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The best portable jump starters of 2024: Expert recommended
When your car battery dies, traditional jumper cables are a great solution to boost it, assuming you can call roadside assistance or find a kind person who can help you. However, relying on them isn’t always practical for maintaining or repairing your vehicle, especially if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with no one around.
Fortunately, many manufacturers now offer portable jump starters. These are essentially portable power banks, storing energy to boost your vehicle’s battery in an emergency without the need for another car’s help. Many feature lightweight and compact designs that are perfect for keeping in your car, while others are big and bulky, with more robust features like built-in air compressors, USB charging, and even wall-style AC outlets.
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What is the best portable jump starter right now?
To help you find the best portable jump starter for your car, I’ve researched and compared different models for peak amps, size, weight, price, and additional features like flashlights and air compressors. My top pick for best portable jump starter is the Everstart Maxx 1200A since it can be used for different types of vehicles and has a built-in air compressor to help you fill your tires. Read on for the rest of our jump starter choices to find the one that will be right for you.
The best portable jump starters of 2024
Pros
- 1200 peak amps
- For gas and diesel engines
- Up to V8 gas engines
- Built-in tire inflator and 500W inverter
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
- Cables are somewhat short
The Everstart Maxx 1200 amp portable charger is one of the best for your roadside emergency kit. I have one for my 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, and it fits nicely in the trunk’s sidewall well compartments when I need to keep it out of the way for groceries or potting soil and plants. The 1200amp peak output is plenty of juice to jumpstart just about any commuter vehicle with a gas or diesel engine; it’s even enough for V8 engines to get a kickstart when needed.
It also has an integrated 120psi tire inflator with an auto-stop for when you need to quickly top up your tires before work or while on a road trip. It even has a 500W inverter with 3 USB ports and a 120V plug for charging devices in an emergency.
Everstart Max 1200A features: Peak amps: 1200 amps | Weight: 15 pounds | Dimensions: 14.5 x 11 x 9 inches | Max engine size: V8
Pros
- Lightweight and compact design
- 1000A peak
- Great for most gas and smaller diesel engines
- Water resistant
The Noco Boost Plus GB40 is an excellent and affordable addition to any garage toolkit or roadside emergency kit. It offers up to a 1000A peak, which is plenty of power for up to 6L gas or 3L diesel engines. Its compact, lightweight design makes it easy to keep in your trunk, glove box, or toolbox until you need it.
With spark-proof clamps and reverse polarity protection, you can quickly and safely attach the GB40 to any compatible vehicle battery for a quick jump or charge. The body of the GB40 is IP65-rated for water resistance, which means that the delicate electronics inside will be protected even in wet and rainy conditions.
Stanley J5C09 specs: Peak amps: 1000 amps | Weight: 7.94 ounces | Dimensions: 4.61 x 8.19 x 4.21 inches | Max engine size: 6L gas, 3L diesel
Pros
- Works with up to 12L diesel engines
- USB charging
- Compact and lightweight
- Reverse polarity alarm
Cons
- No LCD screen for status
- No built-in compressor
If you’ve got commercial vehicles, construction equipment, or large pickup trucks, the Avapow 6000A portable jump starter is a must-have for your tool kit. It’s designed specifically for large vehicles with up to a 12L diesel engine, so anyone driving vehicles ranging from farm trucks to long-haul semis can have peace of mind while on the road. It provides up to 6000 amps and has several safety features like reverse polarity alarms and a silicone case to prevent damage and injury.
The unit also acts as a portable power bank with built-in USB ports to keep your phone and other devices charged in an emergency. The clamp cables measure 26 inches long, giving you a bit more leeway when working within large engine compartments where batteries might not be reached easily. While many customers who bought the Avapow 6000A portable jump starter said they love its compact size and simplicity of use, some reported mixed results when trying to jump-start larger diesel vehicles.
Avapow 6000A portable jump starter specs: Peak amps: 6000 amps | Weight: 2.75 pounds | Dimensions: 10.98 x 6 x 5.63 inches | Max engine size: All gas, 12L diesel
Pros
- Built-in compressor
- Work lights and USB charging
- AC charging block
- Integrated handle and cable management
Cons
- Big and heavy
- Somewhat short clamp cables
If you’re like me and don’t particularly like the idea of single-purpose tools, the DeWalt DXAEJ14 is an almost perfect multipurpose portable jump starter. Not only does it provide up to 1600 amps of power for jumping everything from your SUV to your grandpa’s golf cart, it also has a built-in air compressor, alternator test function, built-in work lights, USB charging ports, and an AC outlet.
An integrated handle and cable management channel makes moving and storing the unit faster and easier. The unit also has a reverse polarity alarm to let you know if the clamps are connected incorrectly to help prevent damage to your battery, as well as to keep you from getting hurt by improper electrical handling. Verified reviewers who purchased the DeWalt DXAEJ14 all love that it comes with easy-to-follow instructions for jump-starting, tire inflation, and unit maintenance, as well as its rugged outer case.
DeWalt DXAEJ14 specs: Peak amps: 1600 amps | Weight: 35 pounds | Dimensions: 13.07 x 11.81 x 6.14 inches | Max engine size: V8
The Mophie Powerstation Go is one of the most compact portable jump starters on the market. It measures just 3.25 x 8.75 x 4.5 inches and weighs less than a pound. This makes it the perfect size to keep in your center console or glove box for easy access in case of a roadside emergency. With up to 600 peak amps, you’ll be able to jump-start most 12V gas vehicle batteries in just a few minutes.
With the built-in power bank and dual USB Type-A ports, you can charge two mobile devices at once. ZDNET’s Matthew Miller got to go hands-on with a Mophie Powerstation Go, which has a built-in air compressor to help keep your tires properly inflated all year. Miller also praised the built-in LED flashlight, which helps if you run into any car trouble in the evening or in the mornings before work.
Mophie Powerstation Go specs: Peak amps: 600 amps | Weight: 13.9 ounces | Dimensions: 3.25 x 8.75 x 4.5 inches | Max engine size: 6L gas
I chose the Everstart Maxx 1200A as the best portable jump starter because of its compatibility with a wide range of gas and diesel vehicles, including those with V8 engines. It also has a built-in 120PSI tire inflator for quick top-ups on the go, a 500W inverter with 3 USB ports, and a 120V outlet for charging devices in emergencies. The integrated handle makes it easy to move around, and the compact size allows you to keep it tucked away in your trunk or back seat without sacrificing a ton of space.
|
Best portable jump starter |
Price |
Peak amps |
Max engine size |
|
Everstart Maxx 1200A |
$109 |
1200 amps |
6L gas, 3L diesel |
|
Noco Boost Plus GB40 |
$99 |
1000 amps |
6L gas, 3L diesel |
|
Avapow 6000A |
$170 |
6000 amps |
All gas, 12L diesel |
|
DeWalt DXAEJ14 |
$143 |
1400 amps |
6L gas, 5L diesel |
|
Mophie Powerstation Go |
$30 |
600 amps |
6L gas |
*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual price may vary by retailer and available deals or promotions.
The best portable jump starter for your needs is one that has both a peak and sustained amperage output that is suitable for your vehicle. Smaller cars, light pickup trucks, and things like ATVs don’t need as much power as a diesel engine pickup or semi. For typical drivers, a jump starter with a peak output between 1000 and 1400 amps should be more than enough power. But if you have a fleet of commercial vehicles, construction equipment, or even marine vehicles, you’ll want something with an output of up to 6000 amps.
|
Buy this portable jump starter… |
If you need… |
|
Everstart Maxx 1200A |
A well-rounded portable jump starter. It also has a built-in tire inflator as well as USB ports for charging devices. |
|
Noco Boost Plus GB40 |
A budget-friendly portable jump starter. The Boost Plus GB40 retails for just under $100 while still offering a 1000-amp peak and a rugged, water resistant casing. |
|
Avapow 6000A |
A portable jump starter for large vehicles. It has an output of up to 6000 amps, which means you can use it on vehicles with up to a 12 liter diesel engine. |
|
DeWalt DXAEJ14 |
A unit that does more than jump start your battery. It features a built-in tire inflator, USB ports, an alternator check function, and a reverse-polarity alarm. |
|
Mophie Powerstation Go |
A compact portable jump starter. It measures just 8.75 x 3.25 x 4.5 inches, making it perfect for keeping in your glove box or center console. |
Aside from price, there were several other factors I considered when comparing portable jump starters for this list.
- Size: Not every car or garage has the space to store large, bulky portable jump starters or battery chargers. I made sure to include compact models as well as larger ones.
- Power output: Not all portable jump starters are created equal. If you have a large truck or commercial vehicle, you’ll need a jump starter with a higher amperage output than one you would use on your grandma’s ancient Crown Victoria. Conversely, if you drive an ultra-compact car or have small engine equipment like ATVs, you’ll need something with a weaker output so you don’t burn up your battery or alternator.
- Multiple uses and other features: Several brands like Stanley and DeWalt make portable jump starters that also act as tire inflators, power banks for charging devices, radios, and even flashlights. I made sure to include a few of these for anyone who doesn’t like the idea of a single-purpose device.
While testing and researching each portable jump starter on this list, I kept these criteria in mind:
- Multifunctionality: Nobody has the space or patience to maintain an arsenal of special tools and devices for their vehicle. So I made sure that each model on this list offered at least one other function, be it an air compressor, power bank, or built-in flashlight.
- Vehicle compatibility: No two people are going to drive the exact same car, or have the same power needs for all of their vehicles. Each model on this list has been verified for use in both gas and diesel vehicles as well as marine batteries and ATVs.
- Portability: The whole point of having a portable jump starter is to be able to take it with you, whether that’s on a cross-country road trip or a jaunt across town to the grocery store. While each model may differ in size, each one featured on this list has been vetted for in-vehicle storage.
A jump starter is a piece of equipment that is meant to give a short, powerful burst of energy to your battery in order to get the engine to turn over. After your battery is successfully jump started, you should let your car run for at least 30 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery.
A battery charger, however, is designed to deliver a slow, steady, much lower level of energy to safely recharge a battery from depletion or to perform regular battery conditioning for peak performance.
Alternators are pretty resilient pieces of equipment, and are built to be resistant to all kinds of outside influences. However, you can severely damage it when trying to jump start your car if you have the cables connected to the wrong battery nodes or if you have the incorrect battery type. Always make sure your cables are connected correctly and that the battery is the correct size and power for your vehicle.
Absolutely. Batteries, including car and truck batteries, aren’t meant to hold a charge forever. And factors such as time, temperature, and even how often you use your vehicle can affect how the battery discharges. If a battery sits for years or experiences extreme temperatures, the battery will slowly discharge energy, which can lead to it not holding enough of a charge to even be jump started. If this happens, the only option is to replace the battery with a brand new one. Fortunately, many places offer discounts for bringing in old batteries or recycling programs to keep dangerous chemicals from leaking batteries out of landfills.
