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Though you hope that it never happens, the truth of the matter is that every once in awhile, your car battery’s power goes missing in action. While this could mean the end of your battery as you know it, the more likely scenario is that it’s in need of a jump. For years and years, the only way to jumpstart your car while out on the road was with the help of another functioning car. However, there are now devices available which allow you to jump your car yourself without the use of another car. These devices are portable jump starters.
Compact and powerful, portable jump starters can be easily stored away in your trunk until they are needed. There’s no need to get stranded in dark parking lots late at night. A portable jump starter will have you covered.
Compare: The Top Portable Jump Starters of 2017
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | GOOLOO 650A | GOOLOO | $$$ | 4.9 |
 | DBPOWER 600A Peak 18000mAh | DBPOWER | $$ | 4.8 |
 | JUMPPLUS Portable V8 | JUMPPLUS | $$ | 4.8 |
 | DBPOWER 500A Peak 12000mAh | DBPOWER | $ | 4.7 |
 | Nekteck Multifunction | Nekteck | $ | 4.7 |
 | Rugged Geek INTELLIBOOST 600A | Rugged Geek | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | Jackery Spark, Highest 800A Peak Current | Jackery | $$ | 4.6 |
 | NOCO Genius Boost Plus GB40 1000 Amp 12V | Noco | $$$ | 4.6 |
 | Suaoki U10 800A Peak 20000mAh | Suaoki | $$ | 4.4 |
 | Black & Decker JUS500IB 500 Amp | Black & Decker | $$$ | 4.3 |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
What is a Portable Jump Starter?
Contents
A portable jump starter is a small, light, and compact device that can be used alone to jump start your car. Though it’s not the case for all portable jump starters, some also possess USB output ports that allow you to charge your phone and various other devices.
Typically equipped with LCD screens, they are capable of giving you valuable information such as how much battery power they have remaining before they must be charged. Truthfully, as long as you drive a car, you have a need for a portable jump starter. They can get you out of some serious jams.
What are the Benefits of Portable Jump Starter?
While you can jump start your car with the use of jumper cables and another functional car, you might not be lucky enough to have another functional car at your disposal. With a portable jump starter, you can jump your car without the use of another car. As long as the jump starter has been charged, it can be used to get your car up and running again.
Another benefit provided by many portable jump starters is that they are capable of charging your phone and other USB devices. Also, some portable jump starters possess SOS lights which you can use to attract attention in cases of emergency.
Who are the Contenders for Best Portable Jump Starter?
GOOLOO 650A Portable Car Jump Starter – Weighing in at 2.5 pounds, this GOOLOO portable jump starter measures in at a compact 3.7 inches x 7.3 inches x 1.7 inches, making it beyond easy to store. Capable of supplying up to 650 Amps of peak electrical current, it can provide up to 20 jumps on a single fully-charged battery. Equipped with USB output ports and SOS lights, it allows you to charge your phone and signal for help in case of emergencies.
DBPOWER 600A Peak 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter – Weighing in at a scant 1.3 pounds and measuring in at 3.9 inches x 9.5 inches x 4.9 inches, this DBPower portable jump starter can be stored away and transported with ease. Supplying a peak electrical current of 600 Amps, it can provide up to 30 jumps on a fully-charged battery. Sporting a USB output port, it allows you to charge everything from smartphones, to tablets, to laptops, and more.
JUMPPLUS Portable V8 Car Jump Starter – As compact of a portable jump starter as you’re going to find, this JumpPlus jump starter weighs in at just 1 pound, and measures in at 3 inches x 7 inches x 1 inches, allowing you to store it with ease. Supplying 550 Amps of peak electrical current, it accommodates the majority of small and mid-size cars. Equipped with a USB port and a LED flashlight, it’s a great tool to have around in case of emergency.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Portable Jump Starter
If you’ve never used or even seen a portable jump starter before, you might be totally confused as to what you should look for in one. After all, by appearance alone, they all appear to be about the same; tiny plastic containers with jumper cables attached to them; maybe some buttons and an LCD screen present, but nothing that truly allows the lay-person to know the difference between one jump starter and the other. So, in order to purchase the right portable jump starter for you, you must do some research. When researching, there are a couple of things to consider. These things include the jump starter’s peak amp, how durable it is, how safe it is, and how portable it is.
Peak Amp
Peak amp refers to the maximum amount of jumping power that a portable jump starter possesses. The higher the peak amp, the more powerful cars the jump starter is able to jump. Portable jump starters possess a peak amp of anywhere between around 300 and 800.
Durability
As with any product you buy, you have to consider a portable jump starter’s ability to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. Because they have to be used in conditions of all types, including rain and intense heat, they must possess a great deal of durability.
Safety
The truth of the matter is that portable jump starters are capable of generating dangerous amounts of electricity. Many portable jump starters possess mechanisms that prevent electric shock from harming both you and your vehicle.
Portability
Because you’re more than likely going to keep your portable jump starter in your car trunk, you want to make sure that it’s portable. You don’t want to have to lug around a giant, heavy device every time your car needs a jump.
Peak Amp
GOOLOO 650A Portable Car Jump Starter
With a peak amp of 650 amps, this Gooloo portable jump starter accommodates most small, medium, and large automobiles. Capable of providing up to 20 jumps on a single fully-charged battery, it also possesses a USB port for smartphone charging.
DBPOWER 600A Peak 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter
Though it doesn’t provide quite as much power as the Gooloo jump starter in our top 3, this DBPower portable jump starter still provides an excellent 600 peak amp. Capable of providing up to 30 jumps on a single fully-charged battery, it lasts an exceedingly long time.
JUMPPLUS Portable V8 Car Jump Starter
While it ranks last of our top 3 in terms of peak amp, this JumpPlus portable jump starter still offers a respectable 550 peak amp. This makes it appropriate for most small and medium size cars.
Durability
GOOLOO
Constructed out of tough plastic, this Gooloo portable jump starter can withstand a great deal of wear and tear, whether that be from falls or collisions. With tough plastic current conductors, it’s as tough as any portable jump starter you’re going to find.
DBPOWER
With a tough plastic and rubber construction, this DBPower portable jump starter does a great job of withstanding both falls and collisions. Equipped with durable plastic current clamps you won’t ever have to worry replacing, this portable jump starter is as solid as a rock.
JUMPPLUS
Like the DBPower jump starter in our top 3, this JumpPlus portable jump starter is made of both rubber and plastic, making it safe against hard falls and other forms of wear and tear. With tough plastic current conductors, it holds up as well as any portable jump starter you’re going to find.
Safety
GOOLOO
Equipped with built-in Smart Protection, this Gooloo portable jump starter offers over-current protection, short circuit protection, overvoltage protection, and overcharge protection, keeping your car battery safe at all times. With plastic current conductors, it completely prevents electric current from reaching your hands.
DBPOWER
As far as safety goes, this DBPower portable jump starter is right on par with the Gooloo jump starter in our top 3. With short-circuit protection, over-current protection, overload protection, over-voltage protection, and over-charge protection, it keeps both you and your car completely safe from damage.
JUMPPLUS
Like the Gooloo and DBPower jump starters in our top 3, this JumpPlus portable jump starter offers a great deal in the way of safety precautions. With over-current protection, overload protection, over-voltage protection, and over-charge protection, it does a great job at keeping both you and your automobile safe.
Portability
JUMPPLUS
Weighing in at a scant 1 pound and measuring in at 3 inches x 7 inches x 1 inch, this JumpPlus portable jump starter is as portable as any jump starter you’re going to find. It comes with a carrying case for safe, easy storage and transportation.
DBPOWER
Weighing in at just 1.3 pounds and measuring in at just 3.9 inches x 9.5 inches x 4.9 inches, this DBPower portable jump starter offers superb portability. With a carrying case included, it is beyond easy to store and transport from your trunk to your hood.
GOOLOO
Though it’s not quite as small as the DBPower and JumpPlus jump starters in our top 3, this Gooloo portable jump starter is still ridiculously portable. Weighing in at just 2.5 pounds, it possesses rubberized grips that allow for a safe and secure grip.
Our Portable Jump Starter Reviews
Best Cheap: Nekteck Multifunction Car Jump Starter
Because of what they’re used for, it’s important that everyone is able to afford a portable jump starter, regardless of their budget situation. Fortunately, there are quite a few high-quality portable jump starters available at affordable prices. One of these is the Nekteck Multifunction Car Jump Starter. Supplying 600 Amps of peak electrical current, it is capable of jumping your car up to 12 times on a single fully-charged battery. With a built-in USB port and LED flashlight, it allows you to charge phones and inspect under your hood in emergency situations. Looking for a high-quality portable jump starter at a bargain price? Consider this one by Nekteck.
Pros:
600 Amps of peak current
Built-in USB port allows you to charge smartphone
Contains a built-in LED flashlight
Cons:
Limited battery life
Best for the Money: DBPOWER 600A Peak 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter
Though it’s not the absolute best portable jump starter on the market, for its price, this DBPower portable jump starter is an incredible buy. Providing 600 Amps of peak electrical current, it supplies up to 30 jumps on a single fully-charged battery. Equipped with a built-in USB output port as well as an LED flashlight, it allows you to charge phones, laptops, tablets, and various other devices, all the while providing you with a guiding light. If you’re looking for the best portable jump starter at a reasonable price, you must check this one out.
Pros:
600 amps of peak electrical current
As safe as any portable jump starter you’re going to find
Provides an excellent 30 jumps on a single fully-charged battery
Cons:
Doesn’t function well in very hot conditions
Best Overall: GOOLOO 650A Portable Car Jump Starter
To put it simply, this Gooloo jump starter is the best portable jump starter on the market at the present time. Providing a staggering 650 Amps of peak electrical current, it can supply up to 20 jumps for small, mid-size, and large vehicles. With a built-in USB outport port as well as a built-in SOS light, it allows you to charge all of your devices while signaling for help in case of emergencies. If you’re looking for the best portable jump starter on the market, look no further.
Pros:
Supplies a staggering 650 Amp peak electrical current
Possesses built-in USB output port
Possesses a built-in SOS light
Cons:
USB port powers off if the jump starter is not being used at the same time
Conclusion
You never know when your car is going to give up on you. And there’s nothing worse than being stranded out in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting your vehicle up and running. That’s why you need a portable jump starter.
Compact and powerful jump starters like the GOOLOO will quickly get your car back in working order regardless of how big it is. Don’t get yourself stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Invest in a portable jump starter as soon as you can.