The best portable jump starters can be literal lifesavers. They’ll all jump-start your car when the battery is flat, of course, but many of them bring extras along with them that can just as useful. One of the biggest problems with needing a jump start using just cables is needing someone else (and their car) there with you. That’s not always possible, so a portable jump starter puts you (back) in the driver’s seat.
When you do need to jump-start your car, here’s a step-by-step guide to how to jump-start your car safely.
There is a USB port on the charger for items like your phone, but our reviewer found it charged a phone slowly. There’s also a built-in light to help you find something inside your car, but it won’t illuminate the side of the road, for instance. While this jump starter is on the more expensive side, we still think it’s the one most people should get.
Peak Amps: 2000 | Dimensions: 6x2.5x8.6 inches | Weight: 5 lbs.
The STANLEY J5C09 1000 is heavy because it’s also an air compressor, so if you find your tires are low on air, you can fill them right back up. Now, our testing did reveal the jumper cables are kind of short (they aren’t long enough to set the jump starter on the ground) and the air compressor hose is likewise short, but the unit did jump the test car each time we tried it. Cables aside, it wasn’t short on performance.
Like the NOCO Genius Boost Pro GB150, this jump starter is a bit costly, but the price is reasonable if you need both a jump starter and a compressor and don’t mind the extra bulk.
Peak Amps: 1000 | Dimensions: 11.25x8x3.5 inches | Weight: 17.2 lbs.
A dedicated switch on the unit will allow it to keep a charge in place for up to one year. The compromise with this unit is if it falls below a 50 percent charge, it likely won’t jump start your car.
Peak Amps: 800 | Dimensions: 9.45x4.53x3.94 inches | Weight: 1.21 lbs.
Included are a couple of USB ports for charging kid-quieting devices and a flashlight to see who, exactly, is touching who.
Peak Amps: 700 | Dimensions: 9.8x6.9x3.6 inches | Weight: 2.5 lbs.
This is the only jump starter on the list that allows you to replace the battery when it starts to wear down. And if you’re in charge of a fleet of vehicles, you may have to replace the battery somewhat frequently. When you need to recharge, the plug is built right in.
But what’s missing is the extras we typically see in a jump starter. There’s no flashlight, no USB ports for your phone, and no air pump. Jump starters are great, but we really like versatile devices here, so the lack of extras is disappointing.
Peak Amps: 1700 | Dimensions: 16.3x14.1x5.1inches | Weight: 18 lbs.
The device reports on the battery and alternator performance, and informs you if maintenance is needed. The cables themselves are over 5 feet long, so they can go anywhere on any size vehicle.
All of that is great, but it comes at the cost of being exceptionally heavy at over 40 pounds. That’s not unusual considering the power in this jump starter. As much as we don’t want to see additional weight put onto this body, wheels would have been a nice addition. This is not the kind of starter you put in the trunk of your Toyota Camry. This is the kind of starter you use to jump-start the truck that will tow your Camry.
Peak Amps: 4400 | Dimensions: 14x10x8 inches | Weight: 41.2 lbs.
The cost we’re talking about is needing to recharge your jump starter every 30 days. And if you forget just one time, you might be stuck in a parking lot. At least if it can’t start your car, it’ll keep you company (and your phone charged) while you wait for help. See? Versatile.
Peak Amps: 2000 | Dimensions: 8.7x3.5x1.1 inches | Weight: 1.3 lbs.
Peak Amps: 1000 | Dimensions: 11x11x7 inches | Weight: 10 lbs.
While you could simply rely on jumper cables, you could keep a jump starter in your car, which allows you to jump-start your car easily without losing more than a few minutes of your day.
Our recommendation? Having both a jump starter and a battery charger can be helpful. A battery charger is better if you have access to a power outlet and have enough time to charge the battery, while a jump starter is better in a pinch for those who need to get on the road right away.
Jump starters come in both portable and plug-in varieties. Portable jump starters have a built-in battery, meaning they can be used on the go whenever you need them. The only downside is that after they’re used, they have to be charged, which can take a number of hours. Plug-in chargers, on the other hand, are much less portable. Instead of having a decent-sized battery built-in, you have to connect them to a power outlet—meaning that if you’re in a parking lot with a dead battery, you’re largely out of luck. We generally recommend buying a portable jump starter over a plug-in one. The portability outweighs the downside of having to keep the device charged up.
Other Features to look for
Cables
Jumper cables are an important part of any jump starter. You might think that jumper cables are all the same, and to an extent that’s true—they’re copper wires that deliver power. Some cables, however, are better than others. For instance, cables can have different lengths. Generally, they range from around 10 to 35 feet. Don’t think you need to go for extra-long cables, though— for most people, 15 feet will be perfectly fine. Another differentiator is a cable’s wire gauge, which refers to the thickness of the wire inside. Thicker wire is better at delivering more power, which can be important if you’re trying to jump-start a vehicle with a bigger battery. For smaller vehicles, like most cars, a cable with at least an 8 gauge will be fine, though larger batteries might need a 6 or 4 gauge cable.
Air Compressor
An air compressor is what you’d use to pump up a car’s flat tire if it’s been deflated. A built-in compressor may not matter when you’re jump-starting your car, but that doesn’t mean they can’t come in handy. If you’re strapped for cash, a built-in compressor is something you can avoid, but if you have the money to spend on a device with an air compressor, we recommend doing so.
Emergency Lights
Being stuck on the side of the road at night is never a preferable situation. With low visibility and distracted drivers, you could easily find yourself in a dangerous spot. That’s where emergency lights can come in. When a jump starter has emergency lights, you’ll be able to place it near your car to alert other drivers to the fact that you’re there. We definitely recommend buying a jump starter with emergency lights of some kind, especially considering the fact that they could end up saving your life.
Radios
Some jump starters have built-in emergency radios, which will help you keep up-to-date with local events in case of an emergency or a natural disaster like an earthquake or hurricane. If you live in an area that’s prone to these types of events, this feature might be incredibly helpful.
Brands to Consider
Generally, it’s worth buying something from an established brand instead of a newer company without a track record—not only because the product will likely work better, but also because the company may offer a better warranty in case the device doesn’t work as expected. When it comes to jump starters, known brands include the likes of Noco, Stanley, Beatit, and Jump-n-Carry, all of which offer slightly different takes on the jump starter.
About Our Trusted Experts
Taylor Clemons has over three years of experience writing about games and consumer technology. Taylor has also previously worked with MTD Products, where she assembled and repaired robotic, riding, and push lawn mowers. Tony Mitera has a passion for helping people make informed decisions with his knowledge of how things work. Tony is both an IT and auto mechanics nerd, and enjoys tinkering with both computers and cars. When not writing, Tony is a Membership Director of the SCCA Nebraska Region, participating in autocross events.
