Portable jump starters can be a lifesaver when car trouble hits. The ability to quickly and easily jump start a car without needing another vehicle is incredibly useful and we think everyone should have one. That’s why we have created a list of the best jump starters you can buy.
We have included a range of different jump starters from low cost options all the way to more expensive ones that have a whole host of features. Not too long ago, car jump starters were big, heavy and expensive items that took up a sizable amount of room in your car. Many of the ones we have included on this list are not that much bigger than a smartphone power bank, check them out below!
Table of Contents
Best Overall Jump Starter: NOCO Boost Ultra Safe Lithium Jump Starter
This powerful jump starter is rated at 4000 amps (although options starting from 400 amps are available as well) and is rated for 40 jumps on a single charge. The NOCO jump starter can be used to start diesel or gasoline/petrol engines up to 10 litres, which means it can also be used for boats, trucks and tractors.
With a size measuring no more than 17.8 x 31.2 x 6.9 cm (7.0 x 12. 3 x 2. 7 inches) the NOCO ultra safe jump starter is incredibly portable. It also features a rugged water-resistant enclosure that is IP65 rated and rapid charging that takes two hours via a vehicle’s auxiliary port.
We chose this jump starter as our best overall one because not only does it offer great performance, but it is also multi-use. This jump starter can also be used as a portable power bank to charge USB devices, an LED flashlight and a 12-volt portable power supply.
The 500-Lumen LED flashlight features seven different light modes including emergency strobe and SOS. This integrated flashlight can run for up to six hours continuously.
In the box you will receive one NOCO Ultra Safe portable lithium car battery jump starter, heavy-duty battery clamps, XGC Male and Female Connectors, an XGC Cable, a Micro USB Charging Cable, and a Microfiber Storage Bag.
What we like about it
- Ability to do 40 jump starts on one charge
- Great amperage that is rated for engines up to 10-litres
- USB charging ability so you can charge USB devices
- 500-Lumen LED flashlight that can last up to 6 hours
- Water resistant enclosure and portable size
What we don’t like about it
- Some owners complain about lithium battery failure with the unit and failure to hold a charge
- Warranty process not as good as some other manufacturers
- Price is high compared to many other options
Click here to learn more and purchase on Amazon
Best Budget Jump Starter: GOOLOO GP37-Plus 800A 18,000mHa Jump Starter
Another excellent option for those looking for a feature-rich low-cost jump starter is the GOOLOO 800A SuperSafe Car Jump Starter. Like the T8 above it is rated at 800A peak current, which is more than enough to start most 12 volt vehicles on the road (up to 7.0-litres for petrol/gas engines and 5.5-litres for diesel engines). Additionally, this product can also be used for other vehicles such as boats, lawn mower, snowmobiles and more.
Charging GOOLOO’s jumper starter takes five hours and it can hold its charge for up to three months. The GOOLOO also features two USB ports (5V/2.1A, 5V 2.4A/9V 2A). The quick-charge USB 3.0 port lets you quickly charge up devices such as phones, tablets, laptops and other devices.
GOOLOO have also included an LED flashlight that has three modes: Flash Light, Strobe Light and SOS Light. This multipurpose light is great for camping, travel, inspecting and emergencies.
The GOOLOO jump starter features intelligent jumper clamps that have multiple advanced safety technologies such as over-current protection, overload protection, over-voltage protection, over-charge protection and high-temperature protection.
Included in the box is one GOOLOO ultra compact GP37-Plus jump starter, a smart jumper clamp, wall charger, car charger, micro-USB cable, carry bag, and user manual.
What we like about it
- The price is excellent for the feature set and amperage
- Quick-charge USB ports are fantastic
- Flashlight is handy
- Super compact size makes it one of the smallest jump starters on the market (15.8 x 7.5 x 3.6cm / 6.18 x 2.95 x 1.42 in)
- Lightweight at only 0.52 kg (1.16 lbs)
What we don’t like about it
- User manual not the greatest
- Not much else
Click here to learn more & purchase on Amazon
DBPOWER 600A 18,000mAh Portable Jump Starter
If the NOCO above seems a bit too pricey for you, the DBPOWER 600A portable jump starter is an excellent option. It is one of the bestselling and reviewed jump starters on Amazon and is powerful enough to start petrol/gasoline engines up to 6.5-litres and diesel engines up to 5.2-litres.
Rated at 600 amps, this jump starter is good enough for 20 starts on a single charge. It also features a smart charging port with an 18,000mHa capacity, which means you can easily charge laptops, smartphones, tablets and other devices.
The LCD screen lets you know exactly how much power is remaining in the battery and a handy compass can guide you home when you get lost in the wild.
With high quality jumper clamps, over current protection, short circuit protection, overload protection, over-voltage protection, and over-charge protection, the DBPOWER jump starter is incredibly safe to use.
In the box you will get one DBPOWER jump starter, intelligent jumper clamps, a 12V wall charger, a 12V car charger, 8 in 1 laptop chargers, and a user guide.
What we like about it
- We love the price point of this starter. If you are not too sure if you need a car jump starter or don’t think you will use one much this is the product for you.
- Compact design of only 18.5 x 4 x 9 cm (7.3 x 1.6 x 3.5 inches)
- Multi-use features (ability to charge laptops, phones, etc.)
What we don’t like about it
- Instructions are poor
- Battery efficiency drops overtime
- Not great for heavy duty vehicles
TACKLIFE T8 800A Car Jump Starter
If you want a budget friendly jump starter but want a bit more juice than the DBPOWER above, TACKLIFE’s T8 800A starter could be for you. With 800A on tap the T8 is capable of starting petrol/gas engines up to 7.0-litres and diesel engines up to 5.5-litres. It is rated for up to 30 starts on a full charge and charging takes roughly 4.5 hours.
The ability to charge USB devices through the starter’s 18,000 mHa battery is handy. One USB port is a 5v/9v Quick Charge port while the other one can be used for a range of car accessories.
A nice feature on the T8 is the ability to manually turn it ‘OFF’. This means that the starter can hold its charge for up to 12 months while not in use.
TACKLIFE have also included a super bright LED flashlight that has a number of different settings. The red light on the T8 can function as traffic hazard warning signal in the event of an emergency. Other features include a digital LCD screen that displays the remaining battery life and a compass located on the top of the starter.
In the box you will receive one TACKLIFE T8 jump starter, smart jumper cables, a wall charger, car charger, USB cable, cigarette lighter socket adapter, and a user manual. This product comes with a two-year warranty.
What we like about it
- 800A is good for a budget friendly jump starter
- Compass, USB charging and LED flashlight are handy features
- Two-year warranty is better than some other jump starters on the market
- The ability to turn off the T8 to conserve battery life is a really good feature
What we don’t like about it
- Slightly more expensive than the DBPOWER
- Some purchasers have received units with defective/broken chargers
Learn more and purchase at Amazon
Best Mid-Range Jump Starter: POTEK JS88 1500A Jump Starter & 150 PSI Air Compressor
This excellent mid-range jump starter from POTEK has glowing reviews on Amazon and has a peak output of 1500A and an instant output of 750A. This means it should be more than enough to start most vehicles on the road.
A feature we love on this jump starter is the included 150 PSI air compressor. The air compressor takes around 6-8 minutes to inflate a regular car tyre to 30 PSI. It can also be used to inflate bike tyres, balls and other inflatables.
Along with its ability to start most vehicles and inflate tyres, the JS88 is also a portable power bank. With two AC charging ports and a USB port, you can not only charge phones, but also make larger devices and appliances such as TVs and fridges.
The battery status indicator lets you know how much juice you have left in the starter: yellow for fully charged, amber for usable, and red for drained.
In the box you will get one JS88 jump starter, jumper cables, charger and a user manual.
What we like about it
- 1500A peak and 750A instant are more than enough for most vehicles on the road
- 150 PSI air compressor is a great feature along with the 300W inverter
- USB charging ports and 12-volt outlet sockets can be used to charge or run a range of different devices
- Some users report that the battery can be replaced, however, the jumper cables are not removable
- Price is fair for the feature set
What we don’t like about it
- At 30.5 x 21.8 x 23.8 cm (12 x 8.6 x 9.4 inches) this unit from POTEK is much larger than some of the other jump starters we have listed in this article
- At 8.2 kg (18.08 lbs) the JS88 is a lot heavier than many other jump starters on the market (but it does have a lot more features)
- Air compressor can only run for 10 minutes. If the unit is run for more than 10 minutes it can damage the compressor.
Schumacher SJ1332 1200A Peak Jump Starter & Air Compressor
Like the POTEK above, the SJ1332 from Schumacher is a jump starter that also acts as an air compressor and a 12V portable power source. Schumacher’s product produces a slightly lower peak output of 1200A compared to 1500A for the JS88. This is still more than enough to start most cars on the road, along with other vehicles such as boats, bikes, ATVs and more.
The SJ1332 also features a 150 PSI air compressor that can be used to pump up car tyres or other inflatables. Three settings are available on the air compressor: High, Low Inflator, and Deflator.
In addition to the air compressor, Schumacher have also fitted the SJ1332 with two 120V AC outlets and a USB port that can be used to power devices such as phones, tablets or laptops. An ultra-bright LED light can also be used in emergencies or other situations where light is needed.
In the box you will get one heavy duty SJ1332 1200A Jump Starter, jumper cables, charger and user manual.
What we like about it
- We like the 150 PSU air compressor that can be used for a variety of inflatables including car tyres
- We like that it has 120V AC outlets and a USB port that can be used to power a range of different devices
- 1200A peak output is enough for most users
- Heavy duty so it should last a long time and return policy seems good
What we don’t like about it
- Similar price to the POTEK, but not as high output
- Heavier and larger than the POTEK at 10.6 kg (23.32 lbs) and 35.6 x 33 x 33 cm (14 x 13 x 13 inches) 0 makes it one of the biggest portable car jump starters on the market
Click here to learn more & buy online.
Most Compact Jump Starter: Arteck Car Jump Starter 300A 8000mHa
For those that need something compact and cheap, the Arteck 300A Jump Starter is one of the best. It’s priced at less than $50 and can jump start petrol/gas engines up to a size of 2.5-litres. The jump starter produces 300A peak current and comes with built-in heavy-duty clamps and cables.
Despite its low price, the Arteck jump starter can still be used to charge USB devices through its single USB port and 8000mHa battery. The starter/battery back also comes with a handy ultra-bright LED flashlight that features a number of different settings. The SOS signal setting for the LED light lasts up to 120 hours, which could be a life saver in an emergency.
Arteck have designed their jump starter with premium cells and circuitry. The device features the safety features that will protect you and your device from surges or short circuits. Charging of Arteck’s jump starter takes four hours via a micro USB cable.
In the box you will get an Arteck Multi-Functional Car Jump Starter, micro USB charging cable, jumper clamps, user manual, and a two year warranty.
What we like about it
- Price – if you are looking for a cheap jump starter that can also be used to charge other USB devices the Arteck jump starter is an excellent option
- The two-year warranty is great for such a low-cost jump starter. This is better than many more expensive jump starters that only come with a one-year warranty.
- The portability is excellent as well. At 13.5 x 7.5 x 2 cm (5.31 x 2.95 x 0.79 inches) in size and 240g (0.53 lbs) in weight it is one of the most portable jump starters on the market.
What we don’t like about it
- Can’t start larger engined vehicles well and some people find even smaller engined cars are too much for the jump starter – we reckon this particular option is probably only a good choice if you have a small hatchback with a 2 litre engine or less.
Jump Starter With Best Charging Ports: BEATIT G18 2000A Peak 12V Jump Starter
The G18 2000A jump starter from BEATIT is one of the most powerful starters on the market with a peak output of 2000 amps and a capacity of 21,000 mHa. It is able to jump start flat batteries up to 30 times on a single charge. Due to its impressive output, the G18 can jump start a range of different vehicles from cars to trucks, boats and more (Gas/petrol 8.0-litre, Diesel 8.0-litre).
BEATIT has kitted out the G18 with dual USB outlets, one USB Type-C port (5V/3A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A), and 10W wireless charging abilities. This means that you can use it to charge most devices including phones, tablets and laptops.
Another thing we like about the G18 is that it comes with extended jumper cables, which makes using the device more convenient. Advanced lithium ion battery technology (known as QDSP) installed on the device means that the jump starter performs much better in extreme cold weather environments.
In the box you get one G18 jump starter, smart jumper cables, USB Type-C cable, wall charger, high quality hard case, 24 months card.
What we like about it
- Price is fantastic
- Great selection of charging/USB ports that can be used for most devices
- Large number five-star reviews on Amazon
- Extra long jumper cables
- 21,000mAh power bank
- Built in voltmeter
What we don’t like about it
- Cranking amps is actually much lower than stated amperage (around 500A)
- Wireless charging isn’t that useful and drains more battery
Best Budget Jump Starter: Bolt Power 300A 6000mHa Portable Jump Starter
If you are on a really tight budget you can’t go past Bolt Power’s 300A Portable Jump Starter. It is by far the cheapest jump starter on this list (under $30) and can start small engined cars and most motorbikes.
With QDSP technology (Quick Discharge Start Power), the Bolt Power jump starter can be used in temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius. It also comes with longer jumper cables and intelligent jumper clamps that have over-current protection, overload protection, over-voltage protection, over-charge protection, and high temperature protection.
In the box you will get one 300A Bolt Power Jump Starter, charger, cables, and user manual.
What we like about it
- Its ultra-low price
- Extended jumper cables
- Portable size of 13.49 x 8.1 x 2.2 cm (5.31×3.19×0.87 inches)
- Low weight 0.6 kg (1.32 lbs)
What we don’t like about it
- Only good for really small engined vehicles, so won’t be suitable for most vehicles on the road (more aimed at motorbikes and eco-boxes).
- Very hard to find in stock anywhere – some crop up on eBay, but otherwise you’re possibly buying from questionable overseas sites.
- We wouldn’t trust using this on any vehicle with complex electronics – best for cheap, small-engine older cars
High End Jump Starter: Antigravity XP-10-HD 300A/650A Peak Jump Starter
Antigravity produces some of the highest quality jump starters on the market and the XP-10-HD is one of their finest. It can provide a peak output of 650A which is good enough for gas/petrol and diesel engined vehicles up to 7.3-litres.
The XP-10 is also fitted with four charging ports so you can charge all of your USB devices including phones, tablets, laptops and more. A capacity indicator lets you know how much charge is left in the device and the automatic power-off shuts of the device when not in use.
Antigravity have manufactured the XP-10 out of high-quality materials and UL listed battery cells. There is also an LED flashlight that can be used in emergency situations.
What we like about it
- Quality product from one of the best companies in the jump starter business
- Can start most vehicles on the road
What we don’t like about it
- Price is a little high for the features on offer
