Top 10 Engine Hoists in 2027 — Best Overall plus Best Value

Direct Answer

For 2027 the Best Overall engine hoist is the OTC 1820 Fold-Away Shop Crane at roughly $899, a 2-ton (4,400 lb) folding crane with a 2-speed hydraulic hand pump, telescoping boom, and adjustable leg spread that pro shops trust for daily engine pulls. The Best Value pick is the Pittsburgh Automotive 2-Ton Foldable Shop Crane from Harbor Freight at about $189.99 with coupon, which folds flat for storage and now carries an internal load-limiting device to meet ASME PASE standards.

This list is built for DIY mechanics pulling a single engine in the home garage, hobbyists doing the occasional swap, and pro techs who lift drivetrains weekly. Below are ten real, currently shipping folding shop cranes and cherry pickers ranked on capacity, build, storage, ram quality, and price.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each engine hoist on the factors that actually decide whether a crane is safe, usable, and worth the money. Rated capacity matters most, but only when you measure it at full boom extension rather than the retracted number brands love to print. We cross-referenced manufacturer spec sheets from OTC, Sunex, and Torin with hands-on reviews from ToolGuyd, Pro Tool Reviews, The Drive, and forum reports from Garage Journal and Team Chevelle owners.

Weighting:

• Lift capacity and boom reach — 25%
• Build and stability — 20%
• Folding and storage — 15%
• Hydraulic ram quality — 15%
• Load leveler and accessories — 15%
• Price-to-performance — 10%

1. OTC 1820 Fold-Away Shop Crane 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Price: $899 | Best for: Pro shops and serious DIYers pulling engines weekly

The OTC 1820 is a 2-ton, 4,400 lb capacity heavy-duty folding crane and the benchmark every other hoist on this list is measured against. It runs a 2-speed hydraulic hand pump that lets you rapid-cycle the ram unloaded and then drop to high-force mode under a heavy block, and its telescoping boom offers four rated positions stepping from the full 4,400 lb retracted down to roughly 1,100 lb at full extension.

The adjustable leg spread lets you pull the legs in for close-in work, and the all-steel frame folds flat for storage despite weighing over 200 lb. Six casters keep a loaded long-block tracking straight across a shop floor.

Pros:

• Smooth 2-speed pump that saves real time on repeat lifts
• Telescoping boom with four rated reach positions
• Adjustable, close-in leg spread for tight bays
• Pro-grade steel build rated to last years of daily use

Cons:

• Premium price puts it out of reach for one-time users
• No load leveler included at this price

Verdict: The most capable, longest-lasting folding crane you can buy in 2027 — buy it if you lift engines often.

2. Sunex 5222 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane

Price: $649 | Best for: Busy home shops that want pro speed without OTC money

The Sunex 5222 is a 2-ton (4,400 lb) folding crane whose headline feature is its dual pump pistons, which Sunex says reach max height about 25% faster than single-pump designs. The boom adjusts through four positions, the frame is heavy-gauge steel, and it folds for compact storage between jobs.

Owners on Garage Journal repeatedly rank it as the best build quality short of OTC, and the dual-piston ram is the standout reason. It is heavier and pricier than budget cherry pickers, but the speed and rigidity justify it for anyone lifting more than once or twice a year.

Pros:

• Dual pump pistons for noticeably faster lifting
• Four-position boom covering 0.5 to 2 ton ratings
• Heavy steel frame praised for rigidity under load

Cons:

• Heavier to fold and move than budget models
• Load leveler sold separately

Verdict: The best value among premium cranes — pro-grade speed and build for several hundred less than the OTC.

3. Strongway 2-Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist with Load Leveler

Price: $369.99 | Best for: DIYers who want a leveler included in the box

The Strongway 46219 is a 2-ton folding crane sold through Northern Tool with a lift range of 1 inch to 82 5/8 inches and a universal load leveler included — a genuine rarity at this price. Its large-diameter hydraulic steel cylinder runs lower oil pressure to move a given load, which Strongway argues reduces wear and extends ram life.

The crane folds for space-saving storage and meets ASME PASE 2019 standards, while the bundled leveler is itself ASME PALD 2009 rated with a swivel handle for fine engine angle adjustment. For the money, getting both the crane and the leveler is what earns it a top-three slot.

Pros:

• Load leveler included — adds real value
• Large-diameter cylinder for lower-pressure, longer-life lifting
• Wide 1 to 82 5/8 inch lift range

Cons:

• Build is a step below OTC and Sunex rigidity
• Heavy and somewhat awkward to fold solo

Verdict: The smartest mid-price buy when you want the leveler bundled rather than bought separately.

4. JEGS 81045K 2-Ton Automotive Shop Crane

Price: $359.98 | Best for: Performance builders who want six casters and a wide lift range

The JEGS 81045K is a 2-ton yellow-steel folding crane with a boom operating range of 41 3/8 inches to 62 1/2 inches and a total lift range of 0 to 92 7/8 inches, one of the taller ceilings on this list. It rides on six casters for stable, straight-line movement of a loaded drivetrain and folds down for storage.

The four-position boom steps capacity from the full 2-ton retracted rating down as you extend reach. JEGS sells it as a shop-grade tool, and the tall lift range plus six-wheel chassis make it a strong pick for engine-and-transmission combos that need to clear a tall front clip.

Pros:

• Tall 0 to 92 7/8 inch lift range
• Six casters for stable rolling under load
• Four-position boom with full 2-ton retracted rating

Cons:

• Finish and welds rank below premium brands
• Leveler not included

Verdict: A capable performance-shop crane whose tall reach and six wheels earn the price.

5. Torin Big Red T32002 Folding Shop Crane

Price: $329 | Best for: Heavier loads and buyers who want a leveler thrown in

The Torin Big Red T32002 punches up to a 3-ton (4,000 lb effective) rating with a strengthened 4-position adjustable boom, a hydraulic long-ram jack, and — notably — an included engine leveler to help position big loads. It folds for storage and rides on multiple casters, making it a solid all-rounder for owners who occasionally lift something heavier than a small-block.

The Big Red line is the most widely sold budget-to-mid crane in the country, and this model's bundled leveler and higher headline capacity make it stand out from cheaper 2-ton cherry pickers. Build is decent rather than pro-grade.

Pros:

• Higher capacity rating for heavier drivetrains
• Engine leveler included in the box
• Strengthened 4-position boom plus long-ram jack

Cons:

• Steel gauge lighter than OTC or Sunex
• Ram bleed can need attention out of the box

Verdict: A lot of capacity and a free leveler for the money — a smart heavier-duty budget pick.

6. Dragway Tools 2-Ton Air Hydraulic Folding Engine Hoist

Price: $341.99 | Best for: Garages with shop air that want fast one-hand lifts

The Dragway Tools LD-3012 is a 2-ton folding cherry picker with an air-over-hydraulic ram, so if you have shop air you can power the lift with the trigger instead of pumping by hand. Its boom is rated 4,000 lb closed with a maximum height of 48 inches retracted, stepping down across four positions as you extend the reach to roughly 1,000 lb fully out.

It folds flat for storage and is one of the more popular budget cranes on Amazon and Walmart. The air assist is the differentiator here — it makes repeat lifts genuinely faster — and you can still pump it manually if the compressor is off.

Pros:

• Air-over-hydraulic ram for fast, low-effort lifts
• 4,000 lb closed boom rating
• Folds flat and priced like a manual crane

Cons:

• Needs shop air to use the air assist
• Casters and welds are budget grade

Verdict: The cheapest way to get air-assisted lifting — worth it if you already run a compressor.

7. VEVOR 2-Ton Folding Engine Crane with Leveler

Price: $259 | Best for: Budget DIYers who still want a telescoping boom and leveler

The VEVOR 2-Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist is a 4,400 lb folding cherry picker with a telescopic boom and telescoping legs, plus an included engine leveler with lever adjustment. The four-position boom covers ratings from 0.5 ton fully extended up to the full 2 ton retracted, and the heavy-duty steel frame folds down for storage.

VEVOR has become the default value brand online, and this model bundles the leveler and telescoping legs that often cost extra elsewhere. Fit and finish are exactly what the price implies — workable, not refined — but the feature set per dollar is hard to beat below $300.

Pros:

• Leveler and telescoping boom included
• Telescoping legs for adjustable close-in width
• 4,400 lb rated steel frame that folds flat

Cons:

• Quality control varies unit to unit
• Hardware and instructions are rough

Verdict: Maximum features per dollar — a strong choice for an occasional home swap on a tight budget.

8. Pittsburgh Automotive 2-Ton Foldable Shop Crane 💎 BEST VALUE

Price: $189.99 | Best for: One-time and occasional DIY engine pulls on the tightest budget

The Pittsburgh Automotive 2-Ton Foldable Shop Crane from Harbor Freight is the best value engine hoist of 2027, delivering a 4,000 lb (2-ton) folding crane for roughly $189.99 with coupon. The redesigned model adds an internal load-limiting device to prevent overloading and now complies with ASME PASE standards, addressing the main knock against earlier units.

ToolGuyd and Rare Car Network both reviewed it favorably as a legitimate home-shop crane, not a toy. The four-position boom steps capacity down as it extends, it folds flat for storage, and it rides on six casters. For anyone pulling one engine or doing the occasional swap, nothing else matches the price.

Pros:

• Lowest real price of any capable 2-ton crane
• Internal load-limiting device and ASME PASE compliance
• Folds flat and rolls on six casters
• Positively reviewed by ToolGuyd and Rare Car Network

Cons:

• Steel and welds are budget grade
• No leveler included

Verdict: The clear value champion — buy this if you lift an engine once or twice and want to spend the least.

9. Goplus 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist Cherry Picker

Price: $219 | Best for: Occasional users who want a simple, no-frills folding crane

The Goplus 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist is a 4,400 lb cherry picker built for straightforward home use, with a four-position adjustable boom and a hydraulic ram that pumps by hand. It folds compactly for storage in a single-car garage and rides on swivel casters. There is nothing fancy here — no air assist, no bundled leveler at this price — but the steel frame is adequate for occasional small-block and four-cylinder work, and the folding action is genuinely tidy.

It sits just above the Harbor Freight unit on price without adding much, which keeps it lower in the ranking, but it is a clean, reliable budget option.

Pros:

• Compact folding for tight garages
• Four-position boom with full 2-ton retracted rating
• Simple, reliable hand-pump operation

Cons:

• No leveler or air assist at this price
• Lighter-duty steel than mid-tier cranes

Verdict: A tidy, no-frills budget folder — fine for the occasional pull but outclassed by the Pittsburgh on value.

10. OTC 1819 Fold-Away Floor Crane (1-Ton)

Price: $549 | Best for: Light engine and component work where 2 tons is overkill

The OTC 1819 is a 1-ton (2,200 lb) version of OTC's pro fold-away crane, carrying the same build quality and fold-away storage as the flagship 1820 in a lighter, lower-capacity package. It is the right tool when you are lifting four-cylinder engines, transmissions, differentials, or shop components rather than big-block V8s, and the lower rating means a lighter, easier-to-move chassis.

You pay OTC prices for a 1-ton crane, which is why it lands at the bottom of a list dominated by 2-ton machines, but the build is genuinely a tier above any budget hoist. Choose it only if you know you will never need the full two tons.

Pros:

• OTC pro build quality in a lighter frame
• Fold-away storage identical to the flagship
• Easier to move than heavy 2-ton cranes

Cons:

• 1-ton rating is limiting for big V8 work
• Expensive for its capacity

Verdict: A superb light-duty crane — but most buyers should size up to a 2-ton model for the same money elsewhere.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying an Engine Hoist

• Rated capacity at full boom extension, not retracted. A crane rated 2 tons closed may only hold 1,000 to 1,100 lb at full reach — always check the boom's lowest position rating.
• Folding for storage. A folding shop crane stows against a wall; a fixed-leg crane is stronger but eats floor space year-round.
• Hydraulic ram quality. A 2-speed or dual-piston pump (OTC, Sunex) lifts faster; an air-over-hydraulic ram (Dragway) lifts with the least effort if you have a compressor.
• Wide, stable legs and good casters. Six casters track a loaded drivetrain straighter than four; adjustable or telescoping legs let you reach close-in over a fender.
• Load leveler. A leveler lets you tilt the engine to clear the bell housing — get one bundled (Strongway, Torin, VEVOR) or budget separately.
• Assembly and hardware. Budget cranes ship rough; bleed the ram and torque every bolt before the first lift.

What matters less than marketing implies: the headline retracted tonnage number. A "3-ton" budget crane that holds only 1,000 lb at full reach is no better for a real engine pull than a well-built 2-ton — measure at the extension you will actually use.

FAQ

How many tons of engine hoist do I need? For nearly all passenger-car and light-truck engines a 2-ton (4,400 lb) crane is the right size, because most long-blocks weigh 400 to 700 lb and you lift them with the boom partly extended where capacity is reduced. A 1-ton crane only suits four-cylinders, transmissions, and components.

Does the boom rating really drop as it extends? Yes. A boom rated 4,000 lb retracted commonly falls to around 1,000 to 1,100 lb at full extension. Always plan your lift around the position you will actually use, not the closed-boom headline number.

Should I buy a folding or fixed engine hoist? Buy folding unless you run a dedicated shop with floor space to spare. A folding crane stows flat against a wall between jobs; fixed cranes are marginally more rigid but live in your way permanently.

Do I need a load leveler? For most engine pulls, yes — a leveler lets you tilt the engine to clear the firewall and bell housing on the way out. The Strongway, Torin, and VEVOR include one; for OTC and Sunex you buy it separately.

Is a Harbor Freight engine hoist safe? The current Pittsburgh 2-Ton crane adds an internal load-limiting device and meets ASME PASE standards, and reviewers at ToolGuyd and Rare Car Network rate it a legitimate home-shop tool. Stay within rated capacity, bleed the ram, and torque the bolts.

Air-over-hydraulic or manual ram — which is better? Air assist (as on the Dragway) makes repeat lifts faster and easier if you already run a compressor. If you do not have shop air, a quality 2-speed or dual-piston manual pump (OTC, Sunex) is plenty fast.

Bottom Line

The OTC 1820 Fold-Away Shop Crane at about $899 is the Best Overall engine hoist of 2027 — a 2-ton, 2-speed-pump, telescoping-boom crane built to lift engines for years. If price drives your choice, the Pittsburgh Automotive 2-Ton Foldable Shop Crane at roughly $189.99 is the Best Value, a genuinely capable folding crane now compliant with ASME PASE standards.

Between them sit strong options like the dual-piston Sunex 5222 and the leveler-included Strongway. Use the decision tree above to route from how often you lift, whether you need a leveler, and your budget to the exact numbered pick that fits.

Sources

• Pro Tool Reviews — engine hoist and shop crane buying guides
• ToolGuyd — Harbor Freight Pittsburgh 2-Ton Shop Crane review
• The Drive — best engine hoists and cherry pickers
• Garage Journal forum — "Who makes a good quality engine hoist?" owner thread
• Team Chevelle forum — cherry picker engine hoist owner reviews
• OTC Tools — 1820 and 1819 fold-away crane spec sheets
• Sunex Tools — 5222 2-ton dual-piston folding crane spec sheet
• Torin Big Red — T32002 shop crane specifications
• Northern Tool — Strongway 46219 2-ton hoist with load leveler listing
• JEGS — 81045K 2-ton automotive shop crane and OTC 1820 listings
• Harbor Freight — Pittsburgh Automotive 2-Ton Foldable Shop Crane (item 58755)

*Engine hoist review — engine hoist reviews, rating, best engine hoist 2027, and a review of the top cherry picker picks for buyers.*