We researched and tested the top jump starters on the market, evaluating effectiveness, ease of use, and durability. Our top choice, the NOCO Boost Plus GB40 UltraSafe Jump Starter Box, is compact, powerful, and has several safety features to prevent sparks and shocks. Here are the best jump starters. The NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box stands out for its compact but powerful build. While it weighs 2.4 pounds and fits in a glove compartment, it can start a 6-liter gasoline engine or 3-liter diesel engine. It also offers safe and straightforward operation, saving you time and hassle when you need to revive a dead battery. This jump starter box pulls power from a lithium battery that’s safe to use in any climate, and a water-resistant case protects the entire box. As an added safety feature, this unit will notify you if you’ve misconnected any clamps. This device is also multifunctional. It acts as an LED flashlight with strobe and SOS lights, a jump starter, and a power bank to charge smaller devices like phones and GPS navigators. One thing to note is that this jump starter charges by USB cable only. While this could be an inconvenience, and this model is somewhat pricey, the NOCO Jump Starter Box is ideal to have on hand for emergencies or roadside issues. Price at time of publish: $125 While some jump starters provide dozens of jumps on a single charge, it is recommended that you recharge this model every time you use it. It may be possible to jump a vehicle multiple times on a single charge, but giving it a charge after use will ensure that you’re never left with an underpowered jump starter. Charging is as easy as connecting the 120V AC charging port to a standard household extension cord. Price at time of publish: $130 This jump starter is easy to stash in your backpack, laptop bag, or purse, and comes in handy for more than giving your car, SUV, or motorcycle a jump. It includes a USB port and AC outlet—capable of charging your electronics or small appliances while you’re on the go. It comes in a variety of different color options, which isn’t a functional feature but adds a nice touch, especially if you’re gifting this jump starter to a family member or friend. Price at time of publish: $110 The Jump-N-Carry JNCAIR produces 425 cranking amps and 1700 peak amps, giving it the additional cranking power needed for larger gasoline engines. Take note, however, that this model is not intended for use on diesel engines. Price at time of publish: $250 The NOCO Boost HD has a 12V charger, and takes about 3 hours to charge completely. Once it’s juiced up, this starter can jump a diesel or gasoline engine up to 40 times before needing a recharge. Price at time of publish: $250 The Tacklife T8 has 800 peak amps, with the capacity to jump-start 7-liter gasoline engines and 5.5-liter diesel engines. It can provide a jump up to 30 times before needing a recharge, which requires 4.5 hours. This charging time is a little longer than some other compact jump starters on the market, but a unique feature of the T8 is the ability to preserve battery life by turning the unit ‘off’ and preventing a slow discharge. A digital LCD screen gives you a heads-up on current battery power remaining when the unit is turned on. Price at time of publish: $50 Price at time of publish: $188 Despite its compact dimensions, the lithium-ion battery inside the Duracell Portable Jump Starter delivers 1100 peak amps. It can be used to start 4 to 8-cylinder gas engines. It also has enough juice to get a 3-liter diesel engine running again. Other unique features of this compact jump starter include built-in Bluetooth, which can let you know when the power bank is in need of a recharge using Duracell’s PowerHub app. For those who are not as mechanically savvy, the app also provides a step-by-step tutorial to help you safely jump-start a vehicle. IP-65 construction means that this jump starter is sealed tight and safe for use during inclement weather. Price at time of publish: $140 Larger jump starters might not be as compact but usually produce higher voltage and can rev up larger gasoline or diesel engines. They typically use 12V AGM or lead-acid batteries. Some of these jump starters also include an air compressor, which keeps tires at proper inflation levels (or pumps up bicycle tires or sporting equipment).
Battery Size and Amps
The size of the battery will determine how many times a jump starter can restart your car, while the amps indicate how powerful the unit is. Larger batteries equate to more stored power, but generally also increase the size of the unit.
Extra Features
Many jump starters include extra features that can come in handy. Some of the most common items found on a jump starter include a USB charging port, which can boost the battery on your cell phone or laptop. An LED flashlight is useful for illuminating the task at hand if you need to jump your car in the dark or fix a flat. An air compressor is a feature commonly found on larger jump starters and is useful for your car or other inflatable items. Safety features are also worth considering, especially if you infrequently use jumper cables. A reverse polarity alarm is found on most jump starters and alerts you if you fail to properly attach the clamps to the battery terminals. Other safety features you might see include low voltage or over voltage protection and short circuit protection.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Erica Puisis, a professional writer who specializes in home and lifestyle products that solve everyday challenges. No stranger to a dead car (or cellphone) battery, she knows the importance of having a reliable jump starter and power bank on hand. To find the best options for this list, she evaluated each product based on type, battery power, amps, and price point. To use a jump starter: Most average consumer vehicles require between 300 and 500 cranking amps. Keep in mind, though, that how “flat” (or drained) the battery is, along with environmental conditions can play a role in determining how many amps are necessary to start your engine. The lifetime of a portable jump starter varies based on the type of internal battery, environmental conditions, and storage and usage. However, you can expect jump starter to last a minimum of 2 or 3 years, with some models exceeding 8 or 10 years of use. Erica has covered a variety of essential tools and equipment categories for The Spruce since 2017.
