Avoid flat batteries with the most powerful of battery chargers, the jump starter. Top-quality jump starters and portable power packs are shrinking in size and increasing in versatility. This is perfect for keeping you on the move.
But before we dive into that, familiarise yourself with the purpose of jump starters and power packs and think about what your needs are with help from our guide below.
A reliable portable jump starter should mean you're never left stranded. Obviously, if your battery is going flat regularly, then it's probably time for a replacement battery, but a jump starter is a great thing to keep in your car for when your battery needs a little persuasion. Although, getting a good trickle charger might be a great way to keep your car's battery in check while you're not using it.
The best jump starters 2024 at a glance:
Editor's pick: NOCO Boost X GBX45 - Buy from Amazon.
Most versatile jump starter: Ring Automotive ULTRABOOST 1500A - buy from Amazon
Best budget jump starter: GOOLOO GP2000 - buy from Amazon
We've recommended our favourite jump starters and portable power packs to you. They all differ slightly in order to cater for people's various requirements. This means there will certainly be one here for you. And if not, maybe a smart battery charger might be your thing.
The best jump starters 2024
Editor's pick
Via NOCOTo refer to that overused cliche, at the cutting edge, American brand NOCO is, in fact, the one that is sharpening the blade. Its new Boost X range rules supreme in the world of jump starters and power packs. The GBX45 is the smallest in the range and the one we recommend to most people because it's small; light; powerful for essentially any car or indeed vehicle you might own; robust (IP65 rated); and very easy to use.
Beyond jump-starting a car in a jiffy, the GBX45 features a 100-lumen LED flashlight and acts as a regular power bank. It also features a USB-C connection and can be fully recharged in under an hour.
Pros
- Very robust
- Flawless performance
Cons
- Overkill if you only own a supermini
Best budget jump starter
Via GOOLOOCapable of jumping petrol engines up to 9L and 7L diesels, the GP2000 is a highly capable jump starter for the cash. It's our favourite unit on the budget end of the spectrum, and it boasts versatility, quality, and still has the ability to jump start a Dodge Viper.
You also get 18 months worth of warranty, a couple of USB cables, a built-in light, and the ability to charge other devices such as your phone and laptop.
Pros
- Very versatile for the money
- Can jump start big engines
- Good enough build quality
Cons
- The NOCOs have the edge on durability
- Battery doesn't last as long as others
Best versatile jump starter
Via Draper ToolsThis unit is hefty compared to the others above. Very hefty. But the trade-off is that the Draper is also the most versatile unit.
Not only does it jump-start vehicles (check your battery CCA to see if the Draper's 900A can jump-start it), charge devices via its USB ports and bears a flashlight. It is an air compressor too. If you have the space for it, the Draper 12V Power Pack is a fantastic all-in-one.
Pros
- True all-in-one
- All features work well – not compromised
Cons
- Relatively bulky
Best for large vehicles
Via NOCOTake the GBX45 above, pump it up a bit, and you have the GBX75. Double the amps to 2500; engine capacity increases to 8.5-litre petrol and 6.5-litre diesel; the flashlight upgrades from 100 to 400 lumens. Therefore, if you have a larger vehicle, such as a campervan, or want a bigger unit that can jump-start smaller engines a great many times on a charge, this is the unit for you.
Other than the extra power and larger physical size, the GBX75 has the same robust specs as the smaller GBX45.
Pros
- Very powerful at 2500A
- Very robust and durable build quality
- Capable of jumping very large engines
Cons
- Overkill for most engines out there
Best for huge engines
Via GOOLOOSuitable for (quote) all petrol engines and diesel engines up to 10L, the GT4000S is a behemoth of a jump starter with a battery capacity of 88.8 Watt Hours and is even safe to use in the pouring rain, thanks to its IP65 waterproof rating.
It also doubles as a power bank, thanks to USB-C connection ports. It's said to last up to 60 jump starts on a full charge which is mightily impressive, considering just how many volts such a procedure requires.
Pros
- Great for large engines
- IP65 waterproof rating
- Doubles as power bank, too
Cons
- Quality not quite as good as the NOCO units
- Very overkill for smaller engines
Best trickle charger jump starter
Via CTEKThis unit from Swedish firm CTEK is a little different to the other products recommended here because it is a charger rather than a boost jump starter. Yet, it's here because the CS FREE is very efficient.
Call it a hybrid if you wish, the CS FREE can be hooked up to a car battery and will maintain it using mains or solar. But then, if you suffer from a flat battery, the CS FREE will charge said battery to a point where it can start within 15 minutes. Naturally, it can act as a power bank too and is both USB-A and USB-C compatible.
Pros
- Clever dual-purpose
- Adaptive Boost works very well
- Tremendous build quality
Cons
- Bigger and heavier than the NOCO and Ring units
Most versatile jump starter
Via Ring AutomotiveA new release (went on sale March 2024) from Ring Automotive consists of the ULTRABOOST jump starter. It's a close competitor to the GOOLOO units and is available in either 1000 or 1500 Amp form.
The 1500A is capable of jump starting petrol engines up to 6L and diesels up to 3L. This falls quite short of other units, but is more than suitable for most cars on the road. It also doubles as a power bank with two types of USB cables, has an LED light, and even recharges in just 90 minutes.
Pros
- Quick recharging time
- Suitable for most vehicles on the road
- Versatile with power bank and LED torch
Cons
- Not quite as capable as some GOOLOO offerings
- Not quite as powerful as competitors
What to consider with jump starters
Your biggest concern when looking for a portable battery charger is power. Particularly whether it's powerful enough to deal with your engine, a bigger engine will require more power to run. Thankfully our choices cover every new petrol or diesel car on sale today. So, you should be fine unless you run a Dodge Viper. If you don't run a Viper and are perhaps more environmentally conscious, then a solar battery charger might be your answer.
You should also note that some of these battery boosters don't pair well with Start-Stop systems, so check before buying, and perhaps consider one of the best batteries for stop/start systems. Another thing you should consider is the size of your car. While these are portable units, some are bigger than others and may eat valuable storage space if you run a car with a smaller boot. One of the best features that most of these chargers offer is that they'll also act as power banks for other electronics. These will usually have USB slots that'll allow you to charge up your mobile phone if you're broken down. Some offer built-in air compressors, but these tend to be more expensive and take up more room than other options.
How to use a jump starter power pack:
Before you hook up a jump starter, you should ensure the power pack is charged enough to jump-start a vehicle. And remember, the bigger the engine, the more power is needed to start it. Connect the jump starter to the battery terminals, making sure both the vehicle and the jump starter are off beforehand. Then switch the jump starter on and, subsequently, start the vehicle, following the specific instructions of the jump starter. Turn off the jump starter, disconnect it, and you're good to go. Some systems are built to be a two-in-one like the CTEK CS FREE - which we've tested out for ourselves.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.