To determine the best engine hoist, we viewed the following core features: weight capacity, engine hoist style, maneuverability, and storage. Depending on how frequently you need to work on your car’s engine and the dedicated amount of space you can spare, different engine hoists might be preferable for you. The weight capacity is also important as an engine hoist must be able to safely support the weight of your project without the risk of injury to yourself or damage to your car. And if you have a larger workspace, a mobile engine hoist can be ideal.
After considering all of the above, we nominated the Goplus 440 Pound Lift Electric Hoist Crane as our Top Pick. In addition to being budget-friendly, this model can support up to 440 pounds and features a small footprint that won’t require a large amount of space. Plus built-in safety features help you operate this device with confidence. Continue reading to learn more about our Top Picks in this guide. But before we dig in, check other quality tools out there.
Top 4 The Best Engine Hoist Reviews
#1 Goplus 440LBS Lift Electric Hoist Crane – Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: A powerful electric engine hoist that’s ideal for smaller engines and projects because it can support 220 to 440 pounds depending on the total number of straps you use.
- Best for small engines
- Dual-line hoist for enhanced weight support
- 13 – 26ft per minute lift speed
- Limited mobility
Whether you’re working on your car or find yourself routinely needing to lift heavy objects, the Goplus 440 Pound Lift Electric Hoist Crane is a smart choice and that’s why we’ve nominated it for Top Pick. We like that this hoist features high strength carbon steel line cables that give you a total length of 39 feet.
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The hoist also lets you use a dual-line operation which gives you a wider range of weight support. With a single line, you can lift up to 220 pounds. But with a dual-line, you can safely lift 440 pounds. You’ll get a max lift height of 39 feet on a single line and 20 feet on a double line. Likewise, you can expect to reach maximum speeds of 13 feet per minute on a double line and 26 feet per minute on a single hook. And you’ll also enjoy the wired controls that don’t require any hand cranking. And the automatic braking and built-in safety braking mechanism allow you to work with confidence. Hoists are great for any job that requires more height than the best car jack can give you.
#2 Partsam 440 lbs Lift Electric Hoist Crane – Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: A budget-friendly electric engine hoist that’s ideal to give you the power you need for lighter weight projects, and features a small footprint that won’t clutter your workspace.
- Most affordable top pick
- Small footprint
- 16 – 33ft per minute lift speed
- Inconsistent performance
- Lift lines may be too short for some projects
Electric engine hoists are ideal if you have limited space for your work area. While other engine hoists require a dedicated workspace, electric models can be easily installed on your wall or ceiling. We selected the Partsam 440 Pound Lift Electric Hoist Crane as our Best Budget because it offers faster lift speeds and heights without breaking the bank. As with other electric engine hoists, your maximum capacities, height, and speed are dependent upon whether you’re using a single or double hook.
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On a single line, you can lift up to 220 pounds, reach a maximum height of 38 feet, and a maximum speed of 33 feet. With a double line, you can lift up to 440 pounds, reach a maximum height of 19 feet, and a maximum speed of 16 feet. We also like that you can mount the Partsam hoist either vertically or horizontally. This electric hoist also features a wired remote control, and emergency stop features for your safety. And you’ll also get a five-foot and 12-foot lift sling with this specific engine hoist. A hoist should be in your garage, since it is just as essential as the best jump starter.
#3 Dragway Tools 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Hoist – Best Quality
WHY WE LIKE IT: A heavy-duty engine hoist that can support up to two tons and features six fully rotating castors for improved mobility.
- Best Heavy Duty
- 2-ton lift capacity
- 102-inch boom range
- Expensive
For those who feel mobility is the most important feature, then a hydraulic engine hoist should be on your shopping list. We’ve selected the Dragway Tools 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Hoist Cherry Picker Shop Crane Lift as the Best Quality option in our guide because while it is one of the more expensive options, this is the only one that can support two tons of weight – that can handle just about any car or engine block. It’s similar to the Torin Big Red Chain Block Manual Engine Hoist (not on this list) that has a steel construction and two ton lifting capacity.
This folding engine hoist (also known as a cherry picker or an engine crane) is fully mobile thanks to the six castors. When folded, the Cherry Picker Shop Crane Lift dimensions are 58 x 37 x 22 to help save space. And when in use the dimensions are 65 x 41 x 37, with a boom range of up to 102 inches from the floor. When fully extended, the boom has a 1,000-pound capacity and can support 4,000 pounds when closed. You’ll also get a 12-inch forged steel chain and a 5/16 inch hook. Every garage should have this and the best transmission jack to get work done.
#4 Partsam 1320 lbs Lift Electric Hoist Crane – Best Electric
WHY WE LIKE IT: An electric engine hoist with a medium weight capacity to support half-ton projects with a commendable lift speed and additional lift slings to streamline your workflow.
- Excellent for medium sized projects
- 19 – 33ft per minute lift speed
- Includes extra lift slings
- Inconsistent customer service
Electric engine hoists are ideal if you’re limited on space or you don’t routinely need to lift heavy objects. In either scenario, you have a reliable product that can be kept out of the way when not in use. We’re featuring another electric engine hoist from Partsam but this specific model is ideal for those working on medium weight projects. Just like with the other electric engine hoists, your maximum capacities, height, and speed depend on whether you’re operating with a single or double hook.
With a single line, you can lift up to 660 pounds, reach a maximum height of 38 feet, and with a maximum speed of 33 feet. With a double line, you can lift up to 1320 pounds, with a maximum height of 19 feet, and a maximum speed of 16 feet. Just like with the other Partsam hoist, you can mount this model either vertically or horizontally. This electric hoist also features a wired remote control and emergency stop features. The best car battery charger doesn’t even have that. And like with the other Parsam hoist, you get a five-foot and 12-foot lift sling. Remember, the best car accessories should make your job easier and faster.
How We Decided
Engine hoists are critical tools if you routinely need to work on cars or even if you need to lift heavy objects. We looked at a range of features to create our guide and prioritized the following — weight capacity, engine hoist style, maneuverability, and storage. You’ll note that except for our Best Value selection (#4) which is a hydraulic hoist, the remaining options are all electric hoists.
Electric hoists are ideal if you don’t have a lot of space to store your work tools. Since electric hoists can be mounted to the ceiling or wall, when not in use, they aren’t taking up critical space. And this feature also ties into storage as a mounted hoist is self-contained. However, our Best Value selection also features a folding design. So, if you have a dedicated workspace, you can easily keep your hydraulic lift nearby.
So we also considered weight capacity. This is an important aspect that you’ll need to review to confirm compatibility between your project and the abilities of the engine hoist. Our Best Value is also the best option if you need to work on heavy projects because it offers a two-ton capacity. For medium weight projects, we recommend our #5 choice that can support up to 1,320 pounds. And for lighter projects, either our Top Pick or Best Budget is sufficient with a maximum capacity of 440 pounds.
If you prefer mobile tools, then the Best Value recommendation is again the best choice as in addition to being a hydraulic engine hoist that supports two tons, it also features castors.
Engine Hoist Buying Guide
The Most Important Things to Consider
- Weight Capacity
It’s no secret that engines are heavy. So you need to purchase an engine hoist that is rated to safely support the weight of your vehicle’s engine. As a general rule, you should pick an engine hoist that can support almost double the weight of your engine. - Engine Hoist Style
There are a range of engine hoist styles that might work for you depending on your workspace and budget. The three main types of engine hoists are hydraulic, electric, and chain. Hydraulic engine hoists are often considered some of the easiest styles to use since it relies on compressed liquid. Electric engine hoists aren’t typically as powerful as hydraulic lifts but are ideal for smaller engines. Usually, these types of hoists can support engines that are between 660 to 1100 pounds. And finally, chain hoists are a classic style that tends to be preferred by professions. They can routinely lift several tons. You may want to get yourself an engine leveler, which will work with whatever hoist you have. - Maneuverability
If you need to move your engine from your car to a work surface, having an engine hoist that features wheels or castors can be ideal. If you need an engine hoist that features movement, you will most likely need a hydraulic engine hoist with caster wheels. Chain and electric engine hoists are typically stationary. - Storage
Unless you’re buying an engine hoist for your mechanic shop, you probably don’t have a dedicated space for this important tool. If space is a factor, you should consider a chain engine hoist as these can be easily set up and put away. However, there are hydraulic engine hoists that can be folded.
