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Jump starters are one of the BEST tools to have in your garage and in your vehicle while traveling. And we're not just saying that because we hope you buy one. It's because they can literally be life-savers, especially if you spend a lot of time on the open road.
RV owners, commuters, and road warriors of all sorts have often found themselves in need of a roadside boost.
And jump starters are designed specifically to be THE most effective way to boost a dead battery, without needing to flag down a stranger for help.
So if you're thinking about buying a jump starter to add to your tool shed, garage or emergency roadside kit, right on! You're investing in an excellent tool that could end up saving you a lot of money on roadside assistance, tows, and a lot of time stranded on the side of the highway.
However, there's one big problem... There are hundreds of jump starters on the market and they're not all built the same...
So how can you choose the best car jump starter?
The following guide breaks down jump starter needs by vehicle type, power output and must-have features. So that you can know which lithium ion jump starters to buy, what to look for, and what to avoid!
First time using a jump starter? Check out our guide on how to use a jump starter, where we explain how to boost a dead battery with a jump starter alongside a bunch of other great safety tips.
Image courtesy of Musa Javed @ Unsplash.com
Quick Comparison Table: Best Jump Starters of 2025
We'll take a closer look at the best portable jump starters below. But first, here's a quick comparison tables of what the top 8 jump starters have to offer.
Best Jump Starter For Cars & Sedans: Compact & Affordable
If you're looking for a jump starter that's ideal for smaller cars and sedans, that will fit in your glove box, and if you're not worried about having to boost larger vehicles, the NOCO Boost GB40 1000A is a great choice.
It's small, lightweight, and affordable. And with 1000A of output power, it offers enough juice to boost pretty much all 4-cylinder vehicles, as well as some smaller V6 engines. Let's take a look at some of its key features.
NOCO Boost GB40 1000A
- Costs about $99 on Amazon
- 1000A peak output
- Up to 20 starts per charge
- Ideal for 6.0L gas or 3.0L diesel engines
- Spark-proof clamps
- Reverse polarity protection
- 3-hour recharge time
- Integrated power bank with USB cable
- LED flashlight
- Weighs about 2.5lbs
- 1-year warranty
Are you worried about buying the right jump starter for your vehicle? Check out our featured blog: How Many Amps Do You Need in a Jump Starter?
Best Jump Starters For SUVs, RVs & Trucks: Power You Can Count On
If you plan on boosting larger vehicles, you'll want a larger jump starter with more amps, stronger clamps, and a heavier-duty design.
But what exactly is the best jump starter for large vehicles? Here are 2 great jump starters ideal for larger cars, SUVs, diesel engines, and RVs.
Noco Boost GB70 2000A
- Costs about $199.95 on Amazon
- 2000A output
- Ideal for 8.0L gas and 6.0L diesel engines
- Built-in power bank
- 400-lumen LED flashlight with 7 modes
- Weighs 5lbs
- Comes with USB-C charging cable and storage bag
- 1-year warranty
WolfBox 4000A
- Costs about $109.99 on Amazon
- 65W quick charger
- 4000A power output
- Weighs 3.2lbs
- Built-in LED flashlight
- USB power bank
- Heavy-duty clamps
- LCD display screen
- Ideal for 10L gas or diesel engines
- Works in temperatures from -4°F to 140°F
- Safety-rated
- 2-year warranty
Best Jump Starters For Emergencies: All-in-One Kits
Next up, if you're looking for a jump starter for emergencies, you'll want something with all the extra features, like a built-in flashlight, powerbank, AND an air compressor.
These next two jump starters are designed for survival situations, roadside emergencies, and self-reliance. This way, you don't just get a jump starter... You also get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're ready for just about anything. Let's take a look!
GOOLOO A3 Jump Starter with Air Compressor
- Costs about $69.98 on Amazon
- 5-in-1 jump starter
- 3000A output
- Ideal for 9.0L gas and 6.5L diesel engines
- 1000+ charge cycles
- Built-in air compressor with 5 modes
- Functions as a battery charger
- USB power bank
- Built-in LED flashlight
- 18 month warranty
- Carrying case
DEWALT DXAEPS14-Type2 2000
- Costs about $193.10 on Amazon
- 2000A peak output
- 120 PSI digital air compressor
- Reverse polarity protection
- 500W AC inverter/USB power bank
- Heavy-duty clamps
Wondering if you should get a jump starter with extra features? You can check out our featured blog post: Jump Starter With Air Smart Combo Or Overkill?
Best Jump Starter Budget Picks (When You Just Need a Jump)
Not worried about survival? Don't want to spend all that much? No problem!
We've also found a couple great jump starters that are great budget picks. These jump starters are affordable. And they'll get you a boost when you need it... But lower prices tend to come with a few drawbacks as well.
Let's see what sets the AstroAI S8 and Scatach 3000A jump starters apart.
AstroAI S8
- Costs about $44.99 on Amazon
- 1500A peak amp output
- Ideal for 6.0L gas or 3.0L diesel engines
- Built-in flashlight and power bank
- NOT ideal for use in cold weather
- No warranty
Scatach 011 3000A
- Costs about $29.91 on Amazon
- 3000A peak output
- Flashlight and USB power bank
- Ideal for up to 9.0L gas and 7.0L diesel engines
- Reverse polarity protection
- Spark-proof clamps
- Comes with carrying case
- Lightweight design (1.9lbs)
- Escape hammer safety feature
- No warranty
Best Premium Jump Starter (Top-Tier Performance)
Now, if you're looking for something that has a fast-charging lithium-ion battery, that offers reliable boosting power, that's 100% waterproof, that's designed to work in ANY weather conditions, and that's lightweight, compact, and durable...
Or if you're just looking for the MOST reliable jump starter out there, you'll want to take a look at JumpForce Pro.
Over the years, Tool Troopers has tested out more than a dozen jump starters, and we've found that many jump starters just don't make the cut. Other jump starters have lots of peak amp output, but weak batteries that don't last. Or they'll have handy features like air compressors, but then they won't be waterproof or safety rated.
So we took all that into consideration and set out to design the most powerful, rugged, and durable jump starter on the market! Here are just some of the features you'll find on JumpForce Pro.
JumpForce Pro 1000A
- $99.99 directly from Tool Troopers
- 1000A peak output (suitable for most vehicles, cars, motorcycles, ATVs, trucks, SUVs and RVs)
- Reverse polarity protection
- Heavy-duty jumper cables with spark-proof clamps
- USB power bank for fast-charging electronics
- Compact and lightweight design fits in the glove compartment
- Fast-charging lithium-ion battery (full charge in just 30-45 mins)
- Unbreakable aircraft-grade materials housing
- Straightforward design that's solid
- 100% waterproof casing
- All-weather usage, designed to function at 100% in extreme low temperatures
- Backed by Tool Troopers' Trust Your Gear 60-day money back guarantee
- Industry-leading 5-year warranty, because we know we build products that last!
How to Choose the Right Jump Starter for You
Amp output and battery strength are probably the most important specs to look for when shopping around for jump starters. But price, unit size, and other factors should also play a role in your buying decision when looking for a great quality jump boxes.
Here's just a quick list of factors to consider when shopping for a jump starter.
- Matching peak amp output to engine type
- Features like USB ports, built-in led flashlights, and air compressors (we recommend avoiding jump starters/compressors)
- Storage options (carrying cases)
- Unit size, weight and portability
- Warranty
- Safety features like surge protection or reverse polarity detection
You might also find battery chargers that have built-in air compressors, which can be a good option for some. But be sure check out our guide on jump starters with air compressors to find out if a combo unit is the right option for you. You can also check out our related blog on Jump Starters Vs. Battery Chargers.
Image courtesy of Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. @ Unsplash.com
Did you enjoy this read? Check out other great related jump starter content, like "Can you use a jump starter on a motorcycle?" and "Can a jump starter damage my car or battery?"
Frequently Asked Questions - Best Jump Starters 2025
As you can see, there really are all sorts of different makes, models and sizes of jump starters on the market.
But if there's one thing we want you to take away from all this, it's that no two jump starters are create equal. So it's important to look for jump starters that offer the BEST features for you, which include things like longer-lasting batteries, increased durability and waterproofing, and just overall superior performance.
Here are a few other frequently asked questions we hear from our readers that might help you decide which jump starter to purchase.
Can I use the same jump starter for my car and my truck?
Yes, as long as you purchase a jump starter with an adequate peak amp output rating (1000A), you should be able to jump start both a car or truck. That said, you may not be able to boost larger trucks with diesel engines or heavy equipment if you're using a smaller jump starter. For more information on choosing the right model, check out our jump starter buying guide which lists different peak amp output requirement for different vehicle classes and engine sizes.
What jump starter is best for cold weather?
Certain jump starters are specifically designed and rated for use in cold weather. But lithium ion batteries generally don't last as long in cold weather. Most jump starters will still put out enough power to get your engine started even in cold weather. But the jump starter's battery just won't last as long, which may be a problem if you're using it for repeat starting attempts.
Do I need a jump starter with an air compressor or USB ports?
While jump starters with additional features can be convenient, we don't recommend them. We've found that when you add air compressors, you tend to compromise on the quality, durability, and reliability of your design. That's why our JumpForce Pro doesn't have air compressor. It's not because we don't want you to inflate your flat tire. It's because our goal was to design the BEST jump starter, without sacrificing on strength, dependability, and the integrity of our design.
Are cheap jump starters safe?
Generally, if a product is safety rated for use in North America, it's probably a safe product to use. But what we will say is that cheap or inexpensive jump starters generally use cheap, inexpensive or poor-quality components, which makes them less safe to use. Cheaper designs with poor clamp or wiring insulation or a lack of surge or reverse polarity protection can lead to an increase risk of short circuits, electric shock, fires, and damage to your vehicle's electronic.
How long do jump starters hold a charge?
It depends on the model you purchase, the size of its battery and how your jump starter is stored. Most lithium-ion jump starters will hold a charge for 6 months to a year. But in colder conditions, battery capacity may be depleted faster. Regardless, it's important to look for jump starters with durable batteries, to read your model's user manual, and to regularly check and recharge your jump starter so that you never end up on the side of the road with both a dead car battery and a dead jump starter.
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