Challenger vs BendPak Lifts

Our customers constantly ask us about the differences between Challenger vs BendPak lifts. These are two really great brands. But when you browse our catalog for a car lift for garage, you’ll notice we don’t carry either of them. That’s intentional!

Don’t get us wrong, BendPak and Challenger make really great lifts for the right setting. BendPak lifts cover everything from 7,000-lb 2-post lifts to heavy-duty 4-post and mobile column systems. Most models are ANSI/ALI certified, with prices starting at $3,895.

On the other hand, Challenger makes 2-post lifts from 9,000 to 20,000 lbs, 4-post models up to 60,000 lbs, and scissor lifts sized for 7,700-lb and 14,000-lb service work. Pricing isn’t disclosed online, but our insider sources tell us they range from $5,000 to $40,000+.

We’ll compare and contrast BendPak vs Challenger lifts below if you’re set on adding one of these to your garage. But if you’re looking for lifts that deliver stronger value for the money without giving up build quality or capability, the brands we carry are often a better fit.

From Atlas to Triumph, KATOOL, Titan, AMGO, Tuxedo, and more - every make and model has been handpicked after careful consideration for quality, durability, performance, safety, compliance, and much, much more.

Shop our full lift catalog or reach out for a one-on-one recommendation tailored to your ceiling height, vehicle mix, and daily workload. Elevate your shop’s workflow today!

Challenger vs BendPak Lifts (Fast Facts)

Challenger Car Lifts: Types, Capacity, and Price

Challenger has been building vehicle lifts since 1987, and it’s still a popular choice for commercial automotive shops today. The Kentucky-based brand supplies equipment to dealership service departments, OEM service centers, and busy independent shops.

The brand uses heavy steel columns, machined carriage assemblies, hydraulic power units sized for the lift’s capacity, and mechanical locks along the full travel length. Many lifts are ANSI/ALI ALCTV-certified. Here are the different types of lifts Challenger specializes in:

• 2-Post Lifts: 9,000, 10,000, 12,000, 15,000, 16,000, and 20,000 lbs
• 4-Post Lifts: 14,000, 15,000, 18,000, 30,000, and 60,000 lbs
• Scissor Lifts: 7,700 lbs and 14,000 lbs
• Inground Lifts: Light-duty to mid-range OEM service configurations
• Mobile Column Lifts: Up to 152,000 lbs per full set

The 2-post lifts with Versymmetric® arm designs let you lift compact cars and trucks on the same bay without repositioning arms to keep your workflow efficient. 

Meanwhile, Challenger’s 4-post lifts use a cable-driven system sized for higher capacities so they can support alignment decks, longer runways, and heavier fleet vehicles without slowing down.

We can’t give you an exact answer on how much Challenger’s lifts cost since the brand wants you to reach out for a quote. We’ve done some digging for you, though, and have found that lifts range from $5,000 to well over $10,000, depending on type and capacity.

Similar to pricing, warranty details look to be intentionally vague so you have to get in touch with a Challenger rep. Most models are backed by a warranty of some sort, though. 

BendPak Car Lifts: Types, Ratings, and Price

For more than 50 years, BendPak has been a go-to choice for all sorts of automotive service equipment - including car lifts. The company outfits professional repair shops, fleet facilities, dealerships, and home garages with dependable lifts of all types and capacities, including:

• 2-Post Lifts: 9,000-18,000 lbs
• 4-Post Lifts: 7,000-18,000 lbs for storage, service, or alignment
• Scissor Lifts: Low-, mid-, and full-rise units up to 10,000 lbs
• Parking Lifts: Single and multi-vehicle configurations for 7,000-9,000 lbs
• Mobile Column Lifts: Up to 144,000 lbs per linked set
• Portable Lifts: QuickJack systems sized for home garages and track use

This is one of the broadest catalogs in the car lift industry, covering everything from light-duty automatic use all the way up to heavy truck service. BendPak makes all the different types of car lifts.

Equipment is constructed from single-piece columns, welded steel carriages, and direct-drive hydraulic systems on many 2-post models. Every structural component goes through a multi-stage wash, phosphate treatment, outgassing, and high-temperature curing process before it’s powder-coated. In other words, you can trust that you’re getting top-tier quality.

Most models are ANSI/ALI ALCTV-certified, too. This comes at a cost, of course. BendPak lifts aren’t cheap - although they are more affordable than Challenger in most cases. Prices start at $3,895 for basic 2-post systems.

The BendPak warranty is among the strongest available - 5 years on components, 2 years on hydraulics, and 1 year on electrical parts. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular car lift brands. But where does that leave you in choosing between BendPak vs Challenger lifts?

BendPak vs Challenger Lifts: Which Brand is Right For Your Shop?

We don’t carry these brands ourselves at My Garage Supplies - but we can confidently say they make great car lifts. Choosing between Challenger vs BendPak lifts really just comes down to these things:

• The type of work you perform
• The range of vehicles you service
• The physical layout of your shop
• Your budget for the lift

We’ll help you narrow it down between Challenger vs BendPak lifts below. 

Service Volume and Workload Demands

No matter the services you perform, there’s a BendPak lift for that. The lineup ranges from 2-post lifts for general repair, 4-post lifts for storage and alignment, scissor lifts for limited bays, and mobile columns for heavier vehicles.

On the other hand, Challenger lifts are built more specifically around dealership and OEM service patterns. You gain access to heavier-duty options in the 15K-20K 2-post range and 14K-60K 4-post range. There are also inground lifts and mobile columns available.

Weight Capacity Needs Across Your Vehicle Mix

We always tell our customers a good starting point in choosing a car lift is narrowing it down to the weight capacities you encounter in your shop. 

BendPak has something for you, whether you service coupes and sedans or big rigs:

• 2-Post: 9,000-18,000 lbs
• 4-Post: 7,000-18,000 lbs
• Scissor: Up to 10,000 lbs
• Mobile Columns: Up to 144,000 lbs per linked set

This range serves just about any repair shop, fleet service facility, or home garage. The versatility in BendPak’s offerings is second to none. In contrast, Challenger is a bit more focused on the heavier end of ar lift capacities: 

• 2-Post: 9,000-20,000 lbs
• 4-Post: 14,000-60,000 lbs
• Scissor: 7,700 and 14,000 lbs
• Mobile Columns: Up to 152,000 lbs per set

This is why Challenger lifts aren’t usually a good fit for home garages. They’re more commonly used for mixed fleets, diesel shops, dealership work, and municipal service centers.

Space, Ceiling Height, and Power 

The specific area you plan on installing a car lift will help you narrow it down between Challenger vs BendPak lifts, too. 

BendPak has quite a few options for low-ceiling garages, including low- and mid-rise scissor lifts, portable QuickJack units, and 7K-9K 4-post storage lifts designed specifically for residential garages. 

You might be able to find something similar in the Challenger lift lineup. In general, though, these units are designed with full-height bays in mind. These lifts need not just more ceiling height, but heavier concrete ratings.

Certification Requirements for Your Insurance/Dealer Programs

You’ll need to do your due diligence into certifications if your insurance, franchise, or OEM program requires ALI documentation. Both brands manufacture lifts that can keep you compliant, but there are nuances here that matter:

• BendPak publicly publishes ALI listings across many of its 2-post and 4-post models.
• Challenger also carries ALI certification but offers more heavy-duty and inground options that dealerships often require.

This is an aspect of choosing between Challenger vs BendPak lifts that often gets overlooked, but it can come back to bite you in the end.

Budget and Total Cost of Ownership

You may already have a budget in mind for your car lift, and that’ll come in handy when trying to narrow it down between BendPak vs Challenger lifts. The former is far more affordable than the latter at $3,895 compared to $5,000+. That’s just at the entry-level, of course. Higher capacity lifts will cost much more.

Parts Availability, Support, and Warranties

BendPak’s 5-2-1 warranty (5-year structural, 2-year hydraulic, 1-year electrical) is one of the best in the industry, which is just one of many reasons this manufacturer is so popular. You also get detailed installation and maintenance documents with each lift.

Challenger doesn’t clearly outline its warranty terms in the same way BendPak does, but a warranty is available for every lift. You’ll just have to connect with a rep for detailed information on it. Where it misses the mark in warranty clarity, though, Challenger makes up for it in providing spec sheets and manuals for every lift. 

Other Car Lift Manufacturers Available at My Garage Supplies

By this point in our Challenger vs BendPak lifts comparison you’re probably wondering…if these brands are so great, why aren’t they available here at My Garage Supplies?

We’ve handpicked the manufacturers in our catalog - and the specific models themselves - with incredibly strict standards for quality, safety, and most of all, value for the money. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with BendPak or Challenger, just that we’ve found other brands to check more boxes.

Here’s a quick look at the lift brands you’ll find at My Garage Supplies:

• Atlas: A wide range of 2-post, 4-post, and scissor lifts with capacities from 7K-15K lbs. Known for solid steel construction and clear, easy-to-read specs. Starting at $2,599.
• Triumph: Budget-friendly two-post and four-post lifts starting at $2,200. Capacities range from 7K-32K lbs.
• iDEAL: ALI-listed 2-post and 4-post systems sized for shops that need certified equipment at a higher price point, starting at $4,800.
• Katool: Our best-value brand. 2-post, 4-post, and scissor lifts starting at $1,899 with capacities spanning 8.5K-15K lbs.

Shopping with us gives you access to a hand-picked selection from leading manufacturers, transparent specs, and pricing that consistently beats big-box retail. 

We offer financing options, freight assistance, and one-on-one support to help you match the right lift to your ceiling height, power supply, and vehicle weight. So whether you’re looking for a single-post car lift, 2-post car lift, 4-post car lift, or anything in between, take the next step at My Garage Supplies! 

Closing Thoughts on Challenger vs BendPak Lifts

Hopefully, this Challenger vs BendPak lifts comparison has left you with clarity on the pros and cons of these popular shop equipment manufacturers. They’re great for the right shop, but they’re just two of many great brands worth exploring before you make a decision.

You can explore other comparisons between BendPak vs Atlas, Katool vs BendPak, and BendPak vs Rotary in our blog if you want to learn more about which brand makes the most sense for workflow. Or better yet, connect with our experts for one-on-one support today. 

We’ll talk about your shop’s layout, your workflow, and your budget to help you narrow it down to the ideal make and model. Take the stress out of shopping for a garage lift today!