Most people depend on personal cars to get them from one location to another. However, vehicles operating in cold environments may stall if their batteries run flat. Similarly, if you do not use your car for an extended period, you may need help to give it the power it needs to start again.
Some people still rely on the hospitality of others to give their batteries a boost when the power has dropped. Nevertheless, it can be frustrating to wait on the kindness of strangers to ensure you make it to work on time. As such, you can use a portable jump starter to gain the power you need to start your engine.
A jump starter stores electrical energy in a dense package and makes it available for boosting your car battery. The jump starter, along with the vehicle battery, can recharge in a variety of ways, such as using extension cords, 12-volt male adapters, USB ports and wall-plug adapters.
Buying the best jump starter can be challenging for many car owners because of the many different products available. Thus, we have crafted a list of the five best jump starters to ensure you have a reliable option in case your battery lacks the necessary power.
5 Best Car Battery Jump Starters
1. NOCO Boost Pro GB150 Lithium Jump Starter Box
NOCO Boost Pro GB150 3000 Amp 12-Volt UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter Box, Car Battery Booster Pack,...
- Start Dead Batteries - Safely jump start a dead car battery in...
- UltraSafe - Safe and easy to use car battery jump starter pack...
- Multi-Function - It's a car jump starter, portable power bank,...
- Advanced Design - Our most advanced portable car battery jump...
- In The Box - GB150 UltraSafe Portable Lithium Car Battery Jump...
The NOCO Boost pro GB150 uses a lithium-ion battery to deliver 300 amps of power to a dead or low-powered car battery. It has a significant storage capacity that allows it to jump-start your vehicle at least 40 times on one charge. Plus, it is suitable for 9-liter gasoline engines and 7-liter diesel engines.
The device is jam-packed with safety features that include spark-proof technology to ensure you do not run the risk of electrical or fire hazards. Aside from providing sufficient power, this dust and water-proof battery jump starter also comes with an LED flashlight and USB charging options for your electronics, inflators and inverters.
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2. DBPower DJS50 800A 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter
DBPOWER 800A 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter (up to 7.2L Gas, 5.5L Diesel Engine) Battery Booster...
- 👍POWERFUL & COMPACT: Jump start your vehicle (up to 7.2L gas...
- 👍SMART CHARGING PORT: With 18000mAh capacity and smart USB...
- 👍PROTECTION: The high quality and spray gold intelligent...
- 👍LCD SCREEN & COMPASS: The new-added LCD screen can exactly...
- ❤WHAT YOU GET: DBPOWER Jump Starter DJS50, intelligent jumper...
The DBPower DJS50 combines power and portability that is capable of jump-starting a gasoline engine of 7.2L and a 5.5L diesel engine up to 20 times on one charge. It provides peak amps of about 800A through durable clamps and cables that can fit inside your glove box.
This portable jump starter can store about 180000mAh and can even charge a laptop through a USB port. The device has comes with an LCD screen that gives you vital information on the power level of the battery. Plus, the smart safety features of the quality jumper cables will not let you down.
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3. Schumacher SJ1330 Jump Starter and Air Compressor
Schumacher SJ1330 Rechargeable AGM Jump Starter for Gas, Diesel Vehicles - 1000 Amps with Air...
- 1000 PEAK AMPS: Jump start your car reliably when needed;...
- EASY TO USE: Battery status LEDs indicate when your battery needs...
- SAFE AND RELIABLE: Hook-up safeguard alarm sounds if the clamps...
- PORTABLE POWER: Charge phones or tablets and power accessories...
- AIR COMPRESSOR: Add air to tires and sports balls with a 150 PSI...
The Schumacher SJ1330 is one of the best jump starters that you can get on the market. The capable product can jump-start a gasoline engine of up to 8 cylinders while only catering to 6-cylinder diesel engines. The peak amps of 1000A have what it takes to power a wide variety of vehicles.
This product also provides numerous capabilities like a built-in LED flashlight and a 150 PSI air compressor. Although this portable jump starter lacks a screen, it comes with LED indicators that give you essential information about the battery pack. Plus, you can charge numerous USB devices through the 12V DC port.
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4. Imazing IM27 Portable Car Jump Starter
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Imazing Portable Car Jump Starter - 2000A Peak 18000mAH (Up to 8.0L Gas or 7.5L Diesel Engine) 12V...
- Imazing POWERFUL CAR JUMP STARTER: With 2000A peak current, it...
- SAFETY PROTECTION: With UL2743 standard certification and the LCD...
- FAST CHARGING: Designed with dual USB output ports and one Type-C...
- LED FLASHLIGHT: Imazing jump starter has a built-in LED...
- WHAT YOU GET: 1 x Jump Starter, 1 x Carry Case, 1 x LCD Smart...
The Imazing IM27 portable car jump starter, with 2000A peak power and a 18000mAh battery pack, is excellent for numerous automobile types. If you need a product that can jump-start your car more than 30 times on one charge, this device is enough. Plus, the Imazing IM27 has plenty of safety protection against overload, over-current, over-charge, over-discharge, short circuit, and reverse polarity connections.
You can charge this car battery jump starter quickly with a 3.0 USB-C port. If you want to use the device to power your electronics, you can hook-up your mobile phones through dual USB ports. The IMazing IM27 is ideal for camping trips where you may need charging power, a strobe, an SOS feature and an LED light.
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5. Nexpow 1500A Peak Power 21800mAh Car Battery Starter
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NEXPOW Car Jump Starter, 21800mAh 12V Portable Car Battery Starter, Auto Battery Booster, Lithium...
- 🚗【SUPER CAPACITY AND PEAK】NEXPOW Upgraded auto car jump...
- 🚗【6 IN 1 MULTI- FUNCTION】Emergency jump starter + portable...
- 🚗【21800mAh SUPER CAPACITY POWER BANK】Battery booster With...
- 🚗【IMPROVED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY】NEX POW portable car battery...
- 🚗【WHAT YOU GET】: A whole set of G17 auto battery charger...
If you are looking for an affordable jump starter with more functions, the Nexpow 1500A has what it takes to deliver. The high peak power and large capacity ensure that you can jump-start any vehicle from a motorcycle to a truck in a few minutes. Moreover, this is the best jump starter for a cold climate because it can operate in the range of -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Nexpow includes all the modern safety perks like an LED indicator and smart jumper cables. If you are looking for a device that is lightweight and compact, you should consider this car jump starter.
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What to Consider When Buying the Best Car Battery Jump Starter
1. Type of jump starter
A portable jump starter will either store its electrical energy in lithium-ion batteries or a lead-acid battery. For starters, lithium-ion batteries are designed to pack a significant amount of energy in a compact space while also increasing the life-span of the device. In fact, some jump starters using this technology have the capability of starting a large commercial vehicle.
On the other hand, a lead-acid battery is much bigger and heavier than its lithium-ion counterpart because of the technology used to manufacture it. Unfortunately, the size and weight of these kinds of jump starters make them difficult to haul around and use whenever your car doesn't start. After all, it might be challenging to remove a 40+ pound jump starter from your trunk in case of an emergency.
Moreover, lithium-ion batteries are much better at retaining their charge. Regardless of your intended use, a lead-acid car battery jump starter will not give you the portability and longevity you need.
2. Your car battery
Depending on its make and model, each car may use a different battery from another vehicle of the same size and capability. Make sure you check the voltage rating of your car. After all, it is beneficial to figure out the type of battery you use so that you can buy the best jump starter for it.
Most of the portable car battery jump starters are designed to cater to a non-commercial vehicle. These options will give you a power boost of about 6 to 12 volts. Alternatively, a large truck would need about 24 volts of power from the jump starter.
3. Your engine size and type
Your engine's size and type are essential considerations to make when you want to get the best jump starter. It follows that a larger engine will have a bigger battery. Additionally, diesel engines require more power than the ones that use gasoline.
The jump starter you buy should be able to supply the amps necessary to help your engine start. As a general rule, 4-cylinder gasoline engines need about 150-250 amps, 250-350 amps for 6-cylinder variants and 400-550 amps for 8-cylinder ones. Since diesel engines require more power, go for 300-450 amps for the 4-cylinder, 450-600 amps for the 6-cylinder and 600-700 amps for the 8-cylinder.
4. Safe-to-use jump starter
Admittedly, there are safety risks involved when using jump starters to send power to your car battery. For instance, you may see sparks, cause a short-circuit or over-current your vehicle. The best jump starter should come with an abundance of safety features that ensure you do not have to deal with electrical or fire hazards.
You can buy a product that has a smart jumper cable feature that is designed to minimize the risks of electrical or fire faults. Such jumper cables have reverse polarity, back-feed protection, anti-spark and over-current protection mechanisms.
5. Additional features
Some manufacturers include plenty of features with their car battery jump starters. For instance, you can buy a product that can also charge your electronics through USB ports.
Moreover, you can look for a portable jump starter that has an LED flashlight, LCD screen, a USB port or an air compressor. These features can ensure that you are covered regardless of where your car battery stalls.
6. Jumper cables
Buying a car jump starter with smart jumper cables is essential. Of course, the product will come with safety features that can help you figure out if you have connected it to your vehicle battery correctly. However, the quality of the connectors should also play a significant role in your purchase.
Some car batteries have their terminals far from each other and hence lengthy jumper cables would be ideal. Additionally, copper-coated connectors with quality materials can boost your battery power efficiently because they provide excellent current flow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Car Battery Jump Starters
1. How do I choose a jump starter?
Buy a portable jump starter that has a wide variety of features. Look out for smart jumper cables for safety, an LED flashlight for nighttime issues, an LCD screen to help you monitor your car battery, an air compressor and USB ports for charging other devices.
2. How many amps do I need to jump-start my car?
Buy a car jump starter that can deliver peak amps of about 400-600 to ensure that you can boost power to your small vehicle. If you have a heavy commercial vehicle, look out for a product that can deliver 1500-2000 amps. You should aim to get one with a higher power rating than you need to guarantee a reliable service.
3. Are portable jump starters worth it?
A portable jump starter ensures you do not have to depend on others to help you start your engine. Plus, you can buy devices with extra characteristics, such as charging your electronics when you are on the road. A reliable product can come with a compass for navigating when you are outdoors.