Best Engine Hoist (2026): 5 Garage Hoists Compared

Compared on paper

Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 1 November 2026. Where a listing contradicts itself, both figures are shown.

How the points were given

Each hoist is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the method published on our How We Pick page. None states an ALI listing, so all score zero on safety. Some state a warranty term, while others state no warranty term, and that difference shows in the warranty score.

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.

What the listings tell you

Every hoist here lists 2 tons and 4400 lbs, 4 boom positions and 6 casters, and a folding design. That common pattern makes the choice less about top capacity and more about control and storage: a lever, a leveler, locking casters, a telescopic boom and a stated warranty term separate the picks. Some hoists list an 8-ton hydraulic pump, a figure that describes the pump, not the lift capacity, so it must not be read as a higher capacity.

Buying guide: choosing the best engine hoist

Capacity and boom positions

All of the hoists here list 4 boom positions, rated for 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 tons. Lower boom positions give greater lifting power for heavy engines, while higher positions offer extended reach for awkward placements. Follow the marked capacity for each boom position, and use approved lifting points for the load being lifted.

Casters and moving a load

Every hoist here lists 6 casters, with swivel movement stated across the picks and locking functions stated on the top pick. Swivel casters let the crane be positioned in a garage bay before the load is lifted, and locking casters help hold that position. Check the floor surface too: one listing states smooth movement across concrete floors, gravel and uneven workshop terrain, while others simply state smooth-rolling casters.

Folding and storage

Every hoist here folds for storage, which matters in a home garage where wall space is limited. One hoist folds without tools for compact placement along a garage wall, while others state an extension arm and stand that fold easily, or a foldable design for compact storage. Check the stated dimensions against the storage spot, since some listings give no unfolded dimensions and the folded size must be checked after folding.

Lever and leveler

A lever and a leveler change how a lift feels in use. Some of the hoists here list a lever, and some list a leveler: one combines a crane and a leveling tool in a 2-in-1 design, while the other lists a leveler with a maximum load capacity of 1500 lbs, 680 kg. The remaining hoists list neither a lever nor a leveler, so check the listing if either feature matters for the job.

Safety and stands

Never work under a suspended load, and never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use rated stands on solid, level ground, follow the marked capacity for each boom position, and follow the owner manual lift points for the vehicle. If a hoist listing states no safety listing, treat the marked capacity as the limit and do not exceed it.

Garage Fit Check

• Measure the listed dimensions against the bay, and leave room for the boom to swing and the casters to roll.
• Check the marked capacity for the boom position that will be used, and use approved lifting points.
• Check whether a lever or a leveler is listed, since some hoists list neither.
• Check the stated warranty term and the folding design before the job, so storage is planned in advance.

FAQ: garage tools

What capacity engine hoist do I need for a car engine?

Every hoist here lists 2 tons and 4400 lbs, with 4 boom positions rated for 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 tons. Match the load to the marked capacity for the boom position being used, rather than the top capacity alone.

How do boom positions change lifting capacity?

Lower boom positions give greater lifting power for heavy engines, while higher positions offer extended reach for awkward placements. The listings state the same 4 positions across the picks, so the position used decides the rated load for that lift.

Can an engine hoist fold for storage?

Yes, every hoist here lists a folding design for compact storage. One folds without tools for placement along a garage wall, while others state an extension arm and stand that fold easily.

Do these hoists come with a leveler?

A hoist here combines a crane and a leveling tool in a 2-in-1 design, and another lists a leveler with a maximum load capacity of 1500 lbs, 680 kg. The remaining hoists do not state a leveler in the listing data.

What warranty do these hoists state?

Some hoists state a warranty of 30 days manufacturer, while others state no warranty term in the listing data. Check the warranty field for the model being considered, since the term varies across the picks.

Related: our engine and shop equipment hub.