The 9 Best Compact Chain Hoists (2023 reviews)

Here, we present hoist that manages to win our hearts. It's the jet compact chain hoist and it's widely considered as one of all-around great hoist you can buy. Industrial-rated alloy steel hooks rotate 360 degrees for easy rigging, and slowly stretch to indicate overloads. It has a 1 ton capacity and 10' lift. The Weston-style double ratchet pawl brake design splits the load to opposite sides of the ratchet gear. It is ideal for confined areas and low headroom applications.

Why We Like This:

Grade 80 black oxide coated load chain
Easily lifted a small six-point into the air without effort
New and hot release

Best For home Use: Harrington Compact Chain Hoist

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The harrington compact chain hoist is capable of outshining several other hoist featured in this list in overall features in its price range. This is a great product for the home hobby guy not heavy construction. It is made of rubber for comfort, while the load chain guide mechanism allows for smooth, quiet operation. It is the distance from the bottom of the load hook to the top of the hoist. These brakes hold the load in place while the operator’s hands are released to make the next pull, secure the load once it has been lifted, and control the descent of load as it is lowered.

It is factory load tested to 125% of rated capacity in accordance with American national standards institute/american society for mechanical engineers (ansi/asme) requirements. It is the minimum amount of vertical space needed for the hoist to hang freely and operate correctly. It's nice that it's really small, but very good quality.

Why We Like This:

Light weight and easy to handle
Cast aluminum body and steel frame for mobility, tight workspaces, and durability
Low pulling force requirement for easy use, and free-chain adjusting mechanism for rapid adjustments
Low headroom for work in tight spaces and to fit into mobile storage carriers

Best For construction: Glorousamc Compact Chain Hoist

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate hoist. The glorousamc compact chain hoist is exactly that - it's a simple hoist that hits all the right notes. Load-sharing gear makes lifting heavy loads easy. It is constructed from premium 20mn2 alloy steel with a black oxide finish for added resistance from corrosion and grime. It features a 1 ton (2, 000 lb) load capacity and is fitted with a mechanical load brake that allows for precise operation.

The Compact manual chain hoist is versatile but for the use that is intended and designed for. It provides better comfort and security. It includes a mechanical load brake,the suspended load from slipping back and its application is ideal for high vertical lifts of loads. It is a handy storage bag and shoulder strap for easy carry.

Why We Like This:

High-strength gear, good mechanical performance, high-precision design, durable and safer
Rotating components are mounted on roller ball bearings to reduce friction and increase efficiency
Good brand reputation

Best For low Headroom applications: JET tools Compact Chain Hoist

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If you often find yourself scrambling for convenient and suitable hoist, jet tools compact chain hoist should be your first option for buying. The JET S90 Series hand chain hoists are designed with reliability and durability to perform in light-duty industrial applications. It is ideal for confined areas and low headroom applications.

Easily maintained and serviced, the JET S90 is available in capacities from 1/2 ton to 10 ton and standard lifts of 10, 15, 20, and 30 feet. The Industrial-rated alloy steel hooks rotate 360 degrees for easy rigging, and slowly stretch to indicate overloads. The Weston-style double ratchet pawl brake design splits the load to opposite sides of the ratchet gear. Intended for the harshest environments, load plates are heat treated, and internal parts are hardened and corrosive resistant.

Why We Like This:

Grade 80 black oxide coated load chain
Good brand reputation

Best For garage: JET tools ideal Hoist

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Compared with other hoist in this category, the jet tools ideal hoist has a convenient design. The JET S90 Series hand chain hoists are designed with reliability and durability to perform in light-duty industrial applications. It is ideal for confined areas and low headroom applications. Industrial-rated alloy steel hooks rotate 360 degrees for easy rigging, and slowly stretch to indicate overloads. This thing is very high quality. It definitely makes installing beams easy.

Intended for the harshest environments, load plates are heat treated, and internal parts are hardened and corrosive resistant.

Why We Like This:

Grade 80 black oxide coated load chain
Good investment for long term

Best With Handle: JET Compact Chain Hoist

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Next on the list, we've got yet another hoist that manages to win our hearts. It's the jet compact chain hoist and it's widely considered as one of the best convenient hoist you can buy. Whether it's inverted, vertical, horizontal, or any other load angle, the JET JLH Compact Lever Hoist is the solution for your heavy-duty industrial needs. It is achieved with a durable aluminum alloy housing that reduces weight for ease of transport. It provides enhanced chain and lift wheel engagement for reduced vibration.

The dual pawl Weston style brake system splits the load to opposite sides of the ratchet gear for greater load security. It is a nylon carrying case for convenient transportation, reducing trips to the tool room and prevents any unnecessary damage to the hoist. The JET JLH compact lever hoist integrates safety, durability, and innovation enabling it to operate in the most demanding industrial environments. It is ideal for confined areas.

Why We Like This:

Industrial-rated alloy steel hooks rotate 360 degrees
Lightweight construction, shorter handle, and smaller body are ideal for confined areas
One of the new comers and featured product

Best With Motor: Bannon Compact Chain Hoist

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The bannon compact chain hoist's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This Bannon compact electric cable hoist is lightweight, compact and easy to install. The double ratchet pawl design provides instant, safe stopping plus can be operated on a standard domestic power supply. The rope touches the limit arm, pulling is automatically stopped. It features both an upper and a lower limit switch for additional safety. The duty cycle performs tough jobs without excess stress on the motor. A sensing arm automatically stops the motor if the rope is underwound. It can be operated on a standard domestic power supply.

Why We Like This:

Worked great lifting piping and duct inside a shaft on a multi story building
Brakes are dynamic and mechanically ratcheted
Lightweight compact design is easy to install

Best With trolley: Harrington Load Chain

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We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention harrington load chain for regular usage. The Harrington Lb lever hoist with hook mount is a compact, manually operated hoist with all steel construction for strength, and it makes it possible for an operator to manage heavy loads. It has a spring-loaded freewheel to facilitate rapid adjustment of the load chain with one hand, and helps prevent accidental freewheeling when a load is on the chain. It is usually applied using a hand chain, lever, or ratchet pulley, lifting the load by a hook attached to a chain, rope, or wire.

It has a rubber handle grip for non-slip operation, and machined, heat-treated, split load double reduction gears for durability. It has a pivot and swivel hook for use with rigging applications. It makes it possible for an operator to manage heavy loads. It can be used in a variety of industries including transportation, construction, manufacturing, mining, plumbing, foundry, and material handling.

Why We Like This:

Low headroom for work in small spaces and at any angle
Good brand reputation

Best For Pros: Urrea Compact Chain Hoist

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The urrea compact chain hoist's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This URREA Chain Lever Hoist is ideal for Pros and DIYers alike. It offers an extensive listing of hand tools designed for the professional. It comes with quality and design and at it's core, this URREA product offers a value unsurpassed in the industry.

Featuring dual brake system and anti-release safety system, this URREA product will not disappoint. It is ideal for pros and diyers alike. The URREA 47015 chain lever hoist makes a welcome addition to any pro arsenal.

Why We Like This: