Best Jump Starters Reviews – Buyers Guide
If your like me had have suffered from a dead car battery then you know the peace of mind you get from having a jump starter in the trunk.
Never worry about finding yourself in a situation with a flat auto battery in the middle of nowhere, keep a jump starter in you vehicle so a flat battery never ruins your day.
At JumpStartersGuide.com our goal is to provide readers with unbiased information and reviews. We have reviewed jump starters from the leading brands in our quest to find the best jump starters and with so many choices, we have put together a leader board of the best jump starters based on what we believe are the most important user requirements.
After conducting our research and spending countless hours looking at different Jump Starters we would recommend the Clore JNC660. The JNC660’s 12V power pack should be more then sufficient to jump start any vehicle up to at least a large pick up truck. It’s easy to use with easy to read instructions. It comes with extra long cables and a simple gauge to help to keep track of how much power is left.
Our Pick
Clore JNC660
(5,600) View all reviews- Powerful with 1700 Peaks Amps
- Small footprint allows for easy storage
- Lightweight so easy to carry
- Charge indicator light and gauge.
- DC Power outlets to charge electronic devices
Get it Now: Buy on Amazon
Best Jump Starters
In the table below click on the Make/Model link to skip to a more in-depth review of the model your interested in most.
Model | Make/ Model | Peak Amps | More Info |
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Clore JNC660 | 1700 | More Info |
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Schumacher PSJ-2212 | 2200 | More Info |
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Stanley J5C09 | 1000 | More Info |
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Duracell DRPP600 | 1300 | More Info |
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Clore JNC300XL | 900 | More Info |
Among the jump starters that we have reviewed so far, the following make it onto our Top 5:
1 – Clore JNC660
The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 12-Volt Jump Starter is designed for both personal and professional use.
It is engineered to provide as much starting power as possible to a discharged battery, and can be used in a variety of situations including home garages and campsites to auto repair shops and dealerships.
It provides 1700 Peak Amp power and has a battery status indicator. To power accessories the Clore JNC660 comes with a 12V DC power outlet.
The unit is supplied with extra long 46 inch cables that allow you to reach the battery terminals with the unit rest on the ground.
The weight of the JNC660 is 18 pounds, which is about average for a medium/large jump starter like this. Although for some this may not be lightweight it still makes the unit portable.
Features
- Peak Amps: 1700 amps
- 12V outlet: Yes
- Dimension: 16.3 x 14.1 x 5.1 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
Verdict
Although it’s not cheap the Clore JNC660 is great insurance for anyone who drives a lot especially in remote areas. It’s not light at 18 pounds but is definitely portable. This starter is simple to use and easy operate. And it holds charge for a very long time!
The charge indicator status light and gauge ensures that you will find it easy to see the charge status of the unit.
With a small footprint of 16.3 x 14.1 x 5.1 inches the JNC660 is compact enough to store in the boot of car or shelf in the garage.
When you look at user reviews for this unit it is highly rated. At the time of writing this review it has received over 200 user ratings on Ebay with an overall rating of 4.9/5.0, and users on Amazon have given this model an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.0 View all reviews on Amazon)
(2 – Schumacher PSJ-2212
The Schumacher PSJ-2212 DSR ProSeries Jump Starter cranks out 2200 Peak amps, 330 cranking amps and 275 cold cranking amps. This is more than enough power to get a dead car battery going.
The unit comes with a 22 Ah professional grade, high output AGM battery offering quality in a compact unit.
With a 22amp battery the Schumacher PSJ-2212 is a suitable power source for all 12 Volt DC accessories that are equipped with a 12 Volt accessory plug.
The “charger” for the PSJ-2122 is built into the internal machinery of the unit. To charge the unit all you need to do is connect it to a 110V power supply. You will not need a special power cord to charge the unit you can connect a regular extension cord that you can pick up from the likes of Home Depot or Lowes.
Features
- Peak Amps: 2200 amps
- 12V Outlet: Yes
- Dimension: 14 x 4.7 x 15.2 inches
- Weight: 27 pounds
Verdict
Never be stranded again with the Schumacher PSJ-2212. The large capacity 2200 peak amps gets dead batteries working fast. The unit itself is very built to last and comes with a set of solid clamps. Th PSJ-2212 is fairly heavy at 27 pounds but do you expect with all that power.
The compact design allows for easy transport as it allows you to store the unit behind the seat of a pickup where it sits securely. If you in a hurry you will be glad that it re-charges rapidly within about an hour or two.
The Schumacher PSJ-2212 mostly scores well when rated by its users. At the time of writing this review it had received over 600 verified customer ratings on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.0 View all user reviews on Amazon)
(3 – Stanley J5C09
The Stanley JC509 500-Amp Battery Jump Starter with Compressor is a convenient and portable power source to jump-start a dead battery without the need of another vehicle.
With more than enough power to jump-start your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV or tractor, the Stanley J5C09 comes with 1000 Peak Amps and 500 Amps instant power.
Charging the unit is easy since the unit has a built in charger. Before you can charge the unit however you will need a regular extension cord. Once charged the unit can be used to charge electronic devices like mobile phones with the built in USB port.
It has a built in 120 PSI air compressor perfect to inflate tires. For night-time use it comes with a high powered LED light that rotates 270 degrees. Although the LED light is fairly small it will put out enough light for using the unit is in the dark.
Measuring in at 11.2 x 8 x 13.5 inches the unit is very compact allowing you to store the unit away in the back of a car or truck when it not needed with ease. At 18 pounds the unit is fairly heavy however the well built handle handle on top of the unit makes it easy to move around for use.
Features
- Peak Amps: 1000 amps
- 12V Outlet: Yes
- USB Outlet: Yes
- Dimension: 11.2 x 8 x 13.5 inches
- Weight: 18 pounds
Verdict
The Stanley JC509 is definitely a life saver. From just one charge you will be able to jump start a number of cars even if they have completely dead batteries. The USB port that comes as standard is quite handy for charging electronic devices such as phones, tablets, laptops etc.
The JC509 comes with its own air compressor and compressor gauge. The gauge is easy to read so you can ensure a car tire is filled to the correct psi and it is pretty quick at filling up a tire.
The JC509 scores well with users on Amazon and has an average user rating of 4.1 stars out of 5.0 View all user reviews on Amazon).
(4 – Duracell DRPP600
The Duracell DRPP600 Powerpack 600 will be there to provide plentiful power for work, recreation and emergency backup situations.
This robust unit is powerful enough to run many popular electronics, small appliances and power tools, and is perfect for jump-starting vehicle batteries.
With numerous safety and emergency features users are assured safe, simple “plug and play” operation, perfect for users who possess only basic technical knowledge.
If your planning on using this unit during a camping trip then you might want to purchase a solar panel to recharge it. You can use it during the night to power various kit like a CPAP and then charge it during the daytime.
Features
- Peak Amps: 1300 amps
- USB outlet: Yes
- Dimension: 15.2 x 10.7 x 9.3 inches
- Weight: 21 pounds
Verdict
The Duracell DRPP600 is a really handy piece of kit. With the way this unit is designed there is little chance of accidentally turning it on.
The built-in light LED allows you to work in the dead of night. There is a built-in storage compartment where the AC cord and needles are stored. The unit recharges via an AC cord, so bear this in mind when your looking to buying a solar panel.
The AC outlets come in extremely handy in the event of a power outage. You can use them to power a set of lamps to keep your house lit until the power is restored.
In terms on customer ratings the DRPP600 has racked up over 600 user ratings on Amazon with an overall rating of 3.6 stars out of 5.0 View all user reviews on Amazon).
(5 – Clore JNC300XL
The Clore JNC300XL packs the great punch providing 900 Peak Amps of starting power into a unit that weighs just 9 lbs. It is the melding of power and portability.
The JNC300XL starter with its compact size can be store almost anywhere and it features the Clore PROFORMER battery technology, specifically designed for vehicle jump starting.
If you need to charge a battery in the dark it also features a flashlight perfect in the night-time and other emergency situations.
Features
- Peak Amps: 900 amps
- 12V Outlet: Yes
- Dimension: 7.2 x 7.8 x 12 inches
- Weight: 9 pounds
Verdict
The Clore JNC300XL ticks all the boxes for everything you need in this type of kit. It’s compact size and lightweight allowing you to easily move it around. It’s compact design allows you to store it in a car’s trunk.
The sealed lead/acid battery stores enough power to crank a large car engine. It charges fast and the 900 amp will start almost any vehicle.
The JNC300XL is a popular unit and scores well when rated by users. And on Amazon it has an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.0 View all user reviews on Amazon).
(- We have even come up with our own Jump Starter Comparison Table that allows you to quickly compare the specs of the most popular starters from leading brands. See our Comparison Table.
Jump Starter Buyers Guide
What is a Jump Starter?
In its simplest form a jump-start is a 12 volt lead acid battery similar to the batteries used in cars. They are generally more compact than car batteries and can weigh between 25-30 pounds. Being both compact and light makes them portable so they are easily maneuvered.
Their main function is to act as a portable power source to revive stalled engines. Having one allows you to quickly and conveniently start you engine without having to wait for a mechanic. They are also well suited to be used as a portable backup generator whilst camping or in extreme cases during natural disasters.
They also come with a variety of features and can include ultra-bright lights and 12V charging points for gadgets.
Why do we need a Jump Starter?
Generally most motorists have faced a very common problem with our car batteries especially during the colder winter months. If the battery is old and has not been replaced in a while, or we accidentally leave the lights on over the night, unsurprisingly our car refuses to start in the morning.
In such a case you may suffer from a slight inconvenience but if the battery were to die in the middle of nowhere leaving you stranded then you will suffer a bit more than a little inconvenience. It is in such a situation that an emergency jump starter comes to our rescue.
Once a car battery is dead, it needs to be connected to an external power source to give it a jump or some starting power. After the initial jump start, and after the car begins to run on its own power, the cars alternator will begin to recharge the battery. This should give you the opportunity to reach a place of safety and either fully charge the battery or find a suitable replacement.
They can also brilliant during other emergencies. Some units are capable of providing an LED light during blackouts. You can even connect your laptop, phone or television. Some jump starters have built in air compressors that can be used to inflate the flat car.
Key Considerations
Whenever you are eying to buy any product you must consider what set of features and specifications you would like in the product, jumps starters are no different. Below are what I consider to be the main set of features you need to look at before parting with any money.
Power of Jump Starter
It takes a lot of power to start a car engine with a dead battery. Jump Starters are rated by the amount of amps and cranking amps. It is good to find out how to differentiate between the two when comparing models. The cranking amps are generally a few hundreds amps, the higher the more power the unit will provide.
Portability
One of the most important features to look out for in a jump starter is how easy is to carry around? How portable is the unit? Check the dimensions of the unit to ensure it will easily fit wherever you choose to sit the starter. There are various sizes of portable power, always pick the one that fits your needs and requirements and more importantly fits in your trunk.
Weight
Look into the weight of the unit, generally the lighter the starter the more portable.
Appearance
I like most people tend to part with my money when I love the appearance of a product even if it does not fulfill all my requirements. I think to myself, do I find the product appealing? If not then I will not touch it with a barge pole. This also applies to jump starters since there are all shapes and sizes that will meet anybody’s expectations.
Reliability
Reliability is a key measure whenever you are considering purchasing a product to use in an emergency situation. There are a few ways to find out how reliable a product is, the best in my opinion is to check product reviews, and forums. Use the customer scores and reviews to gauge how reliable the jump start is. Generally if a model has a specific reliability issue then it will become apparent from reading these reviews.
Safety Measures
Since jump starters are a powerful portable power source there is always the minuscule risk of something going wrong resulting in injury. Some units have built in safety features that can include auto-shut down once the dead battery is charged.
Jump Start Dead Batteries
There are some jump starters available on the market that will only work when the depleted battery that still has a little charge left, but this is of no use when dealing with completely dead batteries. Check to see that the jump starter you buy has the ability to fully jump a battery that has no charge.
Jump Starter Cables
Often the jump cables are neglected whenever someone is looking into purchasing a starter but you should carefully pick the cables since when incorrectly used, they can ruin your battery. You should have two cables each about 40 inches long and they will have bull nose clips on either end. The thicker gauge cable the more power it will deliver to your dead battery.
Cost
If money is no were no object then you could forget about this consideration but for many the cost of the unit is probably the most important consideration. Generally you can easily pick up a decent model from between $100 to $200. The more you are willing to spend the more features you will likely get including extra attachments such as a flashlight and air pump.
Warranty
Many products come with a manufacturer’s warranty that should give a customer peace of mind, so you are ensured of getting a replacement for a faulty unit if the fault appears within the warranty period. Manufacturers offer different length and coverage of warranty. There are some that can offer a lifetime limited warranty while others offer one or two years of limited warranty. In terms of coverage, there could be some differences too. Therefore, you need to make sure that you have read and understood the warranty coverage first before buying a specific product.
How to Use a Jump Starter
In most instances Jump starters are quite easy to use. Begin by placing the starter beside the dead battery. You will not have to take the car battery out. Before starting the jump start ensure all the electronic appliances in the car such as the cooling unit, music system are turned off. This is an essential step since the power surge could damage these appliances.
When connecting the jump cables you must identify the positive and the negative terminals of both batteries because a correct connection is necessary. Then connect the jumper cables to the positive and negative ends of the two batteries. Remember- the positive end is to be connected only to the positive end, and the negative end to the negative. The cables will ensure the circuit is complete. At this point there will be a small spark, indicating that the battery is being recharged.
Summary
Choosing a jump starter can be extremely difficult since there are plenty of models available. Now that you have seen the various options and read reviews of our top picks on the market, it’s totally up to you to pick one depending on your needs and your budget. If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions about any jump starters that should be added to the list, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. We appreciate all your opinions!