Electric vs Hydraulic Floor Jack: Which One Should You Buy?

A flat tire on the shoulder or a brake job in the garage starts the same way: the car has to go up, and the jack is what puts it there. Electric vs hydraulic floor jack comes down to how the lifting happens: an electric jack drives the hydraulics with a motor and a switch, while a manual hydraulic jack moves the same oil with a pump handle and an arm. For roadside tire changes, an electric jack is the easier lift, since it works at the push of a button; for steady garage work, a manual hydraulic jack is the simpler tool.

Other tools worth a look

• E-HEELP 15 Ton Electric Hydraulic Floor JackCheck price on Amazon
• SEICETEC Electric Car Jack 15 TonCheck price on Amazon
• VEVOR Electric Car JackCheck price on Amazon
• Jack Boss 3 Ton Floor JackCheck price on Amazon
• BIG RED Hydraulic Trolley Service/Floor Jack with Extra SaddleCheck price on Amazon
• Jack Boss 4 Ton Floor Jack Hydraulic Low Profile Floor JackCheck price on Amazon

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Below: how electric and hydraulic jacks differ, the three electric jacks in this guide, and how to pick.

Electric vs hydraulic floor jack: where the power comes from

Both kinds lift with hydraulics: oil under pressure raises the saddle, and a valve lowers it. The difference is what moves the oil. An electric jack uses a motor, powered by the car battery or its own rechargeable battery, and a switch or remote starts it. A manual hydraulic jack uses a pump handle, and each stroke of the handle moves oil into the cylinder. The electric jack trades effort for dependence on power; the manual jack needs effort but no power.

The table leaves out the part that matters most on a real job: the lift points. Every jack here lifts from a saddle under the car, and the owner’s manual names the points that can take the load. A jack on the wrong point bends sheet metal or slips, whatever powers it.

The gear: three electric floor jacks

The three jacks below are listed in order, strongest first, by what each listing states about capacity, lift range, power and kit contents. All three are electric jacks that drive hydraulics with a motor.

VEVOR 5T cordless jack with remote

The strongest listing here. It is a 12V cordless electric jack with a wireless remote, a 3600mAh rechargeable battery, and a lifting range of 6.1 to 17.7 inches for vehicles up to 5 tons, which the listing gives as 11,023 lbs. A full charge supports 8+ lifts, so the jack keeps working even when the vehicle battery is dead. The non-slip grooved head and aluminum alloy base steady the lift, and the kit adds a safety hammer, LED lights and a toolbox with a warning triangle sign. Who it is for: a driver who wants a cordless roadside jack with a remote. Who should skip it: anyone who wants an integrated tire pump.

Trihelper 5-ton electric jack with tire pump

The most complete kit here. It is a 12V electric jack with dual motors and a 5-ton capacity that raises to a maximum height of 17.7 inches in about 1 minute. The jack stops automatically at maximum height, the self-locking structure keeps the car from falling suddenly, and built-in circuit breakers prevent overloading. Its built-in air compressor inflates tires at 35L/min within 2 minutes, and the integrated LED light helps with tire changes at night. The kit includes a safety hammer, box case, 11.5 foot cable, power clamps, gloves, manual, sockets and air nozzles. Who it is for: a driver who wants lifting and inflation in one kit. Who should skip it: anyone who wants cordless use.

E-HEELP 15-ton electric floor jack

The heavyweight here. It is a 12V electric hydraulic floor jack with a loading weight of 15 tons and a lifting range of 200mm to 520mm, or 7.9 to 20.5 inches, for SUVs, RVs, motorhomes and trucks. It runs from a cigarette lighter or a car battery with a DC 12V or DC 24V socket, and it has overload and overpressure protection. The spec table states a 1 year warranty. Read the listing with care: it warns that powering from a cigarette lighter may cause lifting failure, since many lighter sockets have overheating protection with an output current of only 6A, while the jack needs more than 25A. Who it is for: an owner of a heavy SUV or RV with a car battery connection to spare. Who should skip it: anyone who plans to run it from a cigarette lighter socket.

How to pick between electric and hydraulic

Start with where the jack will work. For roadside tire changes, an electric jack earns its keep: the VEVOR runs cordless on its own battery, and the Trihelper runs from the car battery through an 11.5 foot cable. For garage work, a manual hydraulic jack is the simpler tool. Then check capacity: the listings here give 5 tons for the VEVOR and Trihelper and 15 tons for the E-HEELP, which lists SUVs, RVs, motorhomes and trucks. Finally, check the lift range against the car: the VEVOR lists 6.1 to 17.7 inches and the E-HEELP lists 7.9 to 20.5 inches, so a low car needs a low minimum height and a tall truck needs a high maximum.

Electric or hydraulic for a home garage

In a home garage, the choice is about how often the jack is used. A manual hydraulic jack sits ready with no battery to mind. An electric jack suits a driver who changes tires on the road or who wants the lift without the pumping. Either way, the jack only lifts the car: rated stands on solid, level ground hold it while anyone works underneath, and the owner’s manual lift points are the only safe places to put the saddle.

FAQ: garage tools

Can an electric jack lift a car on its own?

Yes, per the listings. The VEVOR lifts vehicles up to 5 tons with a wireless remote, and the Trihelper lifts up to 5 tons with dual motors. Both are 12V jacks that drive hydraulics with a motor instead of a pump handle.

What is the lift height of these electric jacks?

The VEVOR lists a lifting range of 6.1 to 17.7 inches, the Trihelper lists a maximum height of 17.7 inches, and the E-HEELP lists 200mm to 520mm, or 7.9 to 20.5 inches. Check the minimum height against the car: a low car needs a low saddle to slide under.

Can I power an electric jack from a cigarette lighter?

It depends on the jack. The E-HEELP listing says it can run from a cigarette lighter or a car battery, but warns that a lighter socket may cause lifting failure, since many sockets limit output to 6A while the jack needs more than 25A. The Trihelper runs from the car battery through power clamps, and the VEVOR runs from its own rechargeable battery.

Do I need jack stands with an electric jack?

Yes. A jack lifts the car; it does not hold it. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use rated stands on solid, level ground, and put the saddle on the lift points in the owner’s manual.

How long does an electric jack take to lift a car?

The Trihelper listing says it raises to its maximum height of 17.7 inches in about 1 minute. The other listings state no lift time. A manual hydraulic jack takes as long as the pumping takes.

What else comes with these electric jacks?

The Trihelper kit includes a safety hammer, box case, 11.5 foot cable, power clamps, gloves, manual, sockets and air nozzles, plus a built-in tire pump. The VEVOR kit includes a safety hammer, LED lights and a toolbox with a warning triangle sign. The E-HEELP listing states no kit contents beyond the jack and its LED light.

Related: the jacks and stands hub, electric floor jack picks, and aluminum floor jack for trucks. Also see the adjustable height jack stands, 6 ton jack stands, hydraulic floor jack repair and lug nut tool for tire changes.