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A jump starter doesn’t replace a battery charger. It also doesn’t eliminate battery maintenance or the need to replace a dead battery. It is an incredibly handy tool, however, that might save you from calling roadside services or depending on the kindness of strangers. The first time you use one of these, you’re going to feel like you’ve entered a cheat code due to the amount of time and frustration you saved. That is, as long as you pick the right model. Jump starters are nothing new, and there are equally as many duds as there are home runs out there.
Luckily, we have found many jump starters that are worth your consideration.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Noco Boost Plus GB40
- Best Value: AstroAI S8 Ultra
- Honorable Mention: Audewdirect Portable Jump-Starter
- Best For Home Use: Ryobi ONE+ Jump Starter Kit
- Best Charger: Schumacher SC1281 Smart Battery Charger
- Best With Air Compressor: Stanley J5C09 Portable Power Station
Our Methodology
Quite a few factors influence the selection of jump-starters on our list. However, one thing that’s been left off the table is commercial demand. While hunting for jump-starters, it was clear that most people aren’t after something you might find in a professional shop. That’s why there aren’t heavy-duty options on the list or ones that jump multiple vehicles. Most of these are designed to keep in the vehicle with you for emergencies.
The research comes from a few different places. Some of these chargers were subjected to hands-on testing or are models our team has personal experience with. Otherwise, I made sure to stick to our usual research routine to ensure anything on this list is worthy of your time and money.
Best Jump-Starters: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Noco Boost Plus GB40
Pros
- Highly consistent
- Perfect for most car owners
- Heavy-duty jumper cables are better than most
Cons
- Poorly made storage bag
- Few additional power ports
The Noco GB40 is both a model that exists in our personal collections and is one that was subjected to hands-on testing. It’s proven to be a reliable, consistent unit that’s not soon to let you down when things get tough. That said, it’s equipped with long, sturdy battery cables, it’s easy to use, features reverse-polarity protection, and doubles as a power bank for your smart device. This model is rated to jump-start up to six-liter gas engines and three-liter diesel engines, making it the perfect match for most car owners. I have even seen this jump a 440-ci V-8 countless times, and it’s still trucking.
As for the drawbacks, there are few to talk about. The storage bag it comes with isn’t quite the right size for the unit and lacks in quality. It also lacks in the number of additional ports and features in comparison to many other models
Best Value: AstroAI S8 Ultra
Pros
- Affordable price point
- More than enough power for average motorist
- Plentiful additional ports/functions
Cons
- Clumsy safety protection box
- Poorly placed flashlight
This jump starter and power bank from AstroAi recently came in for testing. Michael Febbo’s review will be up shortly, but so far, he has been impressed by the quality of materials, the versatility, and the value. This is a 4,000 amp jump starter, that at the time of writing this, is available on Amazon for $149.99 with a few accessories.
Besides just jump-starting your car, this also has a USB-C port that is used for charging the device, but also has power out so you can charge anything from phones and laptops, to anything USB-C really. But it also has USB-A ports, one that’s capable of 5V/9V/12V and the other is a standard 5V, 2.4amp. The dongle for jumpstarting has a button for “boosting” your car battery, in case it is really dead, and has an indicator light to tell you if you got the clamps reversed — it happens. The dongle is pretty big and awkward, especially with how short the cables are, but those are really the only complaints.
Honorable Mention: Audewdirect Portable Jump-Starter
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Surprising performance for price
- Plenty of additional ports/functions
Cons
- Relatively low durability
- Bulky protection box on cables
The Audewdirect portable jump-starter’s overall performance claims make it a solid contender. The price is lower than most will expect to pay for a jump starter, making its ability to jump up to an eight-liter gas engine or six-liter diesel utterly shocking. While it’s safe to assume those numbers may be generous, my testing did prove it to be more than capable of servicing the average motor vehicle. It’s also worth pointing out that this model also features two USB ports, meaning you and a passenger can charge your phones in an emergency situation.
While it will do just fine under normal circumstances, this may not be the most durable unit. We suspect it’s strong enough to endure almost anything you’ll encounter on the road. And the bulky protection box at the base of the cables isn’t favorable.
Best For Home Use: Ryobi ONE+ Jump Starter Kit
Pros
- Removable tool battery means it is more likely to be charged
- Easy to use with instructions printed on outside
- Will jump multiple cars on a single battery
Cons
- Too big to keep in your trunk on a daily basis
- An expensive tool compared to smaller sealed units
Ryobi sent this unit to us for testing and Michael Febbo’s full review here. To quickly sum up that review. This is a well-made jump starter that is attractive because it uses batteries you already have – assuming you own other Ryobi ONE+ 18V tools. The upside of using a tool battery is that you are far more likely to have one sitting in your garage fully charged than remembering to keep a sealed jumper charged up all the time. The downside is that you won’t want to carry a tool battery, along with this larger jump starter in your trunk all the time.
This is more expensive than most of the smaller disposable jumpers out there. It is designed more for the person who has cars sitting in a garage they know will need jumping on a somewhat regular basis. It can jump multiple, big engines on one single charge. It is also very easy to operate and has instructions printed on the outside of the tool since you probably won’t remember the procedure in between uses. It does have multiple safeguards built in that won’t let you try and jump the car with the connectors on the wrong terminals. It also won’t shock you if you touch both alligator clamps at the same time. Yes, other jumpers offer this, but we would probably trust Ryobi to deliver on the safeguards more than the other brands that come and go regularly.
Best Charger: Schumacher SC1281 Smart Battery Charger
Pros
- Can charge battery and run diagnostics
- Long cables
- Relatively low price
Cons
- Quality control issues are common
- Not portable
This Schumacher has a place in any DIYer’s shop. It’s more than just a jumper, as it can perform diagnostic tests to help you determine what killed the battery in the first place. Not only that, but it can also charge AGM, gel, and standard batteries. This model also has exceptionally long leads, which is perfect considering the size of the unit and that many battery chargers are stricken with frustratingly short cables. It is also affordable.
This unit is great for the garage, but it does rely on 120-volt power and is not portable. Furthermore, there are a concerning number of complaints about faulty units reaching customers.
Best With Air Compressor: Stanley J5C09 Portable Power Station
Pros
- Built-in compressor
- Can charge/power many devices
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Takes up a lot of space
- Relatively short battery cables
We’ve all seen something like this Stanley before. It’s the kind of emergency roadside tool many were given as teenagers. It does have the power to jump-start a vehicle, but the built-in compressor makes it easy to air up the tires enough to get off the side of the road. It’s priced perfectly for the average consumer, which isn’t much of a surprise coming from Stanley. Also, the USB charging port and 12-volt DC port make it easy to power up or charge devices you’ll want to keep handy in an emergency.
This is a great unit, but it is large. The cables are also relatively short, which can make it awkward for some car owners to use.
Our Verdict on the Best Jump Starters
The Noco Boost Plus GB40 is hard to beat for most car owners. It’s priced just right and can easily jump-start common applications. However, the AstroAI S8 Ultra is a great way to go if you want to save money.
Things to Consider When Buying a Jump Starter
It’s always best to make an informed decision, especially when the item you’re purchasing is designed to come to your aid in an emergency situation. Jump-starters aren’t all the same, however.
Types of Jump-Starters
Portable
Every jump-starter on the list above is a portable unit. They feature an internal battery, so there is no need to depend on external power sources. They are generally sized with vehicle storage in mind, but motorcyclists may want to consider more compact models.
To say that portable models don’t have flaws is untrue, though. The primary drawback is that they aren’t doing you any favors if they aren’t fully charged. It’s common for the same kind of cold weather that kills your car battery to suck the life out of one of these units. Keep an eye on battery levels periodically to ensure you won’t wind up with a dead jump pack.
Wheeled Units
There are no wheeled units on our list, but they are excellent tools. These models take up a considerable space in the shop, but they do many things that their portable counterparts generally cannot. It’s also not out of the ordinary for these models to be far more powerful.
Many wheeled units can charge batteries and run diagnostic tests as well as jump a dead battery. These are usually found in a commercial setting. However, they can be a worthwhile investment for someone who is more actively involved in DIY automotive repair.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: It depends on the engine you’re working with. Thankfully, most jump-starters provide you with details outlining what size engines they’re good for. That said, it’s never a bad idea to buy one that’s more powerful than you need so long as there’s room in the budget.
A: Many factors will determine how long your jump-starter will last. On average, the lithium batteries should last for around two or three years. Your own jump-starter can live for longer or shorter depending on the number of charge cycles it sees and how well you take care of it.
A: It depends on what the manufacturer claims and the particular situation you’re in. If the manufacturer claims that its jump-starter can perform 20 jumps on a single charge, you should assume that’s in ideal weather conditions on the smallest engine in its range, on a brand-new unit. As those factors change, you can expect the number of jumps to fluctuate.
A: No. A jump-starter only temporarily provides the system with enough additional power to turn the starter and fire the engine. The alternator will offer some charging once the engine is running, but it is still important to put the battery on a dedicated charger after jump-starting.
A: Not under normal circumstances. Internal circuitry should prevent overcharging as long as the unit is in sound condition.
