I have a cheap lift, works great. Has a total lift of about 6 inches, which is enough.
I really don't think that I would want a hydraulic lift for a dirt bike. I take my lift with me when I go camping, just toss it in the back of the car. Hydraulic gets heavier and then you have the risk of leaking oil.
I have knocked my bike off the stand while I was working on it. Like other have said, falling over vs falling from several feet can be a big difference.
If you want to have the bike at table height for a major operation consider building a short platform that you set the bike stand/lift on. Buy an old coffee table at a yard sale or something.
Rod