How much weight capacity do I actually need?

For most home lifters, 700–1,000 lbs of rated capacity is plenty, since the limiting factor is the bar and plates you own, not the frame. Reviewers note marketing capacity numbers (1,500–3,200 lbs) are aspirational; the more practical signals are upright thickness (2x2 vs 2x3 vs 3x3 steel) and overall unit weight for stability.