BEST MECHANIC CREEPER
Tired of ruining your back? A mechanic’s creeper is a must-have, but not all automotive creepers are made equal. Let’s compare flat creepers, back adjusting, and power creepers to find out which is the best.
STANDARD AUTOMOTIVE CREEPER
The first style of car creeper is a flat creeper. The main function is always to be laying flat but with the ability to slide under and around your car. Some flat creepers even come shaped in the form of an ergonomic back.
Pro Lift Mechanic Plastic Creeper - Blow Molded Ergonomic
The Pro-Lift Blow Molded Ergonomic is made out of HDPE Plastic and comes with the following:
Padded Headrest
Dual Tool Trays
6 multi-terrain swivel 3” casters
Dimension: 41 x 20 x 4 inches
Capacity: 350 Lbs
Weight: 14 Lbs
You can also go for a non-ergonomic creeper with standard padding if your back doesn’t like ergonomic style. I’d go with the M-Auto Creeper as it comes with side handles and an adjustable headrest.
M-AUTO Creeper with 3-level Adjustable Headrest
M-AUTO Creeper has a nice low profile with padding, a 3-level Adjustable Headrest and comes with the following:
Padded Headrest with flat, 17, 26, and 33 degree positions
Removable Tool Tray
6 swivel 2.5” casters
Dimension: 43.6 x 20.6 x 4.5 inches
Capacity: 300 Lbs
Weight: 19.7 Lbs
FOLDABLE CREEPER
The second creeper option which is a little better than the standard creeper is a foldable two-in-one creeper. These types of creepers lay flat or can be converted into a chair to sit on.
Pro-Lift Foldable Z Creeper 2-in-1
We’ve owned a Pro-Lift 2-1 for years and love it. It has a soft pad and is pretty easy to convert. It comes with the following:
Lay or Sit Function
6 swivel 3” casters
Dimension: 40 x 18 x 6.5 inches
Seat Size: 13-7/8 x 13 inches
Capacity: 450 Lbs
Weight: 24.2 Lbs
M-AUTO Foldable Z Creeper 2-in-1
The M-Auto can be a little less expensive as it has three different lengths you can choose from; 36”, 40”, 48”. Here’s its specs:
Lay or Sit Function
6 swivel casters
Dimension: 36” or 40” or 48” length
Capacity: 330 Lbs
Weight: 13.37 Lbs
RECLINING ADJUSTABLE CREEPER
The reclining automotive creepers are a bit more expensive than the 2-in-1 or standard creeper, but you can be in the laying position and then back to a seating position without having to get out of the creeper. This makes for easy adjustments when working on a car that’s lifted a bit higher with wheel cribs or a car home car lift.
MaxJax Reclining Adjustable Rolling Creeper
The MaxJax Reclining Adjustable Rolling Creeper maintains a low profile similar to other creepers, but the back and bottom lift to form a reclining seat. The back adjustment even comes equipped with a gas spring and the seat has three lockable positions. Here’s the full specs:
Adjustable lay or sit position
Backrest Angle: 0° to 70°
Seat Angle: 0° to 30°
Length (backrest down): 45.25”
Length (backrest up): 33”
Overall Width: 20.75
6 swivel casters
Capacity: 600 Lbs
Weight: 41.25 Lbs
If you want to save a few bucks you have another option…
USA Made - Professional 44" Either End Adjustable Creeper
The Professional 44" Either End Adjustable Creeper looks to be manufactured by Whiteside in the USA, specifically Delaware Ohio USA.
Adjustable lay or sit position
Back pad adjusts to five positions
Overall dimensions: 17″ x 44″
6 swivel 2-1/2″ casters
Capacity: 570 Lbs
Weight: 37 Lbs
POWER ADJUSTABLE CREEPER
When it comes to a powered creeper, get ready to drop some serious cash. The closest option you’ll have is the AeroCreeper Power-Lift Battery Powered by a pair of Milwaukee M28 batteries. It runs close to $3000 and is geared toward airplane mechanics, but it can be used for auto mechanics with plane money too.
AeroCreeper Power-Lift Battery Powered
Here’s the specs on this Milwaukee Battery powered creeper:
Electronically Adjustable lay or sitting position
2 hand safety switch to prevent unintentional movement
Unit width: 20"
Reclined length: 53"
Upright seat height: 22"
Lowest height: 7" (front end at 9")
4 swivel 4″ with front lockable casters
Capacity: 350 Lbs
Weight: 37 Lbs
THE BEST CAR CREEPER IS…
We’ve owned many different creepers and have even built our own Ryobi battery powered car creeper as the aerocreeper at over $1500 is just too expensive. If you’re looking for a budget creeper, then the Pro-Lift Foldable Z Creeper 2-in-1 is very comfortable. It has thick padding and can be converted into a seat fairly easy. However, I’d have to say that the best mechanic creeper has to be one with an adjustable back. There’s nothing worse than straining your neck while laying under a car. If you afford to spend a bit more our recommendation would be the MaxJax Reclining Adjustable Rolling Creeper. The adjustment is easy to maneuver and set in place.
RELATED POSTS
