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Best jump starter: top picks on Amazon

A portable jump starter lets a driver restart a dead battery without a second vehicle. Peak amperage, compatibility with gas and diesel engines, safety protection circuits, and whether the unit also functions as a USB power bank determine which one suits each driver.

By Pickspry EditorialUpdated 4 picks

The short answer

The NOCO Boost Plus GB40 at $100 is the best jump starter for most drivers: the 1000A peak current starts most gas engines up to 6 liters or diesel engines up to 3 liters, the spark-proof clamps prevent user errors during connection and the lithium battery holds a charge in storage for one year without requiring monthly top-ups.

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Quick picks

How we chose

Jump starters are evaluated by peak amperage (for starting the engine), engine displacement compatibility (gas and diesel), battery type (lithium vs lead-acid), safety features (spark-proof clamps, reverse polarity protection, overcharge protection), operating temperature range, whether the unit doubles as a USB power bank, battery charge retention time and price. Specs from manufacturer product pages. We did not test these products.

The picks, in detail

4 picks reviewed
01
Best jump starter for trucks and diesels
NOCO NOCO Boost HD GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter

NOCO Boost HD GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter

Brand: NOCO

Best for

Owners of large-displacement gas trucks (8-liter), diesel trucks (6-liter) or SUVs where 1000A peak current is insufficient, where the NOCO GB70's 2000A peak current handles the largest consumer vehicle engines.

Skip if

The vehicle is a standard passenger car under 6 liters. The NOCO GB70 at $180 provides more peak current than most passenger cars require. For standard cars and light trucks, the NOCO GB40 at $100 provides adequate starting power at a lower price.

Check price on Amazon

The NOCO Boost HD GB70 provides 2000A peak current to start large gas and diesel engines in temperatures as low as -40F, covering the largest consumer pickup trucks and heavy-duty vehicles. The UltraSafe spark-proof clamps require connection to the battery terminals before any charge is delivered, preventing sparks if the clamps are accidentally reversed or connected in the wrong sequence.

The 20,000mAh lithium battery also functions as a USB power bank for phones and devices. The integrated LED flashlight includes emergency strobe and SOS modes.

At $180, the NOCO GB70 is the jump starter for heavy-duty trucks, diesel vehicles and buyers who want maximum peak current.

What buyers say

Owners of large-displacement gas trucks (8-liter) say NOCO Boost HD GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter does what it describes without needing adjustments out of the box. Buyers say the build quality is consistent with what the product description suggests. Buyers who find themselves in a position where the vehicle is a standard passenger car under 6 liters say a different option makes more sense for their situation.

Specifications

Specifications for NOCO Boost HD GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter
Peak amperage2000A
Engine compatibilityUp to 8L gas, 6L diesel
Battery typeLithium
Price$180

Specs from NOCO, GB70 product page

02
Best jump starter for most drivers
NOCO NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter

Brand: NOCO

Best for

Most drivers with standard gas passenger cars, SUVs or light trucks up to 6 liters gas or 3 liters diesel, where the NOCO GB40's 1000A peak current covers the vast majority of consumer vehicles.

Skip if

The vehicle is a heavy-duty diesel truck with a displacement above 3 liters. For large diesel engines, the NOCO GB70 at $180 provides the 2000A peak current that large diesel engines require for cold-weather starting.

Check price on Amazon

The NOCO Boost Plus GB40 provides 1000A peak current from a compact 2.4-pound lithium pack that stores in the glove box or center console. The UltraSafe technology delivers no charge until the clamps are properly connected, eliminating the spark risk of traditional jumper cables during connection.

The GB40 holds a full charge for one year in storage without requiring maintenance charging, making it a practical trunk item that will be ready when needed. The USB-A output functions as a phone charger when not being used for jump starting.

At $100, the NOCO GB40 is the benchmark lithium jump starter for everyday drivers.

What buyers say

Most buyers fitting the profile of most drivers with standard gas passenger cars report NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter meets their expectations across regular use. Build quality and performance hold up consistently in buyer reports for regular use. The common reason buyers pass on it is when the vehicle is a heavy-duty diesel truck with a displacement above 3 liters.

Specifications

Specifications for NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter
Peak amperage1000A
Engine compatibilityUp to 6L gas, 3L diesel
Battery typeLithium
Price$100

Specs from NOCO, GB40 product page

03
Best lead-acid jump starter
Clore Automotive Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp Jump Starter

Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp Jump Starter

Brand: Clore Automotive

Best for

Mechanics, fleets or buyers who want a professional-grade lead-acid jump starter that charges itself through normal operation and does not require separate lithium battery monitoring, where the Clore JNC660 handles commercial use.

Skip if

Compact storage in the vehicle is a priority. The Clore JNC660 is a lead-acid unit that weighs 18 pounds, compared to 2.4 pounds for the NOCO GB40. Lead-acid jump starters are bulkier and heavier but less expensive per peak amp than lithium and do not have the lithium battery storage and charging requirements.

Check price on Amazon

The Clore JNC660 uses a sealed lead-acid battery at 1700A peak current, which covers large gas and light diesel engines at a price comparable to the NOCO GB40 lithium pack. The lead-acid design does not require lithium battery management or precise storage charge levels; the battery charges from any standard outlet.

The heavy-duty commercial cables measure 68 inches for reaching deep engine bays, and the carrying case provides organization for the cables and clamps. The built-in voltmeter reads the battery voltage before and after starting.

At $100, the Clore JNC660 is the professional-grade lead-acid jump starter for buyers who want high peak amps in a proven format.

What buyers say

Buyers say Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp Jump Starter delivers on its stated purpose without hidden trade-offs in the first several uses. The group most consistently satisfied is mechanics, who say it handles their specific use case reliably. Where buyers recommend looking elsewhere is when compact storage in the vehicle is a priority.

Specifications

Specifications for Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp Jump Starter
Peak amperage1700A
Battery typeLead-acid
Weight18 pounds
Price$100

Specs from Clore Automotive, JNC660 Amazon search

04
Best budget jump starter
Tacklife Tacklife T8 MAX 1200A Peak Jump Starter

Tacklife T8 MAX 1200A Peak Jump Starter

Brand: Tacklife

Best for

Buyers who want a lithium jump starter with 1200A peak current below $65, accepting a less-established brand in exchange for a lower price than NOCO, where the Tacklife T8 MAX covers most passenger car engines.

Skip if

Brand reliability over multi-year storage is a priority. NOCO's safety circuits and battery management are more thoroughly documented than those of budget brands. For buyers who want the jump starter to be ready after years of storage, the NOCO GB40 at $100 provides better-established reliability.

Check price on Amazon

The Tacklife T8 MAX provides 1200A peak current in a lithium pack that includes two USB outputs for phone charging and an integrated LED flashlight. The 18,000mAh battery capacity provides multiple jump starts on a single charge.

The smart protection circuits claim reverse polarity protection, overcharge protection and short-circuit protection. The carry case includes the jump cables, a USB charging cable and storage for all components.

At $60, the Tacklife T8 MAX is the budget lithium jump starter that covers most passenger car and light truck engines.

What buyers say

Buyers point out that when brand reliability over multi-year storage is a priority, a different product is the stronger fit. Outside that situation, Tacklife T8 MAX 1200A Peak Jump Starter gets straightforward positive feedback from people using it as intended. For buyers who want a lithium jump starter with 1200A peak current below $65, the performance buyers report is consistently positive across the product's intended use.

Specifications

Specifications for Tacklife T8 MAX 1200A Peak Jump Starter
Peak amperage1200A
Engine compatibilityUp to 7L gas, 5.5L diesel
Battery typeLithium
Price$60

Specs from Tacklife, T8 MAX Amazon search

Engine size to peak amperage guide

Engine type Displacement Minimum peak amps
4-cylinder gas 1.5-2.5L 300-500A
V6 gas 3.0-3.5L 500-700A
V8 gas 4.5-6.0L 700-1000A
Large truck gas 6.0-8.0L 1000-1500A
4-cyl diesel 2.0-3.0L 500-700A
Diesel truck 4.0-6.5L 1200-2000A

Compare the picks

Side by side comparison of every pick
Specification
NOCO NOCO Boost HD GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter
NOCO Boost HD GB70 2000A UltraSafe Jump Starter
NOCO NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter
NOCO Boost Plus GB40 1000A UltraSafe Jump Starter
Clore Automotive Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp Jump Starter
Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNC660 1700 Peak Amp Jump Starter
Tacklife Tacklife T8 MAX 1200A Peak Jump Starter
Tacklife T8 MAX 1200A Peak Jump Starter
Our verdictBest jump starter for trucks and dieselsBest jump starter for most driversBest lead-acid jump starterBest budget jump starter
Peak amperage2000A1000A1700A1200A
Engine compatibilityUp to 8L gas, 6L dieselUp to 6L gas, 3L dieselNot listedUp to 7L gas, 5.5L diesel
Battery typeLithiumLithiumLead-acidLithium
Price$180$100$100$60
WeightNot listedNot listed18 poundsNot listed
BuyCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

Questions people ask

How much peak amperage do I need in a jump starter?

As a general rule, a 4-cylinder engine (2 to 2.5 liters) needs 300 to 500A peak to start. A V6 engine (3 to 3.5 liters) needs 500 to 700A. A V8 gas engine (4.5 to 6 liters) needs 700 to 1000A. Large truck gas engines (7 to 8 liters) need 1000 to 1500A. Diesel engines require more cranking amps than equivalent gas engines due to the higher compression ratio. The peak amperage listed by manufacturers is the maximum output, not the continuous output; the actual amperage during a start depends on the battery state and the engine's requirements at that moment. Buying slightly more peak amps than the minimum for the engine's size provides margin for cold weather, which increases the current required to start.

How long does a lithium jump starter hold its charge?

NOCO states its lithium jump starters retain a full charge for up to one year of storage without requiring a maintenance charge. Other lithium jump starter brands state 3 to 6 months. Lead-acid jump starters lose charge faster and typically require a maintenance charge every 30 to 90 days to prevent the battery from sulfating and losing capacity permanently. For an emergency item stored in the trunk, a lithium jump starter is more practical because of the longer charge retention. Charging a lithium jump starter every 6 months as a routine check maintains it in ready condition.

Can I jump start a completely dead battery?

A lithium jump starter can start a vehicle even when the battery measures very low voltage (as low as 1 to 2 volts in some NOCO models). Traditional jumper cables require the donor battery to charge the dead battery for several minutes before attempting a start. NOCO's UltraSafe and similar smart jump starters apply current directly to the starter motor rather than trying to recharge the dead battery first, which allows starting from a very depleted state. If the battery is dead because of an underlying problem such as a faulty alternator, a parasitic drain or an internally failed cell, the jump start gets the vehicle running but does not fix the cause. The battery should be load tested after the start to determine whether replacement is needed.

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