Mayflower vs Katool Car Lifts
The key differences in looking at Mayflower vs Katool car lifts come down to capability and consistency. While both brands create lifts that can get your vehicle off the ground for service and storage, there are important nuances in terms of capacity, durability, and cost.
Mayflower makes affordable, entry-level designs for light-duty work. Lifts fall between 6,000-10,000 lbs and start around $1,800 for two-post lifts. That’s pretty compelling for hobbyists or small independent garages looking for a starter setup.
But Katool builds a wider range of car lifts with capacities ranging from 8,500-15,000lbs, and they’re really not all that expensive either. Lifts from this budget-friendly brand start at just $1,899 - yet they’re heavier, sturdier, and built to last under repeat cycles.
You can learn more about Katool vs Mayflower below, and it’ll become crystal clear why we stock the full range of car lifts from Katool rather than Mayflower. This brand brings professional-grade durability at a price that makes sense.
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Mayflower vs Katool Comparison Chart
|
Key Spec |
Katool |
Mayflower |
|
Two-Post Capacity Range |
8,500–15,000 lb (cars, SUVs, many ½-ton trucks) |
6,000–10,000 lb (light-duty vehicles) |
|
Typical Street Price (10k–12k class) |
$2,000–$3,000 (model dependent) |
$1,300–$2,000 (aggressive entry pricing) |
|
Install & Space Flexibility |
Base-plate & overhead options; many models on 4–6″ slabs; drive-through clearances under 85–95″ available |
Compact footprints; entry-level slabs/ceiling friendly (verify per model) |
|
Safety Hardware |
Dual mechanical locks, automatic arm restraints, hydraulic overload protection (model specific) |
Basic locks and restraints on most models; fewer redundancy features on budget units |
|
Warranty & Parts Access |
Multi-year structural coverage; U.S. parts support via My Garage Supplies |
Typically 1-year machine warranty; limited published info on national parts network |
|
Best Fit |
Daily use in home or small shops needing higher capacity, easy service, strong ROI |
First lift for light, occasional use where lowest upfront cost matters most |
Katool Car Lifts: Models, Features, and More
Katool designs lifts that hit the sweet spot between durability, performance, and price. They’re some of our best-sellers for garages in need of dependable equipment without overspending.
Every Katool car lift is engineered for strength and stability, using reinforced steel columns, precision hydraulics, and user-friendly safety mechanisms to keep vehicles secure during every cycle. Here’s a closer look at the lineup:
- 2-post car lifts (9,000-15,000 lbs): Available in base-plate and overhead designs to fit different ceiling heights. Great for daily use in service bays, from sedans to trucks.
- 4-post car lifts (8,500-15,000 lbs): Drive-on runways for storage, detailing, or alignment work. Select models include rolling jacks and extended runways for larger vehicles.
- Car scissor lifts (6,000-9,000 lbs): Compact, low-profile frames perfect for smaller spaces and quick service jobs like tire swaps and brake repairs.
Katool lifts blend professional-grade engineering with straightforward installation, and that’s what really separates them from other brands. Other lifts that are this high-quality tend to be more expensive, while other lifts at this price point tend to be cheaply made and unreliable.
Most Katool models only need 4-6” concrete slabs and include dual-locking safety systems, automatic arm restraints, and hydraulic overload protection. Maintenance is simple, parts are accessible, and every lift arrives ready for heavy use.
We stock the full Katool lineup for residential and commercial buyers here at My Garage Supplies, and can point you in the right direction if you aren’t sure which specific model is best for your budget and garage.
But, is this really the right fit for your shop - or should you consider Mayflower car lifts?
Mayflower Car Lifts: Models, Features, and More
We see Mayflower vs Katool car lifts compared all the time, and it’s easy to see why - this brand also specializes in affordable car lifts for shops that don’t have the biggest budget to work with.
Mayflower car lifts give small garages and home users an easy entry point into vehicle lifting. Capacities typically range from 6,000 to 10,000lbs and appeal to DIY mechanics or small shops looking for simple, plug-and-play solutions without commercial-level investment. Styles include:
- Two-post lifts (9,000-10,000 lbs): Base-plate models designed for low-ceiling garages and light-duty repair work. These lifts handle cars and small SUVs but may struggle with heavier vehicles.
- Four-post lifts (8,000 lbs range): Compact designs for vehicle stacking or basic maintenance. Most come preassembled and plug into standard outlets.
- Scissor lifts (6,000-6,600 lbs): Portable, low-rise options for quick jobs like oil changes, detailing, or wheel service in tight spaces.
The main advantage of Mayflower car lifts is cost. Prices start under $2,000, which makes ownership attainable for anyone working from a home garage. They’re lightweight, easy to assemble, and take up less floor space than industrial equipment.
But in this case, that lower price comes with tangible trade-offs. Mayflower’s warranties are shorter and its parts availability is a bit more limited. The lighter steel construction is not necessarily ideal for daily use or heavier vehicles.
Ultimately, Katool gives you the same affordability with higher performance and long-term durability. That’s why we stock Katool car lifts and not Mayflower. We’ll take a closer look at Katool vs Mayflower car lifts below to help you make the most informed decision.
Mayflower vs Katool Car Lifts: Which is Right For You?
There’s definitely an overlap between Mayflower vs Katool car lifts. These brands make car lifts designed for garage owners who want dependable lifting power at a reasonable price. But there are differences as far as long-term reliability goes. Here’s what you need to know.
Construction and Durability
Katool lifts might be affordable, but don’t mistake that for them being “cheap.” They’re made from reinforced steel columns, thicker base plates, and clean weld seams. You don’t have to stress about them being strong enough to stand up to daily use.
Every unit undergoes load testing, and the structure is built to resist deflection under maximum rated capacity. That translates to fewer maintenance issues and a longer lifespan.
In contrast, Mayflower lifts use lighter-gauge steel and simpler weld patterns to keep costs down. They perform well for basic, occasional lifting but can flex under heavier loads, especially in high-cycle environments. The finishes and hardware are functional but minimalist.
Weight Capacity and Vehicle Coverage
Think about the types of vehicles you intend to lift, as that will dictate whether equipment from Katool vs Mayflower makes the most sense for you.
Mayflower’s lineup typically tops out around 10,000 lbs, which is plenty for sedans, crossovers, and smaller trucks. Their scissor lifts stay around 6,000-6,600 lbs if you only handle small service tasks.
Katool’s range extends up to 15,000 lbs, so it has no trouble handling larger SUVs and half-ton pickups safely. Katool’s catalog covers a wider range of vehicles and applications with base-plate, overhead, and four-post options. You have more flexibility to grow your shop or service different vehicle types without upgrading later.
Installation and Space Requirements
Installing car lifts comes with its own set of considerations. Fortunately, both Katool and Mayflower keep things straightforward. In fact, Mayflower’s main strength is simplicity.
Their lighter frames and compact footprints make them easy to install in low-ceiling garages, even with thinner concrete slabs. They’re great for anyone trying to keep installation costs down and take a DIY approach.
On the other hand, Katool units are heavier but still designed for standard 4-6” slabs. You can choose between drive-through clearances under 95” and taller configurations for commercial spaces. The extra weight makes for more stability and balance under load.
Safety Features and Reliability
You want a car lift you can operate with peace of mind. Katool integrates dual-lock systems, automatic arm restraints, and hydraulic overload protection in most of its models. All of this helps prevent unbalanced lifts, secures vehicles at every height, and minimizes failure points.
Mayflower has a few basic safety mechanisms like mechanical locks and safety latches, but the redundancy is limited. The systems work, but they’re more manual in nature. You’re not getting the multi-stage protection seen in professional-grade lifts.
It doesn’t sound like all that dramatic a difference between Mayflower vs Katool car lifts, but it becomes clear when lifting heavier loads. Katool feels more stable. You can use these lifts with confidence.
Warranty, Parts, and After-Sales Support
Mayflower typically provides a 1-year warranty, with limited online documentation and few national service partners. Replacement parts can take time to source, and customer support is more transactional than guided. The company’s website is pretty clunky and dated, too.
But since Katool is sold right here through My Garage Supplies, you never have to worry about the rare issue you might encounter after the sale. You get not just the 1-year warranty for Katool lifts but our own personal satisfaction guarantee and world-class customer service from A to Z.
On that note, we encourage you to reach out to us today. We can help provide pre-purchase sizing help, site-readiness guidance, and installation tips so your lift fits both space and workload perfectly.
Cost Comparison
Price is where both of these brands stand out from the competition. Mayflower’s models land between $1,800-$4,000. That’s as affordable as it gets in this industry.
Katool is just marginally more expensive at $1,900 for an entry-level two-post lift. Even its most expensive models top out at just over $5,000. The slightly higher price goes back to how these lifts are made, with stronger steel, better safety systems, and a wider capacity range.
Most customers agree it’s worth paying a bit more for the simple fact that Katool lifts last longer, require less upkeep, and in this sense, deliver a higher return on investment, especially for active shops.
Parting Thoughts on Katool vs Mayflower Car Lifts
Whether you’re looking for a 2-post lift vs 4-post lift, you can’t go wrong with Katool. We hope this Katool vs Mayflower comparison has left you feeling totally clear on which is best for you.
In summary, Katool uses heavier steel, higher capacities, and stronger locking systems, yet they barely cost more than Mayflower lifts. It’s sort of a no-brainer. That’s why we carry Katool and not Mayflower car lifts.
You can learn more about many of the other best car lift brands you have to choose from if you have a bit higher budget, as we’ve created similar resources like the Bendpak vs Atlas lift or Titan vs Atlas lift. Better yet, get a personalized recommendation from our team today.
We’ll talk about your specific garage layout, the types of vehicles you service, the specific work you do, and your budget. From there, we can show you the ideal brand and model that checks every box.