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Having a jump starter is convenient insurance against being stranded in the blistering cold or heat. A jump starter, sometimes called a power pack, is typically a sealed, maintenance-free battery with jumper cables coming out of one side. Portable jump starters need to be charged from time to time to deliver maximum power, but their small size makes them easy to transport.
Below is an overview of the five best jump starters you can buy today. For this list, we looked at the features available for each unit, along with the price and overall customer review score on Amazon. The first three are good “all-round” portable jump starters, followed by a heavy-duty, economical option. For the average person, we would recommend one of the top three. No matter what you drive, it’s always a good idea to have a jump starter in your vehicle’s emergency kit.
#1: Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660
Clore Automotive’s Jump-N-Carry JNC660 offers plenty of starting power, exceptional cranking life, and multiple starts on a single full charge. It has 46-inch cables with industrial-grade clamps, making it easy to access the battery of any car, truck, or SUV.
The JNC660 has 22 Ah “Proformer” replaceable batteries made by Clore Automotive. These batteries have a long service life and offer exceptional starting power. Other useful features include a rugged carrying case, a voltmeter, and a 12V power outlet to power your accessories.
As of this writing, Clore Automotive’s JNC660 retails on Amazon for around $150. The unit currently has an Amazon customer review rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
key features
- 1700 peak amps
- 425 cranking amps
- Automatic built-in charger
- Industrial “Hot Jaw” Clamps
- 12 volt DC outlet to power accessories
Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660
4.7/5 Amazon Score
Clore Automotive’s JNC660 is encased in a rugged case that is resistant to water and other fluids. The unit tends to be popular with mechanics, tow truck drivers, car dealers, and first responders.
The JNC660 comes with a one year warranty from Clore Automotive.
#2: Noco Boost Plus GB40
The Noco Boost Plus GB40 is a high-discharge lithium-ion battery housed in a rugged, waterproof casing. It has a maximum power output of 1000 amps with protection against sparks and reverse polarity. Weighing just 2.4 pounds, the Noco Boost Plus GB40 is easy to pack and transport. Noco claims up to 20 jump starts on a gasoline or diesel engine on a single full charge, which isn’t bad for such a small package.
Furthermore, the Noco Boost Plus GB40 is a multifunction jump starter. It has USB ports to recharge your devices and a 100-lumen LED flashlight with seven lighting modes, including emergency SOS and strobe settings. The Noco Boost Plus is highly recommended for starting gasoline engines of up to six liters of displacement and diesel engines of up to three liters.
As of this writing, the NOCO Boost Plus GB40 retails for around $100 on Amazon. The Noco currently has an Amazon customer review rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
What is in the box
- User’s guide
- 12 volt car charger
- microfiber storage bag
- Micro-USB charging cable
- Heavy Duty Battery Clamps
Noco Boost Plus GB40
4.7/5 Amazon Score
In addition to vehicles, the Noco GB40 can be used for boats, ATVs, lawn mowers, and motorcycles. The unit’s rubberized casing helps prevent scratching during periods of heavy use, while the 100-lumen LED flashlight is ideal when charging the battery late at night.
The GB40 comes with a one-year warranty and lifetime customer support.
#3: 1200A Shell Portable Jump Starter
We tested the Shell 1200A unit last fall and we think it’s one of the best jump starters available right now. It has enough power to house gasoline engines of up to seven liters of displacement and diesel engines of up to three liters. Although the jumper cables are a bit short for our liking, the clamps offer a reassuring grip and have a sturdy, solid feel.
Like the Noco Boost Plus, this Shell unit can double as a power bank for your electronic devices with its three USB ports. It also has a built-in flashlight with four settings, including a red strobe and SOS flash. In addition, the 1200A Shell has 10 built-in safety features that offer multi-level protection against sparks, reverse polarity, overheating, overcurrent, and overvoltage. You can also safely use it for boats, ATVs, and lawn mowers.
As of this writing, the Shell 1200A Jump Starter retails for $130 on Amazon. The unit currently has an Amazon customer review rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Specifications
- Weight: 3.1 pounds
- Voltage: 12 volt
- Power: 10 watts
- Amperage: 1200 amps
1200A Shell Portable Jump Starter
4.4/5 Amazon Score
The Shell 1200A Jump Starter comes with jump leads, a car charger (2.4A output), a USB-A to Micro USB cable, a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, an owner’s manual, and a carrying case.
Shell provides a two-year warranty on the unit.
#4: Schumacher DSR ProSeries
Despite its portly size and high price, the Schumacher DSR ProSeries is one of the best starters on the market. The DSR ProSeries is a professional-grade, heavy-duty jump starter that delivers up to 4400 peak amps for starting larger gasoline and diesel engines. It can accommodate four, six, eight, and even ten-cylinder engines, including semi-trucks or Class 8 vehicles.
Schumacher DSR ProSeries uses two high performance AGM batteries to jump start 12V and 24V vehicles with minimal effort. It also has an easy to read digital display that shows battery level, voltage, and alternator performance. Plus, it has a rust-proof housing and 60-inch AWG heavy-duty leads with durable clamps.
Additional features include a 2.1 amp USB port for recharging other devices and a reverse connection warning for added safety. If you have a big gas or diesel truck, look no further than the Schumacher DSR ProSeries.
As of this writing, the Schumacher DSR ProSeries 4400 Peak Amp retails for $373 on Amazon. The unit currently has an Amazon customer review rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Specifications
- Weight: 41.2 pounds
- Voltage: 12 volt
- Abroad: brushed
- Investor: 400W
- Display Type: Digital
Schumacher DSR ProSeries
4.6/5 Amazon Score
Unlike the other portable jump starters on this list, the Schumacher DSR ProSeries is designed to handle larger displacement gasoline and diesel engines. The extra capacity also means that the Schumacher DSR ProSeries is much heavier and more expensive than your average portable charger.
Schumacher offers a one-year warranty on the unit.
#5: LOFTEK Portable Jump Starter
Like Shell and Noco, the LOFTEK 1000A Jump Starter is a multi-function unit with a built-in LED flashlight and a USB charging port to charge your laptop, smartphone or tablet. The unit can jump a car up to 10 times for every five hours of recharging and will work in icy environments as low as negative four.
The LOFTEK matches Shell in terms of what it can handle for petrol engines, but surpasses Shell in diesel capacity, as it can handle diesel engines up to 5.5 litres. Although it offers over-voltage, short-circuit, over-current, and overload protection, the LOFTEK 1000A Jump Starter does not have a waterproof housing.
As of this writing, LOFTEK retails for $65.00 on Amazon. The LOFTEK currently has an Amazon customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, making it one of the best jump starters for the price.
Specifications
- Weight: 1.74 pounds
- Voltage: 12 volt
- power input: USB Type-C 5V/2A
- power output: USB 5V/2.1A
- Battery capacity: 10400 milliampere hours
LOFTEK Portable Jump Starter
4.5/5 Amazon Score
The LOFTEK Jump Starter is a good option if you want something small and inexpensive. Like the higher-priced units on this list, LOFTEK will charge laptops, smartphones, and other accessories via an integrated power bank.
LOFTEK offers a one year warranty on the unit.
When should you replace your car battery?
Jump starters are good in a jam, but they won’t solve the problem in the long run if you have a stubborn battery. If you find yourself using a jump starter every time, then it’s best to start looking for a new battery. There’s also a chance that your alternator or your vehicle’s electrical system is to blame. The best advice is to use a jump starter for convenience when your battery dies, then have your car inspected by a trusted mechanic.
What car batteries are the best?
- If you need something that performs well in cold weather, take a look at this helpful guide.
- In general, Optima batteries are highly recommended, but this detailed guide will help you determine which is best for your vehicle.
