Having a reliable portable car charger is key – it could come in handy in bad weather if your car has an old battery, and in unforeseen circumstances that may require an emergency start
If you’ve already had the misfortune of getting stuck with a car that won’t start, perhaps on a cold winter morning, you know how important it can be to get the car to restart quickly. If you don’t want to rely on the kindness of strangers or your neighbors, there is a simpler option – a portable jump starter.
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We could define car chargers and jump starters as small and dense containers of electrical energy. Many come with useful accessories. They charge with a standard extension cable, wall adapter, 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter or USB port (when the car is on the move). Most jump starters offer a combination of these four charging options.
These portable batteries do what they were originally meant to do: provide a “boost” (or “boost”) to a dead battery to start the car. All of these boosters have clamps that connect to the car battery terminals and nearly all include reverse polarity protection. Some of these car jump starters are equipped with semi-permanent and easily installed attachments that allow you to quickly connect them to the car’s ignition system without the clamps. Most of these have some sort of flash or flashlight and at least one USB port, for charging devices like phones and tablets. And these are just some of the features that some jump starters include.
To be honest, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, so we recommend that you have your car battery checked periodically by an auto electrician. But, should the worst get the better of them, these car jump starters will give you the “boost” you need.
1. NOCO Boost XL GB50
The best quality car jump starter in our opinion, also perfect for large cars
NOCO is the go-to brand when it comes to this type of kit. This American company is among the world’s leading suppliers of jump starters, so you can confidently rely on the GB50 if you want to restart your car. We’re not talking about a cheap product, but trust me, it’s a real beast: it offers up to 30 starts on one charge! It is capable of starting petrol engines up to 7.0 liters and diesel engines up to 4.5 liters. The 200 lumen LED flashlight should be able to illuminate anything well. In addition, it is also a power bank. It is water-resistant, with an IP65 rating.
2. CTEK MXS 5.0 Automatic Battery Charger
The best car charger, in our opinion
An excellent all-in-one charger and booster from CTEK to use as a portable jump starter. The internal battery will stay charged for a full year, which means you won’t have to worry if you forget it, and it can even be integrated with a solar panel to ensure it always stays charged. The best part though is Adaptive Boost technology, which can restart a fully discharged battery in the safest and most efficient way possible.
3. Röhr DFC-450P Battery charger 70A, 12V / 24V
The car jump starter with more functions
If the small and powerful units haven’t won you over, the Rohr charger might be just for you. It looks like the typical starter you’d find in a gas station, but the Rohr offers more than just a “push” to your car. There’s a great slow charging feature available if you’re not in a hurry, and it also integrates a pulse rectifier, a technology to actively repair a damaged battery. In short, it’s a really great kit – just don’t expect it to fit in the glove compartment of your car!
4. NOCO Boost Plus GB40 Portable Jump Starter 1000A 12V UltraSafe
The best economic jump starter from NOCO
While less powerful than the NOCO GB50, the Boost Plus will still restart most dead batteries with ease. Works on diesel engines up to 3 liters and petrol engines up to 6 liters. It also features a 100 lumen LED flashlight, can be used as a normal power bank and is also water-resistant with an IP65 rating.
5. CTEK MXS 3.8 Automatic Battery Charger
The best option to prevent battery drain
We may be out of balance, but the CTEK MXS 3.8 should ensure you never have to deal with a dead battery again. Unlike the starters described above, the CTEK cannot by itself restart a car with a completely discharged battery, but if you use it between uses of the car, you can rest assured that the battery will never leave you. more on the ground. Prevention is definitely better than cure!
6. Silverline 423352 12V Lithium Battery Assembly and 6000 mAh Starter
The best compact jump starter
This little Silverline has a perfect shape, is a mix between a power bank and a starter, and is one of the cheaper models! But rest assured, it still offers a good capacity of 400 A / 6000 mAh, even though it only has one USB 2.1 A connector. mains or USB.
Despite this, it is an attractive option thanks to its ease of use, 41cm cables and an array of powerful LEDs that tell you the available capacity. It weighs only 231 grams, so it’s a lightweight and very portable product if you want to keep it in a small car.
Car Jump Starters Buying Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Car Jump Starter for You
What is the displacement of your car’s engine?
All the starters that we have proposed to you can start the vast majority of new cars. However, it is still worth checking the potency of the product you are looking at before buying it. The maximum displacement of a diesel engine that can be started will be less than that of a petrol engine.
Do you want some extra features?
Many of the starters come with a flashlight and USB ports for charging a smartphone or tablet. Usually, a product with these additional functions costs more, so ask yourself, before purchasing, if you plan to use them in the future.
Pay attention to the safety features
The best starters are equipped with protection against incorrect connections and against the development of dangerous sparks. Always read the instructions carefully.
Has your car battery reached the end of its life?
If the battery is low, first ask yourself why. It could be something as simple as an interior light left on, but if not, it might be time to replace the battery. Don’t just rely on the jump starter to get home – replace the battery at the earliest opportunity! Remember that batteries deteriorate over time and their performance suffers in cold weather.
