Best Oil Drain Pan
Reviews,  Cars

An Informative Guide In Choosing The Best Oil Drain Pan

You will be able to save money and time if you have your own oil drain pan. Instead of being stuck at the mechanic’s shop while having your oil changed every three months, you can do this task at the comfort of your own home. There is a lot to choose from and we are here to help you decide. If you were having a difficult time picking the best one, we hope that you will come up with an informed decision after you read this post.

In this post, we will talk about all you have to know about oil drain pans. We will also provide you the top five recommendations for the best oil drain pan available in the market right now. Not only that, we will also give you a run down of the essential factors you have to take into consideration when choosing an oil drain pan. We hope that you can apply what you learn in this post before you purchase one.

Product (Amazon Links)

Brand 
No Longer Available

FloTool 42003MI Drain Container

Hopkins

Review

Lisle 17942 Black Plastic Drain Pan

Lisle

Review

Lumax LX-1632 Drain Pan and Waste Oil Storage

Lumax

Review

Capri Tools Portable Oil Drain Pan

Capri Tools

Review

XtremepowerUS 20 Gallon Portable Drain Tank

Xtremepower

Review

Things To Consider Before Buying An Oil Drain Pan

With the advantages oil drain pan can offer you, the price you pay is going to be a great investment and is something you will never regret. Below is a list of the essential factors you have to consider in choosing the best oil drain pan.

1. Size

The first thing you have to take into consideration is the size of the oil drain pan. It should be large enough to hold the amount of oil or anti-freeze that will be flowing from your engine while you are doing the oil change. With this, you have to check with the manufacturer’s manual to know exactly the volume of oil your vehicle is holding. You have to select a drain pan that can accommodate the fluid it currently holds.

Another thing to consider in terms of size is the height of the pan, as it should fit under your vehicle. Most models presented in the reviews below are suitable for low-profile vehicles, and it should be perfect for yours as well. It should be noted, however, that some low-profile vehicles require flatter and lower-profile oil drain pans.

2. Opening

A large opening would mean that less mess is created when you are trying to aim the flow of the oil into the pan. You should also look out for other features, such as wheels that allow flexibility in movement. Other features include the handles, caps, and seals that will be of great help during application.

3. Features

Any additional features that you think may be beneficial for your application should also be taken into consideration. These may include leak-proof features that prevent oil leakages and spills. This is very important as clean up may be a tedious task, and you will not be bothering yourself with messy cleanup if you have the best oil drain pan.

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4. Sturdiness

This is also a very important factor in choosing an oil drain pan. The sturdiness of the material reflects on its durability. You need an oil drain pan that you can use for a long period of time. Products that are made of low-quality materials are unlikely to endure harsh conditions. With this, you have to choose the one that possesses high-quality construction with high-density materials.

5. Reviews

User reviews come from the actual buyers of the product. It gives a detailed first-hand experience regarding the product, and there is no better source of this information than its actual users. These users are providing their most honest opinions about the product you are about to buy, and it will give you enlightenment about how well the oil drain pan will work out for you. Ratings are also very important as well for product comparison.

6. Price

The oil drain pans that will be discussed in the following section are priced differently from each other. Some may be priced higher, and some are priced reasonably. When it comes to the price evaluation, you have to review their key features, benefits, and drawbacks carefully so you can decide if the amount you pay is worth it. You should also be aware that not all high-priced products offer the best quality.


Top 5 Oil Drain Pan Reviews

In this section, you will find the top five recommendations for the best oil drain pan. Each product will have a detailed discussion on its main features, advantages, and disadvantages to help you narrow down your choices.

1. FloTool 42003MI Drain Container

No Longer Available

Hopkins Manufacturing offers a wide range of high-quality fluid handling products, and one of them is the FloTool Drain Container. The product’s success is driven by inventive, original, and no-mess solutions that will turn your basic funnel and spouts into products of higher value. It does not matter whether you are changing your oil, checking your vehicle’s fluid levels, or topping off the antifreeze; this product will be perfect.

The 16-quart FloTool Drain Container provides robust features that will change everything you used to know about the typical oil change mess. You will be able to store this product in an upright or flat position without leaking. It also features an integrated handle and grip for easy handling and carrying. It has an extended design that will be able to catch the entire stream of oil, eliminating messes.

Another great feature of the FloTool Drain Container is that it is designed for high capacity that enables you to make multiple oil changes and large equipment. It also has a leakproof design that secures proper disposal. For its specifications, the product dimensions are 17.2 x 20 x 6 inches, and it weighs 3.8 pounds.

Pros:

  • Features elongated basins
  • Easy clean-up process
  • Offers easy handling and carrying
  • Can endure multiple oil changes
  • Features a leakproof design
  • Has a capacity of 16 quarts

Cons:

  • Drain might be too small
  • Made of low-quality materials

2. Lisle 17942 Black Plastic Drain Pan

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The Lisle Drain Pan features an ergonomic design as it has two front handles and one back handle. This oil drain pan is definitely one of the best that are available in the market right now. It has a capacity of 18 quarts and is very easy to handle and carry, unlike the other slim models. It is also made of high-density polyethylene material that is resistant to harmful solvents and chemicals, which makes this product easy to clean.

It has a wide 1-inch diameter spout, which is very handy, especially if you want to pour the oil out carefully. You will also notice an anti-splash lip around the pan that prevents oil spills. It is important to note that the Lisle Drain Pan will be able to provide you with an easy transfer of fluids but will not be a great one for storage. The spout does not feature a plug, and you will not find a cap or cover.

For its specifications, the product dimensions are 18.5 x 22.8 x 6.6 inches, and it weighs 9 pounds, which is a little heavy and bulky for some users. Its color is black, and it has a smooth exterior.

Pros:

  • Features an ergonomic design for better handling
  • Has a capacity of 18 quarts
  • Made of high-quality polyethylene materials
  • Easy to clean
  • Resistant to solvents and chemicals
  • Leak proof design

Cons:

  • Not suitable for storage
  • Does not come with a lid

3. Lumax LX-1632 Drain Pan and Waste Oil Storage

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The Lumax Drain Pan is proudly made in the USA. This drain pan is a heavy-duty pan that can hold 15 quarts of oil, anti-freeze, gasoline, or any other type of fluid. It is also interesting to know that this drain pan can also serve as a waste oil and gas storage through its screw cap feature. The O-ring seal makes this product suitable for oil change and storage. Not only that, it has an 8-inch wide opening that prevents splashes and spills.

Another great feature of the Lumax Drain Pan is that it has a catch-all basket that covers the wide opening. It will be able to work even under low-profile vehicles. It has a heavy-duty design that allows easy handling and carrying through the E-Z roll wheels. The large opening will allow oil to enter the drain pan and will require no messy clean-up on the sides and top of the drain pan.

For its specifications, the product dimensions are 19 x 16 x 5 inches, and it weighs only 2.6 pounds.

Pros:

  • Has a capacity of 15 quarts
  • Can also be used for storage
  • Easy to handle and carry
  • Has a wide opening that prevents spills and splashes
  • No clean-up required
  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Might not be totally leakproof
  • Made of poor-quality materials

4. Capri Tools Portable Oil Drain Pan

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The Capri Tools model will be perfect for you if you need an open oil pan and if you do not need oil storage before you dispose of it. It is small, lightweight, and portable. It has an open pan that will be able to hold 4.5 gallons or 16 liters of fluid. In addition, due to the fact that it has a completely open pan, the fluid drains directly into it. An anti-splash lip can also prevent spills when you are in the process of pouring oil.

Another great feature of this oil drain pan is that it has a molded handle for easy pouring and carrying. It is made from high-quality and tough polyethylene material, which makes this drain pan very durable. The 6-inch low profile design makes it able to be used even in the lowest profile situations. One downside is that it cannot be used for storage since it has no lid or any type of cover. It is just designed to catch and transfer fluid.

For its specifications, the product dimensions are 23 x 19 x 6 inches, and it weighs 1.9 pounds.

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Manufacturer offers 1 year warranty
  • Durable
  • Features an anti-spill and anti-splash lip
  • Designed for easy carrying and handling

Cons:

  • Not suitable for storage
  • Might require an additional funnel as the spout is pointing down

5. XtremepowerUS 20 Gallon Portable Drain Tank 

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The XtremepowerUS oil lift pan is designed to be 45 to 72 inches tall, which enables you to use it under a car lift. This drain pan tank can hold up to 20 gallons is perfect for collecting oil before you dispose it. It can use a vacuum system to extra fluids from your car. You can transfer the oil from the tank to a container for recycling using a simple valve.

Pros:

  • Has wheels and castors 
  • Has the capacity to hold 20 gallons of fluid
  • Has vacuum system hook up if desires
  • Less mess while using it
  • Features a handle and extraction tube

Cons:

  • Drain hole might be too small
  • Castor wheels could be better

Conclusion

Now that we have discussed everything you have to know about oil drain pans, it is now up to you to choose which one to buy. Based on the reviews discussed above, we do recommend the Lumax LX-1632 Drain Pan and Waste Oil Storage for the best oil drain pan. There is no doubt this product offers convenience. If you review carefully, you will be able to appreciate that it has a lot more features than others.

Do you need more products to hook up to your vehicle? Click here to see some of the options that are available in the market right now.