Direct Lift vs BendPak

You have no shortage of car lift brands at your disposal, including Direct Lift vs BendPak. These manufacturers specialize in 2-post and 4-post car lifts, but they’re designed for totally different applications - and the details matter if you’re trying to buy a car lift for garage.

Direct Lift’s calling card is budget-friendly car lifts for home garages and smaller shops. Weight capacities range from 8,000-9,000 lbs with simple hydraulics, and their ProPark 8S, 8Plus, and 9Plus storage lifts offer ALI/ETL-certified platforms with jack trays, caster kits, drip trays, and adjustable lock ladders.

BendPak serves both home users and high-volume shops. Their lineup ranges from 7,000 lb parking lifts to 40,000-lb commercial 4-post racks, along with ALI-certified 2-post models built with single-piece columns and direct-drive hydraulics. They’re the go-to in service centers, lifting heavy vehicles daily, or garages that need longer runways.

We’re going to break down all the most important differences between Direct Lift vs BendPak below, but you’ll notice we don’t carry either brand. We carry Atlas, Triumph, KATOOL, AMGO, iDEAL, and other brands that offer better value. Shop My Garage Supplies for vetted lifts, fair pricing, financing, and one-on-one support to match the right model to your garage!

Direct Lift vs BendPak (Comparison Chart)

Overview of Direct Lift

Direct Lift makes 2-post and 4-post car lifts more accessible to home garages and light-duty shops. The brand’s range of offerings might be thin compared to competitors, but the models they do offer are solid for the right application. Here’s a closer look at the brand’s 2-post lifts:

• HR8000: An 8,000-lb symmetric baseplate lift with 9’3” columns, truck adapters, a 2HP 220V power unit, and a lift height up to 79” with adapters.
• DL9: A 9,000-lb overhead model with asymmetric arms, single-point lock release, a 143 ⅜” overall height, and a 76” max lift height. 

Both of these models ship with anchor bolts and powder-coated columns. Direct Lift also has a collection of 4-post storage lifts, known as the ProPark Series. These include:

• ProPark 8S (8,000 lbs): ALI/ETL certified, adjustable lock ladder leveling system, jack tray, caster kit, steel ramps, and drip trays included.
• ProPark 8Plus (8,000 lbs): Gold Certified, 86” lifting height, 81” underside clearance, and extensive runway length for longer wheelbases.
• ProPark 9Plus (9,000 lbs): ALI/ETL certified, commercial-grade build, 84” lift height, and 97” drive-through width for wider vehicles.

The brand has made a name for itself by offering affordable lifts - but affordability is relative. These lifts range from $3,930-$4,146 for 2-post units and $4,648-$5,648 for 4-post models. That might be more affordable than a comparable BendPak lift, but it’s not cheap.

You get a 5 year warranty on structural components and 1 year on hydraulic power units and cylinders. Direct Lift also backs its lifts with exceptional customer service. But, how does the other half of our Direct Lift vs BendPak comparison stack up?

Overview of BendPak

BendPak is one of the best known brands in the car lift manufacturing business. This US-based supplier makes lifts for hobbyist garages and full commercial service centers alike. You’ll find 2-post lifts in asymmetric, symmetric, and clear-floor variants ranging from capacities such as:

• 7,000-10,000 lbs models: Standard arm reach for sedans and smaller SUVs, with Tru-Metric™ arm geometry and direct-drive hydraulics. ALI Gold Certified units available in this range. 
• 12,000-18,000 lbs models: Heavier columns, longer carriage engagement, industrial steel plates, and extended arm swing ranges for trucks and vans. Lift heights commonly fall around 69” to 78” depending on the model.

BendPak also offers a wide array of 4-post car lifts for vehicle storage, such as:

• 7,000-9,000 lbs: HD-7 and HD-9 series for home storage or light service. Long-runway options cover extended wheelbases, and most units run on 110V power.
• 14,000-40,000+ lbs: Commercial HD-14, HD-18, HD-27, and HD-40 systems with cable-driven or chain-over designs, long runways, rolling-jack compatibility, and alignment-ready configurations. Nearly all commercial models carry ALI certification.

Unlike Direct Lift, BendPak has a separate lineup of mid-rise and full-rise scissor lifts, QuickJack portable units, parking lifts, and industrial mobile systems. Capacities run from 3,500 lbs up to 60,000+ lbs depending on category.

That’s one of the main advantages of BendPak lifts - they make your ideal lift as far as capacity and features go. The catch, as you might already know, is cost. These are expensive lifts, with entry-level pricing starting just under $4k for basic 2-post models. It’s not uncommon to pay $6K-$10K for a BendPak lift, especially once you factor in installation and freight costs.

The brand does have one of the strongest warranties in the industry, though. BendPak covers structural components for 5 years, hydraulics for 2 years, and electrical parts for 1 year. Parts and support are readily available. 

Our blog has separate resources comparing BendPak vs Atlas and BendPak vs Rotary lifts if you want to learn more. But you came here for a closer look at Direct Lift vs BendPak, so let’s unpack the most important differences below.

Direct Lift vs BendPak: Durability, Performance, Cost, Warranty, and More

Whether you’re looking for a 2-post car lift or a 4-post car lift, BendPak and Direct Lift have models that will fit your shop’s workflow and layout. It’s just a matter of figuring out which provides the better value for your operation between Direct Lift vs BendPak.

Build Quality and Construction

Both of these brands make really high-quality lifts - but there are nuances in terms of materials and craftsmanship when you take a closer look at Direct Lift vs BendPak.

Direct Lift builds its 2-post and 4-post units for home garages and light service. They consist of powder-coated columns, steel runways, adjustable lock ladders, and simple hydraulics. You’ll see baseplate and overhead designs depending on capacity, but the structure is geared toward vehicle storage and occasional wrenching rather than daily throughput in a rugged shop setting.

On the other hand, BendPak’s lifts are designed for these hectic, busy environments. Their 2-post lifts use thicker column steel, longer carriage engagement, industrial cable sheaves, and direct-drive hydraulics. The 4-post HD series has heavy-wall runways, reinforced crossbeams, and rolling-jack compatibility for alignment and suspension work, too.

Lift Certifications

You need to do your due diligence as far as certifications go, especially in commercial garages. Each brand carries some level of ALI-certification, but not to the same extent.

For instance, almost all BendPak lifts (especially XPR and HD Series) are ALI Gold Certified. They’re more broadly accepted in insurance and dealer service environments compared to Direct Lifts, which are ALI-ETL certified on just some models (ProPark 8S, 8Plus, and 9Plus 4-post lifts - not every 2-post lift).

Support and Ownership

You want to buy a lift from a brand that’s there for you long after your initial purchase. This is a big investment, after all. BendPak has a strong warranty spanning up to 5 years on some components, with a very wide network for parts and service.

In contrast, Direct Lift offers phone support, replacement parts availability, and clear documentation. An important distinction is that labor coverage is not part of the warranty. This is to be expected when you pay lower prices for comparable equipment, though. Speaking of which…

Budget Considerations

Direct Lift makes sense if you need a reliable storage-capable lift or a weekend service setup with controlled costs. Their pricing sits roughly $1,500–$2,000 lower than comparable BendPak models.

You do get what you pay for, though. And at a certain point, it’s important to ask if it’s really worth the savings for the potential long-term headaches that come with corner-cutting. BendPak builds lifts for the most demanding shops, and you can count on the brand to support you long after the sale. 

That said, these lifts don’t necessarily make sense for home garages. They’re more performance than you need and more cost than you can probably justify.

BendPak 9APF vs Direct Lift DL9

It might help you narrow it down between BendPak vs Direct Lift if you look at some specific models in the same class side-by-side - like the 9APF and the DL9. These are both rated at a weight capacity of 9,000 lbs, but they’re very different.

Direct Lift ProPark 8S vs BendPak HD-9

Maybe you’re more interested in comparing 4-post lineups between Direct Lift vs BendPak - here’s a quick look at two comparable models:

What Are Some Other Car Lift Brands You Should Consider?

It’s not uncommon for customers to compare Direct Lift vs BendPak only to come to the conclusion that neither is the ideal fit for their exact needs. They each have their strengths, but they also have their trade-offs. 

That’s why here at My Garage Supplies, we offer way more brands for you to choose from. Every manufacturer has been handpicked for build quality, versatility, performance, and value for the money. You can rest assured you’re getting the lift you deserve be it:

• Atlas: One of the broadest mid-range lineups on the market, including long-runway 4-posts and solid 2-post units with flexible arm geometry.
• Katool: Popular in personal garages and bustling shops alike. Clean welds, good steel thickness, and the best pricing you’ll find without dipping into questionable imports.
• iDEAL: A step up in structural design with heavier columns, smooth hydraulic systems, and consistent performance across mixed vehicle types.
• Triumph: Known for budget-friendly 2-post and 4-post lifts. One of our best-selling brands for hobbyists and light-duty work.

You can also browse brands like AMGO, Tuxedo, and more. Our customer service team is a click or call away ready to talk over your shop’s layout, your workflow, and your budget in order to offer a personalized suggestion on the best lift. 

Learn more about Mayflower vs Katool, AMGO vs Atlas, or Titan vs Atlas lift in our blog for more insights on what the best car lift is for your exact needs. Otherwise, it’s time to get in touch with our team at My Garage Supplies for a tailored recommendation!

Final Thoughts on Direct Lift vs BendPak

Choosing between Direct Lift vs BendPak comes down to how much daily workload your lift needs to handle and how much ceiling height you have to work with. But at the end of the day, there’s a possibility you’re better suited with a different brand entirely.

My Garage Supplies has a curated lineup, transparent specs, and real guidance from people who know these machines inside and out. Get one-on-one guidance choosing the best lift for your shop or garage today, be it a 2-post, 4-post, or even single-post car lift!