A dead battery can be a proper spanner in the works for an avid motorist who drives their trusty four-wheeler about quite frequently. This occurrence can be pretty irritating indeed. If you’ve been irritated by it as well, don’t. With a portable best jump starters of your own, you can easily start your car yourself, even if you’re in the middle of nowhere, and there aren’t any other drivers nearby. In this review, we’ll see five different models of this great little contraption so you can pick and choose your favorite one without having to do any homework of your own!
What is a Car Jump Starter?
A car jump starter is a product that quickly recharges a dead battery when it no longer works. This device uses electricity from a temporary connection between the vehicle and the portable jump starter to recharge the dead battery. As a result, your vehicle’s engine then has enough power to work again. Jump-starting typically only takes a few minutes, but this depends on how dead your vehicle’s battery is and what the jump starter’s strength is.
How Does a Car Jump Starter Work?
A portable car jump starter is a practical device to have at the ready in emergency events. A jump starter has a battery charger within its core, a charging station, and a pair of jumper cables. You then attach these cables to your vehicle’s battery source, and then to the cables to instantly charge the engine. As you look around for the best car jump starter for you, you’ll notice that there’s a huge difference in sizes. This usually depends on the size of your vehicle. You may need a larger jump starter for colder conditions because you’ll need more energy and electricity to operate your car’s engine.
A lithium-ion battery is usually found in smaller batteries and is the most common type of jump starter. As it’s small, you can easily store it in your car, and it’s not too weighty when in use either. A lithium jump starter works exceptionally well in extreme weather conditions because it can stand both the cold and the heat.
Reasons You Should Own a Battery Jump Starter
Before we look into the best portable car jump starter to own, let’s consider the main reasons for owning one in the first place. Unfortunately, we can never predict when we’ll break down – even if the weather seems fine and you’ve properly topped up the car’s appropriate fluids. Thankfully, a battery jump starter is simple to use and will get you back on the road again in no time. Instead of waiting for hours for help to arrive, you can get on with the job yourself and prevent any delays or frustrations.
Car jump starters come in all sizes, but more often than not, they’re completely portable and easy to store in your car. You simply plug them in and wait for the indicator to give you the go-ahead. Many of these designs are portable to carry around. If you’re stranded and your car’s broken down, the last thing you want is to carry a large device around with you. Thankfully, jump starters recognize this and aim to make your life easier. However, it’s your responsibility to ensure the jump starter is always sufficiently charged for when you use it. Otherwise, it’ll be of little help to you.
Different Types of Car Jump Starters
There are different types of car jump starters to suit an array of vehicles, budgets, and preferences.
First, a batteryless jump starter is ready whenever you need it and gets to work quickly because you don’t need to connect clamps to it. Not only does this get the job done quickly, but is ideal if it’s freezing outside or raining so you can save time setting up. A battery-powered jump starter requires charging before using it. A batteryless unit only requires a quick charge to give it a boost. Depending on the brand you opt for, many of this type of jump starter use ultracapacitor technology to power a weak battery and prevent any hookup mistakes. Batteryless jump starters often last for years before wearing down which can actually be more cost-effective than battery-powered devices.
Alternatively, you can opt for a lithium jump starter. These are small and handy to store. But, don’t let the size fool you, as lithium batteries are more powerful than they look. These jump starters feature a microprocessor for safe usage each time. Lithium jump starters also deliver exceptional performance and work multiple times before they need recharging.
Also, a portable car jump starter is designed for quick and easy use, and you can store these in your glove box compartment so they’re always there when you need them.
Factors to Consider when Buying a Car Jump Starter
If you ever need to jump start your car, you’ll need to spend some time researching the best devices for you. Everyone has different preferences and require a different array of strengths for their vehicle, so consider what the most important factors are for you.
Before we start, though, there are a couple of things worth taking into consideration:
The Power Output– A jump starter’s amperage is a value that determines how much power it will be able to exert when it’s turned on. Typically, this number ranges from some 700 up to 1,700 Amps at their peak (meaning the peak of the jump starter). So, depending on what kind of car or truck you’re driving, pay attention to this value as it will determine how successful the starter is going to be.
Weight– This may seem like a no-brainer, but the weight of a jump starter can really be quite an important aspect of its efficiency. The ability to carry this device about with ease would definitely be a plus, but then again, a smaller size does mean less power, so, once again, pick your model carefully. You’ll also need to consider how much space you have in your car to store the jump starter.
Additional Equipment– When it comes to the functionality of a jump-starting device, many manufacturers decide to enhance their models by equipping them with USB ports, compressors, and easy-to-read LCD screens. If you’d like to charge not only your car battery but some other devices as well using the same device, you should look for a jump starter model with some additional features! This is great for charging your phone or kids’ devices when on the go. If you would love additional features like this, consider that you’ll need a lightweight, portable charger to carry around with you.
Protection– Jump-starting a car or a truck can come with a host of unforeseen problems, from charge overflows to you ruining the job and messing up the polarity! To secure both yourself and your car from these mishaps, get a model with an built-in overflow-protection or, even better, a reverse polarity alarm system!
Capacity– If you want to increase the chances of reviving your car battery when it dies, it is best for you to consider buying a jump starter with high capacity. Capacity in most cases depends on the size of the battery boost package you purchase.
Guarantee- Having a guarantee with your jump starter gives you great peace of mind should the device stop working. Be sure to read the small print to double check how long the guarantee lasts for and what aspects it covers.
Where to Buy a Car Jump Starter
If you’re looking for the best car battery jump starter, you’re likely confused as to where you can purchase one from. Thankfully, Amazon has a huge array to choose from to set your budget, preferences, and reasons for buying. Many people assume their car is in excellent condition, so they’ll never encounter a breakdown. Others think that their roadside assistance will be on hand if they need it. But, wouldn’t life be easier if you had a jump starter that you can just keep in your car at all times for such emergencies?
Most of us will need a jump starter in our lives. We’ve scoured the Internet for the best car battery jump starters. We’ve carefully considered the varying types of devices available on the internet right now. For example, we’ve contemplated the different charging processes, safety features, and any additional aspects the jump starter might offer.
Editor’s Recommendation: Top Car Battery Jump Starter
1. Clore Automotive Jump-n-Carry JNC660
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Boasting a merry ‘n’ colorful appearance with some additional gauges and power outputs, the Clore Automotive’s JNC660 model can indeed be a great solution to a dead battery problem.
Once you hook this thing up, it can generate up to 1,700 Amps at its peak, which is more than enough to jump-start a tank! (Okay, maybe not, but it’s still quite impressive.) Also, you can get some 425 cranking Amperes, so that you can start your car even in freezing cold weather. This jump starter features 1,700 peak amps which is much more powerful than the typical device. Even in poor weather, this jump starter continues to work well, although it’ll take longer than usual (to be expected).
When it comes to monitoring the state of your car battery itself, there’s a voltmeter built into this Jump-n-Carry unit, so you won’t have to carry around a separate one!
This device doesn’t come with a power switch as it automatically powers on and off. This is great for newbies and for safety aspects because you don’t have to manually check when the device needs switching off. However, you should keep the cables separate to prevent a hazard from happening.
It’s important to consider that this jump starter weighs 18 pounds, which is slightly heavier than the average device. However, it’s a small and compact design, which means you can store it in your glove box. It also comes with a practical handle for carrying around. The weight is merely due to the heavy-duty power bank.
Finally, the most critical aspect of a jump starter is that it has great safety features. This particular jump starter features spark-resistant cables which help to reverse polarity detention so you know if you’ve incorrectly connected the cables to the wrong part of the jump starter.
Pros:
- Provides 1,700 Amperes at its peak
- Contains an inbuilt Voltmeter for measuring the status of your car battery
- Copper-insulated heavy duty 46-inch cables
Cons:
- A bit on the heavier side
- Needs an additional cable to charge it through a standard power outlet
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMP3Z1C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=globalgarage03-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00CMP3Z1C&linkId=ddc2acb1f240e213f63a4683c1e63506″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
2. Stanley J509 Jump Starter
Coming from the well-known and respected Stanley company, this J7CS Jump Starter unit is a tough and rugged car accessory with some pretty exciting features.
This model regularly delivers some solid 350 Amps of jump-starting power. Power is the most important aspect of jump starting a car, so we’re impressed by its generous amount of amps considering how petite it is. Since car batteries tend to die on you in some quite inconvenient moments, the engineers at Stanley included a flashlight in this model, so you can light up the culprit easily when the need arises.
This model is respectably-priced and one of the cheapest jump starters in this article. Although it’s not as powerful as competitor units, the J7CS jump starter is a great device if you own a new car or if you’ve recently replaced your battery and it’s unlikely to break down.
This jump starter is equipped with metal clamps to offer a high-quality performance each time you use this device. However, it does lack a ‘reverse polarity’ alarm, which is an important safety feature if you’re a novice. But if you’re comfortable with cars and technology, it’s a suitable purchase for you.
Although you might not need additional features, we’re pleasantly surprised that this unit offers several. First, it offers USB charging ports so you can charge your cell phone, tablet, iPad, and other devices should they run out of battery. The jump starter also features LED lights to help you see during the night. This is a useful asset to ensure you can properly see in low-light conditions. Still, should you incorrectly connect the cables, the reverse polarity alarm has you covered.
Charging and powering this unit is straightforward. The indicators notify you when it’s fully charged, so you’ll never have to wait any longer than necessary. These indicators also inform you when the jump starter needs charging again.
Pros:
- Capable of producing 500 instant starting amps
- Comes with a power charge indicator
- Equipped with an LED light that can rotate up to 270 degrees
Cons:
- No trickle-charging support (it can get overcharged if you’re not careful)
- Needs to be refilled about once a month
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-FATMAX-J7CS-Jump-Starter/dp/B003ZYS8UW?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
3. NOCO Genius Boost + GB40
Having decided to name their jump-starting solution the ‘Genius Boost +’, the folks working at NOCO’s marketing team surely don’t lack in confidence when it comes to their product’s merit.
This particular model packs a hefty punch with its 1000 Amps, an impressive number when you take into consideration its rather small size. The compact size makes the Noco Genius Boost easy and comfortable to carry around with you. Weighing only two pounds, it’s one of the lightest jump starters we’ve come across. Add to that the fact that you can use it to jump-start your vehicle up to 20 times with a single charge and you can see that you’re dealing with a device that’s in a league of its own!
To make sure you can use it during the night and generally in low-light conditions, this model also comes with an LED flashlight that can pull off seven different modes of emitting light depending on the situation at hand. One thing to consider is that these LED lights use the jump starter’s battery. Whilst they can be useful, they’re sometimes counter-productive if you use them when it’s not necessary.
This jump starter can completely charge 3-liter diesel engines and still have some energy leftover. Safety is another huge benefit of picking this jump starter as it features a spark-proof technology to keep you and your car battery safe when in use. Equipped with reverse polarity technology, it’s a great device for novices to use who aren’t used to setting up a jump starter. The built-in indicators also notify you of the charge left and sends you a warning when it’s running low on battery, so you’re always prepared for an emergency.
Pros:
- Can be used 20 times before you need to recharge it
- Rocks a powerful, 100 lumens LED flashlight
- Compact build- easy to carry around
Cons:
- Can’t jumpstarts vehicles with motors stronger than a V8
- The mini USB port tends to break rather easily
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
4. Aickar Car Jump Starter
If small size and convenience are essential features you ask of a jump-starting contraption, this model from Aickar might be just what you’ve been looking for.
Featuring a build that’s no larger than an average external HD, this model is certainly an excellent option for a person who battles a chronic lack of space in their vehicle. Although we’re highly fond of its small size, some users reported that they accidentally switched the jump starter off when in use as the button is positioned on the top for easy access.
This jump starter has a huge emphasis on saving space, which means that you can’t store many accessories in its included case. Therefore, you’ll have to safely store cables in another location. Make sure you keep them together to avoid misplacing them.
Even though it peaks at only about 800 Amps, the fact that you can still use it up to 30 times before recharging it more than makes up its relatively small power output. You can use this device for jump-starting petrol or diesel cars. It’s a powerful unit that is reliable to use time and time again. Alternatively, you can even use it to give your cell phone a boost. There are endless opportunities with this jump starter.
For safety’s sake, this model also comes with an overflow as well as reverse-polarity protection, making it a perfect tool for the rookies. The device also comes with a built-in flashlight if you need to attract attention or merely work in low-light conditions.
Pros:
- Can be used 30 times before you’ll have to recharge it
- Comes with reverse polarity protection as well as over-voltage protection
- Slim design makes it easy to store and carry around
Cons:
- Relatively weak output power
- The cable could have been a bit longer
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Aickar-19800mAh-Starter-Portable-Flashlight/dp/B01J5G8PF6?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
5. DEWALT DXAEJ14 Jump Starter
Tough and rocking a robust build, the DEWALT’s DXAEJ14 Jump Starter is a powerful jump-starting solution that can power up not only your car but a host of other devices as well (as long as they can connect via a USB port).
As far as its power output is concerned, it peaks somewhere at 1,400 Amperes, and it’s capable of providing some 700 instant start Amps. This model comes with a 120 PSI digital compressor, which also comes with an auto stop feature. This air compressor adds extra power to the jump starter so you’ll always have a well-performing device to use in emergencies. Also, the heavy-duty clamps are coated in powder to optimize the amount of energy the cables transport. As a result, no energy is lost in transport but all gets fed to your vehicle’s battery.
This jump starter is ideal for large vehicles with big engines. However, it’ll also quickly charge smaller vehicles if you need it.
To top things off, there are also two USB ports that can come in handy if you need to recharge your iPod battery or some other similar electrical appliance.
Let’s not forget about its LED screen either, which provides real-time accurate information such as charging time, amount of amps used, and whether or not jump starter needs recharging. These are all essential features for ensuring the health of your jump starter.
The most disappointing feature is that it’s larger and heavier than competing devices. As you always want to have a jump starter readily stored in your vehicle, it’s best suited for larger vehicles with sufficient space.
Pros:
- Convenient LCD screen for easy reading
- Comes with the patented alternator check feature
- Boasts a powerful 120 PSI digital compressor
Cons:
- AC cord not included
- Fairly heavy in comparison to some other models
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DXAEJ14-Jump-Starter-Compressor/dp/B06XD6XBCM?tag=globalgarage03-20″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
6. Schumacher Electric 1,200-amp car Battery Jump Starter
This Schumacher jump starter features a digital display so you can regularly monitor how much charge you have left and the amount of voltage being transferred from the jump starter to your car’s engine. This is a great way to ensure you’re not under or over-charging and causing any damage to either device. We also like how this display looks, as it gives the device a youthful and charismatic feel.
Calling this product a jump starter doesn’t do it justice as it’s also an air compressor. Adjust the levels to inflate balls, pool rafts, and mattresses. You can also inflate your car’s tires should they need assistance when you’re on the road. Not many other jump starters offer this additional feature. Also, with a 2A USB port, you can quickly and efficiently charge USB devices whenever necessary. This includes your phone, tablet, etc. But, as this jump starter is on the bigger side, you might have to leave your device on the floor, which isn’t entirely safe or hygienic.
Finally, we love that this device features a swivel AC plug and you can switch it to an energy-efficient mode. This is ideal if you only need a quick boost as this option is great for protecting the environment and conserving the amount of energy your jump starter uses.
Pros:
- Extremely powerful (even in poor weather conditions)
- Reliable and charges quickly for use again
- Offers many additional features
Cons:
- Bulky, so storage can be difficult
- Can be confusing for first-time users
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-Electric-Digital-Portable-1200-Amp/dp/B01LXLKH3K/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=schumacher+electric+1%2C200-amp+car+battery+jump+starter&qid=1552930262&s=gateway&sr=8-1-fkmrnull” target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
7. Potek Portable Jump Starter
This jump starter is useful to keep in your vehicle but equally as practical to store in your home. You can comfortably charge appliances around your home in the event of an emergency such as a power cut. But, its main purpose is to use on your vehicle. This unit’s peak current is 1500A which is the ideal amount of power for an average-sized car. However, it’s not suitable for an RV or large truck.
Made from high-quality materials, the cables are designed with materials to make it last a long time. They even perform exceptionally well in poor weather conditions.
We love the versatility that this jump starter offers. For example, you can charge it at home or with a DC adaptor within your car. These two options make this jump starter great for all occasions.
If you find that your tires are flat, this device offers compressed air to boost your tires in the event of an emergency. Thanks to this additional feature, this device is great for all people to use, and we recommend that you keep it in your trunk for such scenarios. However, one downside to this device is that it’s noisy when in operation. But, with enough power to only need to use for a couple of minutes, it’ll be off again before you know it.
Pros:
- Easy to set up and straightforward to use
- Stable and made of heavy-duty materials
- Reliable and powerful
Cons:
- Sometimes noisy
- Large, so storage can be a hassle
[su_button url=”https://www.amazon.com/POTEK-Portable-Power-Source-Compressor/dp/B07D6JRJ9L/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=car+jump+starter&qid=1552932613&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011&rnid=2661617011&s=gateway&sr=8-15″ target=”blank” background=”#FF4900″ size=”8″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: share-square-o” rel=”nofollow”]See On Amazon[/su_button]
8. BMK Smart Portable Battery Charger
This BMK battery charger is one of the cheapest devices you can buy, and it has many amazing features. First, we appreciate that it’s waterproof and designed for severe weather conditions. Sometimes, even the best battery jump starter can’t withstand water – which isn’t ideal if you’ve broken down in the rain.
There’s also a huge safety aspect to this battery charger as it features a polarity reversal protection to identify if you incorrectly setup the jump starter.
With four LED indicators, the jump starter can update you on the amount of power left, which is a useful touch. Just by looking at the screen, you can recognize when the charger is ready to go. Without this feature, you’d be playing a guessing game and will end up struggling.
Despite its small size, this jump starter is much heavier than it looks. For some users, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but for others, they question its practicality if it’s too heavy to carry around comfortably.
Using this jump starter is easy. In just minutes, you’re connected and ready to go. Also, as the device automatically charges, you don’t need to press any buttons. This makes life easier and speeds up the process, but also ensures the device is safe as it’ll automatically switch off when your engine is completely charged.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Multiple safety features
- Fast charging
Cons:
- Heavy charger
- The cable is short which can make it difficult to connect to your vehicle
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How to Use a Car Jump Starter or Battery Boost
It’s fairly easy to use a car battery jump starter, but incorrectly using one can be extremely dangerous.
- Match the jump starter’s clamps to the battery ports – red for positive and black for negative.
- Once you’ve connected the clamps to the battery and vehicle, switch the the jump starter’s power on. Don’t do this until you’ve attached the clamps. Ensure that the wires and jump starter aren’t located near any other wires. Depending on the power supply, your jump starter might automatically switch on. You’ll need to check your manual to confirm this.
From this point, you can sit back and let the portable car jump starter do the work for you. However, don’t leave it operating without any supervision.
You can watch the video on the upper right for a live demo.
There might be certain occasions in which the jump starter doesn’t start the engine as quickly as usual. This could be due to poor weather conditions that the jump starter isn’t capable of powering through. Alternatively, you might not have properly cared for your battery, or there’s an irreversible issue. Also, any dirt or corrosion can massively impact how a jump starter works. Taking care of your jump starter and vehicle’s engine is a great way to expand the lifespan of both units. Wipe away any excess oil or debris and renew when each device needs repairing.
Final Words On Top 8 Best Jump Starters
A well-made jump starter can be your best ally whenever a tragedy strikes and your car battery decides to drop dead! Since these models come in all shapes and sizes, this list will hopefully help you make your decision more efficiently so that you can have your backup car-starting contraption as soon as possible.
Each of the models you’ve seen above is unique and surely does a great job of getting your car to start, so pick the one that meets your needs in the best way. Lots of luck with your purchase and cheers!
See also:
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