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If you drive regularly, you’ve probably experienced a ‘dead’ battery. This experience can be scary and infuriating, especially if you’re in a hurry. In the past, car jump starters were heavy, bulky, and overly complicated. Well, what if we told you that this is no longer true? The latest generation of mini and portable car jump starters is here. Not only are they compact enough to add to your car emergency kit, but they are also equipped with additional features like flashlights and USB ports. Nowadays, there are several types and brands available, which can make it difficult to choose the right one. To assist you, we’ve shortlisted the highest-rated car battery jump starters in 2023.
Complete Buyer’s Guide For The Most Durable Car Battery Jump Starters
Portable car battery jump starters are an essential that you need to have in your emergency kit at all times. To help you decide which one to pick and provide some tips on using them correctly, we have compiled this complete guide.
How To Use a Car Battery Jump Starter
The exact process to jumpstart a car through a battery starter will depend on the brand and type you have. However, there are a few general tips that you need to know. The first thing you need to do is connect the jumper cables to the starter and turn it on. This is a pretty straightforward step, but you need to be sure that you attach them to the right port. The user manual comes in handy for such issues. After turning on the device, make sure it is at least 50% charged, as it will work better. Of course, if you are stuck on the road, you will need to make do with the battery level that you have.
The next step is to connect the jump starter to the car battery using the clamps. You need to follow the same process as you would with traditional cables. The red clip needs to be connected to the positive terminal, while the black needs to be attached to the negative. Next, you will need to crank the motor and start the car. Keep the car started for at least a minute before you disconnect the cables and turn the starter off. Make sure you attach and remove the cables in the correct order as mentioned in the user manual to avoid accidents.
What Are the Two Different Types of Batteries Used in Jump Starters?
Car battery jump starters come in two types: lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion battery starters are relatively new in the market, but the lead-acid ones have been around for a while. We have discussed the pros and cons of each type below.
Lithium-Ion
Lithium-ion jump starters are gaining popularity over lead-acid ones because they provide four times more energy than their counterparts. This means that their stand-by discharge period is also lower, at about 5% per month. They can be charged faster and weigh much less than lead-acid ones. This makes them ideal for portable jump starters so that they can be stored conveniently in the car emergency kit.
Lead-acid
Lead-acid batteries are popular, especially in the traditional jump starters. They are less popular in portable ones than their lithium-ion counterparts because they are heavier. One advantage that lead-acid batteries have is that they can be charged through both AC and DC adapters. This can be beneficial for you if you cannot find an AC power source, as you can simply connect it to a car’s DC power source.
What Additional Features Do Car Battery Jump Starters Have?
Some car battery jump starters come with more features than others. When browsing for one, make sure you consider the additional features they provide and whether they will be beneficial for you or not. Almost all jump starters can be used as a power bank to charge several electrical devices including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. They have separate USB ports to allow you to connect the cables conveniently. This feature can help you on many different instances including a power breakdown and a camping trip. Another common feature found in jump starters is flashlights. You can only understand its importance when you desperately need one. They allow you to use the starter with ease during nighttime as well, without having to rely on your smartphone’s torch.
A less common feature found in car jump starters is an air compressor. If you do not already have one in your emergency kit, or the one you own is bulky, you should invest in a starter that comes with an air compressor. Not only will it save up space in your kit, but it will also be extremely convenient to fill up your tires during an emergency when you are stuck in the middle of the road.
Why Are Safety Features Important?
Safety features are necessary in a car battery jump starter in order to avoid accidents like electric shocks or even fire. The features that you should be looking for include overload protection, over-voltage protection, reverse polarity, high-temperature protection, and short circuit protection. The more features your jump starter has, the lesser the chances of you experiencing an accident.
The Top Car Battery Jump Starters
BIUBLE Car Battery Jump Starter
– Best Overall
Our first choice is this car battery jump starter by BIUBLE due to its long battery life and additional features. It can jump start both petrol and diesel car engines within seconds. You can choose from two current options of 1000 and 2000 amps, and the clamps are heavy duty and durable. On a full charge, this device can start up to 20 regular vehicles, and even if it is sitting idle, it will not discharge itself. It can also double as a 12800 mAh power bank which has two USB ports. You can easily charge your phone and tablet with the 18W quick charge port. The LED light included has four modes including flash light, blink, SOS, and strobe light. Also, it is a safe device because it has eight built-in upgraded protections. All in all, it is the complete package as the size and weight make it portable.
Pros
- Can start 12 cars on full charge
- Can also be used as a 12800 power bank
- Includes eight built-in protections so is completely safe to use
Cons
- May need full charge before you can use it for the first time
Fanttik Car Battery Jump Starter
– Most Innovative
The Fanttik’s Car Battery Jump Starter is an innovative and useful device that offers users a reliable way to jumpstart their car engines. With a powerful 2000 Amp rating designed to instantly jumpstart almost any gasoline or diesel engine up to 8.5 liters, this device is very impressive. It features a 3-inch smart screen that intelligently detects and displays battery voltage in real-time and the remaining battery level, helping the user to keep track of how much charge is left in the device and when it needs to be recharged. This can give users peace of mind.
This jump starter is also designed with rapid charging capabilities, allowing the user to get back on the road in no time. It takes only five minutes of charging time from 0% to achieve a single jump start, and just 1.5 hours for full recharge. With its 65W USB-C power delivery input and output, the battery pack can provide plenty of power for most laptop computers as well as other USB-C devices.
Pros
- Includes smart screen
- Charges quickly
- Powerful device
Cons
- Not durable
Clore Automotive Car Jump Starter
– Long Battery Life
The Clore Automotive car battery jump starter is another powerful device with 1700 peak amps. The battery life is long enough to perform several jumps on a single charge. The cable included is 68 inches which makes it convenient to connect the starter to different kinds of vehicles. The clamps are made using alloy core and have a dual molded design, which allows them to deliver maximum power transfer. Also, it has a 3 amp built-in automatic charging system, which allows you to recharge it without any hassle. Additional functionalities include dual USB ports and a high intensity LED task light. The USB ports can be used to charge 12 volt electronic devices. An on/off switch is included to make sure that the clamps remain inactive when not in use. The tough rubber boot provides this starter the necessary stability it needs to operate.
Pros
- 68 inch long cable allows you to start different vehicle types
- Clamps deliver maximum power transfer
- Tough rubber boot makes it stable
Cons
- Digital display may be difficult to see in extreme sunlight
Nexpow Car Jump Starter
– Honorable Mention
Another one of our favorites is the Nexpow car jump starter due to its updated technology and high battery capacity. It can jump start both gas and diesel engines up to 20 times with the 2000 amp power and heavy duty cord and clamps. It can be used on a variety of vehicles and it is durable enough to withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures. The manufacturer has added several protection technologies including reverse polarity, over-current, high-temperature, and overload protection. This means that the chances of accidental sparks are close to none. The two USB ports included can charge cellphones, tablets, and other electronic devices. The LED light has three modes which make it ideal for different purposes. Along with the starter and clamps, a user manual, carrying case, USB A cable, and power adaptor are included in the box.
Pros
- Durable enough to withstand extreme temperatures
- Three LED light modes ideal for different purposes
- Several protection technologies to prevent accidental sparks
Cons
- User manual included does not mention details
POTEK Car Jump Starter
– Contender
The POTEX 900 peak car jump starter made it to our list due to its several functions. Other than jump starting a car battery, it has the functionality to inflate regular car tires. The air inflator is 150 PSI and can inflate a tire up to 30 PSI within 6 to 8 minutes. It is useful for charging different devices as well, including cell phones, car fans, and car motors. It has a 9Ah sealed lead acid battery, which can be charged with both AC and DC adapters. The battery status can be easily viewed through the LED indicator even in the dark. Also, three LED lights are included which can assist you if working during nighttime. The clamps and the cord are heavy duty, and this device will surely last you a long time. All in all, it is extremely portable and convenient to carry in your car.
Pros
- Can inflate car tires up to 30 PSI
- Lead acid battery can be charged through AC and DC adapters
- Portable and convenient to keep in your car emergency kit
Cons
- LED may be a little dull than other alternatives
People Also Asked
Q: Do car jump starters charge the car battery?
A: Even if you buy the newest model of a jump starter, it will not be able to charge your car’s battery. It is designed to start your car by providing immediate battery power in case of emergencies, but it will not charge your battery in any case.
Q: How do I choose the right size jump starter?
A: Different sized jump starters are designed to start different vehicles and engines, so you need to make sure you purchase the right device. The manufacturers provide information on the type of engine the jump starter is ideal for, so make sure you do your research before you buy one.
Q: What happens if I connect clamps to the wrong terminals?
A: The safety feature of reverse polarity is designed to alert you in case you connect to the wrong terminals. The jump starter will not work unless the clamps are connected to the right terminals. This is why it is a wise decision to invest in one that has the reverse polarity feature.
