pushes past 2200 lbs. The four 1-ton picks top out at 2200 lbs (2000 lbs on the glorousamc listing), which covers most engines on their own but leaves no margin for the heavy combinations. If the heaviest lift is unknown or varies, the 2-ton pick is the safe buy: it handles everything the 1-ton picks handle, plus the jobs they cannot.

Brake designs compared

The two VEVOR listings describe different brakes. The chain fall uses a mechanical load brake that the listing says allows precise control and keeps the load securely in place, avoiding accidental drops. The lever hoist uses a Weston dual pawl brake engaged with the gears, which the listing says avoids slipping and sudden drops while spreading pressure evenly. Both are automatic holding brakes, meaning the load stays put when you stop pulling or pumping. The three reused picks do not state a brake type, which is a gap in their listings rather than a missing feature.

What the listings don’t state

The reused picks (both SPECSTARs and the glorousamc) list capacity, lift and hooks but no chain grade, no brake type, no weight and no warranty term. That does not mean they lack those things; it means the listings are thin. When a listing is thin, the buying decision rests on the stated capacity and the brand’s reputation rather than on comparable specs. The VEVOR listings are the opposite: chain grade, brake, weight, pull force and model number all stated, which makes them easier to compare head to head.

Hanging the hoist

Both VEVOR picks have 360° rotating hooks, which makes positioning the load easier and keeps the chain from twisting. Hang the hoist from a beam, gantry or engine support rated above the hoist’s capacity, and keep the 329N pull figure of the VEVOR chain fall in mind: that is the hand force needed at full load.

In the Garage

A chain hoist earns its hook the first time an engine hangs level over the bay while both hands stay free for the mounts. For a home shop, a manual hoist beats renting a crane for a weekend: it lives on a beam, costs less than a tank of shop supplies, and is always there when the transmission needs to come out. The 2 ton pick covers the worst case; the lever hoist covers the awkward case. Keep the chain clean and lightly oiled, store the hoist off the damp floor, and it will outlast the car it is lifting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can a 1 ton chain hoist lift?

The VEVOR and SPECSTAR 1 ton listings rate 2200 lbs; the glorousamc 1 ton listing rates 2000 lbs. Stay within the listing’s rating and make sure the beam or gantry is rated above it.

Should I get a chain fall or a lever hoist?

Pick a chain fall for straight vertical lifts from a beam, like pulling an engine. Pick the lever hoist when space is tight or the pull is at an angle, since the handle pumps the load without a hanging chain loop.

What chain grade should I look for?

The listings here state G70 on the VEVOR chain fall and G80 on the VEVOR lever hoist, both heat-treated alloy grades. The three reused picks do not state a chain grade.

How do I hang a chain hoist safely?

Hang it from a beam, gantry or support rated above the hoist’s capacity. The 360° rotating hooks on the VEVOR picks help position the load without twisting the chain. Never stand under a suspended load.

Do any of these hoists have a warranty?

No listing states a warranty term, so all warranty scores are zero. Check the listing at purchase time for the seller’s current terms.

Related guides

See the best chain hoist guide, chain hoist vs come along, chain hoist vs engine hoist and best chain hoist for engine removal.