Real data, ranked. No fluff, no filler.

The 10 Best Engine Hoists

Folding 2-ton cherry pickers and shop cranes for engine swaps at home, ranked from live Amazon data.

Ranked by ToolboxTop10 from Amazon data captured Oct 7, 2026. How we rank

An engine hoist (also called a cherry picker or shop crane) lifts an engine or transmission out of the bay and rolls it to a stand. Almost every best-seller is a folding 2-ton hoist with an 8-ton ram and a four-position boom, priced from about $170 to $290, with a name-brand Sunex around $800. We ranked 10 on star rating, review volume, and features (an included load leveler, a published lift height, a dual-piston pump, and low-profile legs).

Best Overall Garvee 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist with Leveler, 4,400 lb Hydraulic Shop Crane
Garvee
Garvee 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist with Leveler, 4,400 lb Hydraulic Shop Crane
4.7 (11)
$218.99
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Best Budget TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Crane with Telescopic Boom and Outriggers
TUFFIOM
TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Crane with Telescopic Boom and Outriggers
4.1 (86)
$169.90
View on Amazon →
Money No Object Sunex Tools 5222 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane with Dual Pump Pistons
Sunex Tools
Sunex Tools 5222 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane with Dual Pump Pistons
4.3 (17)
$808.99
View on Amazon →

Which one is for you?

Where the deals are

The tools ranked here come from VEVOR, Garvee, GarveeTech, DEXSO, Parts-Diyer, MOTOOS, Goplus, TUFFIOM, and Sunex Tools. Prices on these brands move week to week on Amazon, and the deepest cuts usually land around Prime Day and Black Friday. Every price button on this page opens the live listing, so you always see today's number, not the one we captured on 2026-10-07. If your pick is over budget right now, check back in a few days — VEVOR and Garvee rotate through sales and bundle deals often.

Side-by-side comparison

Swipe the table sideways for more columns →

#ToolPriceRatingReviewsCapacityMax liftLevelerDual pumpScore
1VEVOR 2-Ton Hoist with Leveler$291.283.71724,400 lb—YesNo68
2Garvee Folding 2-Ton Hoist with Leveler$218.994.7114,400 lb74 in. (min. 39.5 in.)YesNo68
3GarveeTech 2-Ton Hoist with Leveler$209.994.0794,000 lb—YesNo67
4DEXSO 2-Ton Hoist with Leveler$239.994.1424,400 lb—YesNo65
5Parts-Diyer SD-G33001972-2307$192.994.02454,400 lb—NoNo64
6MOTOOS 2-Ton Hoist$199.994.0984,400 lbAbout 87 in. (220 cm)NoNo63
7Goplus 2-Ton Folding Hoist$183.994.01294,400 lb—NoNo61
8TUFFIOM CRANE-G33001972$169.904.1864,400 lb—NoNo60
9Sunex Tools 5222$808.994.3174,000 lb—NoYes60
10Garvee 2-Ton Hoist$199.994.0364,400 lb—NoNo54
✕VORTEXTOVE 2-Ton Hoist$234.992.02Unsafe use claimsAVOID

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The full ranking

#1
VEVOR Hydraulic Engine Hoist with Leveler, 2 Ton / 4,400 lb Folding Cherry Picker
VEVOR

VEVOR Hydraulic Engine Hoist with Leveler, 2 Ton / 4,400 lb Folding Cherry Picker

3.7 172 reviews
Score 68/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score74/100 → 33 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score75/100 → 26 pts
  • Features 20% of score45/100 → 9 pts

Has: leveler. Missing: dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 68/100. How the score works

$291.28
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The most-reviewed engine hoist on Amazon, sold as a kit with a 1,500 lb load leveler. It folds for storage and rolls on six swivel casters.

Best for: A hoist with a leveler included and the longest review history.

Skip it if: You want the best-rated hoist; it's the lowest here.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
Yes, 1,500 lb
Max lift
—
Weight
—

Pros

  • Load leveler included, so you can tilt the engine to clear the firewall
  • 8-ton hydraulic ram and a 2.6 in. pump handle
  • Six swivel casters; folds for storage

Cons

  • 3.7 stars, the lowest rating on this list
  • Costs $50 to $80 more than the other hoists here that include a leveler
  • Listing doesn't publish a max lift height
#2
Garvee 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist with Leveler, 4,400 lb Hydraulic Shop Crane
Best Overall
Garvee

Garvee 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist with Leveler, 4,400 lb Hydraulic Shop Crane

4.7 11 reviews
Score 68/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score94/100 → 42 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score36/100 → 13 pts
  • Features 20% of score65/100 → 13 pts

Has: leveler, published height. Missing: dual pump, low profile legs.

Total: 68/100. How the score works

$218.99
Check price on Amazon
50+/mo

The highest-rated hoist we found at 4.7 stars. It includes a leveler and is one of the few listings that publishes its lift range: 39.5 to 74 inches.

Best for: The best-rated hoist, with a leveler and a published 39.5–74 in lift range.

Skip it if: You want a long review history; it has about a dozen.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
Yes
Max lift
74 in. (min. 39.5 in.)
Weight
145.5 lb

Pros

  • 4.7 stars, the best rating on this list
  • Leveler included
  • Published lift range, 39.5 to 74 in., so you can check it clears your engine bay

Cons

  • Only about a dozen reviews so far
  • At 145.5 lb, the heaviest of the import hoists
#3
GarveeTech Engine Hoist with Leveler, 2 Ton Folding Cherry Picker with Telescopic Boom
GarveeTech

GarveeTech Engine Hoist with Leveler, 2 Ton Folding Cherry Picker with Telescopic Boom

4.0 79 reviews
Score 67/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score80/100 → 36 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score63/100 → 22 pts
  • Features 20% of score45/100 → 9 pts

Has: leveler. Missing: dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 67/100. How the score works

$209.99
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A 2-ton hoist with a 1,500 lb leveler included for about $80 less than the VEVOR kit, and a better rating.

Best for: A hoist and leveler kit for less than the VEVOR.

Skip it if: You need the full 4,400 lb; plan on 4,000.

Capacity
4,000 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
Yes, 1,500 lb
Max lift
—
Weight
141 lb

Pros

  • Leveler included
  • 8-ton hydraulic pump; four boom positions
  • Folds for storage

Cons

  • Title says 2 T and 4,000 lb while sister listings say 4,400 lb; plan on 4,000
  • No published lift height
#4
DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Cherry Picker with Leveler, 4,400 lb
DEXSO

DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Cherry Picker with Leveler, 4,400 lb

4.1 42 reviews
Score 65/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score82/100 → 37 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score54/100 → 19 pts
  • Features 20% of score45/100 → 9 pts

Has: leveler. Missing: dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 65/100. How the score works

$239.99
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A 2-in-1 hoist and leveler with retractable outriggers and an 8-ton pump. It's rated 4.1 stars, a notch above most of the field.

Best for: A hoist and leveler with retractable outriggers.

Skip it if: You need a published lift height.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
Yes
Max lift
—
Weight
141 lb

Pros

  • Leveler included
  • Retractable outriggers and a folding frame
  • 4.1-star average

Cons

  • Its own bullets say "under 4000 lbs" despite the 4,400 lb rating
  • No published lift height
#5
Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Engine Hoist Foldable Cherry Picker
Parts-Diyer

Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Engine Hoist Foldable Cherry Picker

4.0 245 reviews
Score 64/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score80/100 → 36 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score80/100 → 28 pts
  • Features 20% of score0/100 → 0 pts

Missing: leveler, dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 64/100. How the score works

$192.99
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The second-most-reviewed hoist here, with a 4.0-star average. It's the same 128 lb folding frame as the TUFFIOM, with retractable outriggers and locking casters.

Best for: A well-reviewed folding hoist with locking casters.

Skip it if: You lift near 4,400 lb; its own bullets say stay under 4,000.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
No
Max lift
—
Weight
128 lb

Pros

  • About 245 reviews, more than any hoist except the VEVOR
  • Retractable outriggers and locking swivel casters
  • Four boom settings from 0.5 to 2 tons

Cons

  • No leveler included
  • Its own bullets say "under 4000 lbs" for a 4,400 lb hoist, so stay well below the rating
#6
MOTOOS 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Crane, 4,400 lb Folding Cherry Picker
MOTOOS

MOTOOS 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Crane, 4,400 lb Folding Cherry Picker

4.0 98 reviews
Score 63/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score80/100 → 36 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score67/100 → 23 pts
  • Features 20% of score20/100 → 4 pts

Has: published height. Missing: leveler, dual pump, low profile legs.

Total: 63/100. How the score works

$199.99
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A folding 2-ton hoist whose listing publishes both the closed-boom (4,400 lb) and fully extended (1,000 lb) capacities, plus a 220 cm max lift height.

Best for: Checking clearance first: it publishes lift height and extended-boom capacity.

Skip it if: You pull big diesel engines.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
No
Max lift
About 87 in. (220 cm)
Weight
—

Pros

  • States the extended-boom capacity (1,000 lb), which many listings skip
  • Max lifting height listed at 220 cm (about 87 in.)
  • Low clearance legs and a push handle

Cons

  • No leveler included
  • Suitable for gas engines and "some smaller diesel engines", per the listing
#7
Goplus 2 Ton Folding Engine Lift with 6 Wheels, Hydraulic Shop Crane
Goplus

Goplus 2 Ton Folding Engine Lift with 6 Wheels, Hydraulic Shop Crane

4.0 129 reviews
Score 61/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score80/100 → 36 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score70/100 → 25 pts
  • Features 20% of score0/100 → 0 pts

Missing: leveler, dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 61/100. How the score works

$183.99
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A plain 2-ton folding cherry picker with an 8-ton ram, four boom positions, and six swivel wheels, with a decent review history.

Best for: A plain 2-ton folding hoist with a decent review history.

Skip it if: You need a leveler.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
No
Max lift
—
Weight
—

Pros

  • 4.0 stars across about 130 reviews
  • Boom positions for 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 tons
  • Powder-coated, rust-resistant finish

Cons

  • No leveler included
  • No published max lift height
  • Stock was low when we checked
#8
TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Crane with Telescopic Boom and Outriggers
Best Budget
TUFFIOM

TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Crane with Telescopic Boom and Outriggers

4.1 86 reviews
Score 60/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score82/100 → 37 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score65/100 → 23 pts
  • Features 20% of score0/100 → 0 pts

Missing: leveler, dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 60/100. How the score works

$169.90
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The cheapest well-reviewed engine hoist we found. Four boom positions from 1,100 to 4,400 lb, six steel casters, and a frame that folds flat.

Best for: The cheapest well-reviewed hoist, with capacities printed per boom position.

Skip it if: You need a leveler.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
No
Max lift
—
Weight
128 lb

Pros

  • Lowest price among the established hoists
  • Boom capacities printed for each position (1,100 / 2,200 / 3,300 / 4,400 lb)
  • Arm and legs fold for storage

Cons

  • No leveler included
  • Listing doesn't publish lift height
#9
Sunex Tools 5222 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane with Dual Pump Pistons
Money No Object
Sunex Tools

Sunex Tools 5222 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane with Dual Pump Pistons

4.3 17 reviews
Score 60/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score86/100 → 39 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score42/100 → 14 pts
  • Features 20% of score35/100 → 7 pts

Has: dual pump, low profile legs. Missing: leveler, published height.

Total: 60/100. How the score works

$808.99
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A name-brand shop crane with a dual-piston pump that Sunex says reaches full height 25% faster, low 4.7-inch legs that slide under sports cars, and a chainless swivel hook that doesn't sway.

Best for: Shops lifting engines out of low cars, with a faster dual pump.

Skip it if: You do one engine swap; it's four times the import price.

Capacity
4,000 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
No
Max lift
—
Weight
—

Pros

  • Dual pump pistons raise the boom faster than single-pump hoists
  • Low-profile 4.7 in. legs fit under low cars
  • Drop-forged 360-degree swivel hook; chainless design cuts load sway

Cons

  • About four times the price of the import hoists
  • No leveler in the box
  • Rated 4,000 lb, slightly below the 4,400 lb imports
#10
Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist, Hydraulic Cherry Picker Engine Crane, Red
Garvee

Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist, Hydraulic Cherry Picker Engine Crane, Red

4.0 36 reviews
Score 54/100
Why this score
  • Star rating 45% of score80/100 → 36 pts
  • Number of reviews 35% of score52/100 → 18 pts
  • Features 20% of score0/100 → 0 pts

Missing: leveler, dual pump, low profile legs, published height.

Total: 54/100. How the score works

$199.99
Check price on Amazon
50+/mo

One of the best-selling hoists on Amazon right now. A straightforward 2-ton folding crane with an 8-ton pump and retractable outriggers.

Best for: A straightforward 2-ton hoist that sells well right now.

Skip it if: You need a leveler.

Capacity
4,400 lb
Boom
4 positions, 0.5 to 2 ton
Leveler
No
Max lift
—
Weight
130 lb

Pros

  • 50+ sold a month; one of the top sellers in Engine Hoists & Stands
  • Retractable outriggers; folds for storage
  • Four boom positions

Cons

  • No leveler
  • Fewer reviews than the older listings

How we rank

Every tool gets one score from 0 to 100, weighted 45% on its star rating, 35% on how many people have reviewed it (more reviews = more confidence the rating is real), and 20% on the features that matter for the job. The list is ordered by that score. Best Overall is our pick for the best all-around, ready-to-use tool; Best Budget the best value at or under $180; and Money No Object the one to buy if price is no object.

The features score is built from leveler (45%), dual pump (20%), published height (20%), low profile legs (15%), capped at 100. The review-count score is on a log scale, so each tenfold jump in reviews adds the same amount, and 1,000 or more reviews gets full marks. Open Why this score on any tool to see its numbers.

What changed

We re-check every listing on this page on a rotation. The most recent changes:

Buyer's guide

Is a 2-ton hoist enough?

For cars and light trucks, yes. A dressed small-block V8 weighs roughly 450 to 600 lb, and a car transmission usually less than 200 lb. The catch is the boom: the 2-ton rating applies only with the boom fully retracted. At full extension most of these hoists are rated around 0.5 ton (1,000 to 1,100 lb), so check the label on the position you're using.

What does a load leveler do?

A leveler sits between the hook and the engine and lets you shift the balance point with a crank, so you can tilt the engine nose-up to clear the radiator support or firewall. Without one you'll be re-rigging chains mid-lift. The VEVOR, GarveeTech, DEXSO, and Garvee leveler kits include one; bought separately, a 1,500 lb leveler runs about $30 to $35 on Amazon.

How high does an engine hoist lift?

It depends on the boom position, and most listings don't say. The Garvee with leveler lists 39.5 to 74 in. and the MOTOOS lists 220 cm (about 87 in.). Measure from the floor to the top of your engine bay, add the leveler and chain length, and make sure the hoist clears it, especially on lifted trucks.

Will the legs fit under my car?

The legs have to roll under the front of the car to reach the engine. Lowered cars can block standard legs; Sunex quotes a 4.7 in. leg height on the 5222. For other hoists, measure leg height and the gap between the legs before you buy, or raise the car on ramps.

Can I move the hoist with the engine hanging?

Only slowly, a short distance, on smooth level concrete, with the engine as low as possible and the boom retracted. Lower the engine onto a stand or cart for anything more.

Tools to avoid

Not everything in the search results deserves your money. This one would rank dead last on our scale — here's the listing to walk past, and exactly why.

✕ Avoid
VORTEXTOVE 2 Ton Engine Hoist, 4,000 lb Foldable Cherry Picker Shop Crane, Blue
VORTEXTOVE

VORTEXTOVE 2 Ton Engine Hoist, 4,000 lb Foldable Cherry Picker Shop Crane, Blue

2.0 2 reviews   $234.99

It's priced above most of the ranked hoists without adding anything, and its listing encourages moving a loaded crane over gravel and uneven ground. The Garvee with leveler costs less and publishes its lift range.

Why we'd skip it

  • It advertises "stable rolling on concrete, gravel and uneven ground to avoid wobble under full load during engine removal." A loaded cherry picker belongs on smooth, level concrete; small casters on gravel are how a hoist tips with an engine hanging from it.
  • It says the hoist folds small enough to store "in car trunks". The listing's own weight is 141 lb, the same as hoists that fold to about 51 x 11 x 10 in.
  • The listed product dimensions are 64 x 40 x 58 in., which contradicts the "shrinks to narrow size" folding claim.
  • At $235 it costs more than the GarveeTech and Garvee hoists that include a leveler, and it lists no lift height or per-position boom capacities.
See the listing on Amazon (so you recognize it)
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