When it comes to performing maintenance on your vehicle, typically you’ll need to jack it up at some point whether it’s to change a tire or your oil. While there are other options available out there such as vehicle ramps or even 2 or 4-post lifts, the most common way to lift part of your car is with a hydraulic jack. Here, we take a brief look at the two most popular types of jacks and which one is best for you and your application.

The two most common types of jacks are floor jacks and bottle jacks. Most people already have their preference on which type is better, and both do have uses around the garage. Which to use depends on what you’re doing and what type of vehicle it is.

Floor jacks are a very popular option and while they may cost a bit more in the beginning, a well cared for and maintained floor jack can last you a lifetime. If you’re going to be using your jack in a garage environment, typically a floor jack is the way to go. Compared to bottle jacks, floor jacks are quicker and easier to use.

If your vehicle doesn’t have very much ground clearance, typically a bottle jack won’t fit under the car and a floor jack is necessary. They are also more stable due to their longer base and ability to distribute the weight of the lifted object across that base.