One unfortunate situation that everyone ends up in at some time in their life is being stranded by the side of the road with a dead car battery. When car trouble hits you, all you need is a way to get to your destination safely. Carrying a jump starter kit with you is essential to tackle this problem effectively.
Sometimes you have to choose between leaving your car, calling a tow service, or finding someone with a functional car and jumper cables. But what if you’re in a hurry and you don’t have any of these options available? For such circumstances, that’s when a jump starter comes into action.
With a jump starter, not only you get the sufficient power to start your car but also get to charge your smartphones and other electronic gadgets. Here is our mini guide to 10 of the best jump starters available in the market:
Top 10 Best Jump Starters & Brands
10. Portable Car Jump Starter (1500A Peak) | Imazing
With a peak current of 1500Amps, this jump starter can jump start 12V vehicles (gasoline engine up to 8L and diesel engine up to 6L) and with its 12000mAh battery capacity, the Imazing Portable Car Jump Starter (1500A Peak) provides plenty of power to charge your digital devices. The package includes an LCD display, LED flashlight, and smart jumper cables.
With the advanced safety technology, the jumper clamps provide protection against reverse polarity connections, over-current, overloading, over-voltage, and overcharging, making it safe and secure for the users.
Key Features:
• 12000mAh battery capacity
• LED flashlight with SOS
• LED display with on/off buttons
• 1500Amps peak current
• Supports QC3.0 quick charging
Specifications:
• Brand Name: Imazing
• Product Weight: 3 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: BBD-IM23
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 X 5.2 X 4.2 inches
Things I liked:
• Along with the Imazing jump starter, the package includes intelligent jump cable clamps, output car charge, in-car charge, 12C AC wall charger, USB cable, a user manual, carry case, and warranty of 6 months.
• It is ultra-portable and compact, therefore super easy to carry.
9. Car Battery Jump Starter (1200 Amp Peak) | Bolt Power
Rated at 1200Amps, this portable Lithium jump starter is capable of jumpstarting 12V vehicles (gasoline engine up to 7L and diesel engine up to 5.5L). It has a built-in LED flashlight with solid, beam, strobe & SOS modes. The USB output amperage and the internal battery’s charge level can be monitored using the integrated digital display.
The advanced heavy duty jumper clamps of the Bolt Power Car Battery Jump Starter (1200 Amp Peak) have built-in circuit protection, making it ideal to be used in all kind of weathers. With the USB ports, you can charge your other personal devices, such as smartphones, and tablets.
Key Features:
• Heavy duty jumper clamps
• 1200 Amp peak current
• Portable USB charger
• Ultra compact
• LED flashlight
• LCD screen
• 12000mAh battery capacity
Specifications:
• Brand Name: Bolt Power
• Product Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: N02-1200AMP-Beast
• Product Dimensions: 7 X 3 X 1.4 inches
Things I liked:
• This jump starter provides protection against overcharging, overloading, over-current, and short circuit enabling extreme safety to your electronic devices.
• The battery can be left for 3 months in storage without being recharged.
• The product comes with a warranty of 12 months.
8. BoostPro Car Battery Jump Starter (600A Peak) | JACO Superior Products
This ultra jump box boasts a powerful 16500mAh battery with 600Amps of peak current to jumpstart dead batteries (gasoline engine up to 6.5L and diesel engine up to 5.2L) with extreme speed. It features a built-in LED safety flashlight that is super bright and consists of an emergency SOS mode.
The outer box casing of the JACO Superior Products BoostPro Car Battery Starter (600a Peak) is fireproof. You can jumpstart 12V vehicles and use the dual USB ports for fast-charging other devices like your smartphones, tablets, desk lamps, fans, etc. Its SmartProtect technology protects both your battery and the jump starter from any costly damages.
Key Features:
• 600Amp peak current
• 16500mAh battery capacity
• Trio-Lithium-ion technology
• Bonus 12V power supply adapter
• Portable and compact
Specifications:
• Brand Name: JACO Superior Products
• Product Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: D12
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 X 5.2 X 4.5 inches
Things I liked:
• It comes with intelligent features of protection against overcharging, short-circuit, over-discharging, reverse polarity connections, overheating, and reverse charging.
• The package includes home and auto chargers, 12V DC power supply adapter, 3-in-1 USB charging cable, hard-shell storage casing, and a user manual for your convenience.
7. Car Jump Starter (800A) | aickar
This portable jump starter is powerful and durable enough to jumpstart gasoline engine up to 7L and diesel engine up to 4.5L with heavy duty jumper cables. Along with working as a portable jump starter, it impressively can also be used as a power bank to charge a variety of electronic devices.
The backlight that it comes with is extremely handy when working in the dark. The aickar Car Jump Starter (800A) also has built-in self-protection IC which protects the unit from short circuit, overcharge, over-current, over-temperature, overload, and fluctuating voltage, thus making it a safe device to be used.
Key Features:
• Works as a power bank with multi-functional outputs
• Intelligent clamps
• Smart ports
• Built-in LED flashlight
• 1 Lithium Polymer battery is included
Specifications:
• Brand Name: aickar
• Product Weight: 1.38 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: AP-81
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 X 3.6 X 1.1 inches
Things I liked:
• The package includes 1 aickar jump starter, intelligent jumper clamps, a wall charger, car charger, USB charging cable, 8-in-1 laptop charging cable, carry bag, and a user manual.
• It comes with a warranty of one year and 24/7 customer service.
6. Portable Mini Slim 20000mAh Car Jump Starter | iMeshbean
This jump starter is ideal for starting cars and charging phones, laptops. The adjustable LED lights that consist of 3 modes (torch, strobe lights, and SOS lights) indicate the working status of the jump starter making it convenient for you to monitor it from time to time.
The iMeshbean Portable Mini Slim 20000mAh Car Jump Starter is capable of jumpstarting 12V vehicles. The multifunctional emergency kit that comes with the jump starter contains a power bank. The jump capacity maxes out at 300 Amps. Jumper cables included in the package have a built-in safety mechanism to prevent overcharge or reversed current.
Key Features:
• Battery capacity: 20000mAh
• Input: DC12V/1A
• Output: USB2.0 DC 5V/2A, 12V
• Charge time: About 5 hours
• Starting current: 200A
• Peak current: 400A
Specifications:
• Brand Name: iMeshbean
• Product Dimensions: 5.19 X 2.9 X 1 inches
Things I liked:
• You have the flexibility of charging your battery via your wall plug or the car-charging cigarette port.
• Along with this 20000mAh car jump starter, the package includes a power plug, a car charger, 2 starter clamps, one user manual, and a storage box for your convenience.
5. Portable Car Jump Starter (600A) | DBPOWER
Unlike huge and heavyweight jump starters, this portable jump starter is compact in size and light enough to be stored in your glove box. It can jump-start 12V vehicles (up to 6.5L petrol or 5.2L diesel engine) in a matter of seconds. It has a battery capacity of 18000mAh and 600A peak current.
The DBPOWER Portable Car Jump Starter (600A) comes with dual USB outputs (including smart USB output) along with a DC output. With the smart USB output, you can easily charge your digital devices with high speed. While the DC output can be used to charge your laptops with the 8-in-1 connectors that are included in the package.
Along with the above features, an additional one is the LED flashlight. It has 3 modes: lighting, strobe, and SOS. You can switch to any mode according to your preference and requirements.
Key Features:
• Intelligent protection clamps
• Smart portable charger
• Multi-functional LED flashlight
• Compact and portable size
• 600A peak current
• 18000mAh battery capacity
Specifications:
• Brand Name: DBPOWER
• Product Weight: 3.15 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: DJS
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 X 1.6 X 3.5 inches
Things I liked:
• The jump starter comes with a red emergency light, an LCD screen which shows the working status of the starter, and a compass that can lead you to your destination.
• The all-metal spray gold clamps are more solid and durable than the normal ones.
• The intelligent protection device on the clamps can provide protection against short circuit, overcharging, over-discharging, over-current, over-voltage, overloading, reverse polarity connections, and over-temperature.
4. Portable Car Jump Starter (500A) | TENKER
This portable car jump starter is compatible with vehicles running on 12V batteries. It is equipped with QC3.0 and Type-C output. With this jump starter, you can charge your cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices in your vehicle with extreme speed and efficiency.
The quality is remarkable and the TENKER Portable Car Jump Starter (500A) comes with clamps that consist of a built-in circuit. It provides protection against over-current, overloading, short circuit, over-voltage, and overcharging.
The small size of the starter makes it lightweight and extremely portable. You can easily store it in the glove compartment of your vehicle.
Key Features:
• Ultra-compact size
• Security assurance
• Huge Capacity: 10800mAh/39.96Wh
• Output Voltage: 12V
• Dual USB Outputs: QC3.0 and 5V/2.1A
• Input: USB Type C 5V/2A
• Starting Current: 250A
• Peak Current: 500A
• Operation Temperature Range: -20℃-60℃
Specifications:
• Brand Name: TENKER
• Product Weight: 1.65 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: TENKER-A11T
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 X 3.2 X 1
Things I liked:
• The jump starter comes with a super multifunctional LED flashlight. It consists of 3 modes, namely, lighting, SOS, and strobe.
• The package includes one Lithium-ion battery.
• TENKER Portable Car Jump Starter can jump start gasoline engine up to 3L and diesel engine up to 2L in a few seconds.
• You can charge your portable electronic devices anytime and anywhere.
3. Portable Car Jump Starter (300A) | DBPOWER
This portable jump starter is lightweight and you can easily store it in your car’s glove box or under a seat, because of its compact design. It can jumpstart your gasoline engine up to 2.5L about 10 times. With its 8000mAh capacity, it can be used to charge phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
The DBPOWER Portable Car Jump Starter (300A) has a built-in flashlight which has 3 modes; high, strobe, and SOS). The intelligent device provides protection against over current, short circuit, overloading, and over-voltage. It is only compatible with a gas engine under 2.5L. The built-in LED flashlight is useful for emergency purposes if your car breaks down while you are camping or stuck in the middle of a road at night.
Key Features:
• Compatible with gas engines under 2.5L
• 300 Amps
• Intelligent protection clamps
• Portable charger
• Multi-functional LED flashlight
• Compact and portable
Specifications:
• Brand Name: DBPOWER
• Product Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: DJS40-2
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 X 4.4 X 2.7 inches
Things I liked:
• The amazing jump starter comes with a warranty of 3 years and professional customer service.
• Intelligent jumper cables and Android USB cable (adapter NOT INCLUDED) complete the package.
2. BT-D11 Portable Car Jump Starter (800A) | BEATIT
This portable jump starter is extremely simple and easy to use. It has a peak of 800 Amps and can jumpstart a battery about 30 times on a single charge. It works well with 12-volt batteries of almost all vehicles. It consists of a power bank of 18000mAh battery, with which you can charge your cell phones, tablets, etc.
It is the perfect kit to have with you in case of emergencies. No need to wait for roadside assistance. The BEATIT BT-D11 Portable Car Jump Starter (800A) also has a built-in powerful flashlight which sends out a warning flash. Its clear LED display shows the percentage of the power left in the internal battery of your vehicle.
Key Features:
• 4 hours charging time
• High capacity
• Ultra-bright flashlight
• Works in any extreme temperatures
• 800 Amp – 12V
Specifications:
• Brand Name: BEATIT
• Product Weight: 1.19 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: BT-D11
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 X 3.5 X 1.5 inches
Things I liked:
• It has a USB out port that you can use to charge any USB powered device.
• As it is capable of working in extreme temperatures, you don’t have to worry about extremely hot or cold climates. It will help you start your car in no time.
• The product comes with smart jumper cables, wall charger, user manual, and a high-quality hard EVA carry case.
1. Boost Pro Lithium Jump Starter (4000A) | NOCO
This portable, yet powerful jump starter with a 4,000 Amps rating starts dead batteries. On a single charge, it can give nearly 80 jump starts. You can connect this starter to any lead-acid battery. It has an extremely safe and mistake-proof design. It features spark-proof technology and provides protection against reverse polarity connections.
This NOCO Boost Pro Lithium Jump Starter (4000A) comes with an integrated LED flashlight that consists of 7 light modes which include medium, high, flashing, strobe, and emergency SOS. You can also charge your smartphones, tablets and other USB devices in your vehicle.
Key Features:
• Compact
• 4000 Amp – 12 volts
• Integrated LED flashlight
• Spark-proof technology
• Reverse polarity protection
• Built-in voltmeter
Specifications:
• Brand Name: NOCO
• Product Weight: 7.5 pounds
• Manufacturer Part Number: GB150
• Product Dimensions: 7 X 12.3 X 2.7 inches
Things I liked:
• NOCO BoostPro Lithium Jump Starter has a continuous run time of 6 hours.
• It can give power to any 12V device like a tire pump, inverter, etc.
• It is compatible with vehicles running both on gas and diesel.
• It comes with a 1-year warranty and free lifetime customer support.
• The jump starter comes with male and female adapters, extension cable, micro USB cable, microfiber storage bag, user guide, and warranty information.
Helpful Tips to Choose the Best Jump Starter
What is a Jump Starter?
A car battery is responsible for providing power to the electronic devices in your car and for the engine to turn over. A flat battery runs out of electricity and is incapable of being the power source to the electronic appliances; thereby your car fails to start.
A working battery of a different running car is needed to provide electrical power to the flat battery. A jump starter is used when you need to restore charge in the dead battery. It provides the required electricity to get the vehicle started again and thus generate electricity from the alternator.
Important Features of a Jump Starter
When buying a jump starter for your vehicle, it is essential that you select the one with plenty of strength to get your automobile started. Usually, the power needed to turn over an engine depends on its size. The bigger the engine, the more power it requires. Therefore, you need to choose a jump starter that is up for the task.
It also needs to be of good quality, one that holds its charge for a long time so that when you actually need it, it doesn’t disappoint you. Electronics present inside automobiles are delicate and prone to bigger problems than a flat battery, therefore buy a jump starter that comes with built-in safety protections and follow the instructions provided.
Here are some important features to look for when purchasing a jump starter:
Choosing the Type
First of all, you need to decide which type of jump starter will be the most suitable for you. You can select from the three basic kinds of jump starter. First is a battery charger, second is a set of jumper cables, and last but not least, the third is a portable jumper starter.
Out of the three, the latter is your best option as it is safe, most convenient, and extremely cost-effective. Now to choose the best type of jump starter, look at other key features.
Setting a Budget
While purchasing anything, setting a budget is always essential. Decide first how much money you are willing to invest in a jump starter. After setting the budget, you’ll be able to decide the quality of the jump starter, its size, and its general features.
Do not set a very tight budget though as this investment is definitely worth it. You don’t want to be stranded in the middle of the road, therefore, do your research and make an informed decision to find the most valuable equipment.
Selecting a Size
Jump starters come in several sizes and shapes. Make sure that it is small enough to fit in the empty spaces in your car. Remember; don’t compromise durability while worrying about the size. In addition, the size greatly affects the price of the jump starter, therefore consult a professional before making a final decision.
Considering the Amp Count
The charging specifications are vital when it comes to purchasing a jump starter. You need to ensure that the equipment you are going to purchase has sufficient amps to jumpstart your car effectively.
A jump starter with extra amps than necessary to jump-start your battery isn’t something you should be worried about. The battery of your vehicle is capable of pulling the right amount amps from the jump starter.
Checking Its Voltage
One important feature to consider in a jump starter is its voltage. The voltage basically refers to the energy potential stored in an electrical system.
It is the readily available energy that moves the electrical current throughout the circuits. When it comes to a jump starter, a voltage drives the electrical current on the device towards the flat battery in your car.
Choosing the right voltage isn’t a very difficult task. All you need to do is check the battery of your vehicle. Most automobile batteries are of 12V while some of the batteries used in heavy vehicles run on 24 volts. (If you would like to know more about this specific topic, then click here).
Determining the Length of the Cable You Need
This greatly depends on your personal preference. If you want to place your jump starter on the ground, then you will need a cable of a long length so that you can connect it easily by reaching the battery terminals of your car battery.
However, if you’d like to place your jump starter on a flat surface that is near to the terminals of the battery, then purchasing a jump starter with a shorter cable shouldn’t be a problem.
Along with the length of the cable, you also need to check the gauge of the wires inside it. With amps and voltage, resistance also plays an essential role in the functioning of a jump starter. The thinner the wires, the longer it will take to deliver the required power to the battery.
Purchase a jumper cable which is at least 8 or 10 gauge. Although very expensive relatively, 2-gauge is the ideal choice. Don’t get confused by the numerical values. The lower the numerical value of the gauge, the bigger the wire’s diameter, and thus the faster you’ll be able to charge your battery.
Warranty
This might not seem like an important factor while determining the jump starter you’d like to buy, it is. Carefully read all the text written in the fine print before you make your purchase. Usually, the products that are of high quality come with a prolonged warranty while others have a very short warranty period or major limitations.
Safety Measures You Need to Adapt
Based on the manufacturer and the model of the jump starter, you will have a unique set of instructions that suits their product the best. Even with this built-in feature, you need to take some safety measures while using a jump starter.
• Firstly, read the vehicle owner’s manual before you carry on with using the jumpstart. Some latest vehicles come with a fully automatic ignition system that can’t bear a jumpstart at all.
• Some of the jump starters come with specific lugs where the jumper cables need to be connected and not to the battery terminals. Others may require you to remove some particular fuses.
• For a donor-recipient jumpstart, the electrical power or voltage capacity of the donor battery needs to be checked. It should match that of the recipient battery.
• You need to unplug and switch off any electronic devices and anything that runs on electricity such as your smartphone chargers, headlights, etc. The jumpstart process sends a rush of power which can shorten the electronic gadgets and accessories in your car.
• Always wear protective gear such as hand gloves and goggles to prevent any harmful elements from damaging your skin and particles entering your eyes.
• The connections and disconnections need to take place in a specific order. First, you need to connect the positive (typically red) clamp of the jump starter to the positive terminal of the battery and then connect the black (typically black) clamp to either the chassis of your car or to the negative terminal of the battery.
How to Jump Start Your Car with a Portable Jump Starter
Learn how to jump start your car with a portable jump starter in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Locating the Battery
First and foremost, find the location of your battery. The battery of a car is a rectangular shaped box with two cables attached to it. It should be situated on any one side of the frame of your car where you can easily access it. Every car is built differently, and sometimes the battery is located under the matting in the trunk, the rear seat, or inside the fender of the wheel.
Step 2: Cleaning the Terminals
Get rid of any corrosion or dirt residue from the battery terminals. This will make the connections stronger.
Step 3: Distinguishing the Positive Terminal from the Negative Terminal
Once you’ve successfully located your battery and cleaned it, distinguish the positive terminal from the negative terminal. The positive one is usually of a red color while the negative is typically black.
Step 4: Connecting the Jump Starter
Turn off your vehicle, the jump starter, and all other electronic devices. Now the positive cable of the jump starter is usually of red color and needs to be attached to the positive battery post. The negative cable, usually black is to be clamped to the negative terminal. Double check your connections.
Step 5: Starting the Engine
Turn your car’s ignition and attempt a jumpstart. In case of delay, don’t over-crank your engine as it may damage your portable jump starter. Give it a little time to come into action. Wait for about 30 seconds and then try to start your engine the way you would normally do.
Step 6: Disconnecting the Jump Starter
Once you are successful in starting the engine of your car, turn off the portable device as soon as possible. You can then make the disconnections. As the connections were to be followed in a specific order, the same goes for the disconnections.
Detach the negative cable first, followed by the positive one.
Sources:
1. KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE BUYING A JUMP STARTER – BEST JUMP STARTER REVIES
2. Everything You Need to Know About the Best Portable Jump Starters – Tool Nerds
