Scissors Jack for Car: Best Picks by Weight Capacity
A scissors jack is the compact, hand-cranked jack that comes standard in most cars’ trunks — and it’s the tool you’ll reach for the moment you get a flat tire on the road. It works by turning a screw that folds or unfolds an X-shaped steel frame, lifting one corner of the vehicle just high enough to swap a wheel. It is not a substitute for a floor jack and jack stands when you need to work under the car for longer than a tire change.
Below are three scissor jacks worth buying, sorted by weight capacity so you can match one to your vehicle, followed by the safety steps you should follow every time you use one.
Quick Answer: Which Scissors Jack Should You Buy?
For most sedans and compact cars, the BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Jack (1.5 Ton / 3,000 lb) is the simplest, cheapest option that still meets a typical passenger car’s per-corner weight with margin to spare. If you drive an SUV, crossover, or minivan, size up to a 2-ton or 3-ton kit — the comparisons below explain why.
BEST FOR MOST CARS
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BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Jack – $23.43 A 1.5-ton steel scissor jack with an extended ratcheting handle, sized to fit most sedans and compact cars and small enough to store in the trunk permanently.
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How to Use a Scissors Jack Safely
A scissor jack is rated to lift a vehicle, not to hold it up while you work underneath. That distinction matters: jacks can slip, the ground can settle, and a hydraulic or screw mechanism can fail without warning. Follow these rules every time:
- Never get under a car supported only by a jack. Once the wheel is off the ground, support the vehicle with rated jack stands before reaching underneath — a scissor jack is for lifting long enough to swap a wheel, not for sustained work.
- Park on level, firm ground and set the parking brake. Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the one being lifted.
- Use the vehicle’s designated jack point, listed in the owner’s manual — lifting from the wrong spot can bend the rocker panel or cause the jack to slip.
- Check the jack’s rated capacity against your vehicle’s weight. A jack only has to lift one corner, not the whole car, but buying a jack rated well above your vehicle’s curb weight per corner gives you a safety margin.
- Loosen lug nuts before lifting the wheel off the ground, then finish removing them once it’s raised.
BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Jack (1.5 Ton) – Best for Sedans and Compacts
The BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Jack is the classic emergency-kit jack: a solid steel X-frame rated for 1.5 tons (3,000 lbs), with a folding ratcheting handle so you don’t need to swap tools mid-crank. It’s built for one job — lifting a corner of a sedan, coupe, or small crossover just far enough to change a tire — and it does that job at a low price point.
Pros:
- Heavy-duty steel construction holds up to repeated roadside use
- Compact folded size stores easily in a trunk or under a seat
- 1.5-ton capacity covers most sedans, coupes, and small crossovers with margin
- Simple, single-purpose design with no assembly required
Cons:
- Manual ratchet is slower than a hydraulic bottle jack
- Limited lift height — not tall enough for larger trucks or lifted SUVs
Gurduenon 2 Ton Scissor Jack Kit – Best All-in-One Kit for SUVs
The Gurduenon 2 Ton (4,409 lb) Scissor Jack Kit steps up in capacity from the Big Red jack and bundles in everything else you’d need on the shoulder of the road: an adjustable lug wrench, two socket sizes, work gloves, and a zippered storage bag. That makes it a good fit for anyone who wants one complete kit rather than piecing tools together, and the 2-ton rating gives it headroom for midsize SUVs and crossovers that a 1.5-ton jack would be cutting it close on.
Pros:
- 2-ton capacity fits sedans, SUVs, and MPVs, not just compact cars
- Comes as a complete kit: lug wrench, two socket sizes, gloves, and a carry bag
- Compact folded dimensions (about 17 x 3.5 x 4.3 in) and 7.3 lb weight for easy storage
- Straightforward scissor mechanism, no learning curve
Cons:
- Not rated for vehicles heavier than 2 tons, such as full-size trucks
- Manual crank still requires more physical effort than a hydraulic jack
Gurduenon 3 Ton Scissor Jack Kit – Best for Trucks and Heavy SUVs
The Gurduenon 3 Ton (6,610 lb) Scissor Jack Kit is the same style of all-in-one kit as the 2-ton version above, just built with a heavier-duty frame rated for full-size trucks and heavier SUVs. It lifts through a range of about 4.3 in to 15.7 in, and the kit includes a ratchet wrench, a separate lug wrench with 17/19mm and 21/23mm sockets, gloves, a tire pressure gauge, and a storage bag.
Pros:
- 3-ton capacity covers full-size trucks and heavier SUVs that exceed a 2-ton jack’s rating
- 4.3 in to 15.7 in lift range accommodates larger tires and lifted trucks
- Complete kit includes a tire pressure gauge in addition to the wrench, sockets, and gloves
- Currently in stock and actively sold, unlike some older heavy-duty listings in this category
Cons:
- Bulkier and heavier than the 1.5-ton and 2-ton options, so it takes up more trunk space
- Fit and compatibility with your specific jack points can vary by vehicle — check the listing’s details first
How to Choose the Right Weight Capacity
A jack only has to lift one corner of your vehicle at a time, not its full curb weight — but buying a jack rated well above your vehicle’s per-corner weight gives you a real safety margin instead of working right at the jack’s limit. If you’re unsure whether your specific vehicle needs a different jack type, check your owner’s manual first; the table below is a general starting point.
| Vehicle Type | Typical Curb Weight | Recommended Jack Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car / coupe | 2,500–3,200 lbs | 1.5 ton (3,000 lb) |
| Midsize sedan | 3,200–3,800 lbs | 1.5–2 ton |
| Crossover / midsize SUV | 3,800–4,600 lbs | 2 ton (4,409 lb) |
| Minivan / full-size SUV | 4,600–5,800 lbs | 2–3 ton |
| Full-size pickup truck | 5,000–7,000+ lbs | 3 ton (6,610 lb) or higher |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity of the BIG RED T10152 jack?
The BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Jack has a capacity of 1.5 tons, or 3,000 pounds. It is designed to lift one corner of a sedan, coupe, or small crossover for a tire change, not to support a vehicle for extended repair work.
How does a scissor jack work?
A scissor jack uses a threaded screw running through the middle of an X-shaped steel frame. Turning the screw with a crank or ratchet handle draws the two ends of the X together, which straightens the frame vertically and raises the vehicle. Turning it the other way lowers the car back down.
Is it safe to work under a car supported only by a scissors jack?
No. A scissor jack is built to lift a vehicle, not to hold it up while you work underneath. Once the wheel is off the ground, place a rated jack stand under the vehicle’s frame before reaching under it — never rely on the jack alone for anything beyond the few seconds it takes to swap a wheel.
Can these jacks lift SUVs and trucks?
The 1.5-ton BIG RED jack is sized for sedans and compact cars. The Gurduenon 2-ton kit covers most SUVs and minivans, and the Gurduenon 3-ton kit is built for full-size trucks and heavier SUVs. Match the jack’s rated capacity to your vehicle’s weight class before you rely on it.
What size scissors jack do I need for my car?
Check your vehicle’s curb weight (in the owner’s manual or on the door-jamb sticker) and choose a jack rated comfortably above that figure. As a rule of thumb, compact cars and sedans are covered by a 1.5-ton jack, SUVs and minivans need 2 tons, and full-size trucks need 3 tons or more.
Are scissor jacks easy to use?
Yes. All three jacks above use the same basic mechanism: position the jack under the vehicle’s jack point, then turn the ratcheting handle until the wheel lifts off the ground. No prior mechanical experience is needed, though you should always follow the safety steps above.
The Bottom Line
A scissor jack is one of the cheapest pieces of insurance you can keep in your trunk. For most sedans and compact cars, the 1.5-ton BIG RED T10152 covers you at a low price. Drivers of SUVs, minivans, or full-size trucks should size up to the 2-ton or 3-ton Gurduenon kits instead, both of which bundle in the wrench and sockets you’ll also need. Whichever jack you choose, remember it’s a lifting tool, not a support stand — keep rated jack stands in the garage for anything beyond a roadside tire change.
