Best Electric Hoists for the Home Shop
Moving stuff around the garage or shop can be difficult and cumbersome especially when they weigh a lot. It doesn’t take a lot to pull a muscle or hurt your back either so why not minimize the risk and increase your productivity? That’s where an electric hoist comes into play. These hoists are easy to install and designed to lift heavy materials using a powerful motor. Use them to lift welders or finished projects straight up off the ground or even around the shop if installed on a track system.
When considering a hoist for your garage or shop, there are additional factors to consider besides lifting capacity. Similar to welders, electric hoists are also available with features and options for any budget. Here are some of the choices available in our list of the Best Electric Hoists.
Strongway 1-Ton Round Chain Electric Hoist
Our first pick for the list is the Strongway Round Chain 1-Ton Electric Hoist. This solid hoist features a 10′ lifting height, 2000 lbs of lifting capacity and a very long 20′ remote. A forged swiveling mounting hook allows for easy installation to most beam clamps or trolley systems. The ventilated 2 HP motor is attached to a permanently lubricated gear train featuring an integrated slip clutch for continuous tension control. Dual braking systems ensure safety of hanging loads even if power to the unit is lost. Other safety features include high and low limit switches, an emergency stop button and chain bag to keep excess slack neatly tucked away. This hoist is heavy duty with a bullet proof drive system and built to last.
Pros:
- Heavy duty and high quality design.
- Chain design means no cable fouling.
- Long remote cable.
- Numerous safety features.
Cons:
- Slower lift speed compared to cable hoists.
- High price.
Prowinch 1 Ton Electric Chain Hoist
Our next pick is the Prowinch 1 Ton electric chain hoist with wireless remote control. Similar to the Strongway, this unit is another chain design with integrated chain bag and sealed ventilated motor. This hoist features 2200 lbs of lifting capacity and a 20′ lifting height. Safety features include all-way limit switches, emergency stop, and automatic brake system to prevent over-travel. Customer Support and Service in the USA along with a 3-year warranty.
The return policy should be noted- Only accepted within 30 days of purchase plus a 20% re-stocking fee. On the positive side however, the Prowinch hoist has an excellent duty cycle for small machine shops or just at home.
Pros:
- Good duty cycle for multiple lifts.
- G80 Chain design.
- Wireless Remote.
Cons:
- 30 Day Returns + Re-stocking fee
- High price.
Partsam 2200 lbs. Electric Hoist Crane
The Partsam 2200lb Electric Hoist offers an impressive 1-ton lifting capacity (1100lbs single-line) with 19′ of double-line lifting height using a 2 HP motor. Though designed to be mounted on to square steel tubing with the included brackets, the mounting holes are easily adapted for beams, trolley systems or for fastening to wood. This unit can also me mounted horizontally for use as a stationary winch.
Individual controls are provided for up, down and emergency stop on the 5′ long remote. Partsam also provides 5.5′ and 3′ nylon slings with this well built and versatile hoist.
Pros:
- Excellent lifting capacity.
- High strength cable.
- Oversized emergency stop button.
Cons:
- Poor Instructions.
- Noisy.
BEAMNOVA 1500 lbs. Electric Hoist Lift Overhead Winch
The Beamnova 750lb/1500lb electric hoist is a great lift that can pick up and move items that weigh as much as three-fourths of a ton. It uses a standard 110V power outlet and offers single or double line operation. Several mounting options are also available. Our main faults are that the control cord could be a little longer and decision to use a light gauge plastic for the remote. That being said, Beamnova has built a high-quality hoist that is durable and should serve the home user well for many years.
Pros:
- Flexible mounting options.
- Durable braided high carbon steel cables.
- Lifts up to 20 feet/1500 pounds.
Cons:
- Four-foot control cord is very short.
- Plastic used on remote is thin.
- Some reports of overheating if used for several hours.
WARN PullzAll 1000 lbs. Portable Electric Winch
Warn’s PullzAll 120v corded electric winch can be used in your garage, shed, attic or anywhere a suitable attachment point can be made. It’s extreme portability and high lifting capacity make it perfect for tight spaces or areas where a permanent hoist isn’t viable. The winch can lift or pull half a ton and has a line rewind speed of 13.8 fpm. A variable speed trigger and LED indicators make operation simple and reliable. The wire rope is 15 feet in length, giving you plenty of cable to work with.
Pros:
- Can be used anywhere you can get power.
- Variable speed gives you precise control over the lift.
- Good lifespan.
Cons:
- Short duty cycle.
- No remote. Operator in close proximity to load.
Champion 880 lbs. Automatic Electric Hoist with Remote
Next up on our list is the Champion 440/880-pound automatic hoist. This is a powerful hoist with an 850-watt electric motor that can lift up to 880 pounds when using the dual cables. It lifts at 33 fpm in single-line mode and 16 fpm in dual line. Mounting brackets are provided for Unistrut channel or 1.75″ square tubing. The control cable is a bit short at 5.5 feet in length, so you may be closer to the load that you would prefer. This hoist runs off standard 120v power.
Pros:
- Provides more power and max lifting capability without a high price tag.
- Features a two-year warranty and free lifetime support from Champion’s team of experts.
Cons:
- Short remote control cable.
- Indoor use only.
Partsam 440 lbs. Electric Hoist Crane
The Partsam 440lb electric hoist like its larger siblings can be used vertically or horizontally for added flexibility. It uses a standard 110v outlet and can lift, as the name suggests up to 440 pounds using a double-line or 220 pounds on a single-line. Controls are easy to understand and also include an emergency stop button for safety. With 19′ of lifting height, the cable provided is long enough to handle most projects. This hoist has a duty cycle of two and a half minutes of operation out of every ten. Like all Partsam hoists, the motor has heat dissipating fins and an active fan for cooling.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced for an electric hoist.
- Vertical or horizontal installation.
- Includes 2 nylon slings.
Cons:
- Short remote control cable.
- Motor is noisy.
Sportsman Series EHOISTUL 440 lbs. Lift Electric Hoist
Our final pick is the Sportsman Series EHOISTUL 440-pound lift that could be a good alternative if you find that the Partsam hoist isn’t quite right for your needs. It is limited to 440 pounds, but it may still be perfect for some tasks. The unit uses 110 volts of power, so no need for additional electrical work. The braided high carbon steel cable is an eighth of an inch thick and very durable. The engine provides 5 amps of power, while the remote control cable gives you control from up to five feet away.
Pros:
- Good build quality.
- Rugged remote.
Cons:
- Plastic safety stop.
- Short remote control cable.
Conclusion
There isn’t a one size fits all method to choosing an electric hoist. Cable-based models are a good choice for most applications and are quite affordable. They cover lifting scenarios most garages or shops will encounter and mounting is flexible. For more serious or continuous lifting however, a chain-based hoist might be the way to go. With better quality motors and duty cycles, these hoists can run longer between cool-downs and last longer. Stepping up to the next lifting capacity on the smaller units is probably a good idea as well. For a small increase in price, this insures you don’t overtax the motor while giving you a nice operational safety margin.
