Getting your very own jump starter is a good and wise investment. You will never know when you will need the service of a good jump starter for your car. This is especially useful if your car won’t start due to a dead battery.
However, jump starters have evolved over the years. You can now buy jump starters that can do more than just start your car or bring a dead battery back to life.
This is the reason why we came up with this list of the 7 best jump starters. Hopefully, this list will help you decide which jump starter to buy. We will also discuss all the additional features that come with each unit and determine if the feature is really useful or just an added piece of novelty.
| Product Name | Quality | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOCO Genius Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12V UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter | A | $$ | 4.5 stars |
| DBPOWER 600A Peak 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter | A- | $ | 4.4 stars |
| Beatit 600A Peak 14000mAh 12-Volt Portable Car Jump Starter | B+ | $$ | 4.3 stars |
| Stanley J5C09 1000 Peak Amp Jump Starter with Compressor | A | $ | 4.8 stars |
| Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp 12-Volt Jump Starter | A | $$$ | 4.5 stars |
| GOOLOO 600A Peak Portable Car Jump Starter | B+ | $$ | 4.3 stars |
| Rugged Geek RG1000 Safety – NEW 1000A Portable Lithium Booster Pack Jump Starter | A- | $$$ | 4.4 stars |
**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Things You Need To Know On Jump Starters
Before spending your hard-earned cash, here are some of the important things you need to know on jump starters.
1. There are 2 main kinds of jump starters: plug-in units and jump boxes.
Plug-in units are basically large chargers that you simply plug into an electrical outlet. Plug-in units come with negative and positive cables that you simply hook up to a dead battery. The charger will effectively charge the battery so you can start your car.
Jump boxes are basically portable power packs, but they are a bit bigger and heavier than those power banks for your handheld gadgets. A jump box is basically a battery inside a box. The box will usually contain a maintenance-free battery with heavy-duty jumper cables.
2. Jump boxes cannot charge a dead battery. However, they are strong enough to provide the right amperage to start your stalled vehicle. If all you ever need is a portable jump starter that you can keep in the trunk, then jump boxes are probably the best choice for you.
3. Plug-in jump starters are best used at home since you will need an electrical socket for the jump starter to work. But if you are stranded in the middle of an empty highway or deserted parking lot with no electrical sockets insight, plug-in chargers are no good.
What To Look For In A Jump Starter
Whether you have your sights on a portable plug-in jump starter or jump box, here are the things that you need to look for in a best jump starter:
- High-quality battery with a high reserve capacity
- Thick heavy-duty cables and corrosion-resistant battery clamps
- Emergency lights to alert motorists and pedestrians
- 12-volt receptacles for other accessories such as an air compressor or your smartphone
- Flashlights
Plug-in Jump Starter Or Jump Box?
The answer will ultimately depend on what you need and what you can afford. Our advice is to get both, especially if you have more than 1 car in your garage.
But when it comes to emergencies, a jump box is your best choice simply because you can use it anywhere or whenever you need it, even if the absence of an electrical socket. Most jump boxes are strong enough or have the capacity to be used more than once. Depending on the jump starter, some have the ability to start 5 cars or more.
The 7 Best Jump Starters Reviewed
1. NOCO Genius Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12V UltraSafe Lithium Jump Starter
Why We Pick It
The NOCO Genius Boost Plus GB40 is a portable yet powerful jump starter that can perform 20 jump starts on a single full charge. It is rated at 1,000 amps or 7,000 joules, allowing it to be used multiple times before needing a recharge.
This jump starter is designed for both gasoline engines (up to 6.0-liters of displacement) and diesel engines (up to 3.0-liters of displacement). You can use this jump starter on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats, lawn mowers and more.
The NOCO Genius Boost comes built-in with spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection so you can safely connect this device on any type of battery. This jump starter also comes with a 100-lumen LED flashlight with 7 light modes so it can also function as a portable and long-lasting emergency light with emergency strobe feature.
With the NOCO Genius Boost, you can also recharge personal gadgets such as your smartphone and tablet via the built-in USB port. The best thing about this jump starter is that you can recharge the high-capacity lithium battery from a powered USB port such as your laptop.
Pros
- Sturdy build quality
- Spark-proof technology
- Powerful flashlight
Cons
- Short cables with distance limitations
- USB charging takes too long to fully charge the internal battery
2. DBPOWER 600A Peak 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter
Why We Pick It
The DBPOWER 600A portable jump starter is light and small enough to be stored in your trunk or glove box. This portable jump starter has the capability to jump start gasoline engines (up to 6.5-liters displacement) and diesel mills (up to 5.2-liters displacement).
The DBPOWER 600A can jump start up to 30 vehicles on a single charge. The kit includes heavy-duty industrial-grade clamps and cables for added durability.
What makes the DBPOWER 600A stand out is the smart charging port. The 18000mAH internal battery can fully charge your laptop computer (using an 8-in-1 laptop adapter that is included in the package), tablet PCs, smartphones, and other gadgets.
This jump starter was also designed with your safety in mind. The device comes with overload protection, short-circuit protection, over-voltage protection, and even an over-charge protection system.
The DBPOWER 600A also comes with an LCD screen that can accurately display the remaining power left in the internal battery. For those who love trekking the wild outdoors, it’s good to know that this jump starter also comes with a built-in compass. It really is a portable power bank and jump starter all rolled into one unique and compact device.
Pros
- LCD screen and compass feature
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Cable gauge is a bit thin
- Small clamps
3. Beatit 600A Peak 14000mAh 12-Volt Portable Car Jump Starter
Why We Pick It
The Beatit 600A portable car jump starter is powerful enough to start your car, truck, or motorcycle up to 30 times. This jump starter is good for both gasoline engines up to 5.5-liters and diesel engines up to 4.0-liters.
The Beatit 600A is equipped with a high-capacity 14,000 milliamps lithium internal battery with heavy-duty clamps. This device also has a quick charge function that allows you to fully charge the internal battery in just 5 hours using the included wall charger.
You can also use the Beatit 600A to charge your smartphone, camera, and tablet PC via the built-in USB charging port. The device is built using high-quality circuit boards with short circuit protection and overload protection so you can use this product with confidence.
The Beatit 6000A also comes with a built-in LED flashlight. This jump starter is no bigger than a high-capacity power bank, so it fits conveniently inside your backpack or glove box.
Pros
- Quick-charge feature
- Portable size
- Battery management protection against overloads and short circuits
Cons
- Cables tend to get loose
- Fiddly clamps
4. Stanley J5C09 1000 Peak Amp Jump Starter with Compressor
Why We Pick It
The Stanley J5CO9 is one of the most popular jump starters for your car. It may not be the smallest, lightest, or the most compact jump starter that money can buy, but it is made from heavy-duty materials and it feels sturdy enough to last a lifetime.
For those on a tight budget, this jump starter is available in a variety of configurations. You can choose from 600 Peak Amp (which is the cheapest), 700 Peak Amp, 1,000 Peak Amp, or you can choose this particular unit which is 1,000Peak Amp with a built-in compressor.
That’s right. The Stanley J5CO9 comes with a powerful 120 PSI air compressor that can pump up a flat tire. This jump starter is probably the ultimate roadside emergency gadget that any car owner will surely appreciate.
The Stanley J5CO9 comes with both 12-volt DC outlets and a USB power port to juice up your laptop, cameras, and handheld devices.
But the icing on the cake is the ease of use. If your car won’t start or if your car battery is flat, simply connect the clamps, turn on the jump starter, and start your car.
There is even a built-in safety system that will sound an alarm if the clamps are not connected properly, or if you happen to interchange the positive and negative clamps.
Working in the dark? No problem. This kit comes with a powerful LED flashlight that can rotate 270 degrees so you can point it anywhere you want.
The Stanley J5CO9 is a welcome addition to your roadside emergency kit.
Pros
- Sturdy build quality
- Powerful air compressor
- 12-volt and DC outlets
- Feature-packed for the price
Cons
- Will not fit in the glove box
5. Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp 12-Volt Jump Starter
Why We Pick It
The Jump-N-Carry is different because the most expensive kit has 1,700 Peak Amps, which is more than most portable jump starters in the market. You can also choose a 900 Amp and 1,700 Amp with a compressor model just like the Stanley J5CO9.
The Jump-N-Carry JNC660 comes with heavy-duty industrial grade Hot Jaw clamps, 46-inch AWG cables, and a voltmeter that provides the status of the powerful built-in battery.
Speaking of the internal battery, this PROFORMER battery is designed to provide unmatched cranking power for prolonged cranking durations. It is powerful enough to be used for numerous jump starts before needing a full charge.
Like most jump starters in the market, the Jump-N-Carry JNC660 also comes with a DC outlet to charge and power 12-volt accessories.
Pros
- Industrial-grade jaw clamps
- Lengthy cables
- Built-in voltmeter to show the charge status of internal battery
Cons
- Some issues with the build quality
6. GOOLOO 600A Peak Portable Car Jump Starter
Why We Pick It
The GOOLOO 600A is a jump starter and power bank. Sure, it looks more like a power bank than a jump starter, but don’t let the exterior dimensions fool you.
This device has the capability to jump-start large gasoline engines (up to 6.5-liter displacement) and diesel motors (up to 5.0-liter displacement) on cars, trucks, cargo vans, RVs, SUVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, boats, etc.
The powerful built-in battery offers 600 Amps of peak current and can jump start up to 30 vehicles before recharging.
The GOOLOO 600A can charge your electronic gadgets in no time at all. The kit also comes with a universal laptop adaptor so you can juice up your mobile PC even in the absence of an electrical outlet.
Other standard features of the GOOLOO 600A includes an LED flashlight with SOS signaling capabilities, intelligent clamps with over-current and short-circuit protection, and dual USB ports.
Pros
- Compact size, fits in the glove box
- Universal laptop adapter
Cons
- Extremely short cables
- Flimsy battery clips break easily
7. Rugged Geek RG1000
Why We Pick It
The Rugged Geek RG1000 is one of the newest jump starters to hit the market, but it is already one of the most popular as well. You can also choose the RG600 jump starter or the RG1000 Safety Plus with air compressor, but our test unit is the RG1000 which is in the middle of the price range.
The Rugged Geek is small and portable, but it can jump-start a 6.0-liter Cadillac without any problems at all! This jump starter also comes with a clear digital LCD display that provides information such as the remaining charge left and the voltage or output levels.
This device comes with INTELIBOOST spark-proof jumper cables that make it virtually impossible to short-circuit your car, boat, or SUV.
The Rugged Geek RG1000 is more than just a jump starter. It is also a portable power bank for your gadgets. It provides USB and laptop charging capabilities. It also has an ultra-bright LED flashlight with SOS strobe feature.
The package includes a 3-in-1 USB cable so you can power your USB-C, Lightning, or Micro USB equipped gadgets on the go.
Pros
- Robust design
- INTELLIBOOST feature for maximum safety
- Compact size
Cons
- Short cables
- Small battery clamps
Conclusion
Don’t you hate it when your car won’t start in the morning? Dealing with a dying or flat battery is indeed a hassle, and nobody in their right mind would want to experience getting stuck in an open parking lot.
Our choice is the Stanley J55CO9 1000 with Compressor. This multi-talented jump starter can start your car, charge your gadgets and laptop, pump air into your tires, and it can even light your way in the dark. Backed up by the Stanley name, this jump starter feels very well-made, although it isn’t what you would call compact by any standards.
Every car owner should have a jump starter safely tucked inside the trunk.