A few years ago, I found myself stranded in a Walmart parking lot, hood popped open, and my battery was as dead as my great-great-grandpa.
Of course, I was young and naive back then, and I didn’t carry jumper cables or any tools with me.
So I stood there, silently rehearsing how to ask the next person to drive by if they could give me a boost.
Next thing I know, some guy pulls up and asks me if I need help. I say: “Yeah… You got jumper cables or a battery charger by any chance?”
He laughs and tells me he’s got something even better!
Then, instead of popping his hood, he casually pops his trunk open and pulls out a small gadget that looks like a lunchbox with cables coming out of it.
Before I even had the chance to ask what it was, he had already clipped it onto my dead battery, and he told me to turn the key…
I do, and the engine instantly roars back to life in just seconds!
And that, my friends, is how I learned the importance of having a fully charged jump starter in the trunk of my vehicle at all times.
Image courtesy of Jamie Street @ Unsplash.com
Are jump starters and battery chargers the same thing?
No, jump starters and battery chargers are NOT the same. Jump starters provide an instant surge of power to boost a dead battery. In contrast, battery chargers recharge dead batteries and maintain an optimal charge over time.
But we’ll get into that below!
Our point is that you think of a story like the one above, you probably think how handy it is to have a jump starter or battery charger on hand, right?
Well, you’re not wrong!
The only problem is that people often confuse jump starters and battery chargers. And although they’re both helpful tools to have on hand, they ARE NOT the same thing.
This article explains what they are, how they differ, and when to use each of these to help you out of a fix!
Image courtesy of Daniel @ bestjumpstarterreview.com @ Unsplash.com
What Is A Jump Starter?
A jump starter is a small, portable, battery-powered device that delivers an instant surge of energy to help you boost a dead 12V battery.
There are different types and sizes of jump starters out there, which you can learn about in our Jump Starter Guide.
Depending on the size and features, some units weigh just a few pounds, while bigger units weigh several pounds or more and are designed for trucks or larger vehicles and may include additional features, like flashlight, power banks and USB ports.
Some jump starter series are specifically designed for certain vehicle types, such as small cars, trucks, SUVs, or RVs to ensure you have the right power for your needs. But pretty much all modern jump starters are powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be charged up and brought around with you wherever you go.
Jump starters are great to have on hand for situations just like the one I described above. But they’re also super helpful to have if:
- You live in a region that sees extreme cold weather
- You travel or commute long distances for work
- You take long road trips or RV trips to remote destinations
- You like having ALL the best tools on hand
- You don’t want to end up in the same situation as me
- You want to save money by avoiding the cost of a tow truck or roadside assistance, which makes a jump starter a must-have tool for emergencies
The thing is, however, that jump starters won’t “charge” your battery. They’re meant to provide a temporary surge of power to boost a dead battery. So you’ll only use a jump starter when you find yourself unable to start your vehicle’s engine. Then, once the engine starts, the alternator takes over and recharges the battery for you.
You can also check out our featured blog on the Best Jump Starters or Jump Starters With Air Compressors to find out whether or not it’s worth buying a combo unit.
Image courtesy of Newpowa @ Unsplash.com
What Is A Battery Charger Or Battery Maintainer?
A battery charger or battery maintainer is a wired device that’s designed to fully recharge a depleted 12V battery and maintain it at an optimal.
However, they do this over the course of several hours, as opposed to providing an instant surge or power like a jump starter does. Unlike jump starters, chargers also need to be plugged into a wall outlet or AC power source. So they're not really considered portable devices.
Chargers are great for maintaining a battery’s charge during long-term storage, counteracting self-discharge, and keeping your battery’s health in tip-top shape.
Side-By-Side Comparison Table - Jump Starter Vs. Battery Charger
Need help deciding which to add to your toolbox or your car’s emergency roadside kit?
Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown of the specific uses, costs, and pros and cons of both a jump starter and a battery charger.
Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown of the specific uses, costs, and pros and cons of both a jump starter and a battery charger.
|
Feature (units) |
Jump Starter |
Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|
|
Use case |
Used for emergency starts when your alternator fails (temporary fix only), or for dead batteries caused accidental discharge. |
Used for maintaining long-term battery health, for recharging a battery that’s been unused, and for counteracting self-discharge. |
|
Power source |
Self-contained rechargeable battery. (lithium-ion or lead acid) |
Plugs into a wall outlet or other AC power sources. |
|
Time to work |
Instant boost |
Slow, trickle charge over several hours |
|
Price range |
$50 to $300 depending on model and where you shop. Some high-end units can be more expensive, and certain models may be sold out or unavailable at times. |
$30 to $130 depending on model and where you shop |
|
Maintenance use |
No |
Yes |
|
Best for |
Boosting dead 12V batteries on-the-go |
Charging weak battery at home, maintaining off-season vehicle batteries, depleted batteries caused by vehicle being parked for too long or in cold weather. |
Image courtesy of peoplecreations @ Freepik.com
Which One Should You Buy? A Jump Starter Or A Battery Charger?
Which one to buy really depends on what you need it for. If you need emergency power to boost a dead battery, a jump starter is what you need. But if you store a car, RV, or other vehicle during the winter, or if you have multiple batteries (car, boat, ATV, etc.), a battery charger might be the better option to have.
Ideally, we recommend having both a jump starter and a battery charger.
Jump starters are life-savers when you’re out and about, when traveling long distances, or when taking long RV trips to remote or isolated destinations. Whereas battery chargers or maintainers are great to have if you park a vehicle during the winter, and you want to keep your battery healthy and ensure the engine starts back up in the spring.
So remember:
- Jump starters = Not for recharging batteries
- Battery chargers = Not for emergency starts
Trying to use either of these devices in the wrong way could cause damage to the device itself, to your 12V battery, or it could just waste a bunch of your time.
Thinking about buying a jump starter? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to use a jump starter or how many amps do you need in a jump starter to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions - Jump Starter Vs. Battery Charger
Jump starters and battery chargers are both essential tools to have in your toolbox. But if there’s one thing to take away from all this, it’s that they are NOT the same thing.
Let’s take a look at a few other frequently asked questions we hear from our readers.
Can a jump starter charge a car battery?
No, a jump starter will NOT charge a car battery. Jump starters deliver a high current for a short period to help start the vehicle, but are not intended to fully charge the battery. Once you’ve started the engine, your alternator takes over and charges the battery. But because jump starters don’t give a sustained charge, you cannot hook one up to your battery terminals and leave it to charge.
Can you use a battery charger to boost a dead battery?
No, you can't boost a dead battery with a charger. You can use one to recharge a battery and get a vehicle started. But it's not an instant fix. Battery chargers provide a slow, trickle charge and can take up to 24 hours to fully recharge a depleted battery. So they're great to have in your garage. But they're not meant to help you out of a dead battery emergency.
Do I need both a jump starter and a charger?
You don't necessarily need both. But we do encourage you to keep a jump starter in your vehicle and to have a battery charger in your garage. After all, they are both different tools and can help you out in various ways. A jump starter is great for boosting dead batteries and getting your vehicle's engine running. However, a charger is designed to provide your battery with a slow, trickle charge to fully replenish the battery's capacity and maintain that charge over time.
What is a battery maintainer?
A battery maintainer, also known as a trickle charger, is a device that provides a slow, low-level charge to maintain a battery at an optimal charge level. Maintainers are particularly useful when a vehicle (car, truck, RV, or heavy equipment) is parked and isn't being used for an extended period of time. Essentially, battery maintainers are used to keep a battery healthy.
Can I leave a battery charger plugged in and connected to my battery overnight?
Yes, it's usually safe to leave a battery charger plugged in overnight. Most newer chargers have built-in sensors that switch the device into maintenance mode once your 12V battery has reached a full charge. But you can damage your car or battery with a jump starter if you use it improperly. You should disconnect and unplug your charger once your battery is fully charged. If you're using an older battery charger or a jump starter, you should never leave it hooked up for an extended period of time without supervision. It's essential to consult your charger's user manual to learn how to use it properly.
Which is better for RV or seasonal vehicles, a jump starter or a battery charger?
Both jump starters and battery chargers are beneficial for RVs and seasonal vehicles. A jump starter is great to have with you while traveling in case you (or the kids or your significant other) accidentally leave lights on and drain your battery. You can use a jump starter on a motorcycle, car, truck, SUV and different types of vehicles. However, a battery charger or maintainer is excellent to have at home during the off-season to help keep your battery charged and in good health.