Portable Car Lifts: QuickJack, MaxJax & Every

A portable car lift solves a specific problem: you need to lift vehicles safely, but you can’t — or don’t want to — bolt permanent columns to your garage floor. Maybe you rent. Maybe your garage doubles as parking during the week and a shop on weekends. Maybe you need a lift you can take to the track, a client’s house, or a second location.

The portable lift category has expanded significantly in the past two years. QuickJack now offers nine models from 3,500 to 8,000 lbs. MaxJax remains the only portable column-style lift that mimics a traditional 2-post. And a handful of alternatives exist at the edges of the category.

This guide covers every portable lift worth considering — real specs, verified prices, and clear guidance on which one fits your situation.

The Two Categories of Portable Lifts

Portable car lifts split into two fundamentally different designs:

Low-rise frame lifts (QuickJack): Two independent frames slide under the vehicle and raise it 21–24.5 inches. You’re not standing under the car — you’re working on your back or sitting on a creeper at a slightly elevated angle. Think of it as a powered, safer alternative to jack stands.

Portable column lifts (MaxJax): Two removable columns install into pre-drilled floor sockets and raise the vehicle 47–51 inches on swing arms. You can stand under the vehicle — not at full 2-post height, but enough for most maintenance tasks. When done, the columns lift out and store against a wall.

The price and capability gap between these two categories is significant: $1,775–$2,150 for a QuickJack vs. $5,200 for a MaxJax. What you’re paying for with the MaxJax is height — the difference between lying on the ground and standing up.

QuickJack: The Complete Lineup

QuickJack (a BendPak brand) offers nine current models, split into standard-length (TL) and extended-length (TLX) variants. All 2026+ models feature a reengineered electric/hydraulic power unit with a pressure-compensated flow divider for synchronized frame movement.

QuickJack Model Comparison

Collapsed height: 2.75″–3.5″ across models — low enough to slide under most vehicles.

Power options: Every model is available in 110V and 208–240V versions. The 110V option plugs into a standard household outlet — no electrician needed.

Rise time: Approximately 30 seconds to full height on all models.

ALI certification: All current TL/TLX models are ALI (Automotive Lift Institute) certified.

How to Choose a QuickJack Model

BL-3500SLX ($1,775): The compact option. Shorter 62.5″ frames and 3,500 lb capacity. Designed for sports cars, compacts, and race cars. The shortened frame may not reach OEM jack points on some larger sedans. If your vehicle weighs under 3,000 lbs and has a short wheelbase, this is the right pick. Otherwise, step up.

5000TL / 5000TLX ($1,500–$1,600): The sweet spot for most sedans and sports cars. 5,000 lbs covers the Honda Civic (2,900–3,100 lbs), Toyota Camry (3,300–3,600 lbs), BMW 3 Series (3,500–3,800 lbs), and similar vehicles with comfortable margin. Choose TLX (extended) if your vehicle has a long wheelbase — full-size sedans, wagons, or larger sports cars.

6000TL / 6000TLX ($1,900–$1,950): Added capacity for heavier sedans, small SUVs, and crossovers. A RAV4 (3,600–4,200 lbs) or Subaru Outback (3,500–3,900 lbs) fits comfortably. The TLX extended version handles longer vehicles.

7000TL / 7000TLX ($1,950–$2,000): Covers mid-size SUVs and light trucks. A Toyota Highlander (4,200–4,500 lbs) or Ford Explorer (4,300–4,700 lbs) is within range with good margin.

8000TL / 8000TLX ($2,100–$2,150): The heavy hitter. 8,000 lbs handles full-size trucks and SUVs — an F-150 (4,700–5,700 lbs), Silverado (4,400–5,300 lbs), or Tahoe (5,400–5,800 lbs) with capacity to spare. If you own a truck and want a portable lift, this is the only QuickJack worth considering. The TLX version adds 6 inches of frame length and lift point spread for longer-wheelbase trucks.

QuickJack Accessories

• SUV & Light Truck Adapter Kit ($200–$300): 12-piece stackable adapter set that raises lift points an additional 6 inches. Compatible with 5000TL/TLX, 7000TL/TLX, and 8000TL/TLX series. Essential for trucks and SUVs with high-mounted frame rails.
• Pinch-Weld Blocks (~$50): Urethane pads that protect vehicle pinch welds during lifting. Set of four.
• Wall Hanger Set (~$20): Mounts for storing QuickJack frames vertically against a wall. Keeps them off the floor and organized.
• Extension Kit: Adds length to 5000/7000TL frames for longer vehicles.

MaxJax M7K: The Portable Column Lift

The MaxJax is a different animal entirely. While QuickJack gives you a low-rise platform experience, the MaxJax replicates the traditional 2-post lift experience — with removable columns.

MaxJax M7K Specs

How It Works

Pre-drill floor sockets (small metal sleeves) into your concrete slab. When you want to use the lift, roll the columns to the sockets (they have built-in casters), drop them in, connect the hydraulic lines, and operate like a standard 2-post lift with swing arms. When done, disconnect and roll the columns to storage.

The floor sockets are about 2 inches in diameter — barely noticeable when the lift is stored. You can install multiple socket pairs in different locations (different bays, different angles) and use the same columns wherever needed.

MaxJax Pros

• Standing-height access: 47–51 inches of rise puts most vehicles at a height where you can stand underneath comfortably — not full 2-post height, but enough for 90% of maintenance tasks.
• ALI certified: Same independent safety certification as permanent lifts.
• Multi-location flexibility: Install floor sockets in multiple bays and move the columns as needed.
• Real swing arms: Position arms at vehicle lift points just like a traditional 2-post. Full access to wheels, brakes, suspension, exhaust from below.

MaxJax Cons

• Expensive for the category: At $5,200, the MaxJax costs more than many permanent 2-post lifts (Triumph NT-9 at ~$3,200–$3,600, for example).
• Heavy: ~300 lbs per column. Moving them requires a strong back or two people.
• 220V only: No 110V option. You need a dedicated circuit.
• Floor modification required: Drop-in sockets require drilling into concrete. Not truly zero-footprint for renters (though the holes are small and fillable).
• Setup time: 10–15 minutes each use. If you wrench weekly, that’s 10+ hours per year just setting up and tearing down.
• 7,000 lb capacity: Covers most vehicles, but leaves no margin for heavier trucks. An F-150 at 5,700 lbs eats 81% of the capacity.

Who Should Buy a MaxJax

The MaxJax makes sense in exactly one scenario: you need standing-height undercarriage access but cannot install a permanent 2-post lift. That might mean you share a garage bay, use a multi-purpose space, or need to move your lift between locations.

If you have a dedicated garage bay and adequate ceiling height, a permanent 2-post lift is almost always the better investment. A Triumph NT-9 provides 72 inches of rise, 9,000 lbs of capacity, and 110V operation for $3,200–$3,600 — less money, more capability, and zero setup time per use.

QuickJack vs. MaxJax: Head to Head

The bottom line: QuickJack for convenience and budget. MaxJax for height. If you need to stand under the car, you need the MaxJax (or a permanent lift). If you’re doing oil changes, brake pads, and basic maintenance, a QuickJack delivers 85% of the benefit at 40% of the cost.

Other Portable Lift Options

Portable Mid-Rise Scissor Lifts

Some mid-rise scissor lifts qualify as “portable” — they can be moved on built-in casters and don’t require permanent anchoring. The BendPak MD-6XP (6,000 lbs, 48″ rise, ~$3,600) straddles the line between portable and permanent. It’s not something you set up and tear down per use, but it can be repositioned within a garage.

Mobile Column Lifts (Commercial)

Commercial mobile column lifts from brands like Stertil-Koni and Rotary are used in fleet shops — each column is an independent wireless unit on casters. Four columns lift a vehicle simultaneously. These are commercial-grade, $20,000+, and not practical for home use. Mentioned here only because they sometimes appear in “portable lift” searches.

Ramp Systems

Drive-on ramps ($50–$200) are the most basic “portable” lifting solution. They provide 4–8 inches of rise — enough for oil changes on vehicles with reasonable ground clearance but not enough for wheel or brake work. Not a real alternative to a QuickJack or MaxJax, but worth mentioning as the budget floor of the category.

When to Skip Portable and Go Permanent

Portable lifts involve trade-offs. Every time you use one, you’re spending 5–15 minutes on setup and teardown. Over a year of weekly use, that’s 4–13 hours of your time. The capacity ceiling is lower (8,000 lbs max vs. 14,000+ for permanent lifts). The rise height is limited (24.5 inches for QuickJack, 51 inches for MaxJax, vs. 72–80 inches for a 2-post).

Go portable if:

• You rent and can’t modify your garage (QuickJack)
• Your garage serves multiple purposes and can’t have permanent equipment
• You need a lift you can transport (track days, mobile mechanic work, second property)
• You wrench a few times a month and don’t want a permanent footprint

Go permanent if:

• You own your home and have a dedicated garage bay
• You wrench weekly or more frequently
• You need to lift trucks over 8,000 lbs
• You want full standing-height undercarriage access without setup time
• Your ceiling accommodates a 2-post lift (11+ feet for standard models; 9’3″ for the Triumph NT-9)

Browse permanent options in our 2-post garage lift buyer’s guide or see all types in the vehicle lifts guide.