Best Portable Jump Starters: How to Choose One That Actually Starts Your Car
A portable jump starter lets you start a car with a dead battery without needing a second vehicle. Choosing one comes down to your engine, your climate, and the safety features.
Jump pack or jumper cables?
- Jumper cables are cheap and never need charging, but you need a donor car. Heavier-gauge cables (a lower AWG number) carry current better.
- Lithium jump packs are compact and work alone. They need recharging every few months, and they lose capacity in extreme cold.
Sizing
Manufacturers rate their packs for engine size and type (gas vs. diesel). Compare the maker's stated engine rating to your engine. Peak amp numbers aren't standardized across brands, so they aren't a reliable comparison. Larger engines, diesels, and cold climates need more capacity.
Safety features
- Reverse-polarity and spark protection
- Over-discharge and over-heat protection
- A manual override or "boost" mode, used carefully, for batteries too dead for the pack to detect
Using one
- Turn off accessories. Clamp red to the positive terminal, then black to a ground point or the negative terminal, following your owner's manual.
- Turn on the pack and start the car. Remove the clamps in reverse order.
- If the car needed a jump, test the battery and the charging system. See our battery testing guide.
| Product | Best for | What to look for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact lithium jump starter | Small and mid-size gas engines | Engine rating that matches your car, protection features | Check current price at your retailer |
| Heavy-duty jump starter | Trucks, V8s, diesels | Diesel rating, cold-weather performance | Check current price at your retailer |
| Heavy-gauge jumper cables | A budget backup | Low AWG number, adequate length, solid clamps | Check current price at your retailer |
| Smart battery maintainer | Cars that sit | Multi-stage charging, float mode | Check current price at your retailer |
Research-based roundup of product categories. We have not lab-tested these products. Confirm specs and fitment on the retailer's listing.