Best Shop Cranes & Engine Hoists
Top shop cranes & engine hoists ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Torin Big Red T32002 2-Ton Foldable Engine Hoist
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Folds upright to a fraction of its working size
- Best-selling design with proven track record
- Capacity range covers nearly all car engines
Cons
- Assembly hardware bags are poorly labeled
- Casters are adequate, not great, on rough concrete
Don't buy this if…
- Skip it if you never plan to fold it; a fixed-leg crane is cheaper and slightly more stable.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Cheapest 2-ton folding crane sold
- Boom positions clearly marked with capacities
- Solid welds for the price class
Cons
- Hydraulic ram occasionally weeps at the seal
- Paint chips readily exposing bare steel
Don't buy this if…
- Do not max the rating routinely; budget hydraulics deserve a real safety margin under sustained loads.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Complete kit including chain and hooks
- Folds for storage in tight garages
- Competitive mid-budget pricing
Cons
- Ram pump takes many strokes to reach height
- Instructions are barely usable
Don't buy this if…
- Avoid if you need frequent precise height changes; the slow pump action tests your patience.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Eight boom positions for fine load matching
- Wide legs straddle wide vehicle front ends
- Better caster quality than budget rivals
Cons
- Heavier assembly than the Torin
- Availability fluctuates seasonally
Don't buy this if…
- Skip it for low-clearance sports cars; check your leg-height clearance before ordering any crane.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Lighter and easier to maneuver solo
- Enough capacity for small engines and equipment
- Takes less storage space than 2-ton units
Cons
- Marginal for V8 iron-block engines
- Short boom reach into deep engine bays
Don't buy this if…
- Do not buy for full-size truck engines; a cast-iron V8 with accessories can exceed safe extended-boom capacity.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Pro-quality ram holds loads without drift
- Low legs slide under rocker panels
- Smooth controlled load lowering
Cons
- 1-ton limit despite premium pricing
- Does not fold for storage
Don't buy this if…
- Avoid for occasional home use; you are paying shop-grade money for capacity a Torin matches.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Included leveler saves a separate 40-dollar purchase
- Slightly higher retracted rating than rivals
- Complete engine-swap package
Cons
- Leveler threads are rough out of the box
- Brand support is essentially nonexistent
Don't buy this if…
- Skip it if buying for a business; warranty claims on this brand move slowly when they move at all.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Load leveler included
- Among the lowest prices for 2-ton capacity
- Folding frame
Cons
- Smaller brand support network
- Fit and finish is rough with sharp edges
- Leveler threads need grease from day one
Don't buy this if…
- Don't pull an engine-transmission combo without a leveler - buying this bundle beats discovering that mid-job.
- Do not buy for regular shop duty; this is a use-twice-a-year tool by construction quality.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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